It was a tough year for loss in the Oscars community as we saw Sunday night at the In Memoriam segment of the show. Especially touching was the tribute to Rob Reiner.
Seven decades of helping right bigoted wrongs against the LGBTQ community came to an end with his death just prior to a scheduled appearance here in Palm Springs. I was especially looking forward to …
As “Meathead”, Archie Bunker’s foil and son in law in “All inthe Family” he delivered lines in defense of a gay man who Archie was slinging slurs against.
And if that script stuck with him, we’ll never know. But the fact that Reiner was intrumental in marriage equality is not well known.
Following the passage of Proposition 8 in 2008 which banned same-sex marriage in California, Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, co-founded AFER specifically to challenge the ban in federal court.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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🍕MON: Papa Dan’s Grand Reopening
Papa Dan’s Pizza invites the community to celebrate its Grand Reopening on Monday, March 16 at 9:30 am, marking a fresh start in a new, larger space on Country Club Drive. After rebuilding from the fire that closed its previous location, the restaurant is welcoming guests back with a warm, updated interior and the classic pizza and pasta dishes locals have loved for decades. The public is encouraged to join the ribbon cutting with the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce and help usher in this new chapter for a longtime favorite. More info
MON–WED: Fashion Week El Paseo
Fashion Week El Paseo continues at The Gardens on El Paseo now through Wednesday, March 18, bringing the sophistication and creative energy that have made it the West Coast’s largest fashion week. Guests can explore an immersive lineup of runway shows, designer showcases, cocktail receptions, pop‑up shopping, and celebrity appearances, all set. Get tickets
TUE : The Naked Magicians
The Naked Magicians bring their wildly popular, adults‑only magic‑and‑comedy spectacle to the Plaza Theatre on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 pm with a second show added at 4 pm due to popular demand! Direct from hit runs in Las Vegas, London’s West End, and more than 250 cities worldwide, these two cheeky Australian performers deliver world‑class illusions and nonstop laughs — all while wearing nothing but a top hat and a smile. Seen by millions on major TV networks, their R‑rated blend of sharp humor and daring showmanship proves that good magicians don’t need sleeves, and great ones don’t need pants. Get tickets
TUE & WED: Fellow Travelers – The Opera
Palm Springs Opera Guild brings the emotional core of Fellow Travelers to the Dezart Playhouse on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17–18 from 7–9 pm, presenting the most powerful and tender scenes from Gregory Spears and Greg Pierce’s acclaimed opera. Set during the 1950s Lavender Scare, this gripping story follows two young gay government employees whose secret romance unfolds under the shadow of McCarthy‑era persecution, leading to impossible choices and a heartbreaking betrayal. Based on Thomas Mallon’s bestselling novel—and the inspiration for the 2023 Paramount+ series—the performance will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the cast and creative team. Get tickets
TUE–SAT: Pink Martini
Pink Martini headlines this week at the McCallum Theatre, bringing their globe‑spanning “little orchestra” for six performances from Tuesday, March 17 through Saturday, March 21. Now in their 31st year, the group continues to charm audiences worldwide with a dazzling blend of vintage pop, big‑band sparkle, international flair, and irresistible joy — all delivered by an ever‑rotating lineup of vocalists including China Forbes, Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, Edna Vazquez, Jimmie Herrod, and Meow Meow. Their concerts are known for uniting audiences of every age and background, creating an atmosphere that feels both glamorous and warmly inclusive. The Plaza’s week concludes on Sunday, March 22 at 3 pm with Music of Joy and Peace, a Jeffrey Siegel’s Keyboard Conversations® program featuring uplifting works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Schumann, and Gershwin. Get tickets
☘️ St. Patrick’s Day on the Water
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a uniquely Palm Desert way with the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s St. Patrick’s Boat Experience, offered March 17, 20, and 21 from 4–9 pm. Guests can enjoy a private 25‑minute cruise for up to eight people through the resort’s scenic waterways, complete with refreshing brews, savory bites, and stunning desert views — plus a complimentary drink for anyone wearing green. More info
WED: Live from New York! George Wesner
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church welcomes a true New York showman on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 pm with Live from New York! George Wesner, Principal Organist at Radio City Music Hall and the famed Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular. The evening begins with an Italian buffet dinner, followed by a dazzling multimedia program where Wesner transforms the organ into a full theatrical experience — from high‑energy Broadway favorites to sweeping classical moments. Show‑only tickets are also available. Get tickets
WED–THU: The Green Room
For two nights only, THE BENT brings a bold new staged reading to the Palm Springs Cultural Center as it presents The Green Room on March 18–19 at 7 pm. Featuring a cast of valley favorites — Billy L’Amour, Melanie Blue, Michael Pacas, and Alex Price — this darkly funny and sharply contemporary reimagining of Sartre’s No Exit drops its characters into a media‑saturated purgatory with no host, no audience, and absolutely no escape. Get tickets
WED: Catherine O’Hara – Beetlejuice
Catherine O’Hara: Simply the Best continues on Wednesday, March 18 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center/Camelot Theatre with a big‑screen showing of Beetlejuice, beginning with a 6:30 pm introduction and the film at 7 pm. This tribute series celebrates O’Hara’s remarkable career and the unforgettable characters she’s brought to life, and Beetlejuice remains one of her most iconic—an inventive, supernatural comedy that blends chaos, charm, and her signature wit. Get tickets
THU–SUN: Palm Desert Food & Wine
Palm Desert Food & Wine returns March 19–22 at The Gardens on El Paseo, bringing four days of world‑class culinary talent, premium wines, hands‑on demos, and the region’s most celebrated tasting experiences. This signature festival gathers top chefs, vintners, and brewmasters for a vibrant weekend of flavor, creativity, and desert‑style indulgence — from the James Beard Gourmet Four‑Course Luncheon to two days of grand tastings featuring more than 60 wines, craft brews, and standout bites from across the Coachella Valley. Get tickets
FRI & SAT: Boot Barn PBR Greater Palm Springs
Boot Barn PBR Greater Palm Springs charges into Acrisure Arena on Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21 for two nights packed with high‑octane action and edge‑of‑your‑seat excitement. Fans will witness rising bull‑riding talents and seasoned pros take on some of the sport’s toughest bulls, delivering the grit, intensity, and heart‑pounding moments PBR is known for. Get tickets
FRI: Susan Rice – Funny Old Bag
Susan Rice brings her sharp wit and fearless storytelling to the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum on Friday, March 20 from 7–9 pm, offering audiences a chance to experience one of stand-up’s most seasoned and compelling voices. Fresh off a breakout moment that drew national attention, she blends decades of television credits with a dynamic stage presence shaped by performances alongside comedy greats. Her work offstage—using humor to strengthen communities and champion local causes—adds even more depth to an evening that celebrates both craft and character. Get tickets
FRI: Friday Night Fever
MODGIRL turns up the heat on Friday, March 20 as Friday Night Fever takes over the Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club from 8–11 pm. Dance, drink, and lose yourself in a night of disco‑kissed house grooves as she takes the decks and transforms the space into Palm Springs’ coolest late‑night escape. It’s free, it’s vibey, and it’s absolutely the place to be. RSVP
This Week at the Plaza Theatre
It’s a packed and lively week at the Plaza Theatre: The fun kicks off Tuesday with the cheeky, crowd‑pleasing Naked Magicians, followed on Wednesday by Renée Taylor’s warm and witty autobiographical comedy My Life on a Diet. On Thursday, Rumours brings the classic sound and spirit of Fleetwood Mac to life with a meticulously crafted tribute performance. Kathy Griffin arrives Friday and Saturday with two sold‑out shows, bringing her signature sharp‑edged comedy to an eager audience. The week wraps on Sunday with Matthew Morrison, offering a glimpse of his new show Rhythms & Revelations. Get tickets
FRI & SAT: Carole J. Bufford – Chanteuse
Carole J. Bufford brings her acclaimed show Chanteuse to The Purple Room on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, inviting audiences into a lush, nostalgic tribute to the legendary women who defined the golden age of nightclub entertainment. With her powerhouse vocals and magnetic storytelling, Bufford channels the glamour, grit, and emotional fire of icons like Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Eartha Kitt, Sophie Tucker, and Ella Fitzgerald. It’s an evening that celebrates torch songs, jazz classics, and the unforgettable personalities who left their mark on stages around the world. Get tickets
FRI: Out of This World Gala
The Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club invites guests to blast off for a playful, high‑energy afternoon at the Out of This World Gala on Friday, March 20 from 10 am–3 pm at The Ritz‑Carlton, Rancho Mirage. This cosmic‑themed fundraiser encourages everyone—humans and aliens alike—to arrive in full cosplay for a champagne‑filled day featuring a silent auction, a three‑course lunch, and an electrifying dance party with towering LED robots and swirling “planet” bubbles, all to raise vital funds for children’s charities across the Coachella Valley. Get tickets
Sunset Boulevard
Palm Canyon Theatre brings Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard to the stage March 13–April 5. This darkly glamorous musical follows the fateful collision between a struggling screenwriter and a forgotten silent‑film star, unfolding a story of ambition, obsession, and the price of fame. With sweeping melodies, striking Hollywood noir atmosphere, and classic moments such as “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” this production offers a dramatic and compelling night of theatre. Get tickets
Guys and Dolls
CVRep delivers a bold new take on Damon Runyon’s New York with Guys and Dolls, running February 25–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. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh called the production “Pure theatrical delight!…every element locks together with precision.” Read his full review and Get tickets
