Spacey Twang!
The high desert will host some psychedelic and experimental Western music. At 9 p.m., Thursday, May 9, Silver Triplets of the Rio Hondo are set to perform at Giant Rock Meeting Room, 1141 Old Woman Springs Road, in Yucca Valley. The band’s sound mixes spacey sounds with jangle pop—while navigating through moments of Americana twang, as well as reverb-soaked country tales. This eclectic mix is perfect for the local mix of weird and Western! The event is free. For more information, visit giantrockmeetingroom.com. —Matt King
Dinner and a Show
You are missing out if you have never been to one of PS Underground’s mixtures of performance and food. At 7 p.m., Friday, May 10, join them at 1700 S. Camino Real, in Palm Springs, for Stage to Screen. Broadway veterans Patricia Welch (The King and I revival with Yul Brynner in 1985) and Terri Olsen (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat) are teaming up for an evening of songs from Broadway and the big screen. The secret menu will feature dishes inspired by iconic music and movies; after all, as Auntie Mame once said, “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.” Get your tickets for $175.48 via Eventbrite. —Charles Drabkin
Moms, Music and a Great Cause
Celebrate moms with a charity event featuring a super talented lineup of local music—including some musicians who are moms themselves! At 2 p.m., Sunday, May 12, Coachella Valley Brewing Co., 30640 Gunther St., in Thousand Palms, will host Here’s to Mom. The event will feature live music from Emmelle Duo, Jetta & Chaz, Yovés, The After Lashes, Kelsey Manning and Lazuli Bones. A special silent auction and raffle, featuring prizes from local music and food businesses, will help raise funds for Shelter From the Storm, a domestic violence shelter based here in the Coachella Valley. The event is free to attend. For more information, visit the Facebook event link. —Matt King
Important Documentary With a Twist
Welcome to Chechnya is a documentary about the anti-gay purges in Chechnya of the late 2010s. Director David France, however, made this film differently: He used artificial-intelligence technology to replace the faces of its LGBTQ+ subjects with actual faces of people from outside of Chechnya who lent their likenesses to the film. This use of “deep fake” technology to protect vulnerable people makes this an important film to experience. The film will be screened at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 15. Admission is free, but capacity is limited, to RSVP at iristix.org. —Charles Drabkin
Alt-Pop Performance
Local pop singer-songwriter Gregory Douglass will perform at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road. According to Douglass, his alternative/pop melds Rufus Wainwright’s musicality and Adele’s soulfulness. Joining Gregory will be guest cellist Monique Citro. You may Douglas’ song “Alibis” from Netflix series The Rain. Tickets are $22.09, available at Eventbrite. —Charles Drabkin
A Fantastic Fest
A local beloved music festival has returned! From Thursday, May 16, through Sunday, May 19, the spring edition of the Joshua Tree Music Festival will take place at the Joshua Tree Lake Campground, 2780 Sunfair Road, in Joshua Tree. Music, yoga, workshops, art and more will explode across four days of artistic expression filled with free-minded spirits. The unique setting and events hosted at this festival are not to be missed! Come and experience what readers of USA Today voted as the Best Music Festival. Tickets are $315 for a four-day pass; $65 for Thursday entry; $100 for Friday or Saturday entry; and $85 for Sunday entry. For tickets and more info, visit joshuatreemusicfestival.com.(11 Days a Week header image credit: Fernando Phillipi.) —Matt King
Environmental Concerns as Art
The Salt of the Earth art exhibition at the College of the Desert addresses urgent public health and environmental concerns from the Salton Sea. A year-long initiative called Text & Textiles encouraged participants to express their experiences through fiber and writing. The exhibit features symbolic lungs, created by seniors from Mecca, Thermal, and North Shore, spotlighting their communities’ health issues. The 11 participating artists have composed what curator Adriana Lopez-Ospina calls “a love letter to my home.” An opening reception will take place on at 4 p.m., Friday, May 17, at the Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts, 43500 Monterey Ave., in Palm Desert; the show open to the public from May 14-23. Learn more at creativeinlandsocal.com/event/salt-of-the-earth. —Charles Drabkin
Gen X Powers, Activate!
The Psychedelic Furs—or The Furs as fans call them—is an iconic British post-punk band with hints of new wave and punk sensibilities. They will turn The Show at the Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, into 1980s “Heaven” at 8 p.m., Friday, May 17. Catchy, danceable music and many synths will remind you how to “Love My Way.” Tickets range from $25 to $100, available at aguacalientecasinos.com/agua-event/the-psychedelic-furs. —Charles Drabkin
BMX Celebration
A local bicycle shop is celebrating 20 years of serving the community. Since May 2004, Kings Rideshop, 68895 Perez Road, in Cathedral City, has been putting people on bikes and spreading the love of BMX throughout the desert. At 5 p.m., Saturday, May 18, the shop will host a special 20th anniversary party with bands and giveaways. Local hardcore heroes Kill Floor, San Diego slammers Bent Blue, CV cultural punkers Bronca, and San Fernando Valley sorcerers Fatal Wounds are all set to perform, while the shop will be hosting giveaways and celebrating a BMX legacy in the valley. The event is free, and is presented by Hot Stuff Booking. For more information, visit instagram.com/hotstuffbooking. —Matt King
Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@cvindependent.com for consideration. Email ads@cvindependent.com for advertising info!