Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Aug 23–25, 2019

David Bowie Tribute, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Concert, Free 60’s Summer Film Series, Yappy Hour Westin Celebrates 4 years, PLUS a preview of upcoming events this fall for which you can get tickets now, and HOT DEALS and Happy Hours!


Art Museum Summer Film Series: “The Rain People”

On Thursday, August 22 at 6:00 p.m. the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Annenberg Theater present the next film in the FREE Summer Film Series: “The Rain People” (1969), a pre-“Godfather” drama from director Francis Ford Coppola about a dissatisfied housewife taking a cross-country break from her marriage. The film series, themed as “Summer of ’69” celebrates the 50 years since the end of the 60’s with films reflecting the climate of the time. The next and final screening of the series will be “Zabriskie Point” on September 5. Specialty cocktails created specifically for each film will be available in Persimmon Bistro 4:00–6:00 p.m. More info


Space Oddity – The Bowie Tribute

Spotlight 29 Casino presents the next offering in their tribute concert series running Friday nights with Space Oddity – The Bowie Tribute – A Tribute to David Bowie on Friday, August 23 at 8:00 p.m. Go back in time on a musical journey through the constantly metamorphosing career of Rock and Roll’s most celebrated innovator! Get tickets


PSGMC Concert at CVRep Playhouse

Join the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus for a special concert at the home of Coachella Valley Repertory on Sunday, August 25 at 2:00 p.m. In this 20th Anniversary season, PSGMC has performed for a variety of large-scale and community events including: La Quinta Arts Festival, Indio Woman’s Club, Cathedral City LGBT Days, Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast and Raymond Cree Middle School Harvey Milk Day, Sunday Sounds at Palm Desert Community Center. In June, PSGMC sang at Carnegie Hall and just last weekend at Walt Disney Hall–both instances for the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising with a 8-movement commissioned work “Quiet No More – A Choral Celebration of Stonewall,” in collaboration with 17 other LGBTQ choruses. More info



Dog Wellness Yappy Hour at Westin Mission Hills

On Friday, August 23 the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa will be celebrating 4 years of their dog adoption program with Animal Samaritans with a Dog Wellness Yappy Hour from 5:00–6:30 p.m. There will be food, dog-themed drinks, and tips on how to keep your dog cool during hot Palm Springs days. The dog gear company Ruffwear will have samples of their cooling gear, a local veterinary physician will speak about dog wellness, and there will be a special reunion of the returning adoptees with their forever families. More Info


GET TICKETS NOW

While we are in the dogs days of summer right now, the event calendar is going to get even hotter, and many upcoming events have tickets on sale now. Here’s a taste of what’s coming, events for which you can–and should–get tickets today!

NEXT WEEKEND: Friday, August 30 – DIVA PARTY Palm Springs

On Friday, August 30 GayDesertGuide.LGBT and KGAY 106.5 present DIVA PARTY Palm Springs at Hotel Zoso, starting at 8:00 p.m. Celebrate the music of the divas with DJ Ray Isaac making you dance and sing to the anthems of Cher, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Ariana Grande, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears & more.  Come dressed as your favorite diva and dance to celebrity DJ Ray Isaac’s selection of hit Diva Songs! Ticket sales benefit Qchella Media, the non-profit that brings you KGAY 106.5. Get tickets


September 13: Out on the Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain’s annual Gay Night is Out on the Mountain, when the entire park goes gay for the night, providing a safe and inclusive environment of fun for the LGBTQ community with rides, dance parties, and performers. Music by DJ Ray Rhodes and DJ SRO, with a special guest performance by Alaska, from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Get tickets


September 19–28: Cinema Diverse

All-Access Passes and Six-Pack Admission Passes are on sale now for Cinema Diverse, the world-class LGBTQ Film Festival now in its 11th year. With red carpets, parties, and of course screenings, this is an opportunity to see movies from around the world that reflect, inform, enrich, and often transform lives. Powerful stuff. Get passes


October 4–6: Gay Days Anaheim

With the brand-new land Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge now open, Disneyland is a hotter ticket than ever, and what’s more fun than going with your red shirt for the “Unofficial Gay Days at Disneyland!” With nighttime parties and cocktail mixers, a scavenger hunt within the park, a massive group photo and much more, you can get Gay Days rates for the Disney hotels or Disney park admission. Get tickets


October 12–November 24: Outlandish Performance Series

The Palm Springs performance series Outlandish is coming back this fall with an outstanding lineup, including evenings with Fran Drescher, Margaret Cho, Coco Peru, Miss Richfield 1981, Leslie Jordan, and Randy Rainbow! Buy a Series Pass to all six shows today and save 10% Get yours


October–April: McCallum 2019–2020 Season

Performers coming to the McCallum Theatre this upcoming season include Melissa Etheridge, Mandy Patinkin, John Tesh, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Renee Fleming, Judy Collins, Pink Martini, Patti Lupone, and many more, plus dance performances and Broadway shows like Waitress, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Chicago, The Play That Goes Wrong, and A Christmas Story – The Musical. Get tickets


October 19 – Palm Springs Equality Awards

Equality California’s Palm Springs Equality Awards honor the inspirational leaders and organizations whose selfless work helps create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. Celebrate EQCA’s 20th Anniversary at one of the desert’s most stylish venues: The Riviera Palm Springs Hotel & Spa. This year the event co-chairs are Hon. Geoff Kors., Hon. Lisa Middleton and Jackie Thomas. Get tickets


November 1: The Art of Pride

The Art of Pride is a brand-new official Palm Springs Pride event kicking off the celebration weekend. Join your friends and allies for this LGBTQ gathering at the Palm Springs Art Museum, which will feature all three levels of the building open, including “Touching History,” a commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall. DJ, open bar, appetizers, and more! Limited to 1,000 attendees. Get tickets


November 2: Palm Springs Pride 5K Run and Walk

The Palm Springs Pride Run and Walk is a 5K race through the beautiful and historic neighborhood of Old Las Palmas and a fun way to celebrate Pride with a healthy, family-friendly event! Proceeds benefit The LGBT Community Center of The Desert (“The Center”) and Safe SchoolsDesert Cities. Register now


November 2: HRC Palm Springs Garden Party

Now is the time to celebrate victories and double-down on our work to advance equality locally and nationally. Join your Human Rights Campaign Palm Springs community members at the annual Garden Party, at the Movie Colony residence of Darrin Pelkey and John Shields and further mobilize the fight for equality. Get tickets


January 2, 2020: Palm Springs Film Festival Awards Gala

The Palm Springs International Film Festival takes place January 2–13, 2020 and the signature showpiece event – and biggest fundraiser – is the annual Film Awards Gala. This is an evening of high style, glitz, and fellowship, complete with red carpet and the hottest industry players, A-list celebrities, and Palm Springs community leaders, plus elegant dinner and awards ceremony. The event raises more than $1 million in funding for the Palm Springs International Film Society every year. Get tickets


Arenas Road’s newest bar, Eagle 501, has a Daily Happy Hour from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., (so it’s really more of a Happy Half Day if you think about it). Enjoy $4.00 well drinks, $2.50 Bud for Bud Light Draft, $3.50 domestic bottles, and specials depending on the day of the week, such as $3.00 Jeager, Fireball, Rumchata and Redbull Wednesdays! Get Happy at Eagle 501

Happy Hour at Runway is from 2:00–7:00 p.m. Daily, and features specials on beer, wine, cocktails, and tasty eats like Runway Sliders, Cheesy Bacon Tots, Nachos, and Chicken Tenders. Check out their Wine & Paint Wednesdays, where you can unleash your inner artist and create your own masterpiece–this coming Wednesday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. Get Happy at Runway


Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge is one of Palm Springs’s favorites because they offer a welcoming and friendly atmosphere in the fashionable Uptown Design District, as well as being a great supporter of the community. Recently featured as Restaurant of the Week on the Joey English Show (listen here). Get this HOT DEAL: a $25 gift certificate to Eight4Nine for just $15! Get Your Deal

18|8 Fine Men’s Salon offers everything the stylish man in the desert needs, from executive haircuts to razor shaves, facials, scalp treatments, ear/brow/nose waxing, manicures, pedicures, and everything in between! Pamper yourself and look your best with this HOT DEAL: Get $50 in men’s grooming services at 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon for just $30! Get Your Deal


  • Space Oddity – The Bowie Tribute
    Fri, Aug 23 at 8:00 p.m. at Spotlight 29 Casino
  • DIVA Party Palm Springs
    Fri, Aug 30 at 8:00 p.m. at Hotel Zoso
  • Duran Duran at The Show
    Thu, Sep 5 at 8:00 p.m. at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage
  • Out on the Mountain Gay Night at Magic Mountain
    Fri, Sept 13 from 6:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
  • Aging Positively: 4th Annual HIV & Aging Conference
    Wed, Sep 18 from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Joslyn Center
  • Three Faces of the King – Elvis Tribute
    Sat, Sept 28 at 8:00 p.m. at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa
  • Palm Springs Women’s Week
    September 29–October 6 at various locations throughout Palm Springs
  • Outlandish Palm Springs Performance Series
    Sat, Oct 12–Sun, Nov 24 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
  • Modernism Week Fall Preview, Show & Sale
    October 17–20
  • Palm Springs Pride Festival and Parade 2019
    Fri, Nov 1 through Sun, Nov 3
  • Palm Springs Pride 5K Run and Walk
    Sat, Nov 2 from 8:00–10:30 a.m.
  • 20th Annual HRC Palm Springs Garden Party
    Sat, Nov 2 from 1:30–4:30 p.m.

    1. Gay Men’s Chorus Soars at Disney Hall
    2. My Night at the Taco Bell Hotel (a.k.a. Hanging With the Influencers)
    3. Aug 28 Screening Teases to Upcoming LGBTQ Film Fest
    4. Review: Splash House Wraps Up Insane Summer Season in Palm Springs
    5. What To Do If You Have 48 Hours In Palm Springs

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