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“I Think I Can!” was the optimistic incantation of The Little Engine That Could, a book I read as a child that has stuck with me all these years.
The story has been used to teach children the value of optimism and hard work since it’s release in 1930 and is still popular today.
Our country as a whole faces challenges we could never imagine. We’re that train that was going along just fine, and then our engine broke down. We suddenly have a huge mountain to climb: Civil rights being eroded. Gerrymandering. Revenge lawsuits and firings. Cites under siege.
And as the story goes, for various reasons, the other engines refuse because they think they are too important or they don’t believe they can. We Americans, like the other engines in the story, are asked to pull the train over that mountain — To get engaged. To protest. To vote. To financially support.
Do you think that your voice doesn’t matter; that someone else will pull your weight? It’s time to be your own “Little Engine That Could” and stay engaged.
I began to write this as an allegory for what our Palm Springs Pride organization is going through – fundraising shortfalls as they get ready to unveil the Pride Monument, raise the Arenas District Pride flag and put on a world-class pride celebration. But it’s much bigger than that. Our collective mountain is San Jacinto-sized.
Let’s hope that on the other side of all this — like the little engine — we’ll be able to say, “I thought I could, I thought I could”. Going backwards is not an option.
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Brad Fuhr, your KGay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal
#FindYourOasis
#SayKGAY
#HowDoYouPalmSprings
#SupportYourStation
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This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings:
Our Top 3 Events
We’re keeping you updated on the weekend’s Top Events! Read our Gay Desert Guide Weekend Blog for the full run-down. Here’s the top three events:
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Queer Salon at the
Joshua Tree Music Festival
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1. Joshua Tree Music Festival
The 20th Fall Joshua Tree Music Festival returns all weekend to Joshua Tree Lake Campground with music, movement, and magic under the desert sky. JTMF features nonstop performances across three stages—from sunrise grooves to late-night headphone house—plus over 100 workshops, yoga sessions, and art installations. The festival’s Queer Salon offers a vibrant sanctuary for QTBIPOC and LGBTQIAA+ joy, connection, and empowerment—don’t miss Saturday’s Deep Glam! runway show celebrating queer brilliance and bold self-expression.
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2. RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World Tour
RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World Tour sashays into The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Saturday, October 11 at 8 pm with a dazzling new theme: the most exclusive awards show in drag herstory. Hosted by Sasha Velour as Lady Gaga and Madonna, this red carpet extravaganza features electrifying performances by Jimbo as Joan Rivers, Morphine Love Dion as Shakira, Jaida Essence Hall as Beyoncé, Roxxxy Andrews as Mariah Carey, and Derrick Barry as Britney Spears.
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3. Singing with the Desert Stars
Desert Ensemble Theatre presents Singing With the Desert Stars IV on Friday, October 10 starting at 6:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This one-night-only gala pairs professional performers with local leaders in a spirited singing competition. Among the standout contestants is KGAY 106.5‘s own morning host John Taylor, coached by Douglas Graham. Can’t attend? Help John meet his fundraising goal by donating online. The evening promises music, mentorship, and community celebration, all in support of DET’s scholarship program for aspiring theatre students.
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EXTRA: DJ Galaxy’s Car Wash for a Cause
The community is invited to the fun-filled DJ Galaxy’s Annual Car Wash for a Cause, a special fundraiser to assist with the cost for the installation of the new Pride Flag Pole in the Downtown Palm Springs Arenas District on Sunday, October 12 from 11 am–2 pm off Arenas Road, between Chill Bar and Dick’s. Get a free car wash and barbecue, as this is a donation event where every dollar raised will be matched up to $25,000. The event will feature go-go boys from SOS Entertainment’s Desert Studs, the Desert Flaggers, and beats by DJ Galaxy!
More info
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This week’s HOT DEAL at Hunters Nightclub offers 40% off a $25 gift card—yours for just $15. Use it toward beer, wine, cocktails, and delicious bar bites while soaking up the vibrant energy of Palm Springs. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a lively open atmosphere, Hunters keeps the party flowing inside and out. Stay for the DJs, whose infectious beats and rhythmic flair promise a night of nonstop dancing!
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Note: You are limited to one Hot Deal order per household or address every 28 days.
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Get our Pride 2025 Visitor Map & Guide – FREE!
Check out our Pride 2025 Edition of the K-Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide —just released! 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!
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Resort Tile and Carpet Care is your trusted, family-owned carpet, tile, and grout cleaning company dedicated to bringing you the best, safest, and most efficient cleaning experience in the Coachella Valley. Call for a FREE QUOTE: 442-300-6406. You can find them at resortcarpetandtilecare.com and in our business directory: Learn more
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SOS Entertainers bring the party and excitement! Use their services to host the ultimate celebration: they offer dancers, greeters, bartenders and can provide full catering for your next big party. Find them online at sosentertainers.com or in Gay Desert Guide! SOS Entertainers is a complete entertainment ecosystem designed to inspire, engage, and create lasting memories. Learn more
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KGAY 106.5 is now joined at 92.1 on your FM dial in the central and east valley to provide our great sounds to more peeps!
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The KGAY 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 Sunday Tea Dance with Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). All our DJs took honors in the 2024-2025 Best of Coachella Valley!
This weekend: Modgirl hits The Red Barn in Palm Desert on Friday, October 10 at 8 pm, then spins her new residency, A.M. Stream, on Sunday, October 12 from 10 am–1 pm at Café La Jefa in Palm Springs. Catch DJ Galaxy spinning high-energy beats at Sunday’s Car Wash for a Cause, October 12 from 11 am–2 pm, fueling the fun and fundraising for Palm Springs’ new Pride Flag Pole.
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To listen to KGAY Palm Springs via Alexa, say “Alexa ENABLE K. Gay Palm Springs SKILL” (include “SKILL”) or manually enable it in the Alexa app or at Amazon. Once enabled, access the station by saying “Alexa, OPEN,” “LAUNCH,” or “PLAY K. Gay Palm Springs.” You can also make special requests, such as birthday shoutouts or song dedications! Learn more
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This weekend on 103.1 MeTV FM: Steve Goddard will bring you stories and music from Johnny Rivers on Goddard’s Gold this Sunday morning at 9 am, brought to you by The Skylark Bar at the Skylark hotel. Also: 103.1 MeTV FM will be celebrating Paul Simon’s 84th Birthday on Monday with his Timeless and Memorable music all day long, brought to you by Game Day Men’s Health. 103.1 MeTV FM plays a Timeless and Memorable variety of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s with a touch of the ’50s! Listen in your car, at work, at home or around the world, online at 1031metvfm.com or tell Alexa, “Open 103.1 MeTV FM.”
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Don’t miss our emails
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Follow us on social to keep in touch with our events and more.
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