Hitting too close to home: That’s what many in our community are feeling in the wake of the senseless killing of Laura Ann Carleton for displaying a Pride flag in her store in the nearby mountain community of Cedar Glen store.
As we were getting ready for the Center Social celebrating the 10th anniversary of GayDesertGuide, I stopped by Blackbook. I had noticed a huge rainbow flag, a ladder and owner Dean Lavine busily at work orchestrating his crew to hang said flag. He, like many others, were moved to action after the hate crime. Dean’s response was to place the largest rainbow flag he could find on the wall of the bar. It’s simple act of defiance and alliance with a woman who just wanted to show her support of our LGBTQ+ communities. And it ended tragically in her death.
The rhetoric that we’re hearing from the right is having a deadly impact. It doesn’t take much to instigate an already-unsteady person into action. We’ll soon celebrate Palm Springs Pride, and unfortunately I’ll be looking over my shoulder hoping that an incident like this won’t happen in our community.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Streetbar Anniversary Celebration
Happy Anniversary to Streetbar! To celebrate 32 years, they are rolling back drink prices to 1991 for their Anniversary Party on Saturday, August 26 from 11am–5 pm. Throw on your best 90’s retro attire and come for entertainment by Billy Wilson, Siobhan, Carlos Iriarte, Tony Greco and Larry Atello. More info
DOGust Birthday Bash
DOGust is the “Official Birthday Month” for shelter dogs, and Animal Samaritans invites you to attend its DOGust Birthday Bash at the Palm Springs Kimpton Rowan Hotel on Saturday, August 26 from 11 am–1 pm. Your minimum $20 donation gets you into the event where you’ll receive lunch bites, wine, and a chance to win prizes. There will also be dogs available for adoption at the event, with all proceeds to benefit Animal Samaritans’ life-saving programs. More info
Drive to Survive! The Race Against Hunger
The Greater Palm Springs Realtors summer food drive, Drive To Survive! The Race Against Hunger, benefiting the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s Community Food Bank, is happening now thru September 15. Food insecurity is real, and together we can help ease the burden on our hungry neighbors. You are invited to drop food items off at the Greater Palm Springs Realtors office from 9 am–5 pm on Mondays and 8 am–5 pm on Tuesdays–Fridays. They’re accepting nonperishable food items, or you can also make monetary donations to support the critical services that the food bank provides. More info
Whitney Cummings at The Show
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage presents Whitney Cummings on Saturday, August 26 at 8 pm. Cummings is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, entrepreneur, and host of the hit podcast “Good for You.” Best known for creating and starring in the NBC series “Whitney,” she is also the co-creator and co-writer of the syndicated Emmy-nominated CBS comedy series “2 Broke Girls.” She has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and stand-up specials, including her fifth stand up special which released on Netflix in July 2022. Get tickets
Broadway to the BIG SCREEN – The Producers
Every Saturday this summer, the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the great musicals that made it from Broadway to the BIG SCREEN (and sometimes back again). On Saturday, August 26 at 4 pm, the featured film is The Producers, a musical that begins and ends with an odd couple – cynical Broadway producer and old ladies lothario Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) and accountant/aspiring producer Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick). In conjuring a surefire plan for profits: they plan to produce the worst show ever, collect lots of financing, and close it after opening night…only director Roger De Bris steps in at the last minute as director, the show is a hit, and the producers are ruined! MeTV 103.1 fm is a proud media sponsor of the Broadway to the BIG SCREEN Film Series! Get tickets
Sing Along With Us – Show Boat
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents classic movie musicals in the Sing Along With Us Film Series all summer long, on the largest screen in the valley at the Historic Camelot Theatre. The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus will lead the singing. On Sunday, August 27 at 3 pm, come sing along to Show Boat. The daughter of a riverboat captain falls in love with a charming gambler, but their fairy tale romance is threatened after his luck turns sour. Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs are proud media sponsors of the Sing Along With Us This Summer Film Series! Get tickets
Sunsets at the Street Fair
The College of the Desert’s Street Fair presents Sunsets at The Street Fair with special evening hours on select dates through the summer. Come enjoy sunset shopping from 6:30–10:30 pm on Saturday, August 26. Your next chance for sunset shopping will be September 23. More info
Lit Flicks: Of Mice and Men
UC Riverside Palm Desert‘s popular book-to-film series, Lit Flicks, presents Of Mice and Men (1992) on Saturday, August 26 at 1 pm the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Itinerant worker George (Gary Sinise) reflects on the time he spent traveling with Lennie (John Malkovich), a huge childlike man. The two men drift through California during the Great Depression, looking for work. After they find jobs on a ranch, Lennie develops an infatuation with the owner’s daughter-in-law (Sherilyn Fenn). However, when George and Lennie are handed an opportunity to own part of the ranch, Lennie’s fascination with the woman threatens to destroy their dreams. This movie, like the others in the series, was adapted from a young adult book that has been banned/challenged. This free screening will be followed by a brief discussion about the adaptation. More info
For all events check out the GayDesertGuide.com
