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 highly encouraged as part of the submission. (Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time, and 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:
Friends of the Desert Mountains Birding Walk-About
Join a volunteer docent who will share interesting facts about native and migratory birds that call the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument home. Check out the new observation area, then head to the Ed Hastey Garden Walk (paved), tortoise habitat areas and the Randall Henderson Trail. Bring water, binoculars, a hat and sunscreen. No dogs allowed. RSVP is required, and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time.
When: 8 a.m. Monday, March 11
Where: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 California 74, Palm Desert
Cost: Free but $5 donation suggested
More info: desertmountains.org
Pink Martini Featuring China Forbes with Special Guest Meow Meow
This McCallum Theatre favorite returns for six cross-genre concerts featuring classical, tango, folk, jazz, old-fashioned pop and more this month. Bandleader/pianist Thomas Lauderdale has said “If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, Pink Martini would be that band.” Pink Martini’s diverse repertoire is a blend influenced by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, as well as Asian and Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and ’50s.
When: March 13-17
Where: McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert
Cost: $55-$95
More info: mccallumtheatre.org
8th Annual Taste of Indio
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce will host this event in collaboration with the City of Indio to honor the area’s culinary offerings. Guests can expect an evening of entertainment, food samples, a museum tour and a cash bar. This year’s food vendors include Cork & Fork, Experimental Concepts,
Heirloom Craft Kitchen, Jackalope Ranch, Victoria’s Cafe, Que Mango Fruit & Juice Bar, Taco Shop 760, Thai Hot, TKB, Uncle D’s Smokehouse BBQ & Grill and more.
When: 4 p.m. Thursday, March 14
Where: Coachella Valley History Museum, 82-616 Miles Ave., Indio
Cost: From $25
More info: gcvcc.org
Fashion Week El Paseo
Fashion Week El Paseo, which calls itself the “largest consumer fashion week on the West Coast,” is a series of eight shows held in Palm Desert every March. Participating brands and designers include Max Mara, LeonLeon, Cynthia Rowley, Simon Ungless, Scooter LaForge and more. It all ends March 21 with a presentation of luxury fashion institution Saks Fifth Avenue’s curated collection of spring/summer 2024
menswear and womenswear. Each show benefits a different nonprofit.
When: March 15-21
Where: Various locations on El Paseo in Palm Desert
Cost: From $95
More info: fashionweekelpaseo.com
Dave Damiani with the Coachella Valley Symphony
The Coachella Valley Symphony and the City of Rancho Mirage present this free concert featuring Los Angelesbased singer, songwriter and producer Dave Damiani. The program will include pop and jazz classics such as “Come Fly With Me,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sunny Side Of The Street” and more. Seating is firstcome, first-served. Food and libations will be available for purchase.
When: Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. March 16
Where: Rancho Mirage Amphitheater, 71-560 San Jacinto Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Free
More info: cvsymphony.com
Glow in the Park
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will shine bright every night this spring for Glow in the Park, an evening event featuring grand displays of hand-crafted animal lanterns. This is a family friendly affair, and organizers offer combo tickets that include admission to the zoo during the day. The gift shop will be open each night of Glow in the Park, and if you’re lucky, you’ll still be able to spot some animals.
When: Select nights March 16-April 28
Where: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert
Cost: From $28.95
More info: livingdesert.org
Desert Hot Springs Classical Concerts Presents Molly Gebrian and Danny Holt
Watch violist Molly Gebrian and pianist Danny Holt play works from the album “Trailblazers,” which highlights music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Henriëtte Bosmans, Ethel Smyth and Dora Pejačević — women who defied the social expectations of their time against the backdrop of world wars and a global pandemic. Dr. Molly Gebrian is a professional violist and scholar with a background in cognitive neuroscience, and Danny Holt is a professional pianist who’s been hailed as one of the “local heroes” of the Los Angeles music scene by LAcitybeat.com.
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17
Where: Grace Church, 17-400 Bubbling Wells Road, Desert Hot Springs
Cost: Free admission, but cash donations accepted on-site
More info: dhsclassicalconcerts.org
Professional Bull Riders (PBR): Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour
This adrenaline-charged spectacle will feature rising rodeo stars and legendary riders alike facing off against tough animal athletes. Headquartered in Pueblo, Colorado, PBR was founded in 1992 by a group of 20 bull riders seeking mainstream attention, who believed bull riding deserved a spot as a standalone sport outside traditional rodeos. For every rider, the ultimate goal is to qualify for the PBR World Finals, the richest bull riding event on the planet, with the season champion receiving the golden World Championship buckle and a $1 million bonus.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 15 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Cost: From $26
More info: acrisurearena.com
Desert Film Society Screening of ‘The Film-Make-Her, the Lisa Azuelos Story’
This documentary follows Lisa Azuelos (“L.O.L.,” “Comme t’y es belle,” “Dalida”) as the subject of a new documentary by David Serero. Audiences are encouraged to come along on this ride retracing her journey from the beginning of her career to what life looks like today. The film features François Cluzet, Michèle Laroque, Alexandra Lamy, Sveva Alviti, and Djanis Bouzyani, among others. This screening will be followed by the screenings of two short films: “Ganef ” and “Nowhere.”
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Historic Camelot Theatre, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: Free to Desert Film Society members, $15 to everyone else
More info: desertfilmsociety.org
Event for families with students hoping to attend college: Family Financial Wellness Fair
The Cal State San Bernardino Office of Pre-College Programs invites all members of the community to its Family Financial Wellness Fair to learn how to fill out applications such as the FAFSA,
California Dream Act and paperwork for the CalKIDS Program.
The free event is designed to empower families with essential information to enhance their financial well-being and will feature assistance with financial aid applications, special guests, activities for kids and opportunity drawings. There will also be free food for the first 500 attendees, a resource fair and opportunities to participate in financial wellness workshops.
Individuals who attend said workshops will be entered to win one of four $500 scholarships.
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus, 37-500 Cook St., Palm Desert
Cost: Free admission, and registration is encouraged online at the below link
More info: csusb.edu/pdc