Love Galore
Revisit a pop superstar’s debut album at the desert’s best music-listening lounge! At 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, the Coachella Valley’s hub for vinyl and wine, Rosemary HiFi, at 45120 Oasis St., in Indio, will host a listening party for alternative R&B queen SZA’s beautiful 2017 debut record, Ctrl. The 14 tracks invite listeners on an atmospheric journey of rap, pop, R&B and more as SZA’s powerful voice and flows navigate an emotionally complex journey of self-discovery, life in one’s 20s and—as the title suggests—the feeling (or lack thereof) of control. The listening party is timely, as SZA was just announced as one of the headliners at Coachella in 2027. The event is free, but you must be 21+. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/rosemary.hifi. —Matt King
An Awesome Night of Blues
Beaucoup blues are heading to downtown Indio! At 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, catch Brad Parker and his Big Band perform an electric set of blues rock at the Dune Room, at 82707 Miles Ave., in Indio. Parker, a renowned singer/songwriter with writing credits ranging from Cher to Hurricane, has made a name for himself in the desert through Desert Beat, a monthly showcase of local songwriters who share their songs, in the round, once a month at the Dune Room. He’ll make a rare full-band appearance this Friday, sharing songs from his multi-decade career in the music industry, as well as covers of the songs that continue to inspire him. Deb Greco, Denny Weston, Jon Ossman, Tony Patler and Matthew Bennet will join Parker’s band for the evening. Bad Jim and The Bonethumpers are set to open. Tickets are $14.87 online, or $15 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit duneroomindio.com. —Matt King
The Sun Does the Printing
You can “take” a photograph with a sprig from the desert, a sheet of treated paper, and a little sunshine. At Sunprints (Cyanotypes) at Sunnylands, photographer Rose Cefalu will teach you how to use one of photography’s earliest printing processes, at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at Sunnylands Center and Gardens, at 37977 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage. Sunlight exposes the light-sensitive watercolor paper, and a water rinse reveals the deep blue print. I recall as a child in my hippie elementary school successfully making prints, so I know anyone can make beautiful art this way—and you’ll take home four to eight prints. The workshop is $88.35 per person, and includes everything you need to make collection of prints. Children as young as 8 can attend with an adult. Reservations are required. For details and registration, click here. —Charles Drabkin
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Dinner
I can think of few better ways to decide what’s for dinner than taking a lap around downtown Indio and seeing which barbecue stand smells best. The 11th annual Indio BBQ Festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at Center Stage, at 82881 Miles Ave. This year’s festival will have more barbecue vendors than any previous edition, so make sure to bring some friends who like to split orders. There’ll be live entertainment, a beer garden and a free kids’ zone with games and face-painting, so there’s plenty to do between trips to the food stands. Admission is free and open to all ages, with food sold separately. For more information, visit indio.org/our-city/indio-ca-bbq-festival. —Charles Drabkin
Sip, Taste, Repeat
I once heard a comedian say that being married is just asking your spouse what you want to eat every day forever. Well, that process is made easier when you can sample a bunch of different restaurants before committing. The Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival takes place this weekend at Downtown Park in Palm Springs, with its main tasting events running noon to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14 and 15. Get tastings from local restaurants while wineries pour tastings, and cooking demonstrations take place. One-day general admission is $155 and includes unlimited tastings and all demonstrations. The $225 VIP ticket adds an extra hour, with admission beginning at 11 a.m. The festival weekend begins with an opening reception on Nov. 13. For reception details, daily tickets and lists of participating chefs and wineries, visit palmspringsfoodandwine.org. —Charles Drabkin
The Sounds of Exotica
Exotic sounds are set to take over Palm Springs’ most unique club. At 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, Skip Heller’s Voodoo 5 will pay tribute to Peruvian vocalist and actress Yma Sumac at Spirit Animal, at 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Exotica is a music genre dominated by lounge and jazz vibes with plenty of non-Western instruments, nature sounds and more. Sumac is one of the most notable names in exotica, bringing a Peruvian flair to the snappy-genre—and Heller actually spent time touring with Sumac in the ’90s. With the Voodoo 5, Heller will bring Sumac’s music back to life. Tickets start at $31.72, and tickets include 2 drinks. For tickets and more information, visit www.eventspalmsprings.com. —Matt King
Girl Power
Share your love for women in music with a dedicated night of tunes at a local bar. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, head to the Girlie Pop Party taking place at Bart Lounge, at 67555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Unit 124, in Cathedral City. Girlie pop (or girly pop) is a label attached to music and other activities that have hyperfeminine aesthetics. Bart Lounge will be bumping hits from all the pop divas you know and love, like Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Beyonce, Sabrina Carpenter (pictured), Ariana Grande, Ice Spice and many others! Dress up and get ready for a fun night of girly good times! The event is free, but you must be 21+. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/bartlounge. —Matt King
Mountains Need Friends
The mountains do a lot of work around here. What would Palm Springs Instagram be without them? They give us places to hike and escape the heat in the dead of summer—and protecting this desert landscape takes work. Friends of the Desert Mountains invites supporters to help with that effort at Friends and Champions, beginning at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18, at SilverRock Park, at 51900 SilverRock Way, in La Quinta. The fundraiser supports the organization that acquires land to conserve, provides educational outreach, and preserves the desert’s natural and cultural heritage. If your appreciation for the desert usually takes the form of a morning walk or a sunset photograph, here’s another way to show your appreciation. For tickets, which start at $200, as well as sponsorship options and other information, visit desertmountains.org/friends-and-champions. —Charles Drabkin
Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@cvindependent.com for consideration. Email ads@cvindependent.com for advertising info!
