With Resolution 5K, Jazz Event, and much more…
By Joni Wright
First Weekend Palm Desert, held monthly the first weekend from November through May every year, continues in with the 3rd Annual Galen New Year’s Resolution Color Run 5K. As a monthly three-day signature celebration, First Weekend features world-class art and cultural activities, dining and shopping specials, and now featured events with different themes.
The first major event, Galen New Year’s Resolution Color Run 5K, is scheduled for Saturday, January 9 beginning with registration at 6:00a.m. The run begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Registration is open to all ages and prices vary, children and pets are welcome to join. Start your New Year’s Resolution by supporting Palm Springs Art Museum for this exciting and family friendly event! The COLOR RUN is accompanied by food trucks, live entertainment, interactive crafts and other activities in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. Each participant will receive a complimentary t-shit and dogs will receive a special bandana. The course is USATF- certified and begins and ends at the museum’s Galen building. This unique course features three color stations and there will be many photo opportunities along the way.
Other notable First Weekend activities scheduled specifically for January include:
- Buck A Shuck on Friday, January 8, at Whole Foods Market from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Go crazy for oysters! Make a perfect dinner with our responsibly farmed oysters, and watch as the experts shuck oysters for just a buck a piece. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/palmdesert
- Brandon Blane McMillan’s Lost Places is on view Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Desert Art Collection. This “pop-up” show features the hyperrealist/abstract paintings of McMillan.
- Tap-In Taproom Happy Hour on Friday, January 8, at Whole Foods Market from 3:00 – 6:00p.m. Come enjoy Happy Hour at the Tap-In Taproom, $1 off draft beers, house wines, and well cocktails.
- Jazz for Jazz Lovers – Brent Fischer & The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Group Fischer/Tjader Salute* at Pete Carlson’s Golf and Tennis on Friday, January 8, from 8:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
The next major event is scheduled for the February First Weekend on Saturday, February 6, 2016 on El Paseo. The outdoor Swing N’ Hops Street Party will be held from noon to 4 p.m., bringing together swing music performed by a live band, craft beer gardens, gourmet food booths, a classic car show with cars from the 1920’s to 40’s, a swing dance party complete with instruction, and era specific fashion.
Every First Weekend includes the following activities:
- El Paseo After Dark on Fridays
From elegant shopping to exquisite dining, El Paseo indulges all the senses, and on Friday’s of First Weekend many shops stay open extended hours. Amongst a beautiful backdrop of the gorgeous San Jacinto Mountains, visit your favorite luxury labels and chic boutiques, savor gourmet cuisine by the Coachella Valley’s top chefs, visit antique shops and art galleries. With over 250 retailers, the mile-long drive is home to Gucci, Louis Vuitton, St. John, Tiffany, Escada, Presage, Saks Fifth Avenue, Kate Spade, Ann Taylor, Grayse, and many others. www.elpaseocatalogue.com/elpaseo
- El Paseo Cruise Night, Friday from 3:15 to 6 p.m.
The cool, shiny, lovingly cared-for cars begin arriving around 3:15 p.m. at the upper level of the parking structure behind The Gardens on El Paseo. Get a close-up look at these beauties and talk to the owners before 4:30 p.m. when they take over the street between Highway 74 and Portola until 6 p.m. Grab a spot (preferably at a patio table at one of El Paseo’s wonderful restaurants) and watch the polished chrome show. (760) 346-8965; www.elpaseocruisenight.com
- El Paseo Art Walk, Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.
The renowned El Paseo Artwalk is a self-guided tour with maps provided, to stroll the numerous art galleries on the famed drive. Art galleries will feature exhibit openings, artist receptions, and more. www.elpaseoartwalk.com
- Galen First Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy free admission to the museum for exhibitions and film screenings, and enjoy live music by different musicians each month in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, 72567 Highway 111
(760) 346-5600; www.psmuseum.org
- Passport to Art and Design, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visitors to The Art Place get a stamped Passport from each of the ten unique galleries for a chance to win a prize. The Art Place, 41801 Corporate Way, Palm Desert, (760) 776-2268, www.theartplacepd.com.
- Free Guided Public Art Tour
Free guided walking tours of the public art collection in Palm Desert includes tours at El Paseo Exhibition, Civic Center Park, or the Palm Desert Library. More information about the City’s public art program and tour scheduled can be viewed at www.palmdesertart.org. Palm Desert Public Library, 73300 Fred Waring Drive, (760) 837-1664.
Key partners for First Weekends include El Paseo (the Rodeo Drive of the desert), Westfield Palm Desert, McCallum Theatre, The Living Desert, The Art Place, and Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen and Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden.
First Weekend attracts visitors from throughout Southern California while also engaging local residents. Visitors from out of the area will find everything from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels, including the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge, Residence Inn by Marriott, The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Hampton Inn & Suites, Shadow Mountain Resort & Club, The Inn at Deep Canyon, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Mojave Inn, Casa Larrea Inn, Club Intrawest, Embassy Suites, Best Western, and Holiday Inn Express.
For more information about First Weekend visit www.pdfirstweekend.com or call (760) 568-1441. For more information about the City of Palm Desert and hotels within the City, visit www.cityofpalmdesert.org or call (760) 568-1441.
