Brad Fuhr Caricature

Even with the warm temps coming back, there’s still a little snow on the mountain tops as we move into official Spring this weekend. Daylight Saving Time came in last week and the debate continues as to whether to eliminate it entirely – and if so which time “zone” wins. Studies show DST is bad for our sleeping habits – something I don’t need to make any worse than they already are.

What a fun weekend ahead with the Dress Red/Red Dress Party. Photos will reveal all on our socials – @KGAY1065 and @GayDesertGuide.

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs 

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ONE PS Picnic and Community Expo

ONE PS (Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs) presents the 13th Annual Picnic & Community Expo on Saturday, March 19 from 11 am–2 pm at Ruth Hardy Park. There will be exhibits and information booths along with a complimentary luncheon. Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5’s John Taylor will be there, broadcasting live from 12–2 pm! There will also be a special tribute to City of Palm Springs workers, live performances, cute dog contest, and a Police Department “Cornhole” contest. More info

Red Dress, Dress Red 2022

The annual Red Dress, Dress Red party in Palm Springs is one of the most bedazzling social occasions on the gay calendar and brings more than 1,200 guests together for a night of glitz and glamour. And it always SELLS OUT like hotcakes. Guests will be in everything from red top hat and tails to red sequin and feathers as they dance the night away to tunes from DJ Galaxy at the Palm Springs Air Museum, from 8–11 pm. More info

If you were unable to attend the main event, you can still see some of the best-dressed revelers when the fun keeps going at two Official Red Dress, Dress Red After Parties, from 10 pm–2 am at both The Barracks in Cathedral City and Eagle 501 on Arenas Road in Palm Springs. DJ Matt Consola will be spinning at The Barracks, while DJ Hazmat will be at Eagle 501. More info

Team Frasier Reunites to Save the Plaza Theatre

The cast and creative team of the well-loved television show Frasier will take the stage at the historic Plaza Theatre for a fun look back at the making of the pilot episode of the highly acclaimed and long-running television series on Saturday, March 19 at 1 pm. This special fundraising event, Team Frasier Reunites to Save the Plaza Theatre, features acclaimed television producers David Lee and Peter Casey and celebrated actors David Hyde Pierce and Peri Gilpin. Proceeds go to restore, preserve, and celebrate the Plaza Theatre. VIP reception to follow. Get tickets

On the afternoon of Friday, March 18 at 3 pm, the Palm Springs Chamber presents David Lee’s Walk of Stars Dedication. The star will be unveiled at the Downtown Park behind the stage and is open to the public. David Lee wrote and produced The Jeffersons and Cheers, and co-created, wrote, and directed Wings and Frasier. He lives in Palm Springs, and he is very active in local philanthropic endeavors. More info

Bianca Andreescu, BNP Paribas Open 2019 Women’s Singles champion.

BNP Paribas Open Finals

The largest international tennis tournament outside of the four Grand Slams, the BNP Paribas Open (aka “Tennis Paradise”) wraps up this weekend with the Semifinals and Finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. More info

Little Shop of Horrors Opens

Desert Theatreworks presents Little Shop of Horrors opening this weekend on Friday, March 18 and running through April 10. A deviously delicious musical send-up of ‘50s B movies, Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatergoers for more than 30 years, telling the story of a geeky florist shop worker who is secretly harboring a man-eating plant (voiced in this production by singing sensation Keisha D). His conundrum grows out of control as the sounds of early ’60s rock, doo-wop and Motown numbers fill the air. Get tickets

Color Wheel Art Show

Rubine Red Gallery presents COLOR WHEEL, a gallery show of works by Jennifer Davis & Michael Soltis from March 19–April 4, open daily from 10 am–6 pm. Come take a glorious romp around the Color Wheel with colorful vibes and large scale works. The opening reception for the show is on Saturday, March 19 from 5–8 pm. More info

Cat City Drag Contest

AMP Sports Lounge presents the Cat City Drag Contest on Saturday, March 19 at 8 pm, hosted by the reigning “Royal Highness” of Cat City, Angelique VaGorgeous. Her cast of “Shady Ladies” will flip out, cast out and make it rain…bring your umbrellas, cash, and uniqueness! The contest wraps up next Saturday, March 26 with the finals and crowning of a new winner. More info

Fashion Week El Paseo

Glamour returns with eight nights of runway shows at El Paseo Jewelers Fashion Week El Paseo, from March 19–26, at The Gardens on El Paseo. This is the west coast’s largest consumer fashion show. On Saturday, March 19 it will be Trina Turk’s 2022 West Coast Attitude gracing the runway and on Sunday, March 20 it’s Le Chien with a Twist. See our event listing for full schedule of shows [here].

Special Nights of Music at The Purple Room

Originally scheduled for three performances this weekend, The Marvelous Marilyn Maye had to cancel for now (she had a minor medical procedure preventing her from traveling to Palm Springs, but she’s doing great). In Ms. Maye’s stead, The Purple Room will be offering complimentary Jazz from 6:30–9:30 pm with the living jazz legend Rose Mallett on Friday, March 18 and the Mark Kahny Jazz Trio on Saturday, March 19. Reservations are available through Open Table or by calling the club. More info

Coming Up at the McCallum Theatre

This weekend at the McCallum Theatre: Celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2022, The Manhattan Transfer continues to set the standard as one of the world’s most innovative vocal groups with their blend of pop, jazz, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, swing and a cappella music. They perform on Saturday, March 19 at 8 pm. Also this weekend: Linda Eder on Friday, March 18 at 8 pm, and City of Rancho Mirage presents The 64th Edition of It’s Magic! on Sunday, March 20 at 3 pm. Looking ahead it’s Pink Martini next weekend (Mar. 25–28), and KGAY Palm Springs 106.5 welcomes Melissa Etheridge’s One Way Out Tour on March 29 & 30. Get tickets

10th Annual Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival

The 10th Annual Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Chalk Art Festival returns to Downtown Palm Springs on Saturday, March 19 from 7 am–5 pm. Watch top professional and student artists creating masterpieces using chalk and sidewalks as their media. Each year hundreds gather to enjoy the innovative instant art created within hours for the event. More info

Desert Open Studios Tour – Weekend 2

The Coachella Valley is home to many wonderful artists, and this weekend you can take a free tour showcasing this creative community with the Desert Open Studios Tour, Saturday & Sunday March 19 & 20 (in case you missed it last weekend). You can travel from Indio in the east through La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Springs & finally Desert Hot Springs in the west. Hours are 10 am–4 pm on Saturday, Noon–4 pm on Sunday. You choose the artists and the places you want to visit by region or by style of art. The route is up to you. Interact with artists, observe their processes, purchase artwork, participate in demonstrations and explore spaces not usually open to outsiders! More info

Grooves at the Westin

The 9th season of Grooves at the Westin presented by Westin Mission Hills Resort wraps up with their final concert of the series on Saturday, March 19 from 7–9 pm at the Westin Grooves Backyard, bringing together two great jazz icons:. Pianist David Benoit and singer Barbara Morrison featuring tumpeter Ron King and big band. Get tickets

Closer Than Ever

CVRep presents Closer Than Ever in its final weekend, through Sunday, March 20. A look into the private song vault of Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire (Big; Starting Here, Starting Now; Baby), this revue is filled to the brim with the brilliance for which these musical theatre giants are known. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh reports [here] that Closer Than Ever has succeeded in catching lightning in a bottle, hitting the right notes with first-rate material and a team that brings it all together. Get tickets

Coming soon in local theatre:

Hot Seat Retreat

If you’re a man into spanking kinks, Hot Seat Retreat is the event for you, from March 17–20 at CCBC Resort. Come for lots of fun spanking play and a pool party Saturday afternoon with a DJ. Bring your paddles, switches, or just your sexy butt. More info

RuPaul’s Drag Race Recap: Season 14, Episode 11

Dante Noto

Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto has recapped the latest episode from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14, and this week, it’s a Lip Sync “LaLaPaRuZa Smackdown,” which involves a new member of the Pit Crew with seven balls(!), and several rounds of head-to-head lip sync competition with a tight finish! Read Dante’s full recap of Episode 11: An Extra Special Episode, [here].

LOOKING AHEAD

March “Center Social” presented by KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide

KGAY Palm Springs 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide are pleased to host the LGBTQ Center of the Desert’s March Social on Wednesday, March 23 from 5:30–7:30 pm at The Saguaro Palm Springs. Join your community on the Jacinto Lawn @ the Saguaro for the return of the monthly Center Social. Relax beside the pool, enjoy refreshing drinks, and laid-back cool vibes! More info

NEXT WEEKEND: Cathedral City LGBT Days

Holding the distinction of California’s first Pride celebration of the year, the 6th Annual Cathedral City LGBT Days is just a week away: March 25–27 in downtown Cathedral City. There is much to do on each of the three days of the festival: Friday is the Opening Ceremony and Party in Town Square, with a Rainbow Lighting of City Hall, and opening of the exhibit: Sharing Our Desert’s LGBTQ+ History, plus a Del Shores comedy show at CVRep! Then, it’s concert time on Saturday when Lance Bass hosts the Pop 2000 tour featuring OTOWN, Ryan Cabrera, and LFO, co-hosted by Mayhem Miller with music also from DJ Alex D. Enter [here] for a chance to win free tickets to the Pop 2000 concert from KGAY 106.5! On Sunday, the festival’s signature event: the Parade of Beds and Bed Race, followed by Brunch in the Park! More info

On the Air at KGAY 106.5

KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide are giving away a pair of tickets every weekday to the Cathedral City LGBT Days Pop 2000 Tour concert on March 26. Hosted by Lance Bass with performances by OTown, Ryan Cabrera and LFO. One lucky GRAND PRIZE winner will receive 4 VIP “closest to the stage” tickets. Enter to WIN!

KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide are proud to welcome Melissa Etheridge to the McCallum Theatre for her One Way Out tour on March 29 & 30, and we are giving away a pair of tickets to the March 29 show. Visit the KGAY Contest Page to find out how you can win!

Saturdays with Ross Mathews is on KGAY 106.5 every Saturday at 10:00 am on the FM dial in the Coachella Valley and streaming worldwide online! Brought to you by the John White Real Estate Group. Ask your smart speaker to “Play K-G-A-Y Palm Springs.”

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Jolene’s is your LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood bar and lounge in Palm Desert, and on Wednesday, March 30 they open at 4 pm with host Mina Hartong for a special afternoon of mixing & mingling with your gay and lesbian neighbors, plus it’s your chance WIN TICKETS to see Melissa Etheridge performing at the McCallum Theatre that same night! Drawing to take place just after 6 pm, for her 7 pm show. You’re always a winner in saving money with our 50% off HOT DEAL at this LGBTQ+-owned business in Palm Desert when you get a $30 gift card for just $15! Get Your Deal

We also have Hot Deals at Nothing Bundt Cakes, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., AMP Sports Lounge, Kitchen 86, Desert Mischief, Il Giardino, Grand Central, Runway, Oscar’s, Just Fabulous, Lulu California Bistro 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. And Saturdays at 10:00 am, it’s Coachella Valley resident Ross Mathews with his very own radio show!