Thar she blows! While we have no whales spouting water, we have plenty of dust swirling in the air. It seems like every few days we are greeted with road closures due to blowing dust and sand. Commutes get longer, cars get dirtier.
Our friends at the Palm Springs Post dug deep into the sandy matter, and found that last year’s tropical storm Hillary is the primary culprit. The silt washed into the valley last August is finer and therefore stays airborne longer.
Good news is that the silt levels are returning to normal and we should see fewer closures. But with the good there’s the bad: Bob and the crew at Desert Hand Car Wash may not be quite as busy as they’ve been this past eight months.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Memorial Day Weekend Block Party in Arenas District
Streetbar & Hunters present a Memorial Day Weekend Block Party this Friday, Saturday & Sunday with live music, entertainment and outdoor bars. On Saturday, May 25 at 7 pm it’s Duran Duran Duran, a tribute band to (you guessed it) Duran Duran. On Sunday, May 26 from 1–2 pm the BarbieCue will feature complimentary hot dogs & burgers and live band karaoke by Pulp Vixen, and the party will go all weekend with DJ sets both indoors and outdoors. More info
Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair
The Palm Springs Air Museum’s Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair returns on Monday, May 27, from 10 am–2 pm. Throughout the day there will be music, food vendors, kids’ activities, and airplanes taking off and landing. The Missing Man Formation is being dedicated to Lt. Col. Blaine Mack, USAF, Retired, who recently passed away. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works prototype Darkstar, seen in the blockbuster Paramount film Top Gun: Maverick, will be on display in the Miles Hangar. The emotional highlight of the day is a vintage B-25 Mitchell Bomber dropping off 3,000 red and white carnations from the aircraft (1:45–2 pm). Get tickets
CCBC Memorial Day Weekend
Spend Memorial Day Weekend at CCBC Resort in Cathedral City, the largest clothing optional Gay men’s resort in Southern California. Located just a few minutes from downtown Palm Springs, their 3.5 acre fantasy playground is perfect for weekend getaways and extended stays. DJ Bobby will be poolside on Saturday, May 25 from Noon to 4 pm. Get tickets
Desertopia Memorial Day Weekend 2024
Desertopia Memorial Day Weekend returns for 2024 this Friday through Sunday, May 24–26 at various locations around Palm Springs. Horse Meat Disco kicks off Friday night at the Palm Springs Surf Club from 9 pm–2 am, and Saturday features a Pool Party with James Axon + Perfect Lovers at Infusion Beach Club from Noon–6 pm, followed by Bears in Space at Barracks Bar from 9 pm–2 am. A Desert Drag Show closes out the weekend hosted by Flabbergast featuring Alana Shaw, Azula, Baexjing, Bettie Bathhouse, Joella, and Posse on Sunday at 8:30 pm at Fuego Nightclub, followed by a Closing Party featuring HUNY XO + Don Esquivel from 9:30 pm–2 am. Get tickets
Sun Vibes Pool Party
Headlining Margaritaville’s massive Sun Vibes Pool Party this year is DJ Lady Bunny, with DJs Jeffrey Hawkins, Modgirl, and Laser Fox heating up the decks on Saturday, May 25 from 12–6 pm. After welcoming over 800 guests last year, they’re gearing up to make this year’s pool party even bigger. Enjoy a day of fantastic music, dancing, and poolside shenanigans, complete with colorful decorations, luxurious cabanas, plush daybeds, and a plethora of drinks. Get tickets
The Desert Pearl Pool Party
Los Angeles’ hottest queer pool party is back in Palm Springs for Memorial Day Weekend: The Desert Pearl is serving an amazing lineup of DJs spinning Disco & House grooves at The V hotel on Saturday, May 25 from 12–7 pm, with Spencer Huff, CLAX10, and Noir D Costas. Bring your poolside lewks: kaftans, heels, speedos, sun hats, and pearls, of course! Feel-good vibes all day long. This is a judgement-free safe space for the entire LGBTQ community, celebrating body positivity, self expressions and identities! This is NOT that cliché gay pool party. Cabanas & VIP lounges available. Get tickets
San Bernardino Symphony – “Revolutionaries”
The San Bernardino Symphony presents “Revolutionaries” on Saturday, May 25 at 3 pm at California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino. The Symphony welcomes Venezuelan violin soloist Samuel Vargas as he performs the world premiere of Andres Martin’s Violin Concerto entitled Morgante dedicated to the trailblazing Black conductor, Michael Morgan (1957-2021). They will also present the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Danzon no. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez, and a world premiere by SBSO’s new Composer-in-Residence, Fernando Arroyo. Get tickets
Book Signing: With Love, Mommie Dearest
Join Just Fabulous for a book signing of With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic on Saturday, May 25 from 1–3 pm. Author and Hollywood historian A. Ashley Hoff will be signing copies with a special appearance by LGBTQ icon Bruce Vilanch. Rarely have such good intentions been met with such ridicule. Go behind the scenes of one of the campiest, most popular, critical bombs in film history. More info
MaDonna Summer Dance Event
MaDonna Summer, the legendary dance party tribute to Madonna and Donna Summer, returns to Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs courtyard on Saturday, May 25 at 8 pm! Dance through the decades as ShyBoy and Nubar spin all the original Madge and La Summer hits, b-sides, rarities, remixes, and more. Enjoy a dazzling drag show featuring Cee Cee Russell and Anya Body, video visuals, and a poster gallery paying tribute to the Queen of Pop and the Queen of Disco. Get tickets
Daddy Pop
Reforma Palm Springs presents the Grand Opening of DaddyPop, an afternoon tea dance on Saturday, May 25 from 3–7 pm. Matt Consola and Mark Tarbox will be bringing the gay anthems, remixed disco, and today’s biggest hits with happy hour drink specials all party long. More info
Memorial Day Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony
A Memorial Day event will be held on Monday, May 27 from 9–10 am at Palm Desert Civic Center Park, presented by American Veterans Post 66 and Veterans For Peace. It includes an invocation and benediction by Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council, emcee Tom Swann Hernandez, guest speaker Ronald Feath, and performances by Corbett Brattin, James Tennesson, and Byron Wirth. The highlight is the dedication of a Peace Pole with the inscription “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages. More info
High School Student Art Show
The Desert Art Center, in partnership with the Palm Springs Unified School District, presents the High School Student Art Show this Friday–Sunday, May 24–26, open from 10 am–4 pm, with a reception on Friday, May 24 from 5–7 pm, to celebrate student art. Students will be awarded first, second, third, and honorable mention in several categories, and grants will go to high school art departments based on the portfolio of students’ art work. More info
Dive-In Movie: Lilo & Stitch
Get ready to dive into magical evenings at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center for the annual Summer Dive-In Movie Series, starting Friday, May 24 at 7:30 pm with a screening of Disney’s enchanting film Lilo & Stitch, a heartwarming story about a young girl’s close encounter with the galaxy’s most wanted extraterrestrial. Grab your kids, towels, blankets, and swimsuits for a fun-filled, interactive experience that creates unforgettable family memories under the stars. More info
ALSO THIS WEEK
Friday, May 24
Bert Spivak Walk of the Stars Dedication Ceremony | 9 am at 140 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Perez Art District 4th Fridays Art Walk | 4–7 pm at Perez Road Art & Design District
Country Dance Fridays: Beginner Two-Step with Rob Ollander-Krane | 7 pm at Step by Step
Sunday, May 26
Screwballs Sundays: Trouble in Paradise | 3 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center
