Alt-Rock Event!
Weezer fans, rejoice! The alternative-rock band is releasing their landmark 20th album. To celebrate the occasion (while enjoying cooler weather!), at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, head to Midnite Moon record store, at 54225 N. Circle Drive, Unit 1, in Idyllwild-Pine Cove, for an album-listening event. Weezer (also known as the “Gold Album”) will be played in full six days before its official release on Aug. 21. Hear the album; purchase the record; grab some Weezer swag; and discuss with fellow fans which song from the new album will follow their long list of hits like “Buddy Holly,” “Beverly Hills” and “Say It Ain’t So.” The event is free. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/_midnitemoon_. —Matt King
Fly Me to Larkspur
Spend an evening with the Rat Pack! The Slim Man Rat Pack Duo brings the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and other masters of the era to the Larkspur Grill, at 45400 Larkspur Lane, in Palm Desert, at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15 and 22. Slim Man handles the vocals and is joined by a sax player for a stripped-down take on songs meant for cocktails, late nights and people who still appreciate a well-turned melody. Slim Man—a musician, cook and author—has spent decades performing his own music as well as the standards that helped shape his sound. Admission is free, although RSVPs are recommended; for more information and to let them know you are coming, visit slimman.com. —Charles Drabkin
Psychedelic Death Rock Event!
After the Weezer event, make a day of it in Idyllwild—and celebrate a semi-new release from a semi-local band! At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, the genre-bending Idyllwild-area rock band Apple Sex will perform their newest album, Yuma Puma (released in April), at Hunky Dory Records, at 54425 N. Circle Drive, in Idyllwild-Pine Cove. The power trio, known for their humorous and political sound that stretches far beyond the self-applied label of “psychedelic death rock,” will perform catchy garage jams. Yuma Puma was recorded in Idyllwild, and will now be showcased live for the first time. There will also be live painting at the event! The show is free to attend for all-ages. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/hunkydoryrecordsidy.—Matt King
Royal Treatment
Tuesday nights at Chill Bar Palm Springs, at 217 E. Arenas Road, belong to royalty—or, actually, Royal T, the bar’s weekly Tuesday-night drag show hosted by Palm Springs icon Anita Rose. At 9 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, the show will feature Anita alongside drag king Turner Gae, and queens Volta Charge and MizzBee Hiven—and there’s no cover charge! Whether you are winding down from the first two days of the work week, looking for an excuse to stay out past a sensible bedtime on a school night, or just want to see some of the valley’s best drag performers, Royal T is the show for you. Royal T takes place every Tuesday at 9 p.m. at Chill Bar Palm Springs, and admission is free—but order drinks and tip the performers! Learn more at www.instagram.com/theeanitarose. —Charles Drabkin
Support Your Local Legends
Legends of the low desert are back! At 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21, Coachella Valley rock pioneers Fatso Jetson are set to perform at The Dune Room, at 82707 Miles Ave., in Indio. Fatso Jetson frontman Mario Lalli has long been credited as being the “godfather of the desert rock scene,” as it was Lalli who had the generator ready for the early D.I.Y. shows that birthed bands like Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age. After owning a short-lived rock club/venue in Indio in the mid ’90s, the low-desert icon returns to Indio, headlining a heavy rock show that also features SoftSun, Mighty Jack and Ryan Güt The Shastafarian. Tickets are $17 online, and $20 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit duneroomindio.com. —Matt King
Piece Talks
Competitive puzzling is now a thing, with speed-puzzling contests drawing teams and individual competitors around the country. The Friends of the College of the Desert Library is bringing a puzzling competition (and puzzle sale) to the desert with the Puzzle Palooza Sale and Speed Contest, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Cravens Student Services Center on the main College of the Desert campus, at 43500 Monterey Ave., in Palm Desert. Teams of four can enter either the 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. competition, with 90 minutes to tackle a 500-piece puzzle. Finish early, and you get another puzzle; otherwise, the team with the fewest unattached pieces when time expires wins $100. The entry fee is $20 per team, and each participant gets to choose a puzzle to take home. Registration is open through Thursday, Aug. 20, or until spaces fill up. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the College of the Desert Library. For more information and registration, visit friendsofcodlibrary.org/event-6707721. —Charles Drabkin
We’re Off to See … Well, You Know Who
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Palm Springs! At 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, transport yourself to Oz during a screening of The Wizard of Oz, hosted at the Plaza Theatre, at 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. In one of the most iconic films ever, a young woman wakes up in a mysterious, colorful world; befriends a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man; and goes on a journey to find her home. Vanessa O’Neil, the granddaughter of Judy Garland (aka Dorothy), is set to introduce the film and host a Q&A. Come ready to sing, laugh and fall back in love with the nearly 90-year-old film! Tickets are $20. For tickets and more information, visit www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com. —Matt King
Opera, Broadway and the Plaza Theatre
Coachella Valley Classical Voices will make its Plaza Theatre (128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs) debut at 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 23. The concert, part of the Desert Classical Series, also marks the ensemble’s first ticketed performance, following several seasons of free community concerts that helped establish the group as a showcase for local vocal talent. Under the artistic direction of founder Doug Nagel, the program blends favorite selections from opera and Broadway, featuring music by composers including Puccini, Verdi, Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz. For the first time, the chorus will also perform with a six-piece instrumental combo. Tickets start at $25. For more information and tickets, visit www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events/detail/coachella-valley-classical-voices. —Charles Drabkin
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