Aspen, Colo. - Perhaps the only event where people are happy to hear the phrase, “last night we got three inches”, Gay Ski Week schusses into Aspen January 16 - 24. Ski bunnies will spend their days tackling the slopes at Aspen, Snowmass and Highlands and their nights navigating the crowds at various apres ski, dinner and other events, such as the Downhill Costume Competition and Party (pictured above). For more information, including a full schedule, visit gayskiweek.com.
Miami - Carnival Cruise Line announced this week that it will showcase tart-tongued comedian Kathy Griffin on-board two of its ships this coming February as part of its Carnival LIVE program. Griffin will perform her latest stand-up onboard the Carnival Fantasy (February 24) and the Carnival Breeze (February 25) while the ships are docked in Cozumel. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $200 for VIP seats in the first four rows and a photo-op with Griffin. Additional information and reservations can be made by visiting carnival.com.
Los Angeles - The Beverly Center, in a partnership with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund, recently donated $10,000 in gift cards to LGBT youth overcoming homelessness in and around L.A. Recipients will be able to shop at the Beverly Center (which counts Bloomingdale’s, Prada and Louis Vuitton among its retailers) for new clothes and other goods that can help them succeed in the coming year. Additionally, the shopping center donated $5,000 directly to the True Colors Fund for research and other programs aimed preventing LGBT homelessness.
San Francisco - There is still time to get in on some of the free guided tours of the Illuminate SF Festival of Light, happening this month throughout twelve of the city’s neighborhoods. The tours are led by Robin Marks of Discovery Street Tours and visit some of the 27 stunning (yet environmentally-friendly) art installations like the Bayview Rise illuminated mural (shown above) from artists Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan. 12/10: Central Market and Civic Center Light Art Tour (6 p.m.); 12/11: Dogpatch and Bayview Light Art Tour (5:30 p.m.); 12/17: Yerba Buena Museums Light Art Tour (6 p.m.); and 12/20: the Illuminate Your Ride Light Art Bike Tour (6 p.m.). For details, meeting places and reservations visit illuminatesf.com.
Cruising for Christmas? No, not a holiday screening of the 1980 Al Pacino film, but a festive boat tour complete with a supper or brunch, live entertainment and stunning city views. Hornblower Cruise & Events announced a full line-up of holiday cruises departing from their various ports of call including San Francisco, Berkeley, Newport Beach, Marina del Rey, San Diego and New York City. Prices vary from port to port. For more information, visit hornblower.com or click on the city names above to reserve.
