Rauw Alejandro at Acrisure Arena and more: 10 things to do in the Palm Springs area this week
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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:
Coachella Valley Filipino Festival Preview Event
Organizers for the first-ever Coachella Valley Filipino Festival are previewing the October event on Sunday. The preview will open with local artist Marconi Calindas singing "Lupang Hinirang," the national anthem of the Philippines. Then, organizers will screen "Ulam: Main Dish," a documentary about Filipino cuisine in America, which will be hosted by Manny the Movie Guy.
When: 5 p.m. Sunday, April 30
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Tickets: Free
More info: eventbrite.com
Sunday T-Dance
Sunday marks the end of the weekend, but it doesn't mean the party is over. You can dance to the sounds of disco and other genres at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs every Sunday. The weekly event aims to uphold the long-standing tradition of the tea dance, which became seminal to gay culture upon its founding in the 1950s in New York.
When: 4-8 p.m. every Sunday
Where: Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Suite #108, Palm Springs
Tickets: First hour is free, $10 cover charge after
More info: oscarspalmsprings.com
Rauw Alejandro - Saturno World Tour
The Latin Grammy award winner and Puerto Rican artist Rauw Alejandro — hot off his special guest performance with his fiancé, Rosalía, at Coachella — will perform at the Acrisure Arena in part of his "Saturno World Tour," which features the hip-hop dance group the Jabbawockeez as special guests. The tour will highlight his new album, "Saturno," which includes a feature with Daddy Yankee and hit song "Punto 40."
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 2
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Tickets: Starting at $59.95
More info: acrisurearena.com/event
Wild West Wednesdays
If you missed out on attending the Stagecoach country music festival or still want more country music in your life, the LIT Lounge at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino hosts a country music night every Wednesday. Every night begins with a line dancing lesson for those hesitant to hit the dance floor. There will be drink specials for this 21 and older event and the live band for this week is Country Nation.
When: 6:30-11 p.m. every Wednesday
Where: LIT Lounge at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Tickets: Free
More info: fantasyspringsresort.com/country-night/
May the 4th Be With You
The desert may not be "a galaxy far far away," but "Star Wars" lovers in the Coachella Valley will have an opportunity to celebrate the nerdy holiday with fellow fans. Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City will host a costume contest, a "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" movie screening and a decorated Agave Caliente Tequila Bar as the beloved cantina from the movies. Costume contest winners will win themed gift basket and participants must register from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, May 4
Where: Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, 68-960 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Tickets: Free
More info: aguacalientecasinos.com/casino-promo/may-the-4th-be-with-you/
Concerts in the Park: Upstream
This free Palm Desert concert series will run every Thursday throughout May. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets, but you don't have to carry anything to the park if you want to spend the whole time dancing. Whether you picnic or not, there will be food trucks available who will be there an hour before the show starts. This week's music offering is the Caribbean music group Upstream.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4
Where: Palm Desert Civic Center Park, 43-900 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert
Tickets: Free
More info: discoverpalmdesert.com/event/
Idyllwild Arts Visual Arts Reception
Idyllwild Arts Academy is debuting its Spring 2023 off-site student exhibition this week. The students are excited to show their work once again to the desert audience, providing them with a unique taste of what it’s like to participate in the professional world of fine art. Following the reception, gallery visitors can walk a block to the gallery's outdoor sculpture garden for the student songwriting concert featuring original compositions from rock, pop, and alternative to R&B and progressive soul. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will also be on view on Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature the year’s best visual works from the pioneering arts high school.
When: 4 p.m. Friday, May 5
Where: Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery, 73-660 El Paseo, Palm Desert
Tickets: Free
More info: idyllwildartsgallery.org/2023-va-showcase
Films in the Gardens: "Big Night"
A series of three Friday night movie screenings at the Sunnylands Center and Gardens kicks off this week. The film will be projected at the Great Lawn where attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic chairs and blankets. You can bring your own snacks and beverages, but large coolers and alcohol are not allowed at the event. Every film showed on these Friday night events are culinary themed. This week's movie is "Big Night," which came out in 1996 and is about two brothers trying to save their Italian restaurant from going out of business.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, May 5 (movie starts 8 p.m.)
Where: Sunnylands Center and Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Tickets: Free
More info: sunnylands.org/event/films-in-the-gardens-big-night/
Gregory Douglass Live
Coachella Valley singer-songwriter Gregory Douglass makes music that's emotional, even a bit melancholy, with a soulful cadence. He is set to perform in the Camelot Theatre at the Palm Springs Cultural Center with special guest cellist Monique Citro this weekend. Douglass has previously shared the stage with Jason Mraz, They Might Be Giants and Regina Spektor.
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6
Where: Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Tickets: $20
More info: eventbrite.com
Certified Farmers Market in Palm Springs
Need some fresh produce in your life? Spend your Saturday shopping for freshproduce, bread and flowers at this outdoor farmers market. According to its website, all the farmers are state certified and provide food grown in California.
When: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Tickets: Free
More info: certifiedfarmersmarkets.org
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
