Casino Chills
Enjoy a scary sideshow-style Halloween celebration! On Thursday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Oct. 31, check out CarnEvil, a spooky carnival hosted at Morongo Casino Resort Spa, at 49500 Seminole Drive, in Cabazon. Demented carnies will take over the casino and resort, and you’ll have to make your way past scary clowns and undead contortionists to experience the giveaways, free slot play at carnival booths, and Halloween-themed food and snacks! Come for the frights, and stay for the freebies (most of which require a purchase). For more information, visit www.morongocasinoresort.com/carnevil-celebration. —Matt King
Dance, Dress Up, Be a Leather Diva
Celebrate Halloween Palm Springs style! At 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, Halloween Palm Springs will be hosted at the Arenas District in downtown Palm Springs. A hard-hitting lineup of DJs and artists are set to perform, including as DEV, Meaty Beats by Juan, DJ ModGirl and DJ Jeffree on Friday, and the “Queen of Electro” DJ Luciana and DJ Hector Fonseca (pictured) on Saturday. Don’t miss the costume contest on Halloween night, with more than $2,000 in prizes up for grabs, and stick around for the “Leather, Fetish and Fantasy” theme on Saturday. Both events are free to attend, but a suggested donation of $10 goes to support DAP Health, the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, Greater Palm Springs Pride and the LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert. VIP tickets are available for $85 each night. For more information, visit www.halloweenpalmsprings.com —Matt King
A Tradition of Smoked Meats
Few events say “Palm Springs community” quite like the Los Compadres Stables’ Annual Deep Pit BBQ. Now in its 74th year, this local tradition returns from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1. Los Compadres Stables, at 1849 S. El Cielo Road, is one of Palm Springs’ oldest institutions, and its annual barbecue is the club’s biggest and most delicious fundraiser. At the heart of it all is the legendary deep pit beef: seasoned chuck roast with vegetables, wrapped in burlap sacks and cooked slowly underground for 18 hours until fork-tender. Dinner is served with all the fixings, including chili, coleslaw, garlic bread, barbecue sauce and cookies. Guests can enjoy live country music and dancing, plus two full bars (inside and out) serving beer, wine and cocktails. A portion of the proceeds go to the Los Compadres Scholarship Fund, supporting local students. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults, and $15 for kids under the age of 12. Learn more at the Facebook event page. —Charles Drabkin
From Palm Springs to Paris
Palm Springs food lovers should block out 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3, on their calendars. That’s when chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken will host A Toast to Jacques Pépin at Alice B., at 1122 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs. Part of a nationwide tribute to the beloved French culinary icon as his 90th birthday approaches, the evening features a multi-course dinner inspired by Pépin’s techniques. Feniger and Milliken are calling this “a love letter to a mentor who taught us that great cooking starts with heart, humility, and a touch of butter.” Proceeds benefit the Jacques Pépin Foundation, which funds culinary training programs for people facing employment barriers and provides free cooking education resources nationwide. Tickets are $150 per guest, with an optional $50 wine pairing. Learn more at www.aliceb.com. —Charles Drabkin
Our Home on Display
A new art show celebrates the Coachella Valley. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Made in Coachella debuts at the Marks Art Center, located at the College of the Desert Palm Desert campus, at 43500 Monterey Ave. The exhibit, featuring more than 30 local artists, showcases works that encompass the experience of life in the desert. Become more familiar with the community and the beauty of the Coachella Valley through expansive and creative works of art spanning multiple media! The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. The gallery is free to visit—and mark your calendars for a reception from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/marksartcenter. —Matt King
A Classic Reimagined
The CVRep Conservatory invites audiences to rediscover Pinocchio—not the Disney version, but a reimagined, high-energy adaptation, in which the actors transform simple props, ladders, paintbrushes and grocery carts into a world of adventure. Kids help bring the story to life from their seats, while grown-ups will find meaning in themes of courage, self-worth and love, with a cast that includes Chuck Yates (pictured) as Geppetto and other local and emerging performers, Performances are at 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, from Thursday, Nov. 6, through Saturday, Nov. 15, at the CVRep Playhouse, at 68510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Cathedral City. Tickets are offered on a “pay what you want” basis. Get your tickets and find out more at cvrep.org.
Pride Time
It’s almost November, so that means it’s almost time for Greater Palm Springs Pride! From Thursday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 9, the Coachella Valley will be filled with events celebrating LGBTQ+ acceptance, pride and fun. Our local extended-weekend pride celebration is one of the biggest pride events in the state, with attendance numbers in the six-figure range! A number of great musical performers will take the stage for the LGBTQ+ Artist Showcase (such as Planet Booty, pictured). Drag, comedy, theater, cabaret, a parade, the free festival in downtown Palm Springs and more will all take place during the fabulous four-day celebration. For more information on event details and a full calendar, visit www.pspride.org. —Matt King
Exploring Tomorrow’s Desert
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Joshua Treenial returns to the high desert Saturday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 16. Artists and audiences are invited to reimagine how desert life can thrive amid rapid environmental and social change. Fourteen artists with deep ties to the Mojave Desert will transform the Joshua Tree landscape with installations inspired by adaptation, ecology and transformation. Beyond installations, nine partner venues will host performances, readings, workshops, and musical events that expand the Desert Futures theme. For a complete list of events and installations, and more information, visit boxoprojects.com/joshuatreenial. —Charles Drabkin
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This was edited on Nov. 5 to correct an error.
