Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY MARGARITAVILLE RESORT PALM SPRINGS
Escape Bachata & Salsa Festival: July 22–25
Dial up your favorite dance partner and head to Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs for a weekend of nonstop salsa, bachata, and Latin music indoors and by the pool. Hosted by Los Angeles–based Santiago Aguilar, better known as DJ Zonik, Escape features shows and workshops by professional dancers including Luis y Andrea, out of Spain, and Portland’s Ashle Magana — plus a fleet of Latin-focused DJs hailing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Mexico. Spend the daytime brushing up on your footwork. By night, take in expert performances for inspiration, then show off your fresh skills at ballroom parties, where DJs keep the beat thumping until 6 a.m. escapethefestival.com
Leon Polk Smith: Through Aug. 28
Palm Springs Art Museum celebrates the rich colors and pleasing geometric shapes that define the abstract paintings of Leon Polk Smith. The late Oklahoma native became enraptured with fine art as a college student in New York City. psmuseum.org
Gonzalo Lebrija: Miracle of the Eternal Present: Through Oct. 2
View two decades’ worth of photos, videos, sculptures, and paintings by Mexican artist Gonzalo Lebrija at Palm Springs Art Museum. Lebrija often tilts the perspective on ordinary objects, as with his sculpture History of suspended time (A monument for the impossible), which turns a 1968 Chevy Malibu on its nose. psmuseum.org
Pattern Play: Through Nov. 20
Palm Springs Art Museum exhibits drawings, textiles, and other creations from Jacqueline Groag, a British designer who catered to the post-WWII hunger for fun and vibrant clothing and housewares. psmuseum.org
PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF HOBSON
The Fab Four won an Emmy Award for their PBS special, The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute.
Low-Key Comedy Show: July 1
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage features a knockout night of stand-up with sets by Trevor Wallace, Annie Lederman, Pablo Francisco, Mo Collins, Matt Rife, and Paul Elia. aguacalientecasinos.com
The Fab Four: July 2
Rock out to favorites including “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Yesterday,” and learn why the gents behind this ultimate Beatles tribute act, appearing at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, won an Emmy Award for their PBS special, The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute. aguacalientecasinos.com
Idyllwild Art in the Park: July 2–3 & 23–24
Escape the heat in the quaint mountain community of Idyllwild and browse artisan-made treasures such as ceramics, jewelry, and wood carvings. idyllwildartinthepark.com
Rock the Park: July 6
First Wednesdays, musical acts take over the new Palm Springs Downtown Park. This month, see Brad Ford & Fortunate Son, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival. pschamber.org
Godspell: July 8–17
Launched in 1971 off-Broadway, this musical touches on the life of Jesus Christ through parables and comedic songs by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz. See it at Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs. palmcanyontheatre.net
The Carol Burnett Show: July 10–31
Sunday afternoons at Desert Theatreworks in Indio, local talent perform classic comedy sketches from the beloved 1960s and ’70s TV series. dtworks.org
Bob Log III: July 15
Sequin pants. A full-face diving helmet. Pool floats. You know you’re in for a good time with this slide guitarist and one-man band whose songs include “Bubble Strut” and “My Shit Is Perfect.” Don’t miss Bob Log III light it up at The Alibi in Palm Springs. thealibipalmsprings.com
Nancy Wilson’s Heart: July 16
Though this version of the rock band Heart doesn’t include both Wilson sisters, Nancy keeps “These Dreams” flowing on her tour, which stops at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa. aguacalientecasinos.com
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: July 17
Frontman Alec Ounsworth didn’t shy away from heavy topics like divorce, substance abuse, or murder in the band’s 2022 release, New Fragility. Yet, Pitchfork reports, he broaches the subjects in an approachable way that seems nostalgic for a bygone indie-rock era. Hear the new stuff live at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown. pappyandharriets.com
Jerry Paper: July 17
Growing up around music led millennial Lucas Nathan to explore psychedelic folk sounds and experiment with several musical projects. Performing at The Alibi, their persona Jerry Paper often grooves around in a silk robe and doesn’t shy away from the weird. thealibipalmsprings.com
The Zombies: July 21
If “She’s Not There,” she probably high-tailed it to Pappy & Harriet’s to fangirl over these British rockers who cut their teeth alongside The Beatles. pappyandharriets.com
Christmas in July: July 24
The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City hosts this annual celebration — with music, food, drinks, and a holiday wreath contest —benefiting local nonprofit Tools for Tomorrow’s free arts literacy program. toolsfortomorrow.org
NRBQ: July 27
Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, and Keith Richards have counted themselves as fans of this group, which has seen a rotating member lineup since its debut in the mid-1960s. Original member Terry Adams helms this show at Pappy & Harriet’s. pappyandharriets.com
Los Tigres del Norte: July 29
The legendary Grammy-winning norteño group originally founded in Sinaloa, Mexico, brings the hits to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio. fantasyspringsresort.com
NRBQ: July 29
If you missed Adams and his cohorts in the High Desert earlier this month — or if you’re keen to catch them again — head to downtown Palm Springs for this show at The Alibi. thealibipalmsprings.com
Brett Eldredge: July 29
Sing along to country faves including “Somethin’ I’m Good At” and “Drunk on Your Love” as this platinum-selling singer-songwriter takes to the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino stage. fantasyspringsresort.com
Richard Marx: July 30
The contemporary pop-rock singer takes Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa audience members on a musical journey interspersed with personal stories from four decades in the biz. aguacalientecasinos.com
Lake Arrowhead Car & Motorcycle Show: July 30
Fancy a day trip? Cool off in the charming community of Lake Arrowhead at this free lakeside show put on by the local rotary club with classic, custom, and exotic rides. Stay for lunch in the central village area. portal.clubrunner.ca/7199
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