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Palm Canyon Theatre Presents ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’
Palm Canyon Theatre is unwrapping the first treat of its 29th season: Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, running Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 12. Dahl’s beloved tale bursts to life with a cast of 41, including young artists from PCT Summer Kids Camp.
This production uses the 2017 Broadway version of the musical—a reimagined adaptation that blends new songs with classics fans know and love, like “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man.”
Audiences follow wide-eyed dreamer Charlie (Desmond McLeod) as a golden ticket opens the gates to the mysterious factory of the world’s most famous candy maker, Willy Wonka (Scott Clinkscales). Inside, a sweet-toothed lineup of contenders learns hard lessons in the most musical, magical ways: Augustus Gloop (Vito Orlando), Veruca Salt (Fiona Sarchett), Violet Beauregard (Kathleen Atkins) and Mike Teavee (Steffon Martindale). They’re joined by watchful parents: Mr. Salt (Neil Badham), Mr. Beauregard (Eric Stein-Steel), Mrs. Teavee (Heather Joy) and Mrs. Bucket (Georgia Smith)—plus Charlie’s steadfast family, including Grandpa Joe (Luke Rainey), Grandpa George (Terry Huber), Grandma Josephine (Adam Heiter), and Grandma Georgina (Alan Berry); and colorful characters Cherry Sunday (Stevie Gold), Jerry Jubilee (Marcello Tulipano) and the Used Vegetable Lady (Sanai Wright).
The creative team includes director Se Layne, musical director Chuck Peery, choreographer Tegr Powell, and resident costumer Derik Shopinski, with scenic and lighting design by J.W. Layne and projections by Nick Edwards.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; with the Thursday performance at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets, including fees, are $46 for adults, and $20 for students. Group discounts are available. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or more information, call 760-323-5123 or order online at palmcanyontheatre.org. (Sponsored content)
Music History Hosted by Legends
Palm Springs music-lovers are in for something special. At 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation will host a screening of Do You Remember?, a new, unreleased film about the career of Clive Davis, at the Palm Springs Art Museum, at 101 N. Museum Drive. Expect chart-topping hits, rare footage and music videos that celebrate the artists Davis helped shape. After the screening, Davis will sit down for a Q&A moderated by Barry Manilow, the icon whom Davis signed to Arista Records, jump-starting a career that would lead to more than 85 million albums sold worldwide. The event doubles as a fundraiser for the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, which is working to restore the historic Plaza Theatre ahead of its reopening in December. General admission is $75, while a $150 VIP ticket includes a post-event reception. Tickets are available at psmuseum.org/plaza. —Charles Drabkin
Celebrate Community Spirit
The city of Rancho Mirage invites residents to gather for National Night Out, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at the west end of the Rancho Mirage Community Park, at 71560 San Jacinto Drive. Local residents can meet sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and first responders to strengthen relationships, promote safety and foster a sense of community. The free event also features interactive demonstrations, complimentary refreshments, giveaways and kid-friendly activities. Since its start in 1984, National Night Out has grown into a coast-to-coast tradition, connecting neighbors with those who protect and serve them. For more information, visit visitranchomirage.com/#events. —Charles Drabkin
Straight Outta Poway
Pop-punk anthems are set to dominate the desert this weekend. At 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5, angsty rockers blink-182 will bring their ’90s and 2000s hits to Acrisure Arena, at 75702 Varner Road, in Palm Desert. Get ready to sing along to emo jams like “All The Small Things,” “I Miss You,” “What’s My Age Again?” and many others. This tour has included plenty of deep cuts as well, so if you’re a hardcore blink fan, don’t miss this show! While the Saturday date is advertised as sold out, there are some resale tickets available. Tickets start at $127.53 for Saturday (as of this writing) and $67.80 for Sunday; get them at acrisurearena.com. —Matt King
One of the Best Fests
A beloved local music festival returns with more great performers! From Thursday, Oct. 9, through Sunday, Oct. 12, experience the Joshua Tree Music Festival, hosted at Joshua Tree Lake Campground, at 2601 Sunfair Road, in Joshua Tree. In March, USA Today readers voted the JTMF as the country’s second-best music festival! Dozens of performers will share their unique musical talents across four days of desert bliss. Free Creatures (pictured here) will perform Friday and are set to bring their psychedelic mix of folk and hip-hop jams. Day passes (starting at $61.38) and weekend passes ($311.32) are available, with discounts, at joshuatreemusicfestival.com. —Matt King
Celebrate Compassion
Senior pups deserve dignity and love in their final years, and that’s precisely what Barkee LaRoux’s House of Love provides. At 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, the sanctuary hosts its annual Bash for the Barkees fundraiser at the Palm Springs Surf Club, at 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, with all proceeds going directly to the care of senior and hospice dogs. The evening’s emcee is the ever-fabulous Ethylina Canne, and the Barkee Beloved Award will be presented to Melody Farnik, director of Animal Action League, whose spay-and-neuter work has helped countless pets and families. Tickets are $100, with proceeds funding food, veterinary care and sanctuary living for dogs in their final stages of life. To reserve your spot or make a donation, call 909-964-3187, or visit givebutter.com/c/barkeebash. —Charles Drabkin
Carnie Craziness
High-flying performers are bringing the circus and theme-park vibes to the stage! At 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, watch in awe as Cirque Mechanics presents Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride at the McCallum Theatre, at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, in Palm Desert. A circus show like no other, Tilt! features a rag-tag group of amusement park staff joking and jumping around the famous local stage. The best of the circus will combine with roller coaster thrills and Ferris wheel fun for a night of family entertainment! Tickets are $15. For tickets and more information, visit www.mccallumtheatre.org. —Matt King
Garden With Purpose
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, at 47900 Portola Ave., in Palm Desert, is celebrating cooler mornings and the return of the planting season with its annual Fall Plant Sale, from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 11. Every purchase at this free event helps you create a garden rooted in the Coachella Valley’s ecology. The plants available thrive in the heat, attract pollinators and conserve water. At 10:30 a.m., head to the Discovery Classroom for a Native Gardening Talk, where experts will share practical advice for making the most of your outdoor space. Members and those who sign up on site receive early access perks, including a complimentary rare plant (while supplies last) and 10% off all purchases. The event is cashless, so please bring a card. Learn more at livingdesert.org/events/fall-plant-sale2025. —Charles Drabkin
Geek Out at the Mall
Gamers, nerds and geeks—assemble! At 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12, enjoy GameACon, a convention for fans of gaming, anime, cosplay and more, hosted at The Shops at Palm Desert, at 72840 Highway 111. Famous voice actors, notable cosplayers and tons of vendors showcasing rare games, cool art and more will be packed inside the mall. Panels, live music and gaming tournaments are all on the schedule, so go and get your game on! Admission to the marketplace is free; tickets to the rest are $33.85 per day, or $49.87 for both days. For tickets and more information, visit www.gameacon.com. —Matt King
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