10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, June 24-30
The Coachella Valley is home to a number of events and activities to enjoy — even now that season is over. If you're interested in filling your calendar, we've put together a list of 10 things happening this week in the valley and nearby communities.
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Check out the following events this week:
Last Chance: 2024 Palm Springs International Shortfest
Cinephiles who missed the other Palm Springs International ShortFest screenings, never fear, there are still tickets available for the festival's closing night and Monday Best of Fest screenings. Sunday's Closing Night event kicks off with a screening of "award-winning gems" and "crowd favorites," followed by a mod-themed reception featuring tunes spun by Dapper DJ on Flannery Exchange’s rooftop. On Monday, head back to Regal Palm Springs to watch re-runs of the highest-rated shorts of the whole festival.
When: Closing Night: 6:30 p.m. screening, 8 p.m. reception Sunday, June 23; Best of Fest: First screening at 10 a.m., last screening at 8 p.m. Monday, June 24
Where: All screenings at Regal Palm Springs, 789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; Closing Night reception at Flannery Exchange, 750 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Unit F, Palm Springs
Cost: $15 for the closing night screening only, $60 for the Closing Night screening plus reception;
More info: psfilmfest.org/shortfest-2024
More: What to know about 30th annual Palm Springs ShortFest: Tickets, lineup, panels
More: ShortFest 2024: Filmmakers share inspirations behind films at Opening Night
More: ShortFest: Former 'The L Word' actress made 'Alok' to exemplify nonbinary experience
Green Room Theatre presents 'Displacement: Stories from Section 14'
With the support of a Creative Workforce Development Grant from the California Arts Council, Coachella-based theater company Green Room Theatre assembled a team of designers, actors, playwrights, musicians and directors to devise an original play that recounts the forced eviction by the City of Palm Springs of the residents of Section 14 in 1965. Section 14 was a one-square-mile section of land adjacent to downtown Palm Springs owned by members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. For decades, many people of color either rented or built their own homes there, in part because racist housing policies denied them the ability to buy homes elsewhere in the city. The play examines the many complex layers in the history of Section 14, and acting in the play is a Section 14 resident from that time, Alvin Taylor.
When: 2 p.m. June 23, 29 and 30, and 6:30 p.m. June 28 and 29
Where: June 23: United Methodist Church of Palm Springs, 1555 E. Alejo Road, Palm Springs; and all other shows: Coachella Library Community Room, 1500 Sixth St., Coachella
Cost: $10 for students, seniors and others who need a more affordable option; $25 for general admission; $40 for those wishing to include a $15 donation to help cover the cost of the production (note: if you cannot pay any of these prices, Green Room Theatre wishes to keep their shows accessible, so there is a free ticket option on the website)
More info: grtccv.org/section-14/
More: New play uses drama to show human impact of Palm Springs’ Section 14 evictions
Hot Summer Nights at PDAC
Did you know that one of the desert's newest dancefloors is at a public pool? Between now and Aug. 15, head to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center every Tuesday to experience all the center's typical amenities — open recreational swimming, water slides, diving boards, an obstacle course, a rope swing, and a snack bar — as well as a dance party fueled by live music. This event also features a live remote with radio stations U-92 and 100.5 The Mix
When: 7:30-10:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 15 (including June 25)
Where: Palm Desert Aquatic Center, 73-751 Magnesia Falls Drive, Palm Desert
Cost: Admission is $9 per adult non-resident, $5.50 per adult resident
More: pdpool.com/special-events/
CV Rep Summer Cabaret Series presents Philip Chaffin performing 'Will He Like Me?'
Come see three-time Grammy nominee Philip Chaffin's takes on two dozen classics from the "Great American Songbook" in the show "Will He Like Me," the next event in the Coachella Valley Repertory Summer Cabaret Series. In this evening of musical fun, Chaffin takes songs once considered off-limits to male vocalists and "reimagines them for the marriage-equality era," as the CV Rep website says. Come enjoy nearly a century of popular American music used as a vehicle to tell one gay man's love story. The New York Times' review of the show said "Chaffin tells a familiar story that has never sounded so new."
When: 6 p.m. social hour, 7 p.m. show Wednesday, June 26
Where: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: $50
More info: cvrep.com
Cocktail Cinema: 'Get Out'
Kick off your Thursday evening by purchasing a movie-inspired cocktail at the Meyerman Garden inside the Palm Springs Art Museum to celebrate a new season of Cocktail Cinema. This summer event series screens four films that explore "the dark side of suburban living, revealing the hidden struggles and tribulations behind the facade of the perfectly manicured lawns and white picket fences," as the museum's website states. This week, enjoy a screening of "Get Out," a horror film examining the Black experience.
When: Cocktails start at 5 p.m., film begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 27
Where: Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Free
More info: psmuseum.org/events
Revolution Stage Co. presents the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
Looking for a unique evening of theater coupled with some tasty drinks? The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy at Revolution Stage Co. brings four of Edgar Allan Poe's beloved tales to life onstage — each paired with a classic cocktail. Step back in time to a "bygone era ... Led by the speakeasy’s lead mixologist and Poe historians, this immersive evening promises to be a chillingly unforgettable experience," as the website states.
When: Multiple showtimes on June 27-29
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 16, Palm Springs
Cost: $48
More info: (760) 318-4115 or revolutionstagecompany.com
More: Theater experience that pairs Edgar Allan Poe stories with cocktails coming to Palm Springs
Jueves de Drift
In need of a fun way to kick off the weekend a little early? If you're willing to push bedtime for a late-night happy hour, grab your swimsuit and head to downtown Palm Springs' Drift Hotel for the new weekly Jueves de Drift event (held every Thursday night). Enjoy evening swims, $5 tacos a la plancha, $5 beers and $8 cocktails alongside rotating live music — poolside. Free admission for all, but RSVPing at Eventbrite.come is encouraged.
When: 7-10 p.m. every Thursday (including June 27)
Where: Drift Palm Springs, 284 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs (Drift offers free, first come, first-served parking but it does fill up quickly. Consider parking at the free structure directly across the street on Indian Canyon or behind the building on South Calle Encilia.)
Cost: Free admission
More info: eventbrite.com
Big Beat Drum Battle with Andy Fraga and Friends
Whether you're a jazz fan or not, this electrifying night of rhythm, melody and jazz mastery has something to offer. Watch professional drummers Andy Fraga and Kevin van den Elzen go head-to-head in a unique percussion battle that doubles as a concert. Accompanied by the renowned Bob Sheppard on bass, this is an evening for anyone who loves live music.
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27
Where: Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $10-$59
More info: eventbrite.com
CV Rep Summer Cabaret Series presents Ken Page
Enjoy an evening of musical fun with actor and singer Ken Page — best known as the voice of Mr. Oogie Boogie in the classic Disney Tim Burton film "The Nightmare Before Christmas" — at this next event in the Coachella Valley Repertory Summer Cabaret Series. Page has performed the "Nightmare Before Christmas" score live at the Los Angeles' BMO Stadium and Hollywood Bowl, New York City's Barclays Center, England's OVO Arena Wembley and venues throughout Tokyo, Glasgow and Dublin. Page also voiced all the subsequent video games, Disney Park attractions, etc. On Broadway, he won a Theatre World Award for his performance as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-Black revival of "Guys and Dolls." Come see for yourself why Page has had a storied career as both a singer and actor.
When: 6 p.m. social hour, 7 p.m. show Thursday, June 27
Where: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: $50
More info: cvrep.com
Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market - Indoor Summer Edition
Just because the summer heat has descended upon the Coachella Valley doesn't mean you can't shop for fresh produce at the farmers market. The original Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market has moved indoors at the Palm Springs Pavilion for the season, and still features California-grown fresh food products, chef demonstrations and entertainment.
When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays June through September (including June 29)
Where: Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S. Pavilion Way (next to the Palm Springs Swim Center at Sunrise Park), Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission, with several items available for purchase
More info: certifiedfarmersmarkets.org
Inclusion in The Desert Sun's weekly community calendar is solely at the editors' discretion. Priority is given to free and community-oriented events.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 things to do in the Palm Springs area this week, June 24-30
