Honoring Udo
This winter, Festival Theaters, at 789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs, is highlighting the works of a legendary local actor. Through early March, the theater is presenting Remembering Udo Kier: Palm Springs’ Valentine, a screening series honoring the actor who made Palm Springs his home, and left a particular mark on cinema. The lineup spans decades and styles, starting with the early cult film Blood for Dracula, showing through Thursday, Feb. 12. But for me, the heart of this series is My Own Private Idaho, which plays Feb. 13-19, and was such an important moment in my coming-out journey. The final two films in this tribute are Melancholia (Feb. 20-26) and the extremely tender Swan Song (Feb. 27-March 5). Thank you, Udo Kier, for bringing so much to the screen and to our community. You will be missed. For show times and tickets (which start at $10.50 on discount days), visit festivaltheaters.com. —Charles Drabkin
Geometry and Light
Illumine Gallery, at 750 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is celebrating Modernism Week with Line, Light, Form, on view from Thursday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, March 15. The exhibition brings together encaustic works by Karl Kaiser, photography by James Bacchi, and paintings by Kyle Sorensen and Alex Tosti in an exhibit that fits right in with Palm Springs’ main religion—modernism. The show explores how line, shadow and geometry shape the way we experience space, and how space shapes us in return. An artist reception takes place from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit illuminegallery.com or @illuminegalleryps. —Charles Drabkin
A Virtuoso Visits
Powerful piano will pop up in Palm Desert! At 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, don’t miss ivory-tickling phenom Angel Stanislav Wang when he performs at the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, at 47321 Highway 74. Wang, an accomplished piano star at the age of 23, has more than 35 international awards from world-class piano competitions. Don’t miss a true modern rock star on the white and black keys! Tickets are $50. To order, call 760-459-0650, or pay at the door. Students and parents with children get in free. For more information, visit internationalclassicalconcertsdesert.blogspot.com. —Matt King
Birds, Branches and Creativity
Trees do their job without asking for anything back—and trees are the star at the next Family Day at Sunnylands Center and Gardens, at 37977 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, the estate opens its gardens for a day of hands-on activities tied to the new exhibition Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands. Families can wander between guided bird walks, art projects made from natural materials, printmaking and wood-turning demonstrations, and even a chance to read a tree’s history by counting its rings. Throughout the day, guests can also view the exhibition, which explores how thousands of trees shaped the historic Annenberg estate, featuring photography by David Loftus. Admission, activities and parking are all free, and reservations are not required. For more information, visit sunnylands.org. —Charles Drabkin
Celebration of the Classics
Tip your hat to vocal greats! At 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18, Jazz at Lincoln Center is presenting Great American Crooners, an evening dedicated to unforgettable voices, at the McCallum Theatre, at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, in Palm Desert. The vintage sounds and tones of jazz music will be put on display for a full night of croon-revelry. Vocalists Shenel Johns, Robbie Lee and Benny Benack III (pictured) will pay homage to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin and others. Hear favorite songs live, and celebrate the legacy of iconic voices in music history. Tickets start at $73. For tickets and more information, visit www.mccallumtheatre.org. —Matt King
String Revelry
Get jammy in Joshua Tree! At 9:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21, catch psychedelic bluegrass outfit Kitchen Dwellers as they stretch sonics, bend strings and get lost in the music across two nights at Pappy and Harriet’s, at 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. Equipped with a banjo, an upright bass, a mandolin and a guitar, this four-piece digs deep into folk, country and other twangy sounds—while attaching a surprising psych element that allows for space-y sounds and intense jams. Think Grateful Dead meets The Band, and make it all strings! Tickets are $32.90 per day, or $55.18 for a two-day pass. For tickets and more information, visit pappyandharriets.com. —Matt King
Ring In the Year of the Horse
In the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Horse is associated with movement, energy and independence. All three Agua Caliente Casinos are marking the occasion with Lion Dance Celebrations on Saturday, Feb. 21. The celebration on the casino floor, at 3 p.m. at Agua Caliente Palm Springs (401 E. Amado Road), 5 p.m. at Agua Caliente Cathedral City (68960 E. Palm Canyon Drive), and 7 p.m. at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage (32250 Bob Hope Drive). Rooted in tradition, the lion dance is meant to invite good fortune, prosperity and a clean start to the year, with rhythmic drums, vibrant costumes and plenty of energy. Admission is free. For more information, visit aguacalientecasinos.com. —Charles Drabkin
Joy of Jazz
Jazz legends are headed for Palm Springs! At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, the world-renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band is set to perform at the Plaza Theatre, at 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, as part of the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival. When it comes to notable jazz bands, few are as notable as Preservation Hall. The historic New Orleans born group has done everything from performing at Coachella to supporting acts like Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Foo Fighters and others. Don’t miss a dose of jazz history! Remaining tickets start at $118.30. For tickets and more information, visit www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com. The Palm Springs International Jazz Festival takes place Thursday, Feb. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 22; learn more at psjazzfest.org. —Matt King
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