Planet Earth is overheated. And according to an NBC News report, there’s a limit to how our bodies can function optimally. We inherently know that – but the research comes at a time when the planet has hit its highest average readings ever recorded. 104 to 122 is the range where our bodies really revolt against the heat.
Thank “heavens” we’re not fully on broil yet this summer. As I write this on Friday morning, I have my windows open to hear the birds chirping. I don’t remember being able to do that many other July days in my decade here in the desert.
We’ll have our dog days of August for sure, and we’ve have a few very hot days. But considering our location, it’s been a great summer thus far. Maybe heatwave recipients Florida and Texas are being punished by some supreme being for their hateful anti-LGBTQ+ laws? God only knows….
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
The Rocket Man Show
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage presents The Rocket Man Show on Saturday, July 8 at 8 pm. Scotsman Rus Anderson served as Elton John’s official 70’s body double as featured in the ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ world tour. Chosen by the man himself, Rus’ performance pilots a night of greatest hits, gorgeous costumes and fierce piano playing. It’s one small step for man…one giant leap for Elton John fans. Get tickets
Sizzlin’ Summer Sale 2023
Join Gay Desert Guide, KGAY 106.5 & 103.1 MeTV fm for our 2nd Annual Sizzlin’ Summer “Sidewalk Sale” at the Hilton Palm Springs on Saturday, July 8 from 10 am–5 pm. This is your chance to find spectacular sales from our Featured LGBTQ+ friendly stores. Come enjoy great music, wine & cocktails (no host bar), and fun people as you shop for the best deals in town. KGAY’s John Taylor appears Saturday 10 am-12 noon to get the party started! More info
Sing Along With Us – Meet Me in St. Louis
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 9 at 3 pm, come sing along to Meet Me in St. Louis – The 1944 classic starring Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, and Leon Ames. Divided into a series of seasonal vignettes, starting with Summer 1903, it relates the story of a year in the life of the Smith family in St. Louis leading up to the opening of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (more commonly referred to as the World’s Fair) in the spring of 1904. Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs are proud media sponsors of the Sing Along With Us This Summer Film Series! Up next week: On the Town starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. See the full schedule on our event listing: Get tickets
🙌 You can enter to win tickets to Sing Along With Us on the KGAY Contest Page! 🙌
Boyz Night Out
On Friday, July 7—and every Friday night!— Zoso Fun presents Boyz Night Out at Hotel Zoso from 4–8 pm. This legendary pool party and happy hour is hosted by Snatch and features music from K-Gay’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, and kick off the weekend! More info
Broadway to the BIG SCREEN – Sweeney Todd
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 8 at 4 pm, it’s the famously mad musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This sad, but fiendish tale features a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the rape and death of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Meat Pies anyone? MeTV 103.1 fm is a proud media sponsor of the Broadway to the BIG SCREEN Film Series! Get tickets
Recap: Season 8 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Episode 10
Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto has your latest recap for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8, Episode 10: The Letter L, as in lesbians, the subjects of this week’s makeover maxi challenge. Dante says “The queens must share the miracle of drag and transform them into fabulous drag queens. They look none too excited, but hey, they signed up!” He questions the premise but then notes this episode brought about “a smart conversation about the women’s childhood relationship to femininity and the reclamation of queer slurs, like dyke, [opening] up some meaningful space.” Find out who became the star of the show and which of the queens are going to the finale (yet there are two episodes remaining) when you read Dante’s full recap of Episode 10 [here].
Idyllwild Arts Jazz in the Pines
Idyllwild Arts Academy presents the 29th year of its popular annual fundraiser, Jazz In The Pines, from July 3–15 on campus as well as select venues with an exciting lineup of live performances and workshops. This year’s Jazz In The Pines is curated once again by New York Times-featured jazz vocalist Rose Colella, who has performed at the festival for many years. Headliners include Grammy Award-Winning trumpeter John Daversa & Marshall Hawkins’ Seahawk MOJO, along with Euphoria Brass Band, Joshua White, Sherry Williams, Yve Evans, Rose Colella, Tom Hynes, Dan St. Marseille, Bob Boss, Frank Fontaine, Tina Raymond & The Idyllwild Arts All-Star Student Jazz Combo. Get tickets
Fellini Retrospective: Fellini’s Casanova
Thanks to popular demand, the Palm Springs Cultural Center is extending its Fellini Retrospective series through the end of 2023, continuing on the first Friday of every month. The series is part of the Fellini 100 Tour, an international celebration of Fellini’s centennial. Experience why Fellini’s name is synonymous with the international art of cinema! On Friday, July 7 at 7 pm, the featured film will be Nights of Cabiria (1957), in which the magnificent Giulietta Masina plays an eternally optimistic Rome streetwalker with a heart of gold and a head of cotton candy in her husband’s Oscar-winning masterpiece. This funny, poignant classic inspired the musical “Sweet Charity” and is a must-see for Fellini fans. 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
OutFest Starts Next Week
OutFest Los Angeles is the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the world and the 41st Annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival is set to take place July 13–23 at various locations around Los Angeles. Tickets and Passes for OutFest 2023 are on sale now. The festival will open with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, directed by Aitch Alberto, and the 11-day event will close with Chasing Chasing Amy, directed by Sav Rodgers. The Opening Night Gala will screen at the Orpheum Theatre, with the Closing Night Gala screening at The Montalbán Theatre. More info
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
Wristbands are available now for Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage 2023. 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 from July 17–August 13. See our event listing for a link to participating restaurants and their exclusive Taste of Summer offers. Wristbands can be picked up at a variety of non-profits (see the full list here). 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!
On the Air: KGAY 106.5
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! And speaking of pool parties, DJ Galaxy is also spinning Fridays at Boyz Night Out at Hotel Zoso. 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 now hanging out at The Rowan Window Bar each Thursday from 7–10 pm and Friday from 4–7 pm. She is also spinning your faves by the pool at The Paloma Resort on Saturday, July 29 from 12–4 pm! Join her for a cocktail and listen to some great beats! Listen online
On the Air: 103.1 MeTV fm
Join MeTV fm for “You’re Cheatin’ on Me,” a weekend of timeless and memorable two-timing songs. Most artists have done at least one. We’ll bring you a few dozen 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
- Sizzlin’ Summer Sale
Sat. July 8 from 10 am–5 pm at the Hilton Palm Springs - Zoso Fun Presents Boyz Night Out
Fri. Jul 7 from 4–8 pm (and every Friday ongoing) at Hotel Zoso - OutFest LA LGBTQ+ Film Fest 2023
Jul 13–23 at various locations around Los Angeles - Gay Wine Weekend
Jul 14–16 in Sonoma Wine Country - Artful Event – Mid-Summer Dance Party
Sat. Jul 15 from 8–11 pm, Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture & Design Center - 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 - Madonna -The Celebration Tour
Thu. Jan 11 at 8:30 pm at Acrisure Arena
Welcome New Partner!
LM Therapeutics has the best massage therapists in the Coachella Valley. Let their therapists work all your stress, pain and tightness away. They specialize in pain management, muscle recovery, and post-op care. Their objective is to understand each of their clients’ goals so they can tailor every treatment to have the best outcome. LM Therapeutics, your one stop shop for a pain and stress free life. Learn more
- An Organization ‘For Everybody’: Local Group Helping Long-Term Survivors Connect, Form Friendships
- Experts Weigh in on What’s Next After 303 Creative Ruling
- Honoring the Pen: The Palm Springs Writers Guild Supports Local Talent with Programming, Scholarships and Prize Money
- Palm Springs Bar Reveals Secret Drink Menu
- How To Find Sustainable Queer Joy, According to The Old Gays
Rick’s Desert Grill offers a huge selection of lunch and dinner items for all appetites, with an ample beer and wine list and great dishes with a Cuban influence like savory Cuban Ropa Vieja or Cuban Arroz Con Pollo. Try a Cuban Martini this summer, Happy Hour is 4–6 pm daily. You can enjoy all this at reasonable prices to satisfy everyone’s taste, and with our HOT DEAL you save even more: Get a $25 gift card for food & drink at Rick’s Desert Grill for just $15! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Hunters Nightclub, Trevor Wayne Pop Art, Kitchen 86, Grand Central, AMP Sports Lounge, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta, Il Giardino, Zin American Bistro, Destination PSP, V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar, Desert Mischief, Jolene’s Bar & Lounge, Willie’s Modern Fare, Lulu California 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)