Season is officially here! We always kick off with a Halloween Party on Arenas, and then bang on into Pride, the biggest party of the year.
The temperatures haven’t cracked 100 in a few weeks, and we’re about to dip into the 70s during the daytime and 40s or 50s at night. It’s the sweet spot of the fall. If you can, come experience the wonderful weather, and the great events that Palm Springs has to offer.
We try to keep everything local, just like our hotels. So by enjoying one of our hotels, eating in local restaurants, drinking in local bars, and purchasing goods from local shopkeepers, you’ll help keep their doors open for the next time you want to enjoy our little town.
A LOT is going on, so let’s get to it!
Recurring events you shouldn’t miss
VillageFest vendors sell everything from handcrafted items to food. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs
Thursdays — VillageFest from 6 to 10 p.m. (link has map). Parking might be tough, but not if you stay in one of downtown’s small resorts or hotels. You’re always within walking distance!
Purple Room — Live entertainment Monday through Thursday, no cover. Home to Sunday’s The Judy Show, Friday and Saturday are also ticketed events. Your delicious meal is on you. Last season (thanks to a friend) I saw the fabulous Liz Calloway (who I didn’t know was fabulous until I saw her) and had dinner; both were five stars. This used to be one of Frank’s favorite hot spots (that’s Sinatra). While they’ve leaned toward jazz and cabaret in the past, they’ve been bringing in some unique offerings. You know what? Just check the calendar.
V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar — Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday is live entertainment with a $10 cover to help keep the music alive. Wednesday is karaoke night. I think we have great local entertainers here, and I was heavily involved in the entertainment scene in Chicago and Los Angeles — not a brag, I’ve just been around a lot and a long time. V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar is located in the historic Kaptur Plaza, next to the mid-town Koffi, and is the largest intimate space I have ever seen. It’s basically divided into three rooms, but the concept is open, including the wraparound bar. The drinks are well poured and everything I’ve had on the bites menu was delish!
Oscar’s is back and better than ever. Renovated inside and out, it’s home to the Sunday Tea Dance and The Bitchiest Brunch. Last season they debuted a new chef whose food inspired finger kisses. The entertainment has always been top-notch, bringing in inspired acts from Los Angeles and around the world. Check out the schedule for their fall shows.
Revolution Stage Company — Just over a year old, this theatre company not only has a season of plays, their stage is always busy in between with shows from all over the country. You never know what’s coming, but go in knowing that the sound system is one of the best, if not the best, in Palm Springs, and is a contender for the whole Coachella Valley. There’s a full bar, and some crazy fun good times to be had here. Last year’s Avenue Q was fantastic.
Dezart Performs — Consistently turning out terrific productions of plays with a message, don’t sleep on an opportunity to see any show this company produces. If “plays with a message” scares you off, please allow me to tell you they are delightful productions with a great deal of heart, and generally cast to perfection.
Palm Springs Cultural Center — Formerly the Camelot Theatres, the new name might sound stuffy, however it’s everything except stuffy. The first cineplex in the Coachella Valley, the building has been transformed into an entertainment center. You’ll find many film festivals here, as well as plays, traveling acts, and during the week, upstairs, happy hour entertainment.
- Mondays at 5 p.m.: Mon Petit Salon, Jeremie Levi Samson and Guests
- Tuesdays: Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis. New addition, and a GREAT one!
- Wednesdays: The fantastic Mod Squad is back, featuring Wayne Abravanel, Francesca Amari, and Jeff Stewart for two solid hours of song, jokes, jests, and jaunty tunes. Requests are taken.
Drift — Although this hotel is new-ish in town, it’s showing itself to be a great spot for gathering. Pool side hangs, Savasana on Saturdays, Jueves de Drift, Tacos y Tunes, sound baths, and happy hours at the house restaurant.
Canopy Wine Lounge — Current November events are listed by date below, however if you are a connoisseur of fine wines, and caviar, this is your spot. Beautifully decorated, and the patio has a view of Marilyn and the mountains (although that will be gone when the new hotel is built at Graffiti Park).
Quadz — Making its first appearance on this list because I was talking to a gay friend of mine about Arenas. I said I didn’t go because I’m a girl, and I didn’t want to be a disruption. He told me that Quadz is the answer. It’s a video bar with fun games and a very welcoming atmosphere. Not that the others aren’t, but many are where gays meet other gays. It’s a party for sure, but bridal squads have been doing takeovers. 100 percent not cool unless you ask first, so I’ve been respectful. This is not the case for Quadz, I’m told. So go have fun! I’ll see you there.
Retro Room — The only bar dedicated solely to karaoke. It’s small, but that makes it more intimate and less scary to take the stage.
Melvyn’s at The Ingleside Estate — Sundays are swinging at Melvyn’s with an ongoing lineup of the Valley’s best musicians. Programming varies with special guests joining regularly. One of the oldest properties in Palm Springs, Frank Sinatra’s favorite dish was Steak Diane, so don’t skip on the dinner. But definitely go for the Sunday Jams, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Be prepared, sometimes well-known celebrities stop in and perform. In the past, Neil Sedaka and James Marsden entertained the crowd on a whim. $25 F&B minimum, seating is first come, first served.
Events by date
You never know what you might find while wandering the Palm Springs Vintage Market
Nov. 1: Boozehounds Bow Wow Ball
Nov. 1: Alumination at PS Art Museum
Nov. 1: Mid-Century Moderns long running jukebox musical at Revolution Stage Company
Nov. 1: Palm Springs Scavenger Hunt Adventure
Nov. 2: VELVET MARTINI at PS Underground
Nov. 2: Free Weekend Psychic / Healing Arts Fair (recurring)
Nov. 3: Grateful Goats Paint & Sip at Laster Ranch
Nov. 3: Palm Springs Vintage Market
Nov. 5: Tomahawk Tuesdays at Kaiser Grille
Nov. 7: NoirCon 2024
Nov. 7: Sip & Savor Italy: An Evening with Paul Feinstein (book signing)
Nov. 8: The Palm Springs Sunset Music & Comedy Festival at Oscar’s
Nov. 9: Amanda Perez and NB RIDAZ at Oscar’s
Nov. 9: No Llores Comedy at Four Twenty Bank (dispensary and party lounge)
Nov. 9-10: PS Women’s Jazz Festival at Annenberg
Nov.10: Amazing Sundays Drag Brunch at Chill Bar
Nov. 10: Divas of the Desert. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., the music starts at noon. Celebrating the music of Roberta Flack and Anita Baker. Some of the hottest female jazz and blues singers in the area.
Nov. 11: 27th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade
Nov. 13: Joni Mitchell — The Reckless Daughter at PS Underground
Nov. 15-16: Thorgy Does Christmas at Palm Springs Cultural Center. Famed for her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, from RuPaul’s Drag Race to concert halls, the Queen of Classical Music Thorgy Thor performs for two nights only during a fabulous musical holiday extravaganza! Tickets: $49-$79
Nov. 15: Desert Air Music Festival at the Palm Springs Air Museum. These events always slay.
Nov. 16: TASTE x The Shag House hosted by On the Mark. The Shag House is a fun visit — with noshes by On The Mark, it should be pretty special.
Nov. 22: 10th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival presented by Agua Caliente Casinos. This is not in Palm Springs, but I HAD to tell you about it.
Nov. 22: MOTOWN at PS Underground
Nov. 22: McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction
Nov. 23: 2024 Props and Hops Craft Beer Festival at Palm Springs Air Museum
I’ll clue you in about Pride in another post, same with Thanksgiving, so look for those. In the meantime, pop on over to the PSPSH website and book your stay. It’s the best thing you can do for an authentic Palm Springs experience.
See you in December!
