We are halfway through Pride month – June is the designated time on the calendar. But Prides extend from March in Cathedral City to Palm Springs in November. (Joshua Tree this weekend!)
The thwarting of a planned Pride event attack in Idaho prompted San Diego Pride Executive Director Fernando Zweifach Lopez to write a thoughtful – and thought-provoking email calling out social media platforms for allowing hate groups to incite and spread hate.
San Diego Pride is just a month away. They outlined some of the attacks that they and other Prides have endured over the years. What stuck with me is this quote: “We do not have Pride because we are free. We have Pride because we are not! Our community will not let fear, hate, and intimidation win.” It’s important to remember this and to stay vigilant and united. And to vote!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Summer 2022 Map & Guide is Here
The printed version of Gay Desert Guide is out and about around town, pick one up to keep handy so you’ll have the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts, Dispensaries and other services! You can also browse or download the PDF of the Summer 2022 Map & Guide, right now: [here].
Glitter and Be Gay! with Lindsey Alley
One night only and direct from New York City, it’s Glitter and Be Gay! with Lindsey Alley on Friday, June 17 at 8 pm at The Roost Lounge (note the new venue, this was originally scheduled to be at the Desert Rose Playhouse). This evening of music, storytelling, and laughter features acclaimed entertainer and former Mouseketeer Lindsey Alley (a contemporary of Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, Christina Aguilera and more) with musical direction by Michael Orland. Reserve a table for dinner and a show with service by Trilussa. More info
Palm Springs Juneteenth Celebration
Get out and celebrate and support our local African American community at the Palm Springs Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18 from 12–6 pm at the James O. Jessie Desert Highlands Center. Juneteenth is a celebration of African Americans’ freedom. While it was declared a national holiday in 2020, many Americans and Coachella Valley residents do not know the significance of the day. It is the only federal recognition of the tragedy of the enslavement of African peoples in this country. This free event includes youth games (e.g. camel rides), live entertainment, DJ, speakers, and food. There will also be a teen pageant for King and Queen of Juneteenth on Friday, June 17 at the Palm Springs Pavilion. More info
Joshua Tree Pride
Joshua Tree Pride will take place on Saturday, June 18 starting at 10 am and going all day. It’s a hometown community festival with local eateries, stage with live entertainment, DJ, musicians, artists, vendors, games for the kids, beer garden for the adults and more. There will be an afternoon patio pride dance party, open mic, and an evening dance party with DJs SHOVEL and Sensit, plus a special performance by Ryan Heffington at 10 pm at the Tiny Pony. More info
Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch with Ross Mathews
Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch, hosted by Ross Mathews, takes place on Sunday June 19 at Noon at Lowes Hotels & Co in Santa Monica! Ross’ hand-selected queens for this event include Scarlet Envy, Morgan McMichaels, Jackie Beat & Barbie’s Addiction! Ross says “it is our goal that every guest at our brunch feels the positive energy we put into every aspect of our business. Why? Because a great drag brunch can change your entire attitude!” More info
Steve Martin & Martin Short at The Show
The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage presents Steve Martin & Martin Short: “You Won’t Believe What They Look Like Today!” on Saturday, June 18 at 8 pm. Don’t miss an epic night that redefines the form in unexpected and profound ways, from two of the funniest, most influential and acclaimed talents of the past century, bringing their joyous self-deprecating romp & big punch lines. Get tickets
The Newlywed Game
On Friday, June 17 at 7 pm, Oscar’s Palm Springs will be the site of a rousing round of “The Newlywed Game,” hosted by Patty Cakes, benefitting the Brothers of the Desert Emergency Fund. Also performing live: Dion Khan. 3-course dinner will be served at 6 pm. More info
Coachella 2023 Advance Sale
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly referred to as Coachella, Coachella Music Festival or the Coachella Fest) has announced their 2023 dates: Weekend One: April 14–16, 2023 and Weekend Two: April 21–23, 2023. The 2023 advance sale begins Friday, June 17 at 10 am. There is a four-pass limit per weekend, and Festival Passes are valid for the entire weekend (and only the weekend) you purchased. This annual two-weekend, three-day music and arts festival is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. More info
Old Jews Telling Jokes
Desert Theatreworks is presenting a “summer full of fun” with shows on Sundays. The June production is Old Jews Telling Jokes, with upcoming performances on Sunday, June 19 & 26 at 2 pm. Join Morty, Bunny, Nathan, and the rest of the cast as they demonstrate why “kvelling is better than kvetching.” Classic and contemporary jokes mix with songs and monologues that showcase the funny side of birth, sex, old age, and more. (Next up, for July: The Carol Burnett Show Live on Stage on July 10, 17, 24, & 31). Get tickets
Get Your Pet Microchipped
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is holding a microchip clinic this Sunday, June 19 from 9:30–11:30 am. Pets go missing in record numbers on July 4th. Microchips help get them home sooner. Thanks to a generous grant from the Palm Springs City Government, microchips are free to low income Palm Springs residents. And thanks to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, microchips for all others are just $10, including residents outside of Palm Springs! Dogs and cats welcomed. More info
RuPaul Recap: All Stars Season 7, Episode 6
Our Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent, Dante Noto, has published his latest effervescent recap of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7 (See all of his RuPaul Recaps here). Dante explains that this week, “the queens will enter the time machine to go back to the year 2000. There, they will perform in a Y2K girl group fantasy inspired by MTV’s TRL (Total Request Live)…The groups are introduced by Carson Gayly, played by the loveable Ross Mathews. I had to rewind the stream twice to determine if it was actually him. Only Ross could wear men’s clothes and look like a drag king!” Read the full recap of Episode 6: Total Ru-Quest Live [here].
Ukulele and Guitar Classes to Begin
Tap into the musical impulse that is inside us all! The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents Ukelele for Beginners, beginning Saturday, June 18 at 12 pm and continuing on Saturdays for ten weeks, through August 20. This lovely little instrument is easy and great fun to play! The strings are nylon so it doesn’t hurt your fingers…you can take it anywhere, it’s inexpensive, and just plain fun! Instructor Eric Pytryga has been teaching the guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, drums and piano for well over 20 years and specializes exclusively in Adult Beginners and Children. For non-beginners, Ukelele: Intermediate/Advanced is also offered over the same 10-week time frame, at 1 pm on Saturdays. Finally, on Saturdays at 2 pm, it’s Guitar Lessons, also with Eric Pytryga, designed for beginners, those with no previous music experience, and students who have completed Guitar for Beginners.
American Sign Language for Beginners
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert’s popular American Sign Language program is back with the great leadership of Itai Cardona starting Saturday, June 18 at 10 am. This 8-week course is for those who want to learn another language and communicate with members of the Deaf Community. During these classes, students will actively engage with exciting activities so that learning another language becomes fun again. No experience is necessary! More info
Shred It and Forget It!
Desert Arc debuts its Shred It and Forget It Fridays! program on Friday, June 17 from 9am–12 pm. These public shredding & recycling events will take place on the third Friday of every month, and local businesses and residents are invited to take part in disposing of their sensitive and confidential records, while supporting this worthwhile nonprofit. The cost is $5.00 per banker box or shred bag, and $8.00 per hard drive. More info
Becoming Austin Nation
Brothers of the Desert is a sponsor of Becoming Austin Nation, a Hollywood Fringe Festival offering in which Austin Nation will share his entertaining and humorous autobiographical piece, “From Crack to PhD: A Drag Queen’s Story.” Upcoming performances are June 19 and 24 at the Los Angeles LGBT Center Renberg Theatre. Get tickets
Sharing Our Desert’s LGBTQ+ History
Join The Palm Springs Library to experience the exhibit: Sharing Our Desert’s LGBTQ+ History presented by the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert, on display throughout the entire month of June in celebration of Pride Month. Learn more about our local LGBTQ+ community and their contributions through the decades. The exhibit will be inside the Library and available to view during regular library hours. More info
The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert will also present The Power of Story: How Local Media Put Gay Palm Springs on the Map on Thursday, June 30 at 6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center Free event, register here. The lobby of the Cultural Center has a new exhibit of news stories from various local publications about LGBTQ events that took place in the Greater Palm Springs, on display throughout the month of June. More info
Rainbow Book Month
The Rancho Mirage Library has curated a list of books to celebrate Rainbow Book Month, to highlight the writings that reflect the experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, and asexual community. Drop by the library to check out what they have on hand, or peruse the curated list [here].
Native American Arts Festival Week
Idyllwild Arts Foundation presents its annual Native American Arts Festival Week at the Idyllwild Arts campus from Sunday, June 19–Friday, June 24. The week-long event, which has run each summer for over two decades, is designed to enhance and enrich the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program with Native American arts-based programming including an invitation exhibition, demonstrations, Native food tastings, film screenings, and the Michael Kabotie Lecture Series. Free and open to the public. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Get Your ShortFest 2022 Tickets – Starts Tuesday!
Tickets for individual programs are now available, along with publication of the full schedule for ShortFest 2022, taking place June 21–27 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Each program is a curated selection of short films, running roughly the length of a feature film when put all together. In addition to screening on June 27, the Best of Fest films will also be available to watch virtually July 1–10. Of special note to our audience: The “Gayla!” program is on Thursday, June 23 at 7:30 pm and consists of six short films celebrating queer life: “Lucky Fish,” “High Jump,” “Tank Fairy,” “Work,” “F^¢k ‘€m R!ght B@¢k,” and “Naked Men in the Woods.” Get Gayla! Tickets | Get ShortFest tickets
(You can also enter to win ShortFest tickets from KGAY 106.5!)
Mark Your Calendar: Sizzlin’ Summer Sale
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide invite you to our Sizzlin’ Summer Sale on July 9 & 10 at the Hyatt Palm Springs! There will 20+ downtown retailers who will be offering their merchandise up to 75% off. In addition to all the great deals, KGAY 106.5 will be on-site broadcasting live, and there will be drinks available to purchase. Shop, sip, & shop some more! More info
Crimes of the Heart
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart from June 22–July 3. The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. In the end the play is the story of how its young characters escape the past to seize the future—but the telling is so true and touching and consistently hilarious that it will linger in the mind long after the curtain has descended. Get tickets
Pride Month LGBTQ PS Tram Hike
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert and Friends of the Desert Mountains present Celebrate Pride Month LGBTQ PS Tram Hike on Thursday, June 23 from 9 am–4 pm. Queer and trans youth, ages 14–25, are invited to join. Meeting spots @ The Center Coachella, and Indio Teen Center at 9 am. Transportation, admission and lunch are provided! RSVP by June 20. More info
On the Air at KGAY 106.5
Win ShortFest Tickets
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide are giving away 2 Tickets EVERY WEEKDAY to the 28th Annual Palm Springs International ShortFest, which runs June 21–27 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Tickets are good for a ShortFest screening consisting of 4–9 short films programmed together for a cohesive experience. Enter to win on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page
KGAY 106.5 also has your chance to WIN a pair of tickets to see Boy George & Culture Club at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage on Saturday, August 20 at 8 pm! Culture Club’s hits include “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”, “Time (Clock of the Heart)”, “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”, “Church of the Poison Mind”, “Karma Chameleon”, “Victims”, “Miss Me Blind” and more. Enter to win on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page
KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs is “The Pride of the Valley,” and you can show your Pride by proudly wearing our rainbow logo! Check out our selection of apparel and other items emblazoned with the best radio station call letters: KGAY! Shop now
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 pool party music! Listen Online
- Old Jews Telling Jokes
June 19 & 26 at Desert Theatreworks - Jeff Harnar – I Know Things Now: My Life is Sondheim’s Words
Fri. Jun 17 at The Purple Room Supper Club - Jonathan Karrant – Anything Goes!
Sat. Jun 18 at The Purple Room Supper Club - Ross Mathews Presents Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch
Sun. Jun 19 from 11 am–2 pm at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel - Palm Springs International ShortFest
Jun 21–27 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Shortfest’s Gayla!
Thu. Jun 23 at 7:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Webinar: How to Become LGBTQ+ Certified
Tue. Jun 28 from 12–1 pm - The Power of Story: How Local Media Put Gay Palm Springs on the Map
Thu. Jun 30 at 6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Sizzlin’ Summer Sale Presented by KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide
Sat. Jul 9 from 12–6 pm, and Sun. Jul 10 from 10 am–3 pm - The Carol Burnett Show Live on Stage
July 10, 17, 24 & 31 at Desert Theatreworks
- Pride Events Held Globally as Activists Demand Rights, Protest Inequalities
- Steve Martin and Martin Short Shake Things Up for Their Latest Show, Coming to Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage
- 40th Annual Outfest to Premiere Billy Porter’s Anything’s Possible
- Shop Designer Retail in the Desert and Earn Your Own Slice of Summer
- Ukraine Films Bring Dose of Reality to Palm Springs ShortFest
At Il Giardino, Chef Teresa specializes in homemade Italian/Sicilian foods according to traditional recipes of her birth family and uses her experience acquired over the years to personally prepare the dishes on the menu. Try homemade gnocchi, ravioli, noodles, sauces, gravy, fresh vegetable soups, and desserts and save 40% with our HOT DEAL: Get a $25 gift card for just $15! Get Your Deal
We have Hot Deals at Men’s Grooming Spot, Zin American Bistro, Revel Public House, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Jolene’s, Monster Shakes, Just Fabulous, Trevor Wayne Gallery, Hunters Nightclub, Mary Pickford Theatre, Willie’s Modern Fare, Runway, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., and more! See All Deals
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.