My mailbox runneth over! After being away last week for Outfest and Gay Wine Weekend, I came back to a mailbox full of “save the date” mailers from our local non-profits.
Of course, Alex and our team at Gay Desert Guide had all of these posted on our online calendar. But I’ll summarize:
*Thursday, Jan 4, 2024! PSIFF Film Awards kicking off the Film Festival. (Tables go for $50k, so get out your Platinum card)
*Saturday, Jan. 27 Palm Springs Art Museum Art Party honoring the legacy of Albert Frey
*Wednesday, Dec. 6 McCallum Theatre’s Gala 2023 starring Audra McDonald.
These are in addition to the many charities vying for you to buy tickets to Barry Manilow’s A Gift of Love VI, the holiday shows that Barry donates his talents every other year. And we can’t forget Michael Childers’ One Night Only November 8.
Maybe thinking of Fall and Winter events will take our minds off this oppressive heat and smoke? Even Sonoma County was nearing triple digits for Gay Wine Weekend. The only relief was the typical fog and chill as I drove over the Golden Gate Bridge. For now, it’s back to “Summer in the City” of Palm Springs till shorter days in September brings us some relief.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you may be!
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Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
It’s time for Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage 2023! For just $10, your event wristband opens up a world of exclusive summer specials at participating Rancho Mirage restaurants so you can savor the best of the Rancho Mirage culinary scene, kicking off Monday, July 17 and going through August 13. See our event listing for a link to participating restaurants and their exclusive Taste of Summer offers. Wristbands can be picked up at a variety of non-profits (see the full list here). More info
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Fest
The 41st Annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival (the biggest LGBTQ+ film festival in the world) is taking place now through Sunday, July 23, in different venues around Los Angeles. Outfest helps LGBTQIA+ storytellers overcome barriers to entry into the entertainment industry by providing critical skills, access and support to both emerging and established filmmakers. There are many events, workshops, masterclasses, and panels for both the community and filmmakers to participate in, plus all the film screenings and even a virtual festival you can enjoy from anywhere. The festival ends with a Closing Night Gala featuring Chasing Chasing Amy, directed by Sav Rodgers. More info
Merman to Premiere at Outfest
Nurse educator Andre Chambers of Palm Springs is profiled in the short film Merman, premiering at Outfest in the film short compilation “Express Yourself” on Thursday, July 20 at 5 pm at the Directors Guild of America, Theater 2. The film features Chambers speaking about his life as an emergency nurse, Mr. Leather titleholder, civil rights advocate, and icon of Palm Springs. Learn about his unconventional life journey as a Black, queer man growing up in the volatile 1970’s and how it has led to his current activism. Also available to stream online starting July 24. More info
Vote for Mitch! – Favorite Chef
Palm Springs’ own Mitchell Battersby is currently in 3rd place in the prestigious Favorite Chef competition, presented by celebrity chef Carla Hall. In this tournament-style competition, competitors go through rounds, and those with the most votes in those rounds move on. To win Favorite Chef, one must leverage the power of social media and word-of-mouth advertising to garner the support of the public to vote. From a humble group of over 100 talented chefs, Mitch has challenged himself to prove time and again that his culinary skills are unrivaled. As he continues to work toward the finals, you can help Mitch win by voting daily, and if he wins the competition, he’s donating $5,000 to Palm Springs Pride to help keep Pride free for everyone. Vote today
Recap: Season 8 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Episode 11
Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto has your latest recap for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8, Episode 11: The Fame Games Variety Extravaganza, where it’s down to the top two queens of the season, Jimbo and Kandy Muse. Dante explains they “had a pact to make it together to the end and it held up where other alliances failed. After some buffoonery, wig pulling and friendly trash talk, it’s evident: the alliance is ovah! Kandy’s ready to go head to head and tit to tit for the crown.” In addition to their face off, the eliminated queens are back to compete in the Fame Games, where fans cast votes online in support of their unaired runway looks. Read more about it in Dante’s full recap of Episode 11 [here].
Desert Stonewall Democrats July Meeting
The Desert Stonewall Democrats July Membership Meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 18 at Mizell Center’s Community Room at 6 pm. This meeting’s topic is Demystifying Equity and Representation in District Elections. A distinguished panel will address the current effort to establish smaller, and more representational districts in Coachella Valley cities. Come at 5:30 PM for refreshments and some social time. RSVP requested. This will be a hybrid meeting with a ZOOM option. More info
CVRep Summer Cabaret Series: Maximo Marcuso
CVRep presents their Summer Cabaret Series on Thursdays at 7 pm, and this week, it’s Maximo Marcuso on Thursday, July 20. Internationally acclaimed tenor Maximo Marcuso thrills audiences with his beautiful and diverse repertoire of operatic arias, classical crossovers, Broadway standards and contemporary favorites.. See our event listing to see the variety of talent lined up in this series: Get tickets
Wine & Weenies
Wine & Weenies is taking place every Friday in July from 5–7 pm at PSBS (Palm Springs Bottle Shop). Admission gets you two glasses of wine, a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a whole lotta fun! Come cool off on Friday evenings with good people, cold wine, and hot dogs with a chance to shop late at PSBS and Mojave Flea Trading Post. A portion of ticket sales benefits the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Get tickets
Into the Woods in LA
Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh is back from a visit to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles to report that “the Los Angeles production of Into the Woods transported the audience on a captivating journey through the dark and whimsical realms of classic fairy tales and newly crafted ones.” He goes on to report that the entire cast was without a weak link and “The complex themes and intricate plot were handled with care, allowing the audience to navigate the intertwining narratives effortlessly…exploring the consequences of wishes and the blurred lines between right and wrong.” It runs until July 30. Read the full review
Visitor Map & Guide Summer Edition
The Summer 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, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries and other services. You can also view it online, and download the PDF [here].
THIS WEEKEND
Soak & Sip at The Good House
Join The Good House on Saturday, July 22 from 5–8 pm for Soak and Sip, a curated tasting of summertime wines from around the world, homemade pizzas, organic charcuterie and enjoy a sunset soak in the hottest mineral springs in Desert Hot Springs at The Good House. Get tickets
Sunsets at the Street Fair
The College of the Desert’s Street Fair presents Sunsets at The Street Fair with special evening hours on select dates through the summer. Come enjoy sunset shopping from 6:30–10:30 pm on Saturday, July 22. Your next chances for sunset shopping will be August 26 and September 23. More info
Broadway to the BIG SCREEN – Hair
Every Saturday this summer, the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the great musicals that made it from Broadway to the BIG SCREEN (and sometimes back again). On Saturday, July 22 at 4 pm, the featured film is Hair. Although its story revolves around the Vietnam war, and the anti-war movement at the time, the musical HAIR is a timeless tale of innocence lost, young love, counter culture, flower power and the tragedy of (any) war. Oklahoma farm boy Claude Hooper Bukowski (John Savage) travels to New York with the intent of enlisting in the army. But when he meets up with a freewheeling group of Central Park hippies led by the irrepressible George Berger (Treat Williams), life suddenly looks less certain. MeTV 103.1 fm is a proud media sponsor of the Broadway to the BIG SCREEN Film Series! Get tickets
Sing Along With Us – Annie Get Your Gun
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents classic movie musicals in the Sing Along With Us Film Series all summer long, on the largest screen in the valley at the Historic Camelot Theatre. The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus will lead the singing. On Sunday, July 23 at 3 pm, come sing along to Annie Get Your Gun. In a small town in Ohio, Annie Oakley’s (Betty Hutton) extraordinary shooting skills catch the attention of Frank Butler (Howard Keel), a renowned marksman who works for Buffalo Bill’s (Louis Calhern) Wild West Show. Instantly smitten by Frank, Annie dreams of joining the show and winning his heart. Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs are proud media sponsors of the Sing Along With Us This Summer Film Series! Get tickets
🙌 You can enter to win tickets to Sing Along With Us on the KGAY Contest Page! 🙌
LOOKING AHEAD
2023 DBA Impact Awards
The Desert Business Association (DBA) will hold its annual Impact Awards on Monday, July 24 at 5 pm in the Cascade Lounge at the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. They will honor business leaders, community leaders and organizations who have been examples of strength and foresight in our communities. [Get tickets] This year’s honorees are:
- Business of the Year: Blackbook Bar, Palm Springs
- Business Person of the Year: Dan Gore, Oscar’s Palm Springs
- Outstanding Community Service Organization: Palm Springs Front Runners & Walkers
- Outstanding Community Service Leader: Ted Guice, G-Force Workout
- The DBA will also recognize their recent LGBTQ Youth Educational Scholarship awardees.
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!
On the Air: KGAY 106.5
Win Tickets to A Night of Bowie
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide have a pair of tickets to giveaway for A Night of Bowie, The Definitive Bowie Experience, coming to The Show at Agua Caliente on Saturday, July 29 at 8 pm. This multimedia celebration of Bowie’s extensive list of memorable hits focuses primarily (but not exclusively) on his peak years from the early ’70s through to his album The Next Day. The show has been described as being eerily close to hearing and seeing Bowie himself. Enter to win passes on the KGAY Contest Page!
Win Big Bear ROMP Passes
You can WIN a pair of Big Bear ROMP 2023 Weekend Passes with KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide! You’ll find mountains of men and mischief this August 17–20 at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake. Big Bear ROMP is one of southern California’s most unique weekend events for eight years running, featuring 15-plus hours of pool parties, dance parties, glow bowling, bitchy bingo brunch and other great social events in the cool mountain air. This year’s comedy headliner is Taylor Williamson from America’s Got Talent. Enter to win passes on the KGAY Contest Page!
Win Tickets to Out on the Mountain
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide have your tickets to Out on the Mountain, taking place Friday August 18 at Six Flags Magic Mountain! Get your gay thrills on with lots of rides, dance music, and entertainment. It’s the annual Six Flags Magic Mountain private party for the LGBTQ community. Enjoy a full park private party of entertainment and inclusive fun for 5,000+ LGBTQ and friends from 6 pm–12 am , as well as with general public from 10:30 am–6 pm. Enter to win on the KGAY Contest Page!
Vacaya Resort Sweepstakes
You can WIN 7 nights at an all-inclusive resort vacation for 2 during VACAYA’s Mexico Resort Takeover! The complimentary room includes: Beautiful accommodations for 7 nights at Hilton Vallarta Riviera, unlimited standard drinks for length of stay, delicious food in 7 restaurants, including a bountiful buffet open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a fitness center, pool and beach volleyball, kayaking & snorkeling on site, yoga classes, and of course, all the VACAYA signature activities, parties, and entertainment! SIGN UP TO WIN
Win Summer Sing Along Tickets
Musicals are back on the big screen this summer at the Palm Springs Cultural Center and you can WIN tickets from KGAY 106.5 & Gay Desert Guide! Your favorite Broadway musicals that made it on the big screen are on the biggest screen in the valley (with hot buttered popcorn and your favorite beverage) on Sundays at 3 pm, with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus leading the Sing Along. More information on the series here and you can enter to win tickets on the KGAY Contest Page!
Chill Out On Us at McDonald’s
KGAY 106.5 has your chance to WIN a $25 ARCH Card so you can sip into summer! Now, try McDonald’s refreshing, new Frozen Hawaiian Fruit Punch, or a Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry. Or stay cool with your favorite Smoothie or Frappé today. Perfect for chilling out. At participating McDonald’s. Enter to win on the KGAY Contest Page!
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 Please note: Boyz Night Out, DJ Galaxy’s regular Friday afternoon gig at Hotel Zoso is canceled this week.
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 also appearing at The Rowan Window Bar each Thursday from 7–10 pm and Friday from 4–7 pm. Listen online
On the Air: 103.1 MeTV fm
This weekend on 103.1 MeTV fm: It’s another special feature suggested to Me by listeners. Join Me for songs about eyes and what we do with them, beginning in the 7 pm hour this Friday night on 103.1 MeTV fm or listen online! 103.1 MeTV fm is KGAY’s sister station, featuring a unique mix of timeless and memorable music incorporating a wide variety of classic hits, deep tracks and softer sounds spanning several decades of popular music, including the ‘60s and ‘70s with a touch of the ‘50s and ‘80s. Listen online
- Vote for Mitch – Favorite Chef Mitchell Battersby
Daily voting through Aug 7 - OutFest LA LGBTQ+ Film Fest 2023
Jul 13–23 at various locations around Los Angeles - 2023 DBA Impact Awards – Business and Community Awards
Mon. Jul 24 from 5–9 pm at Agua Caliente Casino, Palm Springs - Big Bear Romp 2023
Aug 17–20 at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake - Out on the Mountain 2023
Fri. Aug 18 from 6 pm–12 am at Six Flags Magic Mountain - Odesza -The Last Goodbye Tour
Wed. Sep 20 at 6:30 pm at Acrisure Arena - Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend
Sep 20–24 at Margaritaville Resort - Pride Under the Pines 2023
Sat. Oct 7 from 12–9 pm in Idyllwild - Madonna -The Celebration Tour
Thu. Jan 11 at 8:30 pm at Acrisure Arena
- The Dinah Unveils Its 2023 Lineup: Princess Nokia, Doechii, Phem, G Flip, Xana, Keeana Kee & Black Box
- 25 Charities to Benefit from Barry Manilow’s ‘A Gift of Love’ Concert Series in December
- Desert Business Association Announces Recipients of the 2023 DBA Impact Awards – Business and Community Awards
- Jonathan Bennett Surprises Local Palm Canyon Theatre Production of ‘Mean Girls’
- Palm Springs International Airport Launches New Website
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 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 Rick’s Desert Grill, Hunters Nightclub, Trevor Wayne Pop Art, Kitchen 86, Grand Central, AMP Sports Lounge, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta, Men’s Grooming Spot, Destination PSP, V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar, Desert Mischief, Jolene’s Bar & Lounge, Willie’s Modern Fare, Lulu California Bistro 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.” 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)