Celebrate the Summer Solstice
During every full moon, a community gathers to play drums, celebrating and embracing the energy and ambiance. This communal and inclusive space for rhythmic expression, dance and spiritualty is perfect for setting intentions for the coming month—and making new friends. This month, the Full Moon Drum Circle falls on the day after the summer solstice, making the celebration particularly powerful. Drummers, dancers and observers are welcome at this free event at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 21. Food and drink from King’s Highway and the Amigo Room are available for purchase. For more information, check out crystalfantasy.com. —Charles Drabkin
Stretching the Blues
Experience the mesmerizing qualities of the high desert with a band that is as equally hypnotic. At 8 p.m., Friday, June 21, improvisational musical duo Sister John Angela will experiment with their Western-influenced jammy sounds at Giant Rock Meeting Room, 1131 Old Woman Springs Road, in Yucca Valley. Listen to how blues music can be stretched far beyond traditional song formats and into the wide open of our airy desert landscape. The event is free. For more info, visit www.instagram.com/sister_john_angela. —Matt King
Nerd Alert
Gamers, nerds and others will unite in Palm Springs for a gaming-centered convention! On Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, enjoy GameACon, a convention for all things gaming, cosplay and anime, hosted at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, in Palm Springs. Enjoy panels featuring famed voice actors and animators, autograph tables, gaming opportunities (including world premieres of video games) and competitive tournaments, as well as booths with all things to indulge your inner nerd. Single-day passes are $43 for Saturday, and $39 for Sunday. You can also grab a weekend pass for $46. For more info, visit gameacon.com. —Matt King
A Desert Music Celebration
The Coachella Valley and high desert are home to a massive number of great bands—many of which have been inspired by desert rock and metal greats. At 2 p.m., Saturday, June 22, Cafe 247, 32886 Old Woman Springs Road, in Lucerne Valley will host Desert Fest 2. The all-day festival includes a range of metal and rock bands spanning genre and location, such as L.A.’s thrash-metal studs Diabology and new Coachella Valley fiery-riff-pulverizers Nephilim. The event is free and for all ages. For more information, click here.
Watch Movies in the Pool
One of my favorite parts of summer is watching movies in the pool—and the Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department is inviting the community to share this experience. At 7 p.m., Saturday, June 22, the city kicks off the monthly summer Dive-In Movie series at the Palm Springs Swim Center, 405 S. Pavilion Way. An open swim starts at 7 p.m., with the movie Wakanda Forever starting at dusk, approximately 8 p.m. The event is free! For more information, click here. —Charles Drabkin
A Local Goth Milestone
Local goth-night event and hub for CV counterculture Luna Negra is hosting a five-year anniversary celebration. At 8 p.m., Saturday, June 22, celebrate Luna Negra’s half-decade of enriching the desert’s goth and alternative scene with performances by resident DJs Danza De Luna, Ahsatan, Dead Romeo and Obzen Vanitas at Bart Lounge, 67555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Cathedral City. Tickets are $5, and you must be 21+ to attend. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/luna.negra.goth.nights. —Matt King
Queer Art in the High Desert
Small-town pride events can be inspiring—so join the Desert Split Open’s Hi-Desert Pride celebration from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 23, at the Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree, for an afternoon of art, poetry, drag and special guest Flint, a trans and queer human rights content creator. If you have queer-themed poetry and prose to share, join the open mic at 2 p.m. The celebration is free, but tickets to a “Queerated” community art show will be available for purchase, along with food and drinks. For more information, check out instagram.com/desertsplitopen. —Charles Drabkin
With a Song in Your Heart
Dezart Performs is presenting a one-of-a-kind weekend of summer cabaret, Straight to the Heart, a tribute to the legendary songwriting team Rodgers and Hart, the masterminds behind timeless classics like “Blue Moon,” “The Lady Is a Tramp,” “I Wish I Were in Love Again” and “My Funny Valentine.” Tickets to all of the evening shows were quickly snapped up—but Dezart just added a matinee show at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 23, at the Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road. Your tickets not only grant you access to the show. but also to a pre-show social hour in the courtyard, starting at 1 p.m., and a post-show happy hour. Don’t miss out—book your tickets ($35 each) and learn more at www.dezartperforms.org. —Charles Drabkin
A Cask of Amontillado
Who doesn’t love the stories of Edgar Allan Poe—what better way is there to enjoy those stories than with a classic cocktail? Step into a bygone era at various times from Thursday, June 27, through Sunday, June 30, at Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 16, in Palm Springs. The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy features mixologists and Poe historians who will take you down an immersive path, bring Poe’s stories to life—and chilling you to the bone. Tickets are $48 to $55, and include four cocktails, each paired with a story. Find out more at edgarallanpoebar.com. —Charles Drabkin
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