Final Encore
My colleague Matt King—the multi-award-winning journalist who is the other half of the 11 Days writing team—is a big part of the local music scene, and he tells me a beloved venue and gathering spot, The Oasis on Miles, at 82713 Miles Ave., in Indio, is closing its doors with a farewell in the form of an all-day celebration. He helped organize Mirage: The Farewell Show at the Oasis on Miles, which takes over the venue from 2 p.m. to around midnight, Friday, July 10. Admission is $10 at the door. The lineup features 32 acts, including local favorites; alumni and instructors from the Academy of Musical Performance; plus a few surprise appearances. The event is one last chance to enjoy a space that helped grow the Coachella Valley’s independent music community. Click here to learn more. —Charles Drabkin
The Show Must Go On
The June 27 kitchen fire at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E Baristo Road, forced some schedule changes, but the Historic Camelot Theatre (Theatre One) escaped without fire damage, meaning some screenings will continue as planned. One of them is Guru, a French thriller making its Palm Springs premiere thanks to the Desert Film Society, at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 11. Tickets are $15, cash only, at the door. Guru tells story of a high school dropout who reinvents himself as a celebrity life coach, packing arenas with motivational spectacles—until the government starts asking questions. Support the Cultural Center and enjoy some lovely air conditioning! Learn more at desertfilmsociety.org. —Charles Drabkin
Riffs and Rabbit
Desert music heavyweights are uniting for a night of amazing music! At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 11, local legend Jesika Von Rabbit and her band headline an evening of rock alongside the shred-tacular Waxy (pictured) and spinner DJ Yucca Fuzz at The Annex at Giant Rock Meeting Room, at 1141 Old Woman Springs Road, in Yucca Valley. If you have yet to witness the eye-catching spectacles these acts put on, you can’t call yourself a true desert rat! Tickets are $10 online, at $15 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit www.giantrockmeetingroom.com. —Matt King
Blasting yet Bouncy
Support a new local hardcore band. At 5 p.m., Sunday, July 12, emerging group Day of Peace will showcase their sound and celebrate their debut EP at the Way Down Release Show, hosted at The Dune Room, at 82707 Miles Ave., in Indio. Day of Peace, a new heavy band from local drummer Sean McCune, offers a fresh, energetic and melodic take on an aggressive and brutal genre. Out-of-town rockers ’92, Odder and Pain Spiral are set to open the show. Tickets are $10 at the door. The show is all ages, and is being organized by Hot Stuff Booking. For more information, visit instagram.com/hotstuffbooking. —Matt King
Pink Room on the Spice Route
Local restaurants get creative in the summer, and the Pink Cabana has introduced a series of tasting menus with a Moroccan vibe. The Tagine Tuesdays series features three-course dinners inspired by seasonal ingredients, with optional wine pairings. On Tuesday, July 14, the spotlight falls on ras el hanout (a Middle Eastern spice mix) pork meatballs with roasted eggplant, chickpeas, couscous and pomegranate seeds, following a farmers’ market lentil salad, and before a pistachio and orange cake with candied kumquat syrup. Reservations are available from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sands Hotel and Spa, at 44985 Province Way, Indian Wells. Dinner is $65, with an optional $20 wine pairing. The series runs through July 21 and highlights the restaurant’s Mediterranean and Moroccan influences. For more information, visit sandshotelandspa.com/taginetuesdays. —Charles Drabkin
Help Launch a New Theater Company
Starting a theater company isn’t easy—especially when the first production is an immersive staging of Sam Shepard’s Fool for Love. The Karma Compound, a new high desert theater collective, is raising money for its inaugural production with Fool for a Good Cause from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, July 15, at Club Z, at 61877 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree. The evening features live music, cocktails, raffle prizes and a chance to meet the artists behind the company’s debut production, which opens in August. Admission is $15 and will help cover production costs while allowing more of the show’s revenue to go directly to the local artists. For more information, visit thekarmacompound.org. —Charles Drabkin
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Palm Canyon Theatre, at 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is bringing one of the best-known musicals of all time to the stage with The Wizard of Oz, running Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 26. Dorothy’s trip from a Kansas farm through the colorful land of Oz will have all the familiar songs like “Over the Rainbow,” “If I Only Had a Brain” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard.” This production features a large local cast bringing the classic adventure to life. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $46 for adults and $20 for students, with group discounts available. For tickets or more information, visit palmcanyontheatre.org. —Charles Drabkin
In a Hollywood Minute
In the mood for some laughs? At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 18, Saturday Night Live alumnus David Spade brings jokes and stories from his seasoned standup career to Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, at 32250 Bob Hope Drive. Known for deadpan humor and, recently, his successful SNL-themed podcast with co-star Dana Carvey, Spade delivers wisecracks and snarky remarks that are utterly hilarious. If you’re a fan of his previous projects or vast film career, you’re in for a treat! Tickets start at $71.60. For tickets and more information, visit www.aguacalientecasinos.com. —Matt King
Oldies but Goodies
Step back in time and enjoy a healthy serving of classic rock performances! At 6 p.m., Sunday, July 19, the Happy Together tour returns to the desert, celebrating the best music of the ’60s and ’70s at Spotlight 29 Casino, at 46200 Harrison Place, in Coachella. Eight artists representing the sounds and hits of the “peace and love” era are set to perform: The Association, The Troggs, Jason Scheff (Chicago’s lead singer from 1985-2016), Gary Puckett, The Fortunes, Ron Dante (The Archies, The Turtles; pictured), The Vogues and The Cowsills. Sing along to performers from a great musical generation! Tickets start at $43.95. You must be 18+ to attend. For tickets and more information, visit spotlight29.com. —Matt King
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