WGA and SAG-AFTRA’s strike may have a chilling effect or worse for the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival, according to an article in the The Desert Sun. While festival passes go on sale this week, the strikes are showing little signs of settlement. Both sides know the clock is ticking for not only our film festival, but for other awards shows.
I saw WGA member and photog extraordinaire David A. Lee at last week’s Center Social. He and his husband Daniel Vaillancourt (a frequent private commenter on my blogs) have been protesting and commented for the story. Streaming is the main sticking point and rightly so!
Speaking of the Center Social, I’m proud to announce the next event will be at Hunters Nightclub on Wednesday, August 23rd. Jennifer Seymour’s storied bar is celebrating its 25th anniversary and Gay Desert Guide turns 10. We’ll also be welcoming back Mike Thompson as CEO of The Center that night. I hope you’ll join us!
And the elephant in the room is what happened with Boyz Night Out at Hotel Zoso. The good news is that our DJ Galaxy won’t miss a proverbial beat, and will be at The Sonoran (formerly AsiaSF) again this Friday.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Tears for Fears – The Tipping Point Tour Part II
Tears For Fears: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith with special guest Cold War Kids bring The Tipping Point Tour Part II to Acrisure Arena on Tuesday, August 1 at 7:30 pm. Tears For Fears are one of the most iconic bands of the ‘80s, selling over 30 million albums worldwide with singles such as “Shout,” “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” “Mad World,” “Sowing The Seeds Of Love,” and “Woman In Chains” acknowledged as classics. In 2022, the band released their latest studio album, The Tipping Point, which garnered critical acclaim and has already become a fan favorite. Get tickets
Modernism Week October Tickets on Sale Aug. 1
Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, August 1, at 12 noon 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
PrimeTimers of the Desert Weekly Mixer
The PrimeTimers of the Desert welcome you to their weekly mixer with mature gay males and their admirers on Monday, July 31 from 5–7 pm. Enjoy a drink in a relaxed environment. Escena is the perfect establishment for this. PrimeTimers of the Desert is a social club for mature gay males, providing opportunities for its members to meet, socialize and make new friends. More info
OutBook Club August Meeting
The Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Palm Springs Public Library present the OutBook Book Club on the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30–8:30 pm (with the first half hour being a social mixer) in the upstairs VIP room at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Selections are chosen by group members and highlight a mix of new LGBTQ+ releases and influential classics. The selection for the Wednesday, August 2 meeting is Palimpsest: A Memoir by Gore Vidal. More info
CVRep Summer Cabaret Series: Glenn Rosenblum
CVRep presents their Summer Cabaret Series on Thursdays at 7 pm, and this week, it’s Broadway Showstoppers with Glenn Rosenblum and Friends on Thursday, August 3. Rosenblum is a cabaret star and entertainment storyteller, and welcomes special guests Broadway’s Alix Korey and award-winning Broadway and Hollywood actor, director, choreographer, acting coach and writer Joshua Finkel to perform iconic songs that have made Broadway great. See our event listing to see the variety of talent lined up in this series: Get tickets
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage 2023 is going on now through 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, Ben & Jerry’s, Brandini Toffee, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Maracas Mexican Cantina & Grill, Pastry Swan, Waters Cafe, 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
Vote for Mitch! – Favorite Chef
Palm Springs’ own Mitchell Battersby made it to the quarterfinals 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
Country Dance Fridays
Dance Ranch Palm Springs presents Country Dance Fridays, a great night of country western dancing, including two-step, waltz, shadow, East and West Coast swing and line dances, every Friday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step. The dance lesson is at 7 pm with dancing from 7:30–9:30. Dance Ranch Palm Springs is a country western dance group serving the LGBTQ+ community and its friends. Country dancers of all levels are welcome. More info
Lazy Bear Week
Lazy Bear Fund, Inc. presents their annual signature event, Lazy Bear Week, from Monday, July 31–Monday, August 7 in Guerneville, the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. This is one of the largest and most successful bear gatherings in the world, going for over 25 years. Attendees enjoy pool parties, dance parties, campfires, live entertainment and amazing DJs. Most Lazy Bear Week revelers stay in local lodges, campgrounds and cabins, or avail themselves of any number of options in nearby towns and cities. More info
Indio Food Truck Fridays
The City of Indio presents a weekly Food Truck Fridays event, from 5–10 pm at Towne Street and Bliss Avenue. Check out the array of food served by the finest food trucks in the area, including Mariscos El Berrinche, Tacos al 100, Nick’s Pizza, Krazy Daisy, Pupuseria 503, Cool Cactus Candles, the Green Truck, and many more! Regardless of what you are craving, Food Truck Fridays has you covered. More info
PALS Death Cafe
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors) presents a Death Cafe on Thursday, August 3 from 2–3 pm on Zoom. A Death Cafe is a group-led open conversation about death and dying; and in doing so to live life more fully. It is not a counseling or bereavement group; and there is no agenda, specified topics, or designated outcomes. Join the conversation. Bring your curiosity and questions and engage in a discussion about the aspects of death and dying that interest you. More info
Palm Springs Public Library Passport Fair
The Palm Springs Public Library is having a Passport Fair on Saturday, August 5 from 10 am–4 pm for people who need to apply for a passport for the first time. (No renewals). Just bring your completed paperwork, proof of citizenship, and identification. Staff will review all documentation and once complete will submit your application to the State Department for processing. To learn more about the needed forms, acceptable forms of identification, and fees, go to the library’s website prior to your visit. Passport photos are also available at the library for an additional fee (proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Palm Springs Library). More info
