Séc-he Spa was ground zero for our tourism industry in Greater Palm Springs. From their website: “As early as the late 1880s, Séc-he and its bathhouse became the first tourist attraction in what would eventually become Palm Springs, today a major international natural destination for wellness.” (No, not that kind of bathhouse!)
Today, tourism drives our economy to the tune of $8.7 billion in 2022. I’m in San Juan, Puerto Rico this week with Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner and a contingent from Visit Palm Springs, Visit Greater Palm Springs and the Convention Center. We’re attending the IGLTA travel and tourism convention, ahead of it coming to Palm Springs in 2025. That will have additional impact as destinations, major corporations and influencers/writers will converge on our valley.
The common theme from attendees when I introduce myself from Palm Springs is that we are perceived as an exceedingly friendly and welcoming LGBTQ+ destination. We sometimes take that accolade for granted, as we live in a bubble compared to many other places in the world. That certainly hit home when I saw this post today from Andrew Christian:
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Pride Under the Pines
PS Homeboys Showroom presents Pride Under the Pines on Saturday, October 7 from 12–9 pm in Idyllwild. This third-annual event features music, dancing, live performances, comedy and more. Friday evening is the kickoff Welcome Soiree, followed by Saturday’s main event, packed with fun like an interactive movie screening of the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra, beats by KGAY Retro Lunch’s DJ Galaxy, and headliner performance by Dev (“Like a G6”) hosted by Anita Rose. Plus, there will be comedy from Shann Carr and Jason Stuart, and a KGAY Party Bus from Palm Springs to Idyllwild with KGAY Morning Show host John Taylor, Shann Carr, and Angelique VaGorgeous on board! Get tickets
Riverside County Scare and Pumpkin Festival
The Riverside County SCARE and Pumpkin Festival takes place on weekends through 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
The Rocky Horror Picture Show – 48th Anniversary Spectacular Tour
Join Barry Bostwick, the original ‘Brad Majors’ for a screening of the original unedited version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, October 6 at 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage. Bostwick will be joined by a live shadow cast with audience participation, plus a memorabilia display with artifacts including an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest, and more! All guests are welcome to dress up as their favorite character from film and props will be available for purchase at the merchandise booth. Get tickets
Sand, Stars & Guitars Featuring Ty Herndon
The Sand, Stars and Guitars Series is back at the Palm Springs Cultural Center for an all-new season with the very best in Americana, Country, Bluegrass, NewGrass, Country Gospel, American Folk and even a little bit of ole time Blues. On Saturday, October 7 at 8 pm, the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay, Ty Herndon, takes the stage. Herndon burst onto the country music scene and made his chart debut in 1995 with “What Mattered Most,” which became his first No. 1 song and garnered a Song of the Year award (Music Row Magazine). Between 1995 and 2002, Herndon charted 17 singles, including his three No.1s and numerous top 10 hits, such as “I Want My Goodbye Back,” “Loved Too Much,” “A Man Holding On,” and “Hands of a Working Man.” The Sand, Stars & Guitars series continues monthly, with performances featuring Beck Buller & Ned Luberecki, Levi Kreis, Billy Droze & Gary Nichols, and many more. Get tickets
Singing with the Desert Stars
Desert Ensemble Theatre (DET) presents the second annual Singing With the Desert Stars, the company’s SOLD OUT gala benefit, on Friday, October 6 from 6:30–9:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This friendly competition teams Broadway veterans and prominent vocalists with nonprofessional singers who are community leaders. This year’s Star Contestants are artist and gallery-owner Marconi Calindas-Cafege; KESQ anchor Peter Daut; Eight4Nine pastry chef Albert Gonzalez; journalist and PR professional Barbara Kerr; Sotheby’s realtor Maria Patakas; Old Town Artisan Studios Director of Development Katie Thornton; and philanthropist Rich Weissman. DET Artistic Director Jerome Elliott Moskowitz will direct, host, and lead the mentoring team. The Star Coaches are Darci Daniels, Christine Michele, Lizzie Schmelling, Broadway veterans Douglas Graham and Leslie Tinnaro, and last year’s winner, Christine Tringali Nunes. Chip Prince serves as music director. The event’s winner is determined by the audience. A pre-and post-performance reception will feature a raffle and a silent auction to raise additional funds for DET’s education program. More info
Coachella Valley Filipino Festival
The Coachella Valley Filipino Festival takes place Sunday, October 8 from 11 am–5 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This free, family-friendly festival will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our local Fil-Am community through food, arts, music, and more. CVFF will bring together cultural organizations, community leaders, artists, vendors, and live musical and dance performances from internationally known acts such as Ruby Ibarra, DJ Nico Blitz, Kayamanan Ng Lahi, Junior New System and Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble; as well as special appearances by Manny the Movie Guy and Mrs. Asia USA California Wendy Lindo. – This is the first-ever festival of this kind celebrating Filipino heritage in the Coachella Valley! More info
House Party PS: Margarita Madness
Join the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation, Mark Bessey and John Schmall for House Party PS: Margarita Madness on Saturday, October 7 from 5–8 pm. This SOLD OUT Latin-themed cocktail party will benefit the Mizell Center’s Meals on Wheels program. Mix and mingle in your best Latin-themed outfits and enjoy special entertainment by Lynda Kay, Charles Herrera, and Billy L’Amour, plus complimentary premium wine & cocktails and delicious Latin-themed appetizers. More info
Drag Me to Giving Under the Stars
Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine present Drag Me To Giving Under The Stars on Saturday, October 7 at 6 pm, hosted by Richard Odell and Andrew Uris and emceed by Bella da Ball. Help raise needed funds to support our uninsured and underserved neighbors throughout the Coachella Valley. Without your help and support, CVVIM couldn’t provide more than 4,000 services each year to low-income patients who can’t afford health insurance. Appetizers and small bites provided by The Butler Did It! 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
Fellini Retrospective: And the Ship Sails On
Thanks to popular demand, the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents its Fellini Retrospective series through the end of 2023 on the first Friday of every month. The series is part of the Fellini 100 Tour, an international celebration of Fellini’s centennial. On Friday, October 6 at 7 pm, the featured film will be And the Ship Sails On (1983). In 1914, a cruise ship sets sail from Naples to spread the ashes of beloved opera singer Edmea Tetua (Janet Suzman) near Erimo, the isle of her birth. During the voyage, the eclectic array of passengers discovers a group of Serbian refugees aboard the vessel. Peace and camaraderie abound until the ship is descended upon by an Austrian flagship. The Serbians are forced to board it, but naturally they resist, igniting a skirmish that ends in destruction. Get tickets
Lend Me a Tenor
Desert Theatreworks presents Lend Me A Tenor, opening Friday, October 6 and 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
