World Cup fever has struck even me. I still don’t understand the game of ‘soccer’ well, even after years of casual viewing games and attending a few over my lifetime.
A Brazilian friend of mine — who knows the game as football — gave me a few pointers as we were watching Portugal vs. Croatia. (Yes, two teams I would never think of watching became a shared experience at the bar!)
I questioned the extra time given after regulation 90 minutes. Come to find out, he didn’t even have it right. But now I know — it’s two 15 minute halves when there is a tie. But the confusing part is the time given for “stoppage”. One of the refs keeps track of that and adds minutes to the clock at the end.
I do understand pop music and Shakira will be performing during halftime of the World Cup Final on July 19th in New York/New Jersey. Her anthem “Dai Dai” will highlight the show and Madonna will also share the stage. But more importantly she is donating proceeds from the song to help children affected by the recent Venezuelan earthquakes. FIFA’s Global Education Fund will dedicate money to support them getting back into schools.
We’ve recently been warned that our fault lines are under tremendous stress — making “The Big One” long overdue. After seeing the devastation of the twin quakes that rocked Venezuela, it certainly gives me pause. And hopefully it’s a wakeup call for us to be better prepared here in SoCal.
Question is: Will Madonna come to our rescue in the LGBTQ community after a big quake? Maybe she’ll establish a fund for our drag queens to replace their lost lashes and wigs? Or throw a benefit for rebuilding Club 541? Hopefully our fault lines will let off steam more gradually with smaller quakes, or it will happen long after I’m gone.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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TUE: Robert Yacko / Summer Cabaret Series at CVRep
Robert Yacko takes the stage at CVRep on Tuesday, July 7 at 7:30 pm, offering an intimate cabaret experience filled with music and storytelling. The performance is part of CVRep’s ongoing Summer Cabaret Series, showcasing artists who bring distinctive musical perspectives to this one‑night‑only format. More info
THU: The Lofts Art Walk
The Lofts Art Walk invites guests to explore The Lofts Art District on Thursday, July 9 from 4–7 pm, offering access to eight galleries and working studios in Palm Springs. The monthly walk highlights a wide range of artistic styles, from geometric abstraction and screen printing to hyper‑surrealism and mixed media. Visitors can meet artists, browse new works, and experience the creative energy of this vibrant district. More info
THU: Emily Skinner / Summer Cabaret Series at CVRep
Emily Skinner brings Broadway‑level talent to CVRep on Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 pm. Featuring Emily Skinner, this one‑night‑only cabaret performance continues CVRep’s Summer Cabaret Series, where each artist offers a unique blend of music and storytelling. More info
ALSO THIS WEEK
- Free: Learn to Meditate
- Learn the basics of meditation and how to integrate these practices into everyday activities during this monthly class. This free session is held Monday from 12–12:30 pm at the Cathedral City Library. Simply Meditate is also held is held Tuesday–Thursday from 12–12:30 pm at the Dharmachakra Kadampa Buddhist Center.
- Thursday Night – Villagefest
- Well-known street fair brings local valley businesses together to celebrate food, art, and shopping in one location on Thursday from 7–10 pm, with a variety of entertainment, resources, and items for sale.
- Making Porn / Prism Theater
- Ronnie Larsen’s hit comedy Making Porn runs Thursday–Saturday at Prism Theater through August 2. The play follows a struggling actor on a chaotic gay adult film shoot filled with backstage disasters and mayhem. This production is rated R for language and sexual content.
- Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays
- Country western dance group welcomes all levels for a night of two-step, waltz, and line dancing on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio. Jan Alden will teach a Beginner Two-Step lesson starting at 7 pm.
- The Book of Merman / Prism Theater
- A musical comedy from Prism Theater featuring missionaries and Broadway’s legendary diva, this production of The Book of Merman runs Saturday–Sunday at Prism Theater through July 26.
- From Struggle to Strength
- This meditation course teaches participants how to respond to life’s challenges with patience, love, and clarity. The session, titled “Be Open to Connection,” is held Sunday from 10–11:30 am at the Dharmachakra Kadampa Buddhist Center. Everyone is welcome and no prior meditation experience is needed.
ONGOING EVENTS
- TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY • Palm Springs Power Baseball: Summer League 2026 at 7 pm: Watch collegiate ball at Palm Springs Stadium featuring $3 draft beers on Tuesdays, $6 margaritas on Wednesdays, and free admission for kids twelve and under on Saturdays. Palm Springs Power Summer League runs through Friday, July 17, so just two weeks left!
- THURSDAY–SUNDAY • A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit: Explore how magic and spirituality have shaped queer culture through the works of intergenerational artists showcased at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
SAY KGAY to Save on Rivalry Merch
Ride the Heated Rivalry wave with a fresh batch of themed T‑shirts now available through the Pride Store. Some designs rep your favorite fictional teams from the show, while others turn up the temperature with bolder, more provocative takes. Pick your style, show your fandom, and save 10% storewide at checkout with promo code SAYKGAY – Shop Now
Summer 2026 Visitor Map & Guide – FREE!
Check out the Summer 2026 edition of the K‑Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide! To help you find everything you need as a visitor or local, we feature the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries, and other services, all curated to make exploring the valley even easier. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, as well as at hotels, visitor centers, and participating sponsors, or view it online.
THIS WEEKEND
SAT: ALL OUT – A 90s Queer Kickback Summer Dance Party
The Center’s ALL OUT: A 90s Queer Kickback Summer Dance Party lights up Studio 4707 on Saturday, July 11 from 7–10 pm, bringing a full‑on ’90s celebration packed with retro club hits from Flaco the DJ, live dancers, and plenty of queer joy. This annual summer party blends nostalgia with community spirit, inviting guests to relive the era of dance floors, divas, and unforgettable nights out. Attendees enjoy small bites, one drink ticket, and the good feelings of supporting The Center’s programs connecting LGBTQ+ people to resources and one another. More info
Wanderlust Food Truck Festival at Sunrise Park
The Wanderlust Food Truck Festival transforms Sunrise Park into a lively outdoor gathering on Saturday, July 11 from 5–10 pm. With more than twenty rotating food trucks and local vendors, the festival offers gourmet street food, comfort favorites, desserts, and globally inspired dishes. Guests can enjoy lawn games, open seating, and a relaxed community atmosphere designed for lingering and connecting. More info
Click below to sign up for our Gay Desert Guide Oasis Insiders Newsletter to get our Weekly Blog, Top 3 Events for the weekend, Hot Deals and Cool Events all delivered to your inbox every Friday!
- Hot Spot Bingo with Deven & Ned
Mondays at 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs - Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
July 23–August 16 at participating restaurants - Summer Cabaret Series at CVRep
Tue. & Thu. July 7–30 - Gay Wine Weekend – 15th Anniversary Celebration
July 17–19 in Sonoma Valley - Gay Men’s Social
Wed. July 22 from 5:30–7 pm at V Wine Lounge - Out on the Mountain
Fri. Aug 21 from 6 pm–midnight at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Gallosky Networks is a boutique Managed Service Provider delivering concierge IT and advanced cybersecurity throughout the Coachella Valley. Based on El Paseo in Palm Desert, they provide secure, proactive technology solutions for private estates, family offices, and businesses with a commitment to exceptional service and privacy. Learn more
Michael David Bourque Modern Designs is a boutique Palm Springs interior design studio creating luxurious Desert Modern spaces that are uniquely you. The studio provides premium residential remodeling design, custom furnishings, artwork, and decor to create a serene and sophisticated sense of place. Their clients are discerning about their homes and come to the team looking for something different that perfectly feels like them. Their work is frequently featured by Palm Springs Modernism Week and has appeared in premier publications. Learn more
KGAY 103.1 FM
The KGAY 103.1 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their nonstop throwback mixes. On Sundays, we put all five hours together for the Retro Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm. Perfect party music! The KGAY Sunday Tea Dance with MODGIRL airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). All our DJs took honors in the Best of Coachella Valley this year! Listen to KGAY 103.1 online
WIN TICKETS to Out on the Mountain
KGAY 103.1 wants to give you the chance to experience Out on the Mountain — the Ultimate Pride Party at Six Flags Magic Mountain on Friday, August 21. This private, all‑ages LGBTQ+ celebration packs the park with thrill rides, drag performances, dance parties, and a full night of community joy. It’s Pride… with roller coasters! Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
WIN TICKETS to Dancing with the Stars Con 2026
KGAY 103.1 and Sunny 106.5 are giving listeners the chance to WIN TICKETS to the three‑day Dancing with the Stars Con 2026, happening Friday–Sunday, July 31–August 2. It’s the ultimate fan celebration, packed with live dance performances, interactive photo experiences, exhibits, panels, and an all‑star lineup of Mirrorball Champions and fan favorites including Brandon Armstrong, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Val Chmerkovskiy, JoJo Siwa, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rumer Willis, and legendary judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page and the Sunny Contest Page
Sunny 106.5 FM
Take the sunshine indoors with the Sunny 106.5 Alexa skill — just tell Alexa to “enable Sunny Palm Springs Radio skill” and the brightest variety will be one voice command away at home or at work. Sunny 106.5 is the Coachella Valley’s new home for feel‑good hits from the ’90s, 2000s, and beyond, blending familiar favorites with local updates and weekday weather from Patrick Evans. Play Sunny 106.5 Online
WIN TICKETS to Goo Goo Dolls
Sunny 106.5 is giving listeners the chance to WIN TICKETS to see the Goo Goo Dolls live at The Show on Tuesday, July 21 at 8 pm. With more than 15 million records sold, four GRAMMY® nominations, and an unmatched run of 16 Top 10 radio hits, the band—led by John Rzeznik and Robby Takac—continues to define modern rock through powerful songwriting and impactful performances. Enter to WIN on the Sunny 106.5 Contest Page
- The Center and The L‑Fund Unite to Strengthen Lesbian Support in the Coachella Valley
- CVRep’s Summer Cabaret Preview – By Stephen Radosh
- Why Palm Springs Is Becoming a Top Destination for Active Travelers
- Gay Fathers Share Stories of Love, Loss, and Visibility in Palm Springs
- Palm Springs ShortFest 2026 Winners and Festival Highlights
Find out what’s happening on any given day by browsing our Gay Desert Guide Online Event Listing Calendar, and for the big picture, take a look at major upcoming events in our 2026 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY over the air, stream it [here], or listen on iHeart Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-G-A-Y” John Taylor is on mornings 6–10 am and program director Chris Shebel is on afternoons. Our Retro Lunch with DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas is heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm, followed by MODGIRL spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.
This Way Out, the award‑winning weekly LGBTQ radio program, airs every Sunday at 6:30 a.m. on KGAY 103.1 and is also available on‑demand via our streaming player under Menu>Streams>Podcasts. As the only internationally distributed LGBTQ radio show, it airs on about 200 community stations worldwide and delivers global queer news, reporting, interviews, and cultural features.