Poet John Rondel posted a masterpiece to start June Pride month. It was shared on “the Facebook” by my mom via a long time family friend and former clergyman Mike Anton. Mike had a big impact on me as a youth in the 70s. With his long hair, burlap robe and gentle Lutheran style, he related to young people in a way that few men of the cloth of that era did. He also served with me on a board that helped create a drop in center for youth in my community.
While I don’t hold strong religious beliefs today, I still appreciate those who spread the “gospel of love” over hate. Because many times the writings inspire and cause us to think. And they can also be a counter to the hate that’s being spewed at our LGBTQ+ community.
I’ve published the entirety of the poem, “An Open Poem to Closed Hearts” in my blog below, but I note here the opening line:
when you hate
someone else
because they are
different than you
you are unknowingly hating on
the very Architect of Creation itself
and this line:
get over your fear
of people who
look
live
pray
love
believe
differently than you do
How do we convey this to those who seek to do us harm? We heard in this week’s Town Hall with Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills that while there are no imminent threats, we must remain vigil to the potential for violence from extremists. All we really want to do is live our lives peacefully in this beautiful Coachella Valley. And see a good drag show…
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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LGBTQ Showcase at Caliente Comedy Night
Caliente Comedy presents an LGBTQ Showcase on Friday, June 9 from 8–9:30 pm at the Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Don’t miss this hilarious 90-minute show headlined by Nicky Paris and a roster full of LGBTQ festival comedians! Every Friday night, Caliente Comedy gets you laughing until your face hurts with well known comics from Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, SNL, Conan, America’s Got Talent, Showtime and more. Caliente Comedy at the Cascade Lounge offers state-of-the-art sound and lighting with pristine acoustics and plush seating. Get tickets
3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Come to the Palm Springs Cultural Center for a FREE afternoon of festivities on Sunday, June 11 from 2–7 pm, for a Juneteenth outdoor pop-up market featuring live music by Tommy Dodson & Friends, and hosted by fashion designer Aneka Brown and soul-singer Keisha D. Explore African-American history. Tour the traveling African American Aviation Museum. Learn about the significance of Juneteenth and enjoy a Drum Circle Storytelling. Immerse yourself in the vibrant artistry of our community and meet local artists displaying their works as well as enjoy a special youth art exhibition. Later in the evening, from 7–8:30 pm the incomparable Keisha D invites you to an unforgettable soul-filled concert indoors. Get tickets
Upcoming Juneteenth-related events include the Sunday Supper Juneteenth “Family” Reunion with Brothers of the Desert on Sunday, June 18 at 4 pm and the Juneteenth for Everyone Conversation and Gospel Recital on Wednesday, June 28 at 5:30 pm, with performances by Charles Huff, Hope Lang and Doug Need and remarks by Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner. Both events are at Mizell Center.
Plunge 2 at CCBC
Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert presents PLUNGE – Round 2 on Saturday, June 10 from 12–5 pm at CCBC Resort. These world-famous pool parties are back for another year of new friends, frolic and fun for their first event of the summer. Music by Palm Springs DJ/Producer Peter Barona. Get tickets
Splash House
Splash House is celebrating 10 years of dancing in the desert with the first of three Splash House weekends, Friday through Sunday, June 9–11, at three hotel resorts in Palm Springs: the Renaissance, the Saguaro and Margaritaville. Each resort is a full takeover hosting a poolside stage, rooms, and balconies that are all part of the fun, featuring Armand Van Helden, Chromeo, Cloonee, Green Velvet, Purple Disco Machine, Gordo, and many more. Desert days continue into the night for the After Hours series, dancing aside the planes and under the stars at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Splash House also returns for two more weekends in August: 11–13, and 18–20. Get tickets.
Coachella Valley Firebirds: Calder Cup Final
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are Western Conference Champions in their inaugural season! They began play in the 2022-23 American Hockey League with the brand-new Acrisure Arena as their home ice, as an owned-and-operated affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. They’ve emerged victorious from the Western Conference Finals, beating the Milwaukee Admirals. Now they advance to the Calder Cup Finals against the Hershey Bears, starting with two home games on Thursday, June 8 at 7 pm, and Saturday, June 10 at 7 pm. The series moves to Hershey for Games 3–5, and if necessary, will return to the Coachella Valley for Games 6 & 7 on Monday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 21. Get tickets
Palm Springs Art Museum’s Summer Party
The Palm Springs Art Museum’s Summer Party will take place in the main museum on Saturday, June 10 from 7–10 pm. The Summer Party will feature a cash bar, drinks and appetizers, and four DJs—DXSKO, Gingee, Olea, and Anastazja—spinning in the museum galleries and gardens. The party will be celebrating five exhibitions: “So Many Songs We Have Yet To Play: Gifts of Donna MacMillan,” “Mythopoetics: Symbols and Stories,” “Meditations in Glass,” “Tajh Rust: Reflections,” and “American Framing.” The theme is “Summer Maximalism.” Embrace the theme by dressing in your most vibrant, over-the-top outfit, from bold prints to colorful accessories! Get tickets
The Palm Springs Art Museum presents Mythopoetics: Symbols and Stories from June 11 through October 16. This exhibition highlights the work of artists in the Southern California inland region whose work incorporates mythologies, iconographies, and cultural codes. These artists rework historical and contemporary symbols and narratives to create new visual imaginings. Taken together, these artists prompt viewers to ask: how do stories from the past actively shape the present? How might the creation of new mythologies impact the development of future events? Artists included in the exhibition are Edie Fake, John Flores, Daniel Gibson, Sky Hopinka, Armando Lerma, Fay Ray, Carlos Ramirez, Cara Romero, Chris Sanchez, and Lily Stockman. More info
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is well underway and continues through Sunday, June 11. With a variety of restaurants participating, you can refresh your palate and discover new places to eat all while redeeming great offers! Savor the start of summer — every poolside bite, every chilled cocktail, every sunset dinner with a view — with more options including prix fixe menus and exclusive special offers only available during Restaurant Week. See our event listing for a list of participating restaurants: More info
Boyz Night Out
On Friday, June 9—and every Friday night!— Zoso Fun presents Boyz Night Out at Hotel Zoso from 4 pm–8 pm. This legendary pool party and happy hour is hosted by Snatch and features music from K-Gay’s own multi award-winning deejay Vincente Corrales as DJ Galaxy! Come and enjoy go-go boys, awesome drink specials, pop up drag events, PS Flaggers and more, and kick off the weekend! More info
Tony Awards Viewing Party with Madame
Zoso Fun presents the Tony Awards Viewing Party with Madame on Sunday, June 11 from 4:30 pm–closing. Madame has had so much fun at Zoso Fun’s new Boyz Night Out every Friday that she invited herself to host the Tony Awards! Join Madame and her quick wit in the cabaret room to watch the Tony Awards. Dinner service and Broadway-inspired drinks will be available. No cover! More info
LA Pride
LA Pride in the Park is Friday and Saturday, June 9 & 10 a LA State Historic Park. Megan thee Stallion will headline Friday, and Mariah Carey will headline Saturday. The festival will also feature tons of food & beverages, bars for 21+, an array of local vendors and LGBTQ+ exhibitors, a large sober space, sponsor giveaways, Erotic City for the leather community, and a new feature, Trans Galleria, highlighting the art and creativity of the LA trans community. Single-day, weekend, and VIP passes available. On Sunday, June 11, the 53rd Annual LA Pride Parade will travel down Highland Avenue, Hollywood Boulevard, and Cahuenga. Grand Marshals include Margaret Cho and a legacy honor for the late Leslie Jordan. The parade will air live, 11 am–1pm, on long-time broadcast partner KABC/ABC7. It will also air nationally on ABC News Live and Hulu, and wherever viewers stream ABC7 including abc7.com and the ABC7LA mobile app. More info
