Fourth of July weekend has come and gone, and the desert is starting to feel a lot more quiet.
This is the time of year that our local small business owners look to their neighbors for support, so in addition to this roundup being a “things to do” guide, it doubles as a guide for arts and entertainment venues that you can patron if you’re looking to help out your neighbors this slow season.
But I’ll get off my soapbox. Here’s a look at the top 10 events we recommend checking out in the Coachella Valley and high desert the week of Monday, July 13.
Special Screening and Q&A of ‘Honeyjoon’ at Festival Theaters
Head to Festival Theaters throughout July for special screenings of new films with their filmmakers present. This week, the special screening is of the 2025 comedy-drama “Honeyjoon,” and it will feature a Q&A with director Lilian T. Mehrel. The theater describes the film’s plot as follows: “In this layered dark comedy, June and her Persian-British mom Lela travel to the romantic Azores islands for a grief anniversary, with contrasting ways of coping. A hot philosophical surfer takes them on a tour as we surf the waves of life, loss, flirting… an unforgettable ride.”
When: 7 p.m. Monday, July 13
Where: Festival Theaters, 789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
Cost: $16.50
More info: festivaltheaters.com
Palm Springs Power baseball games
Baseball season comes to a close this week in Palm Springs, so consider taking the family to a ballgame before it’s too late. The Palm Springs Power’s games take place Tuesdays, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays every week, with their final home game of this season scheduled for Friday, July 17. Promo days are also available — $3 Draft Tuesday, $6 margaritas on Wednesday, etc. — so come thirsty and hungry.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, Wednesday, July 15 and Friday, July 17
Where: Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $10 regular admission, $8 seniors, $5 youth, $16 Power ticket admission (includes a hot dog, chips and soda)
More info: palmspringspowerbaseball.com
CV Rep Summer Series presents Glenn Rosenblum
This Tuesday’s CVRep Summer Cabaret Series performer is quite the familiar face. Beloved CV Rep veteran Glenn Rosenblum returns this week for another memorable “Broadway Showstoppers” show, this time dubbed “A Valentine to Broadway’s Love Songs with special guest Alix Korey.” As the theater says, “Glenn Rosenblum is a dynamic lecturer, stage and television actor known as a bona fide ‘theatre-phile.’ A UCLA theatre graduate, he also attended USC and Hofstra. Glenn earned acclaim for his one-man cabaret show, ‘Glenn Rosenblum is The Musical Man,’ and following a hit Los Angeles premiere at Rockwell Table and Stage, he brought the production to Crystal Cruises and the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre.” Note: If you can’t catch Tuesday’s show, there’s another CV Rep cabaret performance this week, and it will be headlined by musical theater artist Sarah Uriarte Berry at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 16.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 (as well as 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28)
Where: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: $65
More info: cvrep.org
Adult Game Night at La Quinta Public Library
Head to the La Quinta Library for a special adults-only game night on Wednesday. This fun kid-free event gives people the chance to network and socialize while playing various Switch games, board games or card games of their choosing.
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15
Where: La Quinta Library, 78-275 Calle Tampico, La Quinta
Cost: Free admission
More info: playinlaquinta.com/event/game-night-for-adults/
Musical Theatre University presents ‘Footloose’ at The Plaza Theatre
David Green’s Musical Theatre University, The Plaza Theatre and The Palm Springs Unified School District have teamed up to present ‘Broadway At The Plaza – A Regional Summer Stock production of Footloose’ featuring talented young people from throughout the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire. This fully staged productions of one of Broadway’s biggest musicals will follow the same story as the iconic feature film: “Ren McCormack is a city teen who moves to a small town where dancing is banned by a strict preacher, leading him to challenge the rules, find romance, and help the community heal,” as the theater describes it.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16 and 7 p.m. Friday, July 17
Where: The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: From $36.50
More info: palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events/detail/footloose
Summer exhibits at Hi-Desert Artists Art Center
Seeking an artsy getaway to the high desert? Head up the hill to Yucca Valley and spend a day exploring the Hi-Desert Artists gallery, which just recently celebrated its second anniversary. The following exhibits are on display in July: “Bloom Where You’re Planted,” an exhibit of art by active duty military, veterans and spouses and children of military members, is on display through July 13; the gallery’s 2nd Anniversary Celebration exhibit is currently on display through July 13; and the following exhibits open with a special reception 5-7 p.m. July 18: “Desert Flora & Fauna,” an IIDA members’ show focused on artists’ depictions of their natural surroundings (on display through Sept. 15); “Like a Dog: A Look at Selective Compassion,” an exhibit curated by Janice Taitel (which includes special events every Thursday through Aug. 6); and “Handwork: Nicki Marx Crafting the Counterculture” (on display through Aug. 16).
When: Throughout July, but two exhibits open with a reception this week: 5-7 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Where: Hi-Desert Artists Art Center, 55-635 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley
Cost: Free admission, with art available for purchase
More info: hi-desertartists.com/exhibitions
Dive-In Movies screening of ‘Surf’s Up’ at Palm Springs Swim Center
If you loved the July 3 Dive-In Movie screening, there’s one more chance to do it all over again July 18. The public is invited to the Palm Springs Swim Center for a special Dive-In Movie night where you can float in the pool, relax with family and friends, and enjoy a movie under the stars. This week’s film is the 2007 animated family comedy “Surf’s Up.”
When: Open swim begins at 7 p.m., movie begins at dusk on Saturday, July 18
Where: Palm Springs Swim Center, 405 S. Pavilion Way, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission
More info: instagram.com
Ezequiel Peña live at Spotlight 29 Casino
Mexican singer and songwriter Ezequiel Peña is a celebrated voice in regional Mexican music, known for his powerful vocals, charismatic stage presence and deep connection to traditional banda and norteño styles. Often referred to as “El Charro de la Banda,” Peña has built a career defined by authenticity, passion and musical versatility, showcasing romantic ballads, heartfelt rancheras and high-energy banda anthems. You can see him live this week at Spotlight 29 Casino.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Where: Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella
Cost: From $43.85
More info: spotlight29.com/entertainment/
Musical Matinees at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
The Palm Springs Cultural Center has reopened after a fire above its kitchen caused it to be temporarily closed for repairs, so that means the center’s Musical Matinees film series is back in full force. This weekend, you can support the nonprofit by attending a screening of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” which, as the theater describes it, is a “delightful musical spoof of the roaring ’20s (following) feisty young flapper Millie (Julie Andrews), who plans to find a job and marry a wealthy employer. Though fond of penniless paper-clip salesman Jimmy (James Fox), she’s determined to marry well-heeled company man Trevor Graydon (John Gavin), who loves Millie’s roommate Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore).”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 19
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $13.64
More info: psculturalcenter.org
Plaza Theatre Summer Broadway Series presents ‘Titanic The Musical’
The month of July at the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre is filled with plenty of unique movie screenings, and this week, you can watch “Titanic the Musical,” which was captured live on stage for cinema screenings. The theater describes the show as follows: “Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, ‘Titanic the Musical’ is ‘breathtaking’ (the Guardian) and ‘magnificent’ (the Telegraph), a stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own.”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 19
Where: The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $20
More info: palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events
To submit an event for The Desert Sun’s consideration in future 10 things to do stories, send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time, date, location and price of admission for your event, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required, but are highly encouraged as part of the submission.
Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time, and to make sure your event jumps out in our inbox, put “10 things to do submission” in the email subject line.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: ‘Footloose,’ art shows, movie screenings, more to do in Palm Springs
Reporting by Niki Kottmann and Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Niki Kottmann and Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
