Pride season is winding down with a last California hoorah this weekend in Laguna Beach. I recently got a first-hand tour of the area from a friend who recounted many stories of the famed bars, beaches and boys who graced the coastal town. That’s a faded memory now, but Pride is still alive and well.
We in the Coachella Valley have the honor of first and last Pride celebrations of the year. The last being Palm Springs Pride in November and the first Cathedral City in March. I’m just wrapping up my time at Amsterdam Pride, where an August celebration along the canals was in full swing all week.
The city truly embraces Pride with every city vehicle, every block having a welcoming expanded Rainbow flag. We just updated and are distributing our window poster with “You Are Welcome Here!” If you’d like one for your business, just email us here. By the way, the yellow on the left is a 2021 Intersex-inclusive redesign of the Progress Pride Flag by Valentino Vecchietti.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Caliente Comedy Presents Jason Stuart
Jason Stuart Headlines Caliente Comedy on Friday, August 11, along with Felicia Michaels & Brandon Johnson from 8–9:30 pm at the Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Stuart is a prolific character actor & stand-up comic. Born in the Bronx and raised in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles, he now resides in Palm Springs, next door to his 85 year old Jewish mother Gloria. Tickets include FREE and early admission to Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs “Cascade Nights” nightclub beginning at 10 pm inside the Cascade Lounge after the show. Get tickets
Trans and Nonbinary Tuesday & Thursday
The Transgender Health and Wellness Center presents a Barbie-themed Trans and Nonbinary Tuesday this week on August 8 at 6 pm at Trixie Motel, with free food and a themed raffle prize drawing. In Riverside, it’s Trans and Nonbinary Thursday Hobby Night on August 10 at 6 pm at the Back to the Grind Cafe. RSVP to info@trans.health and visit their website for more info.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Annual Maintenance Closure
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will close for annual maintenance beginning Monday, August 7, with a tentative reopening date of Friday, September 1. This is a time for the Tramway to perform annual State-permit testing, as well as updating control systems, rebuilding the gearbox and testing the cables. More Tram Info
CVRep Summer Cabaret Series: Lisa Vroman
CVRep presents the final installment in their Summer Cabaret Series, starring Lisa Vroman on Thursday, August 10 at 7 pm. From Broadway to classics, on stage and in concert, Lisa Vroman has established herself as one of America’s most versatile voices. She starred on Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera and garnered theater critics’ awards for her portrayal. Her Broadway debut was in Aspects of Love and she was the first to play both Fantine and Cosette in Les Misérables. Get tickets
Modernism Week October Tickets on Sale Now
Tickets are on sale now for Modernism Week – October, the Fall Edition of Modernism Week, the annual festival that highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design. This mini-Modernism Week event runs October 19–22, offering nearly 50 events over four days, including many free and low-cost programs. In addition to beloved returning favorites, there are many new events slated for the October festival, including: “Legendary Palm Springs Commercial Architecture Bus Tour,” “Desert Glamour: The Crockett Residence Tour,” “Celebrate the Restoration of the Iconic Plaza Theatre,” and more! Get tickets.
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage Final Week
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage 2023 is going on now through this Sunday, August 13. For just $10, your event wristband opens up a world of exclusive summer specials at participating Rancho Mirage restaurants so you can savor the best of the Rancho Mirage culinary scene, such as Willie’s Modern Fare, Krispy Kreme, Mission Hills Country Club, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Haus of Poke, Pastry Swan, Waters Cafe, Si Bon, and many more. See our event listing for a link to the full list of participating restaurants and their exclusive Taste of Summer offers. Wristbands can be picked up at a variety of local non-profits. More info
Dive-In Movie: Surf’s Up
Palm Desert Aquatic Center (PDAC) continues their popular Dive-In Movie Series, sponsored by Family YMCA of the Desert, with Surf’s Up on Friday, August 11 at 7:30 pm. Bring a towel for grassy area seating under the stars or in the pool, plus enjoy the many amenities including the water slides, rock climbing wall, rope swing and more. More info
DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Thursday
The Palm Springs Police Department will hold a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Thursday, Aug 10 from 7 pm–1 am at an undisclosed location within the city limits of Palm Springs. During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Palm Springs Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
