Poetry-Music Jam
A group of desert music legends is playing a free show! At 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, the psychedelic desert-rock jam band Mario Lalli and the Rubber Snake Charmers are set to perform at Mojave Gold, at 56193 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Yucca Valley. Some of the Coachella Valley’s most notable rockers have formed an improv-heavy supergroup, where frontman Sean Wheeler (Throw Rag) shares desert-inspired poetry while Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson, Brant Bjork Trio, formerly Queens of the Stone Age) and a revolving door of desert musicians create heavy, trippy jams. For more information, visit mojavegolddesert.com. —Matt King
Dinner Whodunnit
Solve a murder mystery over food … and waves! At 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, experience The Dinner Detective, a true crime mystery show, hosted at the Palm Springs Surf Club, at 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, in Palm Springs. As you enjoy a nice dinner, tragedy will strike—and it’s up to you and your party to uncover the criminal hiding among the guests. Come for the food and surf sights, but be on your A-game, as top sleuths will win prizes! Tickets are $69.95 plus tax per person, and include a full dinner, the murder-mystery experience, gratuity and more! For an extra fee, you can frame someone in your party as a prime suspect. For tickets and more information, visit www.thedinnerdetective.com. —Matt King
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The Search for Life
Ever wondered just how many Earth-like planets might be out there among the stars? At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center, at 9697 Utah Trail, in Twentynine Palms, joins the Lou Harrison House to invite you to an evening with Dr. Eric Mamajek, deputy program chief scientist of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This “Above and Beyond: NASA Nights” presentation will explore the cutting-edge science and technology used to discover planets that orbit stars beyond our solar system, and what these discoveries might mean for the search for life in the universe. Your $20 ticket includes the lecture, plus a chance to peer through the 14-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope in the dome, and a variety of telescopes set up across the campus. If inclement weather forces a cancellation, an alternate date will be offered. To get tickets or learn more, click here. —Charles Drabkin
Pencil In This Event
Get back into the school spirit … by raising the spirits of students in need! At 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17, check out Back to School, a benefit concert and supply drive hosted at the Coachella Valley Collective, at 1030 Sixth St., in Coachella. Event promoters are requesting either a $10 monetary donation or school supply donations at the door. Needed items include backpacks, pens, pencils, binders, folders, and so on. Ju!ian + the Band (pictured), Sundaes Best, Mindless Dreams, South Cliff, Essencer, Gear and Echoes of Amara are all set to perform. All proceeds and donations will be going to students at Herbert Hoover Elementary School in Indio. The event is being put on by Fishy Booking. For more information, visit instagram.com/fishy.booking. —Matt King
Soft Sounds From Another Planet
A huge indie star is performing an intimate set in the high desert. At 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, psychedelic pop princess Japanese Breakfast brings her catchy hooks and dreamy jams to Pappy and Harriet’s, at 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. This is your chance to see the modern music icon who rocked Coachella last year perform for a much smaller crowd, under the beautiful desert night sky. Check out the synthy sounds of “Diving Woman” and the delicious disco “Be Sweet,” and you’ll be hooked! Tickets are $70.20. For tickets and more information, visit pappyandharriets.com. —Matt King
Hot for Teacher
Get ready for a night of laughs at Spotlight 29 Casino, at 46200 Harrison Place, in Coachella! Teacher’s Gone Bad will take the Chairman’s Lounge stage at 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, and this isn’t your typical PTA meeting; this is where educators-turned-comedians spill the tea, drop the mic and share the jokes they wish they could say in the classroom. These performers (including Irma Ruiz, pictured in the e-mail header) deliver brutally funny stories about embarrassing classroom moments, school politics and the drama of the teachers’ lounge. A word of warning: This show is NOT kid-friendly or for the easily offended. Grab your tickets, which start at $23.17, here; otherwise, you may be sent to detention. —Charles Drabkin
Sustainability in Action
Give your tired toaster or frayed fan a second chance at the Palm Springs Fix-It Fair, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Mizell Center, at 480 S. Sunrise Way. It’s a free, hands-on community event hosted by the City of Palm Springs Sustainability Department, but it’s open to anyone. Whether you’re trying to live more sustainably, or you can’t bear to say goodbye to your favorite coffee grinder, this event is all about keeping stuff out of the landfill and in working order. Bring up to two household items in need of a little TLC, including electronics, clothing or small appliances, and connect with volunteer “fixers” ready to help breathe new life into your things. It’s first come, first served, unless you pre-register—which is recommended, because it helps organizers make sure someone is there who knows how to fix your item. Oh, and if you’re handy with a screwdriver or a sewing kit, organizers are looking for volunteers to join the fixer team. For more information, or to pre-register, go to fixitps.org, or call 760-323-8261. —Charles Drabkin
The Science of Slitherers
Whether you’re a budding herpetologist or you’re just snake-curious, head to the La Quinta Museum, at 77885 Avenida Montezuma, at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, where snake expert Paisley Ramstead will lead an unforgettable, hands-on learning experience about the slithering residents of the Coachella Valley! You’ll meet live (non-venomous) snakes and learn fascinating facts about the misunderstood desert reptiles. It’s educational, engaging and perfect for all ages. This is an excellent chance to understand the vital role snakes play in our desert ecosystem—and maybe conquer a fear or two! For more information, call the museum at 760-777-7170. —Charles Drabkin
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