The Week of Feb 23 Starts Here 🌴 Gay Desert Guide & KGAY

How do you greet someone?  That usually depends upon your familiarity with that person, the situation and — in the case of we gays — our sexual orientation.

In the days of Bridgerton, you never spoke to someone until you were officially introduced by a third party. To speak to a stranger was a scandal; to touch them (handshake) was an intimacy reserved only for established friends or business deals.

You didn’t just say hello, you bowed or curtsied according to your rank in society.  That changed in the Victorian era, where a handshake became the symbol of being a “gentleman”.  After WWII, it was okay to say “hi” and “hey” (without the “gurl”…)

A hug would never have been an option, especially a bear hug.

We have become more physical with friends than Regency folks ever were.  A “friend-hug” would have been scandalous for Daphne or Eloise, but today it’s the standard for anyone beyond a first-time acquaintance.

IBC was in town, so one had to be prepared for bear hugs.  Hopefully not as huggy as John Taylor got last week.  He was out and about at an Arenas watering hole, when a friend came up from behind with his version of “hello”.  That hug ended up cracking a rib and made John’s midsection a little tender.

And there’s the rub:  Too much affection can cause physical damage; a nod or a simple extending the hand can be off putting and signal that you really don’t like nor respect that person.

At Saturday’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, John and I said our many “hello’s” to friends and community members.  Luckily, decorum prevailed and John’s ribs survived the stress test.

Brad Fuhr, your KGay Desert Guide

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On Monday, kick off your week with some serious girl power at Modern Muse: Petula Clark and the Women Who Changed Pop, where Maxine Linehan uses her cinematic vocals to reimagine the groundbreaking hits of mid-century icons like Petula Clark and Shirley Bassey.

Get ready for some literary charm on Tuesday with Palm Springs Speaks – Wade Rouse, featuring the internationally bestselling author in a fun conversation about his newest novel, That’s What Friends Are For, which explores the beauty of friendship. If you are looking for more social connection, head over to The Center Social on Wednesday for a relaxed happy-hour vibe and a chance to meet new friends in the local LGBTQ+ community.

For the art lovers, the massive La Quinta Art Celebration begins on Thursday and runs through the weekend, transforming the civic center into a VIP gallery of world-class creativity from artists across the globe. You can also celebrate culture at the Black History Month Closing Celebration at the PS Art Museum on Thursday, featuring live music and a maker market, or explore French culture starting Thursday at CINEMA FRANÇAIS 2026.

The stage is set for some incredible performances! Guys and Dolls opens Wednesday, taking you on a wild ride through the grit and glamour of Prohibition-era New York. On Wednesday, you can also solve a mystery at the opening of Clue – Live on Stage! The West Coast premiere of Destroying David opens Thursday, offering a moving look at art history and personal loss. You can also enjoy ongoing runs of the scandalous The Graduate, the politically charged In the Wake, the meta-theatrical magic of Pippin, the revolutionary spirit of Hair, the cheeky fun of Camp Morning Wood, and the immersive scientific storytelling of The Art of Science.

Also this week: Bianca Del Rio brings her hilarious “clown in a gown” brilliance to town on Monday and Friday. For some local exploration, check out the Fire Dept Open House on Monday to see a historic 1955 facility, or head to Indio this Thursday–Sunday for the closing weekend of classic food and carnival fun at the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival.

This Weekend: On Saturday, the Legends of Pop Festival brings a high-energy celebration of music icons Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson. Also on Saturday, Monét X Change serves up a fast and fearless hour of stand-up comedy. The community gathers on Saturday for the Black History Parade & Town Fair to celebrate heritage and unity. You can also go “Behind the Badge” on Saturday at the PSPD Open House to meet local officers and see live demonstrations. Then, get ready for two weeks of world-class tennis at the BNP Paribas Open, beginning on Sunday.

• Modern Muse: Petula Clark and the Women Who Changed Pop
  Mon. Feb 23 at 8 pm at Studio 4707
• Palm Springs Speaks: Wade Rouse
  Tue. Feb 24 at 7:30 pm at the Plaza Theatre
• La Quinta Art Celebration
  Feb 26–Mar 1 at La Quinta Civic Center
• Legends of Pop Festival: Madonna, Prince & Michael Jackson
  Sat. Feb 28 at 6 pm at The Show
• Monét X Change: High Heels Bad Knees Tour
  Sat. Feb 28 at 7:30 pm at the Plaza Theatre
• BNP Paribas Open
  Mar 1–15 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden
• The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
  Feb 12–Mar 1 in Indio
• Guys and Dolls – presented by CVRep
  Feb 25–Mar 22
• Destroying David – presented by Dezart Performs
  Feb 26–Mar 8
• Pippin – presented by Revolution Stage Co.
  Feb 13–Mar 2
• The Graduate – presented by Desert Theatreworks
  Feb 14–Mar 8
• Camp Morning Wood – presented by PRISM Theater
  Jan 23–Mar 22
• The Art of Science with Patrick Olson
  Sat. at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Sun. at 2 pm at Studio 1068
• A Studio 54 Celebration Benefiting McCallum’s Education Programs
  Mon. Mar 2 at 4:30 pm at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort
• Rock the Park Concert: Always, Adele
  Wed. Mar 4 at 7 pm at Downtown Palm Springs Park
• Cathedral City LGBT+ Days
  Mar 6–8 at Cathedral City Civic Center Plaza
• Fantasy Prom by Desert Sparkles Fund
  Sat. Mar 7 from 6–9 pm at The Palm Springs Surf Club
• Cocktails on the Page: Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill
  Sun. Mar 8 from 4–6 pm at a private residence
• Premium Whisky Tasting
  Mon. Mar 9 at 6 pm at The Purple Room Supper Club
• Comedian Michael Blaustein
  Wed. Mar 11 at 7 pm at the McCallum Theatre
• Solid Gold Soul
  Wed. Mar 11 at 7:30 pm at The Plaza Theatre
• Fashion Week El Paseo
  Fri.–Wed. Mar 13–18 at The Gardens on El Paseo
• The L-Fund Presents: Luck Be a Lady
  Sat. Mar 14 at 5 pm at Renaissance Palm Springs
• The Naked Magicians
  Tue. Mar 17 at 7:30 pm at the Plaza Theatre
• Palm Desert Food & Wine
  Thu.–Sun., Mar 19–22 at The Gardens on El Paseo
• Desert Legends Women’s Weekend
  Apr 2–5 at Hotel Zoso

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Check out the latest Spring 2026 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, all curated to make exploring the valley even easier. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, as well as at hotels, visitor centers, and participating sponsors, or view it online.

KGAY 103.1 is giving listeners the chance to WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS to see Paula Poundstone on Friday, March 6 at 8 pm at the Plaza Theatre — a perfect night out with one of comedy’s sharpest, quickest minds. Known for her brilliant observational humor and legendary improvisation, Poundstone keeps audiences laughing with her spontaneous wit, her hit podcast Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, and her regular appearances on NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page

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

NOW ON YOUR ALEXA-ENABLED DEVICES: Take the sunshine indoors with the brand‑new Sunny 106.5 Alexa skill — just tell Alexa to “enable Sunny Palm Springs Radio skill” and the brightest variety will be one voice command away at home or at work. Sunny 106.5 is the Coachella Valley’s new home for feel‑good hits from the ’90s, 2000s, and beyond, blending familiar favorites with local updates and weekday weather from Patrick Evans. Play Sunny 106.5 Online

106.5 Sunny FM is giving you the chance to WIN TICKETS to Il Divo By Candlelight at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, March 21 — a breathtaking evening with the world‑renowned quartet whose powerful vocals and global artistry have defined the classical crossover genre for more than two decades. Experience Urs Bühler, Sébastien Izambard, David Miller, and Steven LaBrie, joined by special guests Simply Three for a performance filled with emotion, elegance, and musical brilliance. Enter to WIN on the Sunny 106.5 Contest Page

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