I don’t like to dress up for events like Thursday’s Modernism Week opening party or The Red Dress Party. I’ll grudgingly find a piece of clothing or two in my closet, then make a half-assed attempt. And many times I pull it off.
It’s a combination of not planning and not having a certain someone in my life to egg me on. So for the Red Dress | Dress Red Party, the KGAY staff is working on a group “dress up”. We’ve got plenty of creative people on staff and in our orbit. I don’t have a horse in this race, so I’m happy to don whatever costume is prescribed by the team. Yes, I’ve done drag a few times, but am typically compared to “Maude”. (The voice helps!) I think we’re going another route with this year’s get-ups.
Sorry to report that the Red Dress Party is sold out already. Even with expanded capacity, this remains a hot ticket. Alas, there’s plenty more to keep your dance card filled. And this weekend is no exception.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Modernism Week 2024 is Here
Modernism Week’s annual 11-day festival is underway this weekend and runs through Sunday, February 25. The lineup features more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in more than 30 neighborhoods, and the popular Signature Home Tour on both weekends. KGAY’s John Taylor kicked off CAMP on Friday, February 16 from 10 am–Noon. CAMP (Community and Meeting Place) is open daily at the Hyatt Hotel downtown for the run of the festival. Also offered are architectural walking, biking and double-decker bus tours, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, garden tours, a 2-day vintage trailer show, nightly parties, and a special series of compelling and informative talks at the Annenberg Theater and the CAMP theater. Tickets are still available and many events are free or low cost.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival is taking place February 16–25, at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio. Originating as a festival to celebrate the end of the annual date harvest, the annual Festival welcomes over 250,000 guests each February with a carnival, rodeo, demolition derby, food and live music: On Friday, February 16, Smash Mouth performs at 7 pm, and on Saturday, February 17, Natasha Bedingfield takes the stage, along with David Hernandez. Get tickets
Out At The Fair
Out at the Fair returns to the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival on Saturday, February 17, and KGAY will be Out and About at the Fair from 12–2 pm! One of the most popular attractions of the day, Drag Bingo, takes place from 1–4 pm in the Shalimar Building. Join Landa Plenty and Shania Satisfaction and play for gift cards, Out at the Fair swag, and fabulous grand prizes. The Pageant Stage will have entertainment all day, with emcee Alexander Rodriguez joining Landa and Shania, with The Glam Show at 5:30 pm, National Date Pageant at 7:30 pm, and the OutAtDark All-Ages Dance Party with DJ Galaxy starting at 8:30 pm. Get tickets
Modernism Week Vintage Car Show
At the other end of the long Presidents Day weekend, on Monday, February 19 from 12–3 pm, don’t miss Bikinis & Bucket Seats, the Modernism Week Vintage Car Show with more than 50 vintage cars from the 1950s, 60s, & 70s on display on the west side of the Palm Springs Convention Center. Join KGAY’s John Taylor who will be out and about in this free tribute to the fun and sun of 1960s California youth culture. Come dressed in period attire; DJ Modgirl will be on hand bringing the vintage party vibes! More info
Palm Springs Modernism Show
The Palm Springs Modernism Show will be presenting the best of vintage 20th century design and compelling 21st century contemporary art and design from Friday–Monday, February 16–19 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The show will feature 125 premier national and international dealers offering decorative and fine arts representing all design movements of the 20th century as well as cutting-edge 21st century designs for the home. The show opens daily at 10 am Saturday–Monday, and the Opening Night Party is Friday, February 16 from 6–9 pm, with the opportunity to get first dibs on all of the great merchandise before the show opens to the public. More info
George Michael Reborn
The incredible George Michael WHAM! tribute to the late, great legend comes to the Fuego Event Space in Palm Springs from Friday–Sunday, February 16–18 at 7 pm. With his live vocals (no lip-syncing here), Robert Bartko is a spot-on George Michael lookalike, with the vocal range, dance moves, crowd interaction, and charisma that will leave you cheering for an encore. Close your eyes and you’ll swear you’re listening to the real deal, not a George Michael impersonator. Get tickets
The Golden Games Musical Game Show from The Golden Gays
The Golden Gays present The Golden Games Musical Game Show on Saturday, February 17 at 7 pm at Toucans Tiki Lounge. Sophia Petrillo has gone missing! Your favorite pals and confidants Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose must travel down the road and back again across America to find her. The hip old grannies take you on a musical journey through The Golden Girls’ favorite game shows! Put on your trivia caps because lucky audience members will become contestants, interacting directly with your bosom buddies, while competing to become the next #TokenSophia. Grab That Dough! Love Connection! Jeopardy Dream Sequences! Oh My! Toto, we’re not in Miami anymore, sugar. Get tickets
Grand Opening of Elements at Rio del Sol
Join KGAY’s John Taylor on Sunday, February 18 from 12–2 pm as he broadcasts from the Grand Opening Celebration of Elements at Rio Del Sol at Gerald Ford Drive & Avenida Del Sol in Cathedral City. Elements is the newest and largest collection of homes at Rio Del Sol. This private desert retreat is nothing short of a 365-day-a-year vacation experience. Come see what it’s all about and while you’re there, register to win a pair of tickets to see Janet Jackson at Acrisure Arena! More info
Welcome, Gay Pilots Association
The National Gay Pilots Association’s Palm Springs Winter Warm-Up takes place this Thursday–Sunday, February 15–18. Palm Springs provides a perfect oasis for the NGPA’s extremely popular winter fly-in event that has steadily grown over the years, by their their largest yearly gathering. More info
Palm Springs Community Blood Drive
The Red Cross now has a more inclusive stance on those able to donate blood that eliminates any questions asked related to sexual orientation, and will be holding a Palm Springs Community Blood Drive on Friday, February 16 from 10 am–4 pm at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs. The date and location of this event have been set to coincide with the National Gay Pilots Association Convention to be held at Hotel Zoso across from Oscar’s. All donors will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card as thanks for their participation. An appointment is required. Register here
Boudoir Boys All-Male Revue
Barracks Bar in Cathedral City transforms into a dark and sexy boudoir for the Boudoir Boys All-Male Burlesque Experience on Friday, February 16 at 8 pm. Created by gay men, for the queer community, and starring some of the most beautifully talented men you will ever see, the show features some of the best male burlesque performers from across the country, starring Tito Bonito, Return of Babylon, and Shimmer Sterling. Get tickets
The TEN Tenors – Love is in the Air
The McCallum’s favorite Australians, The TEN Tenors, return just in time for Valentine’s Day with “Love Is In The Air,” for six performances from Tuesday, February 13–Saturday, February 17, showcasing the greatest love songs of all time as only The TEN Tenors can sing them. From classic love songs and beloved wedding first dance songs to pop songs with a twist and famous opera arias, The TEN Tenors will deliver a powerful performance of extraordinary singing and showmanship. Get tickets
Something Rotten!
Palm Canyon Theatre presents Something Rotten! running Thursdays–Sundays through February 25. In this mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first century Broadway, brothers Nick and Nigel are desperate to write a hit play, but are stuck in the shadow of the master playwright known as “The Bard.” When a soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting, the brothers set out to write the world’s first musical. Get tickets
Witchland
Revolution Stage Company presents Witchland, playing Wed/Thu/Sat/Sun through March 2. The story is based on author Tim Mulligan’s experiences growing up in Richland, a small town in Eastern Washington – deemed ‘the most toxic place in the Western Hemisphere, ’ and combines elements of traditional theatrical storytelling with immersive haunted elements. It tells the story of a family who moves to a town plagued by decades of misfortune. Is the terror they are shrouded in due to the nuclear reactor that the town revolves around – or is it something more sinister? And what about that mysterious elderly woman who lives across the street, alone in her run-down government home, piles of sticks and all – is she actually a witch, or just another victim of … WITCHLAND? Get tickets.
