”I farted!” Kathy Griffin brought the house down with that line, and so many more on her comeback tour at the McCallum Theatre this week.
Cancel culture is a funny thing. Al Franken’s misstep that got him ousted from the US Senate seems mild in comparison to the travails that take down others today. In fact, I don’t think the term hadn’t even been coined yet when Franken stepped aside.
Kathy’s comeback couldn’t come at a more appropriate time – for better or worse. Her story is at times heartbreaking (a suicide attempt) and hilarious (vacationing with Sia in PV with seven dogs). And while “music soothes the savage beast”, comedy can be a “Calgon, take me away” moment. I feel better knowing that Kathy’s on our side, providing needed comic relief in a world of crazy.
This weekend is ripe for comedy in the valley as Fortune Feimster and Margaret Cho are each on the Gay Desert Guide events calendar. We all need a good laugh to counteract the poisonous world of social media and fake news. Try to take in one of these two if you missed Kathy!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Opera in the Park’s 25th Anniversary
Palm Springs Opera Guild celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Opera in the Park at Sunrise Park on Sunday, April 7 at 5 pm. This annual free concert of beloved opera arias is the premier cultural event in April in Palm Springs, drawing thousands of people from all over Southern California and the world every spring in a celebration of great opera music with professional artists. Bring a picnic dinner and celebrate 25 years! More info
The Pink Ball w/Margaret Cho
The Transgender Health & Wellness Center presents The Pink Ball with special guest Margaret Cho on Saturday, April 6 from 6–9 pm at Oscar’s Palm Springs. Prepare to be dazzled when the spirit of celebration meets the vibrancy of pink. With the incomparable Margaret Cho as guest of honor, laughter and charm will fill the air. Slip into your finest pink attire and come for an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and camaraderie. Get tickets
Desert Legends Women’s Weekend
Musician Jennifer Corday presents Desert Legends this Friday–Sunday, April 5–7 at various locations in Palm Springs with a party scene catering to the 40+ lesbian demographic. Friday features a Women’s Golf Tournament from 9 am–2 pm at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort and a Kickoff Cocktail Party from 4–7 pm at 360 Lounge at Agua Caliente Palm Springs, and the Desert Legends Concert with Jennifer Corday and special guests from 7–9:30 pm in the Cascade Lounge. Saturday is a Women’s Pickleball Tournament at Demuth Park from 9 am–2 pm, and Fortune Feimster brings her comedy to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage at 8 pm. On Sunday from 11 am–2 pm at Hunters, it’s a Sunday Brunch and live show featuring Marisa Corvo with a Tea Dance with DJ Dawn Michaels from 2–5 pm. Get tickets
Fortune Feimster at The Show
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage presents Fortune Feimster: The Live, Laugh, Love Comedy Tour on Saturday, April 6 at 8 pm. Fortune Feimster has had one-hour and half-hour specials on Netflix, Comedy Central, and other platforms. Feimster has appeared on shows such as The Mindy Project, Bless the Harts, and The L Word: Generation Q. She currently co-hosts a daily SiriusXM radio show with Tom Papa and a weekly podcast with her partner, Jax. Get tickets
Gayming Awards 2024
Gayming Magazine presents the 2024 Gayming Awards on Sunday, April 7, from 5 pm–midnight at Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs. The Gayming Awards are the world’s first and only award ceremony celebrating all that is great about LGBTQ video gaming including games, characters, streamers and much more. Launched in 2021, the Awards set out to celebrate the achievements within the global gaming culture that represent and champion the LGBTQ experience. More info
NEXT WEEK: KGAY Night at the Firebirds – Discount Ticket Offer!
Congratulations to the Coachella Valley Firebirds for clinching their spot in the American Hockey League playoffs, we are looking forward to KGAY Night at the Firebirds next Wednesday, April 10 at 7 pm! Pre-game events start at 5:30 pm on the plaza with music from KGAY’s DJ Galaxy; enjoy $5 beers, cheer on the Firebirds against the Ontario Reign and watch KGAY’s John Taylor and your Gay Desert Guide Brad Fuhr ride the Zamboni machine! Get your discounted tickets today with our exclusive KGAY Night offer: Get tickets
Freestyle Explosion Throwback Jam
Freestyle Explosion is bringing the power of throwbacks to Acrisure Arena on Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 pm. Get ready for a night of irresistible nostalgia and chart-topping hits when this highly anticipated event brings together legendary Freestyle artists who have left an indelible mark on the music industry: Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Exposé, Lisette Melendez, Noel, Connie, Pretty Poison, and Nocera. Get tickets
Glow in the Park at The Living Desert
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens presents Glow in the Park on select nights through April 28. Step into a magical world of lights with more than a hundred Chinese lanterns hand crafted by artisans. Glow in the Park showcases the wonders of wildlife from across the globe and throughout time, featuring larger-than-life displays inspired by the beauty of nature, dozens of interactive installations, fantastic photo ops, and, of course, the fan-favorite “magic” smoke bubbles. Note: Another Adults-Only night is Thursday, April 11. Get tickets
Sunset & Swing with Todd Murray
Todd Murray performs Sunset & Swing live at Living Out Palm Springs on Friday, April 5 at 6:30 pm. Watch the sun set and soak in Todd’s luscious baritone voice backed by a 7-piece jazz band (with cocktails by Alice B, of course). Like Sinatra and Bublé? You will LOVE Todd Murray in his first Palm Springs appearance in almost 5 years. Get tickets
Queen Book Signing
Photographer Aaron Jay Young will hold a book signing of his first coffee table book, Queen, on Saturday, April 6 from 2–5 pm at The Shops at 1345 in Palm Springs. Queen features some of the nation’s leading drag performers–including Palm Springs’ very own Bianca del Rio (on the cover) and Trixie Mattel as well as over 120 other performers including Bob the Drag Queen, currently touring with Madonna. A donation from the sales of the book will go to The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.
Ken Page: Right Here, Right Now
The Purple Room Supper Club presents Ken Page: Right Here, Right Now on Friday and Saturday, April 5 & 6 (dinner at 6 pm, show at 8 pm). The show will include highlights of his repertoire of nearly fifty years as a cabaret performer, bringing Broadway to rhythm and blues and rhythm and blues to Broadway. Revisit some of his Award-winning performances from Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Cats, and Ain’t Misbehavin’ and some of the behind the scenes stories that went along with those amazing theatrical events. Get tickets
Mid-Century Moderns
Mid-Century Moderns, the hit jukebox musical comedy, is at Revolution Stage Company with its final two performances this Friday and Sunday, April 5 & 7, at 7 pm. The pop hits of the 1960s come to life as a Wisconsin widow is transformed from frump to fabulous when she finds herself in an exciting new world in 1966 Palm Springs. Get tickets
Coming Up at The McCallum Theatre
- The Four Phantoms | Sat. Apr 6
- Andrew Evans – Travel: A Bridge to Enlightenment | Sun. Apr 7
- The Desert Symphony Presents: “Let’s Hang On” | Thu. Apr 11
- Patti LuPone: “A Life in Notes” | Fri. Apr 12
- Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro: “Och & Oy!” | Sat. Apr 13
- George Hinchliffe’s Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain | Sun. Apr 14
- See the full schedule for April at the McCallum on our event listing
Charity Bingo for Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Palm Springs Drag Legends, hosted by Burna Cross, bring you the 2nd Annual Charity Bingo for Parkinson’s Awareness on Saturday, April 6 at 3 pm at The Barracks. This will be a raunchy good time with several rounds of Bingo and with prizes, entertainment and drinks, plus a 70’s themed costume contest. Bingo continues on Saturdays all month raising funds for the cause. More info
Western Xposure Bear Weekend
Western Xposure returns to the CCBC Resort for a long weekend this April 4–7. This 100% clothing-optional event features daily pool parties, with poolside DJ’s Carrera, Bulldog, E. Feld, Evil JP, and BodyRolls. Enjoy the trails to explore, grassy areas to relax in, dark rooms and outdoor play spaces, and much more including hot tubs, a steam room, and cold plunge waterfall. This is Western Xposure’s biggest event with over 1000 hot bears, free lunch BBQ on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, and more. You can go as fast and hard as you want, or take it easy and get some sun. With no interruptions or show, the event rolls on so you can strip down, eat, drink, relax, and enjoy it. Get tickets
Friday, April 5
First Fridays El Paseo | 4–7 pm at The Shops on El Paseo
Desert Art Center’s Final Gallery Show of the Season | 5–7 pm Opening Reception
Immersive Breathwork at Power Yoga Palm Springs | 6:30–7:45 pm
Saturday, April 6
Empowered Woman Half-Day Retreat | 10 am–4 pm at Power Yoga Palm Springs
Broadway Sings for Cancer Support Community | 5 pm, Palm Springs
She/They Play | 5:30–8:30 pm at Play Lounge & Cafe
Sunday, April 7
Screwball Sundays: Sullivan’s Travels | 3 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center
