Our local version of the “Miss America” pageant – The Best of the Desert Awards is happening through Sept. 22nd. We are shamelessly inviting you to ‘vote for me!’ in the many categories where we show up. All the details below, but I’m proud of our team who creates the on-air and online magic you hear and see each day. Honorable mention: TV Weather Reporter Jerry Steffen, who provides daily forecasts on our sister station KMEE 103.1 MeTV FM.
This competition will be followed by voting for the Best of Coachella Valley from CV Independent. The two are easily confused, so watch this space for another shameless ask for votes !
Happy 60th to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, celebrating this week with special events. With temps still high on the desert floor, now is a great time to make the trip up to the cool of Mountain Station!
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!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis
DBA Networking Mixer/DAP Health Equity Walk Kickoff
The Desert Business Association (DBA) is holding a Networking Mixer on Monday, September 11 at 5:30 pm at DAP Health on Sunrise Way. DAP is gearing up for the 2023 Health Equity Walk (formerly the Desert AIDSWalk) to be held on Saturday, October 28 at Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs. Learn more about how you can participate by joining the DBA Team or another team. Funds raised help to support the many programs that DAP Health provides to our communities. A raffle will support the DBA Team of the DAP Health Equity Walk, bring an item for the raffle and get a “shout out” for your business. Bring some cash to win an item, too! More info
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Celebrates 60 Years
Throughout the month of September, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The completion of a Mountain Station renovation coincides with the anniversary, and in celebration of the anniversary, a series of events and promotions are planned for this month, including giveaways for every 60th visitor, a 60th anniversary celebration quiz on the Tramway’s mobile app, a free 60th anniversary sticker for every visitor on Tuesday, September 12, continuous showings of the newly-restored original 1960s Tramway film “The Miracle at Palm Springs” in the Santa Rosa Theater, and other special displays and exhibits. More info
Open Rehearsal/Auditions for Modern Men Chorus
The Modern Men Chorus invites you to audition to join them for their upcoming Holiday Concert. Come to the Open Rehearsal on Monday, September 11 from 6:30–8:30 pm at the Palm Springs United Methodist Church and hear the music to be sung in their holiday concert. Auditions begin at 8:30 pm after the Open Rehearsal or you can come on the following Saturday morning, September 16 from 11 am–12 noon at the same location. More info
Vote KGAY and John Taylor for 2023 Community’s Choice Awards
The Desert Sun has opened the voting round for the 2023 Best of Desert Official Community’s Choice Awards, celebrating and recognizing the best our community has to offer, and both KGAY 106.5 and KGAY Morning Host John Taylor are among the nominees! When you go to fill out your ballot, find KGAY 106.5 under Entertainment & Leisure > Radio Station – Local and find John Taylor under Entertainment & Leisure – People > Radio Personality/Show.
MOD GIRL & GALAXY are nominated in DJ – Event/Wedding. Vote for them as well!
If you vote in more than 25 categories, you’ll be entered to win a $250 gift card. Votes can be placed through Friday, September 22. Vote today!
Arts & Letters: Tod Goldberg
The hometown book launch event for Tod Goldberg‘s Gangsters Don’t Die takes place Tuesday, September 12 from 6–7:30 pm at UCR Palm Desert. Gangsters is the conclusion to Goldberg’s acclaimed Gangsterland trilogy. Tod will be in conversation with crime writer Rob Bowman, followed by a Q&A and a book signing. More info
Trans and Non-Binary Tuesday
The Transgender Health & Wellness Center presents their monthly social event, Trans and Nonbinary Tuesday on Tuesday, September 12 at 6 pm the Trixie Motel (held on the second Tuesday of every month). This month, the theme is “Say Goodbye to Summer.” Attendees have the opportunity to mingle with the gender diverse community and get connected to vital resources. More info
Positive Life Series – STI Update
The HIV+ Aging Research Project Palm Springs presents the Positive Life Series on Tuesday, September 12 at 6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This month, the topic is an STI Update with Dr. Phyllis Ritchie of PS Healthy Test and Trent Broadus of DAP Health. You can also attend via Zoom. Future topics include: Resistance in HIV (10/2), HIV Research in Palm Springs (11/7), and Special World AIDS Day Conference (12/1). More info
AIDS, Sex, Survival, and What it All Means
Let’s Kick ASS Palm Springs, the HIV+ Aging Research Project, and PromoHomo.TV present AIDS, Sex, Survival, and What It All Means on Wednesday, September 13, from 6:30–8:30 pm at Mizell Center. Acclaimed activist HIV/AIDS Mark S. King will be joined by prominent community members Dr. David Morris, Jax Kelly, Jeff Taylor, Bridgette Picou and Nicholas Snow to discuss his new book, My Fabulous Disease: Chronicles of a Gay Survivor. “Let’s chat about survival, love, sex, and what the hell it all means,” said King. Book sales and signing will be available. More info
Get to Know AI and ChatGPT
The Palm Springs Public Library presents Get to Know AI and ChatGPT on Wednesday, September 13 at 6 pm in the The Learning Center. Come see an engaging presentation and live demo of ChatGPT – an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered computer helper that can simplify your everyday tasks. From creating a packing list for your cruise vacation to drafting that thank-you note you’ve been putting off, ChatGPT can do more than you imagine! Learn form Dominique Fruchtman, an experienced entrepreneur and technology enthusiast with a background in both IT and public speaking. More info
Sunnylands Opens for a New Season
Sunnylands Center & Gardens opens for a new season on Wednesday, September 13, open from 8:30 am–4 pm, Wednesdays–Sundays. A new exhibition titled Variations to a Theme: William Haines at Sunnylands, will highlight the Hollywood actor-turned interior designer to the stars whose work stands out among his contemporaries for his “maximalist approach.” Haines’ style of décor, known as Hollywood Regency, reflected silver-screen glamour —through a vibrant mix of colors, textures, patterns, and finishes — with references to interior design of the 19th-century English Regency period. Learn more
Sunnylands Films in the Gardens
Sunnylands is also bringing back their Films in the Garden series with a trio of back-to-school films from the 1980s. The series begins this week with Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) on Friday, September 15 at 7:30 pm. Synopsis: When Keith (Eric Stoltz) goes out with Amanda (Lea Thompson), the girl of his dreams, Amanda’s ex-boyfriend plans to get back at Keith. Meanwhile, Keith’s best friend, tomboy Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), realizes she has feelings for Keith. Free of charge, no reservations required, gates open at 6 pm, carpooling and small picnics encouraged. More info
Final Week: Drive to Survive! The Race Against Hunger
The Greater Palm Springs Realtors summer food drive, Drive To Survive! The Race Against Hunger, benefiting the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s Community Food Bank, is happening now thru September 15. Food insecurity is real, and together we can help ease the burden on our hungry neighbors. You are invited to drop food items off at the Greater Palm Springs Realtors office from 9 am–5 pm on Monday and 8 am–5 pm on Tuesday–Friday. They’re accepting nonperishable food items, or you can also make monetary donations to support the critical services that the food bank provides. More info
Butterflies of Joshua Tree National Park
Get to know the basics of butterfly biology and ecology in Joshua Tree National Park on Friday, September 15 from 10 am–11:15 am Joshua Tree National Park, Yucca West. This entry-level class will focus on the biology and ecology of butterflies that call Joshua Tree National Park their home. The short classroom session will take place indoors with a Powerpoint program and discussion of the biology and ecology of Joshua Tree butterflies. There is an optional field outing (additional fee) on October 1st in which students will visit a location within Joshua Tree National Park where a variety of butterflies can be observed. More info
Check Out Our Downloadable Calendar
Our Gay Desert Guide Events Channel always has the latest, continually updated calendar of events for day-by-day viewing, but sometimes you just want a quick overview of what’s coming up, in a beautiful, downloadable, printable calendar…and we have just the thing! Download our 2023-24 Calendar of Events (updated monthly) to see what’s coming up in the days, weeks, and months ahead. It’s a great time to look ahead as we head into season, with events coming up like The Dinah, Pride Under the Pines, Pride on the Page, Modernism Week October, Palm Springs Pride (and Leather Pride), and Palm Springs Food & Wine Fest, just to name a select few of the more than 30 highlighted events between now and early December. Check it out
THIS WEEKEND
Todrick Hall – Velvet Rage
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage presents Todrick Hall – Velvet Rage on Friday, September 15 at 8 pm. Hall is a multi-talented performer, composer, actor, director, choreographer, and social media personality who rose to prominence on and after his appearance on American Idol. He continued to create content and build his brand on his YouTube channel, which has over 3.6 million subscribers and 886 million channel views. Get tickets
Confessions of a Star Maker
Confessions of a Star Maker will be presented live at the Annenberg Theatre as a benefit for the Palm Springs Art Museum on Sunday, September 17 at 2 pm. This award-winning new play, written and directed by Palm Springs resident Luke Yankee, is a film noir “whodunit” told in the style of a 1950’s radio play, including a stable of professional actors from Broadway, Los Angeles and the Coachella valley, as well as one of Hollywood’s top Foley artists creating live sound effects. With characters loosely based on Hollywood icons like Rock Hudson, Natalie Wood and Marlene Dietrich, the play reveals the thrill of 1950’s Tinsel Town as well as its dark underbelly. Get tickets
HRC Happy Hour
Come to The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City on Sunday, September 17 from 2:30–4:30 pm for the HRC Palm Springs Garden Party Call for Co-Hosts (ticket packages), Call for Sponsors & Silent Auction Donations, Happy Hour. Meet representatives from the HRC Palm Springs Steering Committee and Garden Party Planning Committee. ( And save the date for the HRC Garden Party: November 4, 2023 from 2–4:30 pm). More info
Mi Chavela Fest
Mi Chavela Fest is the first Michelada festival in the Coachella Valley, taking place Saturday, September 16 from 4–11 pm at Luchador Brewing Company. The word “michelada” is a Spanish portmanteau that combines “chela” (slang term for beer) with “ada” for “helada,” meaning cold, and “mi” for mine — my cold beer! Come for the best Miche vendors, live music, live Lucha Libre match, food trucks, artisan vendors, lowrider classic car show and much more for the whole family. Get tickets
Great Desert Cleanup
The Oswit Land Trust will be working with Great Desert Clean-up to clean Mesquite Creek on Saturday, September 16 from 7:30–9:30 am. This year is especially needed as the water subsides from the storm; it has left a significant amount of trash and debris. More info
Yucca Valley Art Walk: “The Joshua Tree”
Joshua Tree National Park Association presents “The Joshua Tree” An Irreplaceable Icon of California’s Desert that must be protected on Saturday, September 16, from 5–8 pm.
This is a group show, the Yucca Valley 3rd Saturday Art Walk, featuring Southern California artist’s interpretation of our beloved endangered Joshua Tree. The show will feature photography, ceramics, paintings, textile art and more. The show tackles the potential disappearance of Joshua Trees from Southern California by the end of the century. Proceeds from the show will directly benefit the protection and preservation efforts of Joshua Tree National Park. More info
Yve Evans Presents Blues/Jazz 2023 Series
The Cathedral City Senior Center and Yve Evans present their Blues Jazz 2023 Series on Saturday, September 16 from 3–5 pm, featuring Yve Evans (piano &vocals), Rick E Taylor (guitar) & Larry Washington (drums). Come together and join us for an afternoon filled of great jazz and blues music. Jazz is about being in the moment, and indeed we all are with the incredible vocals and piano of Yve Evans herself and other amazing musicians. More info
This Weekend at The Purple Room
Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club is back in season and on Friday, September 15 come see Jonathan Karrant performing his “Eclectic” collection of popular songs written from the 1940’s through the 2010’s. and on Saturday, September 16, Debby Holiday will perform her Tina Turner tribute to a sold-out house. On Sunday, September 17, the spirit of Judy Garland is alive and well with Michael Holmes performing The Judy Show! Get tickets
Identity Thief Movie with Live Discussion
The Coachella Valley Ladies of Justice and palmspringstheatre.com celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the movie Identity Thief on Saturday, September 16 from 1–3:15 pm at the Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City. There will be a brief educational forum on the epidemic of Identity Theft and how to protect yourself, and then the group will enjoy this great movie together. Popcorn included with admission. More info
Broadway to the BIG SCREEN – Moulin Rouge!
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the last movie in their summer series of great musicals that made it from Broadway to the BIG SCREEN (and sometimes back again). On Saturday, September 16 at 4 pm, the featured film is Moulin Rouge! At the heart of the musical Moulin Rouge is love, romance, the beauty of innocent love and the pathos of lost love. It translates into amazing music and a tragic tale about Christian – a young Englishman visiting Paris in 1899. He becomes infatuated with Satine, a singer at the Moulin Rouge. Sadly, she has been promised by the manager to a Duke in return for funding his next production. As the young lovers meet in secret, Satine’s wedding day draws closer. The two plot to escape, but in the end, we learn that Satine has hidden a fatal secret from both Christian and the Duke. Love wins, but love is lost. MeTV 103.1 fm is a proud media sponsor of the Broadway to the BIG SCREEN Film Series! Get tickets
Sing Along With Us – The Music Man
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the last movie of the summer Sing Along With Us Film Series, 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, September 17 at 3 pm, come sing along to The Music Man, in which traveling con artist Harold Hill targets the naïve residents of a small town in 1910s Iowa by posing as a boys’ band leader to raise money before he can skip town. 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
Camp Caftan
Pack your bags and leave your troubles behind, Camp Caftan is taking place Friday, September 15–Sunday, September 17 at Running Springs, nestled into the top of the San Bernardino Mountains. Camp Caftan is like summer camp, but gayer. Guest cabins are included in the ticket price, as are all the typical summer camp amenities: mess hall, outdoor amphitheater, swimming pool, games area, hiking trails, and fire pits. Get dancing at the outdoor music stage and show off your act at the second annual Camp Caftan talent show. Get tickets
Broadway Bash Dinner Show
Willie’s Modern Fare in Rancho Mirage presents Musical Theatre University’s Broadway Bash Dinner Show every Sunday in September. Come enjoy a three course dinner with a fully staged Broadway Revue by MTU’s singing servers and a celebrated Broadway guest star at every show! Seating is at 4 pm with the show at 5 pm. Get tickets
Blatino Oasis
Blatino Oasis returns all new for 2023 from Thursday, September 14–Sunday, September 17 at a new venue: Canyon Club Hotel in downtown Palm Springs. Blatino Oasis is a gay and bisexual men of color retreat, far from urban life, attracting over a thousand gay and bisexual men from around the world for a weekend full of pool parties, dancing, brunches and hot guys. Get tickets
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LOOKING AHEAD
Cinema Diverse Tickets Available Now
The 16th edition of Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival will take place September 21–24 and the following weekend, September 28–October 1 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The schedule is set and tickets and passes are now on sale. Thursday, September 21 at 7:30 pm is Opening Night, featuring a special preview of Billy Clift’s new feature, Here We Are. It’s a timely and emotional tale of love, family and prejudice at a time when the world is facing the COVID pandemic, and that’s only the beginning of the exciting new films you’ll discover screening in all three theatres at the PS Cultural Center at Cinema Diverse this year. Get tickets/passes
Center Stage Tickets on Sale Now
The 13th annual Center Stage fundraiser will take place Friday, October 20 from 5:30–9 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This unforgettable evening dedicated to “Creating Community” is presented by The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and Eisenhower Health. The special guest for the evening will be Cecilia Gentili, an advocate, organizer, and storyteller working passionately at the intersections of sex work, immigrant rights, incarceration issues, and trans liberation. Her presence and inspiring story will make this evening memorable. Our very own local hostess with the mostest, and drag personality Brian Wanzek (also known as Bella da Ball) will be receiving the Legacy Award, recognizing the lasting impact he has made on the desert’s LGBTQ+ community. DJ Modgirl will be spinning for the evening. Get tickets
On the Air: KGAY 106.5
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.
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 all about “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week. Listen online. She’s also appearing at The Rowan twice a week: High Bar on Mondays from 7–10 pm and Window Bar on Thursdays from 7–10 pm.
On the Air: 103.1 MeTV fm
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
- Gay Days Anaheim 2023
Sep 22–24 at Disneyland Resort - 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 - Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Sep 21–24 and Sep 28–Oct 1 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Singing with the Desert Stars
Fri. Oct 6 at 6:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Pride Under the Pines 2023
Sat. Oct 7 from 12–9 pm in Idyllwild - One Night Out: Bollywood
Sat. Oct 7 from 7–10 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum - Out on the Walk: Celebrating LGBT Individuals on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars
Oct 12–Nov 12 at the Palm Springs Village Green - Pride on the Page Book Festival
Fri. & Sat., Oct 13 & 14 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Casual Concours 2023: Tikis & TBirds
Sat. Oct 14 from 9 am–2 pm at Indian Canyons Golf Resort - Modernism Week – October 2023
Thu.–Sun. Oct 19–22 at various locations throughout Palm Springs - Maximum Thrust – Palm Springs Leather Pride 2023
Oct 26–29 at various locations around Palm Springs - Palm Springs Pride 2023
Nov 3–5 in downtown Palm Springs - Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk 2023
Sat. Nov 4 from 8–11 am in the Old Las Palmas Neighborhood - One Night Only – “Las Vegas: The Golden Age, 1950–1970”
Wed. Nov 8 at 6 pm at the McCallum Theatre - Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival
Sat. & Sun. Nov 11 & 12 at the Palm Springs Stadium Pavilion
Palm Springs Bottle Shop is excited to announce the opening of their second location at 1555 S Palm Canyon inside Market Market. In addition to all the fabulous beer, wine, snacks, and sundries found at their original location, PSBS Market Market also carries spirits and gourmet groceries for all your dinner and cocktail party needs. And as always, PSBS is proud to carry the best selection of products from LGBTQ+, women, and BIPOC makers and entrepreneurs in Palm Springs! Learn more
Bios Clinical Research specializes in infectious disease research with a focus on HIV and PrEP while promoting health equity and diversity in HIV research. They were inspired to open their first BIOS site in Palm Springs, to expand clinical research options for the Coachella Valley and recognize and respect the many long-term survivors and persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in the region. They are focused on engaging communities of color and diverse genders, sexualities, races, and nationalities. Learn more
- Mariah Hanson, Visionary Founder of the Dinah: 32 Years of Queer Music and Community In Palm Springs
- Halloween Palm Springs 2023 to Feature The Pussycat Dolls’ Carmit, Queen of Electro Luciana and David Hernandez
- Spooky Fun Haunts the Riverside County Fairgrounds this October
- Jodie Foster & Annette Bening’s First Nyad Clip Shows Power of Queer Women’s Friendship
- The Long History of Non-Binary Identities
Rick’s Desert Grill offers a huge selection of dinner items for all appetites, with an ample beer and wine list and great dishes with a Cuban influence like savory Cuban Ropa Vieja or Cuban Arroz Con Pollo. Try a “Crazy Cuban” cocktail Happy Hour is 4–6 pm daily (closed Sunday) and on Wine Wednesday, enjoy half-priced bottles of wine all day. With our HOT DEAL you save even more: Get a $25 gift card for food & drink at Rick’s Desert Grill for just $15! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Men’s Grooming Spot, Boozehounds, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Papa Dan’s Pizza & Pasta, Destination PSP, Trevor Wayne Pop Art, Kitchen 86, Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, The Purple Room, Zin American 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 2023-24 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)