Sponsored By
Shakespeare Reimagined: Two Must-See Productions in the Coachella Valley Through April 4
This spring, Green Room Theatre Company is bringing to the Coachella Valley two very powerful and unique theatrical experiences. “The Newish Shakespeare Festival” will consist of Como Te Gusta and American Moor, bringing a mix of classic and dark humor to the stage for the community to enjoy.
Como Te Gusta is a lively bilingual reimagining of As You Like It by William Shakespeare set in the Sonoran Desert, and directed by Green Room Theatre Company’s founding artistic director, David Catanzarite. Each performance opens with Ballet Folklórico, setting the tone for the evening’s celebration of culture and storytelling. The show blends Spanish, cowboy English and Shakespeare’s original text, and celebrates love, identity and self-discovery with humor, heart, and a fresh cultural perspective, making it suitable for audiences of all ages.
Directed by Kathryn Ervin, American Moor is a powerful, one-man drama that follows a seasoned Black actor auditioning for the role of Othello, confronting both Shakespeare’s text and the unspoken biases of the classical theater world. Raw, thought-provoking and deeply personal, the play examines race, identity and who gets to claim the classics and is better suited for a more mature audience.
Together, both productions celebrate innovation while sparking timely conversations about culture, representation, and the enduring relevance of Shakespeare. Multiple showings are running throughout the Coachella Valley through April 4, with ticket prices ranging from $20 to $40.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit grtccv.org/2026-shakespeare-festival. (Sponsored Content)
A Day of Visibility
This year’s Trans Pride theme is “Empower and Employ,” and the annual event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 28, at the Demuth Community Center, at 3601 E. Mesquite Ave., in Palm Springs. The free event blends celebration with conversation around issues that directly affect the transgender and gender-nonconforming community, including employment access and economic stability. Transgender people face unemployment at rates significantly higher than the general population, often because of workplace discrimination, barriers in hiring, and gaps in legal protections. The event begins with a performance by the Desert Flaggers, followed at 11:30 a.m. by a political forum and trans-rights Q&A hosted by Areezi Leona. The afternoon also features a drag showcase with trans and nonbinary performers, and a “Empower and Employ” fashion show, among other events. Admission is free. For more information and to register, visit Eventbrite. —Charles Drabkin
Subdued Doe
A punk icon is embracing his folky side in the desert. At 7 p.m., Saturday, March 28, John Doe, the frontman of innovative ’80s punk rock band X, is set to perform a solo set at the Sanctuary at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, at 59700 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree. While his work with X features high-energy riffs, Doe’s solo output embraces country, soft rock, somber folk and other subdued sounds. Don’t miss an intimate set from a punk icon in the high desert! The Sean Wheeler Duo, led by the desert-rock legend Throw Rag, will open the show. Tickets are $33.16. For tickets and more information, visit jtrcc.org. —Matt King
Imitation Jelly Roll
Celebrate the songs of a modern country pop star with an authentic tribute experience! At 7 p.m., Saturday, March 28, catch Jelly Soul, a Jelly Roll tribute act, at the Rock Yard, located at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, at 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, in Indio. With hit songs like “Somebody Save Me” and “Need a Favor,” Jelly Roll has dominated country charts with his mix of soul and twang—and after performing at the last two Stagecoach festivals, Jelly Roll has become an Indio favorite. While he is not scheduled to perform at the polo grounds this festival season, the Jelly Soul show will surely get you in the mood as we inch closer to country in the desert! The event is free, but you must be 18+. For more info, visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com/rock-yard. —Matt King
Laughing and Barking
Experience a comedy show … co-hosted by a dog! At 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 28, “Live, Laugh, Pup” will be hosted at The Rustic Theatre, at 54290 N. Circle Drive, in Idyllwild-Pine Cove. Alice Cutler and Freddy, the dog, will host an evening of hilarity that makes the drive up the mountain worth your while. Emily Lentz, Caitlin Gill (pictured) and Jarvis “Mag” Jackson are all set to deliver joke-heavy sets. Escape the unseasonal desert heat; laugh the night away—and maybe pet the loving co-host during the cutest comedy night of the year! Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit www.rustictheatre.com. —Matt King
Good Cause, Served in Sauce
There are plenty of ways to support local kids, but not all of them come with meatballs! Sammy’s International Meatball Festival returns for its 14th year from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 29, at the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, at 32141 Whispering Palms Trail. The fundraiser brings together pro chefs, home cooks, nonprofits and municipal teams for a friendly meatball showdown in four categories, along with people’s choice and booth decoration awards, which means civic pride and marinara will both be in play. Regular admission is $20 and includes five tasting tickets, with one people’s choice vote; VIP tickets are $40 and include 10 tastings, a drink ticket and two people’s choice votes. Besides the meatballs, there is a raffle, beer and wine for sale, and a Kids’ Zone with games. Proceeds support Boys and Girls Club programs. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bgcccity.org. —Charles Drabkin
A Drag Show Where Hats Compete
Easter gets a playful twist at V Wine Lounge, at 600 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs, where feathers, florals and a sense of humor take center stage. Anita Treadmill, a Palm Springs fixture known for sharp timing and crowd work, leads the Show and Easter Bonnet Contest at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 2. There is no cover or registration, so the room will fill up. The lineup brings together a mix of styles: Mutha Chucka leans into classic, high-energy camp with a wink; Kit Tapata (pictured) delivers a polished, theatrical presence because he is sexy and he knows it; Tommy Dodson adds live vocals and easy charm; and Miss Bea Haven rounds things out with presence and a glamorous mischievousness. But wait, there’s more—you can compete in the Easter bonnet contest, with a $50 prize! It’s a drag show, a community gathering, and an excuse to show off your Palm Springs style. For more information, visit vwinelounge.com/calendar-of-events.html. —Charles Drabkin
Making the Doctor’s Visit Work for You
If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office with more questions than answers, you’re not alone. The second-annual Self-Advocacy in Health Care Conference aims to change that, offering a day of practical guidance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 4, at the Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs. The free event brings together patient advocates, legal experts, insurance professionals and health-care providers to help attendees better navigate an increasingly complex system. Sessions cover everything from preparing for appointments and understanding your rights to decoding insurance and making doctor visits more productive. A continental breakfast and lunch are included, along with a resource packet designed to be useful long after things wrap up. For more information or to register, visit www.harp-ps.org/self-advocacyinhealthcare. —Charles Drabkin
Camera-Concern Concert
Local musicians are uniting to protest the increased numbers of surveillance cameras. At 3 p.m., Saturday, April 4, local events promoter Homestead Sessions presents Get The FLOCK Out at Coyote Run Studio, at 3625 Porter Blvd., in Joshua Tree. The event is a concert/community drive seeking to build awareness regarding the Flock cameras being installed across the desert and throughout the country. Flock cameras use license-plate recognition to gather information about vehicles, and citizens have rising privacy concerns with the cameras. Red Head Fred, The Blank Tapes, Slasher City from New Mexico and Palo Xanto (pictured) are all set to perform. The event is free, but donations are encouraged. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/homesteadsessions. —Matt King
Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@cvindependent.com for consideration. Email ads@cvindependent.com for advertising info!