This week is for the foodies and the cinephiles of the desert.
From the Palm Springs Chamber's Taste of Palm Springs expo and food festival to the Cinema Diverse LGBTQ+ film festival, there's plenty of events to get you through this next hot week (and don't worry, there's plenty to do for non foodies and cinephiles too).
So, here's our top 10 events to check out the week of Monday, Sept. 14 in the Coachella Valley.
Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs
The Coachella Valley’s self-professed premier business, food and community celebration is back. Explore 100+ local businesses, savor bites from 40+ restaurants, sip drinks throughout the evening and enjoy live entertainment featuring Never a Dull Moment: A Tribute to Sir Rod Stewart.
When: 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16
Where: Indian Canyons
Golf Resort, 1100 E. Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $40 general admission, $90 VIP
More info: pschamber.org/event/
Cinema Diverse Film Festival
Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ film festival Cinema Diverse is back for another year and has a lineup chock full of movies about love, action and unbelievable true stories. The festival runs for two consecutive weekends this month and will showcase a mix of feature and short-length films, including several international picks. The lineup includes the whimsical historical fictional "MADFabulous," the short film "Redlining" which tackles Georgia's redlining era in the 1970s, and the premiere of the Palm Springs-set dramedy "Some Kind of Wonderful," created, written and directed by Palm Springs filmmaker Ricky Reidling. Visit psculturalcenter.org/filmfest for the full lineup.
When: Various times Sept. 17-20 and 24-27
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $14.50 individual tickets; $79 six pack pass; $179 all-access pass
More info: psculturalcenter.org/filmfest
Nights on the Oasis Trail
If you've ever wanted to go on an interpretive hike with an Agua Caliente tribal ranger, this is your chance. Enjoy a short hike, bird singing performances, family activities, after-hours gallery viewing and late-night Agua Caliente Cultural Museum store hours. Attendees will receive light bites and will also be eligible for giveaways.
When: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 (last entry at 8 p.m.)
Where: Oasis Trail, 236 E. Andreas Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $25 per adult, $12 per child
More info: accmuseum.org/events
Comedy Sketch Writing Intensive
Ever wanted to be a comedy writer? Or want to improve your writing skills for live performance in general? This CV Rep Conservatory intensive is open to students 18 and older with or without previous writing experience, and places are limited in order to offer the most personalized teacher to student collaboration, as the press release states. Darren Held, creative director of Held2gether, Improv for Life, will teach the course, which is designed to inspire, encourage, and provide effective guidance to anyone who wants to learn how to write a comedic sketch. Writers will learn the fundamentals of strong sketch structure and character driven humor. By the end of this intensive, students will have written five different types of sketches.
When: Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20
Where: Coachella Valley Repertory Black Box theater, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: $225
More info: cvrep.org
Geoff Tate’s Operation Mindcrime The Final Chapter
It's time for a show that combines metal and storytelling. "Multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche," the press release says. "Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of 50 countries. ... The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each."
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
Where: The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: From $39.95
More info: aguacalientecasinos.com/agua-event/
Clean Our Watershed — Celebrate Community Cleanup Day
Interested in giving back to your community this weekend? Kick off your Saturday by giving back and cleaning up the Mission Creek area of Desert Hot Springs. The Kiwanis Club of Palm Springs, New Earth Creator, BGB Environmental Services, and Friends of the Desert Mountains invite any interested valley residents to help them on this mission in recognition of National CleanUp Day, a collaborative effort that will bring volunteers and community organizations together to remove illegally dumped trash and debris, reduce pollution, and help protect one of the Coachella Valley’s environmentally sensitive desert landscapes.
When: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: North Indian Canyon Drive, Mission Creek Area, Desert Hot Springs (coordinates: 33.99646° N, 116.56790° W)
Cost: Free to participate, but register at the link below beforehand
More info: eventbrite.com
11th Annual Positively Aging Project Conference
Forty years ago, the conversation about HIV was centered on survival. Today, thanks to advances in treatment and research, many people living with HIV are asking a different question: How do we live well? That question is at the heart of the 11th Annual Positively Aging Project Conference. This year's theme "Live! Laugh! Lust!" celebrates the idea that while medicine helps people live longer, joy, connection and purpose help them live better. The conference will feature three nationally recognized keynote speakers, as well as a panel of leading HIV physicians and researchers sharing the latest advances in treatment, healthy aging and emerging research.
When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission and parking
More info: harp-ps.org
National POW/MIA Recognition Night
Join the Palm Springs Air Museum for its annual tradition honoring America’s Prisoners of War and those who remain Missing in Action. Through powerful personal stories, emotional reunions and heartfelt remembrances, this evening pays tribute to extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and hope. Light refreshments will be provided.
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Cost: $59 general admission; $39 VIP/member
More info: palmspringsairmuseum.org/programs/
'Killers of Kill Tony'
"Killers of Kill Tony" is a line standup show featuring regulars and fan-favorites from "Kill Tony," often considered the No. 1 live podcast in the world. "Building upon the success and energy of the original podcast, 'Killers of Kill Tony' showcases the diverse talent pool of comedians who have graced the stage of 'Kill Tony' with their wit, humor, and unique comedic styles. Don't miss some of your favorite characters doing their longer standup sets all in one night," as the online event description says.
When: Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's Special Events Center, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Cost: From $52.50
More info: fantasyspringsresort.com/entertainment/
'Fool for Love' presented by The Karma Compound
The Karma Compound, Twentynine Palms' newest theater company, presents three encore showings of its inaugural production, which will transform The Palms in Wonder Valley into a "living roadside world where memory and reality collide," as the theater company says. "Attendees can enjoy live music, drinks, and immersive pre-show encounters as the world of the play gradually comes alive. As daylight fades, the boundary between audience and story dissolves. Before you know it, you've stepped into May and Eddie's endless loop. Originally set in the Mojave Desert, 'Fool for Love' follows two former lovers trapped in a relentless cycle of longing, obsession, and self-destruction as their shared past erupts over the course of one explosive night." Note: This production contains adult themes and strong language.
When: Box office and bar open at 7 p.m., immersive pre-show (featuring music by Catt Christine) starts at 7:15 p.m., and audience must arrive by 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20, 24, and 27
Where: The Palms in Wonder Valley, 83-131 Amboy Road, Twentynine Palms
Cost: $33-$111 (General Admission is $33, and guests are encouraged to bring their own camp chair, blanket, or cushion because seating is not provided. Alternatively, for $111, a car of up to four people can purchase a $111 vehicle pass to drive right up to the performance area for a drive-in theatre experience. Note: Audience members must enjoy the performance outside the vehicle in their own seating.)
More info: thekarmacompound.org
To submit an event for The Desert Sun's consideration in future 10 things to do stories, send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time, date, location and price of admission for your event, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required, but are 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.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: You won't want to miss these 10 greater Palm Springs events this week
