Thursday, July 25
Noon – 6 p.m.: This is not your ordinary blood drive. As one of eight participating cities in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is trying to show it can donate the most pints. Each donor receives one free pass to Knotts Soak City and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway while supplies last at Palm Springs City Hall.
7 p.m.: The Riviera serves up specialty drinks and food for its "Hot as Hell" Pool Parties from 7-10 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 31. Read our preview.
6 p.m.: The free film screenings continue at the Palm Springs Art Museum with the comedy "The Parade" from Serbia. A group of gay activists in Belgrade strike an alliance with a Serbian crime boss, whose fiancee demands an extravagant wedding that only the gay theatre can provide.
7 p.m.: Take a stroll during the Thursday Night Summer Village Fest. Lasts until 10 p.m.
8:30 p.m.: "Brave" will screen at Luckie Park in Twentynine Palms for free. Bring your popcorn, blankets and enjoy a night under the stars for the final time this summer.
Dinner suggestion: Mario's Italian Cafe has seven Coachella Valley locations, but wait until you hear about the new one in Palm Desert Read our recommendations.
Sara Petite
Friday, July 26
4 p.m.: Kick off the weekend with a Beer Sampling at Jensen's Fine Foods in Palm Desert. Snacks provided.
7-10 p.m.: Artchella 2 offers live music, arts and cultural activities at the Raices Art Center, 1494 6th St., Coachella, with musical guest Elektric Lucy, The early 88S and 3rd Ear Experience.
7 p.m.: Sara Petite's songs bring back memories of history, home and travel when she performs at the Sidebar Patio at the Riviera Palm Springs. Free admission.
7 p.m.: Knott's Soak City will stay open a few hours after its normal 6 p.m. closing time to bring kids and families its third annual "Dive-In Movie". Tonight's feature is "Wall-E". The movie season runs through Aug. 23.
7 p.m.: The St. Joseph's Players present "Steel Magnolias" at the St. Joseph of Arimathea Church's Rusack Parish Hall, 56312 Onaga Trail, Yucca Valley. Shows again at 7 p.m. July 27.
7:05 p.m.: The Palm Springs Power host the Casa Grande Cotton Kings at Palm Springs Stadium.
7:30 p.m.: Check out a free screening of "ParaNorman" at Dateland Park, 85421 Bagdad Ave., in Coachella.
8 p.m.: Fridays are meant to rock with a free concert by a Bon Jovi tribute band – Blaze of Glory at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella.
8 p.m.: San Diego’s El Monte Slim performs for free at Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown.
9 p.m.: Dancing, cool pool, eats and drinks sounds like a good recipe for your Friday nights at the "Caliente Pool Party" through Aug. 30. The Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa partners with FM radio station KKUU (92.7) to turn the pool into an oasis nightclub. Read our preview.
10 p.m.: “Summer School: Poolside Art Workshops and Music” starts Friday night at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs. Read about one of the bands slated to play July 27, Body Parts.
Dinner suggestion: Mimmo's Italian Restaurant and Bar in Palm Desert has generally received stellar reviews on Yelp.
"Amadeus"
Saturday, July 27
All day: “Summer School: Poolside Art Workshops and Music” starts Friday night at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs. Read about one of the bands slated to play July 27, Body Parts.
7 a.m. – Noon: College of the Desert Street Fair located near the main entrance to the college off Monterey Avenue.
9 a.m.: Come shaky your booty at the Forever Marilyn statue in downtown Palm Springs. The city has teamed up with "So You Think You Can Dance" and the Dizzy Feet Foundation to celebrate National Dance Day.
Noon: DJ Zephyr provides the musical backdrop to a day at the pool at the Riviera Palm Springs. Free to the public.
4 p.m.: City of Indio Open Air Market runs until 10 p.m. Free admission.
4- 9 p.m.: The inaugural Green Acres Sustainable Living Farm, featuring a four-course farm to table prix fixe dinner along with music by ABACUS. Take the road to Anza, Calif. Proceeds benefit the Green Acres Sustainable Living Farm.
5 p.m.: The Shadow Mountain Band opens for Nocona and New American Farmers at Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown. Free admission, must be 21 and over.
6 p.m.: Learn from Melinda Vida, certified Holistic Health Coach at the Living Green Summer Social at Crystal Fantasy in Palm Springs.
7 p.m.: Indio Performing Arts Center has begun a string of Saturday night flicks. This one will sound familiar, "Amadeus", but with 20 minutes of additional scenes.
7:30 p.m.: It must be Bon Jovi weekend. "Wanted" plays the rock master's songs at 9 p.m. with "Hollywood Blonde" warming things up starting at 7:30 p.m. at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.
6:05 p.m.: The Palm Springs Power host the Southern California Collegiate Baseball League all-star game at Palm Springs Stadium. There will be a home run derby contested.
8 p.m.: He's known as the King of Ballads, Byun Jin Sub entertains at the Pechanga Casino Resort in Temecula.
8 p.m.: On the heels of her Greatest Hits album, Sara Evans brings her country sound with hits like "Born to Fly" and "No Place That Far" to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort in Rancho Mirage.
8 p.m.: Bella de Ball plays host to “Little Black Dress and Pearls for a Cause” to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at Azul Tapas Lounge in Palm Springs. Featured performers include Carol Kamenis, Keisha D., Jersey Shore, Jerome Elliott, Charles Herrera, Sassy Ross, Eve Holmes, Roger Snofsky and more. For information, call (760) 673-8689.
9 p.m.: BB's Leo Birthday Bash with DJs as a benefit to the Pet Rescue Center at Westin Mission Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage. $10 admission for 21 and over.
Dinner suggestion: Grab one of the better burgers in town and listen to the smooth tunes starting at 6:30 p.m. of the Stanley Butler Band at Woody's in Palm Springs.
Keisha D
Sunday, July 28
All day: “Summer School: Poolside Art Workshops and Music” continues at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs.
7 a.m. – Noon: College of the Desert Street Fair located near the main entrance to the college off Monterey Avenue
2 p.m.: "Keisha D…At Last" is making her debut at the Arthur Newman Theatre in The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert. Keisha D., known around the Coachella Valley from nightclub acts to theatre performances, is answering the calls from fans to do a solo act with pianist Charlie Creasy.
7:05 p.m.: The Palm Springs Power host the East LA Dodgers at Palm Springs Stadium.
Brunch suggestion: The Adobe Grill at the La Quinta Resort offers a wide-ranging menu, fresh made house margaritas and live Mariachi music.