desert rage
by sasha scarlett
and Lesbian Couples: Equal But Not Yet Free” at the Riviera Resort Hotel in Palm Springs, California. Even though marriage equality is now the law of the land, Weiss will explore the issues that continue to be of concern to gay and lesbian people and the long-term solutions needed to assist the LGBTQ community… a community that has sustained an extensive and profound history of individual and community trauma. For anyone struggling, in crisis or who may be suffering from dependency issues: alcohol, drugs or sexual addictions, this program offers great hope. For more information go to
recoveryranch.com. Anyone who knows the massive success of
Happy New Year All! I feel so festive after a tumultuous 2015
and am looking forward to new achievements in 2016! So many of us view the New Year as an opportunity to renew goals and fulfill resolutions as we move forward towards new opportunities and exciting adventures.
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PALM SPRINGS THIS MONTH:
It is the busy season in Palm Springs. Temperatures are in the 80s during the
day, with mild weather in the evening—perfection is ours to behold—espe- cially considering that many in America are under a blanket of snow and ice. From Friday, January 1 through Monday, January 11, Hollywood comes
to the desert during the Palm Springs International Film Festival. This film festival is serious business because the big stars launch their newest film productions during the event and work to keep the momentum going for potential Oscar and Golden Globe wins. At the 2015 event, I saw Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper (Joy), David Oyelowo (Selma) and this year is sure to not disap- point either. There are major movies being premiered to including: The Lady in the Van with my all-time favorite, Maggie Smith; Son of Saul, which is already being talked about as a candidate for the Best Picture Oscar; Concussion, sure to feature an appearance by Will Smith and The Revenant, my pic for Leonardo Dicaprio’s first Oscar. Yes, you heard that here first! Locally, there are fab parties like the Opening Night Gala in the Palm Springs Art Museum on Friday, January 1, the Brit-Bash on Sunday, January 3 at Kaiser Grill, the Cine Latino Party at the Copa Room on Thursday, January 7, the Gay-La Party on Wednesday, January 6, at Toucan’s Tiki Lounge and the Closing Night Gala at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel on Sunday, January 10. If you love film, join the gifted cadre of auteurs, rub elbows with major stars, along with the throngs of their fans, all there to see fantastic films! For tickets and more event information, go to
psfilmfest.org. On a more serious note, on Saturday, January 16, Robert Weiss, LCSW,
CSAT-S, author, clinician and senior vice president of clinical development for Elements Behavioral Health, will present a keynote address titled “Gay
California’s AIDS/LifeCycle that takes place every summer, know there’s a significant portion of our community that loves to cycle. Come and represent our community during Tour de Palm Springs, the largest cycling event in Coachella Valley, which has raised over $3 million for local charities since 1999. Beginners, get yourself a bike and start cycling your butt off, or if you are a seasoned rider, sign up today and support this great event which supports lots of amazing Coachella Valley charities. For more information or to register, go to
tourdepalmsprings.com. For those who have a bucket list of weird things to
do, check out Camel Rides at The Living Desert in Palm Desert. It’s a rare opportunity to sit on the humps of a camel and ride through the desert sand a la Lawrence of Arabia. I am tempted to only because I think the pics would be HILARIOUS! And, besides, I have a Mata Hari costume that KILLS! Thru January.
thelivingdesert.org. My final not-to-miss-event is the Annenberg The-
ater’s tribute to Ed Sullivan called A Really Big Shooo, A Tribute to the Genius of Ed Sullivan. A Broadway-style production, Really Big Shooo features a sterling cast of talented professionals whose tribute performances include The Beatles, Elvis, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Joan Rivers. Hollywood’s sweethearts, The Satin Dollz, rekindle the first thrill you felt when you saw these great performers on The Ed Sullivan Show in their early television appearances. The Ed Sullivan Show was America’s longest-running and popular variety show, airing from 1948 to 1971. All of this happened long before I was born (Ha!) It’s a piece of American culture that we should all know, learn from and remember.
psmuseum.org/annenberg-theater/schedule. We’ll see you in Palm Springs where the weather is
fair and the men are fine! Travel safe, bring a coat just for the heck of it (you never know with those chilly desert nights) and enjoy all that Coachella Valley has to offer!
XOXO Sasha Scarlett 32 RAGE monthly | JANUARY 2016
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