Thanksgiving is over: It’s time for Sipping and Shopping! Cyber Monday gives way to the march toward Christmas and are in Hanukkah. There are many opportunities to give not only to friends and family, but also to those in need. Tuesday is Giving Tuesday. Many of our local businesses are doing toy drives too.
We’re # 1! Thanks to you, dear readers of the Coachella Valley Independent. The accolades are piling up for the new KGAY 106.5 and our stellar personalities. Congrats to John Taylor, DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas! KGAY 106.5 was voted top radio station this year and we’re “thankful”. We just learned of another local awards show and competition, the “Strut Awards 2022” where your truly, GayDesertGuide.LGBT and KGAY are also nominated.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Jazzville: Jason Fabus Trio w/Natalie Mendoza
On Thursday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m., Jazzville Palm Springs presents the Jason Fabus Trio with Natalie Mendoza at the Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Enjoy classic tunes from the Great American Songbook with warm, rich tones in the style of the great Nat King Cole Trio. Sit back, order the good stuff, and let these cats wow your socks off. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites will be available to order and enjoy while bopping to the tunes of the evening. Get tickets
Palm Springs Art Museum Returns to Regular Schedule
As of Thursday, December 2, the Palm Springs Art Museum will return to their regular schedule of being open six days a week: Thursday from 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Friday through Tuesday from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., closed only on Wednesday. Those additional two hours from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on Thursday nights are free admission, funded by the City of Palm Springs Public Arts Commission. More info
Vote Now for STRUT LGBTQ+ Awards
OutAT TV presents the STRUT Awards Gala on December 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Margaritaville Resort. Join friends, grab a drink and enjoy this new Awards Gala for the LGBTQ+ Industry in Palm Springs and the SoCal Region. The STRUT Awards are a “People’s Choice” Voting Format Awards show for the LGBTQ+ Industry. VOTE NOW for your favorite community members, and attend the show to see who won, with special performances and guest presenters. Gay Desert Guide is nominated in Digital Media and Publication categories, along with Brad Fuhr as KGAY Business Owner, plus John Taylor of KGAY as Event Emcee! Vote and/or Get tickets
PALS Holiday Party
Join PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors) for their Holiday Party and Face Mask Parade on Wednesday, December 1 at 4:00 p.m. at Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge. Many PALS Cafe participants have only met on Zoom over the last 80 weeks, so this is an opportunity to gather in person with safety measures in place. Safety can be festive! So…get your creative juices going and decorate your face mask for the parade. No-host bar and passed hors d’oeuvres. Get tickets
Then, on Thursday, December 2 from 2:00–3:00 p.m., it’s the regular meeting of the PALS Death Cafe on Zoom. A Death Cafe is a group-led open conversation about death and dying; and in doing so to live life more fully. It is not a counseling or bereavement group; and there is no agenda, specified topics, or designated outcomes. More info
Palm Springs Airport Job Fair
Palm Springs International Airport is seeing a solid increase in passenger and flight activity and there are nearly 100 positions to fill among fourteen tenants of the airport! So they are holding a Fall Job Fair on Tuesday, November 30 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs convention center. Bring plenty of resumes and be prepared to interview on the spot! More info
Palm Springs Chamber Holiday Mixer
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer is taking place Thursday, December 2 from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at Wangs in the Desert. Come for the networking, live entertainment and a complimentary first drink sponsored by Computer Wiz. More info
COVID Vaccination & Booster Clinic
The Joslyn Center, in collaboration with Desert Oasis Healthcare will hold a COVID-19 Booster and Vaccination clinic on Friday, December 3 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The free, no appointment clinic will be held on The Joslyn Center campus in Palm Desert and will have both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines available. More info
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
THIS WEEKEND
29th Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
The 29th Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is on Saturday, December 4 at 5:45 p.m. on Palm Canyon Drive. The City’s signature holiday event and a much loved tradition, the parade features spectacular twinkling floats, magnificent marching bands, huge Macy’s-style holiday balloons – and Santa Claus of course! This year’s Community Grand Marshals are Mariah Hanson, founder of Dinah Shore Weekend and Linda Barrack, CEO of Martha’s Village and Kitchen. Also broadcast live on NBC Palm Springs starting at 6:00 p.m. More info
Indio Tamale Festival
The 29th Annual Indio International Tamale Festival takes place Saturday, December 4 from 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m and Sunday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. in Downtown Indio. Music highlights include La Sonora Dinamita, Tijuana Panthers, Banda Arkangel, The Red Pears, Thee Midniters and Sweet & Tender Hooligans, “the Ultimate Smiths & Morrissey Tribute Band.” Appearing for the first time at Tamale Festival is a stacked bill of luchador wrestling, featuring 6-matches per day of high-flying athletics, and for the kids: the Guinness Certified World’s Biggest Bounce House, and carnival rides, plus a 3,600 sq ft roller rink for a skate party filled with music and dance for all ages. Get tickets
Hairspray at the McCallum
The McCallum Theatre presents Hairspray on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 3–5 with both matinee and evening performances. You Can’t Stop the Beat! This all-new touring production will reunite Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell to bring Hairspray to a new generation of theater audiences. Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Get tickets
The Sound of Music
Palm Canyon Theatre presents The Sound of Music from December 3–19. 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 from December 3–23. 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
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, from December 4–12. 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
Engelbert Humperdinck at The Show
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage presents The Legend Continues: Engelbert Humperdinck Reflections Tour on Saturday, December 4 at 8:00 p.m. Humperdinck’s unique voice has charmed billions of fans around the globe with his award-winning music from romantic ballads to disco, rock & gospel. Get tickets
Crying on Trains Staged Reading
Script2Stage2Screen’s second production of the season –“Crying on Trains” is a staged reading about two unlikely companions traveling life’s tough yet rewarding journey together, on Friday and Saturday, December 3 & 4, at 7:30 p.m. It’s a story about living, loving and coping with life’s challenges. Get tickets
Desert Art Center Holiday Party
The Desert Art Center presents a fun and festive holiday party on Friday, December 3 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Ring in the season and see their new Winter Show in the Main Gallery featuring works by member artists and introducing new artwork by just-juried new Gallery Artists. There will be music, a very merry mashed potato bar, refreshments, a sweet-tooth table, and as always, the largest selection of GAY and local fine art in the valley. More info
Nathaniel, The Recorded Story of a Legend
Experience the 1960s through the eyes of one of America’s most beloved performers with Nathaniel, the Recorded Story of a Legend, by local playwright Joachim St. Maximilian, presented by the Palm Springs Art Museum, Friday through Sunday, December 3–5 at the Annenberg Theater. Using a rich tapestry of music, storytelling, and nostalgic banter, St. Maximilian’s ‘translucent set’ will make this theatrical experience unlike any other. Experience the legendary Nat King Cole with Jimmy Durante in a touching reflection on life, gratitude, and friendship. Get tickets
Brian Justin Crum Holiday in the Desert
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Brian Justin Crum Holiday in the Desert on Friday and Saturday, December 3 & 4 at 7:00 p.m. Crum is an American singer and actor from San Diego who came to national attention competing on the eleventh season of America’s Got Talent, taking fourth place. Ticketed Meet & Greet available following the performance. Get tickets
Golden Grapes Wine Festival
Join the Ace Hotel & Swim Club for the 3rd Annual Golden Grapes Wine Festival on Saturday, December 4 from 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. in their Clubhouse. This wine-soaked bacchanalia celebrates the best winemakers, grapes, and grape lovers in California with over 20 participating wineries. Get tickets
Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells – La Quinta
Trainual IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells – La Quinta takes place Friday–Sunday, December 3–5. The new bike course will take athletes through beautiful flat county roads while they soak up the warm California sun. More info
Palm Springs Vintage Market
The Palm Springs Vintage Market is on the first Sunday of each month from October through May, and this month falls on Sunday, December 5, from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Palm Springs has some of the best shopping in the world for mid-century design. Come see a collection of the best Southern California sellers of vintage and antique furniture, art, clothing, jewelry, and home furnishings. More info
Saturdays with Ross Mathews Continues on KGAY!
After a successful run this Pride Month of November, Coachella Valley resident Ross Mathews will continue 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.”
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 3, 4, 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
- Jazzville Palm Springs: Jason Fabus Trio with Natalie Mendoza
Thu. Dec. 2 at 7:00 p.m - Hairspray at the McCallum Theatre
Fri.–Sun., Dec. 3–5 - Official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting
Fri. Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m. at Frances Stevens Park - Winter Wonderettes presented by Desert Theatreworks
Dec. 3–23 at the Indio Performing Arts Center - Festival of Lights Parade
Sat. Dec. 4, 5:45–7:45 p.m., Downtown Palm Springs - Indio Tamale Festival
Sat. Dec. 4, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. near Indio City Hall - 12th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show
Sun. Dec. 5, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum - 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 - 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 - 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!
