“Love your Pet Day” coincided with Monday, Feb 20 Presidents Day this year. And one of our staff members lost his dog this week to old age. Our four legged, winged and finned friends mean the world to us. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, the unconditional love shown by a dog or cat has never been found elsewhere.
When I lost my last dog, I was turned on to a book that i highly recommend, Goodbye, Friend. I just returned from a week away and I know that I missed Buddy, the Wonder Dog. He was right there at the door when I returned home and it was such a comfort.
Our two local charities, Animal Samaritans and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter do incredible work in the community. Last weekend, Christopher Kennedy hosted a series of home tours to benefit the latter. And there’s much more as Modernism Week continues.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & 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 (and win!)
Modernism Week in Full Swing
Modernism Week’s annual 11-day festival is underway, running now through Sunday, February 26, featuring more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in more than 24 neighborhoods, the Palm Desert Signature Home Tour and the Palm Springs Signature Home Tour on both weekends. Also offered are architectural walking, biking and double-decker bus tours, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, a vintage trailer show, a golf tournament, garden tours, nightly parties, and a special series of compelling and informative talks. All events are open to the public, and many events are free or low cost. Get tickets
Modernism Weeks’ CAMP (Community and Meeting Place) is the central meeting place for all things Modernism Week and it’s FREE and open to the public inside the Hyatt Palm Springs. Discover new events and activities to attend, dine and sip at Cheeky’s To-Go, shop at the Destination PSP store, meet authors at book signings, explore design elements for your home, and relax and commune with fellow modernists. CAMP will be open daily 9am–5pm during Modernism Week.
23rd Annual Modernism Show
The 23rd annual Palm Springs Modernism Show wraps up a long weekend with its last day on Monday, February 20 from 10 am–4 pm at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This Modernism Week Featured Event hosts 125 dealers offering stunning items representing all design movements of the 20th century and select 21st century items and contemporary cutting-edge home design products and technology. Get tickets
Once
CVRep presents Once, opening Tuesday, February 21 and running through Sunday, March 5. Once is a love story reminding us of how the language of music is universal. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Once tells the story of Guy, an Irish songwriter who spends his days fixing vacuums in the Dublin shop he runs with his father. While on the verge of giving it up altogether, along comes a girl who convinces Guy to believe in love, music, and the courage to carry on. Get tickets
The Lincoln Debate
The Bent Theater Company presents The Lincoln Debate on Monday, February 20 at 7 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This new play takes a funny, touching and historically honest look at the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed, a man he shared a bed with for four years. Did they have an intimate relationship? Did one of the greatest men in American history have a letter under the LGBTQ banner that fit him? You will leave armed to draw your own conclusions. Upcoming performances will be on February 28 and March 7 & 14. Get tickets
2023 Oscar® Nominated Short Films
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the 2023 Oscar® Nominated Short Films, playing now through Sunday, February 26. Enjoy the year’s most spectacular short films for a limited time, with each nominee released in one of three distinct feature-length compilations according to their category of nomination: Live Action, Animation, or Documentary. Get tickets
This Week at the McCallum
The McCallum Theatre presents Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal on Tuesday, February 21 at 7 pm, Steve Tyrell on Wednesday, February 22 at 7 pm, and Beginnings: A Celebration of the Music of Chicago with The Desert Symphony on Thursday, February 23 at 8 pm. Then, this weekend, it’s the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan told through music in On Your Feet! from Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26. Next week: MNOZIL Brass (2/27), and Our Planet Live in Concert (2/28). Get tickets
A Seat at the Table
Join the Desert Business Association and the NGLCC Communities of Color Initiative (CoCi) to hear from Black LGBTQ+ business owners, supplier diversity thought leaders, and members of the NGLCC team on Tuesday, February 21 from 11 am–12:30 pm as part of Black History Month. All are welcome to join in honoring the legacy and contributions of Black Americans over time and across the nation. More info
Les Michaels: A Celebration of Life
Join friends and fans of Les Michaels for an open mic celebrating his life and birthday on Tuesday, February 21 from 5–8 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The late Palm Springs resident and cabaret producer and singer who produced and presented Open Mic Cabaret events at various venues in both in Palm Springs and Los Angeles will be honored on what would have been his 72nd birthday. Hosted by Gregg Marx, Daytime Emmy Award Winner for “As The World Turns,” Leslie Tinnaro, star of CVRep’s recent hit show, “Fun Home” and Clifford Bell, acclaimed Cabaret Producer and Director. More info
Emmitt Smith Speaks in Rancho Mirage
The City of Rancho Mirage and Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa have partnered to present the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series – Legends of Sports as it moves to The Show at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage. On Tuesday, February 21 from 7–9 pm, the featured speaker will be Emmitt Smith — the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. The former Dallas Cowboy is a three-time Super Bowl champion and holds the record for career rushing touchdowns. After retiring from football, Smith successfully transitioned to the dance floor – winning Dancing with the Stars’ mirror ball trophy. On Tuesday, March 21 boxing hall of famer Sugar Ray Leonard hits the stage. Get tickets
Monthly Center Social at Reforma
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert presents the February Center Social on Wednesday, February 22 from 5:30–7 pm. This month the social will be at Palm Springs’ newest bar, restaurant and nightclub, Reforma. Look forward to friendship, connection, and a tasty happy hour. Spread the word…everyone is invited! More info
