I haven’t been sleeping well this week after another mass shooting imprints on our collective psyche. Jimmy Kimmel’s impassioned monologue – sans audience – was cut short by the Dallas ABC affiliate. You’ll see why…
As we move through Memorial Day weekend, it’s difficult to “celebrate” the traditional start of summer with such recurring tragedies becoming a part of our daily lives.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you may be!
P.S. If you’re not getting the weekly “Oasis Insiders” newsletter, please sign up today so we can stay in touch.
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal
Ceremony Pool Party and Unity Closing Party
On Sunday, May 29, LYMI presents a new kind of Palm Springs day- and nightlife with the premiere of the CEREMONY Pool Party and UNITY Nightlife Event. First up is CEREMONY, the ultra-luxurious beach club experience from 12–7 pm at The Sonoran Palm Springs. This 38,000 square foot oasis features state-of-the-art sound, unparalleled views of the San Jacinto Mountains, and culinary delights.
As dusk turns to dark, enter UNITY, the first ever nightclub experience of its kind in Palm Springs, starting at 10 pm. Located at Club Asia, immerse yourself in sound and lighting created by the producers of the largest music festivals in the US, and leave inspired by concert-quality performances with bass-dropping DJs. Come play, let go, and live for today! Get tickets
Mae West Double Feature at Desert Rose Playhouse
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Mae West Double Feature: Sex and The Drag from May 25–June 5. The play that brought Mae West to the world after her arrest made national news, Sex premiered in 1926, and was deemed by a grand jury to be such “obscene, indecent, immoral, and impure drama” that it might corrupt “the morals of youth.” This forward-thinking work centers around Margy LaMont, a sharp-witted sex worker who struggles to find a better life. The Drag opened in out-of-town previews in 1927 in New Jersey and Connecticut, but was later forced to close for its portrayal of homosexuality and cross-dressing. West claimed that the inspiration behind the play came from the homosexual young men that she knew around that time who, according to her, desperately wanted to be open about their relationships with their male companions. The final scene consists of a giant Drag Ball. Get tickets
Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop
The Palm Springs Air Museum presents their annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop on Monday, May 30 from 10 am–5 pm. A brief memorial service at 1 pm is dedicated to all of our fallen comrades. In their honor, the service includes a fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter. Visitors are welcome to pick up a flower to take home. Flight exhibitions & activities are scheduled all day long, plus music from Heatwave Jazz Band, food for sale, plane rides and more. Get tickets
The Mis-Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Desert Theatreworks is presenting a Summer Full of Fun with shows on Sundays. First up is The Mis-Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, on Sunday, May 29 at 2 pm. This live radio play of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth is a behind-the-scenes old fashioned radio show that pairs an exhilarating murder mystery with backstage antics, radio jingles and live sound effects to bring this exciting mystery to life. Future shows include Old Jews Telling Jokes on June 5, 12, 19, & 26, and The Carol Burnett Show Live on Stage on July 10, 17, 24, & 31. Get tickets
Desertopia
Desertopia returns for a second year for Memorial Day Weekend, May 27–29, at Infusion Beach Club and spilling out to AsiaSF and Chill Bar. This “very queer celebration of music, dance, and art” is a uniquely Palm Springs experience: a caftan-laden pool party, a club night of extravagant proportions and an outdoor afternoon festival featuring the finest in queer talent and music under the sun and stars in the majestic backdrop of Mt San Jacinto. See our event listing for the full rundown of pool parties and nightlife events! Get tickets
Pioneertown International Film Festival
The Pioneertown International Film Festival will take place May 27–29 at various locations around Pioneertown. This celebration of Western and Indie cinema in an iconic town brings the past into the present with a BANG and a WHINNY. Former Sundance programmer Todd Luoto has curated a collection of new and classic western films including the opener, The Last Manhunt, produced by Jason Momoa (Aquaman) along with live music and special presentations such as spotlighting Native Americans in “The Indigenous Image in Westerns.” Get tickets
Betti & Bruce: Trapped in Palm Springs!
Betti & Bruce: Trapped in Palm Springs! will debut on Friday, May 27 at 7 pm at Oscar’s. Betti Blumenthal & Bruce Delmonico are world-renowned lounge singers, an old school singing, dancing, schtick-ing, oversharing, and over-belting nightclub act that have played every music hall, mega church and steak joint you can think of. Merging high class singing with low brow musical comedy chops, Los Angeles based performers Rayna Hickman and Jason Winfield pay ridiculous homage to lounge and nightclub acts of old with their alter egos, Betti & Bruce, who are sure to make you spritz your pants, gaze in wonder, and possibly ask for more. Get tickets
Sunnylands Season-Ender
Open to guests of all ages, Sunnylands Center and Gardens invites you to close out the season and welcome summer with a FREE, fun-filled dance celebration on Sunday, May 29 from 7:30–9 pm. Enjoy a family friendly musical playlist by Alf Alpha with Super Sonido DJ Bus. Get crafty with the The S.C.R.A.P. Gallery who will guide participants in creating a coral reef with recycled materials. Shake the summer heat and cool off with some delicious frozen treats. More info
Memorial Day Weekend at CCBC
Spend Memorial Day Weekend at CCBC with KGAY’s own DJ Galaxy, on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 & 29 from 12–4 pm. CCBC is the largest clothing optional Gay men’s resort in Southern California, located just a few minutes from downtown Palm Springs. Their 3.5 acre fantasy playground is perfect for weekend get-aways and extended stays. DJ Galaxy will be poolside both Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. More info
Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute Show
The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage presents Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute Show on Saturday, May 28 at 8 pm. Featuring Jason Tenner as Prince, Purple Reign captures the imagination and seamlessly re-creates the blistering performances and raw energy of Prince in his prime and returns you to the era that made “the artist” an international superstar. Featuring a tribute to Morris Day and the Time, this show is a must-see for “Purple Rain” movie fans and all live music fans alike! Get tickets
This Weekend at The Alibi
The Alibi Palm Springs is a great place to go for music, food & cocktails, with fresh entertainment every week. On Friday, May 27 it’s An Evening with Hermanos Gutierrez at 9 pm. Sunday, May 29 has Friends in Low Places present Rob Leines + Lasers Lasers Birmingham, Nick Mudd and Ben Reddell at 5 pm and on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) it’s Planet Booty at 8 pm. Get tickets
CalComMen Pool Party
Join the always-wonderful men of CalComMen at their first Pool Party of the year on Sunday, May 29 from 12–6 pm to celebrate. This event is clothing-optional, drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics-free. Potluck assignments will be sent to all confirmed RSVPs. Trophies will be awarded for Best Dressed & Best Undressed, and capacity is limited to 100 vaccinated men. More info
Brothers of the Desert Book Club
The Brothers of the Desert Book Club (BODBC) is offering members and allies an opportunity to meet bi-monthly to discuss their community’s literary history, meeting on Zoom twice a month: the second and fourth Saturday afternoons, this weekend on Saturday, May 28 at 3 pm. The selection for May and June is The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. This National Book Award finalist is about “the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence.” The BODBC is more than a book club, it’s a social and networking event as well as an opportunity to become better individuals and be the change you want to see in the world. More info
RuPaul Recap: All Stars Season 7, Episode 3
Our Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent, Dante Noto, is back with his latest recap of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7 (See all of Dante’s RuPaul Recaps here). This week, strategy and intrigue boil under the surface while the queens play a word puzzle for the mini-challenge, and create three looks for the maxi-challenge, including a Vanna White-inspired glamour look, and some punny mash-ups (think Olivia Newton-John Waters). Read the full recap of Episode 3: The Realness of Fortune Ball here.
Last Call: 2022 LGBTQ Community Survey
Please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 16th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey! Participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. This annual research closes May 31. Make your voice heard! [Click here to take the survey]
Click it or Ticket
This year’s Click it or Ticket campaign is from Monday, May 23–Sunday, June 5. During this time, the Palm Springs Police Department will have additional officers on patrol actively looking for drivers and passengers who are not wearing a seat belt. This includes vehicles where children are not secured in child safety seats. Buckle up!
LOOKING AHEAD
Rock the Park: Fleetwood Mac Tribute and Forever Marilyn Celebration
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce presents the latest in their free “Rock the Park” concert series on Wednesday, June 1 at 7 pm at the New Downtown Park. This month, it’s Mirage, a Fleetwood Mac tribute Band that celebrates the classic “Rumours” era lineup of the legendary superstar band. Endorsed as one of “The World’s Greatest Tribute Bands” by Mark Cuban’s AXS TV and heartily praised by Stevie Nicks herself. More info
June 1 would also have been Marilyn Monroe’s 96th birthday, and in celebration of her special day, the “Forever Marilyn” sculpture in downtown Palm Springs will be lit with a special pink light for one night only–a commemorative photo opportunity! At 6:15 pm, prior to the “Rock the Park” concert, 500 red velvet cupcakes with pink frosting will be shared with attendees. Mirage will also sing “Happy Birthday” to Marilyn and invite the public to join in. More info
Theatre Thursdays Live on Stage at CVRep
CVRep’s Theatre Thursdays are back, and they are no longer Zoom events, back to being “Live on Stage.” Come see a different cabaret, concert or entertaining event each Thursday at 7 pm through September 1. Next week: On Thursday, June 2, Edmund Bagnell plays the violin. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh has a preview of some highlights of this series [here], and see our event listing for the full lineup of performers! Order ahead and save with 5 shows for the price of 4. Get tickets
WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival
The WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival runs for 40 days, from Harvey Milk Day, May 22, through the end of Pride month, June 30, at various locations throughout the City of West Hollywood with some online programs. Check out our bookmark for more details. Each year, the City of West Hollywood celebrates the artistic contributions of the LGBTQ community with its vibrant LGBTQ Arts Festival, which is now known, starting in 2022, as the WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival. The theme for 2022 is With Liberty, Diversity, Inclusion, and Progress For All. More info
On the Air at KGAY 106.5
Celebrate Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday with Peter Mac
You can win tickets to celebrate Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday with a very special performance on the day itself: Friday, June 10 at 8 pm, when Peter Mac brings his Judy Garland tribute show to Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage! Peter Mac has won awards and critical claim for his accurate and loving portrayal of the woman Tony Bennett called “The World’s Greatest Entertainer.” Enter to win on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page
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. ShortFest is the largest showcase of short form cinema in North America: 7 days, screening 300 shorts from 65 countries. 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
Gay Wine Weekend
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide have your chance to win 2 VIP Passes to Out in the Vineyard’s “Gay Wine Weekend,” July 15–17 in beautiful, pastoral Sonoma County. This is a full weekend of wine & celebration with winemaker dinners, winery tours and events benefiting Face To Face, Sonoma County HIV/AIDS Network. Enter to win on the KGAY 106.5 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 pool party music! Listen Online
- Mae West Double Feature: Sex and The Drag
May 25–June 5 at Desert Rose Playhouse - Ceremony Pool Party and Unity Closing Party
May 29 at AsiaSF and The Sonoran - The Mis-Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sun May 29 at 2 pm at Desert Theatreworks - Annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop
Mon. May 30 from 10 am–5 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum - Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Jun 3–12 at various bars & restaurants across the Coachella Valley - Billy Stritch – Cy Coleman Revisited
Fri & Sat, Jun 3 & 4 at The Purple Room Supper Club - WeHo Pride Weekend
Jun 3–5 in and around West Hollywood Park - Old Jews Telling Jokes from Desert Theatreworks
Jun 5, 12, 19 & 26 - LA Pride! In the Park
Sat. Jun 11 at LA State Historic Park - The Official LA Pride Parade
Sun. Jun 12 at Hollywood and Vine - Palm Springs International ShortFest
Jun 21–27 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
Welcome New Partners!
Your hosts Willie Rhine and Chad Gardner (1501 Uptown Gastropub, Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, 533 Viet Fusion and Roly China Fusion) proudly introduce Willie’s Modern Fare, offering a range of seasonal freshly prepared food and a comprehensive drinks selection, along with first class service. Learn more
- Restaurant News Bites: Get Ready for Restaurant Week; Certified Farmers’ Markets Manager Says Goodbye
- City of West Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ Arts Festival 2022 Kicks-Off
- The Desert Roadrunners Plan on Participating in the Annual 545-Mile AIDS/Lifecycle Until There’s a Cure
- Savor the Start of Summer as Restaurant Week Returns to Greater Palm Springs
- Lunch Spots to Try During Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Our new partner, Willie’s Modern Fare, is also our featured HOT DEAL this week! Here’s your chance to check out Willie Rhine and Chad Gardner’s latest venture (who, between them, have brought us 1501 Uptown Gastropub, Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, 533 Viet Fusion, and Roly China Fusion) and save 30% while you do it! Get a $25 gift card for just $17.50! Get Your Deal
We have Hot Deals at Men’s Grooming Spot, Zin American Bistro, Revel Public House, Kitchen 86, Jolene’s, El Patio, Il Giardino, Trevor Wayne Gallery, Just Fabulous, AMP Sports Lounge, The Purple Room, Bear Wear, Boozehounds, 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.