By Judith Salkin
There is no better time to enjoy First Weekend Palm Desert and all that the City of Palm Desert has to offer than the days and nights of a desert winter!
With daytime temps typically in the 60s to 70s, it is the best time to take in all the city has to offer from its acclaimed attractions like the Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park, world class entertainment at the McCallum Theater, the art at El Paseo galleries and Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen and, nearly everyone’s favorite pastime, shopping!
February’s First Weekend Palm Desert is packed with a bit of everything that makes this city such a special place. The Living Desert’s Park After Dark offers a chance to see what happens at the zoo when gates close for the night, while the McCallum Theatre has a slate of performers that includes Cabaret artist Michael Feinstein and an evening with Scottish pipers performing military music.
Those are in addition to Paint Nite at 3rd Corner, the second installment in the Gardens on El Paseo’s popular concert series that supports local charities, Cruise Night and so much more!
Here’s a sampling of activities happening for First Weekend Palm Desert on February 6 through 8, 2015! Keep checking the website at www.pdfirstweekend.com or call the Palm Desert Visitor’s Center at (760) 568-1441 for added events!
February 6, 2015
El Paseo Cruise Night
3:15 to 6 p.m.
El Paseo between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue
Information: www.elpaseocruisenight.com; (760) 346-8965
Whatever your favorite memory of muscle beauties and vintage rides may be, they’re bound to show up for El Paseo Cruise Night! The cars gather at 3:15 p.m. on the upper deck of the Gardens on El Paseo’s parking structure and begin cruising the street around 4:30 p.m.
El Paseo Art Walk
4 to 8 p.m.
Information: www.elpaseoartwalk.com
The galleries stay open later and some will offer a chance to meet artists at gallery receptions or other special events for Art Walk! It’s a wonderful way to see what’s happening in the art world!
El Paseo After Dark
El Paseo Shopping District, between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue
6 to 8 p.m.
Information: www.elpaseocatalogue.com; (877) 735-7273.
Many of the street’s 250 fine boutiques, specialty shops and restaurants stay open a bit later for El Paseo After Dark between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue! Shop a little later and then enjoy a great meal at your favorite restaurant for an exciting night on the town!
Free First Friday
4 to 9 p.m.
Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen
72567 Highway 111
Information: www.psmuseum.org; (760) 346-5600
Enjoy free admission to the museum, microbrews from Babe’s BBQ and Brewhouse. Take in the performance by artist Michael Petry at 6 p.m., and concert in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at 7:30 p.m.
The Park After Dark: The Living Desert
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
47900 Portola Avenue
Members: adults, $20, child, $10; nonmembers, $30/$20; registration requested.
Information: www.livingdesert.org; (760) 346-5694
If you’ve always wanted to sneak in and see what the animals do at night, here’s your chance. This family adventure includes an up-close animal presentation, guided walk through the zoo and s’mores around a campfire to top off the night.
American Trilogy – Tribute
7 p.m. Feb. 6; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 8
$40 evening; $30 matinee
CalState San Bernardino/Palm Desert Campus, 37500 Cook Street
Information: www.pdc.csusb.edu/eventstheater; (760) 341-6909
A tribute to American icons Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond.
The Scottish International Military Tattoo
8 p.m.
McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive
$25-$75
Information: www.mccallumtheatre.com; (760) 340-2787
A Scottish cultural extravaganza with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, featuring bagpipers, drummers, singers and dancers performing the marches, schottisches, reels and dances of Scotland.
February 7, 2015
Free Guided Art Tour
9 a.m.
Palm Desert Civic Center Park, San Pablo and Fred Waring Drive
Information: www.palmdesertart.org; (760) 568-1441.
Free guided walking tour of some of the city’s public art. Meet in front of the Messenger of the Puul at the southwest entrance to the park off of Fred Waring Drive.
Saturday ArtVentures: Investigate and Create!
11 a.m.
Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen, 72567 Highway 111
Information: www.psmuseum.org; (760) 346-5600
This month, get into Valentine’s Day listening to The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond and, like Bond, create your own special valentines. Make one to leave for the museum and make one to take home. Great for families with children 12 and younger; children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Gardens Annual Concert Series
5:15 p.m.
Center Court, Gardens on El Paseo
$12, includes wine and cheese reception before concert at 6 p.m.
Information: www.thegardensonelpaseo.com/events
The band is Heatwave and proceeds benefit Eisenhower Medical Center.
Michael Feinstein
McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive
$65-$95
Information: www.mccallumtheatre.com; (760) 340-2787
Michael Feinstein has been called “the most prominent ambassador of the Great American Songbook” (LA Times). He interprets songs by Irving Berlin, the Gershwin brothers, Harold Arlen and other great American composers of the early 20th century.
February 8, 2015
Paint Nite
1 to 4 p.m.
The 3RD Corner – Wine Shop and Bistro, 73101 Highway 111
$45
Information: www.paintnite.com
Join artist Kellie Gillette-Wood for mimosas and art! Limited seating!
59th Annual Edition of It’s Magic!
3 p.m.
McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive
$15-$35; Rancho Mirage residents, $10-$40, call for discount information
Information: www.mccallumtheatre.com; (760) 340-2787
Milt Larsen and Terry Hill present the finest stars of magic, comedy, variety, sleight of hand, and stage illusions.
Jazzoo at The Living Desert
4:30 p.m.
The Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park, 47900 Portola Avenue
TLD members, $35; nonmembers, $45
Information: www.livingdesert.org; (760) 346-5694
An afternoon of music for jazz lovers with vocalist Carol Bach-Y-Rita. Fluent in five languages as a speaker and singer, Bach-Y-Rita is a favorite of jazz festivals and venues across the U.S. and Europe, including the Monterey Jazz Festival.
