Eleven is this week’s number. Today (Aug. 30th as I write this) is the 11th anniversary of GayDesertGuide.LGBT hitting the interwebs.
I used the Wayback Machine to take a look at the first weekend’s homepage, fortunately captured by Internet Archives. Topping the news was Pride’s announcement of the Community Grand Marshals for 2013 and the 27th annual Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade: Melanie Jones, Ellen Zimmerman, Mark Jones and Brian Vatcher.
Del Shores’ new movie Southern Baptist Sissies, was debuting at Cinema Diverse. Burning Man was the top event of the weekend and Lulu’s all Day Happy Hour at the bar was our featured Happy Hour.
It was the first time in many years I had looked back to that ‘first edition’ of the website. Thousands of events, blogs and business listings later we’re still here. It’s to the point where the LGBTQ+ History and Archives of the Desert is collecting stuff from my early years!
My mother constantly quips, “Did you ever imagine that it would take off like it did?” And I have to answer, “I certainly hoped so!” I left a career in media having worked my way up to the Los Angeles market. And it all started at my hometown radio station and newspaper – housed in the same office – at age 15.
Now I’ve got KGAY/KMEE and Gay Desert Guide housed in the same office – only I own them. It’s a bit surreal, but gratifying nonetheless. As we celebrated 11 years at the Center Social on Wednesday night, I truly appreciated the positive comments from you. Below, find a few photos from the event.
I just would like to take that Wayback Machine forward to know where Will Rollins will be 11 years hence. Mr. President, maybe??
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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“The Judy Show!” Returns
This weekend is the season-opener of The Judy Show! at The Purple Room Supper Club! Starting on Sunday, September 1 with dinner at 5 pm and show at 7 pm, this hysterical and glamorous parody of Judy Garland’s 1964 television variety show features celebrated entertainer (and Purple Room proprietor) Michael Holmes. Expect an evening filled with comedy, music, and iconic impersonations that will leave you in stitches. The show continues every Sunday, don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience at one of Palm Springs’ most iconic venues! Get tickets
Club SIRocco Grand Opening
Join the grand opening of Club SIRocco this weekend for an exciting lineup of events starting with the Labor Day Lift Off featuring the Perry Twins starting on Friday at 9 pm. On Saturday at 9 pm it’s the SIRocco Launch Party with Jamie J Sanchez and John LePage. On Sunday at noon, The Durbins present Queer: A ‘Different’ Drag Brunch, and wrap up your Sunday with Afternoon Tea featuring DJ Matt Consola from 3–8 pm. Don’t miss out on the music & fun at this new hot spot at Hotel Zoso! More info
Neon Oasis
Neon Oasis premieres this Saturday, August 31 from 9 pm–2 am at The Sonoran. This new weekly club night features Palm Springs’ most dazzling light show and state of the art sound system with 3 bars, 2 dance floors, an outdoor patio and late night food. Resident DJs include KGAY’s own DJ Modgirl playing house and nu-disco in the Leopard Lounge and DJ LF spinning Top 40 and club hits in the Electric Ballroom, with special guest DJs weekly. More info
TOTO – Dogz of Oz Tour
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage presents TOTO’s Dogz of Oz Tour on Saturday, August 31 at 8 pm. Over the past decade, TOTO has had a major renaissance in popularity like few bands at this point in their career, surpassing 3.4 billion Spotify streams and approaching five billion total plays across platforms. Their songs, especially “Africa,” have achieved significant success. The band has a family tree of over 5000 albums, selling half a billion copies. Get tickets
HVW8 Gallery Presents Art+Music Weekender
Celebrate the end of summer with HVW8 Gallery’s Art+Music Weekender from August 30–September 2 at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club. The event features a variety of special programming, including an artist workshop and DJ sets by Bryon the Aquarius, Frankie Banks, and Ty G & friends. Enjoy poolside and nightly DJ sessions in the Amigo Room, with free entry for those 21 and over. The Commune will be open to hotel guests and resort pass holders during the day. Stop by for a night or stay the whole weekend! More info
PLUNGE Pool Party
The Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert presents their PLUNGE Pool Party on Sunday, September 1 from 12–5 pm at CCBC Resort. Come check out the new bar setup and music by Palm Springs DJ Bill Dup. Get tickets
Star Wars Saga – Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
The Palm Springs Cultural Center is bringing you the full Star Wars Saga in epic big-screen glory, unfolding one film at a time, every Summer Saturday at 6 pm with a pre-show and cocktails starting at 5 pm. This Saturday, August 31, the series continues with Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Get tickets
Best of Coachella Valley Nomination Period Ends Friday
The Coachella Valley Independent‘s annual Best of Coachella Valley reader’s poll is accepting nominations through Friday, August 30. We would love a repeat of our wins last year! Write-in your nominations for Best Local DJ under the “Arts” section: KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch Djs: DJ Eric Ornelas and DJ Galaxy, and DJ Modgirl of the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance! Then, under the “Life in the Valley” section, for Best Local Radio Personality please consider John Taylor of the KGAY 106.5 Morning Show, and Patrick Evans of 103.1 MeTV FM. Fnally, also under “Life in the Valley,” for Best Radio Station, please nominate KGAY 106.5 of course! Nominate Today
ALSO THIS WEEKEND
Friday, August 30
Country Dance Fridays: Beginner Two Step with Rob Ollander-Krane | 7 pm at Step by Step
Hot Summer Nights | 7:30–10:30 pm at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center
Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso | 9 pm
Saturday, August 31
Dive-In Movie Night: Kung Fu Panda 4 | 7:30 pm at Palm Desert Aquatic Center
Sunday, September 1
Oscar’s Sunday T-Dance | 3 pm (new start time)
Encore Summer Concert Film Series: Wattstax (1973) | 6 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center
Aerial Tramway Holiday Hours + Upcoming Maintenance Closure
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will have special holiday hours for Labor Day Weekend from August 31–September 2. On Saturday and Sunday, the first tram departs at 8 am, with the last tram up at 9 pm and the final tram down at 10:30 pm. On Monday, the schedule shifts slightly, with the last tram up at 8 pm and the last tram down at 9:30 pm. Additionally, the final Guided Nature Walks by Mt. San Jacinto State Park Volunteers will take place on Sunday, September 1, featuring the Desert View Trail and the Long Valley Nature Trail. Note: The Tramway will be closed for annual maintenance from September 9–October 6.
Visitor Map & Guide
Check out our KGAY Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide! To help you find everything you need as a visitor or local, we feature the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries, and other services. Look for the latest edition of our printed version around town if you’re here, or if planning a visit, you can download it right here, right now!
LOOKING AHEAD
The Purple Room Weekday Entertainment
The Purple Room in Palm Springs has a new live entertainment schedule on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings: Jazz Happy Hour will run from 4–6 pm, followed by dinner and music from 6–9:30 pm. Reservations are recommended for dinner. The lineup includes Rose Mallet, a “Living Jazz Legend,” on Tuesdays; a Rat Pack Era celebration with Darci Daniels, Charles Herrera, and Michael Holmes on Wednesdays; and the versatile performer Sharon Sills on Thursdays. Chris Bennett and Kevin Tokarz will play during Happy Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays, respectively. Also weekend shows each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Get tickets
Tickets for Center Stage, Modernism Week, PS Film Fest
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s 2024 Center Stage Gala is on Saturday, October 19 at the Palm Springs Air Museum, and tickets are on sale now! Celebrate The Center and our vibrant LGBTQ+ community, honoring John McDonald & Rob Wright with the Legacy Award, With a special musical performance by American Idol Winner Abi Carter! Get tickets
Modernism Week, the annual festival that highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture, presents Modernism Week – October from Thursday, October 24–Sunday, October 27. Get tickets
The 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival is set to illuminate the desert from January 2–13. The highly anticipated and glitzy Film Awards Ceremony is Friday, January 3, where Hollywood’s brightest stars will gather. Secure your spot now for this unforgettable experience! More info
“Say KGAY” Apparel
The best response to “Don’t Say Gay” is “SAY KGAY!” – Our popular shirts are back with more options to choose your favorite background color and style of shirt. Pick a color and place our SAY KGAY slogan on the front or back. Get yours in time for Palm Springs Pride! Shop Now
Click below to sign up for our Gay Desert Guide Oasis Insiders Newsletter to get our Weekly Blog, Top 3 Events for the weekend, Hot Deals and Cool Events all delivered to your inbox every Friday!
I’m “Living Out” for the next year at the 55+ LGBTQ+ community that you’ve been hearing about on KGAY Palm Springs! See Episode 2 of my Vlog with CEO Loren Ostrow as we talk about the beautifully appointed apartments and the special LGBTQ artwork that lines the walls of Living Out. HERE!
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM
You can WIN a pair of VIP tickets on the KGAY Party Bus to Pride Under the Pines with John Taylor, courtesy of KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM! Get a break from the heat and enjoy the cool mountain air on Saturday, October 5 with music, dancing, food trucks, booths, live performances, special guests, superstar drag divas, a movie and more! Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
The KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their high-energy throwback mixes. On Sundays, we put all five hours together for the Retro Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm. Perfect party music! The KGAY 106.5 Sunday Tea Dance with DJ Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). DJ Modgirl (AKA Kellee McQuinn) is all about “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week. She is also the resident DJ at The Sonoran’s new Neon Oasis, Saturdays from 9 pm–2 am starting August 31! Listen to KGAY 106.5 online
103.1 MeTV FM
This Sunday September 1, 103.1 MeTV FM will be celebrating Barry Gibb’s 78th Birthday with all of your Timeless and Memorable songs from the Bee Gees. 103.1 MeTV FM is KGAY’s sister station, featuring timeless and memorable music including the ‘60s and ‘70s with a touch of the ‘50s and ‘80s. Listen online
- The Full Star Wars Saga in Epic Big-Screen Glory
Every Saturday through Sep 7 at 6 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center - The Judy Show! – Season Opener
Sun. Sep 1 from 5–8:15 pm at The Purple Room Supper Club - Rock the City Series: Bruno Mars Tribute Band
Wed. Sep 18 from 7–8:30 pm at Indian Canyons Golf Resort - Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival
Sep 19–22 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Positively Aging Project – Legacy: Inspiring Stories of Living with HIV
Sat. Sep 21 from 9 am–3 pm at Mizell Center - Hokus Pokus Live!
Fri.–Sun. Oct 4–6 at Hotel Zoso - Pride Under the Pines 2024
Sat. Oct 5 in Idyllwild - Modernism Week – October
Oct. 24–27 - Palm Springs Leather Pride 2024: Deeper Than Ever
Thu.–Sun. Oct 24–27 - Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk
Sat. Nov 2 at 8 am in downtown Palm Springs - CVRep 2024–2025 Season on Sale Now
Nov 6–May 4 - 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival and Awards
Jan 2–13, 2025
Vision Turf & Lighting helps you save by switching to artificial grass, eliminating the cost of landscaping, reseeding and water usage. On top of that it is beautiful for 365 days a year and it is better for the environment. Vision Turf and Lighting has 5 star reviews from their customers, revamping various landscapes, from private gardens to corporate event venues. Learn more
We’re working together with BearCruise.com and Dan Howell Travel for an exciting 6-Night Holiday Spectacular! Experience the magic of the holiday season in German cities and towns for the Rhine River “Bear”varian Christmas Markets. This cruise is all LGBTQIA+ clientele, featuring guest entertainer Varla Jean Merman! Special incentives such as free airfare or no single supplement when you book now! Learn more
- Aaron Allen Marner Named Grand Marshal of 2024 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade
- Spend Your September 2024 in Greater Palm Springs
- New Location for Controversial ‘Forever Marilyn’ Statue Announced. It Isn’t Going Far
- Hiking With T: Cool Events and Cooler Trails Can Be Found Less Than Two Hours Away at Big Bear Lake
- 6 Best Guided Tours in the Coachella Valley
Find out what’s happening on any given day by browsing our Gay Desert Guide Online Event Listing Calendar, and for the big picture, take a look at major upcoming events in our 2024 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY 106.5 and 92.1 over the air, stream it [here], or listen on TuneIn Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-GAY 1065 from Tune In Radio.” John Taylor is on mornings 6–10 am and program director Chris Shebel is on afternoons. Our Retro Lunch with DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas is now heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm, followed by DJ Modgirl spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.
