The Phantom of The Opera May 2-5
Features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and book by Lloyd Webber and Stilgoe. There will be fog, lighting, masks, a crashing chandelier and more, but many visual aspects will be left to the imagination.
Time/ Place: McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
Contact: 760-340-2787 / www.mccallumtheatre.com
Palm Desert Concert in the Park May 2-30
Every Thursday evening, concertgoers are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs. The Family YMCA of the Desert will conduct children activities prior to each concert and food trucks will be on site with tasty food options, beverages, and snacks for purchase. Dogs are welcomed.
Time/ Place: 7: 30pm / Civic Center Park Amphitheater
Contact: 760-568-1441 / www.discoverpalmdesert.com
Films on the Great Lawn May 3, 10 & 17
Film-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnic items for the outdoor screening. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted. With limited parking, carpooling is strongly advised. May 3: A Bugs Life. May 10: Monsters, Inc. May 17: Ratatouille.
Time/ Place: 8pm / Sunnylands Center & Gardens, Rancho Mirage
Contact: 760-202-2234 / www.sunnylands.org
Train Day May 4
Enjoy train chats, train adopts, a scavenger hunt and more! Train Day features fun events centered around The Living Deserts 3,300 feet of track at the Garden Railroad. Train Day includes a train-themed treasure hunt, special trackless train rides, and of course a Choo-Choo-Churro special. Model train enthusiasts will enjoy informative train chats being offered.
Time/ Place: 9am-12pm / The Living Desert, Palm Desert
Contact: 760-346-5694 / www.livingdesert.org
Fiesta on El Paseo May 4
Visit our Gourmet Food Trucks serving everything from Tacos to Churros. Enjoy the sounds of the Mariachi Serenata Mexicana band, while Latin Ballroom Dancers Meagen Mendoza and Dzianis Marasin perform the Bachata and more.
Time/ Place: 11am-4pm / The Shops on El Paseo
Contact: 760-341-4058 / www.theshopsonelpaseo.com
Tequila & Taco Fiesta May 4
Enjoy tequila and taco tastings for only $5 each at Solanos West Coast Bistro, The Grill on Main, Old Town Tavern Barbecue & More, and Stuft Pizza. Each restaurant will offer a different brand of tequila and a distinctive food tasting, so visit more than one! Special features include Mariachi music on Main Street and an outdoor beer garden and family fun and games.
Time/ Place: 6-9pm / Old Town La Quinta
Contact: www.oldtownlaquinta.com
Evening Under the Stars May 4
Food Samaritans (Aids Assistance Program) proudly announces that the gala will feature the Music of ABBA performed by ARRIVAL from Sweden. Cocktails, community awards, dinner, and dancing. The largest annual fundraiser for AAP Food Samaritans, a non-profit organization that provides nutritional support for low-income people living with HIV/ AIDS and other chronic illnesses.
Time/ Place: 5: 30-10pm / ODonnell Golf Course, Palm Springs
Contact: 760-325-8481 / www.aidsassistance.org
Cinema Under the Stars May 4 & 11
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, food and beverages to this extraordinary outdoor cinematic experience. This event is free to the public and includes complimentary popcorn and water. May 4: Space Cowboys. May 11: Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Time/ Place: 6: 30pm / Rancho Mirage Amphitheater
Contact: 760-324-4511 / www.ranchomirageca.gov
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta May 5
Featuring Live entertainment, Margaritas, tacos, and much more Mexican Food & Drink. Proceeds of the event will benefit Visionaries of Tools For Tomorrow.
Time/ Place: 4-7pm / Old Town Artisan Studio, La Quinta
Contact: 760-601-3954 / www.toolsfortomorrow.org
Palm Springs Photo Festival May 5-10
Guests can take workshops that allow them to work intimately with world-renowned photographers and learn new skills. They can also attend seminars, symposiums & presentations, and can sit down with industry professionals and have their own portfolios reviewed. There are dinners, parties, and networking events in the evenings
Time/ Place: Hyatt Palm Springs
Contact: 479-544-7985 / 2019.palmspringsphotofestival.com
Suavecito Sunday May 5-26
Enjoy free music in the park in the Suavecito theme.
Time/ Place: 6-9pm / Veterans Park, Coachella
Contact: www.gcvcc.org
The Chocolate Soiree Benefit Event May 7
Enjoy the decadent desserts, and the recipes, of elite chefs from around the Coachella Valley while benefitting the Childrens Discovery Museum of the Desert. It will be a night of food, friends and fun, and remember, it is brown tie optional!
Time/ Place: 6-9pm / PIRCH, Rancho Mirage
Contact: 760-321-0602 / www.cdmod.org
California Preservation Conference May 8-11
Preservation Springs Eternal will showcase the rich historic preservation movement present throughout the state, with a special focus on the architecture of Palm Springs, and the impact of preservation action in the region. The 2019 conference focuses on a range of topics exploring ways of building on Californias preservation legacy and shaping its future of heritage conservation throughout the state.
Time/ Place: Hilton Hotel Palm Springs
Contact: www.californiapreservation.org
Coyote Classic Golf Tournament May 9
Cost is $200 a player, which includes cart, unlimited bottled water, Classic Club logoed towel, range balls, dinner and drinks, and evening awards presentation. Raises thousands of dollars annually for the SoCal Coyotes non-profit leadership organization and its numerous youth outreach programs.
Time/ Place: 11am-5pm / Classic Club, Palm Desert
Contact: 760-601-3600 / www.thesocalcoyotes.com
Shen Yun 2019 World Tour May 9-11
Featuring one of the worlds oldest art formsclassical Chinese dancealong with patented scenographical effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.
Time/ Place: McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert
Contact: www.shenyun.com
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival May 9-12
This unique festival features an eclectic mixture of landmark and obscure vintage movies from the classic film noir era.
Time/ Place: Camelot Theatres, Palm Springs
Contact: arthurlyonsfilmnoir.ning.com
Shakti Fest May 9-13
A 5 day Yoga, Music & Personal Transformational Festival dedicated to the divine feminine that blossoms within all of us. Workshops will cover a plethora of wellness and conscious topics including Ayurveda, spiritual nutrition, tantric energy, breathwork, Sanskrit, conscious relationships, womens sexuality, bhakti art, and hoop dance, with internationally known speakers.
Time/ Place: Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
Contact: 408-460-0504 / bhaktifest.com/ shaktifest/
Star Party at The Monument May 11
The Astronomical Society of the Desert will conduct sky tours and direct observations of the night sky through telescopes and giant binoculars.
Time/ Place: 8-10pm / Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert
Contact: 760-862-9984 / www.desertmountains.org
Spring Joshua Tree Music Festival May 16-19
An intimate setting, where the distinction between artist and audience is blurred, and a passionate performance can be truly relished in close proximity to the stage. Free water to patrons, no service charges on reasonably priced tickets. A family-friendly global music experience.
Time/ Place: Joshua Tree Lake Campground
Contact: www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com
Movies in the Park: The Sound of Music May 25
You are welcome to bring snacks or non-alcoholic drinks, but you can also purchase them from the movie organizers at the concession stand.
Time/ Place: 8: 30pm / Cathedral City Downtown Festival Lawn
Contact: 760-770-0340 / www.discovercathedralcity.com
Street Food Cinema: Selene May 25
Outdoor movie screening of Selena, the true story of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a Texas-born Tejano singer who rose from cult status to performing at the Astrodome, as well as having chart topping albums on the Latin music charts. There will also be a meet and greet opportunity with Chris Perez, Grammy Award-winning artist. Prez was the lead guitarist for his wife Selenas band, Selena y Los Dinos.
Time/ Place: 5: 30-11pm / La Quinta Park
Contact: www.streetfoodcinema.com/ selena-lq
Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair May 27
A brief Memorial service is dedicated to all fallen comrades, who paid the ultimate price for freedom. In their honor, the service will be highlighted with a fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from B-25 Mitchell bomber. Visitors are welcome to pick up a flower to take home.
Time/ Place: 8am-2: 30pm / Palm Springs Air Museum
Contact: 760-778-6262 / www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
VillageFest Every Thursday
Downtown Palm Springs transforms into a diverse array of artists, artisans, entertainers, and purveyors of fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, jewelry, snacks and sweets. Add all that to the great shops, restaurants, clubs, and entertainment venues located along World Famous Palm Canyon Drive and the result is one of Southern Californias most popular weekly events: VillageFest!
Time/ Place: 6-10pm / Palm Canyon Drive
Contact: www.villagefest.org
College of the Desert Street Fair Every Sat. & Sun.
With merchandise and services for all ages and any budget, the Street Fair offers more than 300 merchants, artists, a farmers market, live entertainment, gourmet food and more.
Time/ Place: 7am-2pm / 43500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert
Contact: 760-636-7957 / codaastreetfair.com