How do you greet someone? That usually depends upon your familiarity with that person, the situation and — in the case of we gays — our sexual orientation.
In the days of Bridgerton, you never spoke to someone until you were officially introduced by a third party. To speak to a stranger was a scandal; to touch them (handshake) was an intimacy reserved only for established friends or business deals.
You didn’t just say hello, you bowed or curtsied according to your rank in society. That changed in the Victorian era, where a handshake became the symbol of being a “gentleman”. After WWII, it was okay to say “hi” and “hey” (without the “gurl”…)
A hug would never have been an option, especially a bear hug.
We have become more physical with friends than Regency folks ever were. A “friend-hug” would have been scandalous for Daphne or Eloise, but today it’s the standard for anyone beyond a first-time acquaintance.
IBC was in town, so one had to be prepared for bear hugs. Hopefully not as huggy as John Taylor got last week. He was out and about at an Arenas watering hole, when a friend came up from behind with his version of “hello”. That hug ended up cracking a rib and made John’s midsection a little tender.
And there’s the rub: Too much affection can cause physical damage; a nod or a simple extending the hand can be off putting and signal that you really don’t like nor respect that person.
At Saturday’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, John and I said our many “hello’s” to friends and community members. Luckily, decorum prevailed and John’s ribs survived the stress test.
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MON: Petula Clark and the Women Who Changed Pop
Maxine Linehan brings her acclaimed cabaret artistry to Palm Springs on Monday, February 23 at 8 pm with Modern Muse: Petula Clark and the Women Who Changed Pop at Studio 4707. This intimate evening highlights the groundbreaking voices of mid‑century pop—Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield, and Cilla Black—reimagined through Linehan’s cinematic vocals and insightful storytelling. Get tickets
MON: Fire Department Open House
The Palm Springs Fire Department invites the community to an Open House on Monday, February 23 from 4–6 pm at Fire Station 1, offering a rare chance to explore the historic 1955 facility designed by Albert Frey and Robson C. Chambers. Guests can join Chief Paul Alvarado and PSFD personnel for guided tours, learn about the station’s architectural significance, and hear updates on plans for a new, expanded facility that will enhance service to the community. More info
MON & FRI: Bianca Del Rio
Bianca Del Rio storms into The Plaza Theatre on Monday, February 23 and Friday, February 27 at 8 pm with the razor‑sharp wit, fearless humor, and larger‑than‑life presence that made her a global sensation. Known for her rapid‑fire insults, impeccable timing, and gleefully unapologetic style, the RuPaul’s Drag Race champion delivers a night of comedy that is as bold as it is brilliantly crafted. With international tours, film roles, bestselling books, and history‑making performances on some of the world’s most iconic stages, Bianca brings her signature “clown in a gown” brilliance to Palm Springs for two evenings of pure comedic chaos. Get tickets
TUE: Jimmy Boegle Joins the Hall of Fame
The 2026 Media Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony places a well‑deserved spotlight on our friend Jimmy Boegle, founding editor and publisher of the Coachella Valley Independent, as he is inducted for his decades of leadership, integrity and impact in local journalism. From championing independent reporting to elevating arts, culture and community voices across the valley, Boegle’s work has shaped how residents stay informed and connected. This year’s ceremony, featuring NPR’s Tonya Mosley, honors a class of inductees who have defined the region’s media landscape—and Jimmy’s recognition is especially meaningful for those who value fearless, community‑driven storytelling. Don’t forget to catch Jimmy on the air Tuesdays on KGAY, joining John Taylor on the KGAY Morning Show!
TUE: Palm Springs Speaks – Wade Rouse
Palm Springs Speaks presents An Evening With Wade Rouse on Tuesday, February 24 at 7:30 pm, featuring the internationally bestselling author in conversation with Steven Rowley. Rouse, who also writes under the pen name Viola Shipman, has published 21 books that have been translated into nearly 30 languages, with several titles optioned for film and television. This special event offers an inside look at his newest novel, That’s What Friends Are For, ahead of its March 3 release. Get tickets
WED: The Center Social
The Center Social returns on Wednesday, February 25 from 5:30–7 pm at The Palm Springs Surf Club, offering an easygoing early‑evening meetup for connection, conversation, and community. Held every fourth Wednesday, this monthly gathering brings people together in a relaxed setting with a friendly happy‑hour vibe, making it a great midweek stop for anyone looking to meet new friends and strengthen ties within the local LGBTQ+ community. More info
OPENS WED: Guys and Dolls
CVRep delivers a bold new take on Damon Runyon’s New York when Guys and Dolls opens Wednesday, February 25 at 2 pm, running through March 22. This dynamic production drops audiences into the grit and glamour of Prohibition, where gamblers, nightclub performers, and missionaries collide in a fast‑moving mix of charm, scheming, and romance. Follow Nathan Detroit’s scramble to launch the city’s biggest craps game, Adelaide’s long wait for a wedding, and Sky Masterson’s unexpected pursuit of Sarah Brown in a sharply reimagined version of the award‑winning musical comedy. Get tickets
WED: Pints for a Cause
Pints For A Cause brings the community together on Wednesday, February 25 from 5–7 pm at Luchador Brewing Company in Cathedral City for an evening of good food and meaningful impact. With a $15 door fee, guests can enjoy complimentary flautas and quesadillas while supporting a vital lodging program that helps keep families together during medical crises. More info
WED: Coachella Valley Classical Voices
Coachella Valley Classical Voices brings a one‑night celebration to Palm Canyon Theatre on Wednesday, February 25 from 7–9 pm, featuring 35 trained local singers performing opera and Broadway favorites under the direction of Doug Nagel. With selections from Don Giovanni, Rent, Hamilton, Carmen, La Traviata, The Merry Widow and more—accompanied by pianist Kurt Jordan—CVCV Greatest Hits! blends vocal artistry with community support. All proceeds benefit Palm Canyon Theatre. More info
THU–SUN: La Quinta Art Celebration
The La Quinta Art Celebration returns Thursday–Sunday, February 26–March 1 at the La Quinta Civic Center, transforming the park into a four‑day showcase of world‑class creativity. Jury‑selected artists from across the nation and around the globe present original works in a stunning outdoor setting known for its enthusiastic patrons, exceptional hospitality, and polished, VIP‑level experience. With top‑tier art, strong community support, and a beautifully curated environment, it remains one of the desert’s most anticipated fine‑arts events. More info
THU: Black History Month Closing Celebration
The Palm Springs Art Museum closes its Black History Month programming with an outdoor celebration on Thursday, February 26 from 5–8 pm in the Elrod Garden. Guests can enjoy small bites from Tasteful Soul Catering with Chef Corinne, a pop‑up bar, live music from Million, and a vibrant artist and maker market curated by Alice Flores Combs. More info
OPENS THU: Destroying David
Dezart Performs presents the West Coast premiere of Jason Odell Williams’ Destroying David, an intimate and emotionally charged solo work that blends art history, personal grief, and the fragile beauty of what we choose to preserve. Opening Thursday, February 26 at 7 pm and running through March 8, the production invites audiences into a private after‑hours “tour” of Michelangelo’s David, where an art restorer slowly reveals a deeply personal loss and a startling question at the heart of their journey. Get tickets
THU–SUN: CINEMA FRANÇAIS 2026
CINEMA FRANÇAIS 2026 brings four days of exceptional French filmmaking to the historic Camelot Theatre from Thursday–Sunday, February 26–March 1. Presented by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the festival showcases ten films ranging from intimate character studies to award‑winning literary adaptations, all screened with English subtitles. The event opens with Valensole 1965 and a post‑film conversation with director Dominique Filhol and investigative journalist Paola Harris, then continues with a rich lineup exploring love, memory, ethics, identity, and the unexpected corners of human experience. Get tickets
This Week at the McCallum
The McCallum Theatre’s week starts on Monday, February 23 at 7 pm with a sold‑out appearance by Patti LuPone. On Tuesday, February 24 at 7:30 pm, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields brings its renowned clarity, elegance, and world‑class musicianship to the stage under the direction of Joshua Bell. The week continues Wednesday–Sunday, February 25–March 1 with Clue – Live on Stage! a fast‑paced, laugh‑filled whodunit inspired by the classic film and board game, complete with twists, turns, and a cast of colorful suspects. It’s a lively mix of music, mystery, and theatrical fun. Get tickets
The Graduate
Desert TheatreWorks stages the iconic coming‑of‑age story The Graduate now through March 8. Scripted by Terry Johnson, the production follows recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock as he’s pulled into a charged and complicated triangle with Mrs. Robinson and her daughter Elaine. Presented in the round in DTW’s intimate Blackbox Theater, the show places audiences close to the tension as this classic tale unfolds. 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, extended through Monday March 2, 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
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
