Modernism Week is a celebration of mid-century modern architecture and design—but it isn’t all about home and neighborhood tours.
Another side to Modernism Week involves a wide range of entertainment—350 events spread across 11 days, including film screenings, concerts, musicals and more.
“Each presentation, performance and film does have an association with modernism,” said Mark Davis, who books and coordinates Modernism Week’s live entertainment. “… For instance, we’ve been doing a lot of jazz. Last year, I had Grammy winner Samara Joy. … I look for jazz performances that have an association with mid-century modern, ’40s, ’50s or ’60s, or with Palm Springs. One I have is Marissa Mulder, who will be doing the songs of Jimmy Van Heusen. He lived in Palm Springs, was a great pal with Frank Sinatra, and wrote some of the most amazing American standards that we all know and love. Given that he has a connection with Palm Springs and the music, it was a very good fit.”
Davis said the mid-century modern influence even extends to art forms like animation.
“We’ve shown films from Pixar, like The Incredibles, because the architecture in the cartoon was based on Palm Springs,” Davis said. “They actually came out to Palm Springs and got ideas. There are a lot of Disney connections—and in this year’s case, it’s the music of Disney. Matt Johnson and The New Jet Set are doing ‘Swingin’ the Disney Songbook.’
“Disney is a perennial favorite at Modernism Week. It has to do with Tomorrowland and the building of the park (Disneyland) … because it was just so ahead of its time in the ’50s when it opened, and people love it.”
Other events cover elements of Hollywood during the mid-century modern era. Davis mentioned A Conversation With Edith Head, a theatrical production focusing on the renowned costume designer, starring Susan Claassen.
“I’ve watched documentaries with Edith Head, and I think Susan Claassen does Edith Head better than Edith Head herself,” Davis said. “(Claassen) is amazing. There’s not a thing she doesn’t know about Edith. She looks like her; she channels her language intonation, her wit, everything. … That whole era, the golden years of Hollywood, is basically the full stage set with Oscars and costumes, and it looks like you’re in her house.”
A celebration of mid-century modern architecture and design would be incomplete without artwork—and, in one case, a musical involving artworks. Davis chose to highlight Shag With a Twist!, a musical set in the world of Palm Springs legend Shag’s iconic art.
“They did this maybe about 10 or 12 years ago, and it had a run in L.A. and in Las Vegas,” Davis said. “Shag is 100% behind it. Cindy Bradley is the choreographer, and Shag has done all of the sets and designs. Basically, his paintings, his work, comes to life. It’s a murder-mystery—the case of the Tupperware Party killer. … There are head pieces that mimic Shag’s look—the hair, the hats, and then the costuming is beyond excellent. … People love Shag; they just adore him, and he’s managed to really make these characters a part of his entire work. They show up here; they show up there; they show up in all the Palm Springs imagery.”
“Poolside Gossip,” a famous 1970 photo taken by Slim Aarons, will be the subject of a cocktail party and discussion—and will include one of the people featured in the picture.
“It’s a group of people. There are two women lounging—one in a white crochet top, and the other in yellow—with the beautiful view of the Kaufmann House and the mountains behind,” Davis said, describing the photograph. “The blonde in yellow is Nelda Linsk, and she’ll be chatting with fashion designer Trina Turk about Palm Springs fashion then, when Nelda owned the house. That picture took place during a Pucci fashion show that Nelda held at the house.”
Back to jazz: Music is a big part of Modernism Week. Davis talked about the focus on mid-century jazz, and discussed a collaboration with the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival, which takes place on Feb. 24 and 25.
“They started right before COVID, and they had to cancel the one that was planned during COVID,” Davis said. “They’re trying to reestablish it—and they did it with a bang, because the opening performance (on Saturday, Feb. 24) is by Herb Alpert and Lani Hall with a big production. It’s basically sold out.”
“My biggest, best customers are locals who plan their week around the presentations, because they’ve already seen the homes; they’ve already been to cocktail parties; they’ve done this, and they’ve already done that.”
Mark Davis, Modernism Week’s live entertainment coordinator
On Saturday, Feb. 25, the festival will feature three performances, by The Cookers, Veronica Swift, and Taj Mahal.
“It’s a full day of jazz experiences including VIP tickets, special seating, meet-and-greets and then an elegant dinner at the Smoke Tree Ranch—which is pretty special, because everyone wants dinner at Smoke Tree Ranch,” Davis said. “It’s hard to get in.”
Davis said Modernism Week’s entertainment offerings are essential, because they help keep the event feeling fresh for regular attendees—especially locals.
“My biggest, best customers are locals who plan their week around the presentations, because they’ve already seen the homes; they’ve already been to cocktail parties; they’ve done this, and they’ve already done that,” he said. “How many times can you look at the Sinatra estate if you live here?”
While a lot of Modernism Week’s neighborhood tours sell out, tickets remain for many of the entertainment offerings.
“Last year, just at the Annenberg (Theater) alone, I had over 10,500 people attend, and this year, I’m expecting about 12,000,” Davis said. “I could accommodate 20,000, but as much as I’d like, not every seat sells. Sometimes I have a full house, and sometimes if it’s less-known … I might only have 150, or 200, but it’s still important to have them speak. You can’t just have Disney and Frank Sinatra all the time. You need to have a variety of programs.”
Modernism Week takes place from Thursday, Feb. 15, through Sunday, Feb. 25. For a complete schedule, tickets and more information, visit modernismweek.com.
