Step Into ‘The Gilded Age,’ No HBO Subscription Required
There is something wonderful about stepping into a gallery and finding yourself in another era. Heather James Fine Art, at 45188 Portola Ave., in Palm Desert, is marking its 30th anniversary with La Belle Époque to the Gilded Age: European Impressionism’s Influence on American Art, on display through May 31. The exhibition draws on a period when Paris set the cultural tempo, featuring works by artists including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Camille Pissarro, alongside American counterparts such as Childe Hassam and Winslow Homer. For those who have watched The Gilded Age, the parallels are easy to spot, as both the show and the exhibition reflect a moment when wealth, ambition and cultural influence were reshaping life on both sides of the Atlantic. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit heatherjames.com. —Charles Drabkin
Egg Hunt at the Park
The city of La Quinta hosts its annual Easter Eggstravaganza from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 4, at La Quinta Park, at Blackhawk Way and Adams Street. The morning kicks off with a series of organized egg hunts divided by age groups, from toddlers to preteens. The setup is simple: The area is scattered with candy-filled eggs, plus a bit of added intrigue in the form of 20 hidden golden tickets, each redeemable for a stuffed bunny. Around the edges, relaxed families, inflatable attractions, popcorn and goodie bags will keep attendees occupied between hunts. There is also a photo station with the Easter Bunny! Organizers suggest arriving early and bringing your own basket, since supplies are limited. For more information, visit playinlaquinta.com. —Charles Drabkin
Future Rangers
From 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 4, Friends of the Desert Mountains will teach youth ages 8 to 18 to lead the way with Junior Ranger Day, where young participants enjoy hands-on challenges exploring desert plants, animals and landscapes. Adults can hover nearby, but the experience belongs to the kids, who move through six activity stations to earn an official Junior Ranger badge. Along the way, they develop a working understanding of how the desert functions, from the smallest details to the broader environmental picture. The event takes place at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, at 51500 Highway 74, in Palm Desert. Registration is required, and tickets must be reserved in the participant’s name. Learn more and register at desertmountains.org/event/junior-ranger-day-at-the-national-monument-4. —Charles Drabkin
Say Hello to the Angels
One of the most seminal albums in alternative-rock history, high-fidelity speakers and yummy sandwiches combine for a multi-sensory experience. At 4 p.m., Sunday, April 5, bring open ears and an empty stomach to Dine and Interpol, hosted at Rosemary HiFi, at 45120 Oasis St., in Indio. Focaccia QB will be serving up artisan focaccia sandwiches, and at 7 p.m., listen along to Interpol’s 2002 classic, Turn On the Bright Lights—a record noted as a huge influence for a number of indie rockers like the Killers, the xx, She Wants Revenge and others—six days before Interpol’s Weekend 1 Coachella performance. The event is free. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/rosemary.hifi. —Matt King
Before the Fest
Get in the festival mood on Coachella-eve! At 5 p.m., Thursday, April 9, check out the ALT 101.5 Coachella Pre-Party at Jackalope Ranch, at 80400 Highway 111, in Indio. The local alternative-rock radio station will host a proper Weekend 1 warmup, featuring musical performances by pop-punk star jxdn (pictured), fresh rockers Evening Elephants and cinematic, dark-pop artist Brooklyn Van Zandt. There will be a giveaway for Coachella wristbands, so come try your luck, and check out some of the music world’s rising stars—for free! The event is all ages. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. —Matt King
Weekend House Parties—With Everything at Stake
Terrence McNally’s Love! Valour! Compassion! is a Tony Award-winning play that unfolds over three summer-holiday weekends at a Dutchess County, N.Y., farmhouse, where eight gay men gather to navigate friendship, desire and the awareness that time does not slow down for anyone. The show is being produced by Dezart Performs, from Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 19, at the Dezart Playhouse, at 605 S. Riverside Drive, in Palm Springs. McNally’s writing moves between humor and heartbreak, giving each character space to be flawed, funny and human. Performances run 165 minutes with two intermissions, with shows on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $69 to $78, and they’re going fast. For more information, visit dezartperforms.org. —Charles Drabkin
Catch a Wave and a Groove
Skip the hectic and hot polo grounds in favor of surf and sounds! GV Surf Club returns yet again on Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12 and 18-19, at the Palm Springs Surf Club, at 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail. From noon to 6 p.m., catch some of electronic music’s biggest names while floating down the lazy river, blasting down the water slides, or catching some waves in the surf pool! During Weekend 1 (April 11-12), BUNT, jigitz, Levity, oskar med k, Femme A, Whethan, Starjunk 95 and Auracle are all set to spin and share their groovin’ tunes. Don’t miss surf sessions and showcases from pro surfers as the beats blaze on all day! Tickets are $49 per day, or $85 for a weekend. You must be 18+ to attend. For more information, visit gvsurfclub.com. —Matt King
Merch Mania
One of this year’s Coachella headliners is hosting a cultural shopping experience. At 8 a.m., Sunday, April 12 and 19, Bichota Records, a record label created by Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G, is hosting a Flea Market at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, at 43500 Monterey Ave. COD’s usual Sunday Street Fair event is being taken over by the “Queen of Reggaeton,” as Bichota Records held an open invite for brands from all around the world to have their merchandise sold in the desert during festival season. Freshen up your fashion with global threads! The event is free to attend. For more information, visit fleamarketbybr.com. —Matt King
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