GO — Garden Jam Music Festival— April 5–6
Indian Wells kicks off a month of music with the Garden Jam Music Festival at the Tennis Garden, and jazz musician Brian Culbertson has a tip or two for ticketholders: “Make sure you’ve got your sunscreen, your hats … [and] drink plenty of water. The last thing you want to do is pass out before the night’s over.”
In addition to Culbertson, this sun-drenched stage will feature Jimmie Vaughan, Los Lobos, Lucie Silvas, and adolescent guitar wunderkind Toby Lee. Garden Jam’s heavy-hitting headliners are seven-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, whom fans of A Star Is Born will recognize as Bradley Cooper’s backing band in the 2018 Oscar-winning film.
• See related story: Jimmie Vaughan interview on his Garden Jam appearance.
Though fledgling, Garden Jam is arguably the most comfortable festival on the desert circuit this April — for less than half the price of a Coachella ticket, attendees can nab table seats a stone’s throw from the stage, and the relaxed Lifestyle Village offers gourmet eats and libations, plus fine art, music, and shopping.
This isn’t to say that Garden Jam lacks in the energy that makes these outdoor events so fun. “We’re definitely [keeping] it upbeat and funky,” Culbertson promises. “It’s going to be pretty slammin’.” – Amelia Rodriguez
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY GARDEN JAM MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jimmy Vaughan will perform at Garden Jam Music Festival along with Lukas Nelson, Los Lobos, Lucie Silvas, Buddy Guy, and Toby Lee.
GO — American Documentary Film Festival — Through April 4
Attention anyone who’s exhausted the majority of Netflix’s documentary category: Scoop up tickets now for this fantastic fest, which brings more than 170 films to the Camelot, Helene Galen, and Indian Wells theaters in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Read our preview for what to see, click HERE.
americandocumentaryfilmfestival.com
SEE — Metamorphosis — Through April 12
Palm Springs Art Museum hosts this exhibition with a focus on artistic transformation presented by the local nonprofit Artists Council.
GO — ANA Inspiration — April 1–7
One of the five major championships of professional women’s golf takes place at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Make sure you’re out of the splash zone when the winner is crowned — tradition dictates that she’ll celebrate by jumping into the pond adjacent to the 18th green.
SEE — A Celebration of the Smoke Tree — April 1–30
Painter Terry Masters and photographer Millicent Harvey pair up to present an artful exhibition centering on an underappreciated desert plant at Desertpainter Studio Gallery in Palm Springs. Read our story on this exhibition, click HERE.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MILLICENT HARVEY
GO — The Dinah — April 3–7
Founded in 1991, this Palm Springs music festival and “girl party” is considered the largest lesbian event in the world. Get ready to sing along with headliner Daya, and don’t forget your swimsuit for the famous (and fabulous) Dinah pool parties. Read our interview with comedian Fortune Feimster, who will appear April 5, click HERE.
GROOVE — Tony Danza —April 4
Boxer and TV star Tony Danza proved his singing chops with a 1999 appearance in the Broadway revival of The Iceman Cometh. He presents standards and stories at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. Read our interview with the Who's the Boss star, click HERE.
WATCH — Michael Carbonaro — April 5
Michael Carbonaro’s professional magic shows paid his way through NYU and led to segments on The Tonight Show and Comedy Central, plus his own TruTV series, The Carbonaro Effect. His illusions make a live appearance at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage.
WATCH — Something Rotten! — April 5–7
In this Broadway sensation, brothers attempt to write Elizabethan England’s first musical and prove that Shakespeare isn’t the only bard worth boasting about. The onstage antics unfold at the McCallum.
WATCH: Love, Sex, & the IRS — April 5–14
This Desert Theatreworks production at the Indio Performing Arts Center follows two straight male roommates who fake a marriage to fend off the IRS. Read our interview with DTW’s Artistic Director Lance Phillips-Martinez about the show, click HERE.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY DESERT THEATREWORKS
Art Healey plays Mr. Grunion, Tiffani LoBue reprises her role as Vivian, and Lee Paddick plays Jon.
WATCH — Maytag Virgin — April 5–14
A recently widowed schoolteacher tentatively makes her way toward a new love story with her neighbor in this earnest production by Dezart Performs. See it at Palm Springs’ Pearl McManus Theater.
WATCH — Grand Hotel — April 5–14
See the Palm Canyon Theatre’s take on the Tony-winning musical, a story of love and intrigue in the Roaring ’20s at a luxurious Berlin hotel.
GO — ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION AND FIREFALL — April 6
The first of several free Concert Under the Palm outdoor concerts courtesy of Agua Caliente Casinos will take place from 5-9 p.m. at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Located at the outdoor event area at East Andreas Road and North Calle Encilia, the fun includes live DJ, family activities, food vendors and bar gardens. While the event is free, there is limited general admission seating for the concert available for $10.
GROOVE — Lea Salonga — April 6
‘Disney fans, prepare for the ultimate singalong: Lea Salonga, the voice of beloved animated princesses Jasmine and Mulan, belts it out at Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon.
GROOVE — Grooves at the Westin — April 6
Jazz and R&B artists serenade audiences at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage. Consider scooping up a VIP pass, which includes a meet-and-greet with the musicians, plus gourmet appetizers and drinks. On April 6, up-and-coming saxophonist Grace Kelly and an all-star cast of smooth jazz artists will perform at 7 p.m. at the Masters’ Plaza. Emmy winner John Tesh will entertain at 7 p.m. April 10 at the resort’s Ambassador Ballroom
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY WESTIN MISSION HILLS RESORT
Grace Kelly leads an all-star cast of jazz artists at 7 p.m. April 6.
GROOVE — CountryFest Parking Lot Party — April 6
La Quinta Brewing Co.’s Palm Desert location hosts boot-scootin’ shows by bluesy local Rick Shelley and rising Nashville stars Leaving Austin. Oh, and there’s barbecue!
GROOVE — Ja Rule and Ashanti — April 6
These two New Yorkers have dominated the R&B scene together (the Grammy-nominated duet “Always on Time”) and apart (Ja Rule has six Top 10 albums, while Ashanti shares world records with The Beatles). Experience their chart-toppers live at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.
GO – AUTHOR ELAINE CLIFT BOOK SIGNING - April 6
Elayne Clift, author of Around The World In Fifty Years: Travel Tales From A Not So Innocent Abroad will sign copies of her book from noon to 2 p.m. at the Palm Springs store. Her travel memoir shares personal stories, vignettes, photographs, and postscripts that range from poignant to hilarious.
GROOVE — Opera in the Park — April 7
Join around 5,000 fellow aria-lovers for this free outdoor concert showcasing the real classics at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs.
GO — Vintage Market - April 7
Find that old collectible from a gathering of merchants selling vintage, retro, and midcentury modern merchandise at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Parking is free. Admission is $5.