“Ho! The wind and the rain…” (Did you think of Shakespeare or Jerry Garcia? Just wondering.) We’ve had a good deal of that wind and rain over the past month, with storms that a friend of mine called “thrilling.”

The most thrilling part for me was that all of the plants in my garden survived, but my sunshade detached itself from one side of the roof, so it was flapping in the wind for a couple of days until the Tahquitz Witch came out and said “Enough!”

She’s a thing, our Tahquitz Witch, and I would show you, but I don’t have a personal photo of her, nor do I have permission to post anyone else’s photo. But if you do the Google, it will help you identify her when you come out here. By the way, when are you coming out here? March isn’t just the lead up to Coachella and Stagecoach, ya know. We’ve got some pretty juicy stuff going on before you wade into that sea of humans.

Big anchor events and festivals

March 1-15: BNP Paribas Open — This year marks its 50th, but its roots weren’t originally in Indian Wells. They were a state over, in Arizona. And then you might have thought someone was chasing them — first they moved to Rancho Mirage, then to La Quinta, and finally to Indian Wells in 1987, when the founders moved it into a brand spankin’ new stadium at the Grand Champions Hotel. It continued to grow until a new stadium was built, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It’s a pretty big deal. They’ve got a Nobu. 

March 13–18: Fashion Week El Paseo — The Gardens on El Paseo turns into full runway mode with multiple nights of shows and related events.

March 19-22: Palm Desert Food and Wine — This is a major Coachella Valley food and wine weekend. 

Theatre and live performance

Plaza Theatre — There is no better way to experience the feel of old Palm Springs than staying in one of our vintage hotels and going to an event at the theatre. The Plaza Theatre and Mall were, after all, built because a woman of money and leisure wanted some place to spend her cash. She did the hard part, now you just need to show up. It’s a mixed scene — I’ve pulled out three events to show you how diverse they can be.

March 2: Adopt the Arts Sound and Vision Awards — If you’re a rocker, this event is screaming your name. The awards are honoring Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company) and Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath). Here’s the lineup, with more expected: Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple); Lzzy Hale (Halestorm); Corey Taylor (Slipknot); Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme); Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots); Phil X (Bon Jovi); Steve Stevens (Billy Idol); Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke); Stevie Salas (Mick Jagger); Tanya O’Callaghan (Whitesnake); and Mike Mangan (The Cult).

March 3: Music of The Knights — Pops Orchestra playing the music of the Sirs: Andrew Lloyd Weber, Elton John, and Paul McCartney.

March 5: The Mikado — A classic operetta.

Terrific local theatre

March 6–15: Meteor Shower at Desert Ensemble Theatre — It’s a play and it’s a rom com. It’s also this theatre company’s last season; show up and show them some love.

March 5-8: Destroying David at Dezart Performs 

Music, nightlife, and drag

Palm Springs Cultural Center — This is truly an artistic bouillabaisse. Themed film series, sing-along events, festivals, live music, live theatre, and Broadway performers. Plus, popcorn and a full bar.

Oscar’s: Sunday T-Dance and Drag Brunch, check calendar for Jack Donahue.

PS Underground — Themed dinner shows with terrific local entertainers. Set menu, delicious food with delicious substitutions for food allergies, etc. Endless wine.

The Purple Room — Great happy hour and weeknight entertainers. Ticketed weekend shows. Rat Pack look with a big happy oval bar.

Hunny’s Monday Night Hoe Down — You don’t have to be a ho, but it helps.

Acrisure Arena

March 7: Coachella Valley Firebirds Home Game — The Firebirds are a hot ticket on the ice. You don’t have to be a fan of hockey; apparently, you will become one.

March 20–21: PBR Coachella Valley Classic — Pro bull riders. This will totally sell out, so get your tickets quick.

Markets and weekly favorites

Thursdays: VillageFest is what we call our street fair in Downtown Palm Springs. Go early for free entrance to the Palm Springs Art Museum (and to grab a parking space, it gets picked over fast. Try the lots by the museum.). Local resident and designer to the stars Bob Mackie has an exhibition running now at the museum. He dressed Cher and Carol Burnett — you’ll probably remember his dress from The Carol Burnett Show when she was playing Scarlett, “I saw it in the window and just had to have it.” 

Saturdays: Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market — It’s not just veggies, it’s soaps and juices and fish, and music. Great PS vibe.

Tours and experiences

Desert Tasty Tours — Guided walking food tour with tastings and local history. 

Drag & Fly Tours — Drag-led city tour. Looks like it’s a blast. And I believe Ms. Rosemary Galore is one of your tour guides. She’s full of fun!

Palm Springs Historical Society Tours — I think there are 14 to choose from, both walking and biking. Pretty sure you can get someone to drive you around if you say the right words.

Palm Springs Windmill Tours — Self guided. 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — Ride up for mountain views, dining, and seasonal programming. Check their site for March specials.

I want to remind you of a few things before I go: when you shop and stay local, you help keep the lights on in Palm Springs, which is kinda humorous to say because we pretty much only have streetlights downtown. It’s dark everywhere else so the sky doesn’t have anything to compete with and that means some astounding stargazing. And we did it just for you. Yes, you.

I hope you catch a shooting star.