Had the writer’s strike not gotten resolved, many of you may have rediscovered live theatre productions to get your fix of entertainment. The valley has a rich tradition in theatre, and nowhere was that more apparent in the dozens of awards handed out for the Desert Theatre League’s “Desert Star Awards“.
The award winners are names you know both from the stage and from our community where countless individuals participate in the many productions that occur year-round.
Michael Shaw and Dezart Performs took home 12 awards, and Desert Ensemble Theatre’s Shawn Abramawicz was honored with the Sidney Harmon Award. Shawn’s company is producing “Singing With the Desert Stars” this Friday as a fundraiser (sold out). There are many names from our LGBTQ+ community who will be singing their hearts out – under the watchful eyes and ears of a “coach”.
If you want to sing your heart out in public, Join Barry Bostwick, the original ‘Brad’ for The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino. (Props included!)
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Sting: My Songs
Sting’s My Songs tour comes to Acrisure Arena on Thursday, October 5 at 8 pm. This is an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist. Fans can expect to be taken on a musical journey with timeless hits like ‘Fields of Gold’, ‘Shape of my Heart’, ‘Roxanne’, ‘Englishman In New York,’ ‘Every Breath You Take,’ ‘Message In A Bottle’, ‘Demolition Man’ and many more. Special Guest: Joe Sumner. Get tickets
Singing with the Desert Stars
Desert Ensemble Theatre (DET) presents the second annual Singing With the Desert Stars, the company’s gala benefit, on Friday, October 6 from 6:30–9:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This friendly competition teams Broadway veterans and prominent vocalists with nonprofessional singers who are community leaders. This year’s Star Contestants are artist and gallery-owner Marconi Calindas-Cafege; KESQ anchor Peter Daut; Eight4Nine pastry chef Albert Gonzalez; journalist and PR professional Barbara Kerr; Sotheby’s realtor Maria Patakas; Old Town Artisan Studios Director of Development Katie Thornton; and philanthropist Rich Weissman. DET Artistic Director Jerome Elliott Moskowitz will direct, host, and lead the mentoring team. The Star Coaches are Darci Daniels, Christine Michele, Lizzie Schmelling, Broadway veterans Douglas Graham and Leslie Tinnaro, and last year’s winner, Christine Tringali Nunes. Chip Prince serves as music director. The event’s winner is determined by the audience. A pre-and post-performance reception will feature a raffle and a silent auction to raise additional funds for DET’s education program. Get tickets
Positive Life Series – Med Resistance and HIV
The HIV+ Aging Research Project Palm Springs presents the Positive Life Series on Tuesday, October 3 at 6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This month, the topic is an Med Resistance and HIV with Jim Osburn from Thera Technologies. You can also attend via Zoom. Future topics include: HIV Research in Palm Springs (11/7), and Special World AIDS Day Conference (12/1). More info
National Night Out
Tuesday, October 3 is National Night Out. Join your neighbors for free family fun and help build a stronger, safer community alongside the Palm Springs Police Department on Tuesday Night from 5:30–8:30 pm at Palm Springs Stadium. National Night Out is an annual event that aims to bring communities together to promote neighborhood safety, strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and residents, and create a sense of unity. More info
College of the Desert Community Update Event
Community leaders will present an update from College of the Desert on Wednesday, October 4 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the Hilton Palm Springs. College of the Desert Trustee Ron Oden, representing COD District 3, which includes Palm Springs, along with Laura Hope, the newly appointed Interim Superintendent/President of COD, will be addressing the community on the status of the new Palm Springs and Cathedral City Campuses. They will be joined by Scott Atkins, Director of Education Centers for an update. More info
Let’s Interact: Empowering Your Health
The Women Leaders Forum and Desert Oasis Healthcare presents Let’s Interact: Empowering Your Health on Thursday, October 5 from 5:30–7:30 pm at the Classic Club in Palm Desert. Discover preventive care, holistic practices, and essential services in the Coachella Valley, as you embark on a journey towards a healthier and happier life. Speakers include: Primary Care Physician Dr. Edith Jones-Poland, Internal Medicine Physicians Dr. Loren Khoury and Shay Moraga, founder and CEO of Shay’s Warriors – Life after Cancer. The event includes dinner and a glass of wine. Get tickets
Palm Desert Concerts in the Park Series Returns w/Classic Journey
The City of Palm Desert is continues their popular evening outdoor concert series under the stars at Civic Center Park amphitheater each Thursday evening in October from 6–7:30 pm. The concerts feature a diverse range of talented performers and tribute bands designed to please music lovers of all ages and tastes. On Thursday, October 5, Classic Journey takes the stage, an amazing Journey tribute band featuring the legendary Franky Dee and a band that plays the iconic anthems and ballads that made Journey famous. The public is welcome to bring chairs and picnic baskets, or enjoy delicious creations offered by food trucks parked by the amphitheater. More info
Valerie Biden Owens
The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Writers Series presents Valerie Biden Owens, discussing her memoir, Growing Up Biden on Thursday, October 5 at 2 pm at the award winning Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. This series of events by eminent authors is presented free. More info
Psychedelic Society of Palm Springs
The Psychedelic Society of Palm Springs is building a local group in support of psychedelic medicines, meeting on Thursday, October 5 from 6–8 pm at The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts, share stories, and learn about the fascinating history and culture surrounding psychedelics, beginning with an intro talk on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. More info
The Rocky Horror Picture Show – 48th Anniversary Spectacular Tour
Join Barry Bostwick, the original ‘Brad Majors’ for a screening of the original unedited version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, October 6 at 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage. Bostwick will be joined by a live shadow cast with audience participation, plus a memorabilia display with artifacts including an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest, and more! All guests are welcome to dress up as their favorite character from film and props will be available for purchase at the merchandise booth. Get tickets
QiGong
The Mizell Center presents QiGong Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1–1:45 pm. Qigong is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. The movements are simple and physically undemanding. The rewards are immediate and long lasting. The course will include Wuji, QiGong, which is a combination of QiGong, Tai Chi, and Feng Shui. Walking QiGong will also be demonstrated and practiced. Class instructed by author, screenwriter and trained QiGong practitioner Darryl Ponicsan. More info
Acting for TV and Commercials
The Mizell Center presents Acting for TV and Commercials on Wednesdays from 3–4 pm, for 8 weeks starting Wednesday, October 4. Through the fun of improvisation, the delight of commercial acting, and the drama of scene study, students of all experience levels will discover their natural talent. This will be an on-camera class where students are filmed performing their scripts. It will include a video playback so they see their improvements class by class. instructed by sought-after acting coach, dancer, model, singer and actor Frances Welter. More info
Amateur Radio Technician Preparation
The Mizell Center presents Amateur Radio Technician Preparation, an 8-week class starting Wednesday, October 4 from 6–7 pm. This class will prepare candidates to obtain their FCC Technician Class Amateur Radio License. The last session will include an official FCC sanctioned exam session. Candidates who pass the exam will receive their license directly from the FCC, with a call sign! The instructor for this program is Richard Fearns, accomplished teacher, engineer & Emmy Award winner. More info
Cigars Under the Stars
Cigars Under the Stars is back on Thursday, October 5 at 6 pm, under the stars on the Rose Lawn at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage. The curated event full of premium cigars, live entertainment, drinks, raffle prizes and more features a cigar rolling station, bourbon, scotch, tequila and cognac tastings, complimentary dinner premium buffet & specials. For more info on participating brands, check our event listing: Get tickets
Friday Fusion with DJ Galaxy
DJ Galaxy, of KGAY’s Retro Lunch and Retro Sunday Brunch, is spinning on Fridays from 4–8 pm with Friday Fusion at Impala Bar & Grill! This Friday T-Dance Happy Hour Social features beats by Galaxy, sexy GoGo boys and daddies, pop-up performances by drag kings and queens and other celebrities, with flagging by Desert Flaggers and hosted by Snatch. This weekly party from the producer who brought back Boyz Night Out celebrates equality, diversity, and inclusion. No cover; food and drink specials throughout. More information
