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Animal Samaritans’ Men of the Desert Fashion Show
The 15th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show returns to the Palm Springs Air Museum, at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8. Enjoy dudes, dogs and designer fashions at one of the desert’s most popular charity events. All proceeds benefit Animal Samaritans’ Animal Rescue Program, which has saved more than 16,000 adoptable, at-risk dogs and cats. Join the fun at Men of the Desert and help save the lives of deserving animals in need. Tickets available here. For more details, email events@animalsamaritans.org, or call 760-332-5027. (Sponsored Content)
Art at The River
This Thanksgiving weekend, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 1, head to The River, 71800 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage, for the Desert Art Festival. Local and regional artists will display their work in various mediums, including mixed media, clay, glass, paintings, photography and more! This is the perfect opportunity to find that special something on your list, or just walk around and see the items by talented artists. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit the Facebook page. —Charles Drabkin
Laughs at a Brewery
A local brewery intends to keep you laughing all day! At Coachella Valley Brewing Co., 30640 Gunther St., in Thousand Palms, Friday, Nov. 29 is Laughsgiving. A series of hilarious events will take place, beginning at 2 p.m. with a free showcase of local comics (Laughsgiving Comedy Showcase), followed by a set of heavy-hitting desert hilarity at 3:30 p.m. (Gobbles and Giggles); a 10-comedian battle for audience favor at 5 p.m. (Super Skillet Comedy); a set of regulars from Palm Springs’ The Rock Gallery at 6:30 p.m.; and a closing set of out-of-town talent at 8 p.m. (Comedy Degens). Tickets for each show range from free to $12.51. For tickets and more information, visit the Eventbrite page. —Matt King
For Fans of Holiday Tunes
Kickstart your holiday-music binge with a fantastic local choir. At 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, check out Fa La La … Fabulous!, a holiday concert from the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, hosted at the Center for Spiritual Living Palm Springs, 2100 E. Racquet Club Road. The 30-plus-member ensemble will serenade the audience with an evening of holiday hits and more! Tickets are $40, and admission includes champagne, cider, decadent chocolates and, of course, music. For tickets and more info, click here. If you can’t make this show, the chorus will also perform Dec. 19-22 at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theater; learn more here. —Matt King
Wild Coachella Valley
Climate change is real, and the summers in the Coachella Valley are getting hotter. While many of us deal with this by turning up the AC or vacationing in cooler climes, native species don’t have that luxury. Our valley is home to more species of lizards than any similar region in North America. Join Cameron Barrows, the research ecologist for the Center for Conservation Biology’s Desert Studies Initiative, as he explores whether our lizards can survive, as they have for thousands of years. Wild Coachella: Moving on Up? is a free all-ages conversation being held at the UCR Palm Desert Center Auditorium, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5. Learn more and register here. —Charles Drabkin
Tamale Time
Over 30 years of existence, the Indio International Tamale Festival, at Miles Avenue Park, 82540 Miles Ave., has become recognized as the largest tamale festival in the world. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, vendors will compete for the coveted title of Best Tamale in three categories: traditional, vegetarian and sweet. In addition to delicious food, visitors will enjoy live entertainment (including luchador wrestling), cultural exhibits and other activities for all ages. Free parking and a shuttle are available from the Riverside County Fairgrounds. Entrance to the festival is free, but tamales must be purchased directly from the vendors. Learn more at www.indiotamalefestival.com.—Charles Drabkin
Local Funny Gal
Comedian Shann Carr has performed all over the world and has been a staple of the Palm Springs comedy scene for years. Her solo show Mom’s Dead was cathartic and painfully funny for all of us dealing with aging parents. Her new community-based show, Bitch Please, will premiere at Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. As her audience ages, she has adjusted her start time from late night to the mid-afternoon. General admission tickets are $40, available here. —Charles Drabkin
Hardcore for Charity
Spend all day with a frenzy of hardcore bands, for a good cause. At 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7, Hot Stuff Booking presents Riffs and Gifts, a holiday toy drive with live music from 12 heavy bands, at the Coachella Container Park, 85980 Grapefruit Blvd. Spread some holiday cheer in the mosh pit, and conserve your energy, as the riffage will continue well into the evening. Tickets are $17.85 on Eventbrite, or $20 at the door, and you must bring a new, unwrapped toy for admission. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/hotstuffbooking. —Matt King
Bright Lights, Big Stars—and Santa!
Palm Springs is hosting its annual star-studded holiday celebration. At 5:45 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, don’t miss the Festival of Lights Parade, happening on Palm Canyon Drive in Downtown Palm Springs. Enjoy the community and yuletide cheer as local marching bands, dance teams, huge floats and big stars stroll down the street. This year, music icon Nancy Sinatra, Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum, Palm Springs Fire Department’s Peer Support K9 “Ranger” and many others will be part of the special parade. The event is free to attend. For more information, visit psfestivaloflights.com. —Matt King
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