October is flying by with each weekend’s calendar of fun events and activities busier than the last. It culminates with Halloween on Arenas and Leather Pride weekend.
In between, the BNP Paribas Open, Modernism Fall Preview, CenterStage, Desert AIDS Walk and oh so much more.
We just released our first printed Map & Guide since January 2020 and you’ll find a full calendar for the upcoming year on the back cover. We also have the digital version HERE. Thanks to our many advertisers who helped make it possible. Send the link to your friends who may be visiting or pick up a copy and send it through the US Mail (and hope it arrives!)
The Pride lineup rocks my world and we can’t wait to be involved with our “Light Up the Night” contest presented by Alaska Airlines and with a Vacaya LGBTQ+ vacation as the grand prize. Stay tuned!
Don’t for get to vote in the Coachella Valley Independent Best of where KGAY and our peeps are nominated four times! We especially are proud of DJ Eric Ornelas and DJ Galaxy who spin the Retro Lunch and Retro Sunday Brunch!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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BNP Paribas Open is Underway
The 2021 BNP Paribas Open kicked off Monday, October 4 and continues through Sunday, October 17 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This is the largest two-week combined ATP & WTA professional tennis tournament outside of the four majors. While the first-ever fall edition of the BNP Paribas Open was already slated to feature a women’s event with 96-player singles draw and 32-team doubles draw, the men’s event will now have the same size fields as well with a full two-week schedule. The tournament will require all fans, staff, sponsors, media and vendors to show valid proof of full vaccination, but there will be no limit on the number of fans at the tournament. More info
The Producers at Desert Theatreworks
Desert Theatreworks is back and presenting their acclaimed production of Mel Brooks’ Broadway hit The Producers, opening Friday, October 8 and running through Sunday, October 31. The Producers features Max Bialystock, the onetime king of Broadway producers hungry to strike it rich, and Leo Bloom, an accountant with dreams of someday becoming a theatre producer, scheming to get rich by producing a flop, until it all goes wrong when the show is a hit. Get tickets
Revivals After Dark Back Alley Event
Revivals After Dark presents the Back Alley Event on Friday, October 8 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This fundraiser to benefit DAP Health and Palm Springs Leather Order of The Desert will take place at the Revivals Palm Springs Back Alley, where you can shop for adult art, resale leather, and “porn-again” magazines & books. You also will have the chance to meet the 21 Palm Springs Leather Contestants! More info
Western Xposure: Fall 2021 Bear Party
Western Xposure is a four day long bear party from Thursday, October 7 through Sunday, October 11 at CCBC Resort. It’s totally clothing-optional, body & sex-positive, and you can make it whatever you want, or need, it to be. Pool parties run all day long with poolside DJ’s Carrera, Bulldog, PM Me, and Boy Shaped Box. A free lunch BBQ on Fri, Sat, & Sun is provided, and there are trails to explore, grassy areas to relax in, dark rooms and outdoor play spaces, and much more including hot tubs, a steam room, and cold plunge waterfall. More info
Billy Stritch at The Purple Room
Billy Stritch brings his show Billy’s Place to the legendary Purple Room Supper Club for two shows only, Friday and Saturday, October 8 & 9, with dinner reservations at 6:00 p.m., and show at 8:00 p.m. Billy is an award-winning pianist and singer and known to audiences across the country for his many solo concert performances and as accompanist and musical director for Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Marilyn Maye, Linda Lavin and Christine Ebersole to name but a few. Coachella valley audiences will also remember Billy from his many appearances in the “One Night Only” benefit shows at the McCallum Theater. Get tickets
Drag-O-Rama at the Cultural Center
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents Drag-O-Rama with your host, Rosemary Galore, on Saturdays from 2:30–4:30 p.m. Drag-O-Rama is an exploration of the history of Palm Springs, through the unique lens of the best drag queens in Southern California. Marvel at the costumes and the illusions. Be thrilled by the things you’ll learn. Watch the Duelling Marilyns strut their stuff. This is a show in a theatre, and is accompanied by gorgeous visuals on the big screen. A full bar is available before and after the show, and during intermission. Get tickets
Weekend of Frey Architecture and Design
The Palm Springs Art Museum presents a Weekend of Architecture and Design, from Friday–Monday, October 8–11, centered around the father of Desert Modernism, Albert Frey. Curated for lovers of mid-century Modernist Architecture, the weekend will feature tours, documentary films, exhibits, lectures, and parties. More info
Barktober Pet Adoption and Costume Contest
Animal Samaritans presents Barktober at the River on Saturday, October 9 from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in Rancho Mirage. This is both an adoption event and a pet costume contest, so bring your pet in costume for a chance to win prizes, meet some adoptable pets and maybe find your new fur-family member. More info
Paint El Paseo Pink
Desert Cancer Foundation presents the 15th Annual Paint El Paseo Pink on Saturday, October 9 from 8:00–10:30 a.m., returning to El Paseo for an in-person event this year. The walk for breast cancer awareness is the first major event held on El Paseo since the pandemic began. More info
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Rescheduled
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage’s The Show presents Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons on Saturday, October 9 at 8:00 p.m. Oh what a night! Don’t miss a night a music & memories when the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Famers play Agua Caliente’s premier concert venue. Update: The show scheduled for Saturday, October 9 has been postponed to Saturday, December 18. Tickets for October show date will be honored for the December 18 performance. More info
CVRep Presents “Strong Words Live”
Coachella Valley Repertory Presents: Strong Words Live, a one-night-only storytelling performance on Saturday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. The 90-minute show features Strong Words Artistic Director Larry Dean Harris, comedienne, and star of Disney-Pixar’s Coco Selene Luna, producer of Strong Words Marlene Nichols, Brothers of the Desert author Lorenz Qatava, and comedienne Roy Cruz. Get tickets
Le Dîner en Blanc Palm Springs Premiere
Le Dîner en Blanc, the elegant large-scale picnic from Paris that takes place in a secret location with an all-white dress code, will take place Saturday, October 9. As per the usual protocols for the event, the exact location of the event is only revealed a few hours before the event, and only to registered guests. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Modernism Week Fall Preview 2021
The Modernism Week Fall Preview takes place Thursday, October 14 through Sunday, October 17. This a four-day long “mini-Modernism Week” features more than 50 events, including tours, talks, and parties in unique locations not regularly open to the public. It also includes the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale Fall Edition with an opening night preview party on Oct. 14, offering attendees a cocktail reception, live music and an exclusive first chance to shop at the show before it opens to the public. The Show & Sale continues Oct. 15-16 and will feature more than 40 premier national and international decorative and fine arts dealers. More info
Jazzville Palm Springs: Rumproller Organ Trio
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five Entertainment, presents Rumproller Organ Trio on Thursday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. The famous trio is now a quintet: Jazz, soul and funk featuring Carey Frank, James Anchor, Kevin Stevens, Woody Mankowski and Ben Thomas. If you’ve experienced them before you know their shows always sell out, bring down the house and get the room dancing. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites available. More info
- Billy Stritch at The Purple Room Supper Club
Fri. & Sat., Oct. 8 & 9 - The Producers by Desert Theatreworks
October 8–31 - Modernism Week Fall Preview 2021
October 14–17 at Various Locations throughout Palm Springs - Hiding in Plain Sight: Breaking the Gay Code in Art
October 4, 11, and 18 on Zoom - Jazzville Palm Springs: Rumproller Organ Trio
Thu. Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m. - Center Stage Celebrates 20 Years of The Center
Fri. Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum - Mount: Men’s Bonding Pop-Up Event
Oct. 22–23 at CCBC Resort - Pride Under the Pines
Sat. Oct. 23 from 12:00–9:00 p.m. in Idyllwild - Girlfriend, The Smash Hit Rock Musical presented by Dezart Performs
October 27–30 Outside at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater - Palm Springs Leather Pride 2021
October 28–31 at Various Locations throughout Palm Springs - DAP Health Desert AIDS Walk 2021
Sat. Oct. 30 from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Ruth Hardy Park - Palm Springs Halloween on Arenas Road
Sun. Oct. 31 from 4:00–10:00 p.m. - Palm Springs Pride Festival 2021 – Downtown Palm Springs
Sat. Nov. 6 from 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. & Sun. Nov. 7 from 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. - Desertopia Pride Weekend
Sat. Nov. 6 at Infusion Beach Club and Asia SF, Sun. Nov. 7 at The Sonoran - Front Runners Pride 5K Run & Walk 2021
Sat. Nov. 6 at 8:00 a.m. In-Person at Old Las Palmas Neighborhood and Virtually
Final Round Voting for Best of Coachella Valley
The finalists have been selected in the Coachella Valley Independent’s 8th Annual Best of Coachella Valley, and we are thrilled to have four nominations associated with KGAY 106.5! Both DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas, of the KGAY Retro Lunch at Noon, have been nominated for Best Local DJ, and KGAY Morning Host John Taylor is up for Best Local Radio Personality! Last but not least, KGAY 106.5 is itself nominated for Best Radio Station! The final round of voting will run online at CVIndependent.com through Monday, October 25. Vote Today
Welcome New Partner!
FLWR CO. was established in 2021 by close friends who were inspired by the Cannabis Industry. They carefully select each item displayed in their shop, and are always on the lookout for exciting new brands/products to feature. Experience the difference, on East Sunny Dunes Road in Palm Springs. Learn more
- Modernism Week Fall Preview 2021 Tickets Still Available
- First Gay Bar in Palm Springs Named Community Grand Marshal for Pride Parade
- Brothers of the Desert and Dezart Performs Present ‘Speak My Words, Tell My Truth’
- Museum Launches Major Digital Exhibit for LGBT History Month
- 13 Queer Horror Films & Shows to Stream This Halloween Season
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