Goody Two Shoes is both an Adam Ant song and the way which some have described me over the years. I look innocent enough. I rarely got accused of any transgressions that could have been attributed to me. That angelic look as a child carried over to my adult life where I feel like I have to maintain a certain respectability. But we all have our “bad” side.
Case-in-point: A great essay in the weekend section of the New York Times today titled, The Virtues of Being Bad, where I received both inspiration and permission to occasionally “walk on the wild side”. Whether it’s gossiping, eating Chik-fil-A (I don’t), or something a bit more hedonistic, the article was a good reminder that being bad at times doesn’t define you. But being good certainly has me. As I approach my 65th birthday, I’m re-examining many things in my life. Lacking occasional transgressions is one of them…
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride Festival 2023
Riverside’s FREE Pride Festival, Inland Empire Pride, returns for their 2nd Annual edition on Sunday, September 10 at the Riverside Convention Center (indoors and air-conditioned!). The festival is open to all ages from 12–7 pm with a youth zone dedicated for those 17 and under. From 7–10 pm, the event becomes 18+ only. Headline entertainers include HYM the Rapper, singer/songwriter Mariah Counts and Latin recording artist Leyo. A mass wedding event, Ceremony of Love, will be held on the event’s Main Stage, officiated by Reverend Troy Kristoffer of Ceremonies of Love. There will also be queer art displays and the company of LGBTQIA+ oriented and friendly organizations and companies. More info
Broadway Bash Dinner Show
Willie’s Modern Fare in Rancho Mirage presents Musical Theatre University’s Broadway Bash Dinner Show every Sunday in September. Come enjoy a three course dinner with a fully staged Broadway Revue by MTU’s singing servers and a celebrated Broadway guest star at every show! Seating is at 4 pm with the show at 5 pm. Get tickets
Palm Springs Comedy Mashup
Maggie Hyde presents the Palm Springs Comedy Mashup on Friday, September 8 at 9 pm at the Hilton Palm Springs Lounge. This is a live comedy stand-up show featuring professional comedians from Los Angeles and Palm Springs, including Amanda Michelle, Max Mitchell, Julie Sheppard, Gini Sikes, Beth Greenman, Emily James, Skip Clark, and Christian Cintron plus celebrity drop-in guests! Get tickets
Vote KGAY and John Taylor for 2023 Community’s Choice Awards
The Desert Sun has opened the voting round for the 2023 Best of Desert Official Community’s Choice Awards, celebrating and recognizing the best our community has to offer, and both KGAY 106.5 and KGAY Morning Host John Taylor are among the nominees! When you go to fill out your ballot, find KGAY 106.5 under Entertainment & Leisure > Radio Station – Local and find John Taylor under Entertainment & Leisure – People > Radio Personality/Show. If you vote in more than 25 categories, you’ll be entered to win a $250 gift card. Votes can be placed through Friday, September 22. Vote today!
Sean Wiggins & Vicci Stewart
Palm Springs Crave presents Sean Wiggins & Vicci Stewart in a live performance benefit on Saturday, September 9, from 6:30–10:30 pm at Impala. Sean and Vicci will perform from 7–9 pm. Enjoy speciality craft cocktails, vodka and tequila drink specials with delicious Tex-Mex food you can order. The $10 door proceeds will benefit DAP/Women’s Health Women of Impact, a diverse group ensuring the health and well being of women and children in our community. More info
Congress Member Barbara Lee
The Riverside County Democratic Party presents the second edition of their Blueprint for Democracy Speaker Series featuring Congress Member Barbara Lee (12th District of California) on Saturday, September 9, from 3:30–5 pm at the Cathedral City Public Library. More info
Brothers of the Desert Present The Dating Game
Brothers of the Desert (BOD) present The Dating Game on Saturday, September 9 from 6–9 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. BOD member Patrick Pierre will be serving up an evening of game show at the second annual BOD game show night with your host Patty Cakes. Just like the beloved television show, a bachelor will interview contestants to choose who to take on a date. And the audience gets to help ask questions! In addition to the “dating game” there will be surprise guests and much more. This event will raise funds for the BOD Emergency Fund that helps members experiencing an unexpected or critical expenses. Get tickets
Sing Along With Us – Camelot
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents classic movie musicals in the Sing Along With Us Film Series all summer long, on the largest screen in the valley at the Historic Camelot Theatre. The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus will lead the singing. On Sunday, September 10 at 3 pm, come sing along to Camelot. After the arranged marriage of Arthur (Richard Harris) and Guinevere (Vanessa Redgrave), the king gathers the noble knights of the realm to his Round Table. The dashing and stalwart Lancelot (Franco Nero) joins, but soon finds himself enraptured by the lovely Guinevere. When Arthur’s illegitimate son, Mordred (David Hemmings), reappears in the kingdom and outs the secret lovers, Arthur finds himself trapped by his own rules into taking action against his wife and closest friend. Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs are proud media sponsors of the Sing Along With Us This Summer Film Series! Get tickets
The Purple Room: Scot Bruce, Brenna Whitaker, The Judy Show
Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club is back in season and on Friday, September 8 come see Scot Bruce performing Elvis: The Yearly Years, and on Saturday, September 9, Brenna Whitaker takes the stage. On Sunday, September 10, the spirit of Judy Garland is alive and well with Michael Holmes performing The Judy Show! Get tickets
Check Out Our Downloadable Calendar
Our Gay Desert Guide Events Channel always has the latest, continually updated calendar of events for day-by-day viewing, but sometimes you just want a quick overview of what’s coming up, in a beautiful, downloadable, printable calendar…and we have just the thing! Download our 2023-24 Calendar of Events (updated monthly) to see what’s coming up in the days, weeks, and months ahead. It’s a great time to look ahead as we head into season, with events coming up like The Dinah, Pride Under the Pines, Pride on the Page, Modernism Week October, Palm Springs Pride (and Leather Pride), and Palm Springs Food & Wine Fest, just to name a select few of the more than 30 highlighted events between now and early December. Check it out
Country Dance Fridays
Dance Ranch Palm Springs presents Country Dance Fridays, a great night of country western dancing, including two-step, waltz, shadow, East and West Coast swing and line dances, every Friday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step. The dance lesson is at 7 pm with dancing from 7:30–9:30 pm. Dance Ranch Palm Springs is a country western dance group serving the LGBTQ+ community and its friends. Country dancers of all levels are welcome. More info
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LOOKING AHEAD
DBA Networking Mixer/DAP Health Equity Walk Kickoff
The Desert Business Association (DBA) is holding a Networking Mixer on Monday, September 11 at 5:30 pm at DAP Health on Sunrise Way. DAP is gearing up for the 2023 Health Equity Walk (formerly the Desert AIDSWalk) to be held on Saturday, October 28 at Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs. Learn more about how you can participate by joining the DBA Team or another team. Funds raised help to support the many programs that DAP Health provides to our communities. A raffle will support the DBA Team of the DAP Health Equity Walk, bring an item for the raffle and get a “shout out” for your business. Bring some cash to win an item, too! More info
Open Rehearsal/Auditions for Modern Men Chorus
The Modern Men Chorus invites you to audition to join them for their upcoming Holiday Concert. Come to the Open Rehearsal on Monday, September 11 from 6:30–8:30 pm at the Palm Springs United Methodist Church and hear the music to be sung in their holiday concert. Auditions begin at 8:30 pm after the Open Rehearsal or you can come on the following Saturday morning, September 16 from 11 am–12 noon at the same location. More info
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Celebrates 60 Years
Throughout the month of September, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The completion of a Mountain Station renovation coincides with the anniversary, and in celebration of the anniversary, a series of events and promotions are planned for this month, including giveaways for every 60th visitor, a 60th anniversary celebration quiz on the Tramway’s mobile app, a free 60th anniversary sticker for every visitor on Tuesday, September 12, continuous showings of the newly-restored original 1960s Tramway film “The Miracle at Palm Springs” in the Santa Rosa Theater, and other special displays and exhibits. More info
Cinema Diverse Tickets Available Now
The 16th edition of Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival will take place September 21–24 and the following weekend, September 28–October 1 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The schedule is set and tickets and passes are now on sale. Thursday, September 21 at 7:30 pm is Opening Night, featuring a special preview of Billy Clift’s new feature, Here We Are. It’s a timely and emotional tale of love, family and prejudice at a time when the world is facing the COVID pandemic, and that’s only the beginning of the exciting new films you’ll discover screening in all three theatres at the PS Cultural Center at Cinema Diverse this year. Get tickets/passes
Final Week: Drive to Survive! The Race Against Hunger
The Greater Palm Springs Realtors summer food drive, Drive To Survive! The Race Against Hunger, benefiting the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s Community Food Bank, is happening now thru September 15. Food insecurity is real, and together we can help ease the burden on our hungry neighbors. You are invited to drop food items off at the Greater Palm Springs Realtors office from 9 am–5 pm on Mondays and 8 am–5 pm on Tuesdays–Fridays. They’re accepting nonperishable food items, or you can also make monetary donations to support the critical services that the food bank provides. More info
On the Air: KGAY 106.5
Win Tickets to Todrick Hall
KGAY 106.5 has your chance to WIN tickets to Todrick Hall: Velvet Rage on Friday September 15 at 8pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage! Todrick Hall is a multi-talented performer, composer, actor, director, choreographer, and social media personality who rose to prominence on and after his appearance on American Idol. He continued to create content and build his brand on his YouTube channel, which has over 3.6 million subscribers and 886 million channel views. Enter to win tickets on the KGAY 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 party music! Listen Online.
The KGAY Sunday Tea Dance with DJ Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). DJ Modgirl (AKA Kellee McQuinn) is all about “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week. Listen online. She’s also appearing at The Rowan twice a week: High Bar on Mondays from 7–10 pm and Window Bar on Thursdays from 7–10 pm.
On the Air: 103.1 MeTV fm
The Beach Boys. The Byrds. Carole King. The Mamas & the Papas. Linda Ronstadt. Some of their most memorable music was created when they were living in a neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills. Explore the artists and music of Laurel Canyon beginning in the 7 pm hour this Friday evening on 103.1 MeTV fm or listen online! 103.1 MeTV fm is KGAY’s sister station, featuring a unique mix of timeless and memorable music incorporating a wide variety of classic hits, deep tracks and softer sounds spanning several decades of popular music, including the ‘60s and ‘70s with a touch of the ‘50s and ‘80s. Listen online
- Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride Festival
Sun. Sep 10 from 12–10 pm at the Riverside Convention Center - Gay Days Anaheim 2023
Sep 16–18 at Disneyland Resort - Odesza -The Last Goodbye Tour
Wed. Sep 20 at 6:30 pm at Acrisure Arena - Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend
Sep 20–24 at Margaritaville Resort - Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Sep 21–24 and Sep 28–Oct 1 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Singing with the Desert Stars
Fri. Oct 6 at 6:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Pride Under the Pines 2023
Sat. Oct 7 from 12–9 pm in Idyllwild - Out on the Walk: Celebrating LGBT Individuals on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars
Oct 12–Nov 12 at the Palm Springs Village Green - Pride on the Page Book Festival
Fri. & Sat., Oct 13 & 14 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Casual Concours 2023: Tikis & TBirds
Sat. Oct 14 from 9 am–2 pm at Indian Canyons Golf Resort - Modernism Week – October 2023
Thu.–Sun., Oct 19–22 at various locations throughout Palm Springs - Maximum Thrust – Palm Springs Leather Pride 2023
Oct 26–29 at various locations around Palm Springs - Palm Springs Pride 2023
Nov 3–5 in downtown Palm Springs - One Night Only – “Las Vegas: The Golden Age, 1950–1970”
Wed. Nov 8 at 6 pm at the McCallum Theatre - Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival
Sat. & Sun. Nov 11 & 12 at the Palm Springs Stadium Pavilion
Palm Springs Bottle Shop is excited to announce the opening of their second location at 1555 S Palm Canyon inside Market Market. In addition to all the fabulous beer, wine, snacks, and sundries found at their original location, PSBS Market Market also carries spirits and gourmet groceries for all your dinner and cocktail party needs. And as always, PSBS is proud to carry the best selection of products from LGBTQ+, women, and BIPOC makers and entrepreneurs in Palm Springs! Learn more
Bios Clinical Research specializes in infectious disease research with a focus on HIV and PrEP while promoting health equity and diversity in HIV research. They were inspired to open their first BIOS site in Palm Springs, to expand clinical research options for the Coachella Valley and recognize and respect the many long-term survivors and persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in the region. They are focused on engaging communities of color and diverse genders, sexualities, races, and nationalities. Learn more
- Mariah Hanson, Visionary Founder of the Dinah: 32 Years of Queer Music and Community In Palm Springs
- Halloween Palm Springs 2023 to Feature The Pussycat Dolls’ Carmit, Queen of Electro Luciana and David Hernandez
- Spooky Fun Haunts the Riverside County Fairgrounds this October
- Jodie Foster & Annette Bening’s First Nyad Clip Shows Power of Queer Women’s Friendship
- The Long History of Non-Binary Identities
Rick’s Desert Grill offers a huge selection of dinner items for all appetites, with an ample beer and wine list and great dishes with a Cuban influence like savory Cuban Ropa Vieja or Cuban Arroz Con Pollo. Try a “Crazy Cuban” cocktail Happy Hour is 4–6 pm daily (closed Sunday) and on Wine Wednesday, enjoy half-priced bottles of wine all day. With our HOT DEAL you save even more: Get a $25 gift card for food & drink at Rick’s Desert Grill for just $15! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Men’s Grooming Spot, Boozehounds, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Papa Dan’s Pizza & Pasta, Destination PSP, Trevor Wayne Pop Art, Kitchen 86, Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, The Purple Room, Zin American Bistro and more! See All Deals
Find out what’s happening on any given day by browsing our Gay Desert Guide Online Event Listing Calendar, and for the big picture, take a look at major upcoming events in our 2023-24 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
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, followed by DJ Modgirl spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.
Don’t miss “This Way Out,” Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on KGAY 106.5. “This Way Out” is the only internationally distributed weekly LGBTQ radio program, currently airing on some 200 local community radio stations around the world. Listen to the latest episode as a podcast on our streaming page (click “Podcasts” in the upper right hand corner)