“Baking can be done with a few simple ingredients, so it’s about simplicity and nostalgia — people are reminded of their childhood.” — Paul Hollywood
When I was a kid, if the sun was out, so was I, often jumping back and forth over the sprinkler when it got hot. When I hit my teens, we slathered ourselves in baby oil and iodine (don’t do that), threw a towel down in the backyard and baked in the sun until we got hot (do not do that either).
If you’re still a sun worshiper and love the heat, it’s a great time to come to Palm Springs. The deals on the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels are banging (check out the Summer Splash Pass) and the restaurants are offering the Summer Eats Pass — that equates to an inexpensive getaway to the happiest, most laidback, little big town with its own international airport.
August 5: Craft Beer Festival
August 9: Chef’s Dinner at Boozehounds
August 10: Copa Nightclub — Lokera Thursdays (and future Thursdays) presents La Toxica Tour with a live performance from Mariah Angeliq. This weekly party features sets from JPatron, Boogs, and DJ Dynamiq, spinning reggaeton and hip hop.
August 11-13: Splash House (lineup)
August 11: Emo Nite at Pretty Faces nightclub
August 12 – 13: Clear The Shelters — The goal for the weekend will be to adopt out as many animals as possible. Boozehounds has agreed to cover the adoption fees for the entire weekend.
Courtesy of Clear the Shelters
August 13: Diva Royale Drag Show at Pete’s Hideaway
August 18 – 20: Splash House (lineup)
August 19: Super Mario Bros screening at PS Swim Center, 405 S Pavilion Way, Palm Springs
Recurring events
Reforma — Check out their Saturday Drag Brunches. They change weekly, with themes like Disney Princess and Taylor Swift.
Cascade at Agua Caliente Palm Springs — Comedy, Jazzville, Latin Nights, and more. Throw a few coins in the slots after the show, maybe you’ll get lucky.
Crystal Fantasy — Psychic Fair every weekend, and drum circles.
Drift Hotel — Lots of fun pool parties going on.
Oscar’s — They’re under construction, but they’re still plugging away.
V Wine Lounge — Monday nights Leanna Rodgers, Tuesdays Keisha D.
Toucan’s Tiki & Cabaret — Always a party, never a drag, even though most of the shows are drag. Late night dancing.
Saturdays: Disco Inferno at Reforma (9 p.m.). Stay in town longer and dance all night on Motown Mondays (7 p.m.).
Palm Springs Cultural Center — The first cineplex in Palm Springs, the not-for-profit now has weekly musical acts, plays, markets (farmers’ on Saturdays), and larger name performers.
Courtesy of Palm Springs Cultural Center
Daytime indoor shopping
The Flannery Exchange
Flannery Exchange is really stepping up its game. Besides offering workshare space, there are dining options. Café La Jefa partners with Sisters Coffee, and their menu features espresso drinks, healthy gourmet food, pastries, and savory eats. Juices and tea also available. (FYI: Café La Jefa is closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays for the summer, check the website for hours.)
Bar Chingona is a fun spot to grab a cocktail, and the other stores are pretty boss too:
It Refills — Really for locals, but bring your own container (or buy a glass one there) and fill it up with organic detergents, shampoos and conditioners, and face and hand cream. It’s all 100% Earth friendly. (I’m so enthralled with this idea.)
Bobo Palm Springs — Boutique carrying a curated collection of artisan goods from women-owned brands, women-of-color artists, and queer artists, with a rare selection of Japanese stationery writing and artist’s tools.
Covet — Handcrafted artisan jewelry, gifts, apparel, and home accessories.
Joyful Living — Sustainable designer fashion and fine art in a showroom highlighting timeless vintage luxury pieces still on trend, i.e Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Cartier, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Burberry, Prada, and more. By appointment only.
MIU — Man in Uniform is designed in L.A., made in Turkey. A range of high-quality printed rayon shirts and premium cotton T- shirts capturing California chic.
Carmela Ice Cream Company — Award-winning seasonal ice creams made completely from scratch in small batches using fresh, real ingredients. Often combining herbs and spices with seasonal fruits, Carmela is considered a pioneer in farm-to-table, artisan ice cream and has been churning out inventive and delicious flavors since 2007.
House of Florals — All things flowers except (from what I can tell) fresh ones. But local flowers are the inspiration for their wallpapers and home accessories.
Antiquing and thrifting
Besides the many options for retro and mid-mod accessories downtown In town, there are two large spaces to shop cool, and two of them are thrifters that profit nonprofits. People get tired of things, and then they donate them, and we get to rifle through them and find the stuff that needs to be in our closets.
Angel View — Angel View serves children and adults with disabilities. They have a big old store and they have an upscale boutique right next door. 462 N Indian Canyon Drive (corner of Indian Canyon and Alejo).
Revivals — The profits from this store help DAP Health offer healthcare and support an affordable housing project for the Coachella Valley. 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
Both nonprofits do pretty bomb things, so go get yourself a bargain.
And lucky you, just across the street and a block down Sunny Dunes is Antiques Row (at least that’s what I call it). There are single stores scattered all over the area (most of them are on the street called Industrial) and two malls that can keep you enthralled for hours at a time, right up to happy hour.
Temporary closings
Bar Cecil — closed August 14 – 21
PS Underground — reopening September
Purple Room — reopening September
Johnny Costa’s Ristorante — reopening September
Peninsula Pastries — reopening September 7
John Henry’s Cafe — reopening September 22
Tyler’s Burgers — reopening September 1
Miro’s — reopening August 31
Café Mon Amour — reopening September 1
Jake’s — reopening “end of September”
Like the song says, “I’ll see you … in September!”
