Bad Bunny will take the halftime stage at this year’s Super Bowl from San Francisco. I’m on my way to the city by the bay as you receive this email and read my Friday blog. But I don’t have press seats or a sugar baby to get me into the Big Game. (That’s how businesses have to refer to it in order not to get sued by the NFL!)
Instead, I’m visiting the Castro Theater and District for the first time since COVID for the reopening of the storied venue. My good friend and PR maven David Perry was telling me about the final plans for media tours and kick off event as we had Koffi last week.
I thought, “Why not go up for the Castro Theater’s re-christening” and David made it so. It’s a screening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I’ll report Monday on KGAY during my regular appearance on the John Taylor morning show and let you, dear readers, know how it went.
Given that it’s Super Bowl weekend, hotel rooms were hard to come by and expensive. But knowing the venue’s history (which I wrote about a few weeks ago), it was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. After all, I’d been at The Plaza Theatre’s press opening and tours prior to opening. I didn’t shell out the money for Cynthia Erivo, (nor did I complain about ticket prices for that show since it raised money for the foundation.) My first show was PSGMC’s Christmas show.
Back to Bad Bunny where we started. He’ll own the halftime stage, while Green Day fires up the crowd earlier during the Super Bowl opening ceremony — two acts who reliably get under Donald Trump’s skin. He’s behind TurningPointUSA’s All-American halftime show, competing for viewers. But their offering is Kid Rock, whose questionable lyrics about underage girls might make Jeffrey Epstein blush.
I’ll be safely back in my Palm Springs bubble before kickoff on Sunday, having made my pilgrimage to the street where Harvey Milk’s photo store set the stage for his activism and ultimate sacrifice for LGBTQ+ rights.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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Big Game Viewing Parties
Agua Caliente Casinos is gearing up for an action‑packed Big Game celebration on Sunday, February 8, with viewing parties happening across all three properties. Fans can catch every play at the award‑winning 360 Sports locations in Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage, or experience the excitement on the massive screens inside The Show. Guests can enjoy food and drink specials, exclusive access options, premium seating, lively atmospheres and plenty of game‑day energy. More info
Streetbar hosts its annual Super Bowl Tailgate Party on Sunday, February 8, with kickoff at 3:30 pm and food served around 3 pm, creating a lively afternoon for football fans and friends alike. Guests can settle in for the big game with classic tailgate bites and a festive atmosphere in one of the bar’s long‑running community traditions [More info]. Hunters Nightclub hosts a Super Bowl Watch Party of their own with food, drinks and the big game on the big screen [More info], as does one eleven bar in Cathedral City [More info].
Reduce, Reuse, Redress
Reduce, Reuse, Redress invites the community to refresh their closets with purpose on Saturday, February 7 from 2–7 pm at participating businesses in the Arenas District. Guests are encouraged to donate their previously worn but still fabulous Red Dress Dress Red outfits, all of which will help stock a special pop‑up resale event on February 21. Every donation earns an entry into prize drawings for pairs of general admission RDDR tickets or tickets to the Sunday pool party [More info]. And set your reminders: Tickets for Red Dress Dress Red 2026 go on sale Wednesday, February 11 at 9 am…they famously sell out fast! Get tickets
BAM!Tastic with Alexis Mateo
RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite Alexis Mateo brings her high‑energy BAM!Tastic showcase to The Social Cafe and Play Lounge on Saturday, February 7 from 6–8 pm. Expect live vocals, fierce fashion and the full force of Alexis’ signature charisma in a night built for fans who love big personality and bigger performances. With a special half‑price offer available using promo code ALEXIS 50, this is a prime chance to experience her fabulousness up close. Get tickets
Tour de Palm Springs
The 28th Annual Tour de Palm Springs returns to downtown on Saturday, February 7, celebrating its theme of honoring military, first responders, and veterans with one of the most spirited charity rides in the country. Participants can choose from a wide range of walking and cycling routes as the event winds through the Coachella Valley, welcoming riders of all levels, including those on e‑bikes. Known for drawing thousands of cyclists and supporting more than 150 local nonprofits since its inception, the Tour offers a community‑driven atmosphere from start to finish, complete with medals for all who take part. More info
Gay Softball New Player Clinic
The PS Gay Softball League welcomes new players on Saturday & Sunday, February 7 & 8 at 9 am at Demuth Park for a friendly, low‑pressure clinic designed to introduce newcomers to the league. This is not a tryout but an opportunity for players of all experience levels—from beginners to those returning to the game—to have their skills assessed so they can be matched with the right team. Participants are encouraged to bring a glove, good shoes, water, and a positive attitude. More info
Varla Jean Merman is The Drowsy Chappell Roan
Varla Jean Merman storms into Palm Springs Cultural Center with a deliriously fun new spectacle, serving up her own drowsy, deliciously off‑kilter take on Chappell Roan and today’s reigning pop powerhouses. The evening performances for Thursday–Saturday, February 5–7 at 7:30 pm are now sold out, but a newly added Saturday matinee on February 7 at 3 pm is scheduled by popular demand. She rewires hits from Chappell Roan, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Doechii and Miley Cyrus, all while unraveling her accidental identity crisis with trademark wit, glamour and theatrical chaos. With Todd Alsup joining the ride, this is Varla at her most playful and pop‑obsessed. Get tickets
Soul Springs Festival
The Soul Springs Festival returns to the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater on Saturday, February 7 from 1–6 pm, bringing an afternoon of soul, R&B, and community connection back to the Coachella Valley. Following a sold‑out debut, this second annual celebration invites guests to settle in with picnic baskets and blankets for a relaxed outdoor experience filled with live performances, wine tastings, local vendors, and the joyful spirit of a true musical reunion. More info
Sweet Jazz Opening Reception
Rubine Red Gallery hosts the Sweet Jazz Opening Reception on Saturday, February 7 from 5–8 pm, celebrating the legacy of Malcolm Myers and his lifelong devotion to America’s great musical art form. Inspired by his early years in New York’s historic jazz clubs, Myers translated the rhythm, soul, and improvisational spirit of jazz into watercolors, etchings, intaglios, oil, and acrylic works that capture the genre’s unmistakable energy. More info
Our Voices Our Stories: Celebrating Black Authors
The Mizell Center hosts the second annual Our Voices Our Stories: Celebrating Black Authors on Sunday, February 8 from 10 am–1 pm, a free community gathering presented with the Palm Springs Public Library and Brothers of the Desert in honor of Black History Month. The morning begins with a welcome reception before featured authors RK Russell and Toni Ann Johnson take the stage for conversations about their work, their journeys, and the power of storytelling. More info
Hair
Hair opens at Palm Canyon Theatre on Friday, February 6, launching a spirited run through March 1 that channels the raw energy and cultural revolution of the 1960s. Audiences are invited into a world of peace, love, and youthful rebellion as a tribe of free‑spirited hippies navigates identity, protest, and the power of community. With its electrifying rock score and timeless call for change, this landmark musical continues to resonate with its bold, joyful, and unapologetically revolutionary spirit. Get tickets
Camp Morning Wood
Camp Morning Wood is making its west coast premiere, presented by the new PRISM Theater at The 4707 for a run that continues through Sunday, March 22. Fresh from its Off‑Broadway success, this bold and irreverent musical follows a newly engaged couple who unexpectedly land at a gay nudist camp, setting the stage for cheeky comedy, lively songs and outrageous choreography. Get tickets
The Art of Science
The Art of Science offers an intimate one‑man performance that blends live music, immersive visuals, and thought‑provoking scientific storytelling. Created by local artist Patrick Olson and refined after a successful Off‑Broadway chapter, the show invites audiences to explore connection, consciousness, and the universe in a uniquely moving way. Complimentary preview performances take place Saturdays from 7:30–8:45 pm and Sundays from 2–3:15 pm. More info
McCallum Theatre Orchestra
The McCallum Theatre Orchestra returns this weekend with performances on Friday, February 6 at 8 pm and Saturday, February 7 at 8 pm, led by renowned conductor Richard Kaufman. Known for his decades of work shaping the sound of film and television, as well as his celebrated tenure with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s CSO at the Movies series, Kaufman brings a program that highlights the power and sweep of music created for the screen. Get tickets
This Week at the Plaza Theatre
On Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7, the Plaza Theatre unveils rePLAY: The Importance of Being Earnest (in New York), a star‑studded script‑in‑hand performance featuring Christine Ebersole, Isabella Coben, Judy Kaye, Priscilla Lopez, Jess Salgueiro, Ryan Spahn, Michael Urie, and Lillias White. Then on Sunday, February 8, feed your inner dancing queen with MANIA: The ABBA Tribute, a globe‑touring celebration of ABBA’s greatest hits, complete with stunning vocals, choreography, and disco‑era magic. Get tickets
National Wear Red Day
National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 6 invites everyone to stand in solidarity for women’s heart health by wearing red and helping raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Landmarks across the country—including the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—will glow red in support, while the American Heart Association encourages all to join the Go Red for Women movement by sharing the message and spreading awareness throughout the day. More info
ALSO THIS WEEKEND
- Friday, February 6
- Drag Bingo | 4:30–7 pm at Arrive Hotel
- Food Truck Fridays | 5–10 pm in Downtown Indio
- The Kinsey Sicks (SOLD OUT) | 6–9:30 pm Fri & Sat at The Purple Room
- Laughter on the 23rd Floor | Fri, Sat & Sun at 7:30 pm at Desert Theatreworks
- Saturday, February 7
- Sober & Strong | 8–9 am at Atlas Training Club
- Special Talk: Love, Desire & Relationships | 11 am–12:30 pm at The Dharmachakra Kadampa Buddhist Center
- Heart of Rock & Roll (Huey Lewis Tribute) | 4:30 pm at The Gardens on El Paseo
- Palm Springs Air Museum Annual Gala | 5:30–8 pm
- The Rat Pack Hour | 7–8:30 pm at Rancho Mirage Amphitheatre
- Dance Ranch: Marvin Gaye Line Dance with Kyle Young | 7 pm at Step by Step
- Sunday, February 8
- A.M. Stream with Modgirl | 10 am–1 pm at Café la Jefa
- Desert Hot Springs Classical Concerts: Oakwood Brass | 4–5 pm at Grace Church
- Elvis: The Early Years with Scot Bruce | 5–8:30 pm at The Purple Room
- Ongoing
- Artists Council Exhibition: Timeless Traditions, Modern Context | through March 1 at the Artists Council Artist Center at the Galen
KGAY Wants to Hear From YOU! – Survey Closes Sunday Feb 8
As a KGAY 103.1 listener, you already know we’re always hustling to stay ahead of the fast‑moving world of radio and technology. We want to keep delivering the content you love in the ways you actually use, which is why we’re inviting you to take part in our annual tech survey. Tell us how radio fits into your day alongside social media, smartphones, tablets, streaming and the web—everything that keeps you connected to entertainment, news and updates from KGAY and beyond. You might even enjoy taking a moment to reflect on how your own listening habits have evolved as a KGAY fan! Take the survey by Sunday, February 8
A Fresh New Glow on Sunny 106.5 and KGAY is Now at 103.1
Sunny 106.5 is the Coachella Valley’s new home for feel‑good hits from the ’90s, 2000s, and beyond, pairing bright, familiar favorites with local updates and weekday weather from Patrick Evans. At the same time, KGAY has kicked off the New Year on a stronger, farther‑reaching signal at 103.1 FM, expanding its coverage and adding HD digital sound while continuing to stream worldwide.
Score Your Rivalry Merch
Ride the Heated Rivalry wave with a fresh batch of themed T‑shirts now available through the Pride Store. Some designs rep your favorite fictional teams from the show, while others turn up the temperature with bolder, more provocative takes. Pick your style, show your fandom, and save 10% at checkout with promo code SAYKGAY. Shop Now
NEW Spring 2026 Visitor Map & Guide – FREE!
Check out the latest Spring 2026 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, all curated to make exploring the valley even easier. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, as well as at hotels, visitor centers, and participating sponsors, or view it online.
LOOKING AHEAD
WEDNESDAY: Red Dress Dress Red Tickets on Sale
Red Dress Dress Red returns to the Palm Springs Air Museum on Saturday, March 21, and tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 11 at 9 am for this famously sold‑out celebration. The city’s most imaginative night of community, color, and pure revelry invites everyone to step into the fantasy, guided by the all‑red theme that inspires unforgettable looks and larger‑than‑life energy. Anyone planning to attend will want to secure tickets the moment they’re released. Get tickets
Out at the Fair
Out at the Fair returns to the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival on Saturday, February 14 from 11 am–9:30 pm, filling the fairgrounds with music, culture, and community pride. Guests can enjoy a full day of entertainment on the Palm Grove Stage, from dance classes and live music to drag performances and DJ sets, along with the fan‑favorite Bingo Honey hosted by Deven Green and Handsome Ned at 1:30 pm, and John Taylor will be Out at the Fair broadcasting KGAY from 3–5 pm! The festival continues through March 1, offering food, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, and cultural showcases.
Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City Returns
Tastes and Sounds of Cathedral City returns with its first performance of the season on Tuesday, February 10 from 5:30–7:30 pm at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. The season opens with Radio Ready and food by Fat Boy Tacos and El Reaper Chicken, kicking off a weekly lineup of live music, local flavors and community energy. Gates open at 5 pm, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for this relaxed, BYOB outdoor series. More info
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!
- National Wear Red Day – Women’s Cardiovascular Disease Awareness
Fri. Feb 6 - PS Gay Softball New Player Clinic & Tryouts
Sat. & Sun. Feb 7 & 8 at Demuth Park - BAM!Tastic with Alexis Mateo!
Sat. Feb 7 at 6 pm at The Social Cafe and Play Lounge - Hair – presented by Palm Canyon Theatre
Feb 6–Mar 1 - Camp Morning Wood – presented by PRISM Theater
Jan 23–Mar 22 - The Art of Science with Patrick Olson
Sat. at 7:30 pm, Sun. at 2 pm at Studio 1068 - The TEN Tenors
Tue.–Sun. Feb 10–15 at The McCallum Theatre - Modernism Week 2026
Feb 12–22 - Palm Springs Modernism Show
Sat. & Sun. Feb 14 & 15 at the Palm Springs Convention Center - In the Wake – presented by THE BENT
Feb 12–28 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Valentine’s Weekend Jazz Dinner
Fri. & Sat. Feb 13 & 14 at The Purple Room Supper Club - Bernadette Peters in Concert with The Desert Symphony
Thu. Feb 19 at 7 pm at The Show - Wag & Shag at the SHAG House
Fri. Feb 20 from 5–8 pm at The SHAG House - The Chase 2026
Sat. Feb 21 from 6–10 pm at the Palm Springs Convention Center - Legends of Pop Festival: Madonna, Prince & Michael Jackson
Sat. Feb 28 at 6 pm at The Show - A Studio 54 Celebration Benefiting McCallum’s Education Programs
Mon. Mar 2 at 4:30 pm at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort - Cathedral City LGBT+ Days
Mar 6–8 at Cathedral City Civic Center Plaza - Fantasy Prom by Desert Sparkles Fund
Sat. Mar 7 from 6–9 pm at The Palm Springs Surf Club - Solid Gold Soul
Wed. Mar 11 at 7:30 pm at The Plaza Theatre - Fashion Week El Paseo
Fri.–Wed. Mar 13–18 at The Gardens on El Paseo - Palm Desert Food & Wine
Thu.–Sun., Mar 19–22 at The Gardens on El Paseo - Red Dress Dress Red Party
Sat. Mar 21 at 8 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum
ABC Recovery Center’s Building Hope: Furnishing the Future campaign invites the community to help transform its newly expanded campus into a true sanctuary for healing. After adding seven new buildings, the Center now needs support to furnish 60 bedrooms, 120 recovery beds, and vital clinical and wellness spaces. Every contribution—from sponsoring a bed to outfitting a full room—directly impacts someone’s first steps toward recovery. With a 2026 goal of $500,000, donors can give through the Giving Catalog or create personal and team fundraising pages to rally others. Help build hope
KGAY 103.1 FM
The KGAY 103.1 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 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 103.1 online
This Weekend: Modgirl kicks things off on Friday, February 6 at 8 pm as she brings her signature pulse to Friday Night Fever at Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Then on Sunday, February 8 at 10 am it’s a bright A.M. Stream session at Café La Jefa. Meanwhile, DJ Galaxy appears Friday, February 6 from 4–9 pm at Hunters for Fur Friday, and the beat continues Sunday, February 8 from 3–7 pm at Oscar’s for the World Famous T‑Dance.
WIN TICKETS to Bernadette Peters
KGAY 103.1 is giving listeners the chance to WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS to the 37th Annual Gala starring Bernadette Peters in concert with The Desert Symphony on Thursday, February 19 at 8 pm. This special evening features the Tony Award winner performing celebrated works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, and more in an intimate, deeply moving setting. It’s a rare chance to hear one of the most acclaimed voices of stage and screen bring timeless songs to life with symphonic richness. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
WIN TICKETS to Out at the Fair
KGAY 103.1 wants you to WIN TICKETS to Out at the Fair, returning to the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival on Saturday, February 14. John Taylor will be broadcasting live from 3–5 pm as the Palm Grove Stage fills the day with dance, live music, drag and DJ sets, while Deven Green and Handsome Ned host Bingo Honey from 1:30–3 pm in the Shalimar Building. It’s a full day of community, entertainment and celebration, and KGAY is sending lucky winners straight into the heart of the fun. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
- Why Palm Springs Is California’s Best Desert Getaway, According to Travel & Leisure
- February Events and Experiences in Greater Palm Springs: Culture, Romance, Art, and Desert Adventures
- Plaza Theatre Earns National Register of Historic Places Designation After Landmark Restoration
- Top Things to Do in Cathedral City: Casinos, Golf, Art, Parks, and Family Fun
- Meet All 41 Out LGBTQ+ Olympians Competing at the 2026 Winter Games
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 2026 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY over the air, stream it [here], or listen on iHeart Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-G-A-Y” 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.