Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Nov 22-24, 2024 | KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 Palm Springs

Wicked and the on-sale for Coachella could have easily been included in our Top 3 on Gay Desert Guide. Both are all the buzz as we go into this weekend before Thanksgiving.

Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda and features a number of cameos that are also buzzworthy. And as a casual consumer of all things Wicked, I had nearly missed this fact: The film is the first part of a two-story adventure, and Wicked Part 2 being released exactly one year after Part 1 on November 21, 2025.

I was traumatized by The Wizard of Oz as a child watching it each year on television. I think it was the flying monkeys — or maybe the tornado — as I lived in the storm-prone Midwest. However, I plan on seeing this one without any fears of trauma some 60 years later.

And I’m also considering a trip to our local “Oz”, Coachella 2025. The lineup was announced this week and passes go on sale Friday (Today). I’m already seeing posts from friends hardly able to contain their excitement about GaGa and Missy Elliot headlining Friday. (Once one gets to the small type on the Coachella lineup poster, one wonders if they forgot to proofread or if those band names really are missing vowels and delight in mis-capitalization!)

I’m ‘off to see the ‘pink wizard’, Trixie Mattel, as she opens for Cyndi Lauper this weekend. It’s another needed distraction from the news of the day. But let’s not forget Monday’s “Building Resilience” gathering from The Center as we prepare for four years of living in Oz’s proverbial black and white Kansas.

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs

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Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour

Cyndi Lauper brings her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour to Acrisure Arena on Sunday, November 24 at 8 pm. The headlining tour – Lauper’s first major tour in a decade will also feature American singer, actor, drag queen, and acclaimed “Skinny Legend,” Trixie Mattel, as a special guest. This farewell tour promises a nostalgic journey through Lauper’s iconic career, featuring hits like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “True Colors.” Get tickets

David Hockney Exhibit Opens

David Hockey: Perspective Should Be Reversed opens this weekend, running from November 23–March 31 at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The exhibition presents a wide body of works produced during a six-decade-long career. It features nearly 200 of the artist’s works in a variety of media, including prints, collages, photographs, iPhone as well as iPad drawings, highlighting Hockney’s lifelong experiments with non-traditional perspectives for depicting the world and foregrounds his early interest in expressing his identity as a gay man. Get tickets

McCormick’s Auto Auction

McCormick’s presents their 77th Auto Auction this Friday–Sunday, November 22–24 at the Palm Springs Convention Center Outdoor Event Area. This family-owned and operated classic car auction house is based here in Palm Springs and produces 2 large classic car auctions per year. The auctions are open to the general public and dealers are also welcome. McCormick’s relentless dedication to excellence and integrity has produced one of the most prestigious, respected, and successful car auctions in America. More info

10th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta

The 10th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta, presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, is set to take place from Friday–Sunday, November 22–24 at various locations in Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage. This year’s festival promises a weekend filled with breathtaking hot air balloon launches, nighttime balloon glow, live music, delicious food from top food trucks, a beer and wine garden and interactive kids’ activities. Get tickets

LeAnn Rimes Balloon Fest 10th Anniversary

A highlight of the festival is a special 10th anniversary concert by LeAnn Rimes on Saturday, November 23 at 5 pm at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. Experience her incredible voice and captivating performance in a special concert that promises to be a night to remember. Don’t miss this chance to see one of the most talented and iconic artists of our time live on stage! Featuring Emily West of America’s Got Talent as Leann’s opening guest. Get tickets

Bones-N-Scones Adoption Assistance Program Launch

Don’t miss the exciting launch event for Bones-N-Scones’ new Adoption Assistance program, on Saturday, November 23, from 11 am–4 pm at Bones-N-Scones. Stop by from Noon– 2 pm for a special appearance by KGAY’s John Taylor on this day filled with heartwarming moments. The Adoption Assistance program aims to support new adoptive pet parents by providing highly subsidized (almost free) food for the first year and significant discounts thereafter. This wonderful initiative is in partnership with the PS Shelter and is open to all legitimate shelters, rescues, and fosters in the Coachella Valley. More info

Coachella 2025 Lineup Announced, Presale This Friday

Goldenvoice has announced the full lineup for the 2025 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, set to take place over two weekends: April 11-13 and 18-20, 2025. Headliners include Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone. Presale starts Friday, November 22 at 11 am, PT. View the full lineup

Desert Winds Freedom Band – Fiesta Latina

Join the Desert Winds Freedom Band at their Fall concert “Fiesta Latina” at the Jewish Community Center on Saturday, November 23 at 7 pm, or Sunday, November 24 at 2 pm. Experience a spectacular celebration of Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban cultures with performances like Havana Nights, Danza Cubanas, selections from “Man of La Mancha,” Chuck Mangione’s “Children Of Sanchez,” a medley from “Encanto” by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night In Tunisia.” The Jazz Band will also treat you to exciting Latin tunes, including Mangione’s “Feels So Good.” Get tickets

Bernadette Peters

The McCallum Theatre presents Bernadette Peters on Saturday, November 23 at 8 pm. Throughout her illustrious career, Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert and on recordings. One of Broadway’s most critically acclaimed performers, Peters has won numerous accolades including three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, two GRAMMY Awards, and three Emmy nominations, and she has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Get tickets

Brenna Whitaker at The Purple Room

On Friday, November 22, The Purple Room Supper Club presents Brenna Whitaker: A Voice and a Piano. Carrying the torch from icons like Shirley Bassey, Etta James and Nina Simon, Ms. Whitaker will perform Jazz Standards and Classics made famous by these legendary artists as well as highlighting new selections from her forth-coming album recorded in Nashville. (Dinner at 6, Show at 8 pm). Get tickets

Magic of Lights is Back

Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience, is back from November 19–December 29 (Sun–Thurs 5:30–9 pm / Fri–Sat 5:30–10 pm, bigger and brighter than ever with more than a mile of spectacular light displays at the Empire Polo Club. Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas, with favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season depicted with the latest LED technology and digital animations. Get tickets

Coming OUTdoors Hike + Mixer

Come for for a fun, friendly, and educational hike in Joshua Tree National Park with the Joshua Tree National Park Association staff at the Coming OUTdoors Hike + Mixer on Friday, November 22, at 4:30 pm! This leisurely activity covers less than 2 miles with little to no elevation gain, offering shade and seating along the way. Learn about the park’s native plants and animals, with a breathtaking panoramic view. Desert Institute staff naturalist Jon Norris will share his knowledge and stories from the park. After the hike, gather at the Yucca Valley visitor center for a mixer to connect with local folks and new friends from surrounding communities. More info