March Madness, Palm Springs Style

Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?

Alice: I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are. 

― Tim Burton

If you’re not into sports and you’re still looking for madness, we’ve got you covered 365 days a year — even more so this March. There is SO much going on, it’s crazy pants. And the upcoming months are going to be jam-packed as well, so let’s get it started, uh-huh, oh yeah…

Recurring events

These will be here every month. Some of them will change their lineups, but make no mistake, they are always 100% worth your time.

Mondays: 7 p.m., Bella da Ball calls Bingo at King’s Highway followed by trivia at 9 p.m. At 6’4”, Bella is not only the most visible drag queen in Palm Springs, but she’s (arguably) our first lady (although no one will argue with you on that).

Oscar’s — A myriad of different entertainers, including a couple of fun plays this month on Thursdays and Fridays.

The Purple Room — Free shows Tuesday-Thursday, ticketed on weekends. Sundays: THE JUDY SHOW IS BACK!!!!!!

PS Air Bar — Dressed up like the inside of an airplane, they have good food and entertainment to boot. It’s an experience.

Drink up at PS Air. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs

PS Underground — This is unlike anything you will ever find anywhere. From the wickedly creative mind of producer Michael Fietsam and the culinary genius of Dave Horgan, you will never be disappointed.

Cascade Lounge at the Agua Caliente Casino in downtown Palm Springs. Terrific space, great spot for comedy and our very own Jazzville.

PS Art Museum — Thursdays are free from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Thursday’s Village Fest — It’s like the tram. You gotta go at least once.

V Wine Lounge — The second Sunday of every month is the ladies T Dance. This began in February, and at the time of this typing is the only consistent lesbian party in Palm Springs. V Wine Bar is absolutely gorgeous inside, and also has a HUGE patio. A great place to start or end an evening in Palm Springs.

Historical Tours at Palm Springs Historical Society — SO many to choose from and absolutely worth the price.

MOGO Silent Disco — Use code “pspsh10” at checkout for a 10 percent discount!

Desert Tasty Tours — Full disclosure, I am one of the tour guides on the five-stop food tasting historical tour. It’s hella fun, especially for me.

Limited events

March 1: Dezart Performs: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecological Oncology Unit at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City

March 1-5: Palm Canyon Theatre: The Scarlet Pimpernel

March 1-5: CVRep: Once

March 3-5: LGBTQ Days Cathedral City including LGBTQ Days Cathedral City Bed Race

March 5: Palm Springs Vintage Market

Palm Springs Vintage Market

You never know what you’ll find at the Palm Springs Vintage Market. Photo by Katy Carrier

March 17-28: Palm Canyon Theatre: Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got The Will 

March 17-23: Fashion Week El Paseo

March 18: Red Dress Party at Palm Springs Air Museum (it’s a cool place during the day too!)

March 19: Alohana: A Palm Springs Celebration of Tiki Culture

March 24-25: Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival

March 4-May 7: Desert X 2023

March 26: South Palm Canyon Art Collective Sunday Soiree 

Upcoming events alert!

April 14-16 and April 21-23: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. If you need a room, we’ve got you.

Sept. 20-24: The Dinah. For party details, click here.

Palm Springs Cultural Center (This is also known as the Camelot Theatres)

The state-of-the-art theater was built in 1967, with the original screen fabricated in England and specially designed for the Camelot — with a curvilinear width of 68*4 feet, installed on a 120-degree arc, you’re not going to miss a thing. But wait, there’s more. They not only play current releases (blockbuster and niche) and films that are often LGBTQ+ forward, but they get creative with their programming as well. Don’t go anywhere, I’m not done.

There is a restaurant called Mildred’s (named after the character Mildred Pierce), two theater companies (Desert Ensemble Theatre and The Bent), name acts on the main stage, and local favorites in the upstairs lounge. If they had a hotel you wouldn’t have to go anywhere. And I didn’t even mention the farmer’s market and vintage fair! There’s so much going on, I’m dedicating the last bit of this month’s blog to their calendar.

Sundays: Keisha D, Soulful Sundays, Relive the heyday and hits of Motown with soul and jazz legend Keisha D.

Mondays: Mon Petit Salon. Tour the world with violin virtuoso Jeremie Levi Samson and guests.

Tuesdays: Jazz on the Second Floor. Join Leanna and the Jazz Collective for Latin and straight-ahead jazz.

Wednesdays: The Mod Squad. Join Francesca Amari, Jeff Stewart, and Wayne Abravanel for Mod Pop.

Leanna & The Jazz Collective. Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Cultural Center

Film

March 2: PS Rewinds: Terry Gilliam — Brazil

March 3: Fellini Retrospective — Juliet of the Spirits

March 4: Desert Film Society — Carol of the Bells (Ukraine/Poland)

March 5: Screwball Sundays — It Happened One Night

March 8: Movies In The Park — Gigi

March 11: Desert Film Society — The Night of the 12th (France/Belgium)

March 11-12: The Rocky Horror Picture Show — Coachella Valley Shadow Cast Auditions

March 12: Screwball Sundays — Bringing Up Baby 

March 17: PS Rewinds: Terry Gilliam — The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

March 19: Screwball Sundays — The Thin Man

March 21: Among Friends Interactive — Sister Act

March 22: Movies In The Park — How to Marry a Millionaire

March 24: New York Dog Film Festival + Benefit

March 25: Desert Film Society — More Than a Roll With a Hole

March 26-29: Jewish Film Festival

March 30-April 3: American Documentary Film Festival

Note: Screwball Sundays is a new film retrospective series featuring classic screwball comedies shown as Sunday matinees, March 5 through June 18.

“The Thin Man” is part of the new Screwball Sundays series. Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Cultural Center

Live music

March 1: The Swingin’ Sixties

March 6: Sand, Stars, and Guitars — Special Consensus

March 7: The Swingin’ Sixties

March 9: Razzle Dazzle: A Broadway Revue

March 13: Glenn Miller Orchestra

March 21: CV Philharmonic Society Chamber Series: Early Music

March 23: Razzle Dazzle: A Broadway Revue 

Outdoor markets

Saturdays: Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market 

Sundays: Palm Desert Certified Farmers’ Market 

Theatre

March 10-12, 17-19: Desert Ensemble Theatre Company: Kafka’s Joke

March 2-4: The Bent: Gently Down the Stream

March 7 and 14: The Bent: The Lincoln Debate

March 25: Jimmy Dore Live! 

March 24: PS Dance Project — Communities’ Finest

March 26: L-Fund Grant Comedy Series: Robin Tyler

That’s it for March! Don’t forget to shop and stay local. See you for more madness next month!

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Cinema Diverse + a stay at a Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotel = one amazing weekend

Come for the movies, stay for the weekend.

Now in its 12th year, Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival will run from Thursday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 22, at the historic Camelot Theatres. Cinema Diverse celebrates LGBTQ movies, presenting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender films from around the world.

The opening night film, For They Know Not What They Do, will screen at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19, with special guests in attendance, including the Rev. Dr. Mel White, a Palm Springs clergyman and activist. For They Know Not What They Do is the latest film from Daniel Karslake, the director and producer of For the Bible Tells Me So. The movie focuses on families caught up in the campaign to limit the rights of LGBTQ citizens in the United States, and how the way to move forward is through love, acceptance, and reconciliation. 

Turn your trip to the film festival into a quick getaway by booking a room at one of our boutique hotels. All are gay friendly, and there are several men’s resorts (many clothing-optional!) catering to different communities, including leather and bear. The 32-room Canyon Club is within walking distance to the restaurants, shops, and museums in downtown Palm Springs, while Desert Paradise is in the center of Warm Sands, with 14 poolside rooms.

El Mirasol Villas is known for its spacious grounds, with two pools, an outdoor shower, a steam room, and a lanai with a fireplace, and the Hacienda at Warm Sands boasts unobstructed views of the gorgeous San Jacinto Mountains, a staff to guest room ratio of 1:1, and breakfast and lunch served daily.

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Some Like It Hot: July in Palm Springs

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” – Russell Baker

July, the hottest month of the year. That means Palm Springs is hot, hot, hot. But it’s a dry heat, in a cool, cool place, with sparkling pools, a million stars in the sky, and those mountain views. If that’s not enough to grab you, we have delicious local restaurants, and nightlife coming out of our pores. And as always, we’re Just Fabulous (shameless plug, terrific local store).

Quick Note About August: Splash House is completely booked for passes and hotel packages, but you can still get After Hours, Tables and Cabanas. Here’s the evening line-up for the PS Air Museum concerts, pretty sure there’s a link to tickets. As for hotels, you can stay steps away from the fray in one of our famously fabulous boutique hotels while supporting local businesses. It’s seriously the best of two worlds. Our hotels are gorgeous.

Okay, let’s heat it up.:

Events:

Fourth of July Events:

11:00am Water Palooza, Victoria Park. Music, water games, free hot dogs and snow cones.

3:00 pm Independence Fest and Movie, Sunrise Park,

3:00 pm Family Pool Party: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Palm Springs Swim Center features water games, music and great food.

4:00pm Fourth of July Concert and Laser Show at Ruth Hardy Park (Free)

7:30pm The O’Donnell House at the Willows (so fancy! And for a good cause)

Theater (real live people on stage theater!):

Desert Rose Playhouse:

LGBTQ affirmative, this theater company produces delightfully side-splitting romps. Now located where Zelda’s used to be (next door to Bouschet and Spaghetteria), Desert Rose is a sweet hybrid of stage acts, theater, with a ‘lounge-like” atmosphere. Cocktails are served before and during the shows.

  • Wednesday-Sunday through July 4: Miss Firecracker Contest
  • Friday/Saturday July 9 & 10: A Night On Broadway
  • Saturday: July 17: An Evening of Comedy with Jason Stuart, With Shann Carr and Selene Luna
  • Wednesday-Sunday July 22-August 8: The Great American Trailer Park Musical

Dinner Theater:

PS Underground:

  • July 9: Enigma: A multiple course meal and hosted bar. An over-the-top inexplicable, immersive dinner experience.
  • July 11: Bacon: The bacon bloody marys and bubbly will be free-flowing at this fantastic ode to the best ingredient known to man.
  • July 17: 54 Underground: A recreation of the Studio 54 vibe with a contemporary twist.
  • July 18: Gospel: A multiple course Sunday brunch with toe-tapping, hand clapping gospel music from the band onstage.
  • July 22: Hip To Be Square: Guilty pleasure songs (Neil Sedaka, Johnny Mathis, Captain and Tennille) with great storytelling by Francesca Amari and a 3 course meal by Chef Horgen.
  • July 23 & 24: Lost Cherry: A dark, smoky, sultry cabaret.
  • July 25: Ovation: A jazzed up Sunday brunch.
  • July 25: Bodacious Bingo: This ain’t your gramma’s bingo night at the local VFW. Mack Diamond and his mama, Jetta Burell host this hilarious bingo adventure.
  • July 30: A Night At The Chi Chi: An evening in celebration of the stars who graced the CHI CHI room stage.

Shows: 

Oscars Cabaret:

  • July 2: Crimson Crow: featuring songs from the 60’s up to today, with special emphasis on the 80’s and 90’s.
  • July 3: Patrice and the Women of Soul: Songs of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, and Patti LaBelle for starters.

On-Going:

To keep this short-ish, here are links to my previous blogs from May and June because a lot of it is ongoing. Also, check out all our blog posts. There’s some really great information to be had in there.

VillageFest Courtesy of Sun Line Transit.sunline.org

 

VillageFest is reopening July 1st 2021. 7pm -10pm every Thursday on Palm Canyon Drive between Amado Road and Tahquitz Canyon. It’s a great stroll stroll down our main street while you check out the crafts, and the food, like The HeyDay, their smash burgers, cubanos, and (sometimes lobster) rolls. In fact, try all the street food. It’s really good. Shops and restaurants remain open, and music buskers are on every corner. And all the bars are open for copious drinking. Not encouraging bad behavior, I’m just letting you know your options.

Fridays: DOA Sessions: live jazz featuring rotating jazz musicians from 8p-11p at Dead or Alive. The bar gets a little lost in the shadow of El Mirasol Cocina, but it’s a gem. No martinis here, wines and craft beers only. When you step inside, it’s so unexpected. Very cozy, and kinda sexy. On your first visit, go after dark for the full effect. If the moon outside of the bar is on, they’re open. Not the real moon, that would be weird.

Girl, put your records on, the Retro Room and Karaoke are back! Open daily except Tuesdays. Host KJ Norm weekdays, and KJ Dion on Sundays.

Lipstick is back at The Copa photo courtesy of Brian Wanzek

Lipstick returns July 15! Thursdays at Copa Nightclub catch Bella Da Ball and a cast of fabulous queens featuring the best local singers. I hear Copa is bringing back other favorites, so keep an eye out for them.

Oscar’s: Saturdays: Mimosa Men Brunch Sundays: Bitchiest Brunch Sundays: T-Dance update! First Sunday of every month will be hosted by Chi Chi LaRue.

Sundays: V Wine Lounge presents Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch.

Sundays: Melyvn’s Pro Jam is back! Located in The Ingleside Inn

Toucan’s Tiki Lounge – bringing us the drag glam for two decades! For shows, see below, for tickets, go here.

  • Mondays: All Latin Drag Review “Latin Fever Monday” hosted by Jesus Coria.
  • Thursdays: RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season Six followed by PLAYHOUSE which has a special guest host every week.
  • Fridays: PLAYHOUSE hosted by Gorgeous Chameleon Jazmyn “The People’s Queen” Simone, with “an all-star cast of the fiercest, most sickening Queens on the planet.”
  • Saturdays: PLAYHOUSE with host Kickxy Vixen. “It’s an orgy of Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. Dragsanity!”
  • Sundays: Tommi Rose & The Playgirls. Tommi is legendary and the Queen and resident Drag Mother. The desert’s longest-running drag review.

Tips

  • The Summer Eats Pass is free. Each time you use the pass to check into a website or a participating eatery, you’ll be eligible for a weekly drawing to win a $50 gift card to a Greater Palm Springs restaurant. You’re welcome.
  • PRIDE IN NOVEMBER: Book your rooms NOW. Palm Springs throws a helluva party, and Pride is a blow out. I don’t want you to miss it.
  • Wear sunscreen, hydrate, walk or rideshare if you’ve been drinking. You know, stuff that can ruin a vacation. Plus, our doctors and nurses are tired, y’all.

As always, please shop and stay at locally-owned businesses. And if you go to any of our hotels or enjoy our recommendations, please be sure to tag us with your photos on IG, or @palmspringspreferredsmallhotel (yeah, it’s a lot to type, but we appreciate it!)  #PSPSH

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Looks Like We Made It: January 2025 Events

Gold 2025 numbers in front of a colorful confetti background

We made it to 2025! Well, I’m assuming we did, as this is the voice from Christmas Past. Right now drones and orbs are appearing all over the world, except here in Palm Springs. Our skies are currently orb free, which is a little annoying because by now, if they’ve done their homework, the aliens should know that our little town is chill AF.

So, if you’re an ET or even just a human looking for a getaway with the coolest of vibes, read on. 

A film festival for the ages

Jan. 2-13: Palm Springs International Film Festival. It doesn’t get much cooler than this. Every star that brightened our screens in 2024 will be honored at the opening ceremony/party that starts off the whole shebang. You can buy day passes, single passes, or an event pass.  

Hockey

Jan. 3: Day one of the Cactus Cup at Acrisure Arena

Jan. 4: Day two of the Cactus Cup at Acrisure Arena

Comedy

Jan. 17: Calling all lesbians (and other lovers of comedy)! Enjoy Mina Hartog in her one-woman stand up Miss Personality at Revolution Stage Company. Shows at 5 and 8 p.m. (Taped show, be prepared to sign a waiver.)

The Rock Gallery is a new comedy club in downtown. Pretty sure everyone can use a laugh post 2024. Amirite?

Theater

Jan. 17-26: Fat Ham at Dezart Performs. It’s Hamlet at a BBQ. Really looking forward to this production, Dezart rarely makes a misstep.

Jan. 24-Feb. 2: Tru starring Chuck Yates at Desert Ensemble Theatre. Yates brings Capote to life in this one-man show. 

Festivals

Jan. 31: Taste of Jalisco. This three-day extravaganza includes live entertainment, a fair and carnival, an artisan market, tequila tasting, mouth watering food, and much more.

Feb. 1: Soul Spring Festival, 1 to 6 p.m. at Downtown Park in Palm Springs. This vibrant celebration of soul and jazz music will include performances by top artists, along with an interactive soul music singalong of classic hits. Admission is free. Bring your lawn chairs.

Dinner and a show

PS Underground — Another year of unique shows straight out of Michael Fietsam’s feverish creativity, which is the only match for Chef Dave’s delicious and demiurgic creations.

The Purple Room — One of the last remaining classic supper clubs around. It was the best during the Rat Pack era and remains so —  not only for local talent during the week, but ticketed shows in the weekends. You MUST see The Judy Show. 

PS Air — Located in the same plaza as Revolution, it’s a wine store, it’s a restaurant, and it’s an airplane with entertainment. Kitsch at its best.

Everything except dinner

Palm Springs Cultural Center — Another great home for entertainment in Palm Springs. It is not only a favorite of film fests, but there’s live entertainment upstairs during the week and it’s home to two local theater companies during season. Check out the website for their Broadway series, bringing stars of the Great White Way to Palm Springs.

Revolution Stage Company — There’s always something going on here. In addition to an aggressive theatrical season, with Spring Awakening playing Jan. 14-30, acts from all over the country bring their original shows here for your enjoyment. 

Tours

Desert Tasty Tours — Six delicious food stops on a three-hour walking culinary tour covering three blocks of downtown Palm Springs. Your guide will share fun facts about our little city, and some history along the way. 

Red Jeep Tours — Up into the mountains you go on this tour.

Golf Cart Tour — New tour in town. Six-seater golf cart with history and food stops along the way.

And that’s a wrap for January. Don’t forget to shop and stay local so you can visit again!

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Independent Films. Independent Stays.

Alcazar’s salt water purified pool in the daytime

If you love the creative style of independent filmmakers, then staying at a small independently-owned hotel will fit right in with your ethos.  Every hotel is beautifully curated for an extraordinary experience. And if you’re heading to the 30th Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, at least two of our member small hotels are offering festival rates including Alcazar Palm Springs and Los Arboles Hotel.

Alcazar Palm Springs offers a great location that is close to both downtown and the arts district. Two fabulous restaurants, Cheeky’s and Birba are right on site.  Alcazar’s contemporary style has a distinctly hip European vibe.  It boasts imported Italian linens, flat screen TV’s, fireplaces, poolside and private patios, salt water purified pool, cooling misters, Jacuzzi and a beautiful garden courtyard in which to lounge. Festival Rate Code: PSFF

The Courtyard at Alcazar Palm Springs
The Courtyard at Alcazar Palm Springs

Charming and historic, href=”https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/stay/los-arboles-hotel”>Los Arboles Hotel is home to the iconic, El Mirasol Mexican Restaurant and bar.  Family owned and operated, it features 21 well-appointed rooms, a heated pool, Jacuzzi, room service and is located walking distance from shopping, dining, and nightlife.  This is one of those places where delighted guests return year after year. Festival Rate Code: PSFF19 for 10% off.

The patio at Los Arboles Restaurant and Bar, Palm Springs

The patio at Los Arboles Restaurant and Bar, Palm Springs

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The Great August Bake-Off — Palm Springs Events

“Baking can be done with a few simple ingredients, so it’s about simplicity and nostalgia — people are reminded of their childhood.” — Paul Hollywood

When I was a kid, if the sun was out, so was I, often jumping back and forth over the sprinkler when it got hot. When I hit my teens, we slathered ourselves in baby oil and iodine (don’t do that), threw a towel down in the backyard and baked in the sun until we got hot (do not do that either).

If you’re still a sun worshiper and love the heat, it’s a great time to come to Palm Springs. The deals on the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels are banging (check out the Summer Splash Pass) and the restaurants are offering the Summer Eats Pass — that equates to an inexpensive getaway to the happiest, most laidback, little big town with its own international airport.

August 5: Craft Beer Festival

August 9: Chef’s Dinner at Boozehounds

August 10: Copa Nightclub — Lokera Thursdays (and future Thursdays) presents La Toxica Tour with a live performance from Mariah Angeliq. This weekly party features sets from JPatron, Boogs, and DJ Dynamiq, spinning reggaeton and hip hop.

August 11-13: Splash House (lineup)

August 11: Emo Nite at Pretty Faces nightclub

August 12 – 13: Clear The Shelters — The goal for the weekend will be to adopt out as many animals as possible. Boozehounds has agreed to cover the adoption fees for the entire weekend.

An ad for Clear the Shelters showing a cartoon dog and cat

Courtesy of Clear the Shelters

August 13: Diva Royale Drag Show at Pete’s Hideaway

August 18 – 20: Splash House (lineup)

August 19: Super Mario Bros screening at PS Swim Center, 405 S Pavilion Way, Palm Springs

Recurring events

Reforma — Check out their Saturday Drag Brunches. They change weekly, with themes like Disney Princess and Taylor Swift.

Cascade at Agua Caliente Palm Springs — Comedy, Jazzville, Latin Nights, and more. Throw a few coins in the slots after the show, maybe you’ll get lucky.

Crystal Fantasy — Psychic Fair every weekend, and drum circles.

Drift Hotel — Lots of fun pool parties going on.

Oscar’s — They’re under construction, but they’re still plugging away.

V Wine Lounge — Monday nights Leanna Rodgers, Tuesdays Keisha D.

Toucan’s Tiki & Cabaret — Always a party, never a drag, even though most of the shows are drag. Late night dancing.

Saturdays: Disco Inferno at Reforma (9 p.m.). Stay in town longer and dance all night on Motown Mondays (7 p.m.).

Palm Springs Cultural Center — The first cineplex in Palm Springs, the not-for-profit now has weekly musical acts, plays, markets (farmers’ on Saturdays), and larger name performers.

Courtesy of Palm Springs Cultural Center

Daytime indoor shopping

The Flannery Exchange

Flannery Exchange is really stepping up its game. Besides offering workshare space, there are dining options. Café La Jefa partners with Sisters Coffee, and their menu features espresso drinks, healthy gourmet food, pastries, and savory eats. Juices and tea also available. (FYI: Café La Jefa is closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays for the summer, check the website for hours.)

Bar Chingona is a fun spot to grab a cocktail, and the other stores are pretty boss too:

It Refills — Really for locals, but bring your own container (or buy a glass one there) and fill it up with organic detergents, shampoos and conditioners, and face and hand cream. It’s all 100% Earth friendly. (I’m so enthralled with this idea.)

Bobo Palm Springs — Boutique carrying a curated collection of artisan goods from women-owned brands, women-of-color artists, and queer artists, with a rare selection of Japanese stationery writing and artist’s tools.

Covet — Handcrafted artisan jewelry, gifts, apparel, and home accessories.

Joyful Living — Sustainable designer fashion and fine art in a showroom highlighting timeless vintage luxury pieces still on trend, i.e Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Cartier, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Burberry, Prada, and more. By appointment only.

MIU — Man in Uniform is designed in L.A., made in Turkey. A range of high-quality printed rayon shirts and premium cotton T- shirts capturing California chic.

Carmela Ice Cream Company — Award-winning seasonal ice creams made completely from scratch in small batches using fresh, real ingredients. Often combining herbs and spices with seasonal fruits, Carmela is considered a pioneer in farm-to-table, artisan ice cream and has been churning out inventive and delicious flavors since 2007.

House of Florals — All things flowers except (from what I can tell) fresh ones. But local flowers are the inspiration for their wallpapers and home accessories.

Antiquing and thrifting

Besides the many options for retro and mid-mod accessories downtown In town, there are two large spaces to shop cool, and two of them are thrifters that profit nonprofits. People get tired of things, and then they donate them, and we get to rifle through them and find the stuff that needs to be in our closets.

Angel View — Angel View serves children and adults with disabilities. They have a big old store and they have an upscale boutique right next door. 462 N Indian Canyon Drive (corner of Indian Canyon and Alejo).

Revivals — The profits from this store help DAP Health offer healthcare and support an affordable housing project for the Coachella Valley. 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive.

Both nonprofits do pretty bomb things, so go get yourself a bargain.

And lucky you, just across the street and a block down Sunny Dunes is Antiques Row (at least that’s what I call it). There are single stores scattered all over the area (most of them are on the street called Industrial) and two malls that can keep you enthralled for hours at a time, right up to happy hour.

Temporary closings

Bar Cecil — closed August 14 – 21

PS Underground — reopening September

Purple Room — reopening September

Johnny Costa’s Ristorante — reopening September

Peninsula Pastries — reopening September 7

John Henry’s Cafe — reopening September 22

Tyler’s Burgers — reopening September 1

Miro’s — reopening August 31

Café Mon Amour — reopening September 1

Jake’s — reopening “end of September”

Like the song says, “I’ll see you … in September!”

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All Boo! No Hoo: Halloween In Palm Springs

“Last night you were unhinged. You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again.” — The Addams Family

Halloween is a great time to spend the weekend in Palm Springs. The weather is cooler, but not cold, and the food and entertainment are hot! Also, if you weren’t already aware, Halloween is a HUGE deal here in Palm Springs. Arenas is all about creativity in costumes, music, drinks and reverie — it’s quite the kiki.

Halloween is so big in LGBTQ+ culture that it’s called Gay Christmas. And on Arenas it is FUN, it is FABULOUS, it’s a CELEBRATION, and it is PAGEANTRY! It is a scene, baby!

A writer for The Advocate had some musings about why Halloween is such a big deal in gay culture and hoo boy, they were pretty dark, and not in a spooky way but in a way that sucks all of the gaiety out of fright night. So we’re not going to focus on the hocus pocus and go with another suggestion from him that rings true, “Halloween is the one time of year when everyone is allowed to be whoever they want to be.” That gets a bubbling, piping hot cauldron full of “yes!”

If you’re not gay, who cares? Everyone is welcome everywhere. For those who have an aversion to crowds, and it will be crowded on Arenas, there’s still plenty’o-ween to be had in smaller doses.

(If you’d like to read a detailed history about Halloween and Gay Christmas go here. Or you can come back to it after you read about all the spooktacular ((sorry)) goings on in Palm Springs 2022).

Halloween revelers in Palm Springs. Photo credit: Kay Kudukis

Party in the U.S. Gay:

Oct. 30: Arenas Halloween  — There is SO much to do and see, you’re going to have to click the link and check it out. If you don’t wear a costume, you can still go, but you’ll feel horribly out of place. Here are some shopping spots to find your spooky boo you. Or just find a fun mask.

Oct. 12, 19, and 26: A Classic TV Halloween at Quadz. On Oct. 19th, stop by for 1970’s HORROR FILMS: A Nod to The Classics in Palm Springs, or check out The History of Horror/Scariest Short Films Part 2 on Oct. 26. 

Oct. 20: Hey Boo! at Oscar’s, is described as such: “Heklina, international drag queen extraordinaire, will be ‘HELLina’ with her spooky parody songs and hocus-pocus tales. Heklina’s spine-chilling performance will remind you that this podcaster, actor, emcee and ghost buster is more than just a pretty face. Deven Green & Ned Douglas are the boniest award-winning performers this side of purgatory. Brought back from the dead for one night only, their live music and songs with inscrutable words will make you soil yourself with frightful laughter.”

Families with kids

Oct. 29: Spooktacular Halloween – Rancho Mirage Library — Enjoy an afternoon of trick-or-treating and a costume parade through the library. Christopher T. Magician will also be on hand to perform his Halloween magic show in the Community Room. 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 29 and 30: Howl-O-Ween at the Living Desert. Kids are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and enjoy one of the many exciting activities planned for the weekend, including more than 20 trick-or-treat stations, a monster maze, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin decorating, animal encounters, meeting Living Desert zoo mascots, storytelling, face-painting, bounce houses, craft workshops, and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is free with paid park admission.

Oct. 30: Cathedral City Spooktacular — This free event features trick-or-treating with more than 40,000 pieces of candy. Kids will have a spooktacular time participating in activities like Halloween costume contests (two bikes are being given away each hour), police and fire exhibitions, and games. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Charity events

Oct. 8: House Party For A Cause — $100 but well worth it. Debbie Boone (the ’80s), Steve Knill (The Voice), Alix Korey (Broadway) and my favorite, DJ ModGirl.

Oct. 30: Be a Hero For Kids — If you’ve got a little bit deeper pockets, check out this event presented by The Boys and Girls Club of Palm Springs. It’s poolside!

All the rest

Escape Room — Vampire’s Lair, Jack The Ripper, and Merlin’s Magic Room are three of the spooky adventures awaiting you and your besties. The object? Just like Jordan Peele’s scary film: Get Out.

Oct. 16, 20, and 27: Palm Springs Cultural Center — Tim Burton “festival” with Ed Wood, Beetlejuice, and Nightmare Before Christmas. If you didn’t know, PSCC/Camelot Theatre has a 58′ screen, and the finest projection capabilities in the valley. It’s truly an experience to see a film in this theater.

Oct. 28: The Hilton’s Palm Springs Halloween Comedy Mashup.

Oct. 28, 29, and 31: PS Underground “Bite: Vampire Circus” — Always a frightful night in the best possible way. It changes every year, but it’s always wonderful. From the top-notch entertainment to the fantastic food to complement the evening. Expect the unexpected.

Oct. 29:  Mogo Silent Disco Monster Mash — Dance like nobody’s watching (even though they all are, because you’re dancing down the street to curated music with a bunch of people wearing headphone). Always fun.

Stay safe, buddy up, take rideshares, and don’t forget to hydrate. Love, A Witchy Woman

Creative Halloween costumes abound in Palm Springs. Photo credit: Kay Kudukis

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It’s Time For Another Action-Packed March In Palm Springs

“I try not to limit my madness to March.” — Maxine (a.k.a. John Wagner for Shoebox Cards)

For most of the world, March is a tempestuous mistress. Cold and blustery, then cold and sunshine-y. She’s a whole lot of brrrrrrrrr.

In Palm Springs, March is more of a minx: flirty and fun. Her daytimes are generally in the 80s and sometimes 90s, however she can give you the cold shoulder, too. Especially at night. The solution is to bring your swimsuit and a bunch of layers because in Palm Springs, March is a swinger. She gets a bit chilly at night but bounces back by 10 a.m.

Without further ado, we will now continue our fun streak of delightful Palm Springs activities, with one event that’s so cool I might have just peed a little reading about it. Read on while I change me undies:

New restaurant alert:

Osteria Palmina

Dinner and a show:

The Purple Room

March 3, 4, and 5: Lucie Arnaz: I Got The Job 

March 6, 13, 20, 27: The Judy Show 

If you’ve read this blog before, you know it’s my favorite show in town.

March 11 and 12: John Lloyd Young 

March 17, 18, and 19: Marvelous Marilyn Maye

March 25 and 26: Joe Pasa as Joan Rivers

AsiaSF 

Dinner and a lip sync show! The costumes are outstanding! Same producers as the one in San Francisco.

PS Underground

Pop 80s — Featuring The Gand Band

Gospel Brunch with Keisha D

Laurel Canyon — a tribute to those artists of the area, like Linda Rondstadt, Joni Mitchell, and The Doors (with music from The Gand Band).

The Mod Squad Variety Show — Another personal favorite, this one’s a brunch.

Ovation — A jazz-inspired Sunday brunch.

Light — I have always wanted to see this show! Described as an “unparalleled multi-sensory journey” that offers an “unprecedented dining experience through culinary art and technological innovation.”

Broadway Blind – A musical Sunday brunch.

A Night at the Chi Chi — Mark your calendars, this one’s on April 1 and 2.

Courtesy of PS Underground

Oscar’s 

The Women Of Knots (that’s Knots Landing, people!)

Drinks and entertainment:

Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente in downtown Palm Springs

Jazzville — Every Thursday

Caliente Comedy — Every Friday 

Latin Nights — Every Sunday

PS Cultural Center

Jazz on the Second Floor

Martinis & Moxie

Theater:

Palm Canyon Theater
Palm Springs Getaway! Runs until March 13.

Desert Rose Playhouse
Electricity
Brian Justin Crum 
Palm Springs The Musical: Born To Sparkle — World premiere!

Courtesy of Palm Springs The Musical

The Annenberg
The Anniversary — A full-length dance film event.
Coachella Valley Symphony Concerto Concert
Lilias White — White has appeared in cabarets and concert halls around the world, including the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center. Her debut solo studio album, Get Yourself Some Happy!, was released in July.

Desert Ensemble Theatre
All This Intimacy — Described as a sex comedy gone wrong.

Dezart Performs
The Mountaintop — A reimagining of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last day at the Lorraine Hotel and his encounter with a young maid. There’s a huge twist in this play, something you can expect to be handled brilliantly by Dezart. 

All the rest:

Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival
OMG!! I LOVE chalk art, especially from artists with a sense of whimsy. One of my favorite creators on TikTok is chalk artist David Zinn. This is a free event.

MOGO Silent Disco Tour
If anyone wants to do this, please include me!

Photo courtesy of MOGO Silent Disco Tour

Palm Springs Vintage Market
This Palm Springs staple will run on March 6 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

French Cooking Classes
In the chef’s private home — all reviews are spectacular!

Of course the old “musts” are still available, and if you haven’t, well…you must!

Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Art Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum

Hiking at Indian Canyons — Please note: closed on March 11 for the Legacy Hike. 

Happy Palm Springs everyone! See you in April.

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Let’s Have A Tiki!

“Lock the doors, lower the blinds, fire up the smoke machine, and put on your heels, cause I know exactly what we need…let’s have a tiki.”  — Scissor Sisters-ish

ALOHANA is upon us and that means it is tiki time in Palm Springs. Of course, tiki culture lives all year long in Palm Springs, but this is a celebration of all things tiki.

So, what is tiki? I’d love to tell you, thanks for asking. A tiki is a carved statue, and the Maori name for the first human male. Tiki culture is a celebration of all things Polynesian, and became huge in America when a bootlegger named Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt opened Hollywood’s Don the Beachcomber in 1933 (after prohibition was repealed).

Mark your calendars for ALOHANA. Photo courtesy of ALOHANA

Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the Palm Springs Cultural Center celebrates ALOHANA (a combination of the words “aloha” (hello/goodbye) and “ohana” (family), a fantastically fun event that’s coming up on November 13 from noon to 5 p.m.

This year, there’s a tiki artisan marketplace featuring Smokin’ Tikis’ tiki carvings, signs, and masks; Volcano Designs’ original caftans, playsuits, dresses, and cabana wear for both sexes; Ms Formaldehyde’s tropical tiki couture; and TeeKi Togs’ one-of-a-kind, must-have jewelry designs.

On the entertainment side, expect several returning favorites, including Kūhai Palm Springs performing hula, drag performer Miss Bea Haven, and DJ Modgirl. There will also be food and tikitails (made it up, and I like it). 

“ALOHANA was created to experience the welcome of aloha and the spirit of ohana,” ALOHANA co-producer Maureen Thompson says. “This time we look forward to introducing some new vendors to our marketplace with their original creations and we welcome Slack Key ‘Ohana, an award-winning musical group whose music has a way of transporting you to the Polynesian islands.”

Bootlegger Tiki serves craft cocktails in the original Don the Beachcomber space. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs

Want more tiki after 5? We currently have four tiki bars where you can Mai Tai one on: Bootlegger Tiki, which is in the old Palm Springs Don the Beachcomber space; Tonga Hut (since 1958); The Reef (I love this place); and Toucan’s Tiki Lounge, all tiki and drag!

You should also check out Shag, a local artist who does wonderfully kitschy pieces (not cheap, but worth it), and the Sunny Dunes Antique Mall located at 507 E. Sunny Dunes, which has a huge selection of tiki items.

For the tiki aficionado, there is the new Tiki Hotel, originally built in 1961 and recently restored by Tracy and Jerry Turco. It’s an 11-room boutique hotel with tiki memorabilia throughout the entire property, and ukuleles in every room.

A room at the Tiki Hotel. Photo courtesy of Tiki Hotel

If you decide to do a hike up in Indian Canyons (and you should), do a drive-by of Royal Hawaiian Estates, Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison’s Polynesia-meets-mid-century-modern condos on South Palm Canyon. You can’t actually visit the interior, but you could buy one and live in tiki town year-round.

This concludes your tiki tour of Palm Springs. Don’t forget to check around for personal items, watch your step as you exit, and shop and stay local. Aloha hoa! (I’m not calling you names, Google says that means “goodbye friend” in Hawaiian, so it must be true…)

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Fantastically Authentic Community at Palm Springs Pride

By Linda Milks

Palm Springs is home to one of the largest Pride parades in the country where the entire community—queer and straight—celebrates diversity, authenticity, and civil liberties. It’s also just a great time!

For 39 years, Palm Springs, CA, has celebrated Palm Springs Pride with uncommon style and swagger. Each year promises to be bigger and better. Palm Springs Pride 2019 will take place from November 1-3 and is themed “Millions of Moments of Pride.”

Photo: John Warden

And this year, Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels’ committee chair, Michael Green, is the Community Grand Marshal. He’s also the executive Director of the Palm Springs Cultural Center, chair of the Desert Gay Tourism Guild, and owns the iconic Triangle Inn Palm Springs with his husband, Stephen.

Media Grand Marshal is Alexander Rodriquez.

November 3 will be a great time at the Block Party on Arenas Rd. The event is loaded with DJs, music stages, food vendors, entertainers, and a glorious parade. New for this year is the Pride Stage located at Hermosa and N. Palm Canyon Dr. You will find local royalty to emcee the parade from the reviewing stand, including Dottie DuBois, Maude Chapeau, and Mannie, the Movie Guy. All the action in this area starts at 9 am.

To start things off in brilliant colors, on October 31 attend the Rainbow Flag Unfurling from 10 am – 10:30 am at 1140 N. Indian Canyon Rd. This giant flag will be unfurled from the top of the Stergios Tower at Desert Regional Medical Center.

The Equality Kickoff is November 1 from 6 pm – 11 pm to celebrate strength, equality and self-determination of the LGBTQ community.  This is guaranteed to be a massive downtown street party with three stages for entertainment, the Arenas Stage, the Pride Stage, and the KGAY Dance stage. There will be performances by Kristine W (queen of 90’s dance music), That 80’s Band, and DJ Autumn Leilani.

One of the main acts during Pride will be LA-based electronic music artist Madame Ghandi and also UK-based, multi-platinum artist and songwriter DYSON. Other entertainers to look for are TLC, Heather Small, BETTY, and Ada Vox.

Photo: John Warden

The Palm Springs Art Museum will display The Art of Pride, Make an Exhibition of Yourself, and is a brand new official Pride event to be held on all three levels of the museum from 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm on November 1.

An exciting Pop Up event in Downtown and Uptown Palm Springs will be part of the weekend with food, art, music, fashion, and prizes. Businesses in Downtown and Uptown will be creating their own pop-up events. There will be a passport to fill out as you visit these businesses so that you are entered for a prize. The pop-up event will be from 3pm – 8 pm on November 1. The final deadline for businesses to sign up is October 25 at www.PopUpPalmSprings.com

Then, on November 2, take part in the Pride Festival happening from 11 am – 10 pm in Downtown Palm Springs and check out the Arenas District Block party from 6 pm – 11:30 pm.

November 3 is  the date of the big Pride Parade from 10 am – noon which steps off at Tachevah and Palm Canyon Dr.

To find out exactly where everything is happening, go to: www.pspride.org.

Don’t forget to grab your favorite adult beverage because for the first time ever you can stroll down Arenas Rd. and sip while being fearlessly authentic.

Speaking of staying authentic, stay at one of the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels  gay resorts where you will be beautifully enveloped by community and relaxation and pride is always in style.

Photo: Linda Milks

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