This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings for June 9-12, 2017

A Somber, Angry, Empowered and Hopeful Weekend of Activism Ahead

REMEMBERING PULSE / SATURDAY / 10:15 PM / ARENAS ROAD:  One Year after the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando, The LGBT Community Center of the Desert, along with the City of Palm Springs, will be holding a community-wide vigil on Saturday evening, June 10th, announced Mike Thompson, CEO of The Center. “One year after the Pulse Nightclub attack, we want our brothers and sisters to know that we are in solidarity with the Orlando and Latin LGBT community,” he said.

 To be held on Arenas Road, between Indian Canyon Drive and Calle Encilia, the Vigil will begin promptly at 10:30 PM. All 49 names of the victims of the attack will be read, along remarks by several community leaders. At 11:02 PM, the time at which the first shots were fired (Pacific Time), a minute of silence will be observed at the vigil as well as in the surrounding businesses to give a true sense of the weight of what happened last year in Orlando. Supporting Arenas Road businesses so far include Blackbook, Bongo Johnny’s, Chill Bar Palm Springs, Hunters, Rough Trade Gear, Spurline and Streetbar.   This event will be one of several across the nation in solidarity with the Orlando community to continually #HonorThemWithAction.  RSVP ON FACEBOOK

EQUALITY MARCH FOR UNITY AND PRIDE / SUNDAY / 5:30 PM / FRANCIS STEVENS PARK:  A coalition of 20+ Coachella Valley-area organizations and leaders are planning a local event in solidarity with the Equality March for Unity and Pride happening nationally in Washington, DC on Sunday, June 11. The Equality March for Unity and Pride – Palm Springs will be a community event, free and open to the public, featuring a community resource fair, rally with speakers, and ending with a march in downtown Palm Springs.  BTW, the Tony's don't begin until 8 PM…

Splash House returns to Palm Springs this summer, June 9-11 and August 11-13, for their fifth year!  Their official venues include The Saguaro Palm Springs, Riviera Palm Springs, and Renaissance Palm Springs.  Each hotel hosts a poolside stage programmed with festival artists.  Shuttles run non-stop between the venues so you can hop to another pool at any time. Destination PSP has swimwear if you're looking for the latest trunks.

Hotel packages include your Splash House tickets, shuttle access, and hotel accommodations at one of our host hotels. Get Wet

Summer Splash Discounts for Visitors!

The cool thing about summers in Palm Springs is that the streets are less crowded, things are cheaper, and the activities are as hot at the weather. We’re inviting you to spice up the season with this link to Summer Splash Discounts. The fun runs from June 1 through Sept. 15. The Deals of Summer!

Will Dean Celebrates Queens of the Desert for Outlook Magazine

"Wonder Woman" Lynda Carter Confirmed for Comic Con Palm Springs

“Holy medjool dates, Batman. Linda Carter and Stan Lee will come to Comic Con Palm Springs 2017!” Ah, we’re dating ourselves with that one. But those of us who remember ABC TV’s 1960s campy caped crusaders will get the pun. And fans of all ages will be thrilled to check out Comic Con Palm Springs Aug. 25 to Aug. 27 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros.

Lynda Carter, aka Wonder Woman, and Marvel creator Stan Lee will join artists, such as J. Scott Campbell, who pins Spiderman and Danger Girl at the convention. Famous voices including stand-up comedian Tom Kenny of SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be on hand. Actors including Khary Payton of The Walking Dead and Teen Titans Go! are on the guest list, too. There will be plenty of booths where you can get valuable memorabilia and costumes, costumes, costumes. Zowie! Comic Con Palm Springs has brought together some of the most passionate and talented people from the world of comic books and entertainment to produce an exciting new comic con in one of the most famous and fun cities in the world.
 

"We’ve spent years working, observing, and listening to what people want and sought from their comic con experiences," explain organizers.  "Not only working with talent and exhibitors, but also being passionate fans ourselves, we wanted to apply all the great ideas and suggestions everyone had – yours and ours together. Each year we plan to make Comic Con Palm Springs something special."  Express Your Inner Superhero

Father, Son and Holy Coach at CVRep This Weekend

From the play's official website, "John Posey's "FATHER, SON & HOLY COACH" is a comedic tour de force that CBS Radio called “AN ABSOULUTE JOY. REMINISCENT OF THE LATE ROBIN WILLIAMS!” The Los Angeles Times raved that "Posey is a brilliant writer and makes each of his characters so believable you imagine him becoming every one of them throughout the show." FATHER, SON & HOLY COACH takes the audience from the mythical Tupelo County…where high school football is a religion and the local fans are so rabid that they bet on the outcome of the annual, small children's Easter Egg Hunt and shoot rival football team's field goal attempts out of the air… to the University of Georgia where fans get down on their hands and knees barking, while they act like bulldogs.

This wonderful family comedy follows a small boy through to adulthood as he struggles with his father's obsession to turn him into the football player his dad never quite was. It's a rollercoaster ride of joy and sadness that will have you rolling in the aisles one minute and tearing up the next. Hailed by critics and audiences alike, FATHER, SON & HOLY COACH is "A Triumph" and "A Theatrical Touchdown!" for anyone who's ever been a parent or a child..  Get Tickets

Art Laboe's Summer Love Jam VI

Everyone who loves classic R&B, funk and hip-hop can get a shot of their favorite music curated by Art Leboe and held at The Show. Art Leboe’s Summer Love Jam VI scheduled for 7 PM June 17 at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, features the techno-funk band Zapp, R&B balladeers Midnight Star, MC Magic and Lighter Shade of Brown. Tickets are between $45 and $65.  Summer Love!

June at The Purple Room

There's no shortage of shows at The Purple Room before they close for part of the summer around July 1st.  Among those events on deck in coming weeks, the MTU Graduation Showcase; Scott Bruce – Elvis The Early Years; Sharon Sill: Sass, Sex and Songs: The Story of My Life; The Buddy Holly Review; Bobbie Eakes: She Loves the Nightlife; Jonathan Karrant: Celebrating Ella's 100th!; and Debby Holiday: American Cancer Society Benefit.  Get Purple!

Andy & Nathan: Two Shows at Streetbar Saturday!

Andy and Nathan bring their music back to Streetbar, 224. E. Arenas Road, for two shows from 4 PM to 6 PM and 8 PM to 10 PM June 10. Streetbar, known on this popular street for its friendly crowds and lively entertainment, invites the duo of Andy and Nathan back for their practically annual performance at the night club., Streetbar.

Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Concludes Sunday

Experience some of the most exciting eateries throughout Coachella Valley during Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week June 2-11, 2017. It's the perfect time to discover a new restaurant, or visit an old favorite. Restaurant Week offers something for everyone. #DineGPS and #ILoveGayPalmSprings, and post on Instagram!  Let's see your food porn!

What are restaurants offering during Restaurant Week?

Participating restaurant offer a special* Lunch and/or dinner menu at set prices.

Lunch (2+ Courses): $15 | $20 | $25
Dinner (3+ Courses): $29 | $39 | $49

Prices and meal periods vary by restaurant, and exclude beverages, tax and gratuity. Restaurant Week menus are offered during lunch and dinner hours only. Please check the restaurant listings online to ensure what menus are being offered during Restaurant Week. Menu(s) subject to change due to seasonal availability of ingredients.

How do I take part in Restaurant Week?

No passes, tickets or coupons are required…diners simply dine out at participating restaurants throughout the event. Make a reservation on our website or call the restaurant directly. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
There is no guarantee that walk-in guests will be accommodated.

Do you have to order off the special Restaurant Week menu?

In addition to the Restaurant Week menus, participating restaurants will also offer their regular menu. Diners are encouraged to try the special Restaurant Week menu, but it is not required.

DON'T BE WITHOUT RESERVATIONS!

Happy Hour Finder

Hurry over to Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club at 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive before they close for summer hiatus July 1. The Purple Room has an outstanding Happy Hour from 4 PM to 6PM Tuesday through Saturday. It’s devoted an entire menu of light bites as well as St. Louis Spare Ribs, Chicken Wings and 3 Cheese Mac-N-Cheese specially priced for Happy Hour. In addition to that, there are $4 well cocktails, $4 glass of wine, $6 well martinis, $6 well margaritas and more.
 
Bonta Restaurant and Bar in Cathedral City is among the eateries participating in Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week that ends June 11. They do this international thing that includes Latin Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Argentinean cuisine. Besides the exciting foods, the Happy Hour is pretty cool, too. It runs from 5 PM to closing in the bar and lounge area during the restaurant week festivities.

Hot Deals

Patrons, who eat at Watercress Vietnamese Bistro, say they love the plating of Garlic Butter-Soy Shrimp or Wok-fried Steak Cubes as much as they enjoy the taste. See what everyone’s talking about at Watercress, 415 North Palm Canyon Drive, with a hot deal that offers 40%-off a $25 meal.
 
Rick's Desert Grill, 1596 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, offers a wide array of lunch and dinner dishes prepared with a Cuban flair. Great food at reasonable prices will satisfy everyone's taste! Now serving brunch daily from 11am-2pm. Happy Hour is from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM daily. 

The food, Ample Beer and a choice from the wine list can be had for 40% off. That means a $25 meal can be enjoyed for $15. 

Top Five Bookmarks of the Week

1. All Coachella Bands Playing Poolside Parties At Sunset At Splash House
2. Religious Liberty Battle Still Rages Over Gay Marriage
3. This Lacey Baker Print is Being Sold to Benefit onePULSE Foundation
4. Find All Summer Splash Discounts Here
5. Desert Dreamers had a Vision for Coachella Valley

So Many Reasons to Proclaim: #ILoveGayPalmSprings