November 1 Daily Briefing: Pride underway, tiki culture celebrated, a hidden gem, and more

Welcome to Pride Weekend, everyone! We will probably not be the first nor the last to remind you that on Sunday, clocks are being turned back an hour as Daylight Saving Time ends. We also won’t be the first or last to convey to you how silly it is we still do this dance twice a year (Here’s an explainer about why that is). Speaking of time changes, you’ll want to note that the ad we had yesterday for Hitchcock’s “Rebecca,” playing at Camelot Theatres, said it was being screened on Nov. 2 (Saturday) when it’s actually on Nov. 1 (tonight). Make sure to check here for details.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Chosen Family” by Rina Sawayama

LEADING OFF

Pride kicks off, offering weekend of festivities

The 38th annual Palm Springs Pride celebration kicked off Thursday with a free block party, and the official festivities begin today across the city.

Driving the news: The Arenas District Pride Weekend Kickoff 2024 starts at 4 p.m. today, marking the 13th year the district has been closed off for a weekend of live music, food trucks, and outdoor beverage lounges. 

What to watch for: Here are five events on our radar that we think should be on yours:

• Rainbow Palette: Expressions of LGBTQ+ Artistry showcases diverse creative talents of LGBTQ+ artists today from 1-4 p.m. at the Stephen Baumbach Gallery.
  
  
• LGBTQ Servicemember Wreath Laying Ceremony honors LGBTQ servicemembers today from 6-6:30 p.m. at the Pride Festival Amado Stage.
  
  
• The Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shabbat welcomes all faith communities for a pluralistic prayer service this evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church of Palm Springs.
  
  
• The Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Saturday at 8 a.m. raises funds for local LGBTQ+ organizations. Pre-registration is required and ends today. 
  
  
• Sunday’s musical acts, featuring classics and high-energy performances, begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Palm Canyon Drive Main Stage. Acts include Corday, Marisa Corvo, Steven Michael’s Dance Machine, and George Michael Reborn.

The main event: Tens of thousands of spectators and 200 entries will be on Palm Canyon Drive for the annual Pride Parade on Sunday. 

• The parade kicks off in the Uptown Design District at Tachevah and Palm Canyon Drive at 10 a.m., ending at the entrance to the Pride Festival at Amado.

• You can watch the parade live on PromoHomoTV’s YouTube channel.

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BRIEFLY

🍹 ‘Palm Springs Tiki’ explores mid-century Polynesian pop

The new book “Palm Springs Tiki” delves into the world of mid-century Polynesian pop culture, drawing connections between L.A.’s escapist fantasies and the rich exotic nightclubs of high tiki, including iconic locations like The Luau in Beverly Hills.

• Authors Sven Kirsten and Peter Moruzzi — a historian and preservationist who founded the Palm Springs Modern Committee and currently serves on the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board —  showcase Palm Springs versions of popular tiki spots like Don the Beachcomber and the Chi Chi, where revelers could enjoy tropical fantasies year-round in the desert.
  
  
• The book features rare images of lost tiki temples and their patrons, sourced from collections like the Palm Springs Historical Society and Palm Springs Life magazine archives, highlighting the unique architectural and cultural influence of tiki style in Southern California.
  
  
• Looking ahead: If you missed the local book signing earlier this month, and don’t mind a bit of a drive, Kirsten and Moruzzi will be making their sole Los Angeles appearance at Wacko bookstore on Saturday.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Greater Palm Springs Pride 2024 in Downtown Palm Springs all weekend
  
  
• La Cage Aux Folles at Palm Canyon Theatre on Saturday and Sunday ($17-$38)
  
  
• Dina Martina at Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend at 9:30 p.m. ($49-$59)
  
  
• Tom of Finland: Visions of Desire at Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend

TODAY

• Endeavor with Pride: Sweat, Celebrate, and Shine! at Arenas District Pride Stage at 11 a.m.
  
  
• Arenas District Pride Weekend Kickoff 2024 at 4 p.m.
  
  
• Bow Wow Ball at Boozehounds at 5 p.m. ($5-$12.50)
  
  
• Inclusion Show Opening Reception at Desert Art Center at 5 p.m.
  
  
• Dia de los Muertos at Demuth Community Center at 5 p.m.
  
  
• Alumination at Palm Springs Art Museum at 6 p.m. ($50-$150)
  
  
• LGBTQ Servicemember Wreath Laying Ceremony at Pride Festival Amado Stage at 6 p.m.
  
  
• Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shalom at United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m.
  
  
• Hitchcock Retrospective: Rebecca at Camelot Theatres at 7 p.m. ($14)
  
  
• Mid-Century Moderns at Revolution Stage Company at 7 p.m. ($44-$59)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs at 7:30 p.m. ($5)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)

SATURDAY

• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk at 8 a.m. ($25-$40)
  
  
• Certified Farmers’ Market at 2300 E Baristo Rd. at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Genealogical Society at Palm Springs Public Library at 10 a.m.
  
  
• Porsche Palm Springs Cars & Coffee at Porsche Palm Springs at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association at The River at 10 a.m.
  
  
• Desert Film Society Screenings at Camelot Theatre at 10 a.m. ($15)
  
  
• Flagging in the Desert at Ruth Hardy Park at 10:30 a.m. 
  
  
• A Purple Mustang? The Story of N64CL at Palm Springs Air Museum at 1 p.m.
  
  
• Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Garden Party in Palm Springs at 2 p.m. ($175)
  
  
• Deep Pit BBQ at Los Compadres Stables at 5 p.m. ($25)

SUNDAY

• Palm Springs Pride Parade in Downtown Palm Springs at 10 a.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Vintage Market in the parking lot north of the Agua Caliente Casino at 7 a.m. ($10) and 8 a.m. ($5)

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AND FINALLY …

You may recall that we recently asked you to tell us about some hidden gems in the city after we were asked by the online site Rent to choose one for publication in an article one of its editors was working on. You came through with a few we’ll share later (thank you!), and reporter Maggie Miles chose one as her submission. 

Driving the news: Maggie selected a unique bar that’s in a hidden location off Arenas, and it joined a dozen other spots that were featured in the article — from a wine tasting spot to a magical botanical garden. 

• For the complete rundown of hidden gems chosen for the article, turn here.

Zoom in: “For a truly unique and clandestine experience, I recommend Evening Citizen, a Prohibition-era style speakeasy located off Arenas that will add an air of mystery and adventure to your stay,” Maggie wrote. “With no signage and a hidden entrance, the journey there is just as exciting as the destination. They really live up to their slogan, ‘We keep you in the dark.’”

• When you’re there, she noted, don’t miss the striking painting of Udo Kier, one of our local celebrities, that sits prominently behind the bar!

Details: Want to experience the bar for yourself? Turn here for instructions on how to make a reservation (the precise location will be revealed upon confirmation of your reservation). 

But wait: Prepare to keep your phone in your pocket during your visit. Phone use and photos are not permitted to help preserve the air of mystery.