Amsterdam is known the world over for two things: its canals and its red light distinct. Oh and its coffee shops which are really pot shops. I visited all three Sunday as listings editor Alex MeCune and I make our way across Europe for a well-deserved break. I hadn’t been here in nearly a decade, but quickly gained my bearings as we made our way around this storied European city.
I love the serendipity of a vacation. On this day, we started with a 3 hour canal tour in a small boat with a local and two other Americans.
We then set our sights on dinner, then off to explore the gay bars on the last night of Amsterdam’s week-long Pride celebration. We visited one of the classic gay bars we had seen from the canals – The Queen’s Head. That led to a tour of the red light district and finally stumbling upon the closing night street party for Pride in the center of the city.
It was at that event when I was in line for a drink that two young men asked if I would but them a drink. They claimed to be from Ukraine having recently escaped the war. Suspiciously, I asked to see a passport and indeed they were Ukrainian. So whether or not their story was true, I still felt obliged – and good – buying a round for them.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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DBA Networking Mixer at Palm Springs Animal Shelter
Join the Desert Business Association (DBA) as they return to one of our community’s most treasured resources, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, for a Networking Mixer on Monday, August 8 at 5:30 pm. This is not only a time to network with other business people, but also an opportunity to support the PS Animal Shelter by bringing and donating much-needed supplies to help the animals and the shelter staff, as well as tour the facility. More info
L-Fund Financial Seminars: The Basics
The L-Fund is offering the community Financial Seminars for lesbians and allies to learn and discuss personal finances with a three part financial planning seminar and social series, starting Tuesday, August 9 from 6–7:30 pm at The Flannery Exchange in Palm Springs. Seminar One is titled “Getting to know the basics: The essentials to better understanding your financials,” covering budgeting, managing debt and credit, investing and saving. Get actionable tips that can help you develop good financial habits for the future! Free event, registration required. More info
Monkeypox Community Town Hall Meeting
The HIV + Aging Research Project (HARP-PS) is hosting another Monkeypox Community Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, August 9 at 6 pm on Zoom. County and State public health officials will provide updates on this rapidly growing concern. Help keep yourself and our community safe and get educated! More info
Coachella Valley Philharmonic Society Woodwind Quartet
The Coachella Valley Philharmonic Society Chamber Series Presents: No.2 Gioacchino Rossini Woodwind Quartets on Tuesday, August 9 at 7 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The quartet consists of Janine Angeletti on flute, Michael Adams on clarinet, Bruce Clawson on horn, and Nunzio Sisto on bassoon. Proceeds benefit Youth Training Orchestras of America and the Palm Springs Cultural Center Theatre 3 Renovation. Get tickets
Fahrenheit – An Outdoor Fitness Class
JW Personal Training PS is launching a new outdoor fitness class geared for all levels called Fahrenheit, offered every week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 am at Frances Stevens Park in downtown Palm Springs. Personal trainer Jim Weigert of JW Personal Training PS and World Gym has over 25 years experience and he’s sharing it for free (but donations are very much appreciated). Bring a towel and a water bottle because it’s going to be a hot one. It always is! More info
Desert Blues Revival: Scott Reynolds and the OCHLBC
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs presents the Desert Blues Revival every Wednesday at 8 pm in the Cascade Lounge. On Wednesday, August 10, Scott Reynolds and the Orange County Heavy Loaded Blues Company takes 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: Phat Cat Swinger
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five, takes place at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. 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, August 11 from 7–8:30 pm, Jazzville welcomes the return of Phat Cat Swinger, the “Little-Big Band” that brings style, class and charisma to every show experience with their retro showmanship and wide range of musical styles in both original music and re-imagined favorites. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites will be available while bopping to the tunes of the evening. Get tickets
Theatre Thursday: Glenn Rosenblum, “The Musical Man”
CVRep’s Theatre Thursdays are back “Live on Stage.” Come see a different cabaret, concert or entertaining event each Thursday at 7 pm, now through September 1. This week: On Thursday, August 11, Glenn Rosenblum is “The Musical Man.” Glenn uses the stage to share music and his extensive knowledge of musical theatre to tell his own story through song and funny stories. See our event listing for the full lineup of performers! Get tickets
Modernism Week October Tickets on Sale Now
Modernism Week, the annual festival that highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, will offer Modernism Week – October from October 13–16. While smaller in scope than the 11-day festival held annually each February, the October event offers more than 50 events during 4 days, including several free and low-cost programs. A full schedule of events is now available and tickets are on sale! More info
Greater Palm Springs Realtors Food Drive
The Greater Palm Springs Realtors (GPSR) are running a food drive to benefit The LGBTQ Center of the Desert’s Community Food Bank. Non-perishable food items are accepted at the GPSR office from 9 am–5 pm on Mondays and 8 am–5 pm on Tuesday–Friday. There will also be a special Saturday drop-off this Saturday, August 13 from 8 am–10 am. More info
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage Continues
Grab your friends and your passport to new adventures with Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage, running from now through Friday August 12. Come hungry! Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage is an annual tradition of sizzling specials and tantalizing treats for the community to enjoy. Participating restaurants run the gamut from Willie’s Modern Fare, Dickie’s Barbeque Pit, Apong’s Philly Steak, Enzo’s Bistro & Bar, Shame on the Moon, and Haus of Poke, to Ben & Jerry’s, Dragon Lili Boba Bar, and many more. It not only helps local restaurants during slower months, your $10 wristband is also a fundraiser for local nonprofits. More info
THIS WEEKEND
Splash House August Weekend One
Splash House is back for two consecutive weekends in August; first up is Friday–Sunday, August 12–14, at the Saguaro, Renaissance, and Margaritaville Resort Hotels. Each resort is a full takeover hosting a poolside stage, rooms, and balconies that are all part of the fun. Desert days continue into the night for the After Hours series, dancing among the planes and under the stars at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Weekend One artists include Dabin, Dombresky, John Summit, Nora en Pure, Polo & Pan, Elohim and more. Get tickets
City of Indio Second Saturday: 50’s Rock n Roll
Second Saturdays Center Stage takes place this Saturday, August 13 from 7–10 pm in downtown Indio. This FREE community concert series is for for all ages in a safe, fenced-in, “outdoor living room,” featuring family activities, local food vendors, craft beer, and this week is a 50’s Rock & Roll theme, with live music from The Dreamboats and Tina Turntables. Come dressed for the weather and the themed occasion. Those who would like to bring their own chairs or blankets are encouraged to do so—although a seating area with picnic and wine barrel tables are provided. More info
Oscar’s T-Dance Hot Summer Swimsuit Contest
Oscar’s is the “the scene of downtown Palm Springs” with their famous Sunday T-Dance, from 5–9 pm. It gets even hotter for the next month, as the T-Dance will include a Hot Summer Swimsuit Contest every week from now until Labor Day weekend. One winner will receive $250 in cash and prizes each Sunday! Then on Sunday September 4, a Grand Prize winner will win $1000 worth of cash and prizes. More info
Gender-Expansive and Queer Youth Pool Party
The Center Coachella presents a Gender-Expansive & Queer Youth Pool Party on Saturday, August 13 from 2–4:30 pm in La Quinta (address given upon registration). This space will prioritize gender expressions and identities of all types for LGBTQ+ youngsters ten to twenty-one years old. Queer adults also welcome if acting as a caregiver or chaperoning children. Admission is free, but registration is required. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Gay Days Anaheim Discounts Available
Gay Days Anaheim is only five weeks away, September 16–18, and it’s time to make your hotel reservations now, with discounted rates for the Gay Days Anaheim group at the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier. The discount won’t last and hotel rooms go fast. You can also pick up your park tickets at a discounted rate. Newly Added to the Gay Days Lineup: Hot off her heels headlining Disney Pride in NY, and her star turn as the draggiest Teen Angel ever in “Grease” in Long Beach, Jackie Cox is returning to Gay Days Anaheim with her brand new show “The Jacki-E Ticket!” Get the links you need and see the rundown of all the Gay Days events on our event listing page: More info
Palm Springs International Film Fest Awards Tickets on Sale Now
The Palm Springs International Film Festival will run Friday, January 6–Monday, January 16, 2023, kicking off with the Film Awards Gala on Thursday, January 5 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Tickets for the Gala are now on sale (as of August 1)! This is the glitz-and-glamour night of one of the largest film festivals in North America, and the black-tie event is attended by 2,500 film lovers. More info
On the Air at KGAY 106.5
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide have your passes to Splash House 2022, taking place August 12–14 & August 19–21. We’re giving away a pair of passes for each weekend, getting you into the host resorts, hopping on the festival shuttles for FREE and attending all the pool parties and performances during the day! Enter to win on the KGAY Contest Page
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide also have have your chance to WIN tickets to Out on the Mountain at Six Flags Magic Mountain! The event takes place Friday, September 9 from 6 pm–midnight. The entire park goes gay for the night, which provides a safe and inclusive environment of fun for the LGBTQ community, with rides, dance parties, and performers. Enter to win on the KGAY Contest Page
Join all the handsome princes and evil queens at Gay Days Anaheim, courtesy of KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide! Gay Days takes place September 16–18 at Disneyland resort, a three-day weekend of parties, shows and events that make the happiest place on earth the gayest every year! [Click here] to find discounted hotels and park tickets along with a full schedule, and Enter to win tickets to Gay Days on the KGAY Contest Page
KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs is “The Pride of the Valley,” and you can show your Pride by proudly wearing our rainbow logo! Check out our selection of apparel and other items emblazoned with the best radio station call letters: KGAY! Shop now
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 pool party music! Listen Online
- Fahrenheit – An Outdoor Fitness Class
Tue/Wed/Thu mornings at 7 am at Frances Stevens Park - Splash House August Weekend One
Aug 12–14 at the Saguaro, Renaissance, Margaritaville resorts + PS Air Museum - Snacks for 2 for Some Like it Hot at Movies in the Park
Wed. Aug 17 from Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, downtown Palm Springs - Boy George & Culture Club
Sat. Aug 20 at 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage - Splash House August Weekend Two
Aug 19–21 at the Saguaro, Renaissance, Margaritaville resorts + PS Air Museum - Out on the Mountain
Fri. Sep 9 from 6 pm–midnight at Six Flags Magic Mountain - Gay Days Anaheim
Sep 16–18 at Disneyland Resort - Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend
Sep 21–25 at Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs - Pride Under the Pines
Sat. Oct 1 from 12–9 pm in Idyllwild - Palm Springs Leather Pride
Oct 27–30 at Hotel Zoso and various locations around Palm Springs
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 2022 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.” 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.
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)