SAY GAY is emblazoned across the new Pride Guide, which just came out and it available around town. We’ve been saying “K-GAY” for some time now, and the phrase that unfolded after Florida’s hateful anti-LGBTQ laws is now ubiquitous.
We’re proud to have the KGAY call letters on our radio station. When I created Gay Desert Guide nearly a decade ago, “gay” was still the preferred way the one referred to our continuum of the rainbow. As I presented at the SCORE session we sponsored last week, the world has changed and now “queer” is actually a preferred way to describe us especially among young people.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Modernism Week – October
Modernism Week Fall Preview has been rebranded Modernism Week – October, and runs from Thursday, October 13 through Sunday, October 16. It is a four-day long “mini-Modernism Week” featuring more than 50 events, including tours, talks, and parties in unique locations not regularly open to the public [More info]. It also includes the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale Fall Edition, including an opening night preview party on Oct. 14, offering attendees a cocktail reception, live music and an exclusive first chance to shop at the show before it opens to the public. The Show & Sale continues Oct. 15-16 and will feature more than 40 premier national and international decorative and fine arts dealers [More info].
Modernism Week: Catch the Wave Cocktail Party
The Catch the Wave Cocktail Party is a rare opportunity to visit the historic Miles C. Bates “Wave” House in Palm Desert during Modernism Week – October on Thursday, October 13 from 6–8 pm. Come for for cocktails and appetizers wearing the suggested attire: tropical or beach wear. There will be an architecture talk by Christian Stayner, and entertainment by The Joslyn Strummers ukulele band and DJ Modgirl. Proceeds benefit Joslyn Center programs and services. Get tickets
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Reopens
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopens on Monday, October 10, after its annual maintenance closure. The first tram up will be at 10 am, the last tram up will be at 8 pm, and the last tram down will be at 9:30 pm. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes. Completed projects this year include the replacement of tower sheaves, replacement of the dome windows in both tramcars, and comprehensive mechanical and electrical testing of Tramway systems [More info]. Don’t forget to enter the Tramway’s Snow-Guessing Contest for a chance to win free passes!
Gay For Good Palm Springs Coming Out Day Ice Cream Social
Join Gay For Good Palm Springs for a celebratory Coming Out Day rainbow ice cream social on Tuesday, October 11 from 5–6 pm at Mizell Center. Come meet your local chapter leaders and Gay For Good’s Executive Director, Anne Friedman and Regional Volunteer Coordinator, Lor Mayne-Leduc. You can help by bringing donations of new and gently used clothing for adults and children, for the Mizell Center and students at Cabot Yerxa Elementary School who have limited access to clean, wearable clothing for school. More info
Gay for Good is also partnering with The Boys & Girls Club in Cathedral City for a cleanup of their garden on Saturday, October 15 from 9 am–Noon. Wear your comfortable gardening clothes and prepare to get a little dirty and do a lot of good! More info
Prime Timers of the Desert Monthly Lunch
Join PrimeTimers of the Desert for their monthly luncheon on Tuesday, October 11 from 11:30 am–1 pm. This month they will be meeting at La Tablita on 68369 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City (Next to Revivals). RSVP Required. More info
Salton Sea Prayer Vigil
The region’s diverse faith communities are joining together for an hour-long morning Prayer Vigil to Build Support for the Recovery of the Salton Sea at 10 am on Monday, October 10, the federal holiday observing Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. Places of worship from El Centro in Imperial County to Palm Springs plan to participate at the vigil at Desert Shores (Thermal). More info
Song of the Day VACAYA Caribbean Cruise Giveaway
KGAY 106.5 wants to send you on a VACAYA LGBT+ VACATION to the Caribbean for a full-ship LGBTQ+ cruise! You’ll be sharing and celebrating with 3,000 new friends in February 2023. You’ll set sail from Fort Lauderdale onboard “Celebrity Reflection” for 7 nights while enjoying world class dining, star-studded entertainment, signature VACAYA activities and mind-blowing parties! Listen for the VACAYA LGBT+ Caribbean Cruise Song of the Day at 8 am & 5 pm, and then go to the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page. Put in the name of the song, and you’re entered. The more days you play, the more chances you’ll have to WIN! (One entry per day). Brought to you by VACAYA, Visit Lauderdale, and KGAY 106.5!
Jose Sarria Exhibit
A special exhibit of Jose Sarria: Legendary Drag Queen and LGBTQ+ Activist (1922 – 2013) will be on display at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library in the main room October 11–December 15. Jose Sarria was a legend of the San Francisco drag scene. Out and Latino, Sarria dedicated his life to fight for LGBTQ+ rights and even ran as the country’s first known openly gay candidate for public office. Gene Brake, founder the Jose Sarria Foundation, will present a lecture on Wednesday, October 12 at from 6:30–8 pm. On Friday, October 15, the feature documentary Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of Jose Sarria will screen at 2:00 pm, followed by a discussion. More info
Martinis and Moxie: Bye Bye Birdie
Martinis and Moxie: Bye Bye Birdie kicks off the season on Wednesday, October 12 from 6–10 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Join Alan Kraemer and Claudie Ried for cocktail hour starting at 6 pm with live music, martini bar, lite bites, and casino games. Then head into the theater at for the movie at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Author Chat with Kate Quinn
On Tuesday, October 11 from 2–3 pm, the Rancho MIrage Writers Festival and the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory present author Kate Quinn for a book talk, chat and book signing. This is a free event and the first 200 people receive a free copy of her novel The Diamond Eye. More info
CV Philharmonic: Classical Guitar
The CV Philharmonic Society Chamber Series presents Classical Guitar Works by Mauro Giuliani with Professor Jesus Palominos (College of the Desert) on Tuesday, October 11 from 6–8 pm in Theatre 3 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Socialize with fellow chamber music enthusiasts at the 6 pm reception with passed light hors d’oeuvres, then gather in the theater at 7 pm for the performance. Get tickets
Sexual Health in a Fetish World
The Center and Eisenhower Health present 50 Shades: Sexual Health in a Fetish World on Wednesday, October 12 from 4–5 pm on Zoom. Join Jonathan Bechard, MD, Internal Medicine, for a sex-positive discussion around common medical risks associated with fetish play, how to avoid them, how to talk about them with your doctor, and how to bring a health-positive voice to your desires and experimentation. Registration required. More info
Palm Springs Single Guys Mixer
Palm Springs Single Guys returns with a social mixer on Thursday, October 13 from 5:30–7:30 pm in the VIP Lounge at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This free event is, according to organizers, “nothing too complicated, just a great group of single guys who are looking for connection.” Take a chance, step out of your comfort zone, and chat with some wonderful guys. Future monthly mixers are scheduled for November 10 and December 15. More info
Desert Blues Revival: Bill Magee Blues
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs presents the Desert Blues Revival every Wednesday at 8 pm in the Cascade Lounge. On Wednesday, October 12, Bill Magee Blues takes 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: Lynda Kay
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five, takes place at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. 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, October 13 from 7–8:30 pm, Jazzville welcomes Lynda Kay and her band for an evening of classic mid-century songs, along with selections from her new double album, Black & Gold. Lynda performs a genre-crossing mix of jazz and Bacharach pop. Her diverse contralto voice and has been compared to such exceptional talents as Patsy Cline, Karen Carpenter, Roy Orbison and Dusty Springfield. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites will be available while bopping to the tunes of the evening. Get tickets
VillageFest Fall Hours Return
Palm Springs’ popular weekly Thursday night street fair, VillageFest, has returned to its fall hours, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and concluding at 10:00 p.m. Consistently voted the best weekly street fair in the Coachella Valley, VillageFest attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world with more than 200 vendor booths featuring eclectic art, handcrafted items and unique food. Nearby shops, restaurants and galleries also stay open late. Look for special events this season, including the annual Halloween Spook-tacular on Thursday, October 27, featuring live entertainment, trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch and a costume contest for kids. More info
THIS WEEKEND
Casual Concours Midcentury Car Show: Disco Inferno
Casual Concours XIII takes place on Saturday, October 15 from 10 am–3 pm at Desert Princess Country Club. This thirteenth annual gathering of significant post-war automobiles features over 200 museum-quality cars, both foreign and domestic on display. The finest midcentury car show in the Coachella Valley, Casual Concours reflects the unique collector car culture of Palm Springs, with dominant displays of rarely seen vintage cars of the 1940’s–80’s and focus on styling, color, luxury, historical significance and showroom condition—in other words, midcentury glamour! This year, the theme is “Disco Inferno,” focusing on the designer labels and colorful carriages that boogie-oogie-oogied us to the dance floor. Get tickets
Modernism Week: Cul-de-Sac A-Go-Go
Cul-de-Sac A-Go-Go takes place Sunday, October 16, with one-hour tours from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, and this year it has special significance, since it takes place in the identical Canyon View Estates cul-de-sac next to where Don’t Worry Darling (Warner Bros. Pictures) was filmed (and some scenes were shot on this spot!). Find yourself transported back to the late 1960s, with six intact William Krisel-designed homes on tour, a curated collection of classic vehicles in the carports and driveways, and Hullabaloo-style go-go platforms where Cul-de-Sac Dancers will shake things up. Period music, high fashion models, and some special surprises make this an event not to be forgotten! Get tickets
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Desert Theatreworks presents A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder opening Friday, October 14 and running through Sunday, October 30. When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives (played by one actor) without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? This Tony-Award winning Best Musical is a charming, murderous romp filled with unforgettable music and non-stop laughs. Get tickets
9th Annual Reel Women’s Film Festival
Now in its ninth year, the Reel Women’s Film Festival takes place October 1–15 streaming online, with an in-person program on Saturday, October 15 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The festival is championed by a committee that works to bring diverse and inspiring films about women to the screen. All proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, serving Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial counties. More info
An Evening of LGBT Women in Desert Theatre
Green Room Theatre Company presents An Evening of LGBT Women in Desert Theatre on Friday, October 14 from 7:30–9 pm at CREATE Center for the Arts. This season kickoff features performances by Drag King Jesse Jones, actresses Yo Younger, Constance Cilva, Dawnielle Williams, and a State-of-Women-in-Desert-Theatre presentation by lesbian playwright and CV Weekly reviewer Dee Jae Cox. Get tickets
Palm Springs Equality Awards
Equality California presents the Palm Springs Equality Awards on Saturday, October 15 at The Sonoran from 3–6 pm. Enjoy a cocktail reception, awards reception, and after party. Honorees include the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (Community Leadership Award) and Greg Rodriguez (Equality Leadership Award). Hosted by Epiphany Kali Mattel and featuring a special performance by Melissa Prime and Kataluna Enriquez. Get tickets
L-Fund Afternoon of the Arts
L-Fund presents their second annual Afternoon for the Arts at the Creative Center for the Arts in Palm Desert on Sunday, October 16 from 2–4 pm. This afternoon of art will be “A Feast for the 5 Senses,” and there will be a tour of the Center at 4 pm for those interested. All net proceeds for this event will support cis and trans lesbians with an emergency financial crisis, health and wellness, education grants, and grants for the arts. Get tickets
Guide Dogs of the Desert’s 50th Anniversary Gala
Join Guide Dogs of the Desert for their 50th Anniversary Gala on Friday, October 14 from 6–9 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage. Celebrate 50 years of leadership with Guide Dog Teams and supporters who have made a difference in blind and visually impaired individuals’ lives. Meet some of the newest Guide Dog puppies in training, graduates and new Support K-9 dogs. More info
Drag Me to Giving Brunch 2022
Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine (CVVIM) presents Drag Me to Giving Brunch 2022 on Sunday, October 16 from 10:30 am–12:30 pm on Palm View Road in Rancho Mirage. Join emcee Bella da Ball and a few of her friends for margaritas and taco brunch with a performance by Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, the first LGBTQ+ Mariachi in the World. Get tickets
Niki Haris at The Purple Room
Bask in the majesty and ethereal nuance of jazz chanteuse Niki Haris at The Purple Room Supper Club on Friday and Saturday, October 14 & 15. Ms. Haris has crafted an intoxicating evening of jazz, blues, pop and inspiring melodies sure to soothe the soul. A multi-talented singer, dancer, actress and choreographer, Niki is the daughter of Grammy Award-nominated jazz pianist Gene Harris, and is best known as “the big voice” behind Madonna for 20 years, appearing alongside the icon in the bio-movie “Madonna: Truth or Dare”, the #1 hit video “Vogue,” plus “Music,” and many more. Dinner at 6 pm, Show at 8 pm. Get tickets
Priscilla Presley at The Show
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage’s The Show presents An Evening with Priscilla Presley on Friday, October 14 at 8 pm. Born in New York, her father’s career as an Air Force officer enabled the family to travel extensively. She attended high school in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where she met her future husband, Elvis Presley. Although Priscilla and Elvis divorced in 1973, they remained very close until the time of his death. Priscilla currently has in development a stage play based on her unique life, from the perspective of a teenage girl to a woman thrust into the world of rock and roll. Get tickets
Kenny Loggins at The Show
The Show also presents Kenny Loggins – Kenny at the Movies on Saturday, October 15 at 8 pm. Kenny Loggins has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide and has won two Grammy® Awards. His songs have left his musical imprint on “the soundtrack of our lives.” Over the last four decades, his chart-topping songs have included “This Is It,” “I’m Alright,” “Footloose,” “Danger Zone,” and so many more. Get tickets
Titanic the Musical – Final Weekend
The Palm Canyon Theatre presents Titanic the Musical, now through October 16. Based on the story of the RMS Titanic, which sank on its maiden voyage on April 15, 1912, this musical takes audiences on a journey unlike any other account of this historic voyage. As crew and passengers are introduced, their conversations reveal their social status and satisfaction with life. When the ship’s owner demands that the captain increase speed to arrive in New York early, the Titanic collides with an iceberg, creating a chaotic and dangerous situation for all. Get tickets
AbEx: 1950–1965 Opening Reception
Rubine Red Gallery presents the Opening Reception for AbEx: 1950-65 on Saturday, October 15 from 5–8 pm. The Estate Collection at Rubine Red Gallery is proud to present a group exhibition of second generation abstract expressionist artists that emerged in the latter half of the 1950s. The love and appreciation for American Abstract Expressionism is going through a renaissance in the 2020’s, and Rubine Red is here to make sure you get an amazing tour of AbEx at its finest. More info
Tim Burton Film Retrospective: Ed Wood
Experience Tim Burton’s early classics on the largest screen in the Coachella Valley at the Historic Camelot Theatre with their PS Rewinds series. On Sunday, October 16, at 8 pm, it’s Ed Wood (1994). Tim Burton’s singular artistic vision of whimsical, gothic fantasy took Hollywood by storm when he made his directorial debut in the 1980’s. In this film, director Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) is a Hollywood outcast because of his eccentric habits and bafflingly strange films. Nevertheless, with the help of the formerly famous Bela Lugosi and a devoted cast and crew of show-business misfits who believe in Ed’s off-kilter vision, the filmmaker is able to bring his oversize dreams to cinematic life. Get tickets
Final Round Voting for Best of Coachella Valley
The finalists have been selected in the Coachella Valley Independent’s 9th Annual Best of Coachella Valley, and we are thrilled to have three nominations associated with KGAY 106.5! DJ Galaxy (aka Vincent Corrales) of the KGAY Retro Lunch at Noon has been nominated for Best Local DJ, and KGAY Morning Host John Taylor is up for Best Local Radio Personality! Last but not least, KGAY 106.5 is itself nominated for Best Radio Station! The final round of voting runs online at CVIndependent.com through Sunday, October 23. Vote Today
On the Air at KGAY 106.5
KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs is “The Pride of the Valley,” and you can show your Pride by proudly wearing our rainbow logo! Check out our selection of apparel and other items emblazoned with the best radio station call letters: KGAY! Shop now
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 pool party music! Listen Online
- Modernism Week – October
Oct 13–16 at Various Locations around Palm Springs - Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show
Oct 14–16 at the Palm Springs Convention Center - A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder presented by Desert Theatreworks
Oct 14–30 - Casual Concours Midcentury Car Show: Disco Inferno
Sat. Oct 15 from 10 am–3 pm at Desert Princess Country Club - Palm Springs Equality Awards
Sat. Oct 15 from 3–6 pm at The Sonoran Palm Springs - Preserving and Sharing Our Collective LGBTQ+ Voices
Wed. Oct 19 from 5:30–7:30 pm at Mizell Center - Center Stage: Together We Rise
Fri. Oct 21 from 5:30–9 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum - Desert Theatricals Broadway 2022 at the Amphitheater
Sat. Oct 22 and Sat. Oct 29 at 7:30 pm at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater - Palm Springs Leather Pride
Oct 27–30 at Hotel Zoso and various locations around Palm Springs - Desert AIDS Walk – Walk Out Loud
Sat. Oct 29 from 7:30 am–1 pm at Ruth Hardy Park - Palm Springs Halloween on Arenas Road
Sun. Oct 30 from 4–10 pm - 18th Annual Greater Palm Springs Summit
Mon. Oct 31 from 9–11 am at JW Marriott Spa & Resort - A Night to Remember Gala
Tue. Nov 1 from 6–10 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage - Celebrate Palm Springs Pride at Boozehounds
Nov 3–6 - Palm Springs HRC Garden Party
Sat. Nov 5 from 1:30–4:30 pm at a private estate - Front Runners Pride 5K Run and Walk
Sat. Nov 5 from 8–11 am, Downtown Palm Springs - Palm Springs Pride Festival
Sat. & Sun. Nov 5 & 6, Downtown Palm Springs - Palm Springs Pride Parade 2022
Sun. Nov 6 at 10 am, Downtown Palm Springs - One Night Only – New York, New York
Wed. Nov 9 at 6 pm at the McCallum Theatre - Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival
Nov 11–13 at the Palm Springs Convention Center
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 2022 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.
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)