Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Sept 7–9, 2018 - Gay Desert Guide Palm Springs

This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings
September 7–9, 2018

Let us be your Gay Desert Guide to the weekend! Now that Labor Day has come and gone, we look ahead to the Fall season, with pride festivals in Oakland and South Bay this weekend, and we are just two months away from our very own Palm Springs Pride. This year we are kicking off PS Pride with our Dip Into Pride Pool Party and we have details about DJs and more! Outlandish and Desert AIDS Walk are also on the horizon, and it's time to get tickets and gather teams now. This weekend we have Judy Shepard in town signing copies of her book, live performances in the form of tributes to Buddy Holly, Whitney Houston, and Carol Channing, plus HOT DEALS and cool Happy Hours!

Dip Into Pride with Subliminal Radio and DJ Ray Rhodes

On Friday, November 2 from 12:00–6:00 p.m., we are kicking off Palm Springs Pride with our Dip Into Pride Pool Party at Hotel Zoso! Our first DJ will be Subliminal Radio's Holly Adams, and this week we have a special “origin story” to share with you, written by Subliminal Radio founder Brandon Anjelano. Read it here. Following Holly at Dip Into Pride will be DJ Ray Rhodes, Los Angeles DJ for such events asTiger Heat and the upcoming Out on the Mountain (Sept. 14–15 at Magic Mountain). We also have an Andrew Christian swimwear contest in the works, plus special performances and appearances, with VIP Daybeds and Cabanas still available! Get tickets

Cinema Diverse Tickets on Sale Now

Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival returns for its eleventh season, September 20–23 in the Historic Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Don't miss the closing night movie, Wild Nights With Emily, starring Molly Shannon as Emily Dickinson, with an after party at Eight4Nine! The festival also returns to the Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City on September 28 & 29 for a Bonus Weekend of screenings. More info

Outlandish Updated Lineup

Outlandish, a unique series of performances coming back to Palm Springs for the second year running, has announced an update: Trixie Mattel, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars will be appearing on Saturday, December 1! Other shows in the series include John Waters, Miss Richfield 1981, Pam Ann, Randy Rainbow and SF gay male revue Baloney. Some of these shows are almost sold out, so Get Tickets

Judy Shepard Book Signing for “The Meaning of Matthew”

On Saturday, Sept 8 from 3:00–5:00 p.m., Just Fabulous presents Judy Shepard signing her book “The Meaning of Matthew.” Today, the name Matthew Shepard is synonymous with gay rights, but before his grisly murder in 1998, Matthew was simply Judy Shepard’s son. In her book, “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed,” Judy Shepard speaks about her loss, sharing memories of Matthew, their life as a typical American family, and the pivotal event in the small college town that changed everything. Brad Fuhr will be interviewing Judy and post a podcast in October, which will be the 20th anniversary of his death. More info

Oakland and South Bay Pride This Weekend

On Saturday, September 8 at Bayside Park in Chula Vista, the South Bay Pride Art & Music Festival will feature Mariah Belenciaga with the SD Divas, and Ingenue on the Port of SD Stage along with food and festival fun! More info

The Oakland Pride Parade+Festival+Celebration is celebrating its 9th anniversary and is set to take place on Sunday, September 9th. Parade kickoff is at 10:30 a.m. and the festival opens at 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m.. Main Stage performers include Amara La Negra of Love and Hip Hop Miami, Rebel, and emcee Marga Gomez. More info

Big Bear Pride Monster Mash Sept 21

On Friday, September 21 at Bear Valley Farms, the first annual Big Bear Pride Monster Mash will feature a Haunted Gay Ride, Slaughterhouse, Queen Scream Contest, Hay Romp, Hot Beef Tacos, live entertainment and more. Followed by the second night of options from Oktoberfest, Concert at The Cave, Glow Golf, or a ride on the pirate ship! More info

Filmmakers' Gallery: Girls Will Be Girls

On Saturday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. The Filmmakers Gallery Presents: The 15th Anniversary of Girls Will Be Girls at The Palm Springs Cultural Center. A VIP cocktail party will be followed by a conversation with Actor/Executive Producer, Jack Plotnick & Writer/Director, Richard Day. At 8:00 p.m. the screening of Girls Will Be Girls, about three actresses at various places on the Hollywood food chain as they navigate the minefield of love, aging, and ambition. Oh, and they're all played by men! Get tickets

Weekend Entertainment

Buddy Holly Tribute at The Purple Room

On Friday, September 7 at 6:00 p.m. Michael Holmes' Purple Room Supper Club presents a Buddy Holly Tribute with Southbound and Company. The Buddy Holly Review captures all the excitement of the music created in the garage behind Buddy's house in Lubbock, Texas. Rock out to a blistering rendition of some of Rock's greatest songs. That'll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Not Fade Away, Oh Boy, Etc. Get tickets

Whitney Houston Tribute at The Show

On Saturday, September 8 at 8:00 p.m., The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa presents: The Greatest Love of All: starring Belinda Davids – A Tribute to Whitney Houston. A five-piece band, backing vocalist and choreographed dancers will accompany Davids onstage as she pays tribute to Houston with live performances of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “How Will I Know,” “I Have Nothing,” “Didn’t We Almost Have it All,” “One Moment in Time,” “Queen of the Night,” and 15 other chart-topping hits. Get tickets

Nicky As Carol Channing

The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Nicky As Carol Channing on Sunday, Sept 9 at 2:00 p.m. (Saturday night show already sold out). Nicky returns to the desert from NYC's famous Feinstein's/54 Below and takes the stage in this homage performance as Miss Carol Channing! Ticket holders be sure to come early to see Nicky's Historic Carol Channing Memorabilia Collection including iconic show costumes, personal effects, and more. Get tickets

Desert AIDS Walk 2018

It's time to get your team together! The 2018 Desert AIDS Walk will be held on Saturday, October 20. Over 2000 walkers will step off from Ruth Hardy Park for the 32nd Annual edition of this event. The walks route winds through downtown Palm Springs as locals cheer on a community in action. The Desert AIDS Walk makes it possible for Desert Aid Project to provide their patients and clients with an unparalleled range of services. More info

D.A.P. Director of Community Health Bruce Weiss recently reflected on why, more than ever, the Coachella Valley needs the Desert AIDS Walk. Read his article: Top 20 Reasons to Register for 2018 Desert AIDS Walk.

Oscar's Cafe and Bar is a casual bar, courtyard, and showroom, with dining and live entertainment in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Enjoy dinner and meet new friends on the beautiful patio and on Sundays that patio becomes perhaps the biggest outdoor Sunday Disco Dance on the west coast. Save a ton at Oscar's when you pick up this HOT DEAL: a $25 Gift Certificate for only $10, for a whopping 60% off! Get them while they last! Get Your Deal

Located in a historic mid-century building in Palm Springs sophiscated Uptown Design District, TRIO is lively and upbeat all year long. Enjoy their 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu 11am – 6pm, Daily, or an exciting and ever-changing array of weekly special entrees and craft cocktails! Get this HOT DEAL and receive a $50 gift card for only $35! That's 30% off! Get Your Deal

At the Ace Hotel & Swim Club you'll find a renowned restaurant (King's Highway), daily events, and a ranch hand bar (The Amigo Room)! Monday nights feature Fabulous Bingo with Shirley Clairefollowed by Ace Trivia with Bella de Ball. Enjoy half off all bottles of wine from 5:30–11:00 p.m. every “Wine Down Wednesday,” and $5 pints from 5:30–11:00 p.m. for “Buddy Brews” every Sunday! Get Happy at ACE Hotel & Swim Club

Eight4Nine offers Happy Hour cocktails and menu items all day every day! Their lounge menu features a $9.00 section allowing guests to say “We Ate 4 $9.” Enjoy classic and modern cocktails, alongside expertly selected wines and craft beers. Get Happy at Eight4Nine

Please drink responsibly, and note that the Palm Springs Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, September 7th, 2018, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Welcome New Partners!

Club Pilates
Welcome Chris Dordell, proprietor of both Club Pilates in Rancho Mirage and opening Sept. 27 in Palm Springs. Chris has a special offer for Insiders: 20% off the first three months of membership if you join by September 30th.

Haus of Poké
Welcome Haus of Poké to Palm Springs! A quick-casual restaurant concept which whisks guests away to the waters off the North Shore to enjoy a combination of vibrant Pacific fish, house made sauces and locally sourced vegetables.

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