We start the week with a holiday – President’s Day – and a squeamish feeling about who may be occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue next year…
This week will bring a full schedule of Modernism Week events, fresh off the first weekend which included the Canyon View Estates Home Tour. That’s my neighborhood where Don’t Worry Darlin’ was shot during the pandemic. We literally hid in the bushes outside the camera’s view in order to get a look at Harry Styles and the cast in that car scene.
Palm Springs continues to enjoy international popularity from movies and the film festival, to events like Modernism Week, and even our New York Times piece on KGAY. The year is just starting, and events including White Party and Coachella/Stagecoach will increase our visibility. Gatherings like the National Gay Pilots Association (who just left) and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC who will be here in July) slip in and out of town with little fanfare, but with big impressions left.
Don’t forget to use our online calendar of events to plan your day, week or year. We work hard so you can play hard, and enjoy all the wonderful activities our valley has to offer. As the new slogan goes, “The Oasis is real!”
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you may be!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis
Modernism Week Vintage Car Show
On Monday, February 19 from 12–3 pm, don’t miss Bikinis & Bucket Seats, the Modernism Week Vintage Car Show with more than 50 vintage cars from the 1950s, 60s, & 70s on display on the west side of the Palm Springs Convention Center. Join KGAY’s John Taylor who will be out and about in this free tribute to the fun and sun of 1960s California youth culture. Come dressed in period attire; DJ Modgirl will be on hand bringing the vintage party vibes! More info
Modernism Week 2024 Continues
Modernism Week’s annual 11-day festival continues this week and runs through Sunday, February 25. The lineup features more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in more than 30 neighborhoods, and the popular Signature Home Tour on both weekends. CAMP (Community and Meeting Place) is open daily at the Hyatt Hotel downtown for the run of the festival. Also offered are architectural walking, biking and double-decker bus tours, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, garden tours, a 2-day vintage trailer show, nightly parties, and a special series of compelling and informative talks at the Annenberg Theater and the CAMP theater. Tickets are still available and many events are free or low cost.
Palm Springs Modernism Show
The Palm Springs Modernism Show presents the best of vintage 20th century design and compelling 21st century contemporary art and design for one final day, Monday, February 19 from 10 am–4 pm at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The show will feature 125 premier national and international dealers offering decorative and fine arts representing all design movements of the 20th century as well as cutting-edge 21st century designs for the home. More info
Palm Springs Black History Caravan
The Palm Springs Black History Caravan bus departs from James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center at 11 am on Monday, February 19. This tour will showcase the accomplishments and perseverance of Black pioneers in the city, especially architect Paul R. Williams and land developer Lawrence Crossley. Visit the Town and Country Center, El Mirador Tower, Crossley’s trailer park, and the neighborhood named after him. The tour concludes at the Desert Highland Gateway Estates, a community center that serves as a social, cultural, and recreational hub. Get tickets
International Bear Convergence (IBC) 2024
The International Bear Convergence (IBC) will take place Thursday–Sunday, February 22–25 at Hotel Zoso. Get ready for an amazing weekend of “Fun, Frolic & Fur” at the premier winter Bear event, welcoming thousands of frisky bears, muscle bears, cubs, chasers, chubs, admirers & their fans to have the time of their lives! The four day event comes to life with DJs, live entertainment and thousands of bears from around the globe. Thursday is registration from 2–8 pm followed by an Early Bear Welcome Party starting at 9 pm at Hunters Nightclub. Friday features the Plunge 2.0 Pool Party from 10 am–4 pm, a “Meat” & Greet at Blackbook from 3:30–7 pm, Speed Dating with Joe Martone at 7:30 pm, and KGAY’s own DJ Galaxy will spin at the Disco Inferno on Friday night, 9:30 pm–2 am. On Saturday, it’s pool party time again, with a VIB Mixer in the evening, and Bear Style Underwear Party on Saturday night, presented in partnership with Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert. Sunday features the Hungry Bear Drag Brunch, a Redemption Party by the pool, and Last Laugh Comedy Show. See our event listing for full details: Get tickets
Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS World Tour Kickoff
Multi-platinum, three-time Grammy award-winning artist Olivia Rodrigo kicks off her highly anticipated GUTS world tour here in Greater Palm Springs on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 pm at Acrisure Arena. Produced by Live Nation, the massive global 2024 tour kicks off its 57-date run in support of her second studio album, GUTS. Following the incredible success of her 2022 debut tour The SOUR Tour, the GUTS world tour will be Olivia’s first arena tour, taking her to iconic venues around the world including Madison Square Garden, Kia Forum, Sportpaleis, The O2 and more. But you can see it first right here in Palm Springs! Get tickets
Desert Stonewall Democrats February Meeting
The Desert Stonewall Democrats February Membership Meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 20, at 6 pm at Mizell Center and on Zoom. The topic for the meeting is Black Activism: How it Led to LGBTQ+ Rights. Learn more about Marsha P. Johnson, one of the most prominent figures of the gay rights movement in the 1960s and an important advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, those affected by H.I.V. and AIDS, and gay and transgender rights, continuing into the 70s and 80s, and other black activists whose work toward gaining equal rights also contributed to the gay rights movement. Speakers include: Ken Monteiro – Brothers of the Desert, and Ron Oden – COD Board Trustee & former Palm Springs Mayor. More info
One Night of Queen (for 2 Nights!)
The McCallum Theatre presents One Night of Queen, Performed by Gary Mullen & The Works on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 20 & 21 at 7 pm. In 2000, Gary Mullen won ITV’s “Stars In Their Eyes” Live Grand Final, with the largest number of votes ever received in the shows history. Gary began touring on his own and in 2002 formed a band ‘The Works’, to pay tribute to rock legends Queen. Since May 2002, ‘Gary Mullen and the Works’ have performed throughout the UK, USA, Europe, South Africa and New Zealand to sell-out audiences. One Night of Queen is a spectacular live concert, recreating the look, sound, pomp and showmanship of arguably the greatest rock band of all time. This show will ROCK you! Get tickets
Trans and Nonbinary Tuesday
Join the Transgender Health & Wellness Center for an evening of cocktails, appetizers, and raffle prizes at Trans and Non Binary Tuesday, February 20, from 6–8 pm at Trixie Motel. Roses are red, violets are blue, love is sweet, and friends are too! More info
Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City
The City of Cathedral City’s Communications & Special Events Department proudly presents Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City, a free weekly food and music event held every Tuesday from 5–7 pm at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater including this Tuesday, February 20 and continuing through Tuesday, April 9. Each week will feature a unique theme, with a local artist while a local restaurant or food truck provides dinner. This week, the Cathedral City High School Choir will perform. Next week, on Feb. 27: Radio Ready, and on March 5: Cathedral City LGBT Days Kickoff! More info
The Center Women’s Social
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert presents their February Women’s Social on Wednesday, February 21 from 5:30–7 pm at El Jefe Desert Cantina in the Saguaro Palm Springs. This is a great time to network with women, make new friends and catch up with old friends. We hope to see everyone there! More info
Witchland
Revolution Stage Company presents Witchland, playing Wed/Thu/Sat/Sun through March 2. The story is based on author Tim Mulligan’s experiences growing up in Richland, a small town in Eastern Washington – deemed ‘the most toxic place in the Western Hemisphere, ’ and combines elements of traditional theatrical storytelling with immersive haunted elements. It tells the story of a family who moves to a town plagued by decades of misfortune. Is the terror they are shrouded in due to the nuclear reactor that the town revolves around – or is it something more sinister? And what about that mysterious elderly woman who lives across the street, alone in her run-down government home, piles of sticks and all – is she actually a witch, or just another victim of … WITCHLAND? Get tickets
Something Rotten!
Palm Canyon Theatre presents Something Rotten! running this week Thursday, February 22–Sunday February 25. In this mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first century Broadway, brothers Nick and Nigel are desperate to write a hit play, but are stuck in the shadow of the master playwright known as “The Bard.” When a soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting, the brothers set out to write the world’s first musical. Get tickets
Inner Circle Arts Society presents Black History Theatre
The Inner Circle Arts Society, a premier Black owned arts group in Southern California, presents the world premiere of A Sacred Obligation on Wednesday & Thursday, February 21 & 22, at 7 pm at The Palm Springs Cultural Center. This original, never before seen production in the dynamic new theatrical style of DocuTheater, tells the drama and tragedy of the life of John Brown using videographic documentary alongside live actor portrayals. The group is also presenting the much-anticipated return of Medgar X’n James from Friday–Sunday, February 23–25, at 7 pm, also at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Medgar X’n James is an original solo play that offers a fresh, unique perspective on three of American history’s most important men: Medgar Evars, Malcolm X and James Baldwin. Get tickets
Matt Johnson & the New Jet Set Swingin’ the Disney Songbook
Palm Springs Modernism Week presents Matt Johnson & the New Jet Set Swingin’ the Disney Songbook on Wednesday, February 21 from 7:30–9 pm at the Annenberg Theater. This evening of retro-cool jazz features interpretations of beloved songs from Disney animated films. The band, featuring noted vocalist Adryon de León, performs hits from such films as 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Aristocats, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Coco, Dumbo, Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp, Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Pocahontas, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Toy Story, and Winnie the Pooh. This enchanting and nostalgic musical adventure through the decades is enhanced by memorable visuals. More info
Dinner with Patsi
Join Dinner with Patsi at BeeCh, Please in Cathedral City on Wednesday, February 21, from 5–8 pm. Enjoy new Korean cuisine with a focus on chicken and beer, and Patsi will be there to pass her Red Hat for donations going towards Loving all Animals. They will also collect food items for the Cathedral City Senior Center Food Bank. More info
