Sponsored By
‘Forever Plaid’ Brings Nostalgic Harmonies to Palm Canyon Theatre May 9-18
Get ready to step back in time as Palm Canyon Theatre presents Forever Plaid, a charming and hilarious musical revue that pays homage to the synchronized and harmonizing groups of the 1950s. Running May 9-18, this beloved production is packed with toe-tapping tunes, razor-sharp comedy, and heartwarming moments that promise to leave audiences grinning from ear to ear.
Forever Plaid follows the story of four aspiring singers—Frankie, Sparky, Smudge and Jinx—whose dreams of stardom are tragically cut short. Thanks to a cosmic twist of fate, they return from the afterlife for one final chance to perform the concert they never got to deliver. With lush harmonies, matching blazers and a touch of heavenly humor, Forever Plaid is a musical celebration of innocence, dreams and doo-wop.
The talented quartet includes Stephen Giboney as Frankie, Raul Valenzuela as Sparky, Jimmy Ashmore as Smudge and Nathan Wilson as Jinx. Eric Stein-Steele brings an infectious energy to the production as its director and choreographer. Under the musical direction of Chuck Peery, audiences can expect dynamic arrangements and faithful renditions of classics like “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Cry” and “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.”
Forever Plaid runs May 9-18. Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays; and 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Tickets (including fees) are $41 for adults, $37 for seniors, and $20 for students; Independent readers get $33 tickets using promo code CVI. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or more information, call 760-323-5123, or order online at palmcanyontheatre.net. Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive. (Sponsored content)
Students Inspired
Enter the creative mind of local students. At 5 p.m., Thursday, May 8, the Desert X Art Club Student Exhibition will host an opening reception at Melissa Morgan Fine Art, at 73660 El Paseo Drive, in Palm Desert. Thanks to Desert X, students in local school districts have been exploring the art installations in our valley and given the opportunity to create their own works of art. The opening reception will feature works from 15 different local schools, and will be on display until Wednesday, May 21. The gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. For more information, click here. —Matt King
Crooners in Black
Sing your cold, dark heart out! At 7 p.m., Friday, May 9, take part in Emo Karaoke, hosted at Little Street Music Hall, at 82707 Miles Ave., in Indio. Grab a mic, and sing the words to your favorite heart-wrenching jams from the ’90s and 2000s. Black eyeliner, dark clothing and emo bangs are strongly encouraged, so dress up and look your gothic best! Local 2000s cover band L8.2.Da.Party is set to perform some choice emo jams! The event is free to attend. For more information, visit instagram.com/little_street_music_hall. —Matt King
What to Expect at the ‘Sell Your Business With Confidence’ Workshop
The First Choice Business Brokers Excellence Team is hosting workshop and networking events designed to equip business owners with the knowledge and strategies needed to plan a successful business sale. Many entrepreneurs lack a clear exit strategy, whether they are preparing for retirement or exploring new ventures. This two-hour session aims to fill that gap through expert-led education.
This free workshop will cover essential topics such as preparing a business for sale, understanding what today’s buyers are looking for, and the key steps involved in the selling process. Attendees will gain insights into how to attract qualified buyers and how to avoid common mistakes that can complicate or delay a sale.
Open to all entrepreneurs, business owners and decision-makers, this event is part of First Choice Business Brokers’ ongoing commitment to support and strengthen the local business community.
Workshop dates and locations:
● Palm Desert: Wednesday, May 14
● San Bernardino: Wednesday, May 21
Registration is available through this Eventbrite link. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from industry professionals and take the next step with confidence. (Sponsored content)
AIDS, Aftershocks and Us
What do we owe those we’ve lost—and what will those who come after inherit from us? The Bent brings the regional premiere of The Inheritance: Part I, to the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E. Baristo Road, from Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 25. Inspired by Howards End and crafted by Matthew Lopez, this Tony Award-winning play explores identity, love, sex and survival in the decades following the height of the AIDS crisis. Directed by Steve Rosenbaum, The Inheritance traces a group of young gay men as they navigate the emotional terrain between memory and modernity. This is theater that reminds us who we are—and why we must continue to fight. Shows are at 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; and 2 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are $42 and can be purchased at thebent.org. —Charles Drabkin
The Desert Through Their Lenses
What do Serena Williams, Barack Obama, Jamie Foxx and Bernie Sanders have in common? They’ve all been captured through the lenses of Coachella Valley photojournalists—and their images are coming to the walls of the Impell Gallery, at 610 S. Belardo Road (in Lofts Art District behind the Sun Center shopping complex in Palm Springs). Desert Images, an exhibition opening from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 10, celebrates the impact of local photojournalism by showcasing iconic, candid images of the public figures who’ve passed through our desert oasis. Organized by the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation (CVJF), the show isn’t just about visual storytelling; it’s also a fundraiser. All photo sales are going toward launching a new visual journalism internship. If you can’t make the opening night and the Lofts Art District’s monthly art walk, stop by the following week, May 12-16, from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, cvjf.org. —Charles Drabkin
Toast Mom in Style
This Mother’s Day, trade the traditional brunch for a retro rendezvous at the iconic SHAG House in Palm Springs. Put on your favorite caftan from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, May 11, and celebrate. Bubbles and Bites is a chance to sip on sparkling mimosas, savor tasty bites from On the Mark, and soak in the vibrant ambiance and whimsical art at the iconic SHAG House, at 660 Compadre Road, in Palm Springs, for just $75. Whether you’re honoring a mother or a mother figure, or simply looking to enjoy a stylish Sunday, this event provides the perfect backdrop. Caftans are not required to attend. For more details and to reserve your place, click here. —Charles Drabkin
‘The World’s Best Indie P*rn Film Fest’ Returns to Palm Springs With All-New Selections
Join a movement that’s as entertaining as it is revolutionary! Yes, it’s an adult film fest, but these aren’t stereotypical adult films. These shorts (each less than 5 minutes) are steamy, sultry and sexy, of course. But they’re also hilariously funny, stunningly beautiful, completely unexpected and deeply humanizing. Why? Because they are created and submitted by real people, for real people.
A breathtaking romp in a hand-dug kaolin clay pit. An off-the-wall musical comedy starring a hungry sock. A slasher film sendup. A peek into real life work at an adult theater. You’ll see all that and so much more in Part One of the 2025 lineup—films that push boundaries, redefine the adult genre, and encourage conversation.
HUMP! isn’t “just” an adult film fest. It’s a powerful work of human connection that encourages audiences to embrace themselves, and each other, exactly as they are.
2025 HUMP! Part One is playing at the Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E. Baristo Road, on Saturday, May 17, with 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. screening times (18+ with valid ID). Get tickets here. (Sponsored content)
Vinyl Revelry
A Palm Springs haunt is again featuring some consistent entertainment! Every Wednesday, from 6 to 9 p.m., check out Desert Soul Club, hosted in the lobby of Hotel Zoso, at 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. The evening features vinyl-only DJ sets from Bob Deck and Lee Joseph, as the pair explore an endless collection of funk, soul and R&B jams from the 1960s. The duo showcases the mod sound and subculture, popular in the ’50s and ’60s. The event is free to attend, and is all-ages. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/DesertSoulClub. —Matt King
Mr. A-Z
The king of sunny day soft pop is heading to town. At 8 p.m., Friday, May 16, experience a performance by Jason Mraz at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage. You may remember Mraz from the lovely-acoustic 2008 hit “I’m Yours,” but in the years since, he has grown in the pop sphere, ditching solo singer/songwriter performances and exploring funky, alternative and psychedelic spheres. His latest album, Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, is a nonstop groove worth checking out. Tickets start at $96.22. For tickets and more info, visit aguacalientecasinos.com. —Matt King
A Night of Hope
Behind an unassuming door in Rimrock Plaza, journeys begin—day after day, meeting after meeting. Sunny Dunes Clubhouse may not make headlines, but for Palm Springs’ LGBTQ+ recovery community, it is a lifesaver. On Sunday, May 18, the clubhouse is holding its Third Annual Spring Gala, themed “CommUNITY in Recovery.” Held at the Palm Springs Convention Center, at 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, the evening celebrates connection, second chances and the power of showing up. Expect a joyful night of mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course dinner, a silent auction, and live entertainment from comedian Jason Stuart and the Ladies of Lipgloss. Tickets start at $150 to support the mission. Learn more at sunnydunes.org/gala. —Charles Drabkin
Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@cvindependent.com for consideration. Email ads@cvindependent.com for advertising info!