Pride pops up periodically. While June is the “official” month of Pride, we tend to celebrate throughout the year. Case in point: this weekend’s CV Firebirds Pride weekend, where KGAY & Gay Desert Guide are the sponsors.
Our new hockey team is reaching out to the LGBTQ+ communities to show support, and sell tickets, of course. We have a special section reserved with reduced price tickets, so click below to get yours! Look for DJ Galaxy and DJ ModGirl spinning for two hours as the gates open two hours before game time Saturday and Sunday. I’ve got my Firebirds jersey and am ready to see a hat trick or two. (That’s the correct term, I think???)
Speaking of Pride, we’re making plans for the first Pride of the year with Cathedral City LGBT Days coming up in February. There’s going to be a tribute to Leslie Jordan, who passed in 2022. He left an indelible mark on the desert from his many appearances and films. He participated in the bed race pre-COVID and also made “Sordid Lives” a classic.
The Film Festival Gala and Red Carpet narrowly missed a soaking from this week’s intimate weather. There’s a full track of LGBTQ films including “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture” that I’m looking forward to seeing.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs,
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Coachella Valley Firebirds Pride Weekend
The Coachella Valley Firebirds take to the ice in the brand-new Acrisure Arena for two Pride Weekend games this weekend. On Saturday, January 7 at 6 pm, they play the San Jose Barracuda and on Sunday, January 8 at 3 pm, they face off with the Ontario Reign. We will be there with our KGAY/Gay Desert Guide booth, so stop by and say hi! KGAY DJ’s will be spinning pre-game shows too! DJ Galaxy will be there Saturday from 5–7 pm and DJ Modgirl on Sunday from 1–3 pm. Get your seats in the KGAY Section at a special price (seating in the KGAY section is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis) by following [this link] to buy your tickets! Pride Weekend giveaways include a pride flag on Friday and a pride sticker at Saturday’s game. You can also bid to win special Pride-themed Firebirds jerseys. Get tickets
Palm Springs International Film Festival
The 34th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival begins screenings on Friday, January 6 and runs through Monday, January 16. Films will be shown at various venues, including the Annenberg Theater, Regal Cinemas, Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Palm Springs High School, and Mary Pickford Theatre. Use the Film Finder tool (linked below) to search by section, genre, region or director to find films like Sublime (pictured): In this raw and tender coming-of-age drama, shy teen musician Manu finds himself pining for his lifelong best friend Felipe, just as his family life buckles and music becomes his one salvation. The festival will close on Sunday, January 15 with The Lost King, directed by Stephen Frears and starring Sally Hawkins; with the Best of Fest screening on Monday, January 16. Check out our listing for links to purchase passes, view the full schedule of films, and Film Finder: Get tickets
Palm Springs International Film Fest Giveaway
KGAY 106.5 has your chance to WIN a 4-pack of passes to the Palm Springs International Film Festival! This is one of the largest film festivals in North America featuring twelve extraordinary days of screenings and special events with celebrity appearances and post screening discussions. Enter to win on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page
One Vision of Queen Starring Marc Martel
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage presents One Vision of Queen Starring Marc Martel on Saturday, January 7 at 8 pm. Queen’s Roger Taylor and Brian May handpicked singer Marc Martel to take on the lead vocals for their Queen tribute tour known as the Queen Extravaganza. Marc not only sounds precisely like Freddie Mercury, but he also embodies the heart and soul Freddie poured into every song that he performed. Hear dozens of songs that Queen made famous, performed live, including “Radio Gaga,” “Tie Your Mother Down,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Killer Queen,” “Somebody to Love,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and more. Get tickets
January at The McCallum
The McCallum Theatre presents Peter Cincotti on Friday, January 6 at 8 pm, and Brian Stokes Mitchell on Saturday, January 7 at 8 pm. Also coming in January: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. / The Earth-Shattering Aretha Franklin Experience (1/12), Neil Sedaka (1/13), Jeffrey Siegel (1/16), Lucy Loves Desi (1/17), Monterey Jazz Festival Tour (1/19), The Simon and Garfunkel Story (1/20 & 21), Capitol Comedy (1/22), The Highwaymen (1/23), Music of The Carpenters (1/26), Paul Anka (1/27 & 28) and more! Get tickets
“Triple Thread” Fiber Art Show and Opening Reception
The Rubine Red Art Gallery invites you to the opening reception for the Triple Thread – Fiber Arts Group Show on Saturday, January 7 from 5–8 pm [More info]. While no art show on earth could possibly explore all of Fiber Art History — the clothes, the rugs, the tapestries and the sewing — these three artists present a compelling “splice” of contemporary Fiber Arts: Welsh artist Matthew Downham, new RRG artist & Minnesotan, Christopher Rowley, and Palm Springs’ own Nikki Virbitksy. The show will be on view January 6–23. More info
First Friday: Perez Road
Cathedral City presents First Friday Art Walk on Perez Road this Friday, January 6 from 5–8 pm. Go Where ART Lives! Cathedral City is the place for wonderful art and design galleries. Join painters, sculptors, and musicians in their studio for a peek into their process and the thoughts behind the work. More info
First Fridays El Paseo
The famed shopping district of El Paseo presents First Fridays El Paseo, a monthly evening of events all along the district. On Friday, January 6, enjoy the following: ArtWalk El Paseo: Take a self-guided tour of over 15 fine art galleries and enjoy in-gallery artist receptions, stroll the Median Art Exhibition and take selfies with the many wall murals. El Paseo Cruise Night: classic car show atop the Gardens on El Paseo followed by the famed cruise with hundreds of cars from 4–7 pm. Singer Whitney Lyman performs from 3:30–5:30 pm on the Center Lawn. More info
Games, Friends & Fun
The Center presents Games, Friends and Fun – Strategic and Party Games on the first and third Saturdays each month from 1–3 pm. This group is for LGBTQ folks interested in playing board games as a way to meet new people. Hosted by Lorenzo Taylor, in-person in Community Room One. Bring games and snacks to share! No prior experience playing games needed. More info
KGAY Sunday Tea Dance
We’re kicking off 2023 with a new show on KGAY 106.5: 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 not only the life of the party, she’s also a cover girl on magazines and billboards, a television entertainer, and an award winning producer, director, lyricist and performer. Her moniker is “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week on the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm. Listen online
Live Stand-Up Comedy Class with Mina Hartong
Professional emcee and comedienne Mina Hartong (Curve Magazine America’s Funniest Lesbians) will guide you through a six part Live Stand-Up Comedy workshop series, culminating in a LIVE Final Show! The class begins on Friday, January 6, and continues for 5 additional weeks at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, Fridays from 2:30–4:30 pm. Open to all ages and absolutely no experience necessary. Have fun collecting stories and sharing them at the final show on the last week. 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!
LOOKING AHEAD
Open Rehearsal and Auditions for Modern Men Spring Concert
Modern Men: Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus invites you to their Open Rehearsal on Monday, January 9 from 6:30–8 pm at the Palm Springs United Methodist Church. Hear the music to be sung in their upcoming Spring concert, featuring the music of Barry Manilow. After the Open Rehearsal, auditions will be held to join the chorus, or singers may come on the following Saturday: January 14, from 11 am–12 noon to audition at the same location. More info
On the Air at KGAY 106.5
Win White Party SURGE Tickets
KGAY 106.5 has your chance to WIN your way into WHITE PARTY GLOBAL’s “SURGE” on Saturday, January 21 at the Midway in San Francisco, with superstar DJs GSP and Rick Braile. Get ready to hit the road or hop on a plane to the Bay Area! Enter to win on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page
Ross Mathews is back and gayer than ever! His popular weekly radio show on KGAY 106.5 airs on Saturdays from 11:00 am–2 pm. That’s 50% more Ross because now it’s a three-hour show! Ross is a part-time Palm Springs resident and currently working on The Drew Barrymore Show, RuPaul’s Drag Race and many other projects. He will bring celebrity gossip and news, plus a rundown of what’s happening each weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings as he plays some of his favorite dance hits each weekend on KGAY. Listen Online
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
- Coachella Valley Firebirds Pride Weekend
Sat. Jan 7 at 6 pm, and Sun. Jan 8 at 3 pm at Acrisure Arena - Palm Springs International Film Festival 2023
Jan 6–16 at various theaters in Palm Springs and Cathedral City - A Bright New Boise presented by Dezart Performs
Jan 13–22 at the Pearl McManus Theater - Nunsense A-Men! presented by Desert TheatreWorks
Jan 13–Feb 5 - Dirty Blonde presented by CVRep
Jan 17–29 - The Center’s Info-A-Go-Go
Wed. Jan 25 from 3–6 pm at Margaritaville Resort - Rock the Park: The Kings of Queen
Wed. Jan 25 at 7 pm at the Palm Springs Downtown Park - The Southwest Arts Festival
Jan 26–29 at the Empire Polo Club - Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival
Sat. Jan 28 from 8 am–1 pm at Ruth Hardy Park - Modernism Week
Feb 16–26, throughout Palm Springs - International Bear Convergence (IBC)
Feb 23–27 at Hotel Zoso
Welcome New Partners!
Ball Beachwear is a new store on Arenas Road, offering the latest in resort and swimwear, shorts, tanks, and tees with an attitude. With stores in Fort Lauderdale and Provincetown they are now expanding to Palm Springs and holding a Pop-Up Mania event at 170 East Arenas Road from January 5–7 with a reception on Friday, January 6 from 6–9 pm. Shop ’til you drop their fun, colorful clothing and accessories while enjoying wine and lite bites. Their fine art collection will be on display and for sale, too! Learn more
Ryan Allen is a Loan Officer with Clear View Mortgage. He can shop multiple lenders to find you the best rate and the best loan for your situation. Whether you are a first-time home buyer, real estate investor or looking to purchase that dream home, he is the loan officer for you! Ryan is a proud member of the Desert Business Association and the National LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. Learn more
From Our Partner at PromoHomo.TV
Longtime LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist Nicholas Snow broadcasts PromoHomo.TV®—an online television network, from his bedroom!
What began as Facebook Live broadcasts in 2016 has evolved into a full-fledged online television network with multiple broadcast television-style series created for a global audience, streaming to hundreds of thousands of viewers on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and at www.PromoHomo.TV [Read the full article]
- For Austin Butler, It’s Good to Be The King
- Restaurant News Bites: Tasty Options at Acrisure; New Life for Lord Fletcher’s; and More!
- 7 Best Tours in Greater Palm Springs
- 12 Movies Filmed in and Around Palm Springs
- Must-See Local Theatre in 2023
I ❤️ Mac & Cheese specializes in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches. Also available are broccoli bowls, cauliflower bowls and many vegan, keto-friendly and gluten free options. You can BOGO Mac & Cheese with our Hot Deal when you buy a $25 gift card to I ❤️ Mac & Cheese and get a second $25 gift card for FREE! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at V Wine Lounge, Il Giardino, Grand Central, Boozehounds, Destination PSP, Kitchen 86, AMP Sports Lounge, Giuseppe’s Pizzeria, Monster Shakes, Desert Mischief, Jolene’s, Rick’s, Hunters 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 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.” Ross Mathews is on Saturdays from 11 am–2 pm, 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)