At 10:49 AM, sitting in my office, I heard a massive boom. My Saturday morning — and weekend was turned upside down as was that of our entire community.
My news background kicked in as I made my way from the KGAY/Gay Desert Guide offices to the scene, taking back streets as smoke began to rise.
The initial explosion created a huge black plume, and I ran through in my mind what could have happened. I neared Desert Regional on Tahquitz and initially thought a tank had exploded at the hospital. I started my phone’s camera, parked behind a police cruiser and walked up to the mass destruction laid out in front of me.
Firetrucks and emergency personnel continued to arrived on the scene as I witnessed first responders rushing into American Reproductive as the flames and smoke poured from the building toward my vantage point. I returned to the studios to file live reports on our sister station 103.1 MeTVFM.
As the day went on, social media speculation filled my feed. News crews arrived from Los Angeles, and we learned that domestic terrorism had come to our city. Luckily the investigation was able to come to a conclusion quickly as we move on with our lives, but feeling a bit less secure.
We start the week having been changed and affected by the tragedy, but comfortable in the knowledge that our community stands together and is stronger for it.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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Starts MON: Love Local Palm Springs $50 Bonus Card
Support local businesses during Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week with the Love Local Palm Springs promotion: Purchase a $100 digital gift card to use at local businesses, and receive a $50 bonus card! This deal is only available starting May 19, while supplies last. The bonus card must be used by June 8, so don’t sleep on this limited-time offer. Learn more
WED: Driving Growth and Building Bridges
Join the Rancho Mirage Chamber Signature Speaker Series on Wednesday, May 21 from 11:30 am–1:30 pm at Mission Hills Country Club for an insightful discussion on Driving Growth and Building Bridges: Business Attraction for the Coachella Valley. Industry leaders Scott White, CEO, and Sean Smith, Director of Economic Development from Visit Greater Palm Springs will share valuable data, strategies, and insights on attracting businesses to the region. More info
WED: 2025 Ride of Silence
Join the 2025 Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 pm at Ruth Hardy Park, honoring cyclists lost and injured, while raising awareness for cycling safety. Riders of all levels will take part in this silent, global tribute, following a 5-mile route at 12 mph with helmets and lights encouraged. Non-cyclists can show support by walking the park’s one-mile loop or attending the brief ceremony. More info
WED: The Center Women’s Social
Connect with community at The Center Women’s Social on Wednesday, May 21 from 5:30–7 pm at one eleven bar in Cathedral City! This free event, held every third Wednesday of the month, offers a welcoming space to forge meaningful connections, make new friends, and enjoy a fun evening. Come out and be part of this wonderful gathering. More info
OPENS WED: The Beverly Hills Peace Talks
Step back into a captivating moment in history with The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks by CVRep, opening Wednesday, May 21 at 2 pm and running May 21–June 1. The story was inspired by a real-life 1968 incident—when the casting of Funny Girl sparked tensions between Israel and Egypt. In this fictionalized scenario, a movie executive and a publicity expert host an impromptu peace talk with an Israeli and an Egyptian diplomat, and as debates unfold, unexpected romance blooms, mirroring the film’s narrative. Get tickets
THU: Women Who Lead Luncheon
The Women Who Lead Luncheon is on Thursday, May 22 from 11 am–2 pm at The Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage. Presented by Palm Springs Life and SBEMP Attorneys, this inspiring event celebrates four remarkable women whose leadership, vision, and commitment are transforming their communities and elevating the business landscape. The program features keynote speaker Mädchen Amick—along with 2025 honorees: Business Leader Theresa Maggio, Nonprofit Leader Gana Wingard, and Rising Star Sharrissa Iqbal. More info
FRI: Ron Oliver Honored on Walk of the Stars
Join the celebration as Ron Oliver receives the 479th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars! Head to Downtown Palm Springs on Friday, May 23 at 10 am to honor this Emmy-nominated director, writer, and producer for his contributions to film, television, and the local community. More info
FRI: Simple Minds, Soft Cell, & Modern English
Simple Minds headlines the Alive & Kicking Tour 2025 at Acrisure Arena on Friday, May 23 at 7 pm. With over 60 million albums sold and the iconic hit “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” under their belt, they join forces with special guests Soft Cell and Modern English for an electrifying night of classic New Wave and 80s hits. Don’t miss your chance to relive the magic of one of music’s most legendary eras. Get tickets
FRI: Perez Art District Art Walk Season-Ender
Don’t miss the final Perez Art District Art Walk of the season on Friday, May 23 from 4–7 pm! 🎨✨ Explore nearly 50 artist studios and galleries in the valley’s largest art district, witnessing creativity across painting, sculpture, photography, wood, and mixed media. Enjoy live performances and engaging conversations with local artists. This free, open-to-the-public event returns September 26, so come celebrate art before the summer break! More info
THU-SUN: The Inheritance Part I
Experience the powerful storytelling of The Inheritance, presented by THE BENT at the Palm Springs Cultural Center from May 9–26. This award-winning play by Matthew Lopez delves into the lives of three generations of gay men navigating love, loss, and identity in a changing America. Directed by Steve Rosenbaum and inspired by E.M. Forster’s Howards End, the performance promises an evening of drama and reflection. Get tickets
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, May 19
Anthony Anderson Star-Studded 7th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic | at BIGHORN
Bingo at the Ace Hotel with Bella da Ball | 7 pm
Tuesday, May 20
Summer Speaker Series: Holocaust Survivors Harry Davids & Gabriella Karin | 2 pm at Tolerance Education Center
Thursday, May 22
VillageFest Street Fair | 6–8 pm in Downtown Palm Springs
Friday, May 23
Photog.Alchemy | 4–7 pm at Desert Art Woman Gallery in the Perez Art District
Tom Jones | 8 pm at The Show
BearUnion | 8 pm–4 am at Club 541
Saturday, May 24
Quarterly Art Exhibits | Sat & Sun, 10 am–4 pm at Cathedral City Library
Animal Samaritans Adoption Event | 11 am–1 pm at Petco Palm Desert
Power Yoga Master Class with Bryan Kest | 5:30–8 pm at Khaga Yoga Palm Springs
The Totally Ridiculous Game Show! | 7–8:30 pm at Dietlart Gallery and Performance Space
Country Dance Saturdays: Barn Dance with Rob Ollander-Krane | 7 pm at Step by Step
THIS WEEKEND
Memorial Day Weekend Events
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend from May 23–26 with exciting events across Palm Springs! Enjoy $4 Ketel One Cosmos at Streetbar all weekend, then catch Jennifer Corday live at Hunters Nightclub on Saturday, May 24 from 5–7 pm. On Sunday, May 25, indulge in the best drag brunch at one eleven bar with Morgan McMichaels & Vanity Halston at 10 am & 1 pm, followed by the Truck Stop Tea Dance at Toucan’s from 1–6 pm with DJ Marcos Moreno. Close the weekend on Monday, May 26 at 9 AM with a Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Park in Desert Hot Springs, honoring those who served. More info
Honor and remember at the Annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop on Monday, May 26, from 10 am–5 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This special tribute features a brief Memorial service, followed by a breathtaking fly-by and flower drop of 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell bomber at 1 pm. Visitors can take home a flower in remembrance. Enjoy flight exhibitions and activities throughout the day. Get tickets
MaDonna Summer Dance Party
Get ready for MaDonna Summer, the ultimate Madonna and Donna Summer dance party and drag spectacular, returning to Oscar’s Palm Springs on Saturday, May 24 at 8 pm. Hosted by ShyBoy, this Memorial Day Weekend bash features an electrifying all-Madonna and all-Donna Summer DJ set, dazzling drag performances, stunning visuals, and a tribute gallery to the Queen of Pop and the Queen of Disco. Get tickets
Comedy Weekend: Marcello Hernández, Jimmy Carr at The Show
Get ready to laugh with the incredibly talented Marcello Hernández at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Saturday, May 24 at 8 pm. Known for his sharp wit and infectious energy, this rising comedy star promises an evening packed with hilarious storytelling and his signature charm. You may know him as “Domingo” from the viral Saturday Night Live sketch; he’s been an SNL cast member since 2022. Get tickets
Globally acclaimed comic Jimmy Carr takes the stage at The Show with Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny! on Sunday, May 25 at 7 pm. Jimmy promises his signature sharp wit and clever one-liners that have sold out arenas worldwide. Known for his record-breaking tours and hit comedy specials, this is your chance to experience the humor that’s captivated audiences in over 40 countries. And he really does laugh funny. Get tickets
Private Tours of The Shag House
Step into The Shag House for a private tour with Brandon, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a life-size Shag painting! Explore every vibrant, retro-inspired corner at your own pace—just you and your guests, no crowds. Select a date from now through Sunday, June 15 and experience the magic behind the green gates in this fully immersive space! Get tickets
LOOKING AHEAD
Gay Days Anaheim 2025: Book Now!
It’s officially time to make plans for Gay Days Anaheim! Mark your calendars for September 12–14, 2025, and get ready for a weekend filled with fun, community, and celebration at Disneyland. Discounted hotel rates at the Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel are now available—but they always sell out fast, so book now! Plus, exclusive park ticket discounts are live, making it easier than ever to plan your magical getaway. Book now
Get our Free Visitor Map & Guide
Check out the latest edition of the K-Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide! To help you find everything you need as a visitor or local, we feature the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries, and other services. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, or browse it online right 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!
- The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks, presented by CVRep
May 21–Jun 1 - The Inheritance Part I, presented by THE BENT
May 9–25 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Private Tours of The Shag House
Through Sun. Jun 15 - Memorial Day Weekend Events
Fri. May 23–Mon. May 26 at various locations - Deal with the Dragon, from DET and Tiger Bear Productions
May 29–Jun 8 - Art Walk at the Riviera Resort & Spa
Fri. May 30 from 6:30–9:30 pm - Straight From Carnegie Hall: Lea Michele Live
Fri. May 30 at 8 pm at the McCallum Theatre - Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
May 30–Jun 8 at restaurants throughout the Coachella Valley
The Red Barn is Palm Desert’s go-to nightlife destination for unforgettable live music, DJs, dancing and crafted cocktails. Under new ownership, they welcome all to join them! Join KGAY’s very own DJ, Modgirl, for Disco House Wednesday nights 8 pm-midnight. Learn more
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM
The KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, 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! The KGAY 106.5 Sunday Tea Dance with Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). All our DJs took honors in the Best of Coachella Valley this year! Listen to KGAY 106.5 online
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 is giving you a chance to WIN TICKETS to see the hilarious Becky Robinson live at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage on Friday, May 30 at 8 pm! Known for her viral sensation “Entitled Housewife”, Becky’s electrifying multi-character performances have captivated audiences worldwide. Don’t miss your chance to catch her Members Only Tour [More info]—enter now for a night of comedy you won’t forget! Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
To listen to KGAY Palm Springs via Alexa, say “Alexa ENABLE K. Gay Palm Springs SKILL” (include “SKILL”) or manually enable it in the Alexa app or at Amazon. Once enabled, access the station by saying “Alexa, OPEN,” “LAUNCH,” or “PLAY K. Gay Palm Springs.” You can also make special requests, such as birthday shoutouts or song dedications! Happy streaming! Learn more
103.1 MeTV FM
103.1 MeTV FM plays a Timeless and Memorable variety of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s with a touch of the 50’s. MeTV FM celebrates Cher’s Birthday, playing her music on Tuesday, May 20, talk about Timeless and Memorable! Brought to you by Coachella Valley Volkswagen. Next up: Get ready for SUMMER CRUISIN’ Weekend on Memorial Day weekend — You’ll hear your upbeat, feel good summer favorites starting this Friday! Listen online
- Palm Springs Pride Launches Inaugural Pride Equality Walk for LGBTQ+ Rights and Visibility
- A Play With Power: The Bent’s Production of ‘The Inheritance: Part One’ Absorbs the Audience From Beginning to End
- Desert X Art Club Student Exhibition
- Palm Desert’s Iconic Red Barn Reopens With a Nod to Its Historic Roots
- 3 Things to Know The Old Gays’ New Podcast About LGBTQ Culture
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 2025 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY 106.5 and 92.1 over the air, stream it [here], or listen on iHeart Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-GAY 106 5 .” 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 heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm, followed by Modgirl spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.