Our beloved events listing editor – and my longest employee at Gay Desert Guide – is putting away his laptop and retiring.
Alex McCune and I met when we were neighbors in Cincinnati, Ohio back in the late 1990s. He was teaching elementary school at the time, and we both had dogs. So we’d see each other on the street, and then had mutual gay friends in the hood whom we socialized with.
Alex “retired” here, but I pulled him out of retirement to help populate the GayDesertGuide.com website as I started this venture 11 years ago. It took us most of the year to build listings for attractions, businesses, restaurants, hotels and the nightlife of the valley. We launched Labor Day weekend 2013. He’s been running the show ever since. We’ve even traveled together. The company has grown from two of us to over 20.
From attending events and staffing our booth to helping navigate through COVID, Alex has had a great second career in media. Now it’s time for him to enjoy life. So the search begins for the next “Alex”, and I wish him many happy years of not worrying about our calendar of events!
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!
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California Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 5
Don’t forget to vote or return your ballots or vote in person on Tuesday, March, 5 in the California Primary Election! Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by March 12, 2024. Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location (Vote Center Locator), or your county elections office. More info
Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City
It’s time to kickoff Cathedral City LGBT Days and it starts with a special edition of Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City on Tuesday, March 5 from 5–7 pm at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. Our very own KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch DJ Eric Ornelas will be spinning the beats to create a world of glitz, glamour, and fierce performances! The electrifying lineup of local drag royalty includes host Ethylina Canne, with Jasmine Masters, Vanity Halston, and Norma Lee High with a special appearance by Miss Patsi. More info
Desert Smash
The world’s most famous celebrity tennis event, Desert Smash, brings together Hollywood and pro tennis for charity on Monday and Tuesday, March 4 & 5 at the La Quinta Resort & Spa. This year’s host is Charlize Theron, whose charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, is dedicated to investing in the health and safety of young people living in Southern Africa. Desert Smash consists of panel discussions, a private clinic, a Celebrity Pickleball Challenge and the marquee Celebrity + Pro Tennis Matches. The afternoon event features renowned DJs setting the tone with great music undertones, a fun “Desert Smash Village” of brands and sponsors showcasing their products, celebrities walking the red carpet and of course margaritas flowing at the fun hosted bars. Get tickets
BNP Paribas Open Kicks Off
The 2024 BNP Paribas Open will be held March 4–17 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. For the next two weeks, the Coachella Valley becomes the epicenter of the tennis universe as the world’s top ATP Tour and WTA Tour players descend on Tennis Paradise, including: Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Venus Williams. There will be daily live entertainment, top-shelf retail stores and luxurious dining options throughout the venue. With 20 easily accessible practice courts, the opportunities are endless to encounter tennis’ hottest rising stars and most legendary icons as they prepare to take center stage! Get tickets
Palm Springs Walk of the Stars Honors Peggy Lee
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will pay tribute to entertainer and songwriter Peggy Lee with the 467th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. The star will be unveiled at 100 S. Palm Canyon Dr. in Downtown Palm Springs on Friday, March 8, at 2 pm in a dedication ceremony open to the public. The star dedication ceremony will feature guest speakers, including Michael Feinstein, Wink Martindale, Scott Nevins, and Peggy Lee’s granddaughter and President of Peggy Lee Associates, Holly Foster Wells, with a special performance by the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. More info
Making Magic for Mizell
Making Magic for Mizell takes place on Tuesday, March 5 from 6–9 pm at the historic Tamarisk Country Club, a beautiful location that sets the stage for an unforgettable evening in support of Mizell Center. This year’s gala features a “pre-show” cocktail hour, special guest magician Arthur Trace, an exciting paddle auction, and an elegant dinner hosted by Tamarisk. Funds raised support Mizell’s vital programs like Meals on Wheels, Case Management, future programs, and nutritional support for homebound seniors in the Coachella Valley. SOLD OUT.
This Week at The McCallum Theatre
- Tuesday, March 5: Brad Williams @ 7 pm
- Thursday & Friday, March 7 & 8: Legends in Concert / Tributes to The Carpenters, Rod Stewart, Elton John & Lionel Richie / March 7 @ 7 pm / March 8 @ 2 pm & 8 pm
- Saturday, March 9: Storm Large @ 8 pm
- Sunday, March 10: The Pirates of Penzance @ 7 pm
Queer Colon Care Collective (Q3)
Are you an LGBTQ colorectal cancer patient, survivor, or caregiver? Cheeky Charity is on a mission to provide you with resources, support, and a sense of community. Join them at The LGBTQ Center of the Desert for a colorectal cancer support group session on select Tuesdays from 6–7 pm. There is also a separate virtual meeting online on the same dates from 4–5 pm. More info
Movies in the Park: The Goonies
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents The Goonies in their Movies in the Park series under the twinkling stars on Tuesday, March 5 at 7 pm at the Downtown Palm Springs Park. Admission is free, bring your own snacks or grab a delicious bite from one of the nearby eateries in Downtown Palm Springs for the ultimate picnic experience. Coming up: The Princess Bride (3/19), Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (4/2), E.T. (4/16), The Sandlot (4/30), Jurassic Park (5/14), Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (5/28), and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (6/11). More info
Rock the Park – ABBAFab
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce presents Season 3 of their free Rock the Park concert series, continuing with ABBAFab – The #1 ABBA Tribute on Wednesday, March 6 at 7 pm at the Palm Springs Downtown Park. Having played to sold-out crowds across the U.S. and abroad, ABBAFAB is a stunning tribute to the music of ABBA featuring some of the greatest music produced in the 70s and 80s including monster hits such as “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” “Honey Honey,” “Dancing Queen” and countless others. More info
Author Rob Osler in Conversation with Corey Roskin
The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs presents mystery writer Rob Osler in conversation with Corey Roskin on Wednesday, March 6 at 5:30 pm. Rob Osler writes the Hayden & Friends contemporary mystery series featuring a rainbow of extremely amateur sleuths. With Devil’s Chew Toy, Rob coined the term, “Quozy Mystery,” giving a unique name to the colorful sub-genre of cozy mysteries featuring LGBTQ+ main characters. The debut novel was a 2023 Anthony, Macavity, Agatha, and Agatha Awards finalist for best first novel and made the 2022 Year’s Best Lists of Crime Reads, BOLO Books Review, PopSugar and Book Riot. The sequel, Cirque du Slay, comes to town on March 5. More info
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
CVRep presents POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, playing Wednesdays through Sundays, February 28–March 17. This side-splitting comedy applauds the women who somehow manage to keep things running in, and out, of the presidential Oval Office. Jump aboard the ridiculous ride in this play as seven brilliant and beleaguered women surrounding the most powerful man on earth, as they increasingly take desperate measures to save face when his scandals spark a global crisis. Join CVRep for this hysterical Tony Award nominated comedy and start off the election year with a smile. Our theatre reviewer, Stephen Radosh, A.T.C.A., says POTUS “…is an over-the-top farce…the language may be coarse, the laughs are plentiful.” Read his full review and Get tickets
Backstreet Art District First Wednesday Art Walk
The Backstreet Art District presents their monthly First Wednesday Art Walk on Wednesday, March 6 from 5–7 pm. KEE Gallery, featuring three principal artists, Kathleen Strukoff, Ernesto Ramirez, and Erich Meager, will be showing new work along with a surprise guest artist!🧑🎨 More info
Lez Out Loud with Mina Hartong & Friends
Award winning comedian Mina Hartong brings her comedic talents to the Revolution Stage Company with Lez Out Loud Comedy on Thursday, March 7 at 7 pm. Host Max Mitchell and featured comedian Amanda Michelle will round out the evening. Get tickets
