From modernism lectures to soccer: 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 [email protected] 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. (Tip: To make sure your event jumps out in our inbox, put "10 things to do submission" in the email subject line.)
Check out the following events this week:
Coachella Valley Invitational
Soccer (or, as the rest of the world calls it, football) fans, assemble. The Coachella Valley Invitational welcomes the biggest clubs in U.S. Soccer to Empire Polo Club in Indio — the same venue that plays host to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach country music festival. Sweeping desert vistas provide the perfect backdrop for this three-week competition to secure roster spots, build momentum, and launch a 2024 campaign.
When: Now through Feb. 24
Where: Empire Polo Club, 81-800 51st Ave., Indio
Cost: From $25 per day, prices vary
More info: coachellavalleyinvitational.com
Desert Theatreworks Presents 'Plaza Suite'
Enjoy this annual production by legendary playwright and four-time Tony winner Neil Simon. The play follows two actors playing three different couples in one famous hotel room. Needles to say, comedy ensues. Karen and Sam are a long-married pair whose relationship may be headed for an early checkout. Muriel and Jesse are former high school sweethearts who seem destined for an extended stay. And Norma and Roy are the mother and father of the bride, ready to celebrate their daughter's nuptials — if they ever find a way out of the bathroom.
When: Now through Feb. 25 (check website for specific times)
Where: The Indio Performing Arts Center, 45-175 Fargo St., Indio
Cost: From $38
More info: dtworks.org
Renée Fleming
Enjoy an evening with Renée Fleming, one of the most acclaimed singers of our time. In 2013, Fleming was awarded America's highest honor for an artist, the National Medal of Arts. She brought her voice to a vast new audience in 2014, as the only classical artist ever to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Winner of the 2013 Grammy Award (her fourth) for Best Classical Vocal Solo, Fleming has sung for momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Come hear this award-winning voice Monday night.
When: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12
Where: McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert
Cost: $40-$65
More info: mccallumtheatre.org
Mid-Century Modernism in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells
Celebrate Modernism Week early at this free lecture. Learn about the magnificent modernist architecture that abounds throughout Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells. Country club architecture became defined by William Cody’s elegant minimalism in designs for the clubhouses of Thunderbird, Tamarisk and Eldorado Country Clubs, and other developments. Sunnylands, a modernist tour de force by A. Quincy Jones, Sandpiper condominiums by William Krisel, the Wave House by Walter White, and the only Schindler home in the desert are just some of the standouts that dot the mid-valley.
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13
Where: UC Riverside - Palm Desert, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert
Cost: Free admission
More info: events.ucr.edu
Free Yoga Class
The Cathedral City Parks and Community Events Commission is kicking off 2024 with free yoga classes open to the public every Tuesday morning. The classes will be taught by professional yoga instructors Patti Wexler and Nicole Cuhney. Power Yoga is a medium to advanced-level class and Gentle Yoga is for beginners. Anyone interested in taking the free power yoga classes can simply show up and participate, no reservations required. The classes will be held outdoors on the amphitheater lawn. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat, bottled water and hand towel. A limited number of mats will be available on a first come, first-served basis. Classes are weather permitting.
When: 8:30-9:30 a.m. and Power Yoga 10-11 a.m. every Tuesday morning now through March 26
Where: Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, 68-526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City
Cost: Free and open to the public
More info: Contact volunteer program coordinator Antonio Baciu at [email protected]
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 Tuesday, Feb. 13
Where: Garstin Trailhead, Bogert Trail at Barona Road, Palm Springs
Cost: Free, with a suggested nonrefundable donation of $5
More info: desertmountains.org/calendar
Magician Derek Hughes
Looking for a magical evening? Consider snagging tickets to one of this magician's performances. Derek Hughes has performed on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, CW's "Penn & Teller: Fool Us," and the "Ellen DeGeneres Show." He's a consulting producer on TRUtv's hit magic series, "The Carbonaro Effect," and was a top 10 finalist on NBC's "America's Got Talent." The "Stand Up Magician" Derek Hughes has been lauded by audiences and critics alike, with the New York Times calling him "thoroughly entertaining."
When: Thursday, Feb. 15-Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: Marvyn’s Magic Theater, 46-630 Washington St., La Quinta
Cost: $55
More info: marvynsmagictheater.com
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, Feb. 16)
Where: The corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue in Downtown Indio
Cost: Free admission, various items available for purchase
More info: indio.org
The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
Ready to seek some thrills? Or just kick back with some date-centric treats? The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is back, and this year's event features not only the classic carnival, monster trucks, rodeo, demo derby and agriculture competitions, but also live performances by Natasha Bedingfield, Smash Mouth, Voz De Mando Y Los Ex De La Banda and Diamond Rio.
When: 3-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18; and various other times through Feb. 25
Where: Riverside County Fairgrounds, 46-350 Arabia St., Indio
Tickets: $12 for general admission, $10 for kids, $40 for a season pass and $11 for seniors (concerts require additional ticket purchase, and prices vary)
More info: datefest.org
'Woven Together 2.0' Art Exhibit
Enjoy this new exhibit by Marcelo Bengoechea of woven photographs returning to Super Simple Palm Springs for the second year in a row. Marcelo's brother, acclaimed photographer Fernando Bengoechea — who perfected the art of "woven photographs" — died 20 years ago in the tsunami of 2004 while vacationing in Sri-Lanka with partner Nate Berkus. Marcelo could not accept that his brother's art would die with him. So, over the course of 10 years, he painstakingly taught himself the craft of weaving photographs to create a beautiful one-of-a-kind piece of woven artwork. All while keeping his brother's memory alive. Meet Marcelo at the opening night reception and enjoy this extremely personal art show born out of one brother's undying love for the other.
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: Super Simple, 800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission
More Info: fernandobengoechea.com
Idyllwild Arts Presents a Black History Jazz Concert
In honor of Black History Month, Idyllwild Arts Academy announces its annual Black History jazz concert, which is free and open to the public, and will take place at the school’s campus this weekend. The event is the brainchild of Idyllwild Arts iconic Jazz Program founder Dr. Marshall Hawkins who has played bass with many legends, including The Miles Davis Quintet — as well as Dr. Daniel Bassin and will be hosted by the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Board. The theme of the event will be the “Replacement of the Drum,” reflecting both the hardships and triumphs black Americans have experienced in the United States when drums, a principal form of communication in Africa, were taken away during slavery. The concert will feature Dr. Marshall Hawkins Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra (MOJO), which he formed in 2002, joining the school’s own Jazz and Classical music students, faculty and alumni along with a plethora of professional performers.
When: 7:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: Lowman Concert Hall, 52-500 Temecula Road #38, Idyllwild
Cost: Free
More info: idyllwildarts.org/event/black-history-concert
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 things to do in the Palm Springs area this week
