Summer conjures up lazily lounging with a good book or three. I remember spending time in our public library and around my childhood home with books as an escape, an educational tool and a way to learn how the world works.
Books have come into my purview this week as I ran into Palm Springs Director of Library Services Jeannie Kays, and we sat down for a quick lunch. The library is in the process of planning for a major renovation, but our conversation turned to the “book bans” happening across the nation.
Then, this Tweet from former President Barack Obama was shared with me – so I wanted to share it today.
Today, some of the books that shaped my life—and the lives of so many others—are being challenged by people who disagree with certain ideas or perspectives. And librarians are on the front lines, fighting every day to make the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and… pic.twitter.com/txhCTfH3Gh
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 17, 2023
My team is planning for the Fall and Pride 2023 in Palm Springs. We’ve signed on to sponsor “Pride on the Page” book festival in October (a few weeks earlier this year). Julie Warren is hard at work securing a major author – and I hear rumors that it could be someone who tells great tales…
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Sing Along With Us – Annie Get Your Gun
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, and the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus will lead the singing! On Sunday, July 23 at 3 pm, come sing along to Annie Get Your Gun. In a small town in Ohio, Annie Oakley’s (Betty Hutton) extraordinary shooting skills catch the attention of Frank Butler (Howard Keel), a renowned marksman who works for Buffalo Bill’s (Louis Calhern) Wild West Show. Instantly smitten by Frank, Annie dreams of joining the show and winning his heart. 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
🙌 You can enter to win tickets to Sing Along With Us on the KGAY Contest Page! 🙌
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
It’s time for Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage 2023, going on now through August 13. For just $10, your event wristband opens up a world of exclusive summer specials at participating Rancho Mirage restaurants so you can savor the best of the Rancho Mirage culinary scene, such as Willie’s Modern Fare, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Las Casuelas Nuevas, Shame on the Moon, Si Bon, and more. See our event listing for a link to the full list of participating restaurants and their exclusive Taste of Summer offers. Wristbands can be picked up at a variety of non-profits. More info
Barbie & Oppenheimer
The much-anticipated opening weekend for both the Barbie and Oppenheimer films is here, and at Mary Pickford Theater – D’Place Entertainment in Cathedral City, they’re running a “Barbenheimer” special to celebrate this big weekend! Purchase a ticket to watch both films this weekend and receive free refills on any size popcorn and fountain drinks. In light of the ongoing excessive heat warning in Greater Palm Springs, it’s a great time to kick back in the air-conditioned comfort of Mary Pickford’s recliner seating and maybe enjoy some of their house-made ice cream too. More info
Broadway to the BIG SCREEN – Hair
Every Saturday this summer, the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the great musicals that made it from Broadway to the BIG SCREEN (and sometimes back again). On Saturday, July 22 at 4 pm, the featured film is Hair. Although its story revolves around the Vietnam war, and the anti-war movement at the time, the musical HAIR is a timeless tale of innocence lost, young love, counter culture, flower power and the tragedy of (any) war. Oklahoma farm boy Claude Hooper Bukowski (John Savage) travels to New York with the intent of enlisting in the army. But when he meets up with a freewheeling group of Central Park hippies led by the irrepressible George Berger (Treat Williams), life suddenly looks less certain. MeTV 103.1 fm is a proud media sponsor of the Broadway to the BIG SCREEN Film Series! Get tickets
Beetlejuice Touring Company
The touring production of the Broadway musical Beetlejuice, says our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh, “is filled with the frenetic energy one expects from a staged version of Tim Burton’s cult favorite film. The sets by David Korins enhanced by Kenneth Posner’s lighting design provide the appropriate visual quirkiness.” But for Radosh, the production fell “surprisingly flat” overall. Learn more when you read his full review. Beetlejuice is playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through July 30.
Soak & Sip at The Good House
Join The Good House on Saturday, July 22 from 5–8 pm for Soak and Sip, a curated tasting of summertime wines from around the world, homemade pizzas, organic charcuterie and enjoy a sunset soak in the hottest mineral springs in Desert Hot Springs at The Good House. Get tickets
Sunsets at the Street Fair
The College of the Desert’s Street Fair presents Sunsets at The Street Fair with special evening hours on select dates through the summer. Come enjoy sunset shopping from 6:30–10:30 pm on Saturday, July 22. Your next chances for sunset shopping will be August 26 and September 23. More info
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Fest
The 41st Annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival (the biggest LGBTQ+ film festival in the world) is taking place now through Sunday, July 23, in different venues around Los Angeles. Outfest helps LGBTQIA+ storytellers overcome barriers to entry into the entertainment industry by providing critical skills, access and support to both emerging and established filmmakers. There are many events, workshops, masterclasses, and panels for both the community and filmmakers to participate in, plus all the film screenings and even a virtual festival you can enjoy from anywhere. The festival ends with a Closing Night Gala featuring Chasing Chasing Amy, directed by Sav Rodgers. More info
Vote for Mitch! – Favorite Chef
Palm Springs’ own Mitchell Battersby is still in the running for the prestigious Favorite Chef competition, presented by celebrity chef Carla Hall. In this tournament-style competition, competitors go through rounds, and those with the most votes in those rounds move on. To win Favorite Chef, one must leverage the power of social media and word-of-mouth advertising to garner the support of the public to vote. From a humble group of over 100 talented chefs, Mitch has challenged himself to prove time and again that his culinary skills are unrivaled. As he continues to work toward the finals, you can help Mitch win by voting daily, and if he wins the competition, he’s donating $5,000 to Palm Springs Pride to help keep Pride free for everyone. Vote today
Recap: Season 8 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Episode 12
Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto has published his recap of the season finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8 with Episode 12: Grand Finale. Dante asks “Who will snatch the Queen of the Fame Games crown? And who will be crowned the winner of the season and become $200k richer? Keep reading! My library is still open!” Spoiler alert, obviously, but if you’re ready to find out who won or you already saw it and you want to relive the experience alongside Dante, read all about it in Dante’s full recap of Episode 12 [here].
Wine & Weenies
Wine & Weenies is taking place every Friday in July from 5–7 pm at PSBS (Palm Springs Bottle Shop). Admission gets you two glasses of wine, a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a whole lotta fun! Come cool off on Friday evenings with good people, cold wine, and hot dogs with a chance to shop late at PSBS and Mojave Flea Trading Post. A portion of ticket sales benefits the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Get tickets
Visitor Map & Guide Summer Edition
The Summer 2023 edition of our Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide (great for locals too) is available now around town and online! We help you find everything you need to know while visiting or living in the Coachella Valley, featuring the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries and other services. You can also view it online, and download the PDF [here].
LOOKING AHEAD
2023 DBA Impact Awards
The Desert Business Association (DBA) will hold its annual Impact Awards on Monday, July 24 at 5 pm in the Cascade Lounge at the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. They will honor business leaders, community leaders and organizations who have been examples of strength and foresight in our communities. [Get tickets] This year’s honorees are:
- Business of the Year: Blackbook Bar, Palm Springs
- Business Person of the Year: Dan Gore, Oscar’s Palm Springs
- Outstanding Community Service Organization: Palm Springs Front Runners & Walkers
- Outstanding Community Service Leader: Ted Guice, G-Force Workout
- The DBA will also recognize their recent LGBTQ Youth Educational Scholarship awardees.
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!
On the Air: KGAY 106.5
Win Tickets to A Night of Bowie
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide have a pair of tickets to giveaway for A Night of Bowie, The Definitive Bowie Experience, coming to The Show at Agua Caliente on Saturday, July 29 at 8 pm. This multimedia celebration of Bowie’s extensive list of memorable hits focuses primarily (but not exclusively) on his peak years from the early ’70s through to his album The Next Day. The show has been described as being eerily close to hearing and seeing Bowie himself. Enter to win passes on the KGAY Contest Page!
Win Big Bear ROMP Passes
You can WIN a pair of Big Bear ROMP 2023 Weekend Passes with KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide! You’ll find mountains of men and mischief this August 17–20 at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake. Big Bear ROMP is one of southern California’s most unique weekend events for eight years running, featuring 15-plus hours of pool parties, dance parties, glow bowling, bitchy bingo brunch and other great social events in the cool mountain air. This year’s comedy headliner is Taylor Williamson from America’s Got Talent. Enter to win passes on the KGAY Contest Page!
Win Tickets to Out on the Mountain
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide have your tickets to Out on the Mountain, taking place Friday August 18 at Six Flags Magic Mountain! Get your gay thrills on with lots of rides, dance music, and entertainment. It’s the annual Six Flags Magic Mountain private party for the LGBTQ community. Enjoy a full park private party of entertainment and inclusive fun for 5,000+ LGBTQ and friends from 6 pm–12 am , as well as with general public from 10:30 am–6 pm. Enter to win on the KGAY Contest Page!
Vacaya Resort Sweepstakes
You can WIN 7 nights at an all-inclusive resort vacation for 2 during VACAYA’s Mexico Resort Takeover! The complimentary room includes: Beautiful accommodations for 7 nights at Hilton Vallarta Riviera, unlimited standard drinks for length of stay, delicious food in 7 restaurants, including a bountiful buffet open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a fitness center, pool and beach volleyball, kayaking & snorkeling on site, yoga classes, and of course, all the VACAYA signature activities, parties, and entertainment! SIGN UP TO WIN
Win Summer Sing Along Tickets
Musicals are back on the big screen this summer at the Palm Springs Cultural Center and you can WIN tickets from KGAY 106.5 & Gay Desert Guide! Your favorite Broadway musicals that made it on the big screen are on the biggest screen in the valley (with hot buttered popcorn and your favorite beverage) on Sundays at 3 pm, with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus leading the Sing Along. More information on the series here and you can enter to win tickets on the KGAY Contest Page!
Chill Out On Us at McDonald’s
KGAY 106.5 has your chance to WIN a $25 ARCH Card so you can sip into summer! Now, try McDonald’s refreshing, new Frozen Hawaiian Fruit Punch, or a Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry. Or stay cool with your favorite Smoothie or Frappé today. Perfect for chilling out. At participating McDonald’s. Enter to win 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 Please note: Boyz Night Out, DJ Galaxy’s regular Friday afternoon gig at Hotel Zoso is canceled this week.
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 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 Window Bar each Thursday from 7–10 pm and Friday from 4–7 pm.
On the Air: 103.1 MeTV fm
This weekend on 103.1 MeTV fm: It’s another special feature suggested to Me by listeners. Join Me for songs about eyes and what we do with them, beginning in the 7 pm hour this Friday night on 103.1 MeTV fm or listen online! 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
- OutFest LA LGBTQ+ Film Fest 2023
Jul 13–23 at various locations around Los Angeles - 2023 DBA Impact Awards – Business and Community Awards
Mon. Jul 24 from 5–9 pm at Agua Caliente Casino, Palm Springs - Vote for Mitch – Favorite Chef Mitchell Battersby
Daily voting through Aug 7 - Big Bear Romp 2023
Aug 17–20 at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake - Out on the Mountain 2023
Fri. Aug 18 from 6 pm–12 am at Six Flags Magic Mountain - 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 - Pride Under the Pines 2023
Sat. Oct 7 from 12–9 pm in Idyllwild - Madonna -The Celebration Tour
Thu. Jan 11 at 8:30 pm at Acrisure Arena
Welcome New Partners!
There’s a new LGBTQ Rideshare App called LGBTQ+ Ride! Download it now. They’re in Palm Springs, LA and Orange Counties, San Francisco and Sacramento and soon, nationwide. The way you look or who you love isn’t just tolerated, but celebrated with the new LGBTQ+ Ride App. All are welcome to ride and drive! Learn more
Sabastian Skin Care offers tailored treatments and at-home products designed to transform your skin and meet your individual needs. Male and female clients are welcome in a personal, private setting. After a brief consultation, Sabastian will customize your treatment plan. With over 25 years of experience in skin care, he knows that beautiful skin always makes a difference in how people feel about themselves. Learn more
- California’s LGBTQ+ Travel Ban Now Applies to Over Half of the States After These Three Were Added
- HRC: Know Your Rights in Every State with “MYSTATE” Text Message
- 10 Films You Must Not Miss During Outfest 2023’s Second Half
- How Mariah Hanson Created the Dinah, the World’s Biggest Lesbian Party
- Inland Empire’s First Mass Wedding to Be Held at 2nd Annual Inland Empire Pride Festival
Destination PSP produces unique, originally-designed merchandise including souvenirs, customized apparel, poolside wares, housewares and more. From mod clocks to holiday ornaments, and skin care to swimwear, they are quintessential Palm Springs. Save $10 with our HOT DEAL: Get a $30 gift card from Destination PSP for just $20! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Rick’s Desert Grill, Hunters Nightclub, Trevor Wayne Pop Art, Kitchen 86, AMP Sports Lounge, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta, Men’s Grooming Spot, V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar, Desert Mischief, Jolene’s Bar & Lounge, Willie’s Modern Fare, 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 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)