While the rest of the world is just experiencing spring, Palm Springs is well into it. The mountains are as green as they were in 2019, which means there’s likely a super bloom coming. The weather is in the high 50s at night and can go into the 80s during the day. It’s really swell right now.
Of course, April is a big month musically in the Coachella Valley, and there’s a little bit in here about the big events, but there’s still plenty to do and see in Palm Springs proper.
Along the way sipping, dining, and divining, don’t forget to stop and enjoy the flowers. The bougainvilleas are shameless, so the cacti said hold our beer, we’ve got this. It is one of the most colorful springs a desert could ever hope for!
Events of note
April 12-14: Coachella Week One
April 19-21: Week Two — lineup by artist here
April 13-14 and 20-21: Goldenvoice presents The Palm Springs Surf Club — I’m not quite sure what’s going on here, trying to find out if it’s permanently open or if it’s just for Coachella, but hey — take advantage of this. The place looks gorgeous. They have their own playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
April 26-28: Stagecoach — Looking for a place to stay? Check here.
Alphabet Mafia touchstone events
April 4: Where my gays at? Kathy Griffin at The McCallum
April 5: The Desert Legends Golf Tournament — This women’s tournament at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort is hosted by Envy Records and Promotions to benefit the LGBTQ Center of the Desert. Your $150 covers 18 holes, a scramble with shotgun start, green fee, golf cart, breakfast burrito, and award ceremony lunch. Non-pros welcome.
There will also be games: the 5-Iron Only Hole, Longest Drive, and Closest To The Pin. Sign up as an individual, twosome, threesome, or foursome, just enter the name of your partners when you sign up. Luncheon honors Caroline Haines, founder and creator of the Lina Shore Golf Tournament, with the annual Desert Legend Award.
April 6: It’s not Sunday with Brenda, but Saturday with Fortune Feimster at The Show
April 12: Patti Lupone at The McCallum — I do not need to say more.
Dezart Presents Mr. Parker: Consistently producing top-notch work, this company presents a story about a 54-year-old man who finds himself suddenly single and unable to adjust to a world that has moved on without him. After a night of heavy drinking, he wakes up with a 28-year-old bartender/Uber driver. These two very different people begin a tentative relationship, and what starts out as a one-night stand becomes a journey of self-discovery for a man trying to let go of the past and move forward.
The Bent presents The Lincoln Debate: An original piece of work that premiered to sold out audiences last spring, this play explores whether or not Abraham Lincoln’s very close friendship with another man was more than that.
Where to stay gay in Palm Springs — just for the boys, ladies.
Everything else
Village Fest: Every Thursday, walk through the heart of downtown Palm Springs for a leisurely stroll with buskers and vendors galore, something for everyone. Come early and visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, free on Thursdays.
Canopy Lounge: Enjoy fine wine, a meticulously curated bites menu, and entertainment. Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., New Orleans Nouveau brings the heat, playing the latest sounds of New Orleans and West Coast jazz.
Purple Room: Check out their ticketed weekend entertainment and try to nab a ticket to The Judy Show. Weekdays are great entertainment too, Tuesday-Thursday.
Palm Springs Cultural Center: Early evening happy hour drinks, yummy snacks (the fries!), and entertainment at the VIP Lounge upstairs. Different night, different entertainer. Great way to kick off your evening before heading to dinner.
PS Underground: Many shows to choose from, but Light comes back for one show. Sells out quick, so book in advance.
The Revolution: Special events, cabaret shows, $10 piano shows and sing-a-longs, extravaganzas, boy band shows, and comedy. There’s something going on almost every day.
V Wine Bar: Nightly entertainment in a space that’s a throwback to the 1960s. Great wine, adult-er beverages, and a few tasty mocktails. Did I mention the food? It’s a great menu, and delicious to boot!
PS Air: Whether it’s an in-flight movie or a full-on Broadway brunch, you’ll have a great time in this intimate airplane. Located in Bouschet Wines, same mall as Revivals, Revolution, and Palm Greens Cafe. Boarding is usually around five or six, check the website.
Reforma: It’s a nightclub and a restaurant with creative drag brunches. It’s actually in a class one historic building — that entire part of Palm Canyon to Ramon is from that era, but Reforma is the only one where you dine and dance…except for maybe…
…Impala, right next to Reforma. Food and fun.
Theatre
Desert Ensemble Theatre presents Sherlock Holmes Confidential: Original work produced by a terrific little theatre company that consistently does interesting work at Palm Springs Cultural Center.
The Revolution Stage Company presents The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee: This company recently did such a bang up job with Avenue Q even the extension sold out. I saw it twice. Spelling Bee is under the same direction, so expect great things.
Tours
Palm Springs Historical Society: Three different types of tours, over 30 actual tours.
The Best of the Best Tours: I think this might be a new company. I’ve never heard of them before, but their tours look like a lot of fun.
Celebrity Tours: Private tours to around 10 celebrity-studded Palm Springs neighborhoods
The Legends and Icons Tour: One of the tours provided by Five Star Celebrity Tours. Don’t go to their website (it’s a mess and it’s not secure), but the link I provided looks good.
Covered Wagon Adventure: Just what it sounds like. Solid five-star reviews.
Red Jeep Tour: For adventurers that love the great outdoors. Trips to the San Andreas Fault with other amenities.
Desert Tasty Tours: The only food tour in town, and it’s a good one! Three hours walking and tasting, negating the need for dinner. Along the way, learn some history of Palm Springs, visit Marilyn (and other great art installations), enjoy a few adult drinks and eat a lot of delicious food. There’s a date shake, too!
I’m going to leave you now, but not without sharing something that a wise man once said. The fact that the wise man is actually a “wiseacre” named Jim Carrey is irrelevant.
“Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.”
See you beautiful people around town.
