Modernism Week Fall Preview presents a vexing conundrum akin to choosing your favorite child. This year’s schedule of Modernism Week Fall Preview events is quite simply an embarrassment of riches, making it nearly impossible to single out favorite events.
So we’ve focused on the “new” events of the 2015 lineup. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and have served up a few highlights to help you start your mod squad engines.
photo by david a. lee
The former Coachella Valley Savings and Loan building designed by E. Stewart Williams along South Palm Canyon Drive.
Walk on the Swanky Side
Stroll along South Palm Canyon Drive with a Palm Springs Historical Society docent and discover the trove of notable commercial buildings that shaped Palm Springs’ early fashionable and financial center. This is an exterior only tour that will introduce you to the stellar midcentury modern commercial buildings designed by renowned modernist architects.
Swanky South End – Iconic Midcentury Modern Architecture Along Palm Canyon
9-10:30 a.m. Oct. 9
Sojourn to Sunnylands
Guided tours of the historic residence of Walter and Leonore Annenberg will be offered for the first time during Modernism Week’s Fall Preview. Sunnylands is referred to as the West Coast Camp David, and has hosted presidents and global heads of state throughout its history. The 90-minute tour takes you through the 200-acre estate and includes the Sunnylands Gardens & Visitors Center.
Sunnylands Tour of the Historic Annenberg Estate & Visitors Center
Oct. 9- 11, tours throughout the day from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
photo by David a. lee
The Modernism Show and Sale has new digs – the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Modernism Show & Sale Takes Flight
The Modernism Show & Sale kicks off its Fall Preview with an Opening Night Reception in a new exciting venue this year – the Palm Springs Air Museum. Be the first to score some cool 20th and 21st century furniture, decorative and fine arts. Shop while enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music – what can be better?! The show continues through the weekend.
Modernism Show & Sale: Opening Night and Early Buying Preview Reception
6-9 p.m., Oct. 9
Modernism Show & Sale
Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. & Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tour the ‘Hood
Check out at least five distinct neighborhoods on a self-guided tour of eight or more homes and gardens throughout Palm Springs. This is the second time the tour has been offered during the Fall Preview, but all the cool homes will be new this year. Produced by Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS), this is a great way to become familiar with Palm Springs’ dynamic neighborhoods.
Pools, Pads & Patios: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10
photo by daniel chavkin
The Architecture and Design Center will host the Rat Pack Experience featuring Frank Sinatra's daughter, Nancy, and granddaughter, Amanda Erlinger.
A Ring-A-Ding Sinatra Celebration
Ol’ Blue Eyes would be a proud papa at this event hosted by his daughter, Nancy Sinatra, and granddaughter, Amanda Erlinger, to commemorate his 100th birthday this year.
The evening features two bonuses: Guests will be able to see the A+D Center’s opening exhibition, Seeing the Light: Illuminating Objects, and your ticket purchase includes membership to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Don your 1960s vintage Rat Pack duds and party the night away.
Meet the Architecture & Design Center/The Rat Pack Experience
5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 10
photo courtesy of the palm springs historical society
Here is a sample of Paul Pospesil’s 1950s and ‘60s photographs to be shown during this midcentury slide show.
A Pictorial Palm Springs History
Here’s your chance to see some never-before-seen historic images of early Palm Springs during this slide lecture of photographer Paul Pospesil’s 1950s and ‘60s photographs. The Palm Springs Historical Society is presenting an evening of Pospesil’s photos and Tiki cocktails at the historic Los Compadres Ranch.
Midcentury Palm Springs Through the Lens of Paul Pospesil: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Oct. 11
There are several free events, too. Check www.modernismweek.com/free-oct/
Modernism Week, Oct. 9-12, 760-799-9477; modernismweek.com
Lydia Kremer has worked in the architecture and design communities of Palm Springs for more than 10 years. As a publicist, she promoted Palm Springs Modernism Week for seven years since its inception, she served on the Architectural Design Council board for five years, and was a board trustee for the California Preservation Foundation for five years.
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