Holiday music droning from the grocery store speakers. Black Friday Sale emails. End of the year donation requests. Tis the season! As Thanksgiving week gets underway, you can participate in somber remembrances, laugh at comedy, take in holidays lights displays, take a trot, enjoy a musical performance or a play.
And that’s just prior to Turkey Day!
Greater Palm Springs will be enjoying perfect weather, so if you’re coming here, no rain gear is needed! Maybe just a frock or lined kaftan… I’m getting ready to make my family apple pie recipe for my chosen family Thanksgiving dinner.
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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9th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Transgender Health & Wellness Center is hosting the Transgender Day of Remembrance 2023 in Palm Springs on Monday, November 20 at 5 pm at City Hall. Transgender Day of Remembrance (often called TDOR) was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith. It has grown to a global moment to have a vigil to read the names of the transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex (TGI) persons that have been murdered for being TGI. The Human Rights Campaign announced in its annual report ahead of the Transgender Day of Remembrance that as of July of 2023, there have been at least 14 deaths due to anti-transgender violence. This number is almost half of what it was last year and although the number has significantly gone down, we want that number to be zero. The Transgender Health & Wellness Center is bringing public attention to these senseless acts of violence by hosting this TDOR vigil in Palm Springs. More info
Caliente Comedy Presents Shann Carr
Shann Carr headlines the Caliente Comedy LGBTQ Showcase on Friday, November 24 at Agua Caliente Palm Springs, along with Max Mitchell & Ashley Ryan. Shann has been making Palm Springs audiences laugh for a long time. Known as the gay man’s lesbian, Carr has been entertaining audiences from deserts to high seas cruises for longer than she’ll admit. Ashley Ryan decided to jump into comedy after a first date took her to “The Comedy Store” and she didn’t think anyone was funny. Max Mitchell is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and comedian who has performed stand-up comedy in top clubs across the United States and his native Canada. Get tickets
Off the Street
Revolution Stage Company presents Off the Street this Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, November 19, 20 & 21 from 7–9 pm. Matt Naylor & Jeanie Cunningham’s musical about one of the most topical subjects of the moment, homelessness, opens after a well-received 2022 reading at PS Underground. The new production is directed by Gary Powers. Get tickets
Book & Movie Salon for Women: Mad Honey
Lesbians of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley and beyond present a monthly B.A.M. Salon (Book and Movie Salon) for women, hosted by Flynn Sylvest and Irma O’Dell on Tuesday, November 21 from 7–8:30 pm on Zoom. B.A.M. Salon looks to develop and deepen LGBTQ+ community and connection through stimulating and informative conversations about books and movies that highlight women authors and women’s stories and experiences. This month, the featured novel is Mad Honey, a novel by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. More info
The Center Social at Chill Bar
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, it’s time for The Center Social, a mixer of fun, community, and happy hour! The November Center Social is on Wednesday, November 22 from 5:30–7 pm at Chill Bar Palm Springs. Look forward to friendship, connection, and a tasty happy hour. Spread the word—everyone is invited! More info
Cabaret6 Desert Stars: Tod Macofsky
For six Wednesdays of the Cabaret6 Desert Stars series, from November 8–December 13, a different Desert Star will take the stage each week at the newly renovated Revolution Stage Company in downtown Palm Springs. On Wednesday, November 22 at 7 pm, it’s Tod Macofsky taking the stage with a show he calls 1963. Celebrating the year he was born, Macofsky has played to sold out crowds in the Desert, Los Angeles and on many top-tier cruise ships. You won’t want to miss his updated show backed by the stellar Gand Band. Get tickets
The Dirty Show 2.0 with Skyler Gentry
Ben Zook from the hit gay web series, “Where the Bears Are,” presents The Dirty Show 2.0 with Skyler Gentry on Wednesday November 22 at 7 pm at Dietlart Gallery. This all-new show features Zook as Skyler Gentry, America’s favorite actor-singer-dancer-psychic, with raunchy songs, comedy bits and “psychic readings” with the audience. His original show was a smash hit in Palm Springs and he performed it all over the world. He’s thrilled to be back in Palm Springs with this brand new “Dirty Show 2.0!” Beware – the show is very gay, very dirty and loads of fun! Intended for mature audiences. Get tickets
Wildlights Kicks off Wednesday
Light up your holiday with WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, recognized in the Top 10 Best Zoo Lights by USA Today, and kicking off this week on Wednesday, November 22, plus Friday & Saturday, November 24 & 25 from 6–9 pm. This magical winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, dazzling light displays, and holiday fun is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and make lasting memories with friends and family. This year, experience several new and reimagined light exhibits, such as the new 30-foot-tall holiday tree and lighted animal-themed displays. But don’t worry, many of your festive favorites are returning, such as the Tunnel of Lights, smores station, holiday carousel, photos with Santa, and much more! If kiddos aren’t your thing, mark your calendar for Adults Only (21+) Night on Thursday, December 14. In true WildLights tradition, the G-scale model trains, with more than 3,300 feet of track, will be decked out for the holidays. Get tickets
Palm Springs Wild Turkey Trot
The Palm Springs Turkey Trot 5K takes place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 23 at 8 am at the corner of Tahquitz & Palm Canyon. This is a fast and flat certified course where world records are meant to be broken! Start and finish downtown, in perfect racing weather, on beautiful Palm Canyon. All participants receive a long sleeved tech t-shirt, finisher medal, free finisher photo download and wild turkey hat! A portion of your entry supports the Mizell Center’s Meals on Wheels Program, providing food for homebound seniors.Show your holiday spirit and run as a turkey, pilgrim or in another festive outfit. Keep an eye out for Santa Claus who will be there to welcome in the holiday season! More info
Thanksgiving at JW Marriott Desert Springs
For Thanksgiving, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa will be serving a Holiday Buffet on Thursday, November 23 from 12–8 pm. Highlights include 4 different meat-carving stations, including roast turkey & prime rib, as well as a poke bar, a range of seafood towers, a mix of both healthy and indulgent sides and over 50 holiday dessert options, including fresh crepes and a donut wall. More info
Walter Clark Legal Group Thanksgiving Safe Ride Home
Walter Clark Legal Group is offering its Safe Ride Home Program for the Thanksgiving holiday, covering the fare for alcohol-impaired drivers who choose to call a cab or use a rideshare service instead of getting back behind the wheel of their car. The program runs from 10 pm –3 am on the evenings of Wednesday, November 22, and Thursday, November 23. To be eligible for reimbursement, participants must register online. More info
Parents as Heroes Toy Drive
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 519 presents the Parents As Heroes Holiday Toy Drive, collecting toys now through December 1 at the American Legion on Belardo, and Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club. The Auxiliary is looking for new unwrapped toys. The toys will be organized and placed in a “Toy Bank” where the parents can shop for their children for free. The goal is to reach 1200 toys this year, including gift cards for older children. The Toy Bank will be open from December 7–December 11. More info
