10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, Nov. 13-19
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:
Pentatonix Concert
The five members of Pentatonix first made a name for themselves in 2011 after winning the third season of NBC's "The Sing-Off," but it was their viral YouTube videos that fueled their rapid growth. In recent years, the group has emerged as a holiday touring act enjoyed by fans of all ages, so head to Acrisure for their local stop featuring both Christmas classics and originals. If you want to come early, you can catch Acrisure's tree-lighting ceremony from 5 to 6 p.m., which will include Santa & Mrs. Claus (arriving in true desert style on a golf cart), DJ Mod Girl spinning Holiday tunes, and candy canes, hot cocoa and hot cider for everyone.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Tickets: From $39.50
More info: acrisurearena.com
More: Pentatonix 'excited' to bring California Christmas show on Nov. 14 to Acrisure Arena
'Coco' Screening with Live Orchestra
Parents, this is the perfect way to help your kids experience one of their favorite Disney movies in a totally new way. AMP presents this screening of the complete "Coco" film with Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México. In addition to the original score by Giacchino, “Coco” also features the Oscar®-winning song “Remember Me” by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14
Where: McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert
Tickets: $35-$65
More info: mccallumtheatre.org
Revolution Stage Company Presents 'Off the Street'
Matt Naylor & Jeanie Cunningham's musical about one of the most topical subjects of the moment, homelessness, opens after a well-received 2022 reading at PS Underground. The new production, directed by Gary Powers, will make its sold-out debut on Nov. 6, and the next show with available tickets is on Nov. 11.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 (and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 19. Play runs through Nov. 21)
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: $45-$65
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com
Desert Candlelight Concert
There's much more to do at Mary Pickford Theater than watching movies. This week, Parisian musician Jeremie Levi Samson — known for his energetic and virtuosic performances — will perform Gypsy Jazz-style “Strings and Fire” music surrounded by 2,000 flameless candles in this multi-sensory experience.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15
Where: Mary Pickford Theater, 36-850 Pickfair St., Cathedral City
Tickets: $45 for general seating and $65 for VIP seating (a portion of the proceeds goes to The YMCA of the Desert)
More info: desertcandlelightconcerts.com
'Problematic Palms' Artist Reception
Come browse new and recent work by Osceola Refetoff, Francesca Bifulco & Andrew K. Thompson. Curated by Shana Nys Dambrot, this exhibit focuses on the non-native and yet quintessentially SoCal motif of palm trees, and their role as a symbol of status as both a curious kind of social luxury and a muse to filmmakers, artists, etc. This exhibit kickoff event features an acoustic guitar set by Jesus Palominosa and an ekphrastic spoken word program sponsored by the COD creative writing department including Ruth Nolan and Arturo Castellanos Jr.
When: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 (exhibit now on display 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday through Dec. 15.
Where: Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert
Tickets: Free admission
More info: collegeofthedesert.edu/community/gallery
Yoga in the Gardens at Sunnylands
Looking to get in touch with nature? Or just need a good stretch? Sunnylands offers hour-long yoga sessions on the Great Lawn every Friday this season. Sessions are open to all ages and experience levels and are led by returning instructors Kristin Olson and Stefane Barbeau. Participants should bring yoga mats and dress comfortably. Sun protection and water are suggested.
When: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17 (and every Friday November through August)
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Tickets: Free (which includes parking and admission into the estate)
More info: Visit sunnylands.org/events or call (760) 202-2222
Desert Theatreworks Presents 'Christmas with the Crawfords'
This riotous camp classic is based on the actual Christmas Eve live radio broadcast from the Crawford family’s Brentwood mansion in 1949. The show is a parade of famous movie stars dropping by unannounced to sing, dance and generally toss each other around. You know the gang: Hedda Hopper, Ann Miller, Baby Jane Hudson, Judy Garland, Gloria Swanson, Ethel Merman, Carmen Miranda, Mae West and even the Andrew Sisters.
When: Nov. 17-Dec. 30 (check website for specific times)
Where: Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs, 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: $49.95
More info: dtworks.org/individual-show-tickets
Party in the Park in Honor of Palm Desert's 50th Anniversary
Toast to 50 years at this Palm Desert birthday party featuring a kidzone, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a Coachella Valley Firebirds goal-shooting experience and much more. Guests will enjoy live performances from R&B group Rose Royce, country duo Thompson Square, the Washington Charter School Honor Choir, and local desert rock bands Brant Bjork, Fatso Jetson, and Unsound. Local artists Cristopher Cichocki, Pete Salcido (of Flat Black Art Supply), and Ryan Campbell will create large-scale art installations, and there will be a Best of Palm Desert space dedicated to celebrating and connecting with community organizations.
Commemorating the City of Palm Desert's 5O-year history will be an 8-foot-high, 40-inch “tell board” defining in words and images the city’s five decades of incorporation. Past and present residents are invited to participate by bringing copies of photos showing favorite memories in the city. Photos may be uploaded to the event website at palmdesert5O.com or dropped off in person at the Palm Desert Visitor Services Center at City Hall. Residents are also encouraged to bring their photos on the day of the event for posting on the tell board.
When: 3-10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18
Where: Civic Center Park, 43-900 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert
Tickets: Free admission
More info: palmdesert.gov
Family+
Looking for a fun (and, most importantly, free) event for your family? Get creative at this month's Family+ event (held every third Sunday of the month) at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Head to the Meyerman Sculpture Garden for a workshop by visual artist Nicholas Megalis, a food pop-up by Little Livs, and facepainting by G'z Modern Creations.
When: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19
Where: Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: Free with advance registration
More info: psmuseum.org/events
Coachella Valley Repertory Presents 'The Fantasticks'
The longest running musical in New York has arrived in the desert — with a twist. Coachella Valley Repertory is kicking off its 2023-24 season with the West Coast premiere of a completely re-imagined adaptation of "The Fantasticks" by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. The production, which will feature several Broadway actors, tells a tale loosely based on the 1894 play "The Romancers" ("Les Romanesques") by Edmond Rostand (author of "Cyrano de Bergerac"). By pretending to feud, two well-intentioned mothers, who happen to be neighbors, try to trick their young sons into falling in love. The mysterious El Gallo helps spark the romance, but the pair grows apart before finding their way back to each other. The lesson is simple: true love is grounded in reality and not in the romantic dreams of youth.
When: Wednesdays-Sundays Nov. 1-19 (check website for specific times)
Where: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Tickets: From $87
More info: cvrep.org
Niki Kottmann is the features editor for The Desert Sun. She oversees the paper's arts and entertainment, education, and health 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: 10 things to do in the greater Palm Springs area this week
