The calendar feels a bit empty after such an eventful end to 2023. From house parties to house music, there was no shortage of things to do as we closed out the year. January is typically a little slower-paced. Except for the “Elephant Man” in the room: The Palm Springs International Film Festival.
This year’s festival got underway with Thursday night’s gala and awards. Killers of the Flower Moon won the Vanguard Award. Its subjects had a special moment in Palm Springs as our new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum hosted a high level gathering between local leaders of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and those of The Osage Nation, who were here to attend the awards ceremony.
I’ll be attending many movies of the next number of days. Our LGBTQ+ selections look to be especially compelling, and I hope you’ll take in a film or two. While the big stars who swoop in for the awards ceremony have departed for their Hollywood homes, we still have our local celebs that you’ll see out and about in our corner of paradise.
This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings
January 5–7, 2024
We’re keeping you updated on the weekend’s Top Events: The Palm Springs International Film Festival, Mini Masterpieces at the Desert Art Center, Brunch with Patsi, ‘Gilligan’s Island – The Musical’ at Desert Theatreworks, Christine Andreas: Paris to Broadway, One Vision of Queen feat. Marc Martel, First Fridays El Paseo…and more!
The 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) runs Friday, January 5–Monday, January 14. One of the largest film festivals in North America, the Festival welcomes over 136,000 attendees each year for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries. Produced by the Palm Springs International Film Society, all 12 days are packed with events and film screenings, featuring over 180 films from 70+ countries at various venues in Palm Springs and Cathedral City. This year, the line-up includes award-season front-runners, international Oscar submissions, a spotlight on South Korea, family screenings, LGBTQ+ stories, and much more. Check out a list of recommendations here. See you at the movies! More info
Mini Masterpieces at Desert Art Center
The very popular Mini Masterpieces Fundraiser returns to celebrate the 74th year of the Desert Art Center in the studio gallery with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 6 from 5–7 pm. For this event, all member artists are invited to submit 6”x6” artworks on canvas – each piece is priced at $74 in celebration of the anniversary. More info
Brunch with Patsi
You may be familiar with Patsi Kocan‘s Dinner with Patsi events, but this weekend it’s a very special Brunch with Patsi on Sunday, January 7 from 9:30 am–12:30 pm at Low Desert / Modern Mexican. Patsi will be there with her red hat to pass around and collect donations benefiting Brothers of the Desert. More info
We have a featured Hot Deal for savings at Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, plus deals at Monster Shakes, Destination PSP, Grand Central, Papa Dan’s Pizza & Pasta, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Rick’s Desert Grill, Lulu California Bistro, Men’s Grooming Spot, Il Giardino, V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar, Zin American Bistro, Trevor Wayne Store, and more!
KGAY 106.5 invites you to join the festivities on the Coachella Valley Firebirds Pride Night, on Friday January 19 from 5–9 pm at Acrisure Arena. Join us for Pride Night in a space that welcomes everyone. Come for a cocktail social hour and see your favorite local drag queens take the stage ahead of the Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. Calgary Wranglers game, and enjoy pre-game plaza events, special in-game giveaways and more! Special $99 package gets you: Signature Pride Night cocktail, ticket to the pre-game drag show, center ice seats at the game, and private VIP ticket throughout the game. Get tickets
Welcome New Partner This Week
BeeCh, Please is New Korean cuisine! Since they’re primarily focusing on a chicken and beer house concept, they decided to go with a quirky, sassy, play on words that gets the message across. BEE from beer and CH from chicken gives you the beech part. Then they added a please, hence, BeeCh, please! Just enough to do a double take, not enough to offend. Right next door to one eleven bar in Cathedral City. Learn more
On the Air
You can WIN TICKETS to Varla Jean’s Kasserole Kiki at The Sonoran on Thursday, January 11 at 7 pm, courtesy of KGAY 106.5! Varla Jean Merman’s Kasserole Kiki show is a giddy goulash of tasty new songs, spicy leftovers, and a splash of well-brand liquor! Her glamourous gowns and wash-and-wear wigs are all part of the Divas in the Dust series at the Sonoran with performances on January 11, 12 and 13! Enter to Win on the KGAY Contest Page
The KGAY 106.5Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday at noon, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) andDJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their high-energy throwback mixes. On Sundays, we put all five hours together for the Retro Sunday Brunch from11 am–4 pm. Perfect party music! Listen Online. DJ Galaxy can also be found spinning at Impala Bar & Grill for Divas on the Dance Floor on Thursdays at 8 pm, and the new Friday Fusion T-Dance Happy Hour Social, Fridays from 4–8 pm also at Impala.
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.And don’t forget to wish her a Happy Birthday this weekend! Listen online.
103.1 MeTV FM is KGAY’s sister station, featuring a unique mix of timeless and memorable music incorporating a wide variety of classic hits, deep tracks and softer sounds spanning several decades of popular music, including the ‘60s and ‘70s with a touch of the ‘50s and ‘80s. Listen online
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Brunch with Patsi
