Celebrating our diversity takes no respite! Case in point: Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride celebration is happening this weekend. Later in September, we turn Disneyland red with Gay Days Anaheim.
And September has two major LGBTQ+ events in Palm Springs: Cinema Diverse film festival and Club Skirts Dinah Shore weekend – overlapping this year!
October welcomes Pride Under the Pines and Pride on the Page to the area just ahead of Leather Pride and Palm Springs Pride. It’s a dizzying fall of diversity. As Gay Desert Guide starts its 11th year, we keep you updated on everything online. This month’s downloadable calendar is ready to hang on your fridge so you can keep track.
Summer certainly went by quickly. The returning “Sweatbirds” will soon be joined by “snowbirds”. And we’ll be back to another season in #ILoveGayPalmSprings!
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
Arenas District Fundraiser for Palm Springs AIDS Memorial
Arenas District Businesses—Blackbook, QuadZ, Hunters, Streetbar, Gaymart, and Chill Bar—have come together over the extended Labor Day Weekend and into this week (now through Thursday, September 7) to host fundraisers for the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial Sculpture. Arenas Road patrons will be able to learn more about the memorial, see the artist’s maquette (model) on display at each business on different days, and donate towards project completion. Every contribution made on Arenas will be matched up to $15,000 by Craig Attebury and GayMart in memory of Tim Foutch. The envisioned permanent AIDS memorial is designed by local artist Phillip K. Smith, III and would be located in the new Downtown Palm Springs Park. 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
Best of Coachella Valley Nomination Round Ends Tuesday
The Coachella Valley Independent‘s annual Best of Coachella Valley reader’s poll is now accepting nominations, a fill-in-the-blank round that is open through Tuesday, September 5. We would love a repeat of our wins last year! Write-in your nominations for Best Local DJ under the “Arts” section: KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch Djs: DJ Eric Ornelas and DJ Galaxy, and DJ Modgirl of the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance! Then, under the “Life in the Valley” section, for Best Local Radio Personality please consider John Taylor of the KGAY 106.5 Morning Show, and finally, also under “Life in the Valley,” for Best Radio Station, please nominate KGAY 106.5! Nominate Today
The Purple Room: Back in the Swing
Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club weekday entertainment is back, featuring Tuesdays with Jazz legend Rose Mallett, Wednesdays with Charles Herrera, Darci Daniels & Michael Holmes swinging to the music of the Rat Pack era, and the sassy Sharon Sills singing on Thursdays. Each weeknight’s entertainment goes from 6:30–9:30 pm. This weekend: on Friday, September 8 it’s Scot Bruce performing Elvis: The Yearly Years, and on Saturday, September 9, Brenna Whitaker takes the stage. On Sunday, September 10, the spirit of Judy Garland is alive and well with Michael Holmes performing The Judy Show! Get tickets
Boozehounds Desert Collab Series
Four guest chef collaborations, Four dinners, Four nights only! The Desert Collab Series is a chef’s dinner series at Boozehounds Palm Springs, featuring guest chef collaborations on select special nights, starting Wednesday, September 6 from 6–9 pm with Executive Chef Aric Ianni. Come for unbeatable vibes, live music, and of course incredible cuisine and drink pairings. This is a pop up series you won’t want to miss. Get tickets
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 Mondays and 8 am–5 pm on Tuesdays–Fridays. 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
PALS Death Cafe
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors) presents a Death Cafe on Thursday, September 7 from 2–3 pm 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. Join the conversation, bring your curiosity and questions, and engage in a discussion about the aspects of death and dying that interest you. More info
Country Dance Fridays
Dance Ranch Palm Springs presents Country Dance Fridays, a great night of country western dancing, including two-step, waltz, shadow, East and West Coast swing and line dances, every Friday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step. The dance lesson is at 7 pm with dancing from 7:30–9:30 pm. Dance Ranch Palm Springs is a country western dance group serving the LGBTQ+ community and its friends. Country dancers of all levels are welcome. More info
THIS WEEKEND
Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride Festival 2023
Riverside’s FREE Pride Festival, Inland Empire Pride, returns for their 2nd Annual edition on Sunday, September 10 at the Riverside Convention Center (indoors and air-conditioned!). The festival is open to all ages from 12–7 pm with a youth zone dedicated for those 17 and under. From 7–10 pm, the event becomes 18+ only. Headline entertainers include HYM the Rapper, singer/songwriter Mariah Counts and Latin recording artist Leyo. A mass wedding event, Ceremony of Love, will be held on the event’s Main Stage, officiated by Reverend Troy Kristoffer of Ceremonies of Love. There will also be queer art displays and the company of LGBTQIA+ oriented and friendly organizations and companies. More info
Sean Wiggins & Vicci Stewart
Palm Springs Crave presents Sean Wiggins & Vicci Stewart in a live performance benefit on Saturday, September 9, from 6:30–10:30 pm at Impala. Sean and Vicci will perform from 7–9 pm. Enjoy speciality craft cocktails, vodka and tequila drink specials with delicious Tex-Mex food you can order. The $10 door proceeds will benefit DAP/Women’s Health Women of Impact, a diverse group ensuring the health and well being of women and children in our community. More info
Sing Along With Us – Camelot
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents classic movie musicals in the Sing Along With Us Film Series all summer long, 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 10 at 3 pm, come sing along to Camelot. After the arranged marriage of Arthur (Richard Harris) and Guinevere (Vanessa Redgrave), the king gathers the noble knights of the realm to his Round Table. The dashing and stalwart Lancelot (Franco Nero) joins, but soon finds himself enraptured by the lovely Guinevere. When Arthur’s illegitimate son, Mordred (David Hemmings), reappears in the kingdom and outs the secret lovers, Arthur finds himself trapped by his own rules into taking action against his wife and closest friend. 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
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LOOKING AHEAD
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
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
On the Air: KGAY 106.5
Win Tickets to Todrick Hall
KGAY 106.5 has your chance to WIN tickets to Todrick Hall: Velvet Rage on Friday September 15 at 8pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage! Todrick 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. Enter to win tickets on the KGAY Contest Page!
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. 16–18 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 - Pride Under the Pines 2023
Sat. Oct 7 from 12–9 pm in Idyllwild - Pride on the Page Book Festival
Fri. & Sat., Oct 13 & 14 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show
Fri.–Sun. Oct 20–22 at the Palm Springs Convention Center - Maximum Thrust – Palm Springs Leather Pride 2023
Oct 26–29 at various locations around Palm Springs - Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival
Sat. & Sun. Nov 11 & 12 at the Palm Springs Stadium Pavilion - Madonna -The Celebration Tour
Wed. Mar 13 at 8:30 pm at Acrisure Arena
PS…Test Moves to New Location
PS…Test has moved to their new location at 140 North Luring Street, Suite D, in Palm Springs. Founded as the first FREE clinic in Riverside County to test and treat sexually transmitted infections, they are FREE of charge for everyone and making an appointment takes just a quick and easy phone call or online booking. You’ll be treated with dignity in a safe, comfortable environment. More info
- 50 Local Artists to Perform on Pride Community Stage at Palm Springs Pride 2023
- Palm Springs International Airport Begins Two Exciting Renovation Projects to Enhance the Passenger Experience
- Restaurant News Bites: Introducing Mi Chavela Fest; Breakfast Republic Opens in Palm Desert; and More!
- Walter Clark Legal Group Reimburses Labor Day Ride Fares
- Reflections on Pride: A Pretty Good Year
At Men’s Grooming Spot, enjoy a cool spa vibe while experiencing massage, skincare, hair, waxing, and men’s nails. It is a space for men to relax, recoup, renew, and just be…because they know there is something special about feeling pampered, something powerful about giving yourself attention. Let them send you on your way into life—focused and maybe even just a little spoiled! With our HOT DEAL, you can enjoy 25% off when you get a $100 gift card to Men’s Grooming Spot for just $75! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Boozehounds, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Papa Dan’s Pizza & Pasta, Destination PSP, Rick’s Desert Grill, 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)