From concerts to Food Truck Fridays: 15 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week
The Coachella Valley is home to a number of events and activities to enjoy — especially this time of year. If you're interested in filling your calendar, we've put together a list of 15 things happening this week in the valley and nearby communities.
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Check out the following events this week:
Center Stage Presents Sonidos
The goal of Center Stage Presents Sonidos is to give community members the chance to experience the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic artists that the Coachella Valley — and the surrounding region — is home to. This free concert series featuring local talent will take place at Indio's newest entertainment venue, Center Stage, and this debut concert on April 17 will also double as a ribbon cutting for the new venue. The opening concert will feature Queridos De La Sierra, Los Vampiros, AY-LEX SONG and Giselle Woo & The Night Owls.
When: 5-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17
Where: Downtown Indio's Center Stage, 82-881 Miles Ave., Indio
Cost: Free and open to all
More info: indio.org
Desert Rhythm: A Free Concert With Windser
All locals and desert-bound music lovers alike are invited to this free concert by Amazon Music’s “Breakthrough Artist to Watch” (2023), Windser. The Los Angeles-based indie singer was added to Palm Desert's Concerts in the Park series in celebration of his new work, “Desert Song”, inspired by the natural beauty of Palm Desert. The city described the work as follows: "... the city set out to translate native plants into music by partnering with plant sonfication expert Joe Patitucci of PlantWave and indie musician/artist Windser. At the intersection of art and science, here is the true rhythm of the desert."
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18
Where: Civic Center Park, 43-900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert
Cost: Free and open to all
More info: discoverpalmdesert.com
Friday Nights on Pierson
The Friday Nights on Pierson event series in Desert Hot Springs returned in November, and continues throughout the spring. Peruse a variety of food trucks — from tacos to pulled pork sandwiches — as well as pop-up shops, live music offerings and crafts for purchase by local artisans.
When: 5-9 p.m. every Friday (including April 19)
Where: 11-940 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs
Cost: Free
More info: cityofdhs.org
Food Truck Fridays
Enjoy a weeky tradition in the heart of Indio. Food Truck Fridays is back, and the vendor lineup changes regularly, so it'll never be the same experience twice. Expect returning favorites and new eateries at this family and pet-friendly event. Whether you're craving sweet treats or a full meal, there's plenty of options, and live music and themed days to boot.
When: 5-10 p.m. every Friday (including Friday, April 19)
Where: The corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue in Downtown Indio
Cost: Free admission, various items available for purchase
More info: indio.org
Script2Stage2Screen presents the Young Playwrights Celebration
Script2Stage2Screen will celebrate young playwrights by presenting fully staged readings of two original one-act plays, "Main Character" and "The Search for Snowflake," written by Brooklyn Rutledge, winner of first prize at the 2022 Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival, when she was a freshman at Paloma Valley High School in Menifee. The plays will be directed by Deborah Harmon, a Desert Theater League Star Award recipient, for her S2S2S debut.
When: 7:30 pm. Friday, April 19 and Saturday April 20
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert, 72-425 Via Vail, Rancho Mirage
Cost: $15 cash or check at the door, or they may be purchased via PayPal on the website
More info: www.script2stage2screen.com
'National Water Dance 2024: Moving Forward Together'
Hundreds of dancers from across the country will come together April 20 to perform a site-specific dance at their local body of water. From Seattle to Maine, dancers of all ages and experience levels will join others in uniting to celebrate — and collectively take responsibility for protecting — our water sources. Local dance group Desert Movement Arts will be participating with a 20-minute piece titled "As It Is, And As It Could Be," with live music by Lorah Yaccarino, at the Palm Springs water sculpture fountain "Rainmaker" at Frances Stevens Park. This piece addresses the problem of access to bodies of water without an entrance fee, because in the Coachella Valley, there is nowhere that Desert Movement Art members can rehearse and perform near a body of water that is not privately owned. The message of the piece was described as follows by Constance Clare-Newman, co-founder of Desert Movement Arts: "We are aware that water is a commodity—contrived, controlled, consumed—not unlike women's bodies. A section of the work confronts this. The closing section is an imagining what we dream is possible—respect, reverence, reciprocity."
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Where: Rainmaker Fountain at Frances Stevens Park, 500 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Free and open to all
More info: Contact Constance Clare-Newman, 510-219-5097 or constance@constanceclare.com
The River Spring Music Series
The spring concert series presented by the City of Rancho Mirage Cultural Commission is back, so prepare to kick your Saturday night off with live music from Motown, disco and other dance bands. This week, dance along to high-energy band Those Guys, as seen at Disneyland. Guests also have the chance to win prizes from local businesses such as The Ritz Carlton, The Omni Rancho Mirage, Acrisure Arena (VIP tickets to a Firebirds game) and more by entering our raffle. All of the proceeds from the raffle, hosted by the Rotary Club of Palm Desert, go to Fenixia Foundation, a local nonprofit supporting autism and disability acceptance.
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Where: The River Amphitheatre, 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Admission to the concert is free, but raffle tickets will be sold during the band performances, and all guests are encouraged to purchase one. Each ticket is $5, or you can purchase five tickets for $20. Tickets can be purchased until 7:30 p.m. April 29.
More info: Email joann@theriveratranchomirage.com or call 310-386-5509
International Classical Concerts presents pianist Joyce Yang
International Classical Concerts presents pianist Joyce Yang. Blessed with "poetic and sensitive pianism" and a "wondrous sense of color," Grammy-nominated Yang captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism and interpretive sensitivity. She first garnered international attention as the silver medal winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Since then, she has performed with many of the world's top orchestras: the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Deutsches Symphonie, Berlin, and the BBC Philharmonic, among many others.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Where: Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, 47-321 Highway 74 (ample free parking and handicap accessible)
Cost: $40 available at the door
More info: internationalclassicalconcerts.com
Ongoing shows
Revolution Stage Company presents 'Billie! Backstage With Lady Day'
This limited engagement production at Revolution Stage Company was written by and stars Synthia L. Hardy. Directed by Bryan Rasmussen with musical direction by Lanny Hartley, this musical journey back in time will take audiences into the life of the iconic performer Billie Holiday — but for five shows only. Experience vibrant jazz joints and the glitz of Hollywood with "Billie," an NAACP award-winning musical that delves into the tumultuous yet extraordinary life of Holiday, while also showcasing her remarkable talent.
When: Now through April 21 (check website for time)
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $35.88
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com
Desert Ensemble Theatre presents 'Sherlock Holmes Confidential'
Looking to enjoy a new work of theater? This comedy faced great success at DET’s 2022 Summer reading series, and now it's hitting the Palm Springs Cultural Center stage for its official, fully produced premiere. The story follows an alternative version of the Sherlock Holmes origin story in which a spurned romance leads to someone threatening to unmask the young detective as a fraud. This production stars Katrina Dixon, Larry Dyekman, Barbara Kerr, Justin Ledesma, and Alex Price.
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays April 12–14 and 19–21
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $37.50
More info: desertensembletheatre.org
Dezart Performs presents 'Mr. Parker'
Dezart Performs' latest production is a story about aging, loss and most importantly, love. At 54 years old, protagonist Terry Parker finds himself at a crossroads in his life. After the loss of his partner, he's suddenly single for the first time in 30 years, and is unable to adjust to a world that has moved on without him. After a night of heavy drinking, he wakes up with a 28-year-old bartender-slash-Uber-driver. These two very different people begin a tentative relationship, and what starts out as a one-night stand becomes a journey of self-discovery for a man trying to let go of the past and move forward.
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays April 12-21
Where: Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $55 for opening night ticket with post-show wine & dessert reception access, $48 for all the other (matinee and evening) performances
More info: dezartperforms.org
Palm Canyon Theatre presents 'The Boys in the Band'
It's time to celebrate Pride early with a work of theater that is rumored to have inspired the 1969 Stonewall riots. "The Boys in the Band" follows Michael, a New Yorker who throws a birthday party for Harold, a self-avowed “32-year-old, pockmarked, Jew fairy,” complete with a surprise gift: “Cowboy,” a street hustler. As the evening wears on, bitter, unresolved resentments among the guests come to light when a game of “Truth” goes terribly wrong. This production of what has been called a “screamingly funny” play showcases the talent of nine local performers.
When: 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays April 12-21
Where: Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $32 for adults and seniors, $17 for students (group discounts are available)
More info: 760-323-5123 or palmcanyontheatre.org
Coachella Valley Repertory presents 'Nice Work If You Can Get It'
Are you ready for one of the largest productions the Coachella Valley has ever seen? Get the “Sweet and Lowdown” of this “Lady Be Good” musical that will hit the CVRep stage with Gershwin songs that are sure to stay in your head the rest of the night. This brand-new take on the classic 1920s musical farce is a screwball comedy that features romance, high-spirited production numbers, and a Tony Award winning script that pokes fun at class snobbery in the prohibition era.
When: Wednesdays-Sundays now through April 28 (all shows start at 2 or 7 p.m., check website for specifics)
Where: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: From $87
More info: cvrep.org
Desert Theatreworks presents 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
Harper Lee's beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning book "To Kill a Mockingbird" comes to life in this play, which opens on a sleepy Alabama town in the midst of the Great Depression. Main character Scout and her brother, Jem, live here with their widowed father, Atticus Finch. The facade of the seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young Black man is accused of a terrible crime. Driven by an unshakeable moral conviction, local lawyer Atticus defends the man in a trial that sends violent waves through the community. All these years later, this work remains a powerful tale about racism, compassion and the difference between right and wrong.
When: April 12-28 (all shows at 2 or 7:30 p.m., check website for specific dates and times)
Where: The Indio Performing Arts Center, 45-175 Fargo St., Indio
Cost: From $38
More info: dtworks.org
Revolution Stage Company presents 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'
Head to Revolution Stage Company to hear this beloved tale about an eclectic group of sixth-graders at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons. This hysterical and catchy musical follows each speller as they reveal their hopes, struggles and passions throughout the competition. With an engaging score by William Finn and a sweet book by Rachel Sheinkin, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" causes audiences to fall in love with this group of young people.
When: April 16-28 (check website for times)
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $35.88
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 15 things to do in the Palm Springs area this week, April 15-21
