The week gets off to a “loving” start as the BNP Paribas Open is underway in Indian Wells. We love the lineup for Palm Springs Pride, which we announced Friday on KGAY, and cannot wait for the weekend. We’re going to be hosting the 2nd annual “Light Up the Night” with Alaska Airlines and Vacaya LGBTQ+ Vacations supplying the prizes. Get your pink or rainbow lights out of the closet and test the bulbs.
We’ll have news on when and where Ross Mathews’ Bubbly Brunch is coming back at the end of the week and note that Atomic Bingo moves to Thursdays starting this week. And join us Wednesday at Oscar’s for an “Evening on the Lanai: Remembering the Golden Girls.”
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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An Evening on the Lanai: Remembering the Golden Girls
Gay Desert Guide and Oscar’s are pleased to bring back An Evening on the Lanai: Remembering the Golden Girls after two sold-out performances this summer! On Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m., one of the masters behind the success of The Golden Girls, TV sitcom writer Stan Zimmerman, takes us down memory lane with fun behind-the-scenes stories, little known facts, and more with host Alexander Rodriguez. Join in the fun as we watch clips of our favorite episodes complete with sing alongs and trivia – how well do you know your Golden Girls? Show us your best Golden Girls look, you may just take home a St. Olaf Women of the Year award from our list of giveaways! Get tickets
Hiding in Plain Sight: Breaking the Gay Code in Art
UCR Osher Lifelong presents Hiding In Plain Sight: Breaking the Gay Code In Art on successive Mondays, October 4, 11, and 18, from 5:30–6:45 p.m. on Zoom. This three-part series will will expose how, throughout history, queer artists have faced the challenge of staying in the closet or being out with their art and lives, risking rejection and prosecution. Despite enormous repression from society and art institutions, queer artists have revolutionized art, survived scandals, won landmark battles, modernized photography, spearheaded movements, and transformed mainstream culture. More info
BNP Paribas Open Begins
The 2021 BNP Paribas Open kicks off Monday, October 4 and continues through Sunday, October 17 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This is the largest two-week combined ATP & WTA professional tennis tournament outside of the four majors. While the first-ever fall edition of the BNP Paribas Open was already slated to feature a women’s event with 96-player singles draw and 32-team doubles draw, the men’s event will now have the same size fields as well with a full two-week schedule. The tournament will require all fans, staff, sponsors, media and vendors to show valid proof of full vaccination, but there will be no limit on the number of fans at the tournament. More info
Palm Springs Pride Artist Lineup Announced
Greater Palm Springs Pride has announced the entertainment lineup for the 35th annual festival, with headliners Third Eye Blind, Jody Watley, A Flock of Seagulls, The Robyn Party, Shannon, and Jeanie Tracy! The Festival will occur in outdoor venues and include three days of dancing in the streets of downtown Palm Springs with four different stages to host a diverse slate of artists. There will be open-air beverage lounges, food vendors, a festival marketplace, T-Mobile Youth Zone, and a Children’s Garden for the kids. In addition to the entertainment lineup, the Festival will boast a spectacular art installation: American artist Yvette Mattern’s Global Rainbow, a sculpture utilizing specially designed lasers to project a large-scale abstraction of a natural rainbow. Learn more about the full lineup of entertainment [here].
Atomic Bingo Moves to Thursdays
Wilma and Frieda Palm Springs and Ethyl’s Place present Atomic Bingo, now on Thursdays from 5:00–9:00 p.m. Join host Ethylina Canne for 5 games a night with 5 cards per person for your chance to win fun 50s & 60s themed prizes. Make your reservation early. More info
October is LGBTQ History Month
We are now into the first week of LGBTQ History Month, and that means you can visit this history month website to learn about a new a new LGBT icon featured every day with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.
Sharing Our Desert’s LGTBQ+ History
For the local story of LGBTQ history in the Desert, this year Palm Springs Pride and the Palm Springs Library present an official Pride Event – Sharing Our Desert’s LGBTQ+ History: An Inaugural Exhibition, which will be open from Thursday through Sunday, November 4–7, at Welwood Murray Memorial Library during Palm Springs Pride! Check out the history of the Greater Palm Springs area that made it a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ Community. More info
Public Speaking for Selling Artists
The Desert Art Center presents a free presentation on Tuesday, October 5 from 4:30–6:00 p.m., to help artists sell their work by calming their nerves, upping their professionalism, and connecting with buyers. Tell your story and start conversations that draw buyers in without making you feel like a “desperado” to sell your work! More info
Jazzville Palm Springs: MFUO Quintet
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five Entertainment, presents MFUO Quintet on Thursday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Jacques Lesure and his MFUO collective are an exceptional brew of guitar mastery with the brilliance of Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, Pete Kuzma on keys/organ, Christian Moraga on percussion and special guest Jake Chapman on vibes. Jacques’ guitar playing is steeped in the rich tradition of his mentors like George Benson and Kenny Burrell. His music is rooted in the foundations of gospel, blues and jazz. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites available. More info
AAP-Food Samaritans’ Season Kickoff
AAP kicks off the Season with a celebration on Thursday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m. Featuring entertainment by the spectacular Broadway star Andrea McArdle, luscious cocktails and abundant delectable hors d’ oeuvres, RSVP is required to attend the private location. There is no admission fee, however, attendance indicates a commitment to either join the Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program, or purchase tickets/sponsorship to Evening Under the Stars (which takes place April 30, 2022). More info
Positive Life Series – Medicare and ACA Plans
The HIV+ Aging Research Project Palm Springs presents the Positive Life Series on Tuesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s topic: “Medicare and ACA Plans” will be presented by Brian Bilhartz and Cesar Perez in association with Bilhartz Insurance. Future Positive Life programs include: “Wasting in HIV” with Marc Vincent (Nov. 2), and “Healthy Sex & STDs” with Phyllis Ritchie, MD (Dec. 7). Registration required. More info
Hike Tramway Road with Kim
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents Walk and Hike with Kim, occasional treks for women led by Kim Kieler. On Tuesday, October 5, join Kim at 7:00 a.m. to hike the Tramway Road. Meet at the old Visitor’s Center (corner of 111 and Tramway Rd.) to hike up 1.5 miles to watch the sunrise over the Coachella Valley. Road and side paths are lighted. Walking on asphalt. You must be double-vaccinated and maintain physical distancing on the trail, bring a liter of water, and reserve your spot online ahead of time. More info
Seated Wellness & Women’s Monthly Walk
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson, back on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. During Lynn’s practice, participants will learn to increase ranges of motion through holding poses on a chair while incorporating breathing and meditation techniques into the practice. More info
The Center also presents the Women’s Monthly Walk—a gentle walk led by Barbara and Gail. This month they are visiting the Backstreet Art District on Wednesday, October 6 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Fur babies are welcome on a leash. More info
Farmers’ Markets Return
The following three Certified Farmers Markets are open for the season at the Palm Springs, La Quinta and Palm Desert outdoor locations:
- Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market: Open Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The PS Market is held at 2300 E. Baristo Rd. (adjacent to The Camelot Theatres)
- La Quinta Certified Farmers’ Market: Open Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The LQ Market is held in Old Town La Quinta at 78100 Main Street (off Calle Tampico).
- Palm Desert Certified Farmers’ Market: Open Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The PD Market is held at 72-559 Hwy 111, adjacent to the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce.
THIS WEEKEND
Western Xposure: Fall 2021
Western Xposure is a four day long bear party from Thursday, October 7 through Sunday, October 11 at CCBC Resort. It’s totally clothing-optional, body & sex-positive, and you can make it whatever you want, or need, it to be. Pool parties run all day long with poolside DJ’s Carrera, Bulldog, PM Me, and Boy Shaped Box.
A free lunch BBQ on Fri, Sat, & Sun is provided, and there are trails to explore, grassy areas to relax in, dark rooms and outdoor play spaces, and much more including hot tubs, a steam room, and cold plunge waterfall. More info
Weekend of Frey Architecture and Design
The Palm Springs Art Museum presents a Weekend of Architecture and Design, from Friday–Monday, October 8–11, centered around the father of Desert Modernism, Albert Frey. Curated for lovers of mid-century Modernist Architecture, the weekend will feature tours, documentary films, exhibits, lectures, and parties. More info
The Producers at Desert Theatreworks
Desert Theatreworks is back and presenting their acclaimed production of Mel Brooks’ Broadway hit The Producers, opening Friday, October 8 and running through Sunday, October 31. The Producers features Max Bialystock, the onetime king of Broadway producers hungry to strike it rich, and Leo Bloom, an accountant with dreams of someday becoming a theatre producer, scheming to get rich by producing a flop, until it all goes wrong when the show is a hit. Get tickets
Revivals After Dark Back Alley Event
Revivals After Dark presents the Back Alley Event on Friday, October 8 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This fundraiser to benefit DAP Health and Palm Springs Leather Order of The Desert will take place at the Revivals Palm Springs Back Alley, where you can shop for adult art, resale leather, and “porn-again” magazines & books. You also will have the chance to meet the 21 Palm Springs Leather Contestants! More info
Barktober Pet Adoption and Costume Contest
Animal Samaritans presents Barktober at the River on Saturday, October 9 from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in Rancho Mirage. This is both an adoption event and a pet costume contest, so bring your pet in costume for a chance to win prizes, meet some adoptable pets and maybe find your new fur-family member. More info
Paint El Paseo Pink
Desert Cancer Foundation presents the 15th Annual Paint El Paseo Pink on Saturday, October 9 at 8:00 a.m., returning to El Paseo for an in-person event this year. The walk for breast cancer awareness is the first major event held on El Paseo since the pandemic began. More info
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage’s The Show presents Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons on Saturday, October 9 at 8:00 p.m. Oh what a night! Don’t miss a night a music & memories when the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Famers play Agua Caliente’s premier concert venue. More info
Le Dîner en Blanc Palm Springs Premiere
Le Dîner en Blanc, the elegant large-scale picnic from Paris that takes place in a secret location with an all-white dress code, will take place Saturday, October 9. As per the usual protocols for the event, the exact location of the event is only revealed a few hours before the event, and only to registered guests. More info
