I’ve been on vacation the past week celebrating a friend’s birthday on a cruise. We started in Athens and had a couple of days to tour. Like any good tourist, we booked the most popular historical site: the Parthenon. Traveling around the Greek Isles, there’s a strong pride in their civilization being the birthplace of democracy.
The story of Athenian democracy is a messy and cautionary tale. It wasn’t a steady march toward enlightenment, but a volatile experiment that lasted just under two centuries. As we move toward our 250th, there certainly are some parallels.
Greek democracy rose out of a crisis of inequality, flourished through radical civic participation, and ultimately fell due to the strains of war, populism, and foreign conquest.
Ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle actually despised Athenian democracy; they viewed it as “mob rule” (ochlocracy), where the uneducated masses could be easily manipulated by smooth-talking politicians.
And so as I stood on the steps of the Parthenon high atop the acropolis overlooking Greece’s land and seas, I couldn’t help but think about our current political climate. We have some of the same parallels happening in the USA. And I wonder, what will our fate be as a democracy?
The rise and fall of Athens serves as a historical mirror: it proved that regular people are fully capable of governing themselves, but it also warned that democracy is highly vulnerable to populism, polarization, and wartime panic.
Today, the country exists as a parliamentary representative republic with a president who is head of state and a prime minister who is the head of the government. Democracy morphed into this.
We’re on the precipice of authoritarianism while still calling ourselves a democracy. It’s hard to believe that just 50 years ago, I was a young high school graduate with my lifetime ahead of me. The Bicentennial celebration of 1976 was a full on coming together of Americans. We felt unified, and had huge national pride.
It doesn’t feel that way going into 2026’s 4th of July. Time will tell where our democracy lands. History is not on our side for this grand experiment lasting another 250 years.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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Marilyn 100
The city transforms into a platinum‑themed jubilee for Marilyn 100 at Downtown Park in Palm Springs on Saturday, May 30, honoring what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday. Festivities run from 3–9 pm, featuring food vendors, beverage lounges, live entertainment, and a 4:30–6 pm Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of Marilyn Monroe look‑alikes. With photographers capturing the moment and evening performances continuing after sunset, this will be a spectacular tribute to an enduring icon. More info
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week invites diners to savor the start of summer across the Coachella Valley from Friday, May 29–Sunday, June 7. For ten delicious days, restaurants throughout our nine‑city oasis offer prix fixe menus, exclusive specials, and refreshing seasonal flavors—from poolside bites to sunset dinners with a view. Each reservation made through the official page contributes $1 to FIND Food Bank, adding a charitable touch to this culinary celebration. More info
Villain Arts Palm Springs Tattoo Arts Festival
The Villain Arts Palm Springs Tattoo Arts Festival fills the Palm Springs Convention Center with world‑class tattoo artists, entertainers, vendors, and enthusiasts from Friday–Sunday, May 29–31. This three‑day exploration of tattoo culture features opportunities to get inked, browse unique merchandise, and experience the vibrant energy of the tattoo community. Show hours run Friday from 2–11 pm, Saturday from 11 am–11 pm, and Sunday from 11 am–8 pm, offering plenty of time to explore the artistry and creativity on display. More info
Riverside Pride
Riverside Pride fills White Park with LGBTQ+ joy and community spirit on Saturday, May 30. The fourth annual celebration features the theme “Stonewall Lives: Existence is Resistance,” with local vendors, delicious food, powerful art, engaging workshops, and entertainment that highlights resilience and visibility. With a full day of activities and a welcoming atmosphere for all ages, the festival invites attendees to gather in solidarity and celebration. Free tickets are available, making it easy for the community to participate. More info
Marilyn’s Morning After Snarkitecture Tour
The Palm Springs Art Museum is the departure point for Marilyn’s Morning After Snarkitecture Tour on Sunday, May 31, a sharp‑witted, 90‑minute bus experience led by comedian Shann Carr. Offered at 10 am and 12 pm, the tour serves “the tea with sugar and shade” as Shann blends humor, queer storytelling, and delightfully sketchy facts about Marilyn Monroe and other iconic Palm Springs women. Designed as a playful companion to the Marilyn 100 festivities the day before, the tour showcases Carr’s four decades of queer comedy and deep local roots, and 20% of proceeds support PS Pride. More info
Michael Childers Nude Yoga Series Photography Exhibit and Sale
The Michael Childers Nude Yoga Series invites guests to Art @ 401 for a thoughtful exploration of yoga through the lens of the celebrated photographer. Presented by Urban Yoga Center, the exhibit runs Friday–Saturday, May 29–30 from 6–9 pm, showcasing large framed works, 11″x14″ prints, and additional pieces available for purchase. Visitors can experience Childers’ artistic interpretation of balance, presence, and form in an intimate gallery setting that highlights the beauty and discipline of yoga practice. More info
Palm Springs 70mm Fest
The Palm Springs 70mm Fest brings three days of large‑format cinema to the Historic Camelot Theatre at the Palm Springs Cultural Center from Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, showcasing iconic films in stunning 70mm on the valley’s largest screen. The series opens with Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Friday, May 29 at 7 pm plus an official proclamation by Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto declaring May 29 “Historic Camelot Theatre Day” in the City of Palm Springs. Saturday features The Searchers at 11 am, 2001: A Space Odyssey at 3 pm, and Boogie Nights at 7 pm. The festival concludes Sunday with Lawrence of Arabia at 11 am and West Side Story at 6 pm.
Silver Foxes
Silver Foxes, the hit comedy by writers James Berg & Stan Zimmerman, runs May 21–31 at Revolution Stage Company. This witty and heartfelt play follows four longtime friends navigating senior dating apps after an unexpected loss, blending humor with themes of resilience, friendship, and second chances. Fans of The Golden Girls and Grace and Frankie will appreciate its warm, character‑driven storytelling. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh says, “the themes of aging, queer visibility, and chosen family give it emotional ballast.” Read his full review and get tickets: More info
Alvin Taylor Tribute
The Hilton Palm Springs hosts aStar‑Studded Tribute to Alvin Taylor on Friday, May 29 from 6–9:15 pm. This special evening celebrates the award‑winning Hall of Fame drummer known for his work with Barry White and numerous legendary artists. Local and visiting performers will share the stage in tribute to Taylor’s remarkable career and his lasting impact on the desert’s music community. More info
Gen X – The Takeover Comedy Tour
The Gen X – The Takeover Comedy Tour brings nostalgia‑charged humor to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Friday, May 29 at 8 pm. Four Gen X creators take the stage with sharp wit, unfiltered storytelling, and a comedic lens shaped by mixtapes, mall culture, and the rebellious spirit of a generation. Fans of Gen X culture can expect a night filled with relatable laughs and performances that tap into shared memories and cultural touchstones. More info
Marilyn Film Screenings at The Plaza Theatre
The Plaza Theatre celebrates Marilyn Monroe’s centennial with a special series of classic films screening Friday–Sunday, May 29–31. Presented in collaboration with local arts partners, the lineup begins on Friday, May 29 with The Seven Year Itch, followed by Gentlemen Prefer Blondes on Saturday, May 30, Some Like It Hot on Sunday, May 31, and concludes with The Misfits on Monday, June 1. More info
Marilyn, Palm Springs and Art: A Creative 100‑Year Birthday Celebration
The Backstreet Art District hosts Marilyn, Palm Springs and Art: A Creative 100‑Year Birthday Celebration on Friday–Saturday, May 29–30, inviting local artists to showcase Marilyn Monroe‑inspired works at the Stephen Baumbach Gallery. From fashion and photography to poems, prints, and creative surprises, the event highlights glamour and artistry alongside food, drinks & music. More info
United We Stand – A Movement for Equality
The Victorville Park & Ride becomes a hub for activism and pride on Sunday, May 31 from 9–11 am during United We Stand – A Movement for Equality. Organized by the High Desert Pride Center, Not Stepping Back, and High Desert Progressive Democrats, this non‑partisan demonstration calls for justice, visibility, and LGBTQ+ rights. Participants are encouraged to bring Pride flags and stand together for dignity, freedom, and equality for all. More info
