Modernism Week - October tickets on sale; new tours, old favorites planned for fall

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·4 min read
The Gillman Residence in Palm Springs, Calif. is photographed during Modernism Week on Friday, February 14, 2020. The 1948 home was designed and built by Herbert W Burns.
The Gillman Residence in Palm Springs, Calif. is photographed during Modernism Week on Friday, February 14, 2020. The 1948 home was designed and built by Herbert W Burns.

Tickets for Modernism Week – October, a shorter iteration of the desert's annual architectural event, went on sale Tuesday, and there are a number of new events for mid-century modern enthusiasts to explore.

The fall event, which runs Oct. 19-22, will offer nearly 50 events, including many free and low-cost programs. A full schedule of events can be found at www.modernismweek.com.

"We are very happy to once again present Modernism Week – October with a full, four-day event schedule," CEO of Modernism Week Lisa Vossler Smith said in a statement. "This year we are offering new tours and events and bringing back many of the most popular tours from previous years. We locals and visitors alike enjoy the exciting line-up of home tours, iconic architecture, and entertaining parties."

New events for the October festival include:

  • Legendary Palm Springs Commercial Architecture Bus Tour (Oct. 19 – 21, $90): This new bus tour will take guests to Palm Springs’ most iconic business structures, including major banks, hotels and civic buildings.

  • The Homes That Define Palm Springs Bus Tour (Oct. 19 – 21, $90): A 90-minute tour that will showcase some of the most popular neighborhoods in Palm Springs and discuss various home styles, from pre-war Spanish Colonial Revival to a range of mid-century modern residential architectural styles.

  • Albert Frey's Palm Springs Bus Tour (Oct. 21 and 22, $130): Modernist architect Albert Frey, designer of Palm Springs City Hall and the Visitor Center, left his mark in the desert. This tour explores many of the homes and buildings he worked on in the city.

  • Desert Glamour: The Crockett Residence Tour (Oct. 22, $50): The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation will host a tour of the Crockett Residence (1951), one of Herbert W. Burns’ most successful residential designs.

  • Sophisticated Sun Seeker: The Gillman Residence Tour (Oct. 21, $50): The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation will host a tour of the Gillman Residence (1948), another Burns design, that has a fascinating preservation story.

  • Celebrate the Restoration of the Iconic Plaza Theatre (Oct. 22, $100): Take an exclusive tour of the iconic 1936 Plaza Theatre as it begins its restoration, followed by a reception at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library patio.

J.R. Roberts talks about the restoration of the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs, Oct. 8, 2019.
J.R. Roberts talks about the restoration of the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs, Oct. 8, 2019.

A number of fan-favorite events are also set to return this year, including the Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour, guided tours of the Sunnylands estate, Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” Estate and walking tours.

For those who want to enjoy Modernism Week – October but want to save some money, a number of free events are planned over the course of four days:

  • Lost, Saved & Endangered: Modernist Architecture in Palm Springs (Oct. 20): Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board president Gary Johns will present his popular slide lecture about modernist architecture in Palm Springs.

  • The Design of Herbert W. Burns (Oct. 20): Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board vice president Steven Keylon will present an overview of architectural designer Herbert W. Burns’ life and career.

  • Hot Purple Energy Architectural Bike Ride (Oct. 21): This free bicycle tour encourages guests to pedal their way through architecturally significant neighborhoods in South Palm Springs

  • A+D Book Sale by the Friends of the Palm Springs Library (Oct. 21): This book sale will feature a robust collection of architecture and design books representing various styles and authors. The event also includes an appearance by renown architectural historian and author Alan Hess.

  • "The Alexanders" Book Signing with Author James Harlan (Oct. 21): James Harlan, author of “The Alexanders,” will give a talk about the famous Palm Springs developers and will sign copies of his book.

  • Shag’s October Modernism Print Release Party (Oct. 21): Attendees can meet artist Josh Agle (AKA "Shag") and enjoy complimentary cocktails, live music and other surprises at the unveiling of Shag’s newest print at The Shag Store in the Uptown Design District.

  • Modernism Yard Sale (Oct. 22): The annual outdoor sale of unique and affordably priced vintage furniture and accessories. Complementary donuts and coffee will be available while supplies last.

Modernism Week’s signature 11-day festival will take place Feb. 15-25, 2024. Tickets will be available starting noon Nov. 1, and a schedule of events will be available to view online beginning Oct. 25.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs Modernism Week - October tickets now on sale