Reporting by Niki Kottmann and Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
This week is an embarrassment of riches for Coachella Valley residents (and visitors) looking for something fun to do.
From the 35th annual Thunder & Lightning Powwow to the closing of the September Sunnylands Films in the Gardens series, you have plenty of events to choose from — and don’t worry, most of them are inside away from the sun.
So, here’s our top 10 Palm Springs events to check out the week of Monday, Sept. 21
Greater Palm Springs Spa Month
Experience the best spa and wellness offers of the year during Greater Palm Springs Spa Month. Throughout September, resort spas, day spas, wellness centers and natural hot springs across Greater Palm Springs offer exclusive treatments, special packages and unique wellness experiences.
When: Throughout September
Where: Various locations in the Coachella Valley
Cost: Prices vary per location
More info: visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/spa-month/
35th annual Thunder & Lightning Powwow
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians will kick off its three-day powwow Friday, Sept. 25, in Cabazon, marking the 35th iteration of the annual event. The weekend-long event will feature a Bird Singing and Dancing contest, a marketplace, a Color Guard demonstration, specials that come with prizes and more.
When: Sept. 25-27
Where: Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49-500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon
Cost: Free admission, with several items available for purchase
More info: morongopowwow.com
Desert Theatreworks presents ‘Shawshank Redemption’
You probably already know the story. But in case you don’t: “Hope — as banker Andy Dufresne discovers inside the stone walls of Shawshank State Penitentiary — might just be the one thing that sets him free.
Adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns from Stephen King’s celebrated novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, this gripping stage production brings one of the most beloved stories of the modern era to our Blackbox stage.
When Andy is wrongly convicted of a brutal double murder and sentenced to life behind bars, he must learn to survive in a world where corruption runs deeper than the prison’s foundations.”
When: Sept. 25-Oct. 4 (see specific times at website below)
Where: Indio Performing Arts Center, 45-175 Fargo St. #56, Indio
Cost: From $42
More info: stageworksfoundation.org
Disney Worlds Collide Concert Tour
Disney’s Worlds Collide Concert Tour of North America is coming to Acrisure Arena on Sept. 25, featuring stars from the “Descendants,” “ZOMBIES” and “Camp Rock” film franchises, including Malachi Barton, Liamani Segura, Dara Reneé, Mekonnen Knife, Hudson Stone, Swayam Bhatia, Kiara Romero and Alexandro Byrd.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Cost: From $61.15
More info: acrisurearena.com/event/disney-worlds-collide/
Sunnylands Films in the Gardens presents ‘At Eternity’s Gate’
The final free movie screening of Sunnylands’ Films in the Gardens series. This year, the theme of the film series is “Roots and Reveries,” and it closes out this week with a screening of the 2018 film “At Eternity’s Gate.”
“Starring Willem Dafoe, the film examines the life of painter Vincent van Gogh when he lived in Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise, France,” the press release says. (IMDb) Rated PG-13. Run time: 1 hour 51 minutes.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Free admission and parking
More info: sunnylands.org/event/
Kevin Costner & Modern West
Kevin Costner & Modern West is an Americana and rock band founded by actor Kevin Costner in 2007. Their first album, “Untold Truths,” was released in 2008 and reached No. 61 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 35 on the Top Heatseekers chart.
Coinciding with Costner’s star turn as John Dutton in the TV Series “Yellowstone,” the band released “Tales from Yellowstone,” a collection of songs written from the perspective of that character, and songs from the album were featured on season three of the show.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25
Where: Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Starting at $56
More info: aguacalientecasinos.com/agua-event/
‘The Flight of Jackie Cochran’ documentary screening
“The Flight of Jackie Cochran” tells the story of the most famous pilot many people have never heard about. Jackie Cochran was a pioneering force in American aviation, a contemporary and rival of Amelia Earhart, and the architect behind the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. But behind her public achievements was a private life carefully constructed to conceal a hidden past. This documentary uncovers the mystery behind this woman utilizing archival materials and personal correspondence.
When: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission and parking
More info: palmspringsairmuseum.org/programs/
19th annual Concert for Autism kick off
The 19th annual Concert for Autism music series is about to kick off. Head to the Dune Room in Indio to catch a live concert lineup featuring Waxy, Blasting Echo, TV Screams and Kimberly Cofer. Multiple weekends of live music events will culminate with the main event on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Big Rock Pub in Indio. All proceeds benefit the Desert Autism Foundation.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Dune Room, 82-707 Miles Ave., Indio
Cost: Suggested $10 or more donation at the door
More info: concertforautism.com
Erik Karapetyan
Armenian singer-songwriter Erik Karapetyan, often known simply as Erik, is returning to the US for a special one-night-only show in the desert. The pop singer represented Armenia in the 2011 New Wave international contest for young performers and achieved fifth place. He also won “Audience’s Choice” of that competition. In 2016, he became one of the jury members of the Armenian “X-Factor.”
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: From $75
More info: aguacalientecasinos.com/agua-event/
Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen
“Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen” is inspired by the rich and profound work of Montreal-born poet, artist and songwriter Leonard Cohen. Approved by Cohen during his lifetime, this unique tribute evokes the cycles of existence, as described in Cohen’s music and deeply thoughtful poems.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert
Cost: Starting at $60
More info: mccallumtheatre.org/productions/
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun.
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