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Helps Students Step Out of Poverty and Into a Brighter Future! Give to Shoes for Students
Something as simple as new shoes helps kids step into dignity and self-esteem. Research shows that a pair of new shoes can inspire higher self-confidence in lower income students by 45%. New shoes are a powerful way to improve academics, behaviors and mental health, and help kids walk away from the shame, exclusion and embarrassment of poverty and step toward confidence and dignity.
Shoes for Students is an annual fundraising campaign by The Foundation for PSUSD to raise community and philanthropic dollars to purchase shoes for K-12 students in need. The decade-old nonprofit is aiming to provide 2,500 pairs of shoes before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
“What many in our community don’t realize is that 97% of our students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, and 10% are homeless,” said Ellen Goodman, director of The Foundation for PSUSD. “Shoes are one of the first signs of a child in poverty. When a family experiences economic hardship, either chronically or because of an emergency, they have to make choices on how to spend their precious resources. And necessities, like putting dinner on the table, are a priority over much-needed shoes.”
For the price of dinner out, or even a couple of swanky coffees, help a student start the school year on the right foot. 100% of your donations goes to shoes. Give here. (Sponsored Content)
Classical Meets Community
Looking for a highbrow musical escape that doesn’t require a tux or a ticket to the symphony? The Mizell Center’s Fourth Saturdays Chamber Music series offers a chance to experience world-class classical performances in a relaxed, community-focused setting. At noon, Saturday, May 24, the inaugural performance, of baroque music, will feature Dr. Charles Metz on period replica harpsichord; Michelle Fiore, soprano; and Nunzio Sisto on baroque recorder and cello. Your $35 ticket will allow you to discover the joy of chamber music without the usual formalities. Mizell is located at 480 S. Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit mizell.org/special-events. —Charles Drabkin
Art and Fun in the High Desert
A high desert festival returns for a 74th year! From noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 24, experience Grubstake Days, an all-day excursion of family fun, food and music hosted at the Brehm Park Family Recreation Center, at 56620 Little League Drive, in Yucca Valley. The event, hosted by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce, celebrates with a beer garden, art exhibits and performances from top-notch desert musicians such as Mario Lalli and the Rubber Snake Charmers, Hammer of the Ozz, Pearl Charles (DJ set) and others! The event is free to attend. For more information, visit grubstakedays.com.—Matt King
Bands and Bulls
How about some Spanish jams for your weekend? At 4 p.m., Saturday, May 24, a great group of grupos will perform at Jaripeo Baile-Memorial Day Weekend, at the Riverside County Fairgrounds, at 46350 Arabia St., in Indio. Voz de Mando, Los Morros del Norte, El As de la Sierra, Samuel Sarmiento and others all set to perform, bringing their wildly energetic Latin sounds to Indio—along with bull-riding! Don’t miss out on these fun, catchy, cultural sounds! Tickets start at $49. For more information, visit www.datefest.org. —Matt King
Desert Rock at a Coffee Shop
A legendary desert rocker will perform an intimate acoustic set at a local coffee shop/record store. At 4 p.m., Sunday, May 25, Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Mondo Generator, Dwarves) is set to perform at Gré Records and Coffee, at 278 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Oliveri will trade his trademark overdriven-bass tone for an acoustic guitar, and perform stripped-down versions of desert rock hits from his catalogue. The show is free. For more information, visit gremagazine.com. —Matt King
Dine Local, Get Discounts
Now’s the perfect time to check out those local restaurants you’ve been wanting to try! Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week runs from Friday, May 30, to Sunday, June 8, giving you 10 days to explore some of the best dining across the Coachella Valley. Hosted by Visit Greater Palm Springs, this annual event features special menus and exclusive offers at a variety of local restaurants. And it’s not just about great food; for every reservation made through dineGPS.com, $1 will be donated to FIND Food Bank. There’s more good news for diners in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage: Both cities are offering bonus gift cards to encourage you to shop and eat local! In Palm Springs, buy a $100 Love Local digital gift card, and you’ll receive an extra $50 bonus card. In Rancho Mirage, purchase a Shop Local digital gift card of $50 or more, and the city will add a 50% bonus card. These bonus cards must be used at participating restaurants within the city that issued them during Restaurant Week. Learn more at dineGPS.com. —Charles Drabkin
Spell Yeah!
Do you think you’re a good speller … or do you at least like spelling under pressure with a drink in your hand? The Adult Spelling Bee is back by popular demand at Mas o Menos, at 66031 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree, at 8 p.m., Friday, May 30. Hosted by Janelle (musician, bartender, barista and and general delight), this 21+ event promises fierce competition, hilarious missteps and a buzzing good time. Sign-up starts at 7 p.m.—and spelling has never been this much fun. Drinks, drama, and dubious vocabulary—what more could you ask for? The event is free, but tips are always appreciated. For more information, visit masomenosjt.com. —Charles Drabkin
Trip Out!
A local art gallery is ending the season with a wildly expressive exhibition of surreal art. At 5 p.m., Saturday, May 31, Mad.Kat Gallery hosts a closing reception for You Think I’m Psycho, Don’cha Mama? at 71590 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage. Eighteen artists from all around the world have their most trippy, expansive and mind-bending works of art on display at the gallery, and seven of them will be appearing in-person at the closing reception, which is free to attend. For more information, visit gallerymadkat.com. —Matt King
Out of the Closet and On to the Screen
The past comes to life on Sunday, June 1, one frame at a time. The LGBTQ+ History and Archives of the Desert teams up with Deserted Films and the Palm Springs Cultural Center (2300 E. Baristo Road) for Home Movies Out of the Closet: LGBTQ+, Hollywood, Palm Springs, and You, a celebration of queer memory, personal storytelling, and the power of film. From 3 to 5:30 p.m., home-movie preservation experts will be on hand to provide recommendations for storage and digitization to anyone with footage that needs preserving. From 6:30 to 8 p.m., enjoy a rare screening of never-before-seen LGBTQ+ footage, including scenes from legendary filmmaker Pat Rocco; Hollywood stars at home; and slice-of-life reels featuring queer joy, family and resistance. The screening is followed by a reception from 8 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $45, including a drink ticket, with proceeds supporting all three partnering organizations. Learn more or buy tickets at tinyurl.com/44nucwmw. (Email header image from the Melinda Tremaglio Collection, courtesy of LGBTQ+ History and Archives of the Desert.) —Charles Drabkin
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