We’re moving gayly forward into the new week and our first week of the Film Festival. There are many LGBTQ+ films, some identified as Queer Cinema in the guide. You’ll find a few recommendations below.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs,
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Palm Springs International Film Festival
The 34th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is in full swing, running daily now through Monday, January 16. Films will be shown at various venues, including the Annenberg Theater, Regal Cinemas, Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Palm Springs High School, and Mary Pickford Theatre. Use the Film Finder tool (linked below) to search by section, genre, region or director to find, for example, queer cinema films like Nelly & Nadine (pictured): Nelly and Nadine fell in love on Christmas Eve in 1944, when they were prisoners in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Miraculously reunited after the war, they went on to spend a rich but hidden life together in Venezuela – a life revealed in diaries and home movies discovered by Nelly’s granddaughter. The festival will close on Sunday, January 15 with The Lost King, directed by Stephen Frears and starring Sally Hawkins; with the Best of Fest screening on Monday, January 16. Check out our listing for links to purchase passes, view the full schedule of films, and Film Finder: Get tickets
Open Rehearsal and Auditions for Modern Men Spring Concert
Modern Men: Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus invites you to their Open Rehearsal on Monday, January 9 from 6:30–8 pm at the Palm Springs United Methodist Church. Hear the songs to be sung in their upcoming Spring concert, featuring the music of Barry Manilow. After the Open Rehearsal, auditions will be held to join the chorus, or singers may come on the following Saturday, January 14, from 11 am–12 noon to audition at the same location. More info
Free Yoga Tuesdays in Cathedral City
The Cathedral City Parks and Community Events Commission proudly brings free yoga classes to the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater in Downtown Cathedral City every Tuesday morning from 10–11 am starting on January 10 and going through March 28. The free classes will be taught by professional yoga instructor Patti Wexler. The classes are designed to be power yoga for all levels, not gentle yoga classes. Anyone interested in taking the free power yoga classes can simply show up and participate, no reservations required. The classes will be held outdoors on the amphitheater lawn. More info
Yappy New Year!
Animal Samaritans’ Palm Springs Yappy Hour celebrates the first gathering of the new year on Thursday, January 12 from 4–6 pm at the Margaritaville Desert Rose Garden (and continuing each month through April). Enjoy an exciting evening with other animal lovers and their canine friends, bring your dog and enjoy treats for your pet and hors d’oeuvres and wine for you! More info
Desert Blues Revival: Tommy Peacock
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs presents the Desert Blues Revival every Wednesday at 8 pm in the Cascade Lounge. On Wednesday, January 11, Tommy Peacock takes the stage. Each week, come enjoy great bands playing authentic Blues, Soul, R&B, and Rock from all over the globe right here in your backyard. Get tickets
Jazzville: Irving Flores Latin Band
Jazzville invites you to experience the hottest acts in jazz and step back in time to when all the cool cats came to play and put Palm Springs on the map! On Thursday, January 12 from 7–8:30 pm, Jazzville presents Irving Flores Latin Band. Irving Flores is an accomplished pianist, composer, arranger and music producer from the San Diego area. He performs with Charles McPherson, Poncho Sanchez, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Alex Acuna, and Cuba’s “El Negro” Hernandez. Jazzville ambassador Will Lyle (who now lives in NYC) joins the band on bass for this show! Get tickets
Reality TV & The Bubonic Plague
The Palm Springs Art Museum presents Reality TV & The Bubonic Plague on Thursday, January 12 from 5:30–7:30 pm in the main museum with speakers Arely Zimmerman & Maya Gurantz. “Mixed Feelings” is a back-to-back lecture experience on unrelated topics (that are somehow connected). Two speakers talk about their respective areas of expertise and you get to make the connections during the Q&A. Get tickets
January at The McCallum
The McCallum Theatre presents R.E.S.P.E.C.T. / The Earth-Shattering Aretha Franklin Experience on Thursday, January 12 at 7 pm, and on Friday & Saturday, January 13 & 14, Neil Sedaka takes the stage at 7 pm. Also coming in January: Jeffrey Siegel (1/16), Lucy Loves Desi (1/17), Monterey Jazz Festival Tour (1/19), The Simon and Garfunkel Story (1/20 & 21), Capitol Comedy (1/22), The Highwaymen (1/23), Music of The Carpenters (1/26), Paul Anka (1/27 & 28) and more! Get tickets
“Triple Thread” Fiber Art Show and Opening Reception
The Rubine Red Art Gallery invites you to their new exhibition: Triple Thread – Fiber Arts Group Show. While no art show on earth could possibly explore all of Fiber Art History — the clothes, the rugs, the tapestries and the sewing — these three artists present a compelling “splice” of contemporary Fiber Arts: Welsh artist Matthew Downham, new RRG artist & Minnesotan, Christopher Rowley, and Palm Springs’ own Nikki Virbitksy. The show will be on view January 6–23. More info
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