Sleight of Hand With a Sense of Humor
Jen Kramer is a Las Vegas headliner whose magic leans as much on timing and personality as it does on technique. She is bringing The Magic of Jen Kramer to the McCallum Theatre, at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, in Palm Desert, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, offering a night of skill without stiffness, and polish without pretension. She has been named Female Magician of the Year by the International Magicians Society, won Best Magician in the 2024 Best of Vegas Awards, and appeared on shows like Penn and Teller: Fool Us and Masters of Illusion. Expect card work, visual surprises and amazing moments. Tickets start at $37 and can be purchased at www.mccallumtheatre.org. —Charles Drabkin
Let’s Dance (to Bowie)
Boogie down to the sounds of Bowie! At 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, experience the High Desert Bowie Ball, happening at Mojave Gold, at 56193 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Yucca Valley. Celebrate the sounds and style of David Bowie when a crop of local musicians share hits and deep cuts from the iconic musician. Fresh Basil, High 70s, House of Demeter, Jean Genies, Karma Dealers and LANDROID (pictured) are all set to perform. Make sure to come dressed to enter the Bowie-themed costume contest! Pay tribute to one of the best to ever do it, and make enough noise so the spirit of Bowie can hear you out there in the cosmos. The event is free! For more information, visit mojavegolddesert.com. —Matt King
When Progressives Panic
Eureka Day, the Tony Award-winning comedy by Jonathan Spector, is being produced at the brand-new Dezart Playhouse, at 605 S. Riverside Drive, in Palm Springs. Set at a progressive private school in Berkeley, the play follows a well-meaning board as it navigates a public-health crisis through consensus, transparency and a whole lot of talking. What could go wrong? (Spoiler alert: a lot!) Desart Performs’ newest show opens at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 25. The humor is sharp but humane, and the arguments land because they come from people who genuinely believe they are doing the right thing. You may laugh, wince and recognize someone you know—possibly yourself. Opening-night tickets are $78, and include an after-show reception; all other tickets are $69. Visit dezartperforms.org for a complete list of dates and show times. —Charles Drabkin
Feeling Horn-y
Funk your way up to the high desert! At 9:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16, Chicago’s own LowDown Brass Band will bring their brass-tastic tunes to Pappy and Harriet’s, at 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. This impressive all-horn group of musicians will fill up the intimate Pappy’s stage with soul, funk, jazz, R&B, hip hop and so much more! Get your horn-heavy funk mix right here in the desert. Joshua Tree groove-curators Ahead Change are set to open the evening. Tickets are $26.68. For tickets and more information, visit pappyandharriets.com. —Matt King
They Were Born This Way
Ready to goo-goo for Gaga? At 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, enjoy the Lady Gaga Drag Brunch, happening at Chill Bar, at 217 E. Arenas Road, in Palm Springs. Are you a fan of the pop queen of the early 2010s, famous for a meat dress and social media stirs? How about the more traditional pop sounds and acting roles of the late ’10s? Maybe the 2020s MAYHEM era is more your speed? All Gaga eras are set to be represented during this day of song, costumes, eats and drinks! Local drag star Epiphany Kali will host the event. Tickets are $27.50. You must be 21+ to attend, and all guests must purchase an entree. For tickets and more information, visit www.chillbarpalmsprings.com. —Matt King
Orwell’s Warning
Some stories age. Others circle back around. An interactive staged reading of 1984 lands squarely in the second category, especially right now. At 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, the Green Room Theatre Co., in partnership with the Palm Desert Library, at 73300 Fred Waring Drive, invites the audience not just to watch Orwell’s world unfold, but to take part in it. Three professional actors will portray Winston, Julia and O’Brien, while audience members are asked to read the remaining roles. First staged by the Actors’ Gang in Los Angeles, the adaptation speaks directly to modern anxieties about surveillance, fake news and who controls the narrative. A second reading at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, will be American Sign Language-accessible. The event is free, but the library is asking attendees to register to plan for attendance. For more information and to register, click here. —Charles Drabkin
Follow You Down (to this Youth-Baseball Fundraiser)
Catch a music legend, and support local youth sports! At 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, Robin Wilson, the lead singer of jangle-pop icons Gin Blossoms, is set to perform a solo set at the Palm Springs American Legion, at 400 N. Belardo Road. Wilson will share songs from the legendary ’90s hitmakers in an intimate setting. Local band The Refills, and Andy Herrin of Gin Blossoms are also set to perform. Tickets are $44.52, and proceeds will go towards the American Legion District 21 Baseball program. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, Jan. 16. For tickets and more information, visit the Eventbrite link. —Matt King
Vintage Treasures and Community Spirit
Palm Springs has always had a soft spot for the past. The new Palm Springs Retro Market leans into that affection from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E. Baristo Road. (This is different from the well-established Palm Springs Vintage Market that used to be held at this location.) Admission and parking are free, and wandering is encouraged. Vendors fill the space with vintage clothing, accessories, home decor, vinyl records and more. There is a full bar and food trucks on site. Charity raffle drawings take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., benefiting the Community Food Bank at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert—and local drag queens will announce the winners! It is part treasure hunt, part social scene, part drag brunch, and all very Palm Springs. For more information, visit psculturalcenter.org. —Charles Drabkin
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