From LGBTQ Pride celebrations to a special film screening honoring the late, great Catherine O’Hara, there’s no shortage of things to do in the desert this week.
Here are The Desert Sun’s picks for the top events to attend the week of Monday, March 2 in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.
If you’d like to submit an upcoming event of your own for a future 10 things to do roundup, see the bottom of this article for directions.
LAST CHANCE: Revolution Stage Company presents ‘Pippin’
You have one last chance to see Revolution Stage Company’s latest show this week. “Pippin,” as the theater’s website describes it, “unfolds as a mesmerizing meta-theatrical experience, brought to life by a traveling troupe of performers under the seductive guidance of the mysterious Leading Player. This charismatic ringmaster serves as both narrator and manipulator, orchestrating the coming-of-age story of Prince Pippin, the idealistic heir to King Charlemagne’s Frankish throne.”
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1 and 7 p.m. Monday, March 2
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $33-$49
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com
‘Music of the Knights’ at Plaza Theatre Palm Springs
Theater kids (of all ages), this one’s for you. The Plaza Theatre will host a special show this week honoring Britain’s most legendary songwriters — Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John, and Sir Paul McCartney — with the help of the Palm Springs Pops and three Broadway vocalists including “Hamilton’s” Blaine Krauss. Expect to hear classics like “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina,” “Circle of Life,” “Crocodile Rock,””Your Song,” “Yesterday” and more.
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3
Where: The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: From $92.60
More info: palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events/
Backstreet Art District’s First Wednesday Art Walk
Palm Springs Backstreet Art District invites the public to come and enjoy an evening of fine art, live entertainment, food offerings and beverages while strolling through several unique galleries and art studios. Support the Coachella Valley art community while viewing the latest works by talented creatives. Come see why Backstreet Art District was voted a “Best of Coachella Valley, 2023”!
When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 4
Where: Backstreet Art District, Corner of South Cherokee Way and Matthew Drive (behind Estate Sale) in Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission
More info: backstreetartdistrict.com
Catherine O’Hara: Simply the Best Film Series presents ‘Best in Show’
Honor the memory of one of Hollywood’s greatest stars gone too soon at this new film series at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. It all kicks off on her birthday, March 4, with a screening of one of O’Hara’s most iconic comedic roles, “Best in Show.” As the event description says, “Christopher Guest’s wickedly funny mockumentary explores the fiercely competitive world of dog shows, following an ensemble of eccentric dog owners and their beloved pets on the road to the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show.”
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $13.64
More info: eventbrite.com
10th Annual Cathedral City LGBT+ Days
It’s too hot to celebrate LGBTQ pride during its regular month of June, but desert residents would never skip out on the fun. Cathedral City prides itself on being the earliest desert city to celebrate Pride each year, and 2026 will be no difference. Head to the city’s downtown area anytime between between March 6 and 8 and you’ll have a plethora of event options, from a drone show to a festival featuring Pulp Vixen, MaMa Silver, Shann Carr, the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, Iconic Drag and headliner David Archuleta.
When: Pro Equality Rally at 5 p.m. and Pride Drone Show at 8 p.m. Friday, March 6; Walk Bold at 9 a.m., Lunch with Patsi benefiting Cathedral City High School Performing Arts at 11 a.m., Pride Festival noon-9 p.m., Pool Party with DJ Bobby at noon, and After Party at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 7; Cathedral City LGBT+ Days Bed Race 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, March 8
Where: Various locations in downtown Cathedral City, check website below for specifics
Cost: Several free events as well as several ticketed events are included in the programming, so check website for full schedule with specifics
More info: cathedralcitylgbtdays.com
Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
Born in 2012 out of a passion to grow and support the Jewish Community Center of Palm Springs, The Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival has grown immensely in the past decade plus. The festival returns this year with an additional day of programming and 22 films that feature Jewish actors, were made by Jewish filmmakers, and/or center on Jewish storylines. It all kicks off Saturday, March 7, with a VIP screening of “The Everything Pot” that includes champagne and a Q&A with director Sherise Dorf and actors Lisa Edelstein and Erik Griffin.
When: Saturday, March 7-Thursday, March 12 (screening times vary per day, check website below for full schedule)
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $12 per screening, or $175 for a platinum pass to get into everything
More info: palmspringsjewishfilmfestival.org
16th Annual Day of the Young Child Event
The whole family will find something to enjoy at this Coachella event. Head to Veterans’ Park for a morning full of live entertainment, a trackless train, petting zoo, refreshing snacks and other fun activities made possible by the City of Coachella in partnership with Riverside County Office of Education, Inland Empire Health Plan, Lakeshore, College of the Desert and Coachella Valley Unified School District.
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: Veterans’ Park 1515, Sixth St., Coachella
Cost: Free admission
More info: facebook.com/yourcoachella
Coachella Valley History Museum Launches New Author Speaker Series with Becky Aikman
Celebrate International Women’s Day a day early this week as the Coachella Valley History Museum debuts a new Author Speaker Series with an event headlined by acclaimed journalist and author Becky Aikman. As the museum’s press release states, her latest narrative nonfiction book, “Spitfires: The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During World War II,” spotlights local heroine Jacqueline Cochran and the daring women pilots of WWII, and that’s what she’ll discuss with Fred Bell, director of the PalmSprings Air Museum, during a live Q&A. A book signing will follow, with books available for purchase on-site.
When: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: Coachella Valley History Museum, 82-616 Miles Ave., Indio
Cost: Free admission
More info: cvhm.org
Sunnylands presents Nickerson-Rossi Dance
Jump in the car with your loved ones and head to Sunnylands for a free, immersive dance performance by Palm Springs’ own professional contemporary company, Nickerson-Rossi Dance. This site-specific performance uses “Sunnylands’ vibrant gardens as both backdrop and partner … it’s a performance that blurs the line between audience and stage — an immersive journey where dance becomes part of the environment itself,” as the company’s website says.
When: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (two separate performances) Saturday, March 7
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Free admission, but RSVP online ahead of time at link below
More info: nickersonrossidance.com
The La Quinta Public Library Presents A Night with Paul Bradley Carr
Desert resident Paul Bradley Carr is best known locally as the co-owner of the Best Bookstore in Palm Springs, but he’s also the author of two books that will get you thinking about humans’ relationships with technology. Head to La Quinta Library for a discussion of his newest book, The Confessions, followed by a Q&A and book signing. Note: Registration is required, so please call or visit the library to register.
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: La Quinta Library, 78-275 Calle Tampico, La Quinta
Cost: Free, but registration is required. Visit the library in person or call 760-564-4767
More info: rivlib.libcal.com/event/
ONGOING EVENTS
Dezart Performs presents ‘Destroying David’
Looking for a heartfelt and thought provoking evening of theater? “Destroying David” tells, as the theater press release states, the “history of one of the world’s greatest sculptures (the Statue of David) — through the inner world of someone struggling with loss and love” as an unnamed tour guide takes the audience on a private tour of Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. The one-person-play explores the purpose of art, as well as the themes of fragility, permanence, and preservation as the guide tells the story behind the famous sculpture – and then ultimately his own profoundly personal story. Note: This play is 75 minutes long with no intermission.
When: Now through March 8 (see website below for specific times) Note: There will be a talk-back session with the playwright, Jason Odell Williams, following the Friday, Feb. 27 performance.
Where: Dezart Playhouse, 605 S. Riverside Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $69-$78
More info: dezartperforms.org
Desert TheatreWorks presents ‘The Graduate’
Head to downtown Indio for a good laugh — paired with some scandal — this week. “Based on the 1963 coming-of-age classic and scripted by Terry Johnson,” as the theater’s website says, “‘The Graduate’ follows Benjamin Braddock, a 21-year-old recent college graduate facing high expectations from his parents and uncertainty about his future. Upon returning home, Ben is seduced by Mrs. Robinson — the wife of his father’s business partner — beginning a secret affair that unravels when he falls for her daughter, Elaine. DTW’s production is presented in the round in our intimate Blackbox Theater, placing you right in the center of the drama.”
When: Now through March 8 (see website below for specific performance times)
Where: Indio Performing Arts Center, 45-175 Fargo St., Indio
Cost: $46.50
More info: dtworks.org
Coachella Valley Repertory presents ‘Guys and Dolls’
Some call it the perfect musical comedy. Some call it simply a fun escape from current reality. Whatever your reason for going, CV Rep’s latest production promises to entertain. Based on Damon Runyon’s colorful stories from the ‘30s and ‘40s, this show “takes audiences into an underworld of gamblers, missionaries, gambling rings, high rollers and their ‘dolls,'” as the theater press release says. Come listen to beloved classics like “A Bushel and a Peck” and “If I Were a Bell,” and see why this musical has won nine out of 20 Tony Award nominations, Drama Desk and Olivier awards, and many other honors.
When: Now through March 22 (see website below for specific times)
Where: CV Rep, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: From $95
More info: cvrep.org
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 story was updated to add a couple events.)
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Things to do in Palm Springs, from LGBT+ days to Jewish Film Festival
Reporting by Niki Kottmann, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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