his weekend’s Oasis Music Festival pays tribute to the musical heritage of the Coachella Valley with nods to the future names that may show up in anthologies written about our valley.
To understand the history, there’s a beautifully written piece by Bruce Fessier, who covered the music scene for The Desert Sun for years. His story opens the now-dated program book for the Oasis Music Festival, twice delayed by the pandemic. But it’s worth the read and paints pictures of what it was like to see Frank, Elvis, Peggy and Elvis in our corner of paradise. There are great stories of the early days I’d never heard before.
The festival tops our things to do this weekend and I hope you’ll take in a show or two at one of our many fine music venues.
A quick nod to the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast committee, Gay4Good volunteers and especially Ron deHarte for an inspiring event last week to commemorate the civil rights leader’s legacy. “Say Gay!”, said students from across the valley with community leaders, mocking the Florida bill that chips away at the rights were have fought so hard to gain.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Oasis Music Festival
The Oasis Music Festival is an all-genre music festival presenting its inaugural run now through Sunday, May 15 at over 30 venues throughout the Coachella Valley. The festival aims to revive the storied past of the musical playground that made Palm Springs famous. From the 1950s performances of the Rat Pack to today’s indie rockers, musicians of all genres, from all over the world, have found inspiration here in the desert. A portion of the proceeds from this festival will help in the efforts to restore the historic 800-seat Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs. Check our event listing for links to artists performing, daily schedule, venues, and tickets: More info
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
The 2022 edition of the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival takes place through Sunday, May 15 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Founded in 2000 by the late mystery author and Palm Springs community leader, Arthur Lyons, the popular Film Noir festival includes an eclectic mixture of prestigious and obscure black and white “B” movies from the classic film noir period. The Festival is known for unearthing and screening rare films, restored classics, and for the special appearances of the stars who were in them. Get tickets
Modernism Week in May
Modernism Week is launching Modernism Week — May, a special four-day event featuring a limited edition of exclusive tours, evening programming, and more, running through Sunday, May 15. There will be exclusive tours of Modernism Week Showcase Home, Casa Tierra, a newly remodeled hillside estate in Palm Desert by Bobby Berk, design expert and Emmy-nominated host of Netflix’s Queer Eye [read more]. In addition to tours of Casa Tierra, participants may also purchase tickets to various historical walking tours in Palm Springs, craft cocktail mixology classes, exciting dinner and live music experiences, and special “Top Ten” tour excursions highlighting Desert Modernist architecture in Palm Springs. Get tickets
Kimpton Rowan Hotel Winemaker Dinner
On Friday, May 13 from 6:30–9:30 pm, join 4 Saints Executive Chef Ysaac Ramirez and Berkeley-based winemaker Tracey Rogers Brandt for a special five-course dinner paired with Donkey & Goat’s natural wines. A pioneer in the natural wine community, Tracey founded Donkey & Goat in 2004 on ecological principles. Its wines are handcrafted from organic, biodynamically farmed vineyards in the Sierra Nevada, Mendocino County and Napa Valley. Get tickets
Safe Schools Desert Cities’ Pride Prom
Safe Schools Desert Cities presents their 11th Annual Pride Prom on Friday, May 13, at 8 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This is for high school and college-aged youth to the age of 22, and won’t be your average prom. Since many LGBTQ+ individuals likely didn’t have the opportunity to celebrate themselves fully at their prom, Pride Prom provides an environment to fully express who you are and who you love without repercussions. It’ll be a night of dancing, food, drag performance, and fun. More info
