From musical revues to MLK events: 10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week
The Coachella Valley is home to a number of events and activities to take part in this winter. 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 very encouraged as part of the submission.
Check out the following events this week:
Desert Theatreworks Presents: 'Gilligan's Island - The Musical'
Need a getaway? Sail to an island far, far away — yet somehow very familiar — in this musical adaptation of the most popular American sitcom of the 1960s. Written by the original TV show’s creator, Sherwood Schwartz, all the show’s beloved characters are back for the stage show, and they all bring their hilarious adventures along with them. Will they finally make it off the island? Hop on board and you'll find out.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 11-28
Where: The Indio Performing Arts Center, 45-175 Fargo St., Indio
Tickets: From $38
More info: www.dtworks.org
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast honoring the legacy of Dr. King and his fight for social justice is hosted by the Palm Springs area chapter of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce. This year, it takes place at Indian Canyons Golf Resort. Registration for the event is available for members and non-members.
When: 9-10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15
Where: Indian Canyons Golf Resort, 1097 E. Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $45 for nonmembers of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, $35 for members
More info: www.blackchamberofcommerce.org
MLK Week 2024: 'The Reason for the Dream'
Come celebrate Martin Luther King. Jr. Day at the recently reopened First Community Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs. This holiday event is hosted by Rev. Dr. James P. Baylark and includes a special service honoring King's legacy featuring guest speakers Jarvis Crawford (president of the Palm Springs Black History Committee) and Congressman Raul Ruiz. All are welcome.
When: 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15
Where: First Community Baptist Church, 66-272 First St., Desert Hot Springs
Cost: Free and open to the public
More info: Please contact the church at (760) 329-5335 or (951) 616-088
Friends of the Desert Mountains Garstin Trail Hike
Is your New Year's resolution to be more active? This event is a great place to start. Join a Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docent for a guided hike along the Garstin Trail. Along the way, you'll learn the importance of this critical habitat area for the endangered Casey's June Beetle and other tidbits about Palm Springs history and the National Monument. Hike rating is moderate, elevation gain is approximately 800 feet and the hike is 3 miles roundtrip. No dogs are allowed. Please bring 2 liters of water, snacks, closed-toed shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen.
When: 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, Jan. 16
Where: Garstin Trailhead - Bogert Trail at Barona Road in Palm Springs
Cost: Free, but a $5 donation is suggested. RSVP is required and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time.
More info: Call 760-568-9918 or visit www.desertmountains.org/calendar
Live, Laugh, Love a Sondheim Celebration
Musical Theatre Guild and Musical Theatre University present the return — by popular demand — of the Coachella Valley's ultimate Sondheim celebration. Honor the legendary theater artist by enjoying an evening of performances curated by playwright/screenwriter Duane Poole. This original revue will feature material from virtually every produced Sondheim project from Broadway shows to TV to film. This eclectic evening will appeal to everyone from the casual theatregoer to the most rabid Sondheim fan, and if your favorite number is missing, your ticket will also offer entry to a post-show party where the cast will take requests.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18
Where: Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School, 31-001 Rattler Road, Rancho Mirage
Cost: $35-$75
More info: www.eventbrite.com
PGA West Presents Road to Nashville: An Evening with Mark Taylor
Want to keep the party going at The American Express? Head to Ernie's Bar & Grill at PGA West after the Keith Urban and Train concerts for an evening featuring Nashville-based country artist Mark Taylor. As a vocalist and songwriter, Taylor is an emerging voice who's opened for big-name acts such as Big & Rich, Bryan White, Jon Pardi, Joe Nichols and other top country artists.
When: 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 (4 p.m. is the private pre-concert party featuring an open bar and food stations; 7 p.m. is the start of the concert and 9 p.m. is the post-performance DJ party with open bar - all events are included with purchase of one Road to Nashville ticket)
Where: Ernie's Bar & Grill. 56-150 PGA Boulevard, La Quinta
Cost: $250 per person per night
More info: www.blog.pgawest.com
Nickerson-Rossi Dance Presents its 11th Anniversary Concert
Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Palm Springs' resident contemporary dance company, is celebrating 11 years this month. This celebratory performance will pay homage to the classics of modern dance, the innovations of contemporary movement, and the city the company calls home. Enjoy an evening of works from the company's repertoire dating back to 2012, as well as dance works from Michael Nickerson-Rossi's collaborations with Palm Springs organizations Sunnylands, Modernism Week, and Michael Childers’ One Night Only. A select group of students from Palm Springs Dance Academy’s pre-professional teen program will also be integrated into a new work, “Blueprints,” with the professional dancers. The company will also hold two concerts specifically for Palm Springs Unified School District and Desert Sands Unified School District ELOP students on Jan. 21 and 22.
When: 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 and 6-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20
Where: Nickerson-Rossi's Dance House, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Unit #10-12, Palm Springs
Cost: From $45
More info: www.nickersonrossidance.com
Palm Canyon Theatre Presents 'Sordid Lives'
Palm Springs favorite, Del Shores' "Sordid Lives," is returning to the desert, and in the tradition of a good “cult classic,” PCT is encouraging audience participation with cues to sing along and get involved in the action (from the comfort of a seat). This production follows the main character's “coming out” journey during their Texas family matriarch’s funeral. The original stage play premiered in Los Angeles in 1996, won 14 Drama-Logue Awards, and will be produced at Palm Canyon Theatre for the ninth time this year.
When: 7 p.m. on Thursday, 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19-28
Where: Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: General admission tickets are $32; student are $17
More info: Call (760) 323-5123 or visit PalmCanyonTheatre.org
International Classical Concerts Presents Zuill Bailey
Attention music lovers: International Classical Concerts will present its first concert of the 2024 season this week. Zuill Bailey, widely considered one of the best cellists in the world, is a Grammy Award-winning soloist, artistic director and teacher. (The Evening Standard in Wimbledon, England said he has "Sumptuous tone ... jaw-dropping technique ... heart-stopping eloquence.") A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory and the Juilliard School, he performs on the priceless “rosette” Matteo Gofriller Cello (1693), formerly owned by Mischa Schneider of the Budapest String Quartet. At this concert, he'll perform a virtuosic and Romantic program of Chopin and Rachmaninoff. After the concert, there will be a meet-and-greet with the artist.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20
Where: Presbyterian Community Church, Palm Desert, 47-321 Highway 74, Palm Desert (ample free parking and handicap accessible)
Tickets: $40 available at the door or by subscription. Five-concert series: $160
More Info: Call (760) 459-0650
Palm Springs Art Museum Family+ Day
Head to the Palm Springs Art Museum the third Sunday of every month for a day of free family fun. This month's focus is wellness, and activities include yoga lessons and gratitude journal exercises led by local mindfulness instructor Crissy Hastings, a meditative painting workshop led by Cece Z, a found poem and vision board exercise led by poet Emily Clarke and a positive reflections mirror painting workshop led by museum staff. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Savege Foods.
When: Noon - 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21
Where: Palm Springs Art Museum's Annenberg Theater, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Free with advance registration
More info: www.psmuseum.org/events
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 things to do in the Palm Springs area this week
