JulAugust is my new terms for these extended “dog days of summer”. It’s like that made up word “Thungry”. According to the Urban Dictionary, Thungry is two words put together: Thirsty+Hungry.
July + August this year just means some damned hot weather, occasional smoke in the air from wildfires and humidity thrown in for good measure.
So we are focused on things to do inside this week for our Top 3. Even “Boyz Night Out” is indoors at Hotel Zoso till the weather cools. Sure you can still jump in the pool…
Our Oasis is subject to the same global warming extremes that the world’s climate is experiencing. I’d still rather be here than most places on planet Earth. While hotter summers are going to be the norm, most months here are just glorious.
As a reformed Midwesterner, my mantra remains “You don’t have to shovel sunshine”. It’s just nice to look at snow up on our mountains.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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A Night of Bowie at The Show
The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage presents A Night of Bowie on Saturday, July 29 at 8 pm. Since the early 80’s, Syl Thompson has been paying tribute to David Bowie’s music with respect and pride. Thompson embodies Bowie’s musical style and persona; in fact, he has been acclaimed as providing the most credible and realistic Bowie experience in North America. A Night Of Bowie is a multimedia celebration of Bowie’s extensive list of memorable hits, focusing 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. Get tickets
Next Week: Tears for Fears – The Tipping Point Tour Part II
On Tuesday, August 1 at 7:30 pm at Acrisure Arena: Tears for Fears, one of the most iconic bands of the ‘80s, selling over 30 million albums worldwide with singles such as “Shout,” “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” “Mad World,” “Sowing The Seeds Of Love,” and “Woman In Chains” acknowledged as classics. In 2022, the band released their latest studio album The Tipping Point which garnered critical acclaim and has already become a fan favorite. Get tickets
Drag Star Winners at One Eleven Bar
One Eleven Bar in Cathedral City presents a Drag Star Challenge 3 Winners Showcase on Saturday, July 29 at 9 pm, featuring Sahvaren, Norma Lee High and Miss Cherry. Now that the top 3 of Season 3 have been crowned, it’s time to party! Then on Sunday, July 30 at noon it’s the Legends Drag Brunch, hosted by Vanity Halson, with only the best legends and icons from your favorite Palm Springs performers. On Sunday evening at 8 pm, The cast of Drag Star Challenge Season 3 is back for one final victory lap together in the Drag Star Challenge 3 Encore! Showcase. Get VIP tables for the showcases and tickets for the drag brunch on our event page: More info
Wine & Weenies
Wine & Weenies takes place Friday, July 28 from 5–7 pm at 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 with good people, cold wine, and hot dogs with a chance to shop late at Palm Springs Bottle Shop and Mojave Flea Trading Post. A portion of ticket sales benefits the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Get tickets
Boyz Night Out
On Friday, July 28—and every Friday night!— Zoso Fun presents Boyz Night Out at Hotel Zoso from 4–8 pm. After having to cancel last week’s event due to extreme heat, the party will resume this week with a contingency plan: in the event of extreme heat, the party will go on—indoors—to ensure the safety of guests, staff, and entertainers. The pool will remain open. This legendary pool party and happy hour is hosted by Snatch and features music from KGAY’s own multi award-winning deejay Vincente Corrales as DJ Galaxy! Come and enjoy go-go boys, awesome drink specials, pop up drag events, PS Flaggers and more to kick off the weekend! More info
PSGMC School Supplies Drive
The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC) is holding a School Supplies Drive with drop-off this Saturday, July 29 from 8 am–1 pm at the Certified Farmers’ Market Information Desk at 401 Pavilion Drive, Palm Springs. Items needed include pencils, glue sticks, child scissors, spiral notebooks, paper folders, crayons, and loose-leaf notebook paper (large rule). A “Dip Jar” will also be available for credit card donations. You can also donate and learn more at the PSGMC website.
Broadway to the BIG SCREEN – The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas
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 29 at 4 pm, the featured film is The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, an innocent little tale about Miss Mona (Dolly Parton) and Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds). She runs The Chicken Ranch, an illegal brothel with a long history in a small Texas town, and he – well, he’s the Sheriff. Trouble comes when pious reporter Melvin Thorpe (Dom DeLuise) exposes the brothel, causing outside interests to want it shut down, and putting the governor (Charles Durning) in a tough spot. And then there’s them Aggies! MeTV 103.1 fm is a proud media sponsor of the Broadway to the BIG SCREEN Film Series! Get tickets
Oscar’s Sunday T-Dance
Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs keeps the gay T-Dance tradition alive every Sunday from 5–8 pm (summer hours) in their unique outdoor space. On Sunday July 30, KGAY’s own Sunday T-Dance host, DJ Modgirl, will be spinning for Oscar’s! Get down to the happy sounds of the disco dance era and celebrate gay history. More info
Sing Along With Us – My Fair Lady
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, July 30 at 3 pm, come sing along to My Fair Lady. In this beloved musical, pompous phonetics professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) is so sure of his abilities that he takes it upon himself to transform a Cockney working-class girl into someone who can pass for a cultured member of high society. 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! 🙌
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
Indio Food Truck Fridays
The City of Indio presents a weekly Food Truck Fridays event, from 5–10 pm at Towne Street and Bliss Avenue. Check out the array of food served by the finest food trucks in the area, including Mariscos El Berrinche, Tacos al 100, Nick’s Pizza, Krazy Daisy, Pupuseria 503, Cool Cactus Candles, the Green Truck, and many more! Regardless of what you are craving, Food Truck Fridays has you covered. More info
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage 2023 is 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, BluEmber, Las Casuelas Nuevas, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Dragon Lili Boba Bar, Krispy Kreme, State Fare at the Ritz-Carlton, 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 local non-profits. More info
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
The Purple Room Autumn Season Opens Labor Day Weekend
The Purple Room Supper Club is bringing back favorites and some new names too for their Autumn Season, including season opener Debby Boone in her first performance at the Purple Room on Labor Day Weekend. The fall season features performances from Brenna Whitaker, Debby Holiday as Tina Turner, Jonathan Karrant, Sharon McNight, Meghan Murphy, Lorna Luft, The Black Market Trust, Lee Squared, Liz Callaway and more. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 31. More info
Dezart Performs New Season Packages Now Available
New Season Packages are now on sale for Dezart Performs‘ upcoming 16th season of theatre, featuring a Pulitzer Finalist, Drama Critics Circle Award Winner, and a first ever Broadway play written by a Native American. The season will consist of The Thanksgiving Play (November 3–12), What the Constitution Means to Me (January 19–28), A Case For the Existence of God (March 1–10), and Mr Parker (April 12–21). Season Flex passes are also now available and new Sunday evening performances have been added. Single show tickets will go on sale September 12. Read here for a synopsis of each play and purchase season packages here.
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On the Air: KGAY 106.5
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!
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. Every Friday, DJ Galaxy takes his turntables to Boyz Night Out, the legendary pool party (and indoor party, if it’s just too hot!) at Hotel Zoso from 4–8 pm.
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 Window Bar on Thursday from 7–10 pm and Lulu California Bistro on Friday from 6–9 pm. On Saturday, she’s at Kitchen 86 on El Paseo from 8 pm–Midnight. And on Sunday, DJ Modgirl is a special guest DJ this week for Oscar’s famous Sunday T-Dance from 5–8 pm!
On the Air: 103.1 MeTV fm
Join MeTV Music this weekend as we mark the birthday of Paul Anka on Sunday and celebrate the songs of Teen Idols. Our weekend special begins in the 7 pm hour Friday 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
- Boyz Night Out
Fri. July 28 from 4–8 pm at Hotel Zoso - 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!
At Desert Zen Day Spa they will help you relax, renew and rejuvenate. They offer full spa services for men and women: tanning, massages, facials, body scrubs and all waxing services for men and women, including Manzilians and Brazilians. Their state-licensed and board-certified team has over 21 years of experience. Visit them in Bermuda Dunes or check out their website. Learn more
At SEEK Personnel Staffing, their clients and candidates are at the heart of everything they do. Their mission is to provide the best possible staffing solutions, ensuring that their clients find the top talent they need to succeed, and that candidates find fulfilling and rewarding careers. So if you’re looking for a job or if you’re looking to hire, Coachella Valley’s Talent Matchmaker is SEEK Personnel Staffing.com. Learn more
- Restaurant News Bites: Go Taste Summer in Rancho Mirage; Luchow’s Closes Again; and More!
- ‘Barbie’ Is the Wonderful Summer Comedy We All Needed
- Meet Lisa Vossler Smith, the Modernism Week CEO Creating a Magical Miniature Barbie World in Palm Springs
- ‘I’m Home’: Mike Thompson Returns as CEO, Executive Director of The Center
- Outfest 2023: And the Winners Are…
Boozehounds is an expansive restaurant and lounge featuring a dog-friendly open-air atrium, along with a cabana bar and patio. The main indoor dining room, main bar, and lounge face the picturesque San Jacinto Mountain Range. Their Southern California menu with a Japanese influence consists of locally sourced and seasonal ingredients that can be paired with a large selection of specialized beers, wine, and unique craft cocktails. You can save big at Boozehounds with our HOT DEAL: Get a $50 gift card for just $35! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Destination PSP, Rick’s Desert Grill, Hunters Nightclub, Trevor Wayne Pop Art, Kitchen 86, 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, 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)