Songs in the Key of Yikes
Some ’90s indie punks are heading to the desert to get loud—and celebrate both new and old music. At 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, check out alternative rockers Superchunk as they serve up powerful pop jams at the iconic Pappy and Harriet’s, at 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. The band’s evolving sound and indie charm have kept Superchunk in the ears and hearts of music fans for decades, meaning their special set at Pappy’s is sure to be one filled with heavy sing-alongs and fun energy! Don’t miss your chance to see these greats up close and personal. Tickets are $42.74. For tickets and more information, visit pappyandharriets.com. —Matt King
Tasty Fest
A Coachella Valley food festival returns! From 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12, YUM Food Fest returns to The Shops at Palm Desert, at 72840 Highway 111. More than two dozen food, drink and sweets vendors will be on site, selling tasty meals for you to enjoy! There will also be a full-bar, non-food vendors, carnival games and live music from local bands. Bring the family, an empty stomach, an open mind and a fun attitude! Tickets are $5 (online, plus fees) and $8 at the door. Children 12 and under, first responders, veterans and seniors get in free. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. —Matt King
Kindness Takes the Field
From 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, Boo2Bullying will transform Palm Springs Stadium, at 1901 E. Baristo Road, in Palm Springs, into a festival of resilience, play and pride with its third annual Kick Bullying to the Curb event, timed to coincide with National Coming Out Day. Steve Knill, who impressed on The Voice, kicks things off with the National Anthem, followed by music from DJ Aaron Aldosirio. From 4 to 5:30 p.m., festivalgoers can meet cool critters at the Mobile Zoo of Southern California, enjoy free hot dogs and nachos, and connect with wellness booths and community partners. Then, at 6 p.m., enjoy a kickball showdown between Team Palm Springs and Team Coachella. The event is free and open to everyone (with the exception of people committed to bullying, I suppose). Click here for more information.—Charles Drabkin
Sidewalk Music
If you’ve ever been stopped in your tracks by a subway saxophone or a street-corner troubadour, you already know the world about which Cary Baker writes about in his book Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music. At 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, Baker will bring some of the book’s stories to life, in conversation with journalist Steve Hochman, at Desert General, at 6427 Mesquite Ave., in Twentynine Palms. With interviews and stories featuring Lucinda Williams, Billy Bragg, Violent Femmes, Madeleine Peyroux and others, the book honors the artists who’ve turned public spaces into living stages. To keep things true to the spirit of the book, the evening also features busking by Pat Kearns. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the event is free; reserve your seat via Eventbrite. —Charles Drabkin
Vote Now!
Halloween Homage
Celebrate Halloween early with creative bands and covers. At 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, get spooky with Mismiths, a punk band that pays homage to both Misfits and The Smiths in their haunting tunes, at the Coachella Valley Collective, at 1030 Sixth St, Unit 8, in Coachella. Opening up the show will be Dally, doing a tribute set to hardcore icons Title Fight; Sage Jackson, doing a set of Elliott Smith songs; and Isolate, from the Inland Empire. There will be a costume contest, with the winner getting two tickets to any future Hot Stuff Booking show! Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/hotstuffbooking. —Matt King
Water-Wise and Wildlife-Friendly
Join Friends of the Desert Mountains and the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory, at 71100 Highway 111, at 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, for a free public lecture celebrating Native Planting in the Coachella Valley. Native plants do more than beautify your yard; they increase biodiversity, save water and can even lower your utility bills. Whether you dream of a garden framed by Palo Verde trees, shaded by honey mesquite or filled with pollinator-friendly blooms like chuparosa and desert lavender, this talk will give you the tools to get started. Attendees will be given the Native Planting Guide Book while learning practical steps for creating resilient desert gardens. Space is limited. Learn more at desertmountains.org/event/lecture-native-planting-in-the-coachella-library. —Charles Drabkin
Licks by a Living Legend
An iconic rock guitarist, who is still shredding at 81 years old, is coming to Indio! At 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, guitar-guy Boz Scaggs, famous for his solo work and his stint in the Steve Miller Band, heads to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, at 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, in Indio. His ’70s bluesy-guitar hits like “Lowdown” and “Lido Shuffle” left a mark on the music biz, after he contributed to a number of other hits like “Abracadabra” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” Scaggs is still celebrating his solo career, while also throwing in a few covers and blues standards. See him while ya can! Tickets start at $82.50. For more info, visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com. —Matt King
59 Years of Hometown Happiness
Every October, the town of Borrego Springs transforms into a swirl of music, art, parades and small-town joy for the Borrego Days Desert Festival, this year on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19. What began as a humble community gathering in the 1960s evolved into one of Southern California’s most charming fall traditions. Saturday morning kicks off with the National Anthem, a vintage aircraft fly-over and a parade down Palm Canyon Drive. At Christmas Circle Community Park, visitors can enjoy live music, local art, food vendors, a car show, a kids’ zone and a beer garden. Festival organizers encourage visitors to linger after the weekend festivities and explore Borrego Springs, a designated Dark Sky Community and the gateway to the 650,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. For more details, visit borregodays.com. —Charles Drabkin
Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@cvindependent.com for consideration. Email ads@cvindependent.com for advertising info!