| | I didn’t expect the overwhelmingly positive responses I received from last week’s issue. There were so many of you that I had short interactions with online and I’m glad you’re here. Thanks for giving me your time. I hope you find something that resonates with you in this issue, and the many more to come. |
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|  | Weekend 2 festivities |
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| Weekend 1 is for the parties, but weekend 2 isn’t slowing down. | Like last weeks issue, you’ll find this week’s events with RSVP links and the info you need to plan out your week. | Anyway, onto the issue. |
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| | Desert Notes | Raices Cultura has 20 high school students from across the Coachella Valley (CVHS, Desert Mirage, Indio, NOVA Academy, Shadow Hills, and La Quinta High) running their art installation at Coachella this year. The piece is a giant retro TV called "Living Through the Screen" with student-made animations screening inside it. Ten weeks of work from cell animation to rotoscoping. If you’re going to the festival, check it out. It’s located in the Camping Hub. | Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation Scholarships for Coachella Valley students pursuing hospitality majors and careers. Deadline is Wednesday, April 29th. |
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| | Business Happenings | H&H Bagels is opening in Palm Desert this Thursday, April 16 at 73131 Country Club Dr. Doors at 6 AM. The first 250 customers get a mystery tote bag with an H&H gift card inside (some worth up to $100). A bite of New York City. Now in Palm Desert. | Mykonos, a modern Greek Mediterranean restaurant (with milk-based desserts), just opened in Rancho Mirage with a ribbon cutting at The River. |
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| | Events This Week | Know of an event that should be featured? Let me know. | 🚧 Coachella Weekend 2: What Locals Need to Know | Coachella/Stagecoach Road Closures
Same closures as last weekend. Avenue 50 between Monroe and Madison is still closed through May 4. Starting Friday, additional roads close through Monday: Avenue 49 between Hjorth & Monroe, Avenue 50 between Madison & Jackson, Hjorth between 49 & 50, Madison between 49 & 52. No pedestrians on Monroe (between 49 & 52) or Madison (between 50 & 52). | Expect major delays on Jefferson, Washington, and Monroe southbound from I-10, plus Avenue 48, Highway 111, and nearby I-10 exits. | Alternate routes: Washington, Jackson, Calhoun, Golf Center Parkway (north/south). Highway 111, Fred Waring, Miles Ave, Avenue 54 (east/west). | Uber pickup: Avenue 49 & Monroe (southwest corner). Friends & family drop-off: Avenue 52 & Madison (northeast corner). No golf carts on any closed streets. | Monday will be the worst day. Over 40,000 campers leave at once. Plan extra time if you're anywhere near the Indio area. Sound checks and camping noise start Thursday. | One more weekend after this (Stagecoach, April 24 to 26), then streets reopen May 4. | Plan your drive. We’re in the thick of it. |
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| | Wednesday 4/15 | Did you file your taxes?? A few options tonight to celebrate... | CHELLA at Center Stage
5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, Center Stage, 82881 Miles Ave, Downtown Indio, Free, All Ages
Indio's own free festival night. Tropa Magica plays live (Mexican psych-rock), plus Ambiente y Cafe x Mas Vida Market (7:30 to 10 PM) with AYC DJs, a live band, Tropicoqueta photo booth, cafecito, mercado, and food vendors. This is the kind of thing that makes you wonder why more cities don't do this during Coachella. | Stray Ceramics Clay Night at Más o Menos
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Más o Menos Bar, Joshua Tree, $35
Make a ceramic mug (guided) or free-form whatever you want. Pizza from I Fall To Pizzas, drinks from the bar. Second time they've done this. | Waiting for Guffman at Camelot Theatres
6:30 PM, Camelot Theatres, Palm Springs
Part of a Catherine O'Hara tribute series. Schitt's Creek episode before the film. | Parsons Dance at McCallum Theatre
7:00 PM, McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
Contemporary dance company known for athletic, high-energy performances. If you've never seen them, "Caught" alone is worth the ticket. | Coachella Acapella: Dreamers, Songs of Hope
7:00 PM, Cascade Lounge, Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Four-part acapella harmony, barbershop style from a nonprofit chorus. Tickets required. | Bingo Night
Doors at 6:00 PM, Bingo at 6:30 PM, 82470 Bliss Ave, Indio, $15 entry, 18+
City of Indio community bingo night. | Kyle and Mistie Knight at Marvyn's Magic Theater
Marvyn's Magic Theater, La Quinta, 21+
Grand prize winners on Syfy's Wizard Wars. Intimate magic show with cocktails. | If you want to get your steps in... | Coachella Moves Trail Run
Meet 5:45 PM, Herb Jeffries Trail, Palm Desert
Spring trail series with We Do Hard Things. All levels welcome. |
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| | Thursday 4/16 | Big Thursday. Pick your adventure. | H&H Bagels Grand Opening
6:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 73131 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert
First 250 customers get a mystery tote with an H&H gift card (up to $100). Get there early and avoid the line. | SMO + Friends Pop-Up at The Place
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 45145 Oasis St, Downtown Indio
Seven vendors under one roof. Souvenir of the Sunday is doing heat-pressed character decals on tees, hats, onesies, and bandanas ($25 to $40). SMO Ceramics has clay doodling ($65, includes shipping). Julia Walck is running DIY disco collages ($35). Planet Claire has cute stationery goods and art. Sunny & Sal has a charm bar. Boyko has clothes. Amber Morgan has mini desert paintings. Con Amor, Nina y Leon is handling the baked goods. This is the last day Souvenir of the Sunday is at The Place for this run. | Into the afternoon... | Indio Cars & Guitars Show
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 82707 Miles Ave (Dune Room), Downtown Indio
Vintage guitars, classic cars, and live music. Runs through Saturday. Sponsored by Bay Area Vintage Guitars. | Palm Desert Arbor Day Celebration
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Freedom Park, 77400 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, Free
Demos from local arborists, giveaways, and you can help plant a new tree. Did you know PD has over 12,000 trees across the city?? | Origami Fortune Teller Poem Workshop
1:00 PM, Palm Desert Library, Free
I LOOOVE origami!! Fold an origami fortune teller and turn it into an interactive poem. Led by Thai-Vietnamese American poet Tanya Sangpun Thamkruphat. Registration required. | Then tonight... | VillageFest
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, Free
200+ booths. Palm Canyon Drive closes to traffic. Art, food, produce, music. Every Thursday. | PSAM Free Thursday Night
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Palm Springs Art Museum, Free
"Fashioning Architecture" exhibition is on view through June 7. | Desert Symphony: Classical Night Fever
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, Rancho Mirage
Disco-era classical program. If you like your Bee Gees with a full orchestra, this is your night. | Dirty Perreo
7:00 PM, Dune Room, Downtown Indio, Free RSVP, 18+
Coachella Weekend 2 kickoff party. Reggaeton all night. Last time they hit capacity so RSVP early. | MaruMart by Maruchan at Cabazon Outlets
10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Cabazon Outlets parking area (next to Oakleys), 48750 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, Free
A full Maruchan convenience store pop-up. DIY Ramen Bar, Flamin' Hot Maruchan Loca Station, free samples, limited-edition merch drops, photo moments. Open to the public, no Coachella wristband needed. Runs through Monday, April 20. |
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| | Friday 4/17 | Coachella opens. Here's what's happening outside the gates. | Indio Food Truck Fridays
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Downtown Indio (Towne St & Bliss Ave), Free
Food trucks, live atmosphere, toned down from the festival energy. | Indio Cars & Guitars Show
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Dune Room, Downtown Indio
Day two. If you didn't make it Thursday, Friday's your shot. | Dog Days at The Living Desert
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, Palm Desert
Bring your leashed dog and explore the zoo together. Also running: "Mission: Pollination!" interactive family adventure through April 30. | Into the evening... | The Dogs at Pappy & Harriet's
Doors 8:30 PM, Show 9:00 PM, Pioneertown, Free, All Ages
Free Friday night at Pappy's. The Dogs play all the covers other bands won't touch. Back by popular local demand. | Glitter & Games at The Saguaro
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, El Jefe Cantina, Palm Springs, Free
A lil glitter, a lil games. Free drag bingo. | Live in the Lobby at Ace Hotel
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Ace Hotel, Palm Springs, Free
Damian Tiner playing live. Chill lobby vibes. | If you're making the drive... | It’s a Pizza Party
I Fall To Pizzas 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, DJ Shamu at 9:00 PM, Más o Menos, Joshua Tree
Neapolitan style pies with weekly specials, then DJ Shamu takes over. How do you describe a Shamu set? Rage party goth wave. Dancey, sweaty, fun. My kinda party. | Desert Fringe Theatre & Cultural Arts Festival
Various venues, Twentynine Palms, through April 19
Original theatre and performance across multiple 29 Palms venues. The only cross-valley arts festival running during Coachella Weekend 2. Three days of programming. | Joshua Tree Jamboree
Joshua Tree area, through April 19
Van life gathering. If you know, you know. |
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| | Saturday 4/18 | Packed Saturday. Start early. | Mercado Indio
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Towne St & Bliss Ave, Downtown Indio (look for the giant robots)
Weekly outdoor market with local vendors, fresh food, and coffee across the street. If you have kids, and they wake up early, this is the place to vibe out in the morning. | Indio Cars & Guitars Show
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Dune Room, Downtown Indio
Last day. | Goldenvoice Surf Club
12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Palm Springs Surf Club, 1500 S Gene Autry Trail, $49+, 18+
Wave pool, lazy river, amphitheater DJ sets. Saturday lineup: Subtronics, ROZ, Blossom, Shepherd. This is the best open-to-public daytime event of the whole weekend. No Coachella wristband needed. GA is $49, two-day passes are $85, daybeds start at $110. Parking is $20. | Roche Musique In Residence
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Royal Sun Palm Springs, 1700 S Palm Canyon Dr, Free RSVP
Paris electronic label pool takeover. DJ Cezaire and surprise guests. French touch poolside. Last week hit capacity. RSVP while you still can. | Out in the Monument
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Free
Silent disco under the stars, food, and activities for LGBTQ+ youth. Designed to make sure queer young people feel safe and connected outdoors. Open to the broader community too. RSVP. | If you're making the drive... | Agua Caliente Tafoya Pueblo Jewelry Trunk Show
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Free
Santo Domingo Pueblo silversmiths. This is a quiet, serious cultural experience worth making time for. | Baby goats + Burgers + Tunes
Baby goats 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Friendo Burger 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, DJ Starcat at 8:00 PM, Más o Menos, Joshua Tree
Cascade Trails is a mustang sanctuary right across the highway from the bar and they're bringing a bunch of baby goats over. Friendo Burger handles dinner. Then DJ Starcat spins high vibrational house/electro/synthwave. | Less Than Jake + Half Past Two + Omnigone at Pappy & Harriet's
Doors at 5:30 PM, Show at 6:30 PM Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown
Live music Saturday night. | Levitt AMP Free Concert
6:00 PM, Freedom Plaza, Twentynine Palms, Free
Paul Trudeau + The Hailers (Celtic Rock). Part of the brand-new Levitt AMP free concert series that runs through May 2. |
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| | Sunday 4/19 | Last day of Coachella. Here's how to spend it outside the festival. | Tropi-CV 5K Run
Check-in 7:30 AM, Palm Springs, Free
5K run and 1.5 mile walk with Active CV. Cafe La Jefa is doing the pre-run cafecito. Official RSVP list is full, but the waitlist is open. | Palm Springs Retro Market
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs Cultural Center, Free Entry
Records, vintage clothing, mid-century modern treasures, lava lamps, tiki goods. Full bar on site. Free parking. | Bichota Records Flea Market at COD
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, The Street Fair at College of the Desert, Palm Desert
Latin American artisans and small businesses celebrating their roots. Tied to Karol G's historic Coachella headlining weekend. Unique pieces, food, and culture. Last one of the run. | Goldenvoice Surf Club
12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Palm Springs Surf Club, $49+, 18+
Sunday lineup: Gordo, Joshwa, GENESI, Ambrxse. Last day of Surf Club for the year. | Day Club at Hilton Palm Springs
Hilton Palm Springs, Doors 12:00 PM, GA from $30
Vegas-style pool day club running Sunday through Tuesday. Lineup includes RUFUS DU SOL (DJ set), Diplo, Dillon Francis, and JAUZ. No Coachella wristband needed. | Firebirds vs. Abbotsford Canucks
3:00 PM Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert
Fan Appreciation Day. Cool off with a hockey game at home. | If you're making the drive... | 29 Loaves Bagel + Much Ado Taco Pop Ups
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Más o Menos, Joshua Tree
New pop up alert. 29 Loaves is now at Más o Menos on Sunday mornings selling sourdough New York style bagels with all the accoutrements. Take a whole pack home or get one toasted with lox. yuuuum. Then Much Ado Taco Pop Up takes over from 5 to 9 PM with Latin-inspired Moorish food. |
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| | Kids and Family | Chicken Little: A Paint a Movie Experience
Thursday, April 16, 6:00 PM, Bagdouma Community Center, 51-251 Douma St, Coachella, $12, All Ages
Paint while watching Chicken Little. Fee includes art supplies and themed snacks. Registration required. | Dia de los Ninos at La Quinta Library
Saturday, April 18, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM La Quinta Public Library, Free, All Ages
Children's Day Cultural Fair with live performances, local resources, and goodie bags while supplies last. | CDMOD Butterfly Fest
Through Friday, April 17: Adopt your butterfly larvae at the front desk anytime ($5 each or 3 for $10, credit card only, limited supply, museum admission not required). Saturday, April 18, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM: Build your butterfly bungalow (bring your own box). Saturday, April 25: Butterfly release in the garden at 11:00 AM.
Multi-week experience at the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage. The larvae adoption is a walk-up, no admission needed. | PSAM Family+ Free Day
Sunday, April 19, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Palm Springs Art Museum, Free
DIY tote bags with Smile Cult, mobiles with Vianney Casas, Mexican candy suncatchers with Gabriela Diaz, empanadas, photo booth, and face painting. One of the best free family events this week. | Tinker Bell Tea Party
Friday, April 17, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Indio Community Center
Fairy themed games, enchanting crafts, sweet treats and fairy-approved snacks. Registration Required. | Pizza & Paint
Saturday, April 18, Indio Hills Community Center, $20
Guided painting session with lunch included. All supplies provided. Limited spots. | Ponytails & Pints
Saturday, April 18, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Desert Beer Company, 77770 Country Club Dr Suite D, Palm Desert, $55 per dad + daughter pair
I loved braiding my sister’s hair growing up. If I had a daughter, I’d 100% do this. Dad + Daughter Hair Basics Workshop. Learn detangling, parting, ponytails, pigtails, braids, and buns. No experience needed, all tools provided, daughter gets a juice, and dad gets a drink. You go home with a "Dad Hair Toolkit" and a kid who might actually trust you with a hairbrush. Ages 4 to 10 recommended. Hosted by hairstylist Brittney Lynn and Desert Beer Company. Limited spots. | Spring Break Camps (Registration Open)
April 20 to 24
Spring break is next week and spots are filling up: CDMOD Spring Break Camp (ages 5 to 8, $85 to $100/day or $350/week, different theme each day). DRD Spring Into Fun camp in Indio (ages 5 to 12). DRD Spring Camp in Palm Desert. YMCA Adventure & Gamer Camp. DRD Youth Sports Academy in Indio (ages 5 to 10, April 20 to 23). |
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| | Ongoing | Women's Open Runs
Tuesdays through May 12, Indio Community Center, Indio, $5 drop-in or membership
Pickup basketball in the gymnasium. | Women's Self Defense Workshop
DRD Gymnastics & Performing Arts Center (Former Metro 8), Indio
Practical self-defense techniques taught in a 2-hour workshop. Registration required. | Mission: Pollination! at The Living Desert
Through April 30, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert
More than 20 animatronic species highlighting the creatures that keep our ecosystems and food supply thriving. | MaruMart by Maruchan at Cabazon Outlets
Thursday, April 16 through Monday, April 20, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (8:00 PM Sundays), Cabazon Outlets parking area, Free
Full Maruchan convenience store pop-up with DIY Ramen Bar, free samples, merch drops, and photo moments. Open to the public. | Sugared + Bronzed Pop-Up
Through April 25, by the Ralphs parking lot, near 49810 Jefferson St, Indio
Spray tans and sugaring. Get your bronze on. Appointment required. | Old Town La Quinta Certified Farmers Market
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Old Town La Quinta
Every Sunday through May. |
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| | | | The Christophers (Crime, 1 hr 40 min)
Steven Soderbergh directing Michaela Coel, Ian McKellen, and Jessica Gunning. The estranged children of a once-famous artist hire a forger to complete their father's unfinished works so they can sell them after his death. Playing at Festival Theaters in Palm Springs. | Exit 8 (Horror, PG-13, 1 hr 35 min)
Japanese horror based on the viral video game. A man trapped in an endless sterile subway tries to find Exit 8. Spot the anomalies, turn back immediately. Miss one and you start over. If you played the game, you need to see this on a big screen. If you didn't, go in blind. | Lee Cronin's The Mummy (Horror, R, 2 hr 14 min)
Opens Friday. A journalist's daughter disappears into the desert and returns eight years later. What should be a reunion becomes a nightmare. Playing at Mary Pickford (standard, D-BOX) and Cinemark Century La Quinta (XD, D-BOX, ScreenX). Multiple formats, tons of showtimes. | Lorne (Documentary, R, 1 hr 41 min)
Morgan Neville (Won't You Be My Neighbor, 20 Feet from Stardom) goes behind the scenes with Lorne Michaels and 50 years of Saturday Night Live. Opens Friday at Mary Pickford. | Normal (Thriller/Action, R, 1 hr 30 min)
Bob Odenkirk is a sheriff in a small Midwestern town that turns out to be anything but normal. From the director of the John Wick franchise. Opens Friday at Mary Pickford. | Project Hail Mary (Sci-Fi, PG-13, 2 hr 36 min)
I saw this on ScreenX and loved it. If you love Sci-Fi and/or Ryan Gosling, this is for you. See it in theaters while you still can. Playing at Cinemark Century La Quinta with a full slate of showtimes including D-BOX and ScreenX. |
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| | The Oasis | Happenings that are here to serve you and worth knowing about. | Flow at Center Stage
Saturday, April 18, 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, Center Stage, Downtown Indio, Free
Free outdoor yoga class. | Saguaro Yoga
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, The Saguaro, Palm Springs, Free
Free poolside yoga both weekend mornings. | Sunnylands Free Guided Bird Walk
Thursday, April 16, 8:45 AM, Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage
Runs every Thursday through May. |
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| | | A few things worth getting on your calendar now: | Emerge Social Hour x Windmill City Screenprinting
Tuesday, April 21, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Windmill City Screen Printing
Tacos from Taco N Todo, beer from Las Palmas, live screenprinting, limited-edition tees printed on site. Tickets are now available. | Indian Wells Midsummer Night Party
Wednesday, April 23, 6:00 PM, Celebrity Ballroom, Indian Wells Golf Resort, $10
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" themed. Live harp music, caricature artists, cuisine, enchanted decor. Limited to 400 (two per household). Register in person at City Hall. | CATurday Breakfast + BINGO
Saturday, April 25, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Kimpton Rowan Sky Ballroom, Palm Springs, $40
Animal Samaritans' 5th annual. Breakfast, mimosas, BINGO, kittens, and a staycation grand prize. This sells out every year and tickets won't be sold at the door. | Basic Auto Care Workshop
Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, The Firehouse, 65430 Winters Rd, Joshua Tree, $15 to $20 suggested donation
Three hours of tire changing, getting unstuck from sand, checking fluids, changing air filters, and jump-starting batteries. You practice on your own car. Taught by Sarah Lyon, an ASE Certified mechanic who's also an artist and photographer. She's been running these clinics since 2016 at spots like Hauser & Wirth LA and A-Z West. Her illustrated manual will be available at the workshop. Perfect for those with computer hands (like me:) |
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| | | | Closing Note | That's the week! | We’re halfway through festival season folks. | Time to get caught up on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and RHOB!! | See you next Tuesday. 🌴 |
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