Sounds Subdued
A local musician is celebrating a year of spotlighting subdued music. At 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, check out Desert Unplugged, at Z Club, at 61877 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree. Palo Xanto, a rapping and rhythmic singer-songwriter, has been hosting local artists in unplugged fashion, where they trade big amps and a stage show for bare performances of songs. Enjoy a personal showcase of local talent, and hear desert songs in their most naked format! Ghost Words and Palo Xanto will perform. The event is free! For more information, visit zclub.elementor.cloud. —Matt King
Analog Is Awesome
A new record store is celebrating its opening week with plenty of events! Village Records, at 50855 Washington St., Suite 2B, in La Quinta, has opened its doors, and at 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, local sax-master Chase Huna will celebrate the release of his latest smooth jazz LP, Heart and Soul, with a listening party and meet-and-greet! During business hours (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on Saturday, Feb. 28, the shop will offer 10% all merchandise! At 11 a.m., Sunday, March 1, local rock radio station 93.7 KCLB will pop up at Village Records with prizes, giveaways, merch and more! All of these events are free to attend. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/villagerecordslq. —Matt King
Fuzz, Fire and a Little Jazz
If you like your local music loud, strange and a little unhinged, you should know that at 9 p.m., Sunday, March 1, local bands Sleazy Cortez, The After Lashes and däj trío will share the indoor stage at Pappy and Harriet’s, at 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. Sleazy Cortez will show off their fuzzed-out, bluesy grime with a wink and a sneer. The After Lashes will offer sharp, female-fronted garage punk with political bite and a sense of humor, while däj trío will shift the mood, pairing desert rock with jazz instincts, featuring players connected to Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age. (Full disclosure: The show was booked by my co-writer, Matt King.) Tickets for the standing-room-only show are just $13.73, and Pappy and Harriet’s is a 21-and-over venue. For more information, visit pappyandharriets.com. —Charles Drabkin
From Chicago’s Clubs to Palm Desert
As a Chicago teenager, Terry Abrahamson walked into a Wrigleyville bar back in 1969 to listen to Rolling Stones covers—and walked out looking for rock history. That curiosity turned into a lifetime alongside the blues architects, including co-writing songs with Muddy Waters, and building friendships with artists from B.B. King to the Blues Brothers. At 3 p.m., Monday, March 2, Abrahamson will bring those stories to the Community Room at the Palm Desert Library, at 73300 Fred Waring Drive, for an interactive, memory packed afternoon. Expect photos, video, humor and a look at the blues as both protest music and a survival tool, as discussed in Abrahamson’s book, In the Belly of the Blues. Admission is free, but registration is requested; for more information or to register, click here. —Charles Drabkin
Honoring Adele
If you’re a fan of Adele, and you have a desire to see her perform live … well, you’re out of luck, at least in 2026, as she currently has no shows scheduled this year. When she does again take the stage, that will almost certainly happen at either another Las Vegas residency, or in arenas and stadiums much larger than Acrisure—and the ticket prices will NOT be cheap. However, you can still enjoy concert versions of “Hello,” “Rolling in the Deep” and “Easy on Me”—performed by a powerhouse singer backed by a seven-piece band—at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, when tribute act Always, Adele takes the stage at Downtown Palm Springs Park, at Museum Way and Belardo Road, in the latest “Rock the Park” concert. You won’t have to endure Ticketmaster fees, either—because the show is free! Learn more at pschamber.org/rock-the-park. —Jimmy Boegle
Opera Onstage
A local historic venue is hosting a historic opera. At 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 5, comic opera The Mikado will be presented at the Plaza Theatre, at 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. The musical-theater gem dates back to 1885, and mixes drama, comedy, love, music and more, across an evening of fantastic set design and show-stopping performances. This edition of the play is performed by the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, who have edited and modernized the 140-year-old play. Tickets start at $68.75. For tickets and more information, visit www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com. —Matt King
Saturday Rallies
Pickleball has taken over neighborhood parks across the valley, and now Indio is spotlighting the sport. The first-ever Indio Pickleball Open lands at Miles Avenue Park, at 82540 Miles Ave., on Saturday, March 7, turning a full day of rallies and friendly competition into support for a good cause. The mixed doubles tournament will be played in a round-robin format and is open to players of all skill levels. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., with an awards ceremony to follow. Registration is $35 per player, and proceeds benefit the Indio Senior Center. Even if you are not competing, spectators and pickleball fans can take in the action and community energy. For more information or to register, visit maincourt.com/events-list/inaugural-indio-pickleball-open. —Charles Drabkin
They’re Cruel and Delicious
Catch desert legends in their natural element! Yesterday’s announcement by Queens of the Stone Age that the desert-born band would be performing at the extremely intimate Joshua Tree Retreat Center this April shook the internet. Before that show, catch one of the bands that inspired QOTSA at the very same venue! At 7 p.m., Saturday, March 7, low-desert legends Fatso Jetson will fill the high-desert air with their heavy, jammy sound at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, at 59700 Twentynine Palms Highway. Fatso Jetson is one of the pillars of the desert rock sound, and they are still at it decades later. Honestly, they’re one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live! Warm Uncle, Lazer Beam and Salem’s Bend will open. Tickets are just $11.20, available on TicketLeap. —Matt King
Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@cvindependent.com for consideration. Email ads@cvindependent.com for advertising info!