12 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, Oct. 16-22
The Coachella Valley is home to a number of events and activities to take part in this fall. If you're interested in filling your calendar, we've put together a list of 10 things happening this week
To submit an event for consideration, send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time, date, location and price of admission, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required but encouraged as part of the submission.
Check out the following events this week:
Revolution Stage Company Presents 'Mid-Century Moderns'
Revolution Stage Company, the Coachella Valley's latest theater group (housed in the home of now-defunct Desert Rose Playhouse) debuted recently with jukebox musical "Mid-Century Moderns." This comedic musical adventure follows protagonist Maryann Popecky, a Wisconsin widow who dreams of moving West to become a secretary. When she sets out to make her dream a reality and hist a road block in Palm Springs, she finds freedom from the ghost of her late husband — as well as everything else that's been holding her back.
When: Running now through Nov. 26 (check website for time)
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: $45-$65
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com
The Bent Presents 'Gross Indecency: The Three Trials Of Oscar Wilde'
The Bent, a nonprofit LGBTQ+ theater group that debuted last year and calls the Palm Springs Cultural Center Home, is kicking off its 2023-24 season with "Gross Indecency." This dramatic show full of historically accurate details shows the price Oscar Wilde paid for his status as a gay icon, especially in the wake of suing his lover's father for libel after the man called Wilde a “Posing Sodomite.” This play tells Wilde’s story through court transcripts, newspapers and other first-person accounts, and the script was written by playwright Moises Kaufman of "The Laramie Project" fame.
When: Now through Oct. 28 (check website for specific days/times)
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Tickets: $40
More info: thebent.org
Free Night/Thursday Night Sessions at the Palm Springs Art Museum
Feeling artsy? Thursday nights at the Palm Springs Art Museum are free to the public, so prepare to enjoy the valley's largest public collection of contemporary art. New this fall are Thursday Night Sessions in the lobby with Tina Turntables as the resident DJ. She'll be accompanied by a host of guest DJs, performers, and entertainment throughout the season. Bonus: Every Thursday night, the museum's hotel partner, Drift Palm Springs, invites the public to an informal after party featuring free swims and a late-night happy hour menu from 8 to 10 p.m.
When: 5-7 p.m. every Thursday
Where: Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: Free
More info: psmuseum.org; (760) 322-4800
Script2Stage2Screen Presents 'Together'
Interested in being among the first to see this original piece of science fiction storytelling? Morgana Corelli brings her directorial expertise to Script2Stage2Screen once again with this production, which features performers Chloe Lapenat, Tiffani LoBue and Richard Marlow. Playwright Thomas Pierce describes the plot as follows: “As chaos is about to envelop the world from an asteroid, which will hit in six months, Helen, David and Sarah struggle with what to make of their lives in a world that may be ending.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert, 72-425 Via Vail, Rancho Mirage
Tickets: $15 cash or check at the door, or can be pre-purchased via website below
More info: script2stage2screen.com
Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers Market
It's that time of year again to browse locally grown, raised or made flowers, produce, meats, baked goods, sauces and unique artisan goods. Head to Rancho Mirage Community Park every Friday to shop these items and more — including handcrafted jewelry and natural health products — in this family-friendly atmosphere.
When: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. every Friday
Where: Rancho Mirage Community Park, 71-560 San Jacinto Drive, Rancho Mirage
Tickets: Free admission
More info: cvcfm.org
Preservation Mirage Pink Elephant Car Wash Sign Restoration Reception
Celebrate the historic designation of the Super Rancho Car Wash Pink Elephant neon sign at a Cocktail Buffet Reception this week. Guests will get to meet commissioned artist John Pirman, whose artwork depicting Rancho Mirage's most iconic landmark will be available for purchase as a commemorative poster that he can sign at the reception. Funds raised will support sign restoration and ongoing maintenance. What's the dress code? Pink, of course!
When: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20
Where: Tamarisk Country Club, 37-127 Marx Road, Rancho Mirage
Tickets: $150 (or free admission with Preservationist membership)
More Info: preservationmirage.org
Riverside County Scare & Pumpkin Festival
Ready to celebrate spooky season? The Riverside County Fairgrounds have been transformed into the town of Plaza Fantazma for this month-long festival, which is the perfect stop for family fun this fall. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, photo ops, a community ofrenda, and friendly encounters with the town's spectral residents. Those brave enough to face a real fright can pay extra to head inside the Carnival Carnivore Haunted House.
When: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22; and various other times through Oct. 31
Where: Riverside County Fairgrounds, 46-350 Arabia St., Indio
Tickets: $8 for general admission, and an additional $20 for admission to the Carnival Carnivore Haunted House (save 50% on opening day "scare admission" with promo code LABORDAY)
More info: datefest.org
Sixth Annual Tacos, Tequila, & Chavelas Festival
The City of Coachella and Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce have partnered up again for their annual Tacos, Tequila, & Chavelas Festival, and this year's event will feature a live band and DJ, mechanical bull rides, roping and corn hole games, food booths and aguas frescas. Attendees can sample all participating restaurants tacos for $30 or combine taco tasting with a signature handcrafted Chavela for $35!
When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 1500 Fourth St., Coachella
Tickets: $30-$35 (ticket required for entry)
More info: Call 760-347-0676
Highway 62 Open Studio Art Tours
Ever wonder what it's like to step into an artist's home or studio? That's exactly the experience you'll get at the annual Highway 62 Open Studio Art Tours, which finish for the year this weekend. Visitors can browse work by 71 artists during this self-guided tour, which gives them the unique chance to interact with the artist in their own space in the High Desert. Not sure where to start? Head to 29 Palms Art Gallery (74-055 Cottonwood Drive, Twentynine Palms) for "The Collective Show" during open gallery hours to preview pieces and grab a catalog.
Where: Various houses in Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, Rimrock, Flamingo Heights, Landers, Joshua Tree, 29 Palms and Wonder Valley
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22
Tickets: Free
More info: mbcac.org
Decades Music Series: '70s Night
In the mood for some '70s hits? Or just live music in general? Head to The River and dance the night away to some groovy favorites with Radio Ready — all in the name of a good cause. Enter for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses like Agape Salon, Omni Hotels & Resorts, The River, and more, and proceeds from your purchase will go directly to the Desert Cancer Foundation. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase every Saturday in October from 7 to 9 p.m. at this weekly band performance. Each ticket is $5, and sales will continue until 8 p.m. Oct. 28.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21
Where: The River Amphitheatre, 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage
Tickets: Free admission, with $5 raffle tickets available for purchase
More info: theriveratranchomirage.com/events
Bloody Gums Collective Presents: Desert Haunt
Curator Andrew Barsoum is bringing his collective of Southern California artists, Bloody Gums, to The Saguaro for an evening of music, shopping (i.e. a night market) and interactive, multimedia installations inspired by Halloween and the culture of the region. And yes, you read that right, there will be a haunted house installation by artist Albert Reyes. Local desert artists Carlos Ramirez and Sofia Enriquez will also show their work.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21
Where: The Saguaro, 1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: Free admission, open to the public
More info: thesaguaro.com/#happening
Ariel Posen and Terra Lightfoot Concert
Ariel Posen's rootsy sound is heavily influenced by rock & roll, Americana, soul, R&B and pop, yet with a style all its own. Rolling Stone dubbed him "a modern-day guitar hero," and Music Radar listed him as a fan-voted top 10 rock guitarist of the year. His Pioneertown performance will be opened by indie rocker Terra Lightfoot, who's been compared to Joan Jett and the likes of Van Morrison. Her new album, "Healing Power," just came out Oct. 13, so her Pioneertown audience will be among the first to hear it live.
When: Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22
Where: Pappy & Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown
Tickets: $20-$30
More info: pappyandharriets.com
Niki Kottmann is the features editor for The Desert Sun. She oversees the paper's arts and entertainment, education, health and business coverage, and loves to write the occasional entertainment story. You can connect with her on Twitter @niki_mariee.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 12 things to do in the greater Palm Springs area this week
