Chelsea Handler has a new comedy special that I watched this week. In it, she relates having her family living with her during the pandemic. She recounts the trials and tribulations of having nephews, her sister, dogs and random men visiting. It got me thinking about life during COVID.
Only a year ago, the resurgence of the virus caused the Palm Springs International Film Festival to cancel its gala. We thought it was over…and then it wasn’t. But remembering back to 2020 and 2021 during lockdown is becoming fuzzy in my memory. Maybe I’m glad to just forget the daily drumbeat of bad news that greeted me each morning, noon and night.
I’m also happy to see 2022 draw to a close. It has been a challenging year – again. Maybe it’s just going to be this way: We slog through each year with its ups and downs. But I want to have hope that the world will be a better place as we move forward. Attacks on our LGBTQ+ communities give me pause. Then I remember the positives — the people in my life, the place we live and the spirit we have to overcome what obstacles are put in our way. And that does give me hope for 2023!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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New Year’s Eve 2023 Parties
We’ve got tons of New Year’s Eve events listed on our Bar Events calendars for Saturday, January 31, be sure to check them out on our Nightlife Channel. We’ve also got a rundown of a few highlights for you:
Boozehounds New Year’s Eve Party 2023: Studio 54
The Golden Age of Disco hits Palm Springs for A Night at Studio 54 NYE 2023 on New Year’s Eve from 8 pm–1 am at Boozehounds. This upscale party promises to be a night dripping in glamour and debauchery so fabulous even Halston would approve. The champagne will be flowing and disco will be pumping as you travel back to a time of wild opulence, invigorating music, and unbeatable fashion. Enjoy a premium open bar, guest DJ spinning vinyl, tray passed bites, surprise entertainment, and a champagne toast at midnight. Get tickets
New Year’s Eve Legacy Gala: Mask’d Ball
Brothers of the Desert present their fourth annual New Year’s Eve Legacy Gala: Mask’d Ball at 8 pm at Margaritaville Resort. The idea for Brothers of the Desert started on New Year’s Eve in 2017 and each year they commemorate achievements and intention for the future with an annual fundraiser to continue their mission and support their growth. Entertainment includes headliner Niki Haris, plus DJ Liv and Ralph Cole Jr. Your ticket includes a 3-course dinner with wine and a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight. Get tickets
Light It Up New Year’s Eve at Agua Caliente Casinos
Agua Caliente Casinos presents three New Year’s Eve dance parties, one for each of their locations in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City. In Rancho Mirage, it’s a Dance Party at The Show with Zowie Wowie and DJ Boba, starting at 9 pm. Meanwhile, DXSKO performs on the Casino floor from 7 pm–2 am. In Palm Springs, the New Year’s Eve Block Party features Pop Vinyl and DJ Lady Kate starting at 8 pm, with a Fireworks Extravaganza at the stroke of midnight. In Cathedral City, you can Party Under the Stars with outdoor bars and food trucks, and Haute Chile performing on the Agave Caliente Terraza, with Alf Alpha on the casino floor from 8 pm–2 am. Enjoy free party favors, Free Play, prizes, plus food and drink specials at all three locations. More info
Maroon 5 New Year’s Eve at Acrisure Arena
Maroon 5 will perform a very special concert on New Years Eve at Acrisure Arena with special guest PJ Morton, starting at 8 pm. To date, the universally renowned Los Angeles band have achieved multiple Grammy Awards and become the most successful duo or group on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this century; with 32 records charted and 15 Top 10 singles. Maroon 5 holds a Top 40 record for the most #1 hits among pop duo or groups with eleven entries and have earned twenty-two Top 10 entries on the chart. Get tickets
Oscar’s Sunday T-Dance
Once you’ve recovered from New Year’s Eve festivities on Saturday night, start the year on an upbeat note with Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs‘ famous Sunday T-Dance, which takes place every Sunday from 4–8 pm. More info. (And if you can’t make it to the T-Dance in person, you can tune in or stream our new KGAY 106.5 Sunday T-Dance radio show, below!)
KGAY Sunday Tea Dance Starts Jan. 1
We’re kicking off 2023 with a new show on KGAY 106.5: The KGAY Sunday Tea Dance with DJ Modgirl starts Sunday, January 1 at 4 pm (right after the Retro Brunch) and continues every Sunday! DJ Modgirl (AKA Kellee McQuinn) is not only the life of the party, she’s also a cover girl on magazines and billboards, a television entertainer, and an award winning producer, director, lyricist and performer. Her moniker is “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week on the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm. Listen online
Doce Uvas: New Year’s Eve at Reforma Palm Springs
Reforma Palm Springs celebrates its first annual New Year’s Eve with the tradition found throughout Latin America, the twelve grapes of luck, on Saturday, December 31 from 6 pm–2 am. Choose the decadent prix fixe dinner and celebrate until 2 am or purchase a ticket to skip dinner and join the party starting at 9 pm. The midnight hour features a Champagne toast. Three internationally known DJs work the dancefloor, while hostess Ongina oversees the festivities. Get tickets
Wildlights at The Living Desert – Final Night Friday
Wildlights is at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, wrapping up its run with its final night on Friday, December 30, from 6–9 pm. Recognized in the Top 5 Best Zoo Lights by USA Today. Follow illuminated pathways on a journey around the Zoo with endless awe-inspiring sights and festive photo opportunities. Guests can go for a spin on the carousel, enjoy themed treats, take a free souvenir photo with Santa, and much more. In true WildLights tradition, the G-scale model trains, with more than 3,300 feet of track, will be decked out for the holidays. Advance reservations required. Get tickets
Mid-Century Moderns at Oscar’s
The hit Palm Springs 1960s jukebox musical Mid-Century Moderns is at Oscar’s on Friday, December 30 at 7:30 pm. The sensational hits of ‘66 come to life in the delightful tale of a plucky Wisconsin widow who transforms from frump to fabulous when she finds herself at the center of modernity in Palm Springs. Get tickets
Win White Party SURGE Tickets
KGAY 106.5 has your chance to WIN your way into WHITE PARTY GLOBAL’s “SURGE” on Saturday, January 21 at the Midway in San Francisco, with superstar DJ’s GSP and Rick Braile. Get ready to hit the road or hop on a plane to the Bay Area! Enter to win on the KGAY 106.5 Contest Page
