Pride in Motion
Have ever “put your hands in the air like you just don’t care?” Well, how about doing that while holding colorful fabric? Flagging in the Desert will help you do just that at Wellness Park, at 600 E. Tachevah Drive, in Palm Springs, at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 7. Flagging involves spinning weighted fabric flags to music, creating flowing patterns of color. Made famous in gay clubs of the late 1970s and early ’80s, flaggers helped keep the dance floor moving. I am not a dancer, but I have been known to spin flags from time to time; it is fun, beautiful and a surprising workout. A free beginners’ class from Desert Flaggers starts at 10 a.m.,; loaner flags are available to borrow. DJs will spin from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring a picnic; try a few moves; or simply watch the flaggers create beauty out of thin air. Admission is free, with donations benefiting the Transgender Health and Wellness Center. Find details at flagginginthedesert.com. —Charles Drabkin
What’s Up, Fool?
Laugh the night away with a comedy legend! At 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, Felipe Esparza has plenty of jokes for the crowd at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, at 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, in Indio. After winning the comedy-competition series Last Comic Standing in 2010, Esparza has gone on to become one of the most successful names in comedy, with a number of specials, sold-out shows and acting appearances! Esparza is able to find humor in anything, joking his way through stories about his culture, a rough upbringing in Los Angeles, and his struggles with substances. It’s relatable and hilarious, and provides some unique insight into the ongoing struggles that Mexican Americans face. Tickets start at $52.50. For tickets and more information, visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com. —Matt King
Awesome Acoustic
An enchanting musical duo are coming to the high desert’s premiere live-music venue. At 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11, Grammy Award-winning Mexican-guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela bring their sweet sounds to Pappy and Harriet’s, at 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. Through instrumental tunes on acoustic guitars, the prolific pair have crafted magnificent soundscapes, using classical Mexican sounds to create genre-blending cinematic works of art. In the live setting, you can bear witness to how magically the two performers are able to craft sonically full gems. Tickets start at $61.68. For tickets and more information, visit pappyandharriets.com. —Matt King
Room for Improvement
If your home-improvement list is anything like mine, the Coachella Valley Home Show might help you figure out where to start. Returning Nov. 13-15 to the Riverside County Fairgrounds, at 46350 Arabia St., in Indio, the show brings together remodeling, landscaping and outdoor-living businesses. A “Tiny Home and ADU Showcase” will allow you talk with builders about adding living space, while the UC Master Gardeners of Riverside County will offer seminars on water-wise landscapes, desert-friendly plants and other gardening topics. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Parking is free; visit coachellahomeshows.com for a free admission coupon and more information. —Charles Drabkin
Spooky Sounds on Friday the 13th
Halloween may be over, but a Friday the 13th in November is providing more spooky opportunities. At 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, experience Goth, Darkwave, Art and More at Coachella Valley Brewing Company, at 30640 Gunther St., in Thousand Palms. Local acts Funeral Girl (desert darkwave) and Nervous Grave (techno goth, pictured) are set to perform dark, deranged and devilish dance-filled sets. Check out some creepy clay art from Terran It Ups Art, as well as live poetry, a DJ set and more! It’s the perfect excuse to keep the frightful fun going into November. Tickets start at $7.18, and include one CVB beverage. The event is 21+. For tickets and more information, visit the Eventbrite link. —Matt King
Lettuce Entertain You
If you have trouble getting your loved ones to eat their vegetables, consider adding a DJ to the mix. Desert Eating for Life does just that, plus adds a dance floor to get you moving, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, at 68526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero. Plant-based food vendors, wellness resources, games and local businesses come together with music and dancing throughout the day. Whether you want to add more vegetables to your diet or are looking to become a hardcore vegan, this festival will teach you something. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for breaks between browsing and moving. Admission and parking are free; reserve a ticket and find more information at deserteatingforlife.com. —Charles Drabkin
‘Our Lives, Our Words, Our Stories’
Everyone knows about Palm Springs Pride—but the weekend after, LGBTQ+ literature takes center stage. Pride on the Page includes LGBTQ+ author conversations, book signings, an outdoor festival tent and an anniversary party, with the fun starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 14. My personal pick: Comedian, actor and drag king Murray Hill (pictured), whom you may know from the HBO series Somebody Somewhere, will discuss his book Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man, closing the daytime program at 4 p.m. The fifth-annual book festival takes place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E. Baristo Road. Also not to be missed: Country singer Ty Herndon discusses his memoir at 6:30 p.m.; the discussion is followed by a closing party. Admission is free, with separate daytime and evening registrations required. Find the schedule and register at prideonthepage.org. —Charles Drabkin
Cliché Alert: Fun for the Whole Family!
A fun family tradition returns! At 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, bring the whole crew and enjoy the Fall Family Festival at SilverRock Park, at 51900 Silverrock Way, in La Quinta. For the past two decades, About Families, Inc.—a nonprofit organization helping parents and caregivers through pregnancy, postpartum and early childhood—has hosted this festival, where families can have fun while learning more about the nonprofit. The festival will host more than 70 food and activity vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, live music, a hot air balloon ride, and plenty of activities for children. The event is free, but some of the children’s activities require a $25 wristband. All proceeds directly support About Families programs. For more information, visit aboutfamiliesinc.com/fall-family-festival. —Matt King
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