Sharing Songs
One of the most fascinating new music events in the desert deserves your attendance. At 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22, experience Desert Beat, a songwriting showcase hosted at Mojave Gold, at 56193 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Yucca Valley. Musician Brad Parker (pictured) is spearheading an event series where a group of local musicians gather to share, in the round, their stories and songs. It’s an in-depth look into the sometimes-overlooked beauty of our local music scene. This month’s event will feature Paul Forrester, Kimberly Cofer, Gerald Emerick, John Zulu, Ron Telpner, Karla Anderson, Lisa M. Powell and Wendy Gadzuk. The event is free to attend, but you must be 21+ For more information, visit mojavegolddesert.com. —Matt King
Art, Love and Betrayal
The world premiere of the play Dispersion of Light, being produced by Desert Ensemble Theatre, imagines audiences as flies on the wall, listening to conversations between Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz during a pivotal moment in their lives. Set in 1932, the play moves between New York and New Mexico as art, ambition, love and control all compete for space. Dispersion of Light is performed at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, from Friday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E. Baristo Road, in Palm Springs. Tickets are $42.20. For tickets or more information, visit desertensembletheatre.org. —Charles Drabkin
Inside the Writers’ Room
A cramped writers’ room, a pot of stale coffee, and a group of very funny people one deadline away from a meltdown—that is the world of Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Neil Simon’s sharp, affectionate look at the golden age of television comedy, being performed Friday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 15, at Desert TheatreWorks, at 45175 Fargo St., in Indio. Set in 1950s New York, the play is based on Simon’s own years writing for Sid Caesar, where jokes and egos were the only things that mattered, and the boss could unravel at any moment. What unfolds is fast, smart and relentlessly funny, with bursts of warmth tucked inside the chaos. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; and 2 p.m., Sunday, and tickets start at $46.50. For tickets or more information, visit dtworks.org. —Charles Drabkin
Behind the Gates in Spa City
Who doesn’t love to peek behind the curtain and get an insider’s view? From 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, the Miracle Hill Spas Tour returns after a long absence. Visitors can explore participating spas, meet the people who run them, and get a closer look at why the of town earned the nickname “Spa City.” There are both VIP bus and self-guided options, with everyone gathering first at Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, at 67616 Desert View Ave. The tour is also the anchor event for a full Wellness Weekend, with participating spas offering classes, seminars, demonstrations and day passes. Tickets range from $27.99 for the self-guided tour to $179 for the VIP spa tour and Wellness Weekend. The focus here is curiosity, not hype. Get tickets via Eventbrite. —Charles Drabkin
Possible Redneck Alert!
Laugh the night away with one of the most notable Southern comedians. At 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, catch Jeff Foxworthy as he shares some sensational standup at Agua Caliente Resort Casino, at 32250 Bob Hope Drive. Foxworthy’s charm, wit and accent have led the comedian to become one of the most successful comics ever. He’s famous for his “you might be a redneck” joke, and you may know him from the all-star comedy-supergroup Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which featured Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall and Ron White. Tickets start at $49.23. For tickets and more information, visit www.aguacalientecasinos.com. —Matt King
Back to School
Support local music, and local students, at the same time! From 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, Palm Desert High School’s Associated Student Body and Yearbook clubs are hosting Winterfest at Palm Desert High School, at 74910 Aztec Road. The school welcomes the community to participate in carnival games, food trucks, prizes and fun, while enjoying the music of two desert bands: indie-psychedelic group The Divines (pictured) and reggae-fusion band Space in Sound. Tickets are $5, and proceeds go directly toward supporting the clubs at PDHS. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/pdhs_yearbook. —Matt King
The Zine’s the Thing
Celebrate art, music and the DIY ethos! At 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, check out ECV Zine Fest 2026, hosted at the Coachella Valley Collective, at 1030 Sixth St., Unit 8, in Coachella. Learn the ways of the zine—a fully hand-crafted magazine—through arts and crafts workshops, and check out a full zine library. The event will also feature local vendors and artists, live painting demos and live music from local and out-of-town acts such as Brosquitos, Glitter Ghost, The Royal Chicano Underground (pictured) and Kill the Radio. The event is free! For more information, visit www.instagram.com/thecvcollective. —Matt King
Giving Back to the Park
Public lands are awesome. They give us shade when we need it, trails when we want to wander, and open space when everything else feels crowded. Public Lands Day With the City of Palm Desert is a chance to say thanks. From 8 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 1, volunteers will gather at Cap Homme and Ralph Adams Park, at 72500 Thrush Road, for a hands-on morning focused on caring for one of the city’s neighborhood parks. Expect light to moderate physical work and fresh air, and participants are encouraged to bring extra water and dress for outdoor activity in the desert. That means hats, sun protection and closed-toe shoes. A free lunch is provided at the end! For more information and to register, visit www.desertmountains.org/event/public-lands-day-with-city-of-palm-desert. —Charles Drabkin
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