Happy August! Summer is still going strong—but cooler temperatures, and more great shows, are around the corner. The Purple Room is reopening at the end of the month, and the McCallum is kicking off its new season on Sept. 14. In the meantime, our local entertainment scene still has much offer.
Acrisure Arena will host rock and pop stars this month. At 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, ’90s rockers Creed wonder, “Can you take them higher?” Sing along to the anthemic rock sounds of Creed, as well as openers Daughtry and Mammoth, on this epic night of loud guitar and screams. Tickets start at $94.85. Coachella returns to the desert for one night as former festival performers Kali Uchis, and opener Thee Sacred Souls, share their beautiful pop soul stylings at 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23. Tickets started at $146.37 as of our press deadline. Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Road, Palm Desert; 888-695-8778; www.acrisurearena.com.
Fantasy Springs offers a dose of Mexican music. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, experience a magical night of Latin sounds led by powerhouse vocalist and Mexican icon Alicia Villarreal. Tickets start at $62.50. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Spotlight 29 features comedy galore! Honest Goodness Comedy Fridays roll on with appearances by MC Raider (Aug. 1), Narcizo Gonzalez (Aug. 8), The Smash Brothers Chad and Cory (Aug. 15), Irma Ruiz (Aug. 22) and Ace Guillen (Aug. 29). Tickets start at $12.51 and up, and shows take place inside the Chairman’s Lounge. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, comedy icon George Lopez brings jokes and stories from his legendary career in standup, film and television to Coachella. Tickets start at $69.70. You must be 18+ to attend. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
August is a busy month at Morongo. At 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8, experience banda badassery from Los Nuevos Rebeldes. Tickets started at $195.57 as of this writing. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, get ready to funk and soul it up with Dazz Band and the Delfonics. Tickets start at $46.75. At 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14, country star Chayce Beckham brings the twangy tunes and yee-haw jams to Cabazon. Tickets are $26. At 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, get risqué with the all-male revue Australia’s Thunder From Down Under. Tickets start at $59.50. At 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, synth-pop stars Berlin head to the desert for a special appearance. Tickets start at $57.50. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, vocal soul legends the Pointer Sisters are set to perform. Tickets start at $57.50. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.
Here are some highlights from a busy month at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, rapper Yelawolf celebrates his 20-year career with a special stop in the desert. Tickets start at $37.94. Rock icons Heart return to the Coachella Valley at 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, bringing with them a lifetime of hit songs and iconic musical moments. Tickets start at $120.97. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, Texas comedian and musician Rodney Carrington will perform a hilarious set of jokes and funny songs. Tickets start at $65.51. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, Motown funk band The Commodores celebrate their iconic soul sound in Rancho Mirage. Tickets start at $38.41. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com.
Agua Caliente Palm Springs hosts more residency shows in August. Desert Blues Revival Wednesdays feature alt-country from Wyman and the Wolves (Aug. 6), blues-guitar wizardry from the Jonny Ransom Blues Band (Aug. 13), Americana twang from Johnny Marfa and the Lights (Aug. 20) and soul-shaking blues from Black Sugar (Aug. 27). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $21.05, available at eventspalmsprings.com. Carousel Thursdays showcase swingin’ sounds from Melancholy Babies (Aug. 7), a musical performance and conversation about the jazz genre from West Coast Jazz Hour (Aug. 14), jazz-guitar mastery from Will Brahm (Aug. 21) and beloved vocalist Lia Booth (Aug. 28). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $17.85, available at eventspalmsprings.com. Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs; 888-999-1995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com.
Here are some notable shows on the Pappy and Harriet’s calendar. At 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, legendary desert rockers Fatso Jetson headline the iconic venue, featuring opening performances from local acts Hammer of the Ozz and Crowbar Salvation. Tickets are $20.21. Americana outfit Mick Rhodes and the Hard Eight will perform an entertaining live set at 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10. The show is free for local residents! It’s $13.73 for nonlocals. At 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, psychedelic pop princess Japanese Breakfast will perform an intimate set in the high desert. Tickets are $70.20. At 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, legendary ’80s act The English Beat are set to show off their two-tone ska sounds. Tickets are $42.74. Heavy rockers The Sword will explode the Pioneertown Palace with nonstop riffs at 9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28. Tickets are $42.74. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-228-2222; www.pappyandharriets.com.
Edited on Aug. 1 to remove a show that has been rescheduled.
