10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, Oct. 9-15
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:
Idyllwild Arts Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day at the second half of this two-day event featuring an array of free and educational programming from famed Indigenous performers and scholars. Idyllwild Arts is the only residential arts high school in the country to offer a Native American Arts Center led by a Native American, Executive Director Shaliyah Ben (Diné). The fun continues on Monday with performances by Cahuilla Bird Singers, Indigenous R&B singer and TikToker Tia Woodan, Native folk & blues rocker Keith Secola (Ojibwe), and Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw) and Ryon Polequaptewa (Hopit) in a theatrical work titled “DANCING WITH THE UNIVERSE | Native Style.”
When: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9
Where: Idyllwild Arts campus, 52-500 Temecula Road, Idyllwild
Tickets: Free admission
More info: idyllwildarts.org/nativeamericanarts
Birding Walk-About, Desert Willow
Interested in a walk that will allow you to spot approximately 25-30 different bird species? Then RSVP to this 2-mile Friends of the Desert Mountains jaunt to experience a jewel of the desert. Walkers are encouraged to bring 1 liter of water, binoculars, snacks, a sun hat and sunscreen, and to wear closed-toed shoes. No dogs allowed. RSVP is required, and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time.
When: 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9
Where: Desert Willow at Willow Ridge, Palm Desert (meet in the parking on the right side of Desert Willow Drive just before entering the golf club)
Tickets: Suggested donation of $5, and online registration required
More info: Call 760-568-9918 or visit desertmountains.org
Terror Tuesdays Screening of 'The Shining'
Horror fans will have a few more thrills to get them in the spooky mood in October with the Cultural Center's film revival series PS Rewinds: Terror Tuesdays. Each week, the theater will show an iconic horror movie on the big screen, and this week's film is "The Shining." In the movie, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. Along for the ride is his son, who is plagued by psychic premonitions that drive his father to begin unraveling.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Tickets: $12
More info: psculturalcenter.org
More: Palm Springs Cultural Center introduces Filipino Festival, return of music, film series
Arts & Letters Series: Spooky Soiree With Melinda Lee Holm
Kick off spooky season with this event at University of California, Riverside's Palm Desert campus. This installment of the school's Arts & Letters series features writer and tarot reader Melinda Lee Holm, author of "Tarot of Tales," "Your Magickal Year," "Elemental Power Tarot" and, most recently, "Your Tarot Guide." She'll be joined by her frequent collaborator, London-based artist Rohan Daniel Eason, who illustrated many of her works. The writer and tarot reader will be in conversation with New York Times bestselling author Tod Goldberg, and the program will also feature a Q&A, a book signing and tarot readings.
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11
Where: UCR Palm Desert, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert
Tickets: Free
More info: events.ucr.edu/event/
Friends of the DHS Library Book Sale and Opportunity Drawing
The Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library will hold a Fall Book Sale and opportunity drawing for prizes this week. There are a variety of children's, teens and adult books available, and many of the slightly used books make for perfect holiday presents. Come in your Halloween costume and receive a free ticket for the drawing. All the proceeds from the book sale go to funding library programs.
When: Noon -7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12 and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14
Where: The Desert Hot Springs Library, 14-380 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs
Tickets: Free admission, bag of books is $3
More info: rivlib.net/branch/desert-hot-springs
Desert TheatreWorks Presents: 'Lend Me a Tenor'
Ready to experience a hilarious tale of mistaken identities? Step back in time to 1934 and meet the world’s greatest opera tenor, Tito Merelli, who's come to Cleveland, Ohio, to save its Grand Opera Company. When Tito is unexpectedly incapacitated, Max, the opera director’s meek assistant, is given the daunting task of finding a last-minute replacement. Chaos ensues, naturally.
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, now through Oct. 29
Where: Desert Theatreworks, 45-175 Fargo St., Indio
Tickets: $38
More info: dtworks.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. 13; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15; 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
Decades Music Series: '60s Night
In the mood for some '60s hits? Or just live music in general? Head to The River and dance the night away to chart-topping pop hits with The Evaros Band. And it's 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. 14
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
Revolution Stage Company Presents: 'Not in Front of the Children'
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," which runs Oct. 6-Nov. 19. The company is continuing to stage original work this week with the world premiere of "Not in Front of the Children," a heartwarming, one-person musical that features eight original songs. The story follows main character Danny who, after quitting a job and suffering a mental breakdown, is ready to tell his sister who he truly is. However, her reaction is less than ideal.
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 14, 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25 and 29
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: $45-$65
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com
La Quinta Certified Farmers Market
It's that time of year again to browse locally grown flowers, fruits, eggs, honey, vegetables, chef-prepared foods, and unique artisan goods. Head to Old Town La Quinta every Sunday to shop these items and more — all grown within 100 miles of the Coachella Valley — in this family-friendly atmosphere.
When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sunday
Where: Old Town La Quinta, 78-100 Main St., La Quinta
Tickets: Free admission
More info: cvcfm.org
Pumpkin Patch and Oktoberfest Celebration
Ready to raise a stein? Prepare to yell "prost" at this Oktoberfest celebration, where eventgoers can enjoy live music, food and German-style beer available for purchase from La Quinta Brewing Co. And don't be shy, wear your lederhosen – the first five adults dressed in a German outfit will win a $20 gift certificate to spend anywhere in Old Town La Quinta! Not interested in beer? This event will also feature a pumpkin patch for guests of all ages to search for the perfect pumpkin or squash.
When: Pumpkin patch open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and live music and beer drinking runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15
Where: La Quinta Brewing Co. - Old Town, 78-100 Main St., #101, La Quinta
Tickets: Free admission with several items available for purchase
More info: oldtownlaquinta.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 arts & entertainment story. You can connect with her on Twitter @niki_mariee.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 things to do in the greater Palm Springs area this week
