Ross Mathews has been bi-coastal these past few weeks taping RuPaul’s Drag Race in Los Angeles, while appearing on the Drew Barrymore Show weekdays. He’s also making time for KGAY 106.5 each Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Read a preview of the new Season 14 below.
There is a plethora of events happening to help raise money for our local causes this holiday season. We list them below in our weekly blog. Please support where you can.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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RuPaul’s Drag Race Recap: Meet the Queens of Season 14
Our Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto (as in Danté, you stay) is already sharpening his quill to recap the upcoming Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premieres in January on VH1. (Read his recaps of All-Stars Season 6 here). Now they’re revealing the cast of Season 14 with a Meet the Queens preview on YouTube, which Dante (of course) got up early to watch live. Read his recap of Meet the Queens of Season 14 here.
Paws N’ Claus Annual Pet Food Drive and Winter Social
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents their annual Paws n’ Claus Annual Pet Food Drive and Winter Social on Monday, December 6 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge. Dress up yourself and your pets in festive costume, or your worst Xmas sweater, bring some pet food to donate to those pets in need, and get your picture snapped by the helpful elves! More info
One Desert Night with Keisha D
The Keisha D Scholarship Fund & Roost Lounge present One Desert Night, featuring music by Coachella Valley Music Legend Keisha D on Thursday, December 9 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Your $45 ticket includes both the concert and a plated dinner provided by Salt Flats, and The Roost Lounge will match dollar for dollar the money raised. Get tickets
Desert Jam 2021
The Well in the Desert presents their annual fundraising event, Desert Jam 21 on Monday, December 6, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at Agua Caliente Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage. Performers include The Jackson Garrett Band, Deanna Bogart & Barry Baughn, Keisha D, Rose Mallett, Barry Minnifield (The Voice), Patrick Evans, Will Donato, Jeanie Cunningham, Mark Guerrero, Krystofer Do, Tommy Dodson and Joyce Bulifant (Mary Tyler Moore Show). This year’s Special Honoree is Yve Evans and emcees are Jeanie Cunningham and David Ross. The evening also features tributes to Gavin Macleod, Ed Asner, Trini Lopez and Mike Costley. Get tickets
Bakersfield Mist
Coachella Valley Repertory presents Bakersfield Mist, (back to finish its run after a COVID-related hiatus), December 7–12. Maude, a fifty-something unemployed bartender living in a trailer park, has bought a painting for a few bucks from a thrift store. Despite almost trashing it, she’s now convinced it’s a lost masterpiece by Jackson Pollock worth millions. But when world-class art expert Lionel Percy flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he has no idea what he is about to discover. Inspired by true events, this hilarious and thought-provoking new comedy-drama asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. Get tickets
Dionne Warwick’s Walk of Stars Dedication
The Palm Springs Chamber presents Dionne Warwick’s Walk of Stars Dedication on Wednesday, December 8 at 11:00 a.m. Marie Dionne Warwick is an American singer, television host, and former Goodwill Ambassador for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest US hit makers between 1955 and 1999, based on her chart history on Billboard’s Hot 100 pop singles chart. More info
Barry Manilow’s A Gift of Love Concerts
Manilow’s A Gift of Love V concerts will take place over 5 nights: December 7, 8, 10, 11 & 12 at the McCallum Theatre. The popular concert returning for the 5th time features his hit songs and holiday favorites, all to benefit 25 Coachella Valley charities. His past holiday concerts have surprised audiences with a children’s choir, Santa Claus, and even snow! Get tickets
Positive Life Series – ANCHOR Study Update
The HIV+ Aging Research Project Palm Springs presents the Positive Life Series on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s topic: “ANCHOR Study Update” will be presented by Dr. David Morris from DAP Health, providing an update on recent results from the ANCHOR anal cancer prevention study. Please join us to learn what this means for people living with HIV. Registration required. More info
Jazzville: Phat Cat Swinger
On Thursday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m., Jazzville Palm Springs presents Phat Cat Swinger at the Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. This “Little-Big Band” 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 to order and enjoy while bopping to the tunes of the evening. Get tickets
Club Fore Kids Golf Tournament
The Club Fore Kids golf tournament takes place Wednesday, December 8 from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at Classic Club in Palm Desert. The Palm Springs Hospitality & Restaurant Association presents the 10th anniversary of this event, benefiting the Boys & Girls of Palm Springs since its inception. Registration includes golf with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, Breakfast items, lunch, Mega Ticket, 2 raffle tickets, silent auction, putting contest, hosted games on the golf course, and much more. Non-golfers can join for lunch at 1:00 p.m. Get tickets
Mindful Cooking During the Holidays
Eisenhower Health and The Center present The Art of Mindful Cooking During the Holiday Season on Wednesday, December 8 from 4:00–5:00 p.m. via Zoom. Too often during the holidays, while spending time with friends and family, we tend to eat (or ‘overeat’) mindlessly. Join Lisa Vesik and learn how to cook and eat mindfully; being present and aware. Become more aware of your body’s signals of fullness so that you can have your pumpkin pie and eat it too! More info
In-Person Games at The Center
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents games you can play with friends, in-person: Open Play Bridge on Mondays from 9:00 a.m.–Noon [More info], and Pinochle Monday Afternoons from 2:00–4:00 p.m. [More info]. One-time registration and proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend.
The Best of Modernism Online Auction
Modernism Week offers The Best of Modernism, an exciting online auction of intriguing and distinctive items, and customized architectural experiences, just in time for the holiday shopping season, through December 12. The online bidding event will feature more than 45 unique architectural tours and experiences, exclusive VIP Modernism Week event tickets and experiences packages for February 2022, access to prime sold-out parties during Modernism Week, and uncommon, exclusive items not typically available to the public. More info
THIS WEEKEND
Sparkle, Twinkle, Jingle! with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus
The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC) is back and ready to perform for its spectacular holiday show “Sparkle, Twinkle, Jingle!” Friday through Sunday, December 10–12 at the Palm Springs Museum Annenberg Theater. The Chorus is proud to welcome its new artistic director Jerry R. Soria-Foust, who will premiere his talents with a program filled with both traditional and non-traditional selections. As audiences have come to expect, there will be a few surprises, songs in four languages and heartfelt musical moments. This year, the Chorus welcomes Broadway star Michele McConnell from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Get tickets
STRUT LGBTQ+ Awards
OutAT TV presents the STRUT Awards Gala on Sunday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Margaritaville Resort. Join friends, grab a drink and enjoy this new LGBTQ+ Awards Gala in Palm Springs and the SoCal Region. The STRUT Awards are a “People’s Choice” Voting Format Awards show for the LGBTQ+ Industry. Gay Desert Guide is nominated in Digital Media and Publication categories, along with Brad Fuhr as KGAY Business Owner, plus John Taylor of KGAY nominated as event emcee! Get tickets
The Beebo Brinker Chronicles
Desert Ensemble Theatre presents The Beebo Brinker Chronicles from Dec. 10–19 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Based on the pulp-fiction classics by Ann Bannon and set in pre-Stonewall Greenwich Village, The Beebo Brinker Chronicles follows the lives and loves of Laura, Beth and Beebo as they navigate uncharted territories of desire. The play celebrates the era when “the love that dares not speak its name” began breaking the old rules. Get tickets
The Sound of Music
Palm Canyon Theatre presents The Sound of Music through December 19. Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain Von Trapp. Get tickets
Winter Wonderettes
Desert Theatreworks presents the Winter Wonderettes through December 23. This seasonal celebration finds the 60’s girl group “The Wonderettes” entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls use their talent and creative ingenuity to save the holiday party! Featuring a live band and great ’60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” and “Winter Wonderland.” Get tickets
Christmas with the Crawfords
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Christmas With The Crawfords from December 9–26. We find Ms. Crawford prepping for her infamous 1940’s Christmas Eve radio broadcast, with Christina and Christopher in tow. The show is a 90 minute parade of famous movie stars dropping by unannounced to sing, dance, and generally toss each other around. You know the gang: Hedda Hopper, Ann Miller, Baby Jane Hudson, Judy Garland, Gloria Swanson, Ethel Merman, Carmen Miranda, Mae West and even the Andrews Sisters. All seats get cocktail service before and during shows! Get tickets
Cowboy + Cowgirl Roundup
Palm Springs Hot Rodeo directors Buck and Chuck invite you to a Cowboy + Cowgirl Roundup on Saturday, December 11 from 7:00–11:00 p.m. at Trunks bar. This event is planned as a homecoming type occasion for members and friends of Hot Rodeo to gather, mingle, dance, and enjoy the company of one another and new friends. Featuring dance lessons, the best country-western music, rodeo merchandise, drink specials and a cash prize raffle. More info
Circovia 2.0 at The Show
Experience a mind-blowing & breathtaking night on Friday & Saturday, December 10 & 11 at 8:00 p.m. when Circovia 2.0 by DreamCast comes to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage. Performers travel through the air & push the limits with incredible acrobatic tricks, taking their art to unparalleled heights. Circovia 2.0 features fantastic talent from around the world, including dancers, motorcyclists & daredevils performing heroic stunts. Get tickets
CVRep Presents The Latsos LIVE
CVRep Presents Live: The Latsos Featuring The Music of Joe Giarrusso on Sunday, December 12 from 2:00–3:00 p.m. Join the incomparable piano duo Giorgi Latso and Ana Fedorova-Latso for this CVRep benefit performance to help raise much-needed funding. Also joining the Latsos are John Walz, Kaitlyn Farley and David Hirsch. Tickets include a post-performance reception at the Playhouse. More info
California Desert Chorale Holiday Celebration
The California Desert Chorale launches its 29th season with a FREE holiday concert: Love, Light and Laughter, on Sunday, December 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Palm Desert. The program, with accompaniment by a chamber orchestra, will include: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” arranged by Dr. Dennis Moreen, “Ava Maria,” featuring soprano Delatour Zimmer, “Laudamus Te” from Vivaldi’s Gloria featuring sopranos Judi Russo and Ana Rangel, and much more. Sponsored in part by the City of Palm Desert and donations will be accepted. More info
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 remaining evenings: December 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
Saturdays with Ross Mathews on KGAY!
Coachella Valley resident Ross Mathews continues 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.”
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
- Paws N’ Claws Annual Pet Food Drive and Winter Social
Mon. Dec. 6, 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge - 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 - The Beebo Brinker Chronicles presented by Desert Ensemble Theatre
Dec. 10–19 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - 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 - The Mountaintop presented by Dezart Performs
Jan. 14–23, 2022 - Modernism Week 2022
Feb. 17–27, 2022 at various locations throughout Greater Palm Springs
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!
