Shine On: October Events In Palm Springs

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“One thing about flying that he never got used to was that no matter how awful the weather was on the ground, if you flew high enough you could always find the sun.” ― Tom Clancy, The Hunt for Red October

On the ground, in the air, you can always find the sun in Palm Springs. It shines 360 days out of the year. And when I say “shine,” I do mean shine. October is generally gorgeous. You may hit a few days in the 100s, but mostly it will be 80s and 90s, great for the pool and for keeping your summer tan in top notch shape. Evenings can get cool-ish, so bring a light wrap/jacket when you go out to one of the many events available to you here in Palm Springs.

This month (and next!) is all about the big events. We’ve got Modernism Week-October, Halloween, and then Pride. The excitement is palpable; I’m all giddy inside.

A lot of these events partner with the big hotels, but in order to have a true Palm Springs experience, check out our boutique hotels and resorts. They’re all about you. A smaller footprint means exceptional customer service. And if you’re one of those folks that doesn’t like being fussed over, there are plenty of options that operate like a VRBO — you let yourself in, and although people are close at hand if you need them, you’ll otherwise never see ’em. Two such hotels are Talavera and The Weekend.

The lovely pool area at Weekend Palm Springs. Photo courtesy of The Weekend Palm Springs

Special note: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is closed until Oct. 10.

New restaurant alerts:

Bread and Flours, a sourdough bakery, just opened on the north end near Toucan’s (they share a parking lot) and Boozehounds, the very dog-friendly bar and restaurant.

The Front Porch doesn’t have a website yet (that I can find) but it is (you’ll never guess) the front porch of Farm, located in The Plaza. It’s all indoors, and it’s small, so make it a date night. If you’ve never been to Farm, you are missing out. Their food is outstanding and their ambiance equally so. If you can’t get in, my other little French favorite is L’Atelier right across the way, just beyond Tyler’s, which is open again! You must check out all three, writer’s orders.

Coming soon: The same couple that owns Farm created Tac/Quila, a fabulous, high-end Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood. This is gonna sound weird (at least it did to me) but have the fried avocado as an appetizer. It’s batter-fried, like tempura, and ZOMG is it good! But that’s not why I’m writing this. Just like Farm, Tac/Quila is going to open another bar/restaurant called Clandestino, featuring a smaller food menu and a larger bar. Its motto seems to be “shhh, no one will know you’re here unless you tell them.”

Cheers to good friends. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs

And now, the main events:

Oct. 1 and 2: 15th Annual Palm Springs Body, Mind, Spirit Weekend at Crystal Fantasy. This is a HUGE event with classes (and more) in just about every spiritual art. If you’re interested in reiki, crystals, chakras, tarot, and psychic readings, you’ve found your home.

Oct. 2: Palm Springs Vintage Market at Palm Springs Cultural Center. Held the first Sunday of the month, it’s the best place around to get vintage everything. Why? Because it’s vintage dealers from all over selling their treasures. Go get you some.

Oct. 7: Fellini Retrospective: AMARCORD, a scathing satirical critique of Italian provincial life during the 1930s, the height of the fascist period. Bar opens at 5 p.m. with Italian food specials, followed by AMARCORD at 7 p.m. Come early and mingle with fellow film lovers.

Oct. 13-16: Modernism Week-October. I’m going to be a tour guide assistant this year, so if you see me in the bottom of your bus, please say hello!

Oct. 15 and 16: Modernism Show and Sale Fall Edition

Oct.15: Sky Islands and Climate Refugia at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It’s a hike, what more can I say? Oh yeah, it costs the price of a ticket up.

Oct. 21: LGBTQ Center Stage Event. (Don’t ask me who Rob is, I have no idea. They think he’s/she’s me.) The Center Stage gala will be held at the Palm Springs Air Museum amid stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains and departing planes, dazzlingly catered by the iconic LULU California Bistro (great food and people watching at their location). Entertainment will include Jennifer Corday, award-winning and out-and-proud lesbian singer/songwriter, and Brian Justin Crum, the top-charting queer singer-songwriter and former America’s Got Talent finalist!

Oct. 29: Palm Springs Air Museum Chili Cook-Off & Car Show. Museum admission includes car show. Chili tastings are $1 each or $5 for six tasting tickets. Car show opens at 10 a.m., while tastings start at 11 a.m. To enter a vehicle, please call 760-774-9936 or email packard1708@gmail.com. It says it’s going to be spooky, so maybe I should have put this in the Halloween post, but unless you’re afraid of chili and flying, I don’t see a lot of spooky.

There’s plenty more happening this month — for ticketed food and entertainment, make sure to check out The Purple Room, PS Underground (new spiffy website!), The Alibi, Oscar’s, Cascade Lounge (for comedy, Jazzville, blues and Latin music in the casino), and Melvyn’s (located in the historic Ingleside Inn) for a damn fine time. Also, Palm Springs Cultural Center, a.k.a. Camelot Theatres, has a bunch of fun to be had. Not just movies (they’re great, it’s a 58′ screen!) but also booze, food, and entertainment. Here’s the weekly stuff.

The Casablanca Lounge at Melvyn’s. Photo courtesy of Melvyn’s

Heads up for November:

Rock the Plaza. This all-star concert on Friday, November 11, is a fundraiser to save the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs. Featuring Alice Cooper, Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Orianthi (Michael Jackson, Steve Vai, Alice Cooper), and many, many more musicians. Hosted by Chris Carter, music producer and SiriusXM DJ. Tickets are $175 per person and up.

Pride is in November, and if you’re looking for somewhere to hang out and enjoy the festivities, try Roly China Fusion.

If you need somewhere to stay for Pride, we’ve got you covered. We have a fabulous selection of all-male clothing-optional hotels. Just use the dropdowns to sort.

Happy birthday to all the Libras and Scorpios out there, and when you come here to celebrate, please shop and stay local. It keeps the lights on.

See you next month!