She was only one hour and 19 minutes “late”, but Madonna brought a fierce show to Acrisure Arena on Wednesday night. It was an event that brought so many of us together for a shared experience unlike any other I’ve seen. Likely only this weekend’s Red Dress/Dress Red Party is a close second for doing so.
Yes, tickets prices were outrageoously high, and that’s a barrier to entry. But many found enough change in their proverbial couch cushions to buy a ticket and see Madge. Our DJ Modgirl has bragging rights that she “opened” for Madonna – albeit outside. It was fun to wander around the venue to see how people dressed up. I donned my “Say KGAY” shirt. Whether you loved the show or just liked it (me), it was one of the mostly highly produced shows I’ve seen.
And I’ll forgive her for comparing us to Little Rock, and thinking we were a bit low key and needed to bone up on her catalog. She’s used to nearly 10 times the audience at some of her shows. This was likely the most intimate space she played on the tour. She just didn’t ‘get’ us. But we got her!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Q+ Art Initiative Kickoff
The Palm Springs Art Museum presents Q+ Art, a major new initiative that centers on the work of artists who identify as LGBTQ+ and combines exhibitions, public programs, collection-building, and awards. This Saturday, March 16 from 1–7 pm is a day-long Q+ Art Kickoff, featuring an LGBTQ+ Art History lecture at 1 pm, The Q Word panel at 2 pm, Distinguished Keynote Award for Kent Monkman at 3:30 pm, a Soundscape Performance by Jeshua at 4:30 pm, and the opening of the exhibition To Move Toward the Limits of Living at 5:30 pm. Q+ Art not only supports the creative endeavors of LGBTQ+ identified artists, but also presents their often-untold critical histories. Get tickets
Red Dress/Dress Red Party
Are You RED-y? The biggest party in Palm Springs, Red Dress/Dress Red is Saturday, March 16 from 8 pm–Midnight at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This SOLD OUT night of community, fun, and fantasy benefits The LGBTQ Community Center of The Desert, where revelers come dressed to impress and dance the night away. Guests will be in everything from red top hat and tails to red sequin and feathers and everything in between. Stop by V Wine Lounge between 5–8 pm for the Red Dress Pre-Party to show off your fabulous fashions and start the fun early! More info
Fashion Week El Paseo
Celebrate 17 years of style at the West Coast’s largest consumer fashion show, Fashion Week El Paseo, starting Friday, March 15 and running through Thursday, March 21 at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. Presented by Agua Caliente Casinos and produced by Palm Springs Life, Fashion Week is a celebration of creativity and innovation, bringing together fashion, culture, and art. This world-class event provides an inspiring, immersive fashion experience and features cocktail receptions, pop-up shops, celebrity meet-and-greets, and much more. Experience up close the exceptional design talent from internationally known as well as emerging designers. Get tickets
BNP Paribas Open
The 2024 BNP Paribas Open is down to the Semi Finals and Finals matches this weekend at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Friday is the Women’s Semi Final and Men’s Doubles Final. Saturday is Men’s Semi Finals and Women’s Doubles Final, and on Sunday it’s time to crown this year’s champions in both the Women’s and Men’s Singles Finals. There is also daily live entertainment, top-shelf retail stores and luxurious dining options throughout the venue [Explore the full lineup of on-site activities]. With 20 easily accessible practice courts, the opportunities are endless to encounter tennis’ hottest rising stars and most legendary icons as they prepare to take center stage! Get tickets
Up Your Alley – Bowling for Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Cheeky Charity and Let’s Kick Ass present Up Your Alley Bowling on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, May 17 from 12–2 pm at Palm Springs Lanes in Cathedral City. This fun bowling event promotes awareness and provides an opportunity to learn more about colorectal cancer screening and prevention. In addition to bowling, there’s a photo booth and silly prizes for how good (or bad) you are. Get tickets
Glow in the Park at The Living Desert
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens presents Glow in the Park on select nights from March 16–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. Also: don’t miss the opportunity to light up your taste buds with specialty Asian-inspired dishes, American-style family favorites, and wonderfully wild themed cocktails. Adult Only nights are March 21 (Glow with Pride Night – KGAY will be Out and About, see event listing for all the details!), and April 11. Get tickets
Ellie
Desert Ensemble Theatre presents Ellie, a new play by Bruce Bonafede, playing Friday–Sunday, March 8–10 & 15–17 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Brothers Richard and Warren are grieving the death of one of their wives. Their mourning sparks a confrontation that lays bare their life-long love/hate relationship and changes their lives forever. Bonafede, an award-winning, Desert-based playwright, wrote this piece specifically for DET company member Richard Marlow. Our theatre reviewer, Stephen Radosh, A.T.C.A., says “the play thunders down the track to what can be the only truly befitting end…each turn of direction the plot takes feels right and, even more importantly, natural.” Read his full review and Get tickets
Mid-Century Moderns
Mid-Century Moderns, the hit jukebox musical comedy, is at Revolution Stage Company with performances every Friday and Sunday at 7 pm, every weekend through April 7, with an extra performance on Saturday, March 30. 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
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
CVRep presents POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, playing Wednesdays through Sundays, February 28–March 17. This side-splitting comedy applauds the women who somehow manage to keep things running in, and out, of the presidential Oval Office. Join CVRep for this hysterical Tony Award nominated comedy and start off the election year with a smile. Our theatre reviewer, Stephen Radosh, A.T.C.A., says POTUS “…is an over-the-top farce…the language may be coarse, the laughs are plentiful.” Read his full review and Get tickets
Sweeney Todd
Palm Canyon Theatre Presents Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, playing Thursdays through Sundays, March 8–24. An unjustly exiled barber returns to nineteenth century London, seeking revenge against the judge who framed him. Renaming himself Sweeney Todd, the now mad man vows revenge, applying his razor to unlucky customers and shuttling the bodies down to Mrs. Lovett’s meat shop. Though many fall to his blade, Todd will not be satisfied until he slits the judge’s throat. Get tickets
This Weekend at The McCallum Theatre
- Pink Martini / Featuring China Forbes With Special Guest Meow Meow / Friday, March 15 @ 8 pm / Saturday, March 16 @ 2 pm & 8 pm / Sunday, March 17 @ 7 pm
- See the full March 2024 schedule on our event listing
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Desert Theatreworks presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, playing Thursdays–Sundays, March 1–24. With tickets selling like hotcakes, they’ve added two performances: Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30 pm and a matinee performance on Saturday, March 23 at 2 pm! From the string of pop classics Carole King wrote for the biggest acts in music, to her own life-changing, chart-busting success with Tapestry, Beautiful takes you back to where it all began—and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and Natural Woman,” this crowd-pleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember—and the story you’ll never forget. Get tickets
The Woman in the Mirror
Revolution Stage Company presents the California premiere of The Woman in the Mirror, a dark comedy about navigating Alzheimer’s with love, laughter, and wine, playing Tuesdays through Sundays, March 10–31. The play is adapted from Dayna Steele’s best-selling book Surviving Alzheimer’s with Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine. Steele takes audiences on an inspirational journey filled with laughter, wit, and the resilience required when facing extraordinary and unexpected circumstances. Get tickets
Lesbian Hikes
Each week Kim Kieler leads a variety of hikes for Lesbians in the Greater Palm Springs area. She does a moderate hike on Saturdays and Tuesdays, with an easy hike/walk on Mondays, and every week she walks at the Prescott Preserve at 8 am on Wednesdays and Fridays. See our event listing for links to sign up and get the weekly newsletter with each week’s schedule sent out on Sunday afternoons. More info.
