Pride season starts early in the Coachella Valley – and ends late! This weekend’s Cathedral City’s LGBT Days bookends with Palm Springs Pride in November (this year Nov. 1-3). In between are celebrations around the world.
Our ‘Prides’ will have a much more deliberate and purposeful meaning as an election looms just a few days after Palm Springs Pride. Thursday night’s State of the Union address was the opening salvo for this campaign cycle. It’s fitting that our local Pride celebrations start and end as a parallel to the election.
But we always put on a happy face – usually with much glitter and a wig – and celebrate those commonalities that unite the various factions of our alphabet soup. Let’s hope we’ll be able to keep smiling after the November election.
We’ll see you at the Bed Race on Sunday in Cathedral City.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Cathedral City LGBT Days
Distinguished as California’s first Pride event of the year, the annual Cathedral City LGBT Days will take place this weekend, from Friday–Sunday, March 8–10. More than 10,000 attendees will gather for events and celebrations like a special free screening of The Birdcage on Friday. On Saturday, Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City presents a Happy Hour and comedy show featuring River Butcher. Sunday is the iconic Parade of Beds and Bed Race, emceed by Bella da Ball and KGAY’s John Taylor and accompanied by live entertainment including Madonna tribute act Blonde Ambition. The KGAY entry in the bed race will feature DJ Eric Ornelas riding, pushed by guys from Coachella Valley Pride Hockey! After the Bed Race, Cathedral City LGBT Days will host a noon Champagne Sunday Brunch featuring top DJs, champagne, drink specials, exclusive vendors, and gourmet food trucks on hand for all attendees to close out the weekend in style. Be sure to stop by the KGAY / Gay Desert Guide booth and say hi! More info
The L-Fund Luck Be a Lady Annual Gala
The L-Fund presents their L-Fund Luck be a Lady Annual Gala on Saturday, March 9, from 5–10 pm at Margaritaville Resort. This Red-Carpet Event supports cis & trans Lesbians in the Coachella Valley and this year will be celebrating good friend of KGAY Shann Carr, along with Judy Dlugacz and Sweet Baby J’ai with Mina Hartong as emcee. Sweet Baby J’ai’s Soulful Sirens will provide the entertainment lineup, plus there will be casino gaming (win free raffle tickets for prizes), a silent auction, and a delicious dinner with complimentary wine. If you can’t attend, you can still bid or donate online; see our event listing for all the info: Get tickets
Sand, Stars & Guitars: Billy Gilman
Billy Gilman will perform at the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Sand, Stars, and Guitars Series on Saturday, March 9 at 8 pm. The series features the very best in Americana, Country, Bluegrass, NewGrass, Country Gospel, American Folk and even a little bit of ole time Blues. Gilman, a former child country star known for his hit “One Voice,” came out as gay in 2014. Though facing challenges in the genre, he continues to pursue his passion for music, even competing on season 11 of The Voice. Get tickets
The Roost Pride Weekend in Cathedral City
Celebrate Cathedral City Pride all weekend long at The Roost Lounge, starting Friday, March 8 with Prince Poppycock (America’s Got Talent) and host Ethylina Canne at 7 pm. On Saturday, March 9 at 11:30, Dueling Drag Divas features comic impressionist Jo Anna and Emmy award winner Chi Chi Rones, direct from Puerto Vallarta. At 5 pm on Saturday, Kameron Ross (America’s Got Talent) will warm up the stage for Niki Haris and Donna De Lory, Madonna’s collaborating team for over 20 years, sharing songs and stories, with host Bella da Ball. Sunday, February 10 features a performance from Modern Men – Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus at 1 pm, and Brian Scott at 3 pm. Get tickets
Grand Opening of Elan Palm Springs
Join KGAY’s John Taylor on Saturday, March 9 from Noon–2 pm as KGAY broadcasts from the grand opening of Elan Palm Springs, with townhomes and single-family homes for the discerning eye. Tour the decorated models and experience the first-class amenities of a pool, spa, dog park and bocce ball court. Plus, enter to win tickets to the White Party Sahara Desert Nights at the Convention Center! More info
Ask a Gay Doc
Dr. Renzo Corzano and KGAY’s John Taylor are answering your health-related questions in the Ask A Gay Doc series, sponsored by Desert Oasis Healthcare. In the latest episode, Dr. Corzano gives us a report card on STI’s in the Coachella Valley, with warning signals and advice on getting tested. Take a couple of minutes to watch the “hole” report, and find out how you can submit your own questions, on the Ask a Gay Doc page at kgaypalmsprings.com
Elvis: It’s Now or Never
Elvis: Its Now or Never will be playing two performances at the Fuego Events Space in Palm Springs this Friday & Saturday, March 8 & 9, at 7 pm. This is a joyous and touching Elvis tribute, featuring stunning visuals and an impeccable impersonation by two-time Broadway World nominee, Jordon Carnegie. Take a journey through all three decades of Elvis’ career — from the 50s through the 70s. Hear your favorite classic Elvis tunes and be wowed by soaring vocals and exact replica costumes. Get tickets
Stud Country at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Ace Hotel & Swim Club and Stud Country present their first queer tea dance in the desert on Sunday, March 10 from 3–8 pm. Stud Country is a line dancing and two-step dance class born from the legacy of queer dance spaces that honors the rich history of LGBTQ cowboy culture. Best friends Sean and Bailey teach partner dancing and classic era line dances from disco to nineties country while mixing in new genre pop songs. They believe line dancing should be easy, fun, and accessible. All bodies and all levels are welcome. More info
Ellie
The 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. Bruce Bonafede, an award-winning, Desert-based playwright, wrote this piece specifically for DET company member Richard Marlow. Get tickets
A Case for the Existence of God
Dezart Performs presents the 2022 Drama Critics Circle Award-Winner for best play by Samuel D. Hunter, A Case For The Existence of God, playing Fridays–Sundays, March 1–10. The story unfolds in a cubicle where two seated people unexpectedly choose to bring one another into their fragile worlds. Keith, a mortgage broker, and Ryan, a yogurt plant worker seeking to buy a plot of land that belonged to his family many decades ago, realize they share a “specific kind of sadness.” Our theatre reviewer, Stephen Radosh, A.T.C.A., says “Jacob Alden Roa and Dennis Renard are mesmerizing in their respective roles. Both actors give flawless performances as their characters maneuver through life’s minefield.” Read his full review and Get tickets
Sweeney Todd
Palm Canyon Theatre Presents Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, opening Friday, March 8 and playing through Sunday, March 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
Palm Springs Walk of the Stars Honors Peggy Lee
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will pay tribute to entertainer and songwriter Peggy Lee with the 467th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. The star will be unveiled at 100 S. Palm Canyon Dr. in Downtown Palm Springs on Friday, March 8, at 2 pm in a dedication ceremony open to the public. The star dedication ceremony will feature guest speakers, including Michael Feinstein, Wink Martindale, Scott Nevins, and Peggy Lee’s granddaughter and President of Peggy Lee Associates, Holly Foster Wells, with a special performance by the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. More info
BNP Paribas Open
The 2024 BNP Paribas Open is underway now through March 17 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. For the duration of this event, the Coachella Valley becomes the epicenter of the tennis universe as the world’s top ATP Tour and WTA Tour players descend on Tennis Paradise, including: Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Venus Williams. There will be 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
This Weekend at The McCallum Theatre
- Friday, March 8: Legends in Concert / Tributes to The Carpenters, Rod Stewart, Elton John & Lionel Richie / @ 2 pm & 8 pm
- Saturday, March 9: Storm Large @ 8 pm
- Sunday, March 10: The Pirates of Penzance @ 7 pm
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.
