“Taking the Waters” was the term for bathing in the mineral springs coined by the Agua Caliente people who have been sharing them with visitors for over 130 years. The new Spa at Sec-he opens this week at the corner on Tahquitz and Indian Canyon.
The corner is ground zero for improvements as the fencing has come down around the spa and Cultural Museum. Katty corner (or kitty corner) the improvements continue at Oscar’s where the eyesore that was an octagon bar is not demolished. By the way, happy 10th anniversary to the tea dance at that storied venue.
This week starts with the biggest concert announcement – MADONNA – at Acrisure Arena. And KGAY 106.5 is giving away tickets to the show before you can buy them. Details at KGAYPalmSprings.com.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Win Madonna Tickets with KGAY 106.5
KGAY 106.5 has your tickets to see MADONNA right here in Greater Palm Springs at Acrisure Arena on January 11, 2024 — before you can buy them! Due to overwhelming demand, Madonna is adding eight new dates to her massive global The Celebration Tour, including the Palm Springs stop, and tickets go on pre-sale Tuesday, March 28 for Legacy Fan Club and Citi Cardmembers, with the general on sale starting Friday, March 31 at 10 am. [Learn more]. Madonna is the best-selling female solo touring artist of all time and The Celebration Tour has already sold-out over 40 shows and counting across Toronto, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris and more. Enter to win tickets to Madonna on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page today!
Win ODESZA Tickets with KGAY 106.5
KGAY 106.5 also has tickets to see ODESZA at Acrisure Arena on September 20, 2023 — again, before you can buy them! (General sale also opens Friday, March 31 at 10 am). ODESZA’s live performances have become a modern legendary wonder, mixing stunning visuals, expert musicianship, pyrotechnics and an immersive environment to transform whatever venue they are at into an otherworldly experience. Last year’s tour sold over 450k tickets throughout its amphitheater run with numerous sold-out, multi-night runs (making them the first electronic artists to attempt such a tour). Enter to win tickets to ODESZA on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page today!
Hand to God
CVRep presents Hand to God by Robert Askins, opening Tuesday, March 28 and running 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
10th Annual Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
The 10th Anniversary edition of the Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival continues this week, on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, March 27, 28 & 29 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. On Monday, see Exodus 91, Jews of the Wild West, I Mordecai and more, with filmmaker Q&As. Tuesday features Space Torah, The Trench, and My Neighbor Adolf, plus Q&As including one with General George Patton’s Granddaughter Helen Ayer Patton, and another with Udo Kier, star of My Neighbor Adolf. Wednesday screenings include Baltic Truth, The Last Laugh, and Tiger Within, with more Q&As and an after party. See our event listing for all the films to be screened! Get tickets
Hershey Felder as Monsieur Chopin
The McCallum Theatre presents Hershey Felder as Monsieur Chopin on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 28 & 29 at 7 pm. Monsieur Chopin features the romantic story and music of the Polish pianist-composer Fryderyk Chopin, set in Chopin’s salon where he teaches a piano lesson that actually took place in March 1848, just days after the February 1848 revolution. As the piano lesson unfolds, Chopin reveals secrets about the art of the piano and composition, as well as secrets about himself. Get tickets
AmDocs: American Documentary and Animation Film Festival
The 12th annual AmDocs (American Documentary and Film Festival) will take place from Thursday, March 30–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 to every day’s schedule of screenings, and a list of specially selected LGBTQ-themed films (Most of them are screening on Saturday, April 1) that are part of the festival! Check out our article titled AmDocs 2023 Includes Variety of LGBTQ Films, and Get tickets
Drag4Drag – Pre Rally
Please join Miss Rusty Waters at Hunters Nightclub for a Fundraiser/Mixer on Thursday, March 30, from 6–8 pm. This Pre Rally is helping to raise funds for the event DRAG4DRAG Rally which will take place on Tuesday, April 18, at the Forever Marilyn Statue. More details to be released soon. More info
Cheeky Charity March Events
Cheeky Charity is wrapping up a month full of events this week with two final nude (clothing optional) hikes on Tuesday and Thursday, March 28 & 30, from 8 am–11 am, meeting in Palm Desert to travel to Mecca for the hike. Then, this Friday, March 31: It’s a Sassy Soiree with entertainment, open bar, and hors d’oeuvres from 6–8:30 pm to officially launch Cheeky Charity, whose mission is 100% focused on enabling the early detection of colorectal cancer. More info
Palm Springs Speaks: Al Franken
The Friends of the Palm Springs Library present the fourth iteration of the Palm Springs Speaks Speaker Series, relaunching on Friday, March 31 with a talk by Former U.S. Senator Al Franken at 7 pm at the Richards Center for the Arts. As the only speaker on the lecture circuit who has won five Emmys, written four New York Times #1 best-sellers, taken home two Grammys, and served as a United States Senator, Al Franken brings a unique voice to the stage. Get tickets
Desert Blues Revival: DYVERSITY
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs presents the Desert Blues Revival every Wednesday at 8 pm in the Cascade Lounge. On Wednesday, March 29, DYVERSITY 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, March 30 from 7–8:30 pm, Jazzville presents Cathy Segal-Garcia, hailed by Critical Jazz magazine as a “musician’s singer,” and a vocalist of “real musical integrity.” Segal-Garcia’s deep connection to rhythm and her earthy and organic voice brings a nakedness to her communication, a direct line in to one’s heart. She appears at Jazzville with her A-list band. Get tickets
Ukulele and Guitar Classes to Begin
Tap into the musical impulse that is inside us all! The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents Ukelele for Beginners, beginning Saturday, April 1 at 12 pm and continuing on Saturdays for ten weeks, through June 3. This lovely little instrument is easy and great fun to play! The strings are nylon so it doesn’t hurt your fingers…you can take it anywhere, it’s inexpensive, and just plain fun! Instructor Eric Pytryga has been teaching the guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, drums and piano for well over 20 years and specializes exclusively in Adult Beginners and Children [More info]. For non-beginners, Ukelele: Intermediate/Advanced is also offered over the same 10-week time frame, at 1 pm on Saturdays [More info]. Finally, on Saturdays at 2 pm, it’s Guitar Lessons, also with Eric Pytryga, designed for beginners, those with no previous music experience, and students who have completed Guitar for Beginners [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 March the tours run on Mondays, 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 represent 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
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 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!
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
Faux Fur Ball
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter presents their biggest annual fundraiser, Faux Fur Ball, on Saturday, April 1 from 6–9 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum. With the theme of “All You Need is Love, ” guests will be treated to a totally awesome cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a groovy vegan dinner, program, and live auction. Funds are used to support the Shelter and the 4000+ animals who enter their doors every year. Get tickets
Dinah Legends Weekend
The New Dinah Legends takes place March 31–April 2, for a weekend full of events to create an atmosphere of fun catering to the 40+ lesbian demographic. On Friday, March 31, it’s a Cocktail Kickoff from 5–8 pm at a private estate, featuring the Hollywood It Girls Dance Show, Live Music, DJ, open bar, hors d’oeuvres and more. On Saturday, April 1 from 10 am–2 pm, play in the Ladies Pickleball Tourney with rotating partners or with your own team, and Saturday night it’s Dinah Rocks at the Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente Palm Springs with The Melissa Etheridge Experience featuring singer-guitarist Jennifer Corday as Melissa, and then performing an additional show with Corday, featuring her own original songs. On Sunday, April 2, the Champagne Blues Brunch from 11:30 am–2 pm at Hunters features Laurie Morvan Band with special guest Corday and Friends. Get tickets
House Party PS: Pink Saturday
The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation, Dr. Joe Troncoso and Carl Schreier invite you to celebrate spring for Pink Saturday on Saturday, April 1 from 4–7 pm. 100% of ticket sales will benefit The Palm Springs Cultural Center and The Bent LGBT Theater Company. Special entertainment will be provided by American Idol and Naked Boys Singing star David Hernandez, drag star Billy L’Amour, Steven Michael’s Water Lillies featuring the Desert Flaggers, and DJ Abie Perkins. Get your pink on for this fun party and you may even win a prize for being “Prettiest in Pink!” The event will feature a silent auction including beautiful art, merchandise, experiences, and much more. Get tickets
Drag Bingo for Parkinson’s
The Barracks Bar in Cathedral City presents Drag Bingo for Parkinson’s on Saturday, April 1, from 3–5 pm for a raunchy good time playing bingo, hosted by the extraordinary Berna Cross! The event is free to attend, but bring some cash to buy yourself a few bingo cards (and hopefully win some prizes). A portion of the proceeds go to Parkinson’s Resource Organization to support free programs for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. More info
Palm Springs International Dance Festival: “Our Bodies”
The 7th Annual Palm Springs International Dance Festival celebrates its spring gala with a two week series of professional performances and education programs for high school and college students, from March 24–April 2. This weekend is the festival’s gala event, a cocktail social and dance concert titled “Our Bodies,” on Saturday, April 1 from 5–7 pm at Nickerson-Rossi’s Dance House, benefiting the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center. The Artistic Director of Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Michael Nickerson-Rossi, is passionate about his therapeutic outreach work. In this evening of concert dance, Michael shares his work with the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center in collaboration with the professional dancers of Nickerson-Rossi Dance and members of the Cancer Support Group. In a three-part series of dance works, Michael shares the stories of cancer survivors through the medium of dance. 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
Escape to Margaritaville – Final Weekend
Desert Theatreworks presents Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, playing now through Sunday, April 2. This upbeat and energetic new show features all your favorite Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Volcano”, “Fins”, “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and of course “Margaritaville.” With a tropical island theme, this heartwarming musical is the party you’ve been waiting for! Get tickets
Palm Springs Lesbian Foray
The Palm Springs Lesbian Foray will take place at the Tryst Bar and Lounge on Saturday, April 1 at 8 pm. Cis & trans lesbians are tired of waiting for a lesbian bar to open up in the Coachella Valley, so they’re descending en-masse on a bar once a month and claiming it as theirs for the night. Tryst is a lbgtqpia+ friendly “everyone bar” with a jukebox, pool table, darts, and pinball. They’re taking over the space for one night…with their own playlist. download AMI Music App and you can play your favs too. More info
Western Exposure Spring 2023
Western Xposure returns to the CCBC Resort this weekend, from Thursday, March 30–Sunday April 2. The event is 100% clothing optional, with pool parties, DJ’s, hot bears, free a free lunch BBQ, and more. On Friday, there will be Karaoke at 6 pm with Joe Martone at The Runway, and a Cocksocks & Jocks Cruising Party at The Barracks Friday at 8pm with DJ Bodyrolls + DJ E. Feld + DJ Carrera on the dance floor. On Saturday evening, the Meaty Bits: A Bear Variety Show takes the stage at Runway. Back at CCBC, there are always trails to explore, grassy areas to relax in, dark rooms and outdoor play spaces, and much more including hot tubs, a steam room, and cold plunge waterfall. Get tickets
Meaty Bits: A Bear Variety Show
Meaty Bits: A Bear Variety Show is the first live show during Western Xposure presented with a 3-course dinner on Saturday, April 1 at 7 pm. The show stars comedian Chris Grace, singer+songwriter Nakia, and comedian Joseph Schles! With a Q&A after the show hosted by Westcub. This music, comedy and dinner experience presented by Western Xposure is not included in the weekend pass and has limited seating and tickets will not be sold at the door. Get tickets
Brunch on the Page
The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation is excited to present Brunch on the Page, a fundraising event featuring authors Steven Rowley (Lily and the Octopus, The Editor, The Guncle) and Byron Lane (A Star is Bored, Big Gay Wedding) on Saturday, April 1, from 11 am–2 pm. Your ticket includes attendance at a private home in Palm Springs, a brunch buffet, copies of the authors’ books, and the authors’ presentation. Proceeds will benefit the Library Foundation in support of the Palm Springs Public Library. Get tickets
Los Angeles Philharmonic at the McCallum
The Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic, as part of their 2022-23 subscription series, will present the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Sunday, April 2 at 5 pm at the McCallum Theatre. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by the Finnish conductor Dalia Statsevska, whose appearance marks the first performance by a female conductor in the Philharmonic’s nearly 50-year history. Randall Goosby will join Stasevska and LA Phil in a performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major, Op 35. Get tickets
Opera in the Park
The Palm Springs Opera Guild will celebrate its 24th Opera in the Park on Sunday, April 2 at 5:30 pm. The event, which will be held at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs, will include six professional opera singers, a full orchestra, and a conductor. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the day of beloved opera arias. Limited shade space in the Café d’Opera tent may be purchased ahead of time. More info
4handsLA Piano Duo
Desert Hot Springs Classical Concerts presents 4handsLA at Grace Church on Sunday, April 2 from 4–5 pm. Originally scheduled to perform in April 2020, the piano duo finally returns in an exhilarating program of four-hand piano fireworks. Their program showcases their signature virtuosic and playful style in orchestral blockbusters by Respighi, Stravinsky, and Ginastera. More info
On the Air at KGAY 106.5
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
- Dinah Legends Weekend
Mar 31–April 2 at various locations around Palm Springs - Palm Springs International Dance Festival: “Our Bodies”
Sat. Apr 1 from 5–7 pm at Nickerson-Rossi Dance House - Drag Bingo benefiting Parkinson’s Research Organization
Sat. Apr 1 from 3–6 pm at The Barracks - Faux Fur Ball benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter
Sat. Apr 1 from 6–9 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum - House Party PS: Pink Saturday
Sat. Apr 1 from 4–7 pm at a private home in Palm Springs - Hand to God presented by CVRep
Mar 28–Apr 9 - Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville presented by Desert Theatreworks
Mar 10–Apr 2 - Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man
Feb 24–May 27 at Margaritaville Resort - Sand, Stars & Guitars: Levi Kreis
Wed. Apr 5 at 8 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - John Mayer Solo
Thu. Apr 6 at 8 pm at Acrisure Arena - American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs)
Apr 7–11 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Sam Harris: Openly Gray!
Apr 7 & 8 at The Purple Room Supper Club - 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 - The Garbologists presented by Dezart Performs
Apr 14–23 at the Pearl McManus Theater - 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
- Meet Kellee McQuinn, aka DJ Modgirl
- Fashion Designer Donna Karan Reacts to DAP Health Honor Ahead of The Chase
- Palm Springs Just Got a Brand-new Hotel — With Panoramic Mountain Views, Hammocks, and an Idyllic Pool
- Desert X 2023 is a Staggering Sculpture Extravaganza Spanning California’s Coachella Valley
- Hiking With T: Springtime Has Brought Wildflowers, Awakening Animals, Desert X and Earth Day
AMP Sports Lounge has a casual, festive and funky atmosphere that suits all who choose to come and play as they effortlessly find a comfortable place to hang out, drink, enjoy a snack, and make new buddies. And if sport is not your thing, they also have everything from bingo to disco for you too. With our HOT DEAL, you get $25 to spend at AMP Sports Lounge for just $12.50. That’s like doubling your dollars! 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, Zin American Bistro, Kitchen 86 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)