Don’t mistake our men in leather this weekend for a Halloween costume contest. Our leather community takes its dress very seriously, and that is on full display as PSLOD hosts Palm Springs Leather Pride. That will conflate with Hocker Productions’ Halloween on Arenas Sunday afternoon and evening where our DJ Galaxy and DJ Modgirl will keep the rhythms moving.
You can dress up yourself and compete in any of a number of costumes contests we outline below. Even your dog can get into the act with the Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest on Saturday, October 28 at Panorama Park Dog Park.
Speaking of costumes, we’re calling all drag performers to help welcome Palm Springs Pride peeps to the Arenas District next weekend. Our pink carpet, provided by Carpetn Empire Plus, will host our drag community for some photos (and tips!). See our Facebook page for the link to register, queens! Our space at the Indian Canyon end of Arenas Road will be host to visitors and locals alike to get info on Pride activities, register for our newsletter and pick up our Pride Map & Guide. We’ll be joined by our media parters, Coachella Valley Independent and The Standard, and the Desert Business Association booths. And look for the Volvo Palm Springs KGAY-mobile out and about with Pride!
On Monday, our blog will outline all official Pride activities for the week, and we’ll put out a special edition of our “Oasis Insiders” newsletter.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Maximum Thrust – Palm Springs Leather Pride 2023
Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert presents PS Leather Pride 2023: Maximum Thrust from Thursday, October 26–Sunday, October 29 at various locations around Palm Springs. Friday starts with a Plunge Pool Party at CCBC from 12–5 pm, followed by the official Leather Dinner Party at Hotel Zoso from 6–9 pm. A Dark Alley Marketplace on Friday and Saturday nights features leather vendors and artisans at Tool Shed from 6 pm–1:30 am. Plunge again at CCBC on Saturday, plus there’s a Cigar Social at The Barracks from 2–4 pm, and the Mr. Palm Springs Leather Contest is from 6–9 pm at Hotel Zoso. Dick’s on Arenas is serving a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning from 8 am–Noon, and the Official Closing Party is at The Barracks Beer Bust Sunday from 1–8 pm. Get tickets
Halloween on Arenas Road
The much anticipated Halloween Palm Springs On Arenas Road returns on Sunday, October 29 with the annual T-Dance from 4–6 pm, live performances from 6–10 pm and the Costume Contest at 8 pm. Headline entertainment includes The Pussycat Dolls’ Carmit Bachar, David Hernandez, and Luciana, plus Jesika Von Rabbit, A Cabbello, DJ Galaxy, DJ Mod Girl, Alexander Rodriguez and Bella da Ball. Superheroes, ghouls, goblins, carnival revelers, movie look-a-likes and drag queens can win over $1500 in prizes. VIP passes provide access to an exclusive viewing area, performer meet & greet, hosted bar, tastings, snacks and more. General admission is free but suggested donation will benefit DAP Health, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, Greater Palm Springs Pride and LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert. More info
DAP Health Equity Walk
The DAP Health Equity Walk (formerly Desert AIDS Walk), takes place Saturday, October 28 from 7 am–1 pm. The new name is an affirmation of DAP Health’s mission to remove all barriers to care. Presented by Desert Care Network, the event will take place throughout Palm Springs with registration starting at 7 am, and the Walk steps off from Ruth Hardy Park at 9 am. There will also be a Health & Wellness Village sponsored by Walgreens. The pet- and kid-friendly affair is an opportunity for all residents across the Coachella Valley to walk out loud so that every member of the community — regardless of who or where they are — can achieve optimal health in a more just system. More info
Desert WineFest
The inaugural Desert WineFest is this Saturday, October 28 (1–5 pm), and Sunday, October 29 (12–4 pm) at the OMNI Rancho Las Palmas Resort. The Desert WineFest brings wines and brews from around the world in a fun, relaxed environment, also serving up boutiques to browse, artisan merchandise to buy and more. Explore the exciting world of wine – along with some seriously artisan brews – in a great setting that is all about you finding what you like. Forget the rules! Even better, your good time is a good deed, as a portion of event proceeds go to the Desert Cancer Foundation. Get tickets
Majesty and Glory Choral Concert
River of Hope Church Palm Springs presents Majesty and Glory, a thrilling sacred concert with choir, brass and soloists directed by Rich Cook. The free concert will take place at Temple Isaiah on Sunday, October 29 at 5 pm. Cook is a composer, conductor, and producer who has worked with Disney, the Gospel Music Association, and many other organizations. He has conducted and staged concerts with Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, and other celebrities. He is also the founder of A Cabbello and Men Alive. 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
‘Offerings’ Pride Show by Steven Miller
Rubine Red Gallery presents Offerings, by Steven Miller, from October 26–November 6. This photo show of burning gay porn is the artist’s recreation of a past ritual act, burning his surreptitiously-collected stash of magazines in an effort to rid himself of his “deviant behavior.” The show today is, in the artist’s words, “revisiting my childhood sexuality and shame. These are offerings to all the men who shared their sexual freedom in print without shame, these are offerings to remember all those we lost to AIDS, and these are offerings to desires that refuse be extinguished.” A Meet-the-Artist event will take place at the gallery on Saturday, November 4 from 12–6 pm. More info
Out on the Walk
The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert presents Out on the Walk, an exhibition celebrating the LGBT individuals on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, open Thursdays–Sundays through November 12 at the Village Green. The Walk contains more than 450 stars honoring notable entertainers, humanitarians, civic leaders, architects, artists, authors, athletes, and veterans, and some of the honorees were known to live openly as LGBT individuals, while others due to time and personal preference did not. By identifying and celebrating these LGBT celebrities, business people, humanitarians, philanthropists, authors, artists, and civic leaders, organizers hope to share the story of how each one helped to make the greater Palm Springs area the welcoming place for the LGBTQ community it is today. The Walk of the Stars website and app also features information about the honorees. More info
Paul Reed Yinger: Walk of Stars Honor
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will honor humanitarian and entertainer, Paul Reed Yinger, known to many as Steve Hurley, with the 463rd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars at 100 E Arenas Road on Friday, October 27 at noon. The Star Dedication Ceremony is open to the public. “Paul Reed Yinger’s dedication to community service and profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community is commendable. We are honored to pay tribute to him with the 463rd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars,” said Palm Springs Chamber CEO, Nona Watson. More info
We have a new Pride Finder on the Gay Desert Guide homepage, with links to the hottest shows, shops and much more. Whether you’re interested in finding a cool place to stay, seeing a show, or shopping for Pride gear, the Pride Finder has you covered.
Check it out!
Agua Caliente Cathedral City Halloween Bash
Agua Caliente Cathedral City is having its third annual Halloween Bash on Saturday, October 28 at 8 pm. The event will feature a performance by LA ALLSTARS, a popular band in the Coachella Valley known for their exciting shows. There will also be a costume contest with a chance to win up to $1,000 Free Play in prizes. Additionally, there will be a Free Play drawing at 10 pm for ACE Club members. You can also enjoy delicious food and drink specials at all three casino properties (Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Springs) on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31. More info
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
The Cathedral City Parks & Community Events Commission presents the inaugural Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest on Saturday, October 28 at Panorama Park Dog Park. Registration from 9–9:30 am; judging on originality, scariest, funniest, and cutest costumes. Prizes for 1st–3rd place in Small & Large Dog categories. More info
Halloween Dance Party L-Fund Fundraiser
Palm Springs Crave presents a Halloween Dance Party fundraiser for the L-Fund on Saturday, October 28 from 7–11 pm at Impala. Come for a wicked good time with crafted cocktails, food & wine and a surprise DJ playing old-school Funk & Retro. There will be a best costume contest and a special guest bartender, Mary Ann T. All proceeds go to support the work of The L-Fund. More info
Riverside County Scare and Pumpkin Festival
The Riverside County SCARE and Pumpkin Festival is open daily from Friday, October 27 through Halloween: Tuesday, October 31 at the Riverside County Fairgrounds. This new family tradition merges the playful mystique of Halloween with the rich traditions of the Day of the Dead. Visit a magical town in the spirit world featuring an immersive experience in three gorgeous themed realms: Plaza Fantazma is a haven for family-friendly fun, Cantina Calacas features festive brews celebrating Oktoberfest, and Carnival Carnivore is a heart-pounding haunted house for thrill-seekers ages 16+. Get tickets
Not in Front of the Children
The Revolution Stage Company presents Not in Front of the Children, a powerful one-person musical about growing up different and surviving in a world that feels unsafe, playing through October 29. Danny is ready to be honest with his sister, but is warned not to talk about it in front of her children. Get tickets
Friday Fusion with DJ Galaxy
DJ Galaxy, of KGAY’s Retro Lunch and Retro Sunday Brunch, is spinning on Fridays from 4–8 pm with Friday Fusion at Impala Bar & Grill! This Friday T-Dance Happy Hour Social features beats by Galaxy, sexy GoGo boys and daddies, pop-up performances by drag kings and queens and other celebrities, with flagging by Desert Flaggers and hosted by Snatch. This weekly party from the producer who brought back Boyz Night Out celebrates equality, diversity, and inclusion. No cover; food and drink specials throughout. More info
