Two short weeks will bring us to “Drag Now, Drag Forever” and the 2023 edition of Palm Springs Pride in Palm Springs. It’s our “Superbowl” (hope I don’t get sued for trademark infringement!).
Today we’re announcing two big ways to celebrate: KGAY & Gay Desert Guide will be at the Arenas District all weekend long. We’ll be welcoming you to Pride with our pink carpet as you walk into Arenas from Indian Canyon. We’re calling all drag performers to join us throughout the weekend so you can snap a selfie and get the party started!
Our “Say K-Gay” t-shirt swap is back on Friday afternoon with a live KGAY broadcast from the patio of Blackbook from 4-6 pm. Bring a gently worn t-shirt and swap it on the spot for our commemorative 2023 Pride shirt while supplies last! We’re donating those shirts to Well in the Desert to help cloth our unhoused. (And a personal note to recognize and mourn the loss of founder Arlene Rosenthal this past week. She and the charity she founded did great work in our community.)
We’re also partnering with White Party Global for the Arenas Block Party on Friday and Saturday nights, and will be leading the Pride Parade with the official KGAY/Gay Desert Guide all-electric Volvo XC 40 Recharge!
Listen to KGAY 106.5 and KGAYPalmSprings.com online and watch these spaces for more details. Our events calendar will have every Pride event under the California sun. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you may be!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis
Modernism Week – October
Modernism Week presents their fall edition, Modernism Week – October, from Thursday, October 19–Sunday, October 22. While smaller in scope than the 11-day festival held annually each February, the October event offers nearly 50 events over four days, including many free and low-cost programs. Many events sell out, but there are tickets available for events such as Atomic Ranch Tours, Sustainable Homes Tour, Albert Frey’s Mini-Coach Tour, Legendary Palm Springs Commercial Architecture Bus Tour, and live entertainment like Lizzy & The Triggermen, The Fabulous Lynda Kay, and The Jazz Cartel…plus much more. See our event listing for more selections and a link to the full schedule of events: Get tickets
Center Stage Gala 2023
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and Eisenhower Health present the 13th annual Center Stage Gala on Friday, October 20 from 5:30–9 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This fundraiser, an unforgettable evening dedicated to “Creating Community,” is an extraordinary celebration of our vibrant LGBTQ+ community and the impactful work of the LGBTQ Community Center. The special guest for the evening will be Cecilia Gentili, an advocate, organizer, and storyteller working passionately at the intersections of sex work, immigrant rights, incarceration issues, and trans liberation. Her presence and inspiring story will make this evening memorable. Get tickets
Palm Springs Walk of the Stars Honors Leslie Jordan
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will honor actor, comedian, and storyteller Leslie Jordan with the 462nd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, with the unveiling of the star at the Downtown Palm Springs Park on Friday, October 20, at 11 am, four days before the one-year anniversary of his untimely passing. The Star Dedication ceremony will be hosted by Del Shores (Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies) and Emerson Collins (The People’s Couch and RENT on FOX) and will feature stories from friends including Sordid Lives co-stars Newell Alexander (August: Osage County), Rosemary Alexander (A Very Sordid Wedding) and Ann Walker (A Country Christmas Harmony), Southern Baptist Sissies co-star Dale Dickey (Winter’s Bone, A League of Their Own and Claws), Call Me Kat co-star Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story and 30 Rock), lifelong friend and assistant Bart Stevens with a performance by Danny Myrick (“Company’s Comin” and “Let It Slide”). Sponsored by donations through the Del Shores Foundation, whose mission is to find and facilitate the development of new southern queer artistic voices through bringing together artists and working professionals. More info
H3K Home and Design Palm Desert Store Grand Opening
H3K Home and Design celebrates the opening of their new Palm Desert showroom on Highway 111 at El Paseo with a four-day event, October 20–23. Join in for champagne, cupcakes, giveaways, and big discounts at the Grand Opening Party on Saturday, October 21 from 1–5 pm. KGAY’s John Taylor will be on hand from 1–3 pm. Take advantage of amazing discounts and giveaways in-store and online. Store hours are Monday–Saturday 10 am–5pm and Sunday 11 am–5 pm. More info
Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show
The 9th annual Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show, held during Modernism Week – October, will open Friday, October 20 with a festive Opening Night Party and Early Buying Preview Reception. The show runs Saturday and Sunday, October 21 & 22, and features many dealers new to the show as well as returning dealers that have participated in previous shows. The Fall Show will feature nearly 50 premier national exhibitors offering vintage furniture, decorative and fine art representing all design movements of the 20th century and 21st century contemporary design. This popular event is a more intimate version of the annual Palm Springs Modernism Show held in February. More info
Architecture and Design Book Sale
Friends of the Palm Springs Library present an Architecture and Design Book Sale on Saturday, October 21, from 10 am–4 pm at the Library. This is a free event during Modernism Week October; come and find gently-used vintage, collectible and unique architecture and design books for your personal library, including many one-of-a kind books that you won’t want to miss! Also includes autographed books by famed interior designer Christopher Kennedy, and Cathy Cody’s book about her father architect William Cody. There will be a special appearance by Alan Hess from 12–2 pm to autograph his books, for sale at the Library courtesy of Best Bookstore of Palm Springs. Proceeds from this event will aid the Friends in their support of the Library’s upcoming (and much needed) renovation. See this Cody-inspired design while you can before its closure. More info
FINAL DAYS: Best of Coachella Valley Final Round of Voting
The Coachella Valley Independent‘s annual Best of Coachella Valley reader’s poll has announced their nominees (nominated by readers) and voting is now open in the Final Round, which goes through Sunday, October 22. We would love a repeat of our wins last year! Under “Life in the Valley,” for Best Radio Station, please vote KGAY 106.5! Also under “Life in the Valley,” for Best Local Radio Personality please consider John Taylor of the KGAY 106.5 Morning Show, and DJ Galaxy of the KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch. Galaxy is also nominated, along with KGAY Sunday T-Dance’s DJ Modgirl, for Best Local DJ under the “Arts” section! Vote Today
Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge
The 2023 Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge returns on Saturday, October 21 from 6:30–11 am. Run or walk from the desert to the mountains, gaining 1800 feet in 3.7 miles. New this year is the centipede category, where you and your friends and family dress up and get up the mountain together. You’ll start at the intersection of Tram Way and Highway 111, with stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains in front of you and the Coachella Valley behind. Choose to run your way up or take it easy for a nice uphill walk. No matter how you get there, when you reach the finish line, you’ll enjoy a post-race festival and health fair. The Tramway’s road will be closed until (approximately) 11 am on race day. Spectator shuttles will run from 5:30–6 am from the Palm Springs Visitors Center (all spectators and participants will be directed to nearby parking lots). More info
Desert Nocturnes
Joshua Tree National Park Association presents Desert Nocturnes: Preserving Joshua Tree’s Disappearing Dark Night Skies on Saturday, October 21 from 5–9 pm. This will be a group show featuring Southern California artist’s interpretation of the famous night skies that surround Joshua Tree National Park. The show will feature photography, ceramics, paintings, textile art and more. Increases in both light and air pollution pose a threat to night sky viewing in Joshua Tree National Park. Proceeds from the show will directly benefit the protection and preservation efforts of Joshua Tree National Park. More info
Lend Me a Tenor
Desert Theatreworks presents Lend Me A Tenor, running through Sunday, October 29. It’s 1934 and the world’s greatest opera tenor, Tito Merelli, has come to Cleveland, Ohio, to save its Grand Opera Company by singing Othello. When Tito is unexpectedly incapacitated, Max, the opera director’s meek assistant, is given the daunting task of finding a last minute replacement. Chaos ensues, including a scheming soprano, a tenor-struck ingenue, a jealous wife, shrimp gone bad and the Cleveland Police department. This hilarious show is guaranteed joy. Get tickets
Barktober at The River
Animal Samaritans presents the 3rd Annual Barktober at the River on Saturday, October 21 from 11 am–2 pm. Bring your pet, in costume, and enter the Pet Halloween Costume Contest. Donations are greatly appreciated for entry into the contest. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded. Meet Animal Samaritans’ adoptable pets and let them help you find your new furry family member. More info
