Friday is national “Happy Hour Day”. And Black Friday is just two weeks away, so the holidays are basically upon us!
We are still basking in the warmth of Palm Springs Pride 2021 – one for the record books for sure. Congrats to our “Light Up the Night” winners: DestinationPSP for best business display and Shann Carr for Best Home Display. Each wins air travel on Alaska Airlines and Shann gets to finally enjoy a VACAYA LGBT+ Vacation without having to do stand up!
And don’t forget to tune in Saturdays 10-12 noon PT to hear Ross Mathews on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs this month.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Brothers of the Desert Annual Wellness Summit
Brothers of the Desert is conducting their third annual Wellness Summit focusing on Black gay men and allies in the Coachella Valley and beyond on Saturday, November 13 from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Margaritaville Resort and online. Given the unprecedented individual and collective struggles over the past years, creating a safe space to support Black gay men’s health and wellness is more vital than ever. Dr. Leo Moore and Bishop Yvette Flunder will offer keynote remarks, and workshop presenters include: activist and mental health advocate Yolo Akili Robinson, public health leader and community advocate Dr. Stephaun Elite Wallace, film director Nathan Hale-Williams, motivational speaker Jared Sampson, actor and teaching artist Trey Wilson, community activist Wes Rankins, spiritual leader Tony Bradford, and CEO of TruEvolution Gabriel Maldonado. Get tickets
Speak My Words, Tell My Truth
Dezart Performs, in partnership with Brothers of the Desert, present a live staged reading of Speak My Words, Tell My Truth by Lorenz Qatava on Sunday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pearl McManus Theater. The play explores the legacy of five Black Gay writers and applies their lessons to present-day life in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. An all-star cast will be directed by Yvans Jourdain. Get tickets
Ross Mathews Radio Show Saturdays in November on KGAY!
Longtime Coachella Valley resident Ross Mathews joins KGAY 106.5 all month long with his new show airing Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Ross is seen nationally on RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Drew Barrymore Show, and more. Ross plans to focus his show on what he knows best: show biz, current events and the Coachella Valley. As Ross puts it “KGAY is celebrating Palm Springs Pride month by giving the gayest person in history his own radio show…Me!” Saturdays with Ross Mathews runs through the month of November on KGAY 106.5, on the air in the Coachella Valley and streaming worldwide online!
Pride Art Walk
JEVPIC presents Palm Springs Pride Art Walk – Weekend 2 on Saturday, November 13 from 5:00–9:00 p.m. Meet at Jannesen Artspace to go on a one mile art walk to view over 40 LGBTQ+ owned businesses and showcasing 60 queer artists. The walk ends at V Wine Lounge. It’s free but if you want to contribute you can get a wristband which entitles you to a drink; you can participate by buying raffle tickets and bidding on silent auction items. More info
Palm Springs Equality Awards
The Palm Springs Equality Awards: Cocktail Reception and Awards takes place on Friday, November 12 from 6:00–10:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum. As the Golden State reopens, the entire Equality California family is excited to gather once again as a community, celebrate victories and raise critical resources for the fight ahead. Join Chairs Lisa Middleton, Herb Schultz and Jackie Thomas as Chad Mayes receives the Ally Leadership Award and Hon. Shirley Weber receives the Equality Trailblazer Award. Get tickets
Turkey Drop-Off
Carl Borey & Cesar Alonso Borey along with Platinum Star Properties invite you to their 2nd Annual Turkey Drop Off on Saturday, November 13 from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Take a look around the new offices and see what they have been up to. You can also drop off a frozen turkey that will be donated to local food banks including the LGBTQ Center Community Food Bank and the Cathedral City Senior Center to help families in need this Thanksgiving. More info
Pup Paradise 2021
Western Xposure’s Pup Paradise takes place Friday–Sunday, November 12–14 at CCBC Resort. This three day long bear/pup play party is totally uninhibited, clothing-optional, body & sex-positive, and for those of you wanting to explore your inner pup. Featuring Canada’s own DJ Big Top, a Pup Play Pit, and free Saturday lunch! Single-day tickets available. More info
Old Dominion at The Show
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage presents Old Dominion at The Show on Friday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m. Old Dominion has emerged as one of the hottest breaking bands out of Nashville, fusing clever lyrics and an infectious sound. Their lyrical wit and hook heavy songwriting has certainly proved a winning method: since breaking onto the music scene in 2014, the band has notched eight No. 1 singles and headlined around the globe. Get tickets
La Quinta Arts Celebration
The La Quinta Arts Celebration (formerly known as the La Quinta Arts Festival), will take place Thursday, November 11–Sunday, November 14 at the La Quinta Civic Center. This is the largest celebration of art in the Coachella Valley, with 200 premier artists from 32 states and 5 countries presenting 12 categories of art. In addition you will find champagne bars, a gourmet food court, a Margarita Island, a Kettle One Vodka Bar, a winery row and live entertainment. Get tickets
The Jazz Master Award
The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival presents The Jazz Master Award 2021 on Saturday, November 13 from 2:00–5:00 p.m. This year’s award honors one of the most innovative and creative jazz artists of her time – Alice Coltrane – pianist and harpist 1937-2007. Pamela Williams, “The Saxtress,” performs, as well as members of the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz All-Star Band, and a special appearance by an up and coming student musician. Get tickets
Friends of the Palm Springs Library Online Auction
Back by popular demand, and in honor of their 50th Anniversary, the Friends of the Palm Springs Library bring you another fabulous Online Auction and opportunity to raise funds to support the library. Place your bids by Sunday, November 14 on items including rare books, beautiful art pieces, a few vintage items, and of course themed gift baskets. All monetary donations are used to support the Library’s important programs and services such as the Summer Reading Program, teen programs, book clubs, maintenance of the koi pond, purchase of new books, DVDs, ebooks, and audio books. More info
Jay’s Birthday Fundraiser
Join Jay Allen for an afternoon of fun team competition to raise $65,000 for charitable organizations on Sunday, November 14 from 12:00–5:00 p.m. at The Saguaro. All donations will be given to: The LGBTQ Center of the Desert, Rainbow Railroad, Creativity Explored and Kids In Need of Defense (KIND). Attend, register a team or simply donate to a great cause. More info
THEATRE
Bakersfield Mist
Coachella Valley Repertory presents Bakersfield Mist by Stephen Sachs and directed by Ron Celona, November 9–21. Maude, a fifty-something unemployed bartender living in a trailer park, has bought a painting for a few bucks from a thrift store. Despite almost trashing it, she’s now convinced it’s a lost masterpiece by Jackson Pollock worth millions. But when world-class art expert Lionel Percy flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he has no idea what he is about to discover. Inspired by true events, this hilarious and thought-provoking new comedy-drama asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. Get tickets
Murder at the Howard Johnson’s
Desert Theatreworks presents Murder at the Howard Johnson’s by Sam Bobrick and Ron Clark, running through Sunday, November 21. Murder at the Howard Johnson’s is a laugh-out-loud riot featuring a woman, her husband and her lover hatching hilarious murder schemes…unsuccessfully. Set in a Howard Johnson’s hotel room in the 1970s, this comedic love triangle is filled with plot twists and surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is one ridiculous situation and extravagant sight gag after another in this rapid-fire comedy. Get tickets
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Hedwig and the Angry Inch, playing now through Sunday, November 21. This rock musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask tells the hilarious, harrowing, and essentially uplifting tale of how a “slip of a girlyboy” from communist East Berlin, Hanschel, becomes the “internationally ignored song stylist” known as Hedwig after a botched sex change operation. With a little help from her band, Hedwig examines her quest for her other half, for love, and ultimately for her identity. All seats get cocktail service before and during shows. Get tickets
LOOKING AHEAD
DBA Networking Mixer at Wabi Sabi
Join the Desert Business Association for their Networking Event at Wabi Sabi Japan Living on Monday, November 15 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Wabi Sabi Japan Living is a home goods retail store that imports tableware, Sake, chopsticks, knives, tea, cookware and food from Japan and Asia. Check out their new location at the corner of N Palm Canyon and Amado! More info
Screening Wednesday: L.A. A Queer History – Where it All Began
The Mizell Center is screening L.A. A Queer History: Where it all Began on Wednesday, November 17 at 5:30 p.m. Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5 are proud community partners in presenting this film about the history and culture of Los Angeles’ lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Though often overshadowed by their New York counterparts, Los Angeles gave rise to one of the most influential LGBTQ cultures and activist movements. Filmmaker Gregorio Davila will be on hand for a discussion after the screening. More info
Del Shores’ This Side of Crazy
Palm Canyon Theatre presents This Side of Crazy by Del Shores (You may have heard him chatting with John Taylor recently on the KGAY morning show). The show plays one weekend only, Thursday–Sunday, November 18–21. “Little superstars for Jesus,” the singing Blaylock Sisters, are all grown up and kind of a mess. When their overbearing mother, Ditty, “volunteers” them for a star-studded reunion performance, all hell breaks loose. More info
Jazzville Palm Springs: Tropical Follies
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five Entertainment, presents the Tropical Follies on Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Discover the beauty of Latin America with this Vaudevillian extravaganza that will take you from coast to coast through a night of hot rhythms! Created by Brazilian dancer and choreographer Mila Spigolon, Tropical Follies presents an intoxicating blend of old Hollywood Technicolor musicals with a fresh approach featuring high class vaudeville acts, cinematic musical numbers and beautiful showgirls! Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites available. More info
- Palm Springs Equality Awards
Fri. Nov. 12, 6:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum - Brothers of the Desert Annual Wellness Summit
Sat. Nov. 13, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Margaritaville Resort and Online - 2nd Annual Turkey Drop Off
Sat. Nov. 13, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Platinum Star Properties - Talk of the Town: Gay Times in the Desert…A History & Its Archives
Tue. Nov. 16, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Online - Screening of L.A.–A Queer History, Where it All Began
Wed. Nov. 17, 5:30 p.m. at Mizell Center - 17th Annual Greater Palm Springs Summit
Thu. Nov. 18, 9:00–11:00 a.m., Online - Jazzville Palm Springs: Tropical Follies
Thu. Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m - Del Shores’ This Side of Crazy presented by Palm Canyon Theatre
Thu. Nov. 18–Sun. Nov. 21 - Murder at the Howard Johnson’s presented by Desert Theatreworks
Nov. 5–21 - McCormick’s 71st Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction
Nov. 19–21 at the Palm Springs Convention Center - A Night on Broadway with Desert Winds Freedom Band
Sat. Nov. 20 from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at Temple Isaiah Palm Springs - The Center’s Wreath Auction
Mon. Nov. 22, 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge - 28th Annual Palm Springs Open LGBT Tennis Tournament
Nov. 25–28 at Mission Hills, Monterey, and Sunrise Country Clubs - Jonathan Karrant – Lush Life: Best of the American Songbook
Sat. Nov. 27 at The Purple Room Supper Club - 12th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show
Sun. Dec. 5, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum
- 2021 Palm Springs Pride Was Much More than a Pride Celebration
- Modernism Week 2022 Features Tours of Rarely Seen Places
- BWW Review: MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON’S at Desert Theatreworks
- Celebrate the Grand Opening of The Living Desert’s New Rhino Savanna
- All the LGBTQ+ Holiday Movies & Shows We’re Excited For in 2021
Coachella Valley Coffee Co. is family-owned and operated, and great coffee is their mission, their craft, and their passion. Every morning at their roastery in the Coachella Valley, they brew a few selections of their latest roasts, sip & savor. Even after 26 years in the coffee business, they still marvel at the wonderful sensations a great cup of coffee provides, and with our HOT DEAL you, too, can marvel for half-price! Get $20 worth of coffee or tea from Coachella Valley Coffee Co. for just $10! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Jolene’s Bar & Grill, One Eleven Bar, Destination PSP, Grand Central, Lulu California Bistro, Runway, Monster Shakes, Mary Pickford Theatre, Roost Lounge, Johannes 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 a.m. 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 a.m.–4 p.m. And Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. throughout November, it’s Coachella Valley resident Ross Mathews with his very own radio show!
