Our darkest days are behind us. I mean that both literally and figuratively. As I sat at my kitchen table early Thursday morning, I noticed light in the sky just before 6 AM. The snow-capped mountains were lit and the sky silhouetted by the rising sun.
Just a day before, we had awoken to rain, high winds, flooded roads and destruction. The city looked like a disaster area. Our Pink Door House tour Wednesday night showed the aftermath as a gazebo was shredded and the pool had palm frond debris even after a thorough cleaning.
And it reminded me of what we’ve been through in this first year of the Trump presidency 2.0
Each day, our social media feeds and TV news cycles are filled with the administration’s blunders and latest threats to our democracy: Coal-fired power plants are coming back online as solar and wind power become a target. More ICE detention centers are greenlit on the heels of massive protests. $10 billion to his “Board of Peace” after US-AID was gutted. A massive White House ballroom approved and an historic building demolished.
But then the courts get involved and the tides begin to turn. For those stories, you have to get out of your social media feeds and into real journalism from the likes of the New York Times, Politico, the late night talk shows and MSNBC. That’s where there are rays of hope that this steamroller of an administration is being thwarted.
I do see evidence of calm-after-the-storm. It’s not that things are suddenly getting better. The midterm elections are bearing down and there will be that day of reckoning. Our acts of defiance are shining light on the darkness that has shrouded us. Our fellow Americans paying attention and dissatisfaction with what we are seeing on our streets is making a difference in the court of public opinion.
Our next “No Kings March” is five weeks away. By then, our days will be longer, more sunlight will be shown on year one’s atrocities and hopefully more bad policy decisions will have been overturned. Brighter days are ahead.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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International Bear Convergence (IBC)
International Bear Convergence returns all weekend, February 19–22, bringing thousands of bears, cubs, chasers, and admirers to Palm Springs for five days of poolside revelry, high‑energy nightlife, and community connection. From daytime DJ sets at Hotel Zoso’s sun‑soaked pool parties to themed dance events like Gladiator and Furball, plus brunches, mixers, comedy, and the Mr. IBC Contest, this is the ultimate winter celebration of bear culture. Keep an eye out for the K‑Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide tucked right into your IBC welcome bags, ready to help you explore all weekend long! Visit our event listing for the full rundown of parties, performances, and registration details: More info
Bear Naked turns up the heat this weekend, February 19–22 at CCBC Resort, a clothing‑optional series of pool parties and late‑night fun running alongside IBC weekend. With poolside DJs, cruising after dark, and the signature energy of a Western Xposure–style gathering, this is where bears and their friends come to let loose in a relaxed, welcoming space just minutes from the host hotel. More info
Bear Wear is the perfect stop this IBC weekend, with locations in both Palm Springs andCathedral City offering men’s fashion, jewelry, home accessories and gifts curated with the community in mind. Browse hand‑selected pieces that celebrate every body type—big men, small men, all men—creating a welcoming, confidence‑boosting shopping experience.
Modernism Week 2026
Modernism Week wraps up this weekend, running through Sunday, February 22, continuing the celebration of midcentury and contemporary design throughout the Greater Palm Springs area. The festival invites guests to explore iconic architectural homes, join guided neighborhood tours, enjoy talks and films, and experience signature evening parties. Highlights include rare access to legendary estates, popular double‑decker bus tours, and the beloved Vintage Trailer Show. Modernism Week continues to be the definitive destination for architecture and design enthusiasts seeking inspiration, education and experiences. Get tickets
Modernism Art District Tour
The Modernism Art District Tour is on Saturday, February 21 from 11 am–6 pm, offering visitors a rare chance to step inside working studios and explore how midcentury artists continue to inspire today’s creators. This free, self‑guided tour spans five art districts and more than 50 participating artists, with the Back Street Art District—home to Ernesto Ramirez Fine Art—serving as one of the tour hubs. Guests can meet artists, view works in progress, and experience the creative energy that defines the Coachella Valley’s contemporary art scene. More info
Palm Springs Retro Market
The Palm Springs Retro Market shines on Sunday, February 22 from 10 am–3:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, bringing a fresh dose of vintage style, mid century flair and Sunday‑afternoon fun. Shoppers can browse curated retro finds, enjoy cocktails and music, and soak up the lively atmosphere that makes this new market an instant favorite for design lovers, collectors and anyone who appreciates a little nostalgia with their weekend. More info
Reduce, Reuse, Redress Pop-Up Resale Event
Reduce, Reuse, Redress is a special pop‑up resale event on Saturday, February 21 from 11 am–4 pm at The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, giving the community a chance to shop previously worn but still fabulous Red Dress Dress Red outfits donated earlier in the month. This curated collection of bold, creative looks offers a fresh way to build an outfit for March’s big night while supporting a beloved community tradition. More info
FRI: Wag & Shag at the SHAG House
Wag & Shag takes place at the iconic SHAG House on Friday, February 20 from 5–8 pm, inviting guests to mix, mingle, and support the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in true midcentury‑modern style. The evening features cocktails, bites, a live auction, and exclusive experiences set against one of the city’s most distinctive backdrops, all benefiting the shelter’s lifesaving work and adoption programs. Get tickets
The Chase
The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards returns to the Palm Springs Convention Center for a SOLD OUT celebration on Saturday, February 21 from 6–10 pm, bringing together community champions for an evening that blends purpose, celebration, and extraordinary entertainment. Guests will gather for a cocktail reception, dinner, and auctions before The Temptations take the stage, all in support of DAP Health’s mission to expand equitable, compassionate care across the region. This year’s program also honors Lisa Middleton with the Community Service Award, recognizing her steadfast leadership and deep commitment to Palm Springs. Get tickets
Black History Swings, Sings & Testifies
Sweet Baby J’ai brings a powerful Black History Month celebration to Palm Springs with Where History Swings, Sings & Testifies, an evening of music, movement, and storytelling that honors the legacy of Black artists who shaped America’s cultural landscape, on Friday, February 20 at 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Cascade Lounge. With dynamic performances, live musicians, and a rich blend of jazz, tap, and narrative, the show invites audiences to experience the rhythms, voices, and histories that continue to inspire generations featuring Melba Miller, Rick Taylor, Lynne Jassem, and a band of master musicians. Get tickets
McCormick’s Classic Car Auction
McCormick’s Classic Car Auction returns Friday–Sunday, February 20–22 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, showcasing more than 400 vehicles spanning nearly a century of automotive design. From rare classics to modern exotics, this outdoor event brings together collectors, enthusiasts, and first‑time buyers for a weekend celebrating the craft and excitement of car culture. More info
Palm Springs International Jazz Festival
The Palm Springs International Jazz Festival brings world‑class artistry to the Plaza Theatre, beginning Saturday, February 21 with Eliane Elias in The Soul of Bossa Nova, a warm, elegant tribute to Brazil’s most beloved sound. That same evening, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band fills the theatre with the timeless spirit of New Orleans, blending tradition and irresistible energy. On Sunday, February 22, Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton take the stage with the emotional power and vocal brilliance that have captivated audiences worldwide, followed by the visionary Esperanza Spalding, whose boundary‑defying creativity and deep musical lineage close the festival with a performance rooted in innovation, connection, and pure musical exploration. Get tickets
Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson brings his Legacy of Love Tour to The Show on Saturday, February 21 at 8 pm, filling the room with the smooth soul and Motown artistry that shaped generations. From his early days with The Miracles to the iconic songs that defined an era, he delivers a rare evening of timeless music from one of the most influential voices in American pop and R&B. Get tickets
Ben Jones
Ben Jones is at the Purple Room on Friday–Saturday, February 20–21 with Timeless, a sweeping celebration of 100 years of the American Songbook. Joined by acclaimed composer and musical director Ron Abel, Jones brings remarkable vocal range and theatrical nuance to a program that honors the great architects of classic American music while spotlighting contemporary voices who carry the tradition forward. Get tickets
Oscar Wilde About America
Oscar Wilde About America arrives at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Friday, February 20, inviting audiences into a vivid blend of documentary and magical realism that reimagines Oscar Wilde’s 1882 American tour as a modern‑day road trip. Running through Thursday, March 5, the film from James Andrew Walsh follows Wilde on a contemporary journey toward queer joy, love, and liberation, exploring themes of identity, diversity, and self‑expression. This Cinema Diverse BIG Gay Movie presentation offers a thoughtful and resonant celebration of LGBTQ+ history and imagination. Get tickets
In the Wake
The BENT’s production of Lisa Kron’s In the Wake runs through February 28, bringing audiences into the turbulence of the 2000 presidential election—yes, that one, with parallels that still resonate. Ellen, a political junkie, finds her convictions colliding with those of her partner and friends, exposing personal blind spots and challenging assumptions about the country. Funny, passionate, and sharp, this searing work from Palm Springs’ LGBTQ+ theater company delivers a gripping look at belief, identity, and the cost of certainty. Get tickets
Pippin
Pippin takes the stage at Revolution Stage Company through March 1, inviting audiences into Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson’s dazzling, meta‑theatrical journey of spectacle, seduction, and self‑discovery. Guided by the enigmatic Leading Player, this vibrant production follows young Prince Pippin through war, pleasure, politics, and illusion, all set to an iconic score and the show’s signature theatrical magic. Our theatre reviewer, Stephen Radosh, says “…this production captures the show’s central message with sincerity: sometimes the extraordinary is found in the beautifully ordinary.” Read his full review and Get tickets
Hair
Hair is on a spirited run through March 1 at Palm Canyon Theatre, channeling the raw energy and cultural revolution of the 1960s. Audiences are invited into a world of peace, love, and youthful rebellion as a tribe of free‑spirited hippies navigates identity, protest, and the power of community. With its electrifying rock score and timeless call for change, this landmark musical continues to resonate with its bold, joyful, and unapologetically revolutionary spirit. Get tickets
Camp Morning Wood
Camp Morning Wood is making its west coast premiere, presented by the new PRISM Theater at The 4707 for a run that continues through Sunday, March 22. Fresh from its Off‑Broadway success, this bold and irreverent musical follows a newly engaged couple who unexpectedly land at a gay nudist camp, setting the stage for cheeky comedy, lively songs and outrageous choreography. Get tickets
The Art of Science
The Art of Science offers an intimate one‑man performance that blends live music, immersive visuals, and thought‑provoking scientific storytelling. Created by local artist Patrick Olson and refined after a successful Off‑Broadway chapter, the show invites audiences to explore connection, consciousness, and the universe in a uniquely moving way. Complimentary 45‑minute preview performances take place Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, with Saturday 2 pm matinees newly added due to popular demand! More info
This Weekend at the McCallum Theatre
The McCallum Theatre continues its dynamic lineup on Friday, February 20 at 8 pm, when Teatro Lirico d’Europa presents Rigoletto, Verdi’s towering masterpiece of passion and tragedy. The weekend features Count Basie Orchestra on Saturday, February 21 at 8 pm, followed by Life on the Move on Sunday, February 22 at 3 pm, an inspiring exploration of global animal migrations led by ecologist Lucy Hawkes.. Get tickets
Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival runs Thursdays–Sundays in Indio through March 1 with food, entertainment, and classic fair fun, celebrating our region’s rich date‑growing heritage. Visitors can explore agricultural exhibits, live music, carnival rides, cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances, all set within one of the desert’s most beloved annual traditions. More info
Cocktails for a Cause: Home for a Home
Cocktails for a Cause brings the community together on Saturday, February 21 from 5–8 pm at Saguaro Palm Springs for an uplifting evening supporting Home for a Home’s mission to build brighter futures. Guests can enjoy drinks, tasty bites, and a silent auction while connecting with others who believe in creating meaningful change, one home at a time. More info
