About the time my parents were born, the City of Palm Springs came into existence. And like my parents, it has aged gracefully – but not without some hard knocks over the decades.
This weekend, we celebrate the city’s 85th birthday with fun and festivities including a parade of autos from each year. And seeing the changes in automobiles over 85 years will give you some sense of how the world has changed. Not only has design esthetics changed, but “auto infrastructure” has made tremendous leaps and bounds. One thing that has been a constant in cars since 1938 is a radio. So it’s only fitting that our KGAY 106.5 morning host John Taylor ride in the parade on Saturday. He’ll be on both AM (1270) and FM 106.5, and streaming on I Heart Radio.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Win a Brand g Columbia River Cruise from KGAY
KGAY 106.5 wants to send YOU on a Brand g LGBT+ vacation to the Pacific Northwest sailing down the Columbia River! Listen Weekdays At 8 am, 1 pm or 5 pm for the KGAY 106.5 Song Of The Day. Then visit the KGAY Contest Page to enter the song name and you’re registered to win our Brand g Columbia River Cruise sailing in June 2024. You’ll start your 8 day trip in historic Spokane and then enjoy breathtaking scenery from the luxury of your private veranda onboard the American Empress through Oregon and Washington…plus Brand g signature entertainment! Increase your chances to win by entering every weekday!
The Spa at Séc-he Opens Tuesday
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Agua Caliente Casinos present the opening of their brand-new spa and cultural center, The Spa at Séc-he, in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, open to the public as of Tuesday, April 4. The Spa at Séc-he includes approximately 40,000 square feet of relaxation, health and wellness. Its creation celebrates the ancient healing waters of the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring with treatments rooms, men and women’s bathhouses, a tranquility garden, a salon, fitness center and outdoor mineral pools. Learn more
AmDocs: American Documentary and Animation Film Festival
The 12th annual AmDocs (American Documentary and Film Festival) presents its final day of the Festival on Monday, April 3 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Be sure to visit our event listing for how to get passes, plus we have links the schedule, with titles like Planet of the Humans, Catisfaction, and the closing night Awards Ceremony with a screening of Sophia. Get tickets
Rock the Park: Bee Gees Gold
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce’s Rock the Park series of free outdoor concerts continues with Bee Gees Gold, featuring the music of those solid gold brothers from Down Under, on Wednesday, April 5 at 7 pm. Get there early because KGAY Morning Show host John Taylor will be doing a live appearance from 5–7 pm! Upcoming concerts in the series: The Music of Journey (May 3) and Wanted: The Music of Bon Jovi (TBD). More info
Sand, Stars & Guitars: Levi Kreis
The Palm Springs Cultural Center and The Bluegrass Standard Magazine present Sand, Stars & Guitars with popular pianist, singer-songwriter, and Tony Award winning actor Levi Kreis on Wednesday, April 5 at 8 pm. The series brings award-winning bluegrass favorites from all over the country, and in some cases, bringing them to Southern California for the first time. Kreis, whose roots are in traditional gospel and country, has grown his repertoire to include a broad blend of Americana, from Motown to pop. An East Tennessee native, Levi spent his youth learning everything he knows from country music’s Little Miss Dynamite Brenda Lee. Get tickets
John Mayer Solo
John Mayer‘s groundbreaking “Solo” acoustic tour comes to Acrisure Arens on Thursday, April 6 at 8 pm. This audacious trek has been 20 years in the making, featuring solo performances by Mayer, leaning heavily on his acoustic guitar work with special performances on piano and electric guitar. Known for an effortless blend of mind-blowing guitar playing, soulful voice and impeccable songwriting abilities, Mayer has lit up the charts with numerous massive hits such as “New Light,” “Gravity,” “Love on the Weekend,” “Heartbreak Warfare,” “Daughters,” “Waiting on the World to Change,” “Last Train Home,” and “Your Body Is a Wonderland.” Get tickets
Annual LGBTQ Community Survey
We at KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide ask you to please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 17th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey! For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. The report will be published on the CMI.info website for free download on approximately August 15. Previous surveys have had over 45,000 participants from 150 countries!, Also, participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. The survey should take about 12 to 15 minutes to complete.
Please [click here] to start the survey
Positive Life Series – Navigating The Healthcare System
The HIV+ Aging Research Project Palm Springs presents the Positive Life Series on Tuesday, April 4 at 6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This month, the topic is Navigating The Healthcare System with guest speaker Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN, President, Greater Palm Springs Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. More info
C U Next Tuesday Journaling Group
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents C U Next Tuesday, a 6 week, in person, women-identified only, closed therapeutic journaling group for reducing stress, depression, anxiety & more through the art of writing. The series begins on Tuesday, April 4 from 4–5:15 pm and Dr. Ann Engel, ACSW is going to host the group. More info
Plaza Theatre Open Houses
The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation is holding free Open House events at the theatre to display plans and renderings of the renovations to the historic building. The informal Open House events will take place every Tuesday from 7–8 pm through June 6, where Foundation board members and other volunteers will greet attendees and answer questions about the project. The purpose of these free weekly events is to provide attendees with an opportunity to see firsthand the restoration plans for the iconic building as it enters its Next Act. Reservations are not necessary. More info
Hand to God
CVRep presents Hand to God by Robert Askins, now through Sunday, April 9. This play received five Tony Award nominations, including Best New Play. Tormented by feelings of lust and loss, an unhappy teenage boy tries to please his mother by performing with a puppet for her church ministry program. However, things get slightly out of hand and do not go according to plan. Tackling the nature of good and evil, Hand to God is a metaphor to getting to the crux of matters. Audience members should note that this dark comedy contains sexualized scenes, violence, profanity and puppet nudity. Get tickets
Anita Graef at Miracle Springs
As a special fundraiser for Desert Hot Springs Classical Concerts, Chicago-based cellist Anita Graef presents an intimate solo cello recital at Miracle Springs Resort & Spa on Thursday, April 6 from 7–8 pm. Described as a musician of “superb artistry” (Pasadena Now) who plays with “high energy and polish” (WQXR), Graef has earned recognition for her music making as an artist who is equally at home exploring traditional as well as contemporary works, along with a deep commitment to service, outreach and education. Suggested donation at door. More info
Desert Blues Revival: Gand Band Chicago Blues Caravan
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs presents the Desert Blues Revival every Wednesday at 8 pm in the Cascade Lounge. On Wednesday, April 5 Gand Band Chicago Blues Caravan take the stage. Each week, come enjoy great bands playing authentic Blues, Soul, R&B, and Rock from all over the globe right here in your backyard. Get tickets
Jazzville: Cathy Segal-Garcia Quintet
Jazzville invites you to experience the hottest acts in jazz and step back in time to when all the cool cats came to play and put Palm Springs on the map! On Thursday, April 6 from 7–8:30 pm, Jazzville brings the Maria Schafer Quintet to Palm Springs! Maria’s voice and style evoke the 1940s with finger-snapping swing. To paraphrase a review of Maria Schafer, this Downbeat darling is just the right tonic for jaded jazz ears. Get tickets
Fellini Retrospective: I Vitelloni
Thanks to popular demand, the Palm Springs Cultural Center is extending its Fellini Retrospective series through the end of 2023, continuing on the first Friday of every month. The series is part of the Fellini 100 Tour, an international celebration of Fellini’s centennial. Experience why Fellini’s name is synonymous with the international art of cinema! On Friday, April 7 at 7 pm, the featured film will be I Vitelloni (1953). Five young men dream of success as they drift lazily through life in a small Italian village. Fausto (Franco Fabrizi), the group’s leader, is a womanizer; Riccardo craves fame; Alberto (Alberto Sordi) is a hopeless dreamer; Moraldo (Franco Interlenghi) fantasizes about life in the city; and Leopoldo (Leopoldo Trieste) is an aspiring playwright. As Fausto chases a string of women, to the horror of his pregnant wife, the other four blunder their way from one uneventful experience to the next. Get tickets
Art Party at Desert Art Center
Desert Art Center presents an Art Party on Friday, April 7 from 5–7 pm. Come mingle and see the latest artwork from many of their juried artists, enjoy nibbles and a glass of wine in the back lawn and meet the artists. All are welcome at this free event. More info
Architecture Tours by Modernism Week
Architecture Tours by Modernism Week is a season-long series of high-quality, in-depth, small group tours, running now through May. In April and May the tours run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with most tours beginning at 9:30 am, departing from the Palm Springs Visitor Center. Modernism Week has partnered with PS Architecture Tours to enable participants to learn about the exciting architectural history of the Palm Springs area and experience midcentury modern culture and lifestyle. Together, this partnership offers an affordable series of engaging mini-motor coach tours aimed at a growing audience of Palm Springs visitors and modernism fans. Get tickets
Glow in the Park
The wildly popular nighttime event, Glow in the Park, returns to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens nightly now through April 30, from 6:30–10 pm, with last admission at 9 pm. This spring spectacular new lineup of hand-crafted lanterns represents wildlife from around the world—and even under the sea. These larger-than-life displays, which feature breathtaking artistry, interactive elements, and a never-ending number of photo-ops, will create a truly unforgettable night for guests of all ages. Get tickets
Desert X
After welcoming a total of more than 1.25 million to all three previous iterations in the Coachella Valley, Desert X is back for their fourth biennial exhibition, running now through Sunday, May 7. The exhibition of site-specific installations by acclaimed international artists examines social and environmental themes with a focus on the changes that give form to a world increasingly shaped by climate crisis, globalism, and the political and economic migrations that follow in their wake. Free and open to the public, stop in at the Desert X hub at the Ace Hotel or download the app for information on artists, a map to find the installations, and interactive content. More info
Visitor Map & Guide Spring Edition
The Spring 2023 edition of our Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide (great for locals too!) is available now around town and online. We help you find everything you need to know while visiting or living in the Coachella Valley, featuring the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attraction, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries and other services. You can also view it online, and download the PDF [here].
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!
THIS WEEKEND
Palm Springs 85th Anniversary Celebration
The City of Palm Springs is turning 85 years old and everyone is invited to celebrate with an all-day party this Saturday, April 8 . KGAY‘s John Taylor will be doing a live appearance 9–11 am, then a spectacular classic car parade called “Cruising Through the Years” kicks off at 11:30 am with a long list of shining stars and a host of local media figures and prominent residents who have made an impact on Palm Springs. Following the parade, the vintage cars will be displayed around the Forever Marilyn sculpture for all to enjoy. Everyone is invited to get a selfie in front of the car from the year they were born, and the festivities continue in the downtown park area throughout the afternoon with music, a historical photo exhibit, family-friendly activities, scavenger hunt, and a Canine Celebrity Costume Contest at 6 pm. The birthday bash will conclude with a rockin’ Elton John Tribute Concert at 7 pm. More info
100 Years of Men in Love: The Accidental Collection
The Palm Springs Art Museum’s Artful Events presents a screening of 100 Years of Men in Love: The Accidental Collection on Saturday, April 8 at 2 pm at the Annenberg Theater. The film focuses on a unique, moving, and joy-filled collection of vintage photographs of men in love from the 1850s to the 1950s. Taken when male partnerships were often illegal, the photos were found at flea markets, in shoe boxes, family archives, estate sales and old suitcases. The film will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s Emmy Award-winning director, David Millbern, followed by a meet-and-greet reception in the Meyerman Sculpture Garden. Get tickets
Made in Hollywood Opening Night and Book Signing
Rubine Red Gallery presents an Opening Night reception for Made in Hollywood: All Access with The GoGo’s on Saturday, April 8 from 5–9 pm. The Go-Go’s were the first all-female rock group in history to write their own songs, play their own instruments, and reach the top of the Billboard charts with their #1 album, Beauty and the Beat. Made In Hollywood is drummer Gina Schock’s personal account of the band, which includes a treasure trove of photographs and memorabilia collected over the course of her 40-year career. Enjoy music, bites, drinks, an autographed copy of the book, and a chance to meet the author. [Get tickets] On Sunday, April 9, there will be also be a book signing event from 1–4 pm. The show of photography from the book continues at Rubine Red Gallery through April 24. More info
Comedy Night Dinner Show & Live Auction
The Roost Foundation presents a Comedy Night Dinner Show & Live Auction benefiting Voices For Children on Sunday, April 9 from 5–8 pm. Jason Stuart will be headlining along with Laurie Kilmartin (Conan O’Brien Show) with special guests LGBTQ comedians Nicky Paris and Mina Hartong. The evening will feature a 3-course Easter Dinner & Wine Pairing by Camden Cellars, Comedy Show, and a Live Auction. VIP and General Admission ticket options are available. Get tickets
Little Women the Musical
Palm Canyon Theatre presents Little Women the Musical from April 7–23. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters: Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but no one is interested. Meanwhile, a friend encourages Jo to write more about personal experience. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters growing up in Civil War America into an exciting musical journey. Get tickets
Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man
Bus Stop Productions presents Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man in the Tropics Lounge at the Margaritaville Resort on Fridays and Saturdays through May 27, with two shows per night at 7 pm & 9:30 pm. This show has been so popular they’ve extended its run by several weeks! The play is set at a local university auditorium where the English department holds its monthly meet the authors event. Robyn is the shy and studious moderator of the event and this month’s featured author is Dan Anderson of Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man. With the help of a hunky stage assistant named Stefan, Dan aims to turn this meet the authors event upside down with a highly theatrical, audience interactive sex tip seminar. Get tickets
City of Indio presents The Dreamboats
The City of Indio presents Second Saturdays Center Stage on Saturday, April 8 from 6–9 pm, this month featuring music by The Dreamboats. Second Saturdays is a FREE community concert series for all ages located downtown Indio in a safe, fenced-in, “outdoor living room.” Enjoy family activities, local food vendors, and craft beer. Come dressed for the weather and the themed occasion. More info
Screwball Sundays: The Philadelphia Story
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents a series of the greatest screwball comedies of Hollywood’s golden age, showing The Philadelphia Story (1940) on Sunday, April 9 at 3 pm. This classic romantic comedy focuses on Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), a Philadelphia socialite who has split from her husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), due both to his drinking and to her overly demanding nature. As Tracy prepares to wed the wealthy George Kittredge (John Howard), she crosses paths with both Dexter and prying reporter Macaulay Connor (James Stewart). Unclear about her feelings for all three men, Tracy must decide whom she truly loves. Get tickets
On the Air at KGAY 106.5
Win Tickets to Tinseltown’s Queer 30th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, April 28 is the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Nicholas Snow’s historic public access television show Tinseltown’s Queer: Activism Hollywood Style, celebrating from 6–9 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Be part of Queer media history in this celebratory evening of iconic archival television clips featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, as well as champions of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement [Get tickets]. KGAY 106.5 has your chance to win tickets, and there are 8 ways to enter on the KGAY Contest Page!
The KGAY Sunday Tea Dance with DJ Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). DJ Modgirl (AKA Kellee McQuinn) is not only the life of the party, she’s also a cover girl on magazines and billboards, a television entertainer, and an award winning producer, director, lyricist and performer. Her moniker is “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week on the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm. Listen online
Ross Mathews hosts his popular weekly radio show on KGAY 106.5 airs on Saturdays from 11:00 am–2 pm. That’s 50% more Ross because now it’s a three-hour show! Ross is a part-time Palm Springs resident and currently working on The Drew Barrymore Show, RuPaul’s Drag Race and many other projects. He brings celebrity gossip and news, plus a rundown of what’s happening each weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings as he plays some of his favorite dance hits each weekend on KGAY. Listen Online
The KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday at noon, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their high-energy throwback mixes. On Sundays, we put all five hours together for the Retro Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm. Perfect party music! Listen Online
- Sand, Stars & Guitars: Levi Kreis
Wed. Apr 5 at 8 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Hand to God presented by CVRep
Mar 28–Apr 9 - Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man
Feb 24–May 27 at Margaritaville Resort - John Mayer Solo
Thu. Apr 6 at 8 pm at Acrisure Arena - American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs)
Mar 30–Apr 3 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Palm Springs’ 85th Anniversary Party
Sat. Apr 8 from 11:30 am–9 pm in Downtown Palm Springs - 100 Years of Men in Love: The Accidental Collection
Sat. Apr 8 at the Annenberg Theater - Gina Shock: Made in Hollywood Opening Night Party & Book Signing
Sat. & Sun. Apr 8 & 9 at Rubine Red Gallery - Comedy Night Dinner Show & Live Auction
Sun. Apr 9 from 5–8 pm at The Roost Lounge - Kinsey Sicks: Drag Queen Story Time Gone Wild!
Fri. Apr 14 from 6–9:30 pm at The Purple Room Supper Club - Drag4Drag Rally Palm Springs
Tue. Apr 18 at 5 pm in Downtown Palm Springs - The Garbologists presented by Dezart Performs
Apr 14–23 at the Pearl McManus Theater - “Manilow! – Songs that Make the Whole World Sing” presented by Modern Men
Sat. & Sun. Apr 22 & 23 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - “Notorius!” presented by The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus
Apr 28, 29, & 30 at the Annenberg Theater - Gay Wine Weekend
Jul 14–16 in Sonoma Wine Country
- 59 Things to Do in Greater Palm Springs in April
- Springtime Is the Best Time to Visit Greater Palm Springs’ Gardens
- Desert Stonewall Democrats, ACLU, and Local Drag Community to Host Drag4Drag Rally in Response to Anti-Drag Legislation
- Non-Profit Alliance LGBTQ for Youth Strikes Back Against Anti-Gay Legislation with “The Courage to be Truly Free” Children’s Book
- CVRep’s Production of ‘Hand to God’ Is Funny, Ribald, Thought-Provoking Theater
An essential Palm Springs dining experience, Zin American Bistro has been the place to go since 2004 for wine, creative, fresh, locally sourced cuisine and craft cocktails. Their heated and cooled large patio is perfect for champagne brunches, relaxed lunches and late night dining. Save big with our HOT DEAL and get a $50 gift card to Zin American Bistro for just $35! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Boozehounds, Willie’s Modern Fare, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, Hunters Nightclub, Monster Shakes, Desert Mischief, Jolene’s, Rick’s, Trevor Wayne Pop Art, Destination PSP, Kitchen 86, AMP Sports Lounge and more! See All Deals
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 2023 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
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.” Ross Mathews is on Saturdays from 11 am–2 pm, 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 now heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm, followed by DJ Modgirl spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.
Don’t miss “This Way Out,” Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on KGAY 106.5. “This Way Out” is the only internationally distributed weekly LGBTQ radio program, currently airing on some 200 local community radio stations around the world. Listen to the latest episode as a podcast on our streaming page (click “Podcasts” in the upper right hand corner)