Thursday, Jan. 24
6 p.m.: Patrick Tuzzolino entertains at Castelli's Ristorante in Palm Desert.
8 p.m.: Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre opens its 2013 season with "Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks". Imagine the relationship between a Southern Baptist minister and her gay dance instructor. Runs through Feb. 10.
8 p.m.: "Forever Plaid" takes you back to the 1950s when Rock n' Roll was coming on strong. Runs through the weekend at McCallum Theatre.
Dinner suggestion: Three-course Tequila Dinner at the Adobe Grill at La Quinta Resort & Club.
Friday, Jan. 25
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The 27th annual Southwest Arts Festival runs all weekend at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Put on by the Indio Chamber of Commerce, more than 250 artists feature clay, drawing, glass, jewelry, metal works, painting, photography, sculpture and textile.
5:30 p.m.: Nothing small about this show. Artists Karen and Tony Barone explore the need for artists to go B I G. Opening reception in the lobby of "B" Building at UCR-Palm Desert .
8 p.m.: Palm Canyon Theatre opens "Legally Blonde", which chronicles the story of Elle Woods' climb to success. Runs through Feb. 10.
9 p.m.: "The Laugh Pack" is an all-star jam of top-line comedians and singers featuring comedian Bruce Fine (pictured right) sharing the stage in a Vegas-like act starting at 8 p.m. at Cascade Lounge of the Spa Resort Casino.
Dinner suggestion: Three-course Winter Menu in the Fairway Cafe at The Doral Desert Princess in Cathedral City. Runs through Feb. 9.
Saturday, Jan. 26
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Bird singing and dancing are an important part of the Native American culture. Presented by the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, the program features honored bird singers and dancers from California and Arizona.
1 p.m.: Hot! Hot! Hot! The Palm Springs Woman's Club hosts its third annual Chili Cook-Off. Proceeds benefit the woman's club's clubhouse. Bella Da Ball will serve as MC.
5:30 p.m.: The Palm Springs Art Museum's Associates Council and Board of Trustees invite the public to its Museum Gala 2013 with music from "Under the Streetlamp" (pictured left). Dinner follows at 8:30 p.m.
6 p.m.: Winewomen PSP will host a Wine & Art Reception followed by dinner with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Galilee Center, which provides food, clothing and other necessities to underprivileged and disadvantaged.
Dinner suggestion: Check out Morton's The Steakhouse's three-course steak and seafood menu in Palm Desert.
Sunday, Jan. 27
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The seventh annual La Quinta Hot Rod & Custom Show has lots of cars, food, a family fun area and more at the La Quinta Community Center Park, 77865 Avenida Montezuma.
10 a.m.: Take a look at the Tribal Artifacts set up at Desert Art Collection & Sculpture Garden in Palm Desert (pictured right). An array of items brought from Africa and other tribal destinations around the world.
5 p.m.: Three Sixty North Lounge and Restaurant in Palm Springs mixes dinner with a little hocus pocus. Hypnotist Tina Marie presents shows at 5 and 8 p.m.
Brunch suggestion: Las Casuelas Nuevas in Rancho Mirage offers a Sunday Buffet with Mexican favorites plus brunch traditions like Prime Rib, salmon and shrimp.
Flash from the Past
Desert Medical Regional Center Auxiliary is conducting its own film festival Sunday with two vintage short films about the El Mirador Hotel and Palm Springs. The special showings are 2 and 7 p.m. in the Sinatra Education Center. There will be door prizes and refreshments. The El Mirador clip, discovered in the archives of the hospital where the hospital now sits. For information, call (760) 323-6804.
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