While the rest of the world is gearing up for falling leaves and the eventual onslaught of winter, we’re taking the sun covers off our garden plants so they can show us what they’ve got cooked up in the color department. It does get a little tough on them some summer days, poor things. And they, like we, are looking forward to it cooling off a bit. 

If you think we shut down with the heat, we do not. I have had a lot of fun this summer — I’ve seen some shows, gone to some movies, splashed around in some pools, and had some terrific meals with friends. And now, those who scrammoosed for the summer are slowly drizzling back into town as they get ready to rumble into season. 

Here’s what’s going on in September 

Sept. 6, 6 to 8 p.m. — CV Lip Sync Battle! If you have seen Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle as Rihanna doing “Umbrella” and wanted more, get in line behind me. Do not forget — this is Palm Springs, where there are no wannabes, only “could have beens,” so yippee-ki-yay everybody, it’s gonna be grand. Participating organizations: American Cancer Society, Animal Samaritans, Cancer Support Community, Cathedral City LGBT+ Days, Desert Business Association, Friends of the Desert Mountains, L-FUND, Palm Springs Parks and Recreation, and Safe House PS all tied up in a pretty raucous bow by comedian Shann Carr and The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Also, check out their great movies!

Sept. 6, 10 a.m. — Lady Gaga Drag Brunch  at Chill Bar Palm Springs.

Sept. 13, 10 a.m.: Glee Drag Brunch at Chill Bar Palm Springs

Sept. 15: R&B With Love Brunch at Reforma

Sept. 15: Special early screening of Kiss of the Spider Woman at the Palm Springs Art Museum, Annenberg Theatre. Featuring a live talkback with filmmaker Bill Condon and TCM host Dave Karger. The flick stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh. 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Cinema Diverse — Sept. 18-21 and Sept. 25-28, the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ+ film festival. The festival opens Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. with Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day, a historical drama set in 1950s Communist Yugoslavia that was Croatia’s entry for Best International Feature Film at this year’s Academy Awards.

“LGBTQ+ filmmakers have been quite prolific recently, which is no surprise, given the political climate,” said Michael Green, Cinema Diverse festival director and executive director of the Palm Springs Cultural Center. “There’s a lot going on and a lot of stories to be told.”  

The Dinah (Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend) — Sept. 24-29. The world’s largest music festival for LGBTQ+ women and allies. Pool parties and night events.

Sept. 20: The Dinner Detective at the Palm Springs Surf Club

Sept. 28: Bootin’ and Scootin’ Brunch Hoedown at Reforma 

Year-round options

Chill Bar — (Andy Santiago Presents) Amazing Sundays Drag Brunch Sundays

Desert Tasty Tours — A three hour walking tour of downtown Palm Springs. You get a little of this, a little of that, and a lot of fun. Starts mid-September.

Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours – Year-round guided trips (San Andreas Fault, Indian Canyons, Joshua Tree, etc.)

Palm Springs Windmill Tours — Guided golf-cart tours (around 75 minutes) on a private wind farm; self-drive/audio option also available.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — Take a gondola to the top of the mountain and poke around for a bit. Have a bite to eat, or maybe a cocktail. If you have bigger plans like hiking, you do you. Take a lantern in case you get lost. Kidding, you’re not gonna get lost. But do take a lantern.

PS Art Museum — Free on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m.

VillageFest — Between Baristo and Amado on Palm Canyon, every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. is a celebration of local businesses and community. Come join us and dine and shop. Quite honestly, some of these buskers you’ll see have amazing talent that will blow your mind.

Trixie Motel — It’s on the small side, so if you get in, you’ve arrived. The bar is called Barbara — not Barbie, but her given name. So if you go and your name is Steve, no it’s not, it’s Steven. Same for you, Kathleen a.k.a. Katy. (Actually no one gives a rat’s Kardashian, you do you.) Word is it reopens September 1, but that doesn’t mean it will actually be open, so check in.

Drag & Fly Tours — A one-of-a-kind, drag-queen hosted, sightseeing bus tour blending storytelling, original music, live narration, and video vignettes. Pure sass and camp on wheels! The bus itself is a hoot, and I am going to go at some point. We have some drag geniuses down here.

The Mod Squad Architectural Tours — If you’re a fan of the mid-mod aesthetic, and it isn’t Modernism Week but you gotta have your fix, by golly, this is the tour for you. Three different options: Inside, outside, and cocktails!

The Escape Room — I had a marvelous time when I went for my birthday a few hundred years ago. Might be time for a redux!

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum — The tribes have been here for thousands of years. The museum is a vessel for their many stories.

Palm Springs Surf Club — Eat, drink, surf, ride a lazy river, or splash in a pool, with an all adult swim on Saturday nights.

Back from summer break

The Purple Room — Judy’s back!!

PS Underground — Returns Sept. 20

Jake’s and John Henry return Sept. 25 and 26, respectively

Everything else you need to know

The end of an era: Palm Springs Roadhouse on South Palm Canyon has announced that they are permanently closing at that location. They are hinting of a restaging, so stay in touch on the Facebook page.

Modernism Week: October is, surprise, next month. Pride is in November, so BOOK YOUR HOTELS NOW!!!!  

That’s it from me. Remember to shop, eat and stay local like the cool people (that’s what we call you). Stay chill, lead with love, and I’ll see you on the streets.