The “Best of Fest” at the Palm Springs International Film Festival is both a marathon and a sprint. You could spend all day today viewing the top films of the 36th annual festival. But you only have one day to do so.
Here’s the lineup at the three theatres for the final viewing of these great films that were carefully curated by the outstanding team at PSIFF. We’re proud to be a media sponsor and support this annual event which draws so many to our valley. I was sorry to miss the Bob Mackie documentary, but look forward to its release for streaming or theatrical viewing.
As we had reported on our January events calendar, White Party will not be held in 2025. The circuit party survived for many years during a number of challenges, and hopefully will come back in 2026. The Dinah will be back in full swing, and the Hot Rodeo is returning this year. It’s also the year for Desert X and AIDS Lifecycle takes its “Final Ride”. The ever-changing LGBTQ events landscape continues to evolve. We’ll be here to cover it all!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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From Resilience to Action
In partnership with Equality California, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert is organizing From Resilience to Action on Monday, January 13 from 5–6:30 pm at the Palm Springs Pavilion. This powerful gathering is aimed at mobilizing our LGBTQ+ community and allies to turn resilience into impactful advocacy. We will learn in greater detail the potential threats to our community and focus on translating our strength and resilience into concrete actions to protect and advance LGBTQ+ rights. RSVP requested. More info
Barbershop: A Black Men’s Space
Barbershop / A Black Men’s Space takes place on Tuesday, January 14 from 5:30–7 pm, presented jointly by Brothers of the Desert and Let’s Kick Ass Palm Springs. This inclusive discussion group aims to bring together gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and straight allies to explore diverse wellness topics. The discussions will range from dating and intimacy to aging with HIV, and from offering support to exploring identities as Black men. The event draws inspiration from the traditional role of barbershops in Black communities as places of camaraderie and connection. More info
Positive Life Series: Managing Prostate Disease and HIV
On Tuesday, January 14, the Positive Life Series will feature a discussion on Managing Prostate Disease and HIV, led by Dr. Jay Bishoff from Eisenhower Health. This insightful event will take place at 6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center (also on Zoom). Note that this month’s series is scheduled later than usual due to the Palm Springs Film Festival. Join in to gain valuable knowledge and support in addressing this important health topic. More info
DBA Women’s Listening Session
Desert Business Association, the Desert’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a Women’s Listening Session via Zoom on Wednesday, January 15 from 9–10 am. This session is part of their efforts to better support women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Participants will have the opportunity to share their needs and challenges to help shape programs that will foster business development, support, and promotion for long-term success. More info
The Center Women’s Social
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert presents The Center Women’s Social on Wednesday, January 15 from 5:30–7 pm at Low Desert Modern Mexican. It’s the 3rd Wednesday of the month which means it’s time to make meaningful connections, friends, and have a generally fun time! More info
Varla Jean: The Errors Tour
Catch Varla Jean: The Errors Tour on Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7 pm at Toucans. It was a Cruel Summer, but that can’t keep a good Diva down! What does she do? She “SHAKES IT OFF” and faster than you can say “Ticketmaster site crash,” Varla Jean has swiftly tailored The Errors Tour for her fans, The Mermies. Everyone’s favorite ditzy diva takes you through her catalogue of hilarious hits and egregious errors in a show jam-packed with classic bits, giant wigs, over-taxed costumes, and new songs. Get tickets
Spring Awakening
Revolution Stage Company presents Spring Awakening from January 14–30. This groundbreaking rock musical, based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 play, captures the turbulent journey of adolescence with unflinching honesty. Set in late 19th-century Germany, it tells the poignant story of teenagers grappling with sexual awakening, societal expectations, and identity. With powerful performances and a haunting score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, featuring unforgettable songs like “Mama Who Bore Me” and “The Bitch of Living,” this production speaks to the heart of growing up. Get tickets
The American Express® PGA WEST 2025
The American Express® PGA WEST 2025 takes place this week at La Quinta Country Club. The tournament will feature top golfers like Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Tom Kim. The evening entertainment will include standout performances by GRAMMY Award-winners Little Big Town on Friday, January 17 and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees JOURNEY on Saturday, January 18. Fans can look forward to exceptional golf, unforgettable fan experiences and show-stopping entertainment. Get tickets
This Week at the McCallum Theatre
On Wednesday, January 15, the McCallum Theatre presents Burton Cummings, the iconic voice behind The Guess Who’s classic hits. Experience his timeless songs and solo career favorites starting at 7 pm. On Thursday, January 16, Judy Collins will captivate the audience with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes at 7 pm. Then on Friday and Saturday, January 17 and 18, catch Paul Anka, one of music’s most successful singer/songwriters, as he delivers his legendary hits at 8 pm. On Sunday, January 19, at 3 pm, celebrate the 80th birthday of renowned Brazilian singer/songwriter Ivan Lins with a tribute concert by the Pacific Jazz Orchestra Get tickets
Yappy Hour & Donations for LA Fire Victims
Join Animal Samaritans and Boozehounds Palm Springs for Yappy Hour on Friday, January 17, from 4– 6 pm. This event aims to collect donations for Los Angeles fire victims. Bring supply donations and enjoy free Yappy Hour admission and delicious tacos from the Taco Bar. All monetary donations during the event will benefit the Pasadena Humane Society, supporting animals displaced by the fires. See our listing for specific supplies needed for both humans and pets. More info
ALSO THIS WEEK
Wednesday, January 15
The Dirty Show 3.0 with Skyler Gentry | 7 pm at Dietlart Gallery
Thursday, January 16
Sin City Classic LGBTQ+ Sports Festival | Jan. 16–20 in Las Vegas
Dan Buettner (Expert on Blue Zones) | 5 pm at Renaissance Esmeralda
Friday, January 17
Country Dance Fridays: LAST FRIDAY NIGHT Beginner East Coast Swing with Lise Baadh | 7 pm at Step by Step (Moves to Saturdays starting Jan 25)
Saturday, January 18
Palm Springs Art Festival | 10 am–4 pm (Saturday & Sunday) at Francis Stevens Park
Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience | 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage
Ask a Gay Doc Ep 19: Transgender Health
Dr. Renzo Corzano and KGAY’s John Taylor are answering your health-related questions in the Ask A Gay Doc series, sponsored by Desert Oasis Healthcare. In Episode 19, Tomi Clinton of the Transgender Health and Wellness Center joins John and Dr. Corzano to talk about Transgender Health. Watch the Ask a Gay Doc series, and find out how you can submit your own questions, on the Ask a Gay Doc page at kgaypalmsprings.com.
THIS WEEKEND
People’s Rally Palm Springs
The People’s Rally Palm Springs, a political gathering scheduled for Saturday, January 18 from 10 am–12 pm at Downtown Palm Springs Park, aims to unite individuals who believe in defending their rights and shaping their future. The event seeks to mobilize those who support bodily autonomy, access to education and healthcare, free speech, and a just economy. The organizers emphasize that this rally is about demonstrating the power of the people and inspiring continued resistance and change. More info
Fat Ham
Dezart Performs presents Fat Ham from January 17–26 at the Pearl McManus Theater. Fat Ham is about a Black, queer discovery of self, softness, and resilience. Your typical Southern family cookout just got anything but. Juicy gets a visit from his father’s ghost seeking revenge for his death by his brother – now married to his mother! Sound familiar? Get tickets
Legally Blonde The Musical
Desert Theatreworks presents Legally Blonde The Musical from January 17–February 9. Follow Elle Woods as she takes on Harvard Law, fueled by the desire to win back her ex-boyfriend. With infectious energy and catchy tunes, the show captures Elle’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Along the way, she faces challenges from peers, professors, and her former flame, but with the help of newfound friends, she proves her resilience and determination. Get tickets
The Skivvies: ICONIQUE!
Internationally acclaimed undie-rock stars, The Skivvies, return to the Purple Room with ICONIQUE! on Friday & Saturday, January 17 & 18. Serving their outrageous comedy-pop, genre-hopping mashups, the show will also feature surprise special guests. Broadway’s Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley not only strip down musical arrangements to cello, ukulele, glockenspiel, melodica, and drums, they also strip down to their undergarments as they sing and play. Expect big voices and big laughs. Dinner at 6, Show at 8 pm. Get tickets
A Very Sordid Wedding
Palm Canyon Theatre presents A Very Sordid Wedding from January 17–26. It’s 2015, seventeen years after Sordid Lives and Peggy’s unfortunate death, after tripping over G.W.’s wooden legs, and life has now moved on for the residents of Winters, Texas. A Very Sordid Wedding explores the questions, bigotry and the fallout of what happens when gay marriage comes to communities and families that are not quite ready to accept it. Get tickets
Broadway’s Best in the West: Norm Lewis
Broadway’s Best in the West at the Palm Springs Cultural Center features Norm Lewis on Saturday, January 18 at 7 pm. A nominee for Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and SAG Awards, Lewis has recently starred in the national tour of “A Soldier’s Play” and the West End’s “Love Never Dies.” He has also appeared in Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods,” the FX series “Pose,” and NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!” alongside John Legend. Upcoming in the Best in the West series: Stephanie J. Block (2/15) and Max Von Essen (3/15). Get tickets
Tina Turner Tribute at The Gardens
The Gardens on El Paseo 27th Annual Concert Series kicks off on Saturday, January 18 at 4 pm with Always Tina (Tina Turner Tribute), benefiting the Bianca Rae Foundation. Reserve your tickets now and wine down on the Center Lawn, Saturday evenings to support your community. Upcoming benefit shows include: Huey Lewis Tribute (1/25), Billy Joel Tribute (2/1), Journey Tribute (2/8), Rolling Stones Tribute (2/15), John Stanley King Band (2/22), Jimmy Buffett Tribute (3/1), and Rod Stewart Tribute (3/8). Get tickets
Get our Free Visitor Map & Guide
Check out the latest edition of the K-Gay 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 at businesses and newsstands around town, or browse it online right here!
LOOKING AHEAD
Justin Timberlake – The Forget Tomorrow World Tour
Justin Timberlake’s “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” makes its highly anticipated stop at Acrisure Arena on Monday, January 20, at 7:30 pm. This tour, supporting his sixth studio album “Everything I Thought It Was,” marks Timberlake’s return to the stage after a five-year hiatus. With 102 shows across North America, Europe, and South America, the tour features standout performances on a floating stage and intimate sets with his band, the Tennessee Kids. Get tickets
Volunteers Needed for the 2025 Best Friends National Conference
Best Friends Animal Society is seeking dedicated volunteers for the 2025 Best Friends National Conference, taking place at the Palm Springs Convention Center from February 20–22. This crucial event aims to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by the end of 2025. Volunteers are needed for various roles from February 19–22, including team leaders and event day assistants. While working with people, not animals, volunteers will engage in tasks such as event setup, support during the conference, and closing activities. Shifts typically last 3-4 hours, and volunteers must be 18 or older. More info
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!
- From Resilience to Action
Mon. Jan 13 from 5–6:30 pm, at Palm Springs Pavilion - Judy Collins
Thu Jan 16 at the McCallum Theatre - Varla Jean – The Errors Tour
Thu., Fri., & Sat., Jan 16, 17, & 18 at Toucans - Spring Awakening, presented by Revolution Stage Company
Jan 15–30 - Fat Ham, presented by Dezart Performs
Jan 17–Jan 26 at the Pearl McManus Theater - Legally Blonde The Musical, presented by Desert Theatreworks
Jan 17–Feb 9 at the Indio Performing Arts Center - The Skivvies: ICONIQUE!
Fri. & Sat. Jan 17 & 18 at The Purple Room Supper Club - Paul Anka (Fri & Sat), Pacific Jazz Orchestra (Sun)
Jan 17–19 at the McCallum Theatre - Justin Timberlake – The Forget Tomorrow World Tour
Mon. Jan 20 at 7:30 pm at Acrisure Arena - Tour of Norway – Meet Patrick Evans
Wed. Jan 22 from 5:30–7 pm at Frank’s Hideout - The Light in the Piazza, presented by CVRep
Jan 22–Feb 2 - Southwest Arts Festival
Jan 23–26 at Empire Polo Grounds, Indio - 5th Annual Desert Open Studios Tour
Fri.–Sun., Jan 24–25 at various studios throughout the valley - Tru, presented by Desert Ensemble Theatre
Jan 24–Feb 2 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival
Sat. Jan 25 from 8 am–1 pm at Ruth Hardy Park - Illusionist Rick Thomas – Mansion of Dreams
Mon. Jan 27 at the McCallum Theatre - 27th Annual Tour de Palm Springs
Feb 7 & 8 in downtown Palm Springs - Modernism Week – 20th Anniversary
Feb 13–23 - Fashion Week El Paseo
Mar 14–19 at The Gardens on El Paseo - Palm Desert Food & Wine
Mar 20–23 at The Gardens on El Paseo
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM
KGAY 106.5 and 92.1 are hosting a ticket giveaway for A Very Sordid Wedding, presented by Palm Canyon Theatre from January 17–26 [More info]. Set in 2015, seventeen years after the events of “Sordid Lives,” the play delves into the challenges, prejudices, and repercussions faced by the residents of Winters, Texas, as they grapple with the arrival of gay marriage in their community. ENTER TO WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
Don’t miss your chance to win tickets to FAT HAM, courtesy of KGAY 106.5 and 92.1! Dezart Performs presents this 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning and five-time Tony-nominated dramatic comedy by James Ijames, running from January 17–26 [More info]. This reinvention of Shakespeare’s Hamlet takes place at an uproarious family barbecue, delving into themes of love, loss, pain, and joy. FAT HAM explores Black, queer self-discovery and resilience, with a supernatural twist. ENTER TO WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
The KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 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 Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). All our DJs took honors in the Best of Coachella Valley this year! Listen to KGAY 106.5 online
103.1 MeTV FM
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
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 2025 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 Modgirl spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.