Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Mar. 20–22, 2020

Open Closed GayDesertGuide.LGBTWe’re monitoring the almost minute-by-minute changes to events and activities with our team. Be assured that we will provide the latest updates here on GayDesertGuide.LGBT as they occur.  Palm Springs City Council has closed all nonessential businesses and issued a Shelter in Place order. Please watch our Facebook and Twitter feeds for details and stay tuned right here to our regular blog postings for updates. Also, the CMI study of LGBTQAI consumer trends (think if it as the gay census) is now open.  See below for the link and take a few minutes while you’re home sheltering in place!

Don’t miss this special episode of the #ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast, where Hosts John Taylor, Shann Carr, and Brad Fuhr  speak with Jimmy Boegle of CV Independent (which has been providing excellent coverage throughout this developing crisis) and Dr. Laura Rush, an accomplished physician with a special focus on HIV, gay, lesbian and transgender health care. [Listen here]

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide


City of Palm Springs Issues Shelter in Place Order

At an emergency City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, the Palm Springs City Council gave unanimous direction to City Manager David Ready to issue a new emergency order under his declaration of a local emergency advising all residents to shelter in place and limit activities to only those essential to their daily lives and to close all non-essential businesses. Read more.

Carryout/Delivery Guide

In light of this new (temporary) reality, dining out, one of the great joys of Palm Springs, is not an option right now. However, don’t miss the opportunity to support our local businesses and enjoy great food at the same time by ordering takeout or delivery! We are featuring a “Carryout/Delivery” category on GayDesertGuide.LGBT with a growing collection of restaurants offering takeout and/or delivery, with contact information, location, and links conveniently gathered for you in one place: [click here]

ALSO: See the Coachella Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Dine GPS  list of restaurants offering takeout, curbside pickup, delivery and deals for to-go orders [here].

Palm Springs Public Library Offers Temporary Digital Card

While it is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 precautions, the Palm Springs Library is making access to its digital resources more easily available than ever. Residents of the Coachella Valley can sign up for a temporary digital card, valid for 90 days, making it possible to download eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, TV, music, homework help, and online classes. Read more

All Gatherings Greater than 10 People Prohibited

Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser announced a prohibition on all gatherings with an expected presence of more than 10 people, starting Monday, March 16 through April 30. The restriction is expected to cause many restaurants to adopt take-out only policies. Exceptions to the rule include grocery stores, healthcare facilities, hotels and daycare centers.

Palm Springs City Manager Declares Local Emergency

On Saturday, March 14, Palm Springs City Manager David Ready signed a declaration of a local emergency in the City of Palm Springs to address COVID-19 in ways to reduce and slow the rate of infections and exposure to City residents, workers and visitors. Read the Declaration

Desert AIDS Project Opens Coronavirus Triage Clinic

Desert AIDS Project, which has recently opened their new clinics, is transforming their original clinic into a specialized COVID-19 triage clinic. This will allow their medical experts to screen patients demonstrating symptoms in a quarantined space, while also allowing non-symptomatic patients to continue having their health needs met without potential exposure. They need your support this vital response as they step up to provide care in a critical time of need. Learn more 

REOPENING: Certified Farmers’ Markets

The Palm Springs Cultural Center has announced that all 3 of their Certified Farmers’ Markets (Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta) will resume operations, beginning: Saturday, March 21 in Palm Springs [more info], Sunday, March 22 in Old Town La Quinta, and Wednesday, March 25 in Palm Desert [more info]. Certified Farmers’ Markets are listed as an essential service to remain open during the Covid-19 Crisis.

Increasing Rapid Response Mobile Community Markets

The Jewish Federation of the Desert and FIND Food Bank have partnered to fund 20 of FIND Food Bank’s Rapid Response Community Mobile Markets (RRCMM) to address the long-term economic impact of (COVID-19). They are deployed when urgent food assistance needs exist.  FIND’s RRCMM’s are a community safety net in emergency situations. Numerous community events and gatherings are being postponed or cancelled – including critical community food distributions.  When an emergency arises, FIND’s Rapid Response Mobile Markets are designed to quickly provide food to individuals who would otherwise go without. Read more

LGBTQ Community Survey

Please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 14th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. The report will be published on the CMI.info website for free download on approximately June 30. Previous surveys have had over 45,000 participants from 150 countries. Also, participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. [Click here] to start the survey


LATEST EVENT POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

CLOSED: Agua Caliente Casinos

Tribal leaders of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have declared a Reservation-wide State of Emergency consistent with similar declarations by the state of California and the federal government. All Tribal enterprises including its casino resorts, golf courses and hiking areas will close: Agua Caliente Casinos in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs, The Indian Canyons Golf Resort, and Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons hiking areas.The closures will be effective through March 31.

CANCELED: Australia’s Thunder From Down Under

The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage was scheduled to present Australia’s Thunder From Down Under Neon Nights 2020 World Tour on Saturday, March 21. However, The Agua Caliente Tribe of Cahuilla Indians has closed all tribal properties  More info

CANCELED: AIDS/LifeCycle 2020

The Los Angeles LGBT Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation has decided to cancel the AIDS/LifeCycle for 2020, originally scheduled for May 31–June 2. They will be holding a virtual Town Hall on Monday, March 23 to answer questions. More info

CANCELED: Dining Out For Life 2020

Dining Out For Life will not take place as originally planned for April. Desert AIDS Project plans to launch a different fundraising effort to respond to the COVID-19 emergency.

CLOSED: Mizell Senior Center

Mizell Senior Center will be closed until Monday, April 27. Meals at Cafe 480 will still be available for takeout, and of course Meals on Wheels vans will continue to fan out across the Coachella Valley. More info

CLOSED: Cathedral City Senior Center

Cathedral City Senior Center is suspending all person-to-person contact and group activities, effectively closing, beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 3. Reevaluation will be made at that time.

CLOSED: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has temporarily closed their public operations. The animals in their care are healthy and doing well. A core team of animal care, veterinary, facilities and operations professionals will continue to remain onsite during this temporary closure. More info

NEW DATES: Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend, originally planned for April 1–4,  will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary to September 16–21. For questions about hotel and ticket transfers, please visit https://thedinah.com/update

NEW DATE: “The Velocity of Autumn”

Coyote StageWorks has postponed their run of The Velocity of Autumn, originally scheduled for March 13–22, to be the first production of next season, now scheduled to run November 13–22. More info

CLOSED: AsiaSF/Palm Springs

After a successful opening just this past February, AsiaSF/PalmSprings has announced that the venue is on hiatus until there is a safe resolution to the Coronavirus crisis. They will evaluate reopening by monitoring the evolving crisis closely. More info

NEW DATE: Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival

The 7th Annual Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival was originally scheduled for March 22–25. It has been rescheduled for October 4–7, at Temple Isaiah and the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

NEW DATE: Palm Springs International Dance Festival

Originalyl scheduled for April 2–5, The Palm Springs International Dance Festival has been postponed until the fall, with new dates announced for October 22–25, 2020. More info

POSTPONED: LA Pride 2020

Christopher Street West (CSW) has decided to postpone all events surrounding the 50th Anniversary of the LA Pride Parade and Festival. The organization will be moving the 2020 Festival, originally scheduled for June, to a later date. They are working with the City of West Hollywood to confirm new dates.


Here’s a quick rundown of what we know about event postponements, cancellations, and rescheduling, as well as businesses and attractions that have closed for the time being. For more detail, visit our Coronavirus COVID-19 Event Postponements & Cancellations page.


POSTPONED (No new date set yet):

  • ANA Inspiration Golf Tournament
  • NCLR Palm Springs Mingle
  • NCLR Palm Springs Garden Party
  • Indian Wells Arts Festival
  • Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus: “Cassini”
  • “How to Survive an Apocalypse” presented by Desert Ensemble Theatre Company
  • Striving to Thrive Town Hall
  • Desert Stonewall Democrats’ March Meeting
  • Transgender Day of Visibility
  • Palm Springs International Film Society events through April.
  • Los Angeles Pride (50th Anniversary Year)

RESCHEDULED

  • Red Dress Dress Red Party – May 16
  • Rocky Horror Picture Show Interactive – May 20
  • “The Producers” presented by Desert Theatreworks – April 10
  • Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend – September 16-21
  • Coachella Music Festival – Oct. 9–11 and 16–18
  • Stagecoach Music Festival – Oct. 23–25
  • White Party Palm Springs – Oct. 30–Nov. 2
  • Palm Springs International Dance Festival – Oct. 22–25
  • Jewish Film Festival – Oct. 4–7
  • Desert Winds Freedom Band California Dreamin’ Spring Concert – Nov. 21 (tentative)
  • “The Velocity of Autumn” presented by Coyote StageWorks – Nov. 13–22

CANCELLED

  • Dining Out For Life
  • BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
  • Fashion Week El Paseo
  • Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival
  • Cathedral City LGBT Days
  • Palm Springs Animal Shelter Faux Fur Ball
  • Palm Springs Front Runners & Walkers Events through April
  • 2020 NAGAAA Cup Softball Tournament
  • Palm Springs City Events (VillageFest, ONE-PS Picnic & Community Expo)
  • Palm Springs Police & Fire Appreciation Dinner
  • Mizell Senior Center Events/Games (though the center remains open)
  • Palm Springs Art Museum Events
  • CalComMen March Events
  • The Hue Music & Arts Festival
  • UC Riverside Palm Desert Events
  • Palm Springs HOT RODEO

CLOSED

  • All non-essential businesses
  • The Living Desert
  • Agua Caliente Casinos in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage
  • Indian Canyons Golf Resort
  • Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons Hiking Trails
  • AsiaSF/PalmSprings Dinner Theater
  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
  • Palm Springs Art Museum (all three locations)
  • McCallum Theatre
  • Mizell Senior Center
  • Joslyn Senior Center
  • Cathedral City Senior Center
  • Sunnylands Center and Gardens
  • Palm Springs Public Library & Welwood Library
  • All Palm Springs City facilities, including Swim Center and Skate Park
  • Rancho Mirage Public Library
  • Playrooms at CCBC (Hotel and Restaurant remain open)

  1. Palm Springs Public Library Offers Temporary Digital Card to Residents
  2. Coronavirus: A Guide to Coachella Valley Restaurant Take-out and Delivery Specials
  3. Pandemic Stories: As the COVID-19 News Intensified, Local Theaters Struggled With the Decision on Whether or Not to Remain Open. Then the Decision Was Made for Them.
  4. IMPORTANT: DAP Needs You Today
  5. Jewish Federation of the Desert And Find Food Bank Partner to Increase Rapid Response Community Mobile Markets

Welcome New Partner

At Grocery Outlet in Downtown Palm Springs, there’s no shortage of great deals right now. You’ll find name brand groceries and farm fresh organic produce for 40-70% less than conventional grocery stores. They are taking necessary health measures by sanitizing bathrooms and register areas more often, as well as providing sanitary wipes for your grocery cart. Grocery Outlet in Downtown Palm Springs works hard everyday to bring customers the brands they love at prices that are nothing short of pure bliss. Learn more

The post Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Mar. 20–22, 2020 appeared first on Gay Desert Guide Palm Springs.

Read More on Gay Desert Guide