Thursday, Jan. 3
Opening night for the Palm Springs International Film Festival at Palm Springs High School. The film, Blancanieves, a Foreign Language Oscar submission from Spain, is already sold out, but standby tickets are available. There is an after-party at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
How about a free event? Meet illustrator Robert Bradshaw at the Desert Art Collection and Sculpture Garden in Palm Desert from 5-8 p.m. The show is titled, Reflections.
Friday, Jan. 4
A reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. for American painter Forrest Moses, who explores landscape locations across the country. Meet him at the Michael H. Lord Gallery in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs International Film Festival – French Film Party starting at 9:30 p.m. at Casa De Monte Vista in Palm Springs.
Polo under the lights. See a match between the U.S. and Canada starting at 6 p.m. at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
Saturday, Jan. 5
Author Marianne Williamson discusses her new book, "The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money and Miracles" at 10 a.m. Williamson is known as the spiritual advisor to Oprah. Cost is $40 in advance, $45 at the door, at the Center for Spiritual Living in Palm Desert.
Celebrities will make their way to the Palm Springs Convention Center for the annual Red Carpet walk into the Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala Awards dinner starting at 5 p.m. Look for Helen Hunt. Helen Mirren, Bradley Cooper, Sally Field, the cast of Argo featuring Ben Affleck, Richard Gere, and director Tom Hooper (Les Miserables).
Men of Soul perform at 8 p.m. at The Show at Agua Caliente in Rancho Mirage, featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson and Peabo Bryson.
Sunday, Jan. 6
Palm Springs International Film Festival – Canadian Film Party starting at 9 p.m. at Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs.
The Old Town Artisan Studio in La Quinta is conducting its first "Hearts for Arts" fund-raiser with proceeds providing free clay sculpting and glass-making classes to underserved youth and young adults in Coachella Valley. Starts at 6 p.m. at La Quinta Resort.
Jazzoo Concert Series at the Living Desert kicks off 2013 with a Tribute to jazz great George Shearing featuring Charlie Shoemake. Two concerts at 3 and 5 p.m.
Make it an Evening
"Always…Patsy Cline" starts a 16-day run on Jan. 4 at the Indio Performing Arts Center. Showtimes are 7:30 on Friday and Saturday nights, and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Features the same cast of Dia Nalani as Patsy Cline and Jeanette Knight as Louise Seger. The play tells the true story of Cline's friendship with a Houston housewife.
For more ideas, visit our comprehensive calendar of events.