10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, March 19-25

There are always plenty of things to do in the Coachella Valley. We've put together a list of events and entertainment happening this week.

To submit an event for consideration, send an email to events@desertsun.com with a brief description.

Here are 10 things to do this week:

The Modernists: The Influence of Midcentury Design on Photography

There are over 40 photographs displayed that include portraits, lifestyle, architecture and abstracts. Every image showcased will have midcentury design and architecture as either the core subject or as the inspiration to the piece. The group exhibition consists of five local photographers and two Australian photographers, who each bring a unique perspective to their work. All of the local photographers spent years photographing Palm Springs, and four of them published books that highlights the city's lifestyle and architecture.

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday through April 28

Where: UCR Palm Desert Center, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert

Tickets: Free

More info: ranchomiragechamber.org

Suavecito Sundays

Spend your Sunday night at this community gathering to enjoy live music, games and food. People are free to bring blankets, folding chairs and other picnic items to get a little more cozy. Also, the parking lot will host a slew of classic cars for attendees to admire, which could also make a good photo opportunity.

When: 5-8 p.m. Sunday, March 19

Where: Veterans' Memorial Park, 1515 Sixth St., Coachella

Tickets: Free

More info: gcvcc.gcvcc.org/events

Fashion Week El Paseo

Jesua Rodriguez, left, a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising waves to the audience after models debuted her collection during Fashion Week El Paseo on Thursday, March 24, 2022.
Jesua Rodriguez, left, a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising waves to the audience after models debuted her collection during Fashion Week El Paseo on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

If you've ever wanted to experience a runway show and channel your inner Anna Wintour, head to this week-long series of fashion shows at The Gardens on El Paseo. Each day will provide a different set of looks, and the designers come from around globe. Fashion Week El Paseo is set to conclude and there will be an after party at The Penney and Parlour, a bar and lounge located in the Desert Island Country Club. If you want to keep the party going, tickets are $13.71 and the event runs from 9 to 11 p.m. Thursday, March 23.

When: 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, March 19-23

Where: The Gardens on El Paseo, 73-545 El Paseo, Palm Desert

Tickets: Starting at $90

More info: fashionweekelpaseo.com/tickets

Alohana

This fun event will feel like a vacation celebrating Tiki culture with a variety of entertainment, games and food. There will be live music by Slack Key 'Ohana, and the Kuhai Palm Springs Hula Group is also set to perform. The marketplace will have Hawaiian, Polynesian and Tiki vendors. This will be a family-friendly event, but cocktails will be available along with a signature Alohana tiki mug.

When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 19

Where: Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs

Tickets: $5

More info: eventbrite.com/e/alohana-tickets

Glow in the Park

One of the displays you will encounter when you visit "Glow in the Park"
One of the displays you will encounter when you visit "Glow in the Park"

The Living Desert will shine bright every night through the end of April for this event, which features grand displays of hand-crafted lanterns depicting an assortment of wildlife. Revel at the sight of these illuminated animal lanterns as they radiate across the zoo. This is a family-friendly affair, and organizers offer combo tickets that include admission to the zoo during the day.

When: 6:30-10 p.m. everyday, March 17 to April 30

Where: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert

Tickets: Starting at $25.95 (adults) $17.95 (children) free (children under 3)

More info: livingdesert.org/events

Desert Open Studios

Kurt Glowienke is a mixed media artist from Cathedral City.
Kurt Glowienke is a mixed media artist from Cathedral City.

Local artists within the Coachella Valley are opening their studios to the public this month. Take this self-guided tour to discover your new favorite pieces of art and meet the creators behind them. To make sure you make the best of your day, visit the Desert Open Studios website, where you can find a map of all the artist locations and a comprehensive tour guide.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March, 19, 25 and 26

Where: Various locations, check the website

Tickets: Free

More info: desertopenstudios.com/guideandmap

Movies At The Park: 'How To Marry A Millionaire'

Spice up your movie-going experience by catching this screening of "How To Marry A Millionaire" at Palm Springs' Downtown Park. Bring a blanket and snacks, because attendees are encouraged to picnic. There will also be wine and beer offered at the event. The showing is a classic film, "How to Marry a Millionaire" that stars Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable.

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22

Where: Downtown Park, 101 N. Museum Drive, Palm Springs

Tickets: Free

More info: eventbrite.com

Comedy Show - Iliza Shlesinger

For those who need a good laugh, award-winning comedian, actor and author Iliza Shlesinger will be performing at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino this week. Comedy enthusiasts might know her from her slew of Netflix specials, which include "Warpaint," "Freezing Hot" and "Elder Millennial."

When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 24

Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

Tickets: Starting at $39

More info: fantasyspringsresort.com/iliza-shlesinger

Mariachi Festival

The annual Mariachi Festival in Coachella is sure to delight with mariachi acts, ballet folklorico performances, food, an outdoor beer garden, mechanical bull rides and lawn games for children. The event is free and open to the public. Expect live music from Coachella Mariachi, Mariachi Acero del Valle, Mariachi Espectacular and Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.

When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, March 25

Where: Veterans' Memorial Park, 1515 Sixth St., Coachella

Tickets: Free

More info: coachella.org

Desert Film Society presents back-to-back documentary screenings

Curious minds will enjoy this double feature of two distinct documentaries. Attendees will get to learn about the history of the bagel with a screening of "More Than A Roll With A Hole." It's a 40-minute feature that spans from the creation of the first bagel in 13th-century Poland to the delis and cafes where you can find this savory roll of dough today. The last documentary showed will be "The Art Of Silence," which is about Marcel Marceau, a mime artist with a tragic background who dealt with Nazis and loss at a young age.

Note: The Palm Springs Cultural Center enforces COVID-19 guidelines, which requires attendees to bring a photo ID and proof of vaccination with a booster shot. Seating is socially distanced and masks are not mandatory but recommended.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 25, doors open 9:30 a.m.

Where: Camelot Theatre, The Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs

Tickets: Free for DFS members, $15 for guests

More info: desertfilmsociety.org

Nickerson-Rossi Dance presents 'Launch'

Artistic director Michael Nickerson-Rossi of Nickerson-Rossi Dance speaks in celebration of Gene Kelly during a party in his honor at Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms estate in Palm Springs, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
Artistic director Michael Nickerson-Rossi of Nickerson-Rossi Dance speaks in celebration of Gene Kelly during a party in his honor at Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms estate in Palm Springs, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.

The 2023 Palm Springs International Dance Festival kicks off this evening with a special performance by the city's own resident dance company, Nickerson-Rossi Dance. In this performance, the group brings together the world of academia and professional concert dance. College directors were invited to set dance works on the professional Nickerson-Rossi dancers while Founding Artistic Director Michael Nickerson-Rossi set dance works on their college students. By switching roles, Rossi aims to highlight the caliber of these college directors, provide high school students with resources for higher education, and celebrate the professional dancers of tomorrow, aka college dance artists.

When: 6-7 p.m. Saturday, March 25

Where: Nickerson-Rossi's Dance House, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 11, Palm Springs

Tickets: $45

More info: nickersonrossidance.com

Kevin Caparoso is a features intern who covers arts and life around the Coachella Valley. His internship is funded by the Coachella Vally Journalism Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at @kevydean or email him at KCaparoso@gannet.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 things to do in the greater Palm Springs area this week