Thanksgiving is over; now let’s go shopping! Those crazy days of stores being open on Thanksgiving have more or less gone away. Amazon may be partially to blame.
But now I recommend that we should turn to our local merchants to support this holiday season. The Desert Sun put together a nice Shop Local piece in today’s edition. And you’ll hear about many sales and specials from our advertisers on KGAY 106.5 between now and Christmas.
We would be remiss if we didn’t get into the Black Friday fray. So there’s now a variety of KGAY merch available through the KGAYPalmSprings.com website.
We’re # 1! Thanks to you, dear readers of the Coachella Valley Independent. The accolades are piling up for the new KGAY 106.5 and our stellar personalities. Congrats to John Taylor, DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas! KGAY 106.5 was voted top radio station this year and we’re “thankful”. We just learned of another local awards show and competition, the “Strut Awards 2022” where your truly, GayDesertGuide.LGBT and KGAY are also nominated.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
P.S. If you’re not getting the weekly “Oasis Insiders” newsletter, please sign up today so we can stay in touch.
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#TDOR
It’s Hip to be KGAY!
Power up your wardrobe with some rainbows and spice up your holiday gift shopping with our KGAY logo merchandise! We’ve got t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops and more in a variety of styles, and that’s just the beginning. How about a KGAY case for your phone? Coasters for your coffee table? Magnet for your fridge? Check out the travel mug, tote bag, throw pillow…and much more! Shop Now
The Australian Bee Gees Show
The McCallum Theatre presents The Australian Bee Gees Show: A Tribute to The Bee Gees on Saturday, November 27 at 8:00 p.m. It’s going to be Saturday Night Fever! One of the most successful and adored acts in musical history is recreated on stage in a 75-minute multimedia concert event. You’ll hear hits like, “Staying Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “Jive Talkin.”‘ The performers’ authentic take on the trio’s clothes, style and moves showcase five decades of the Brothers Gibb’s success as rock and disco legends. Get tickets
Shop Small Saturday + Free Gift Wrapping
We encourage you to support local small businesses year round–and especially those who support the LGBTQ community, by browsing our Gay Desert Guide Business Directory, and a great time to make a special effort to patronize these places is on Small Business Saturday, November 27. In an effort to encourage shopping downtown and to celebrate the holidays, the Friends of the Palm Springs Library will be offering FREE gift wrapping (some restrictions apply) downtown at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library as part of Shop Small Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. More info
28th Annual Palm Springs Open
The Palm Springs Open takes place from Friday, November 26 through Sunday, November 28 at various locations in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs. This international tennis tournament run by the Desert Tennis Association attracts more than 300 LGBT players from around the world. DTA is a non-profit corporation that organizes tennis events for the LGBT community in the Coachella Valley and raises funds for local charities. The tournament is free to the public, and the proceeds from a silent auction will benefit AAP. More info
Black Friday Art Demos & Shopping
On Black Friday, November 26, the Desert Art Center will have art demos all day to entertain & engage you while you shop the largest display of gay and local fine art in the valley. Scads of beautiful jewelry, luscious hand-painted scarves, colorful and functional ceramics, fused-glass night lights and decor, and much more. More info
Saturdays with Ross Mathews Continues on KGAY!
After a successful run this Pride Month of November, Coachella Valley resident Ross Mathews will continue on KGAY 106.5 through the holidays with his new show airing Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Ross is seen nationally on RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Drew Barrymore Show, and more. Ross does what he knows best: show biz, current events and the Coachella Valley. As Ross puts it “KGAY is…giving the gayest person in history his own radio show…Me!” Saturdays with Ross Mathews is on KGAY 106.5, on the FM dial in the Coachella Valley and streaming worldwide online! Ask your smart speaker to “Play KGAY.”
Wildlights at The Living Desert
WildLights is celebrating 29 years dazzling guests by transforming The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens into a sparkling winter wonderland, recognized in the Top 5 Best Zoo Lights by USA Today. Come to this festive, annual tradition and marvel at more than a million colorful, sparkling holiday lights on the following evenings: November 26, 27, December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 – 24, 26 – 30. WildLights guests will encounter a herd of life-size, luminescent animal lanterns, explore newly added pathways and stroll through the popular tunnel of lights flashing to holiday music. Advanced reservations are required for both members and guests. More info
Cafe Tacvba at The Show
Experience the Rock en Español band, Café Tacvba, one of the biggest acts on the Latin music scene with its fun, madcap & ever-changing, groundbreaking music, when they take the stage at The Show on Friday, November 26 at 8:00 p.m. Get tickets
KGAY 106.5 CHOSEN BEST OF COACHELLA VALLEY!
Every year, the Coachella Valley Independent invites the community to help them highlight the Best of Coachella Valley, in a variety of categories featuring outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations [More info]. The nominees and winners are based on the votes of its readers, along with viewers of KESQ News Channel 3. We were thrilled just to be nominated but now the winners have been announced and we are overjoyed to share that KGAY 106.5 is named BEST RADIO STATION!!! Not only that, but KGAY morning host John Taylor is first runner-up for Best Local Radio Personality, and KGAY deejays DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas came in first and third respectively for Best Local DJ!
- 28th Annual Palm Springs Open LGBT Tennis Tournament
Nov. 25–28 at Mission Hills, Monterey, and Sunrise Country Clubs - The Australian Bee Gees Show
Sat. Nov 27 at 8:00 p.m. at the McCallum Theatre - Jonathan Karrant – Lush Life: Best of the American Songbook
Sat. Nov. 27 at The Purple Room Supper Club - Jazzville Palm Springs: Jason Fabus Trio with Natalie Mendoza
Thu. Dec. 2 at 7:00 p.m - Hairspray at the McCallum Theatre
Fri.–Sun., Dec. 3–5 - Official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting
Fri. Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m. at Frances Stevens Park - Winter Wonderettes presented by Desert Theatreworks
Dec. 3–23 at the Indio Performing Arts Center - Festival of Lights Parade
Sat. Dec. 4, 5:45–7:45 p.m., Downtown Palm Springs - Indio Tamale Festival
Sat. Dec. 4, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. near Indio City Hall - 12th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show
Sun. Dec. 5, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum - One Desert Night – A Live Concert Under the Desert Sky with Keisha D
Thu. Dec. 9, 6:00 p.m. at The Roost Lounge - Sparkle, Twinkle, Jingle! with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus
Fri.–Sun., Dec. 10–12, at the Annenberg Theater - Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour
Sun. Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the McCallum Theatre - Palm Springs International Film Festival 2022
Jan. 6–17, 2022 at various venues in Palm Springs and Cathedral City - Modernism Week 2022
Feb. 17–27, 2022 at various locations throughout Greater Palm Springs
Welcome New Partner!
FARM is a Provencal-style café tucked away in a charming historic spot set away from the traffic of downtown Palm Springs. With a menu comprised of Southern French classics, brimming with fresh sourced produce, eggs and artisanal meats, their dishes are made to order with attention to taste, aroma and texture. Enjoy a meal on the patio and take in the ambiance of being out of the city. They are not quick with food, preparing all items as you order in their small historic kitchen. Learn more
- CV Independent Best of Coachella Valley 2021-2022: Readers’ Picks
- Restaurant News Bites: Farmers’ Markets Up the Eats; So Long, Venezia; and Much More!
- Alaska Airlines Inaugurates Nonstop Service from Palm Springs to Austin and San Jose
- Airy and Edutaining: The Palm Springs Air Museum
- A Trans Actor is one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men
Desert Mischief is the brand-new Palm Springs adult store that’s been around for years. With distinctive gifts & souvenirs in the front, adult toys & supplies in the back, there’s something for everyone on your list—and plenty more to indulge yourself! For local convenience, invaluable staff expertise, and prices so low you’ll think it’s a mirage, you can’t beat Desert Mischief. Save a whopping 50% with our HOT DEAL: Get a $30 gift card for just $15! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Jolene’s Bar & Grill, One Eleven Bar, Destination PSP, Grand Central, Chill Bar, Runway, Rick’s Desert Grill, Mary Pickford Theatre, Thai Smile and more! See All Deals
Listen to KGAY 106.5 over the air, stream it [here], or listen on TuneIn Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-GAY 1065 from Tune In Radio.” John Taylor is on mornings 6–10 a.m. and program director Chris Shebel is on afternoons. Our Retro Lunch with DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas is now heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. And Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. through the Holidays, it’s Coachella Valley resident Ross Mathews with his very own radio show!
