Oasis Insiders had a surprise in their Friday and Monday inbox. We did a redesign on the weekly newsletters and it threw some of you off. I forgot to mention it either on the air or in my Friday blog.
Summer is that time of the year for many businesses to throw on a fresh coat of paint – literally and figuratively. Most noted is that many restaurants close for a few weeks or just a few days. It gives the staff a little break during our slowest time of the year and allows for much needed repairs.
In our case, we’re taking the summer to also do a lot of stuff “under the hood” including revamping our internal processes with the help of AI. We’ve also got a new AI agent, “Stanley”, who is our listings editor for the detailed events calendars we provide. “He” still needs human help, but it has allows us to publish more and more community events.
A human still designs all of our materials including this newsletter. His name is Jesse and he lives in LA. He’s been a good friend for years – we started with “dating” but quickly found out we were better friends than lovers. (I should have added his name to my Friday blog!)
So I put him on the case and we redesigned our Monday This Week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings newsletter and our companion Friday edition, This Weekend’s Featured Fun.
Our team has also been busy launching the new KGAYPalmSprings.com website – now fully integrated into the GayDesertGuide.LGBT website. There, you can find not only the events, happy hours and happenings in Greater Palm Springs, you can also find the businesses that support our community in th directory. We’ve labeled each entry with whether the business is a member of the Desert Business Association, our LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, an advertiser on KGAY, or an LGBTQ+ owned business.
And for good measure, we took the dog days of summer to relaunch MeTV FM on a new frequency at 92.1. It use to occupy 103.1 until we moved KGAY to that frequency at the holidays and launched Sunny 106.5 on the old KGAY frequency. Yes, you need a scorecard to keep track!
We’re racing toward Labor Day and the time when vacations end, temps start to cool a bit and people slowly return to visit and take in all we have to offer. We can truly say, q:plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose – The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAYPalmSprings and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you reside!
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Pet Star 2027 Photo Contest
Furry, feathered, and scaly companions across the Coachella Valley can shine in the spotlight during the annual Pet Star 2027 Photo Contest running now through September 30. This fundraiser by Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies invites pet owners to submit photos for a $25 fee in five categories to support Palm Springs Animal Shelter, Desert Wildlife Center, and Desert Community Animal Center. Entrants can submit multiple pets and rally votes for $1 each, with a five-vote minimum. The top vote-getter becomes the 2027 Pet Star Champion on the calendar cover, while other top-ranking pets are featured inside. Supporters can preorder calendars or reserve special dates for $20. More info
FRI: Out On The Mountain 2026
Experience thrilling rides and spectacular drag performances at Out On The Mountain 2026 on Friday, August 21 from 6 pm–12 am at Six Flags Magic Mountain. This private, all-ages party brings together over 5,000 members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Enjoy performances by April Carrión and Jessica Wild while supporting Southern California LGBTQ organizations. The park is closed to the general public during event hours, and regular season passes are not accepted. Tickets must be purchased online in advance, with VIP options available. More info
FRI: Silent Disco – Battle of the DJs
Dance to your own beat at the Silent Disco – Battle of the DJs on Friday, August 21 at 9 pm at The Palm Springs Surf Club. This exciting night of dancing allows you to switch between DJ Lady Pink and a Surprise DJ with the flip of a switch on your wireless headphones. Grab your headphones, hit the dance floor, and enjoy a unique evening of music under the stars. More info
FRI: The Desert Modernist: An Art Showcase
Celebrate local artistic talent at The Desert Modernist: An Art Showcase on Friday, August 21 from 4–7 pm at Senior Helpers. This generational exhibition brings together Coachella Valley artists, blending iconic Mid-Century Modern aesthetics with bold contemporary acrylics and sweeping desert landscapes. You can enjoy stunning artwork, light refreshments, and community spirit while supporting local guest artists such as Ray Clearwater, A Todd Jones, Ron Slack, and Juan Jose Espinosa. The exhibition is completely free and open to all. More info
FRI–SAT: The Wizard of Oz
Experience the classic story The Wizard of Oz at Palm Springs Plaza Theatre with a special screening on Friday, August 22 at 7 pm. The Friday screening features an exclusive introduction and audience Q&A with special guest Vanessa O’Neil, granddaughter of Judy Garland and daughter of Lorna Luft and Jake Hooker. More info
SAT: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
The legendary rock duo Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo will bring their iconic sound to the stage of The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Saturday, August 22 at 8 pm. This Rock & Roll Hall of Fame partnership has shaped the landscape of music for decades, producing timeless hits such as “Love Is A Battlefield” and “Heartbreaker.” With four consecutive Grammy Awards and over 36 million records sold worldwide, their staggering vocals and trailblazing guitar artistry continue to captivate audiences. More info
SUN: Coachella Valley Classical Voices
Enjoy an afternoon of inspiring opera and Broadway selections as the Coachella Valley Classical Voices group performs on Sunday, August 23 from 3–4:30 pm at Palm Springs Plaza Theatre. Under the artistic direction of Doug Nagel, this talented lineup of local singers will present beautiful musical selections by renowned composers like Puccini, Verdi, Sondheim, and Schwartz. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience local classical music and vocal talent live on stage. More info
Nominations Round Open: Best of Coachella Valley
CV Independent’s Best of Coachella Valley 2026–2027 nomination round is officially open, and now’s the moment to spotlight the local voices, stations, and personalities you love most. This early round determines who advances to the final ballot, so every nomination truly counts. Our contenders this year include KGAY 103.1, Sunny 106.5, and MeTV FM 92.1 for Best Radio Station; John Taylor, E.J. Tyler, Patrick Evans, and Chris Shebel for Best Local Radio Personality; and our powerhouse DJ trio — DJ Galaxy, DJ Eric Ornelas, and MODGIRL — for Best Local DJ. Nominations are open through Friday, August 28, so cast your picks and lift your favorites into the spotlight! Nominate Today
- Jeopardy! Bar League • Attendees will compete in an official bar trivia experience and climb the national leaderboard with weekly prizes and giveaways at The Palm Springs Surf Club on Wednesday from 7–9 pm.
- A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit • Palm Springs Art Museum hosts an intergenerational group of artists exploring how magic, spirituality, and esoteric knowledge shaped queer culture, open Thursday–Sunday and the show runs through October 18.
- Thursday Night – VillageFest • The street fair that brings local valley businesses together to celebrate food, entertainment, art, and shopping along Palm Canyon Drive on Thursday from 7–10 pm.
- George Perez Comedy Show! • Comedian George Perez will deliver a night of real stories, big laughs, and nonstop energy at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs on Friday at 7 pm.
- Victor Vasquez Comedy Show • Stand-up favorite Victor Vasquez will deliver nonstop laughs with his quick wit and sharp storytelling at Spotlight 29 Casino on Friday from 8–9:30 pm.
- Lee Hyun Woo • Audiences will experience a spectacular performance as South Korean singer Lee Hyun Woo takes the stage at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Friday from 8–11 pm.
- Welcoming Yoga • Participants of all experience levels will experience a safe, slow basic practice led by facilitator Marci Stonehedge at The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert on Saturday from 4–5:15 pm.
- Night Swim • Partygoers will experience the ultimate after-hours pool party featuring live DJs, cocktails at the Island Bar, and access to the iconic Island Pool and Lazy River under the lights at The Palm Springs Surf Club on Saturday from 6–10 pm.
- Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays • Dancers of all levels are welcome to enjoy country western dancing, including two-step, waltz, and line dances. This week features a “Choosin Texas” line dance lesson with Andrew Jimenez. Located at Step by Step Dance Studio on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm.
- A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd • Southern rock fans will experience the raw energy and triple-guitar attack of classics like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” by tribute band Skynyrd & Frynds at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City on Saturday from 8–11 pm.
- The Rack Pack: Weekly Men’s (Chinese) Mahjong Meet-Up • Men of all experience levels enjoy a relaxed afternoon of friendly Chinese Mahjong, good company, and great vibes with The Rack Pack. This weekly group meets at ACE Hotel & Swim Club on Sunday from 4–6 pm.
Join the Oasis Insiders to get our twice-weekly newsletter with our Top Things to Do!
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.
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 - Summer Moon Dance Party
Fri. Aug 28 from 7–10 pm at the Palm Springs Art Museum - Pool Party for a Cause: Tiki Night
Fri. Aug 28 from 7–10 pm at Palm Springs Surf Club - Superfuzz Saturday Nights at CCBC
August 29 from 8 pm–Midnight - Greater Palm Springs Spa Month
Sep 1–30 at participating Coachella Valley spas - Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival / 2026 Blues at the Woodstock
Sep 4–5 at Hotel Zoso - KGAY Big SPLASH Pool Party | Support Your Station
Fri Sep 11 from 7–10 pm at the Palm Springs Surf Club - Gay Days Anaheim 2026
Sep 18–20 at Disneyland Resort
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
This Weekend: Hunters Nightclub turns up the summer heat with DJ Galaxy returning to take over Fur Friday this Friday, August 21 from 4–9 pm with his signature sound and crowd‑moving style.
KGAY 103.1 is giving you the chance to score VIP GOLD passes to Gay Days Anaheim, September 18–20, 2026 — the ultimate way to experience the weekend’s biggest entertainment. Enjoy the Kingdom dance party with DJ Paulo Ramirez, Alyssa Edwards’ “Once Upon a Tongue Pop”, your choice of Y2J or Diva Worship, two meet‑and‑greets, comedy from Zach Noe Towers, Drag Queen Bingo with Kay Sedia, the VIP cocktail party, and a loaded VIP gift bag. Enter to WIN on the KGAY 103.1 Contest Page
WIN TICKETS to see John Summit live in Los Angeles from KGAY 103.1! Dance‑music phenom John Summit is bringing his massive CTRL ESCAPE arena tour to LA on December 12, delivering his biggest, boldest production yet. Expect a high‑impact, immersive experience as Summit transforms his boundary‑pushing album into a full‑scale arena spectacle — complete with next‑level staging, explosive energy, and the larger‑than‑life atmosphere fans crave. Enter to WIN on the KGAY 103.1 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
Join the Sunny 106.5 Lucky Duck Club and unlock year‑round access to secret contests, special offers, and fun surprises just for members. It’s free, fast, and packed with perks for Sunny listeners — including first access to exciting station events. If you’re already a Lucky Duck, you’re automatically entered to WIN a pair of tickets to Katy Perry’s The Lifetimes Tour – Live From Paris, showing in cinemas and IMAX for a limited time September 2–5. Not a member yet? Sign up NOW to WIN!
MeTV 92.1 FM
MeTV FM is officially back on the Coachella Valley dial — and there’s never been a better time to tune in. Broadcasting from Palm Springs, 92.1 MeTV FM delivers a “radio gold mine” of timeless, memorable music you won’t hear anywhere else: over 3,500 songs, more than 350 played every day with no repeats. From deep tracks to softer favorites spanning the ’50s through the ’80s, plus themed shows and beloved classics, this one‑of‑a‑kind format is ready to soundtrack your day.
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 2026-27 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.
