Two Deserts, One Meal
The Thompson Palm Springs, at 414 N. Palm Canyon Drive, is turning up the heat Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20, with Desert to Desert, a three-day event celebrating culinary collabs between Palm Springs and Los Cabos. Chefs Quentin Garcia (Lola Rose Grand Mezze) and Ari Reyes (The Ledge at The Cape, Los Cabos) reunite for the second installment of this cross-border, cross-desert series. The weekend includes a six-course tasting dinner at Lola Rose Grand Mezze ($115 per person, $175 with wine pairing), a chef-led tequila tasting ($50 per person) and a Sunday send-off brunch (à la carte pricing). Get tickets to individual events or spend a luxurious staycation weekend by clicking here. —Charles Drabkin
Variety Show
Enjoy a mixed bill of heavy, noisy and rockin’ bands. At 6 p.m., Friday, July 18, a serving of energetic and entertaining music acts will ignite the Coachella Valley Collective, at 1030 Sixth St., Unit No. 8, in Coachella. Don’t miss unique performances featuring brutal sounds of Gxllium, alternative rock stylings from Crossing I’s Dotting T’s, guttural grindcore from Layer:0, heavy rock from Sharp Hands and screamy sounds from Part Time Junkies. Tickets are $10, available at the door. Capacity is extremely limited! For more information, visit instagram.com/kickassbooking. —Matt King
Congas, Cocktails, Cool Vibes
The Atrium, located at the Hyatt Palm Springs, at 285 N. Palm Canyon Drive, is heating up the summer with a weekly happy hour and live entertainment series that is simply electric. From 6 to 8 p.m., every Friday in July and August, savor cocktail specials and sway to vocalist Leanna Rodgers, with Miguel Gomez on congas. They will be joined each week by a surprise musical guest. You can expect a mix of jazz, bossa nova, ’70s disco, Broadway standards and pop covers delivered with flair. There’s even a dance floor if the spirit (or the cocktails) move you. This free series invites locals and visitors to start the weekend with style. Get a feeling for the vibe here. —Charles Drabkin
Retro Dance, Good Cause
Retro looks, classic rock and community love are the themes at ALL OUT, a simultaneously brand-new and resurrected summer dance party from the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 19, at 4707 Events, at 4707 E. Sunny Dunes Road, in Palm Springs. Come channeling Studio 54 or Y2K glam, dressed to slay in your fave vintage-inspired looks for a shot at the Best Dressed Contest, then show your moves to the beats of DJ Galaxy (and help him celebrate his 50th birthday on the dance floor). Expect live dancers, video game nostalgia, drink specials courtesy of Diageo, and plenty of glowing vibes. One more thing: Bring non-perishable items to stock The Center’s Community Food Bank and know that every dollar raised goes right back into supporting LGBTQ+ programs across the Coachella Valley. Get your $53 tickets here. —Charles Drabkin
Friends Who Spin
A desert-based viral DJ collective is hosting a free pop-up show! At 9 p.m., Saturday, July 19, local electronic music collective Close Friends Only are hosting their Summer 25 Pop Up at Gabino’s Creperie East, at 82868 Miles Ave., in Indio. Close Friends Only is a group of friends who have taken the world by storm via their hilarious yet heavy-hitting livestreams, where they spin remixes and crack one-liners. The group is hosting this pop-up concert in Indio before making their Splash House debut in a couple of weeks. The event is free to attend, but you must be 18 or older. To RSVP, visit Posh. —Matt King
Find a Furry Friend
It’s the dog days of summer … so why not get a dog? At 11 a.m., Sunday, July 20, Desert Paws Sanctuary is hosting a dog adoption event, at Tractor Supply Co., at 42625 Jackson St., in Indio. Some of the sanctuary’s rescue pups will be ready to meet, play—and hopefully capture your heart. Come to adopt, or just come to show some love to the cute dogs of our desert, and learn all about one of our great local animal rescues. (Pictured: My dog Abbey, who is most definitely not available to adopt.) For more information, visit instagram.com/desertpawssanctuary. —Matt King
Sparks Fly
Forget dry lectures; Mr. Electric is here to prove science is anything but boring. This high-voltage educator and entertainer will bring a blend of physics, chemistry and showmanship to the Palm Desert Library, at 73300 Fred Waring Drive, at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 24—and the event is free and open to anyone, although registration is required. Mr. Electric’s science show is designed to spark curiosity in young minds with hands-on experiments, live demos and plenty of, “Whoa, did that just happen?” moments. Think levitating objects, hair-raising static electricity tricks, and explosive (but safe!) reactions. Tailored for kids, his programs are renowned for transforming complex STEM concepts into thrilling, unforgettable experiences. Get more information and register here. —Charles Drabkin
Move Over, Mister Rogers
Shari Lewis and the iconic Lamb Chop are getting a long-overdue tribute. At 10 a.m., Saturday, July 26, the Desert Film Society presents a screening of Shari and Lamb Chop, a new documentary from Love, Gilda director Lisa D’Apolito, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E. Baristo Road. This nostalgic, heartfelt doc tells the story of the Bronx-born magician, singer, dancer, feminist trailblazer and perfectionist whose talent and tenacity reshaped children’s TV. Interviews with the ventriloquists she inspired and clips of her beloved characters (yes, Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy make appearances, too) capture the magic, whimsy and resilience of a woman who never stopped believing in the power of imagination. The Desert Film Society has been screening international and independent cinema in the Coachella Valley since 2002, and most of their selections never screen elsewhere locally. Admission is free for DFS members, or $15 at the door for nonmembers. Learn more at www.desertfilmsociety.org. —Charles Drabkin
Chicano Soul
Touring acts are bringing soul jams to the high desert. At 6:30 p.m., Sunday, July 27, modern soul/oldies crooners Los Yesterdays bring their time-capsule sound to Mojave Gold, at 56193 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Yucca Valley. Take a trip back in time to classic soul radio, and experience the emotional, moving and beautiful sounds of one of the modern bands keeping the oldies sound alive. The Jack Moves, Jackie Mendez, and The SilvertoneZ are set to open. Tickets are $37.37 in advance. For tickets and more information, visit mojavegolddesert.com. —Matt King
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