HOT PICKS: W.I.T.C.H. tops this weekend's nightlife
HOT PICK
Friday
Zamrock: The Zambian rock band W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc) never achieved notoriety in the U.S. during the ’70s. But it did release five albums throughout the decade. W.I.T.C.H. dissolved after the 1984 album "Kuomboka" as troubles mounted in Zambia such as economic collapse and government authoritarianism.
During the 2000s, international music fans and record crate diggers discovered W.I.T.C.H. and the band's songs appeared on compilation records and playlists. In 2012, vocalist Emanyeo "Jagari" Chanda and keyboardist Patrick Mwondela announced the band was back on with new members from the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
W.I.T.C.H. continues to be discovered by a new generation of music lovers. The band has played several festivals, including the 2019 Desert Daze festival at Lake Perris State Recreation Area, and was the subject of the award-winning 2019 documentary "We Intend To Cause Havoc."
W.I.T.C.H. will perform Friday at Pappy and Harriet's.
If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. $25. 760-228-2222. pappyandharriets.com
BEST BETS
Saturday
Latin: Regional Mexican singer and producer Gerardo Ortiz has achieved critical success by combining multiple genres of Mexican music. He's been nominated for two Grammy Awards and has collaborated with several Mexican musicians.
Ortiz is also a target for controversy. According to Billboard, his music video for “Fuiste Mía” was removed from YouTube following accusations of "promoting and inciting violence against women." Some of his songs are labeled as "drug-trafficking ballads," which has led to him being nearly killed, arrested and several Mexican cities declaring his music illegal.
Ortiz will perform Saturday at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella.
If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $40 to $145. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com
Global beats: Local DJ Alf Alpha is known for throwing his monthly "World Famous" music parties at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club and the former Hard Rock Hotel (now Hotel Zoso) from 2011 to 2013. On Saturday, he's bringing World Famous back for one night at The Alibi Palm Springs to play a variety of dancehall, hip-hop, reggaeton and more.
The Palm Desert resident, whose real name is Rafael Lopez, is one of the Coachella Valley's prominent DJs. He's performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, appeared at Splash House and has a client list with the brands Red Bull, Adidas, Saks Fifth Avenue and Absolut Vodka.
He's also expanded his creativity into restoring and transforming vintage Volkswagen buses into mobile DJ booths. His 1979 bus is named "Super Sonido," a 1971 bus is named "Alf Alpha," and another 1971 bus he's named "Pleyboy" (a slogan used in his music, clothing and promotional items). The buses have appeared at several community events and during his residency performances at Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City
If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, The Alibi Palm Springs, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Free. thealibipalmsprings.com
Sunday
Latin: Regional Mexican artist and former Grupo Arranke lead vocalist Carin Leon is on the rise as a solo performer. Since 2019, Leon has released five singles that have appeared on the Billboard charts.
Leon's Saturday concert at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is sold out, but tickets are available for his Sunday performance.
If you go: 8 p.m. Sunday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $59 to $159. 760-342-5000. fantasyspringsresort.com
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: HOT PICKS: W.I.T.C.H. tops this weekend's nightlife
