My mailbox runneth over! After being away last week for Outfest and Gay Wine Weekend, I came back to a mailbox full of “save the date” mailers from our local non-profits.
Of course, Alex and our team at Gay Desert Guide had all of these posted on our online calendar. But I’ll summarize:
*Thursday, Jan 4, 2024! PSIFF Film Awards kicking off the Film Festival. (Tables go for $50k, so get out your Platinum card)
*Saturday, Jan. 27 Palm Springs Art Museum Art Party honoring the legacy of Albert Frey
*Wednesday, Dec. 6 McCallum Theatre’s Gala 2023 starring Audra McDonald.
These are in addition to the many charities vying for you to buy tickets to Barry Manilow’s A Gift of Love VI, the holiday shows that Barry donates his talents every other year. And we can’t forget Michael Childers’ One Night Only November 8.
Maybe thinking of Fall and Winter events will take our minds off this oppressive heat and smoke? Even Sonoma County was nearing triple digits for Gay Wine Weekend. The only relief was the typical fog and chill as I drove over the Golden Gate Bridge. For now, it’s back to “Summer in the City” of Palm Springs till shorter days in September brings us some relief.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you may be!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
It’s time for Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage 2023! 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, kicking off Monday, July 17 and going through August 13. See our event listing for a link to participating restaurants and their exclusive Taste of Summer offers. Wristbands can be picked up at a variety of non-profits (see the full list here). More info
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Fest
The 41st Annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival (the biggest LGBTQ+ film festival in the world) is taking place now through Sunday, July 23, in different venues around Los Angeles. Outfest helps LGBTQIA+ storytellers overcome barriers to entry into the entertainment industry by providing critical skills, access and support to both emerging and established filmmakers. There are many events, workshops, masterclasses, and panels for both the community and filmmakers to participate in, plus all the film screenings and even a virtual festival you can enjoy from anywhere. The festival ends with a Closing Night Gala featuring Chasing Chasing Amy, directed by Sav Rodgers. More info
Merman to Premiere at Outfest
Nurse educator Andre Chambers of Palm Springs is profiled in the short film Merman, premiering at Outfest in the film short compilation “Express Yourself” on Thursday, July 20 at 5 pm at the Directors Guild of America, Theater 2. The film features Chambers speaking about his life as an emergency nurse, Mr. Leather titleholder, civil rights advocate, and icon of Palm Springs. Learn about his unconventional life journey as a Black, queer man growing up in the volatile 1970’s and how it has led to his current activism. Also available to stream online starting July 24. More info
Vote for Mitch! – Favorite Chef
Palm Springs’ own Mitchell Battersby is currently in 3rd place in the prestigious Favorite Chef competition, presented by celebrity chef Carla Hall. In this tournament-style competition, competitors go through rounds, and those with the most votes in those rounds move on. To win Favorite Chef, one must leverage the power of social media and word-of-mouth advertising to garner the support of the public to vote. From a humble group of over 100 talented chefs, Mitch has challenged himself to prove time and again that his culinary skills are unrivaled. As he continues to work toward the finals, you can help Mitch win by voting daily, and if he wins the competition, he’s donating $5,000 to Palm Springs Pride to help keep Pride free for everyone. Vote today
Recap: Season 8 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Episode 11
Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto has your latest recap for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8, Episode 11: The Fame Games Variety Extravaganza, where it’s down to the top two queens of the season, Jimbo and Kandy Muse. Dante explains they “had a pact to make it together to the end and it held up where other alliances failed. After some buffoonery, wig pulling and friendly trash talk, it’s evident: the alliance is ovah! Kandy’s ready to go head to head and tit to tit for the crown.” In addition to their face off, the eliminated queens are back to compete in the Fame Games, where fans cast votes online in support of their unaired runway looks. Read more about it in Dante’s full recap of Episode 11 [here].
Desert Stonewall Democrats July Meeting
The Desert Stonewall Democrats July Membership Meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 18 at Mizell Center’s Community Room at 6 pm. This meeting’s topic is Demystifying Equity and Representation in District Elections. A distinguished panel will address the current effort to establish smaller, and more representational districts in Coachella Valley cities. Come at 5:30 PM for refreshments and some social time. RSVP requested. This will be a hybrid meeting with a ZOOM option. More info
CVRep Summer Cabaret Series: Maximo Marcuso
CVRep presents their Summer Cabaret Series on Thursdays at 7 pm, and this week, it’s Maximo Marcuso on Thursday, July 20. Internationally acclaimed tenor Maximo Marcuso thrills audiences with his beautiful and diverse repertoire of operatic arias, classical crossovers, Broadway standards and contemporary favorites.. See our event listing to see the variety of talent lined up in this series: Get tickets
Boyz Night Out
On Friday, July 21—and every Friday night!— Zoso Fun presents Boyz Night Out at Hotel Zoso from 4–8 pm. This legendary pool party and happy hour is hosted by Snatch and features music from K-Gay’s own multi award-winning deejay Vincente Corrales as DJ Galaxy! Come and enjoy go-go boys, awesome drink specials, pop up drag events, PS Flaggers and more, and kick off the weekend! More info
Wine & Weenies
Wine & Weenies is taking place every Friday in July from 5–7 pm at PSBS (Palm Springs Bottle Shop). Admission gets you two glasses of wine, a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a whole lotta fun! Come cool off on Friday evenings with good people, cold wine, and hot dogs with a chance to shop late at PSBS and Mojave Flea Trading Post. A portion of ticket sales benefits the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Get tickets.
