It’s music festival time in the California desert, but it’s also a great month for live theater, art exhibitions, and more. Here are some of the great arts and culture events in April recommended by the staff of the California Desert Arts Council:
Above: John Divola’s photograph N34°09.951’W115°49.269’, from his Isolated Houses series, is one of our favorites in the photography exhibition Journey Through the Desert – The Road Less Traveled at Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert. © John Divola. Courtesy Gallery Luisotti, and Palm Springs Art Museum.
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
TWO FOR THE SHOW: In Conversation: Alma Allen and J.B. Blunk blurs the line between design and sculpture, with both men creating evocative organic work from natural materials. The exhibition continues through July 22 at Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Center. Info
ART
AVAILABLE TO ALL: Rough Play Projects in Joshua Tree opens Available to All, its first site-specific art exhibition, April 7 in Joshua Tree. Situated on raw desert land, the show includes installations by Adam Berg, Kellan Barnebey King, Chris Sanchez (a.k.a. Kas Infinite), Stefanie Schneider, Aili Schmeltz. Info
LIFT TO RISE: Noe Montes addresses issues of inequality in the Coachella Valley in this photography exhibition, through April 19, at the Marks Art Center at College of the Desert in Palm Desert. Info
CHAIRS FOR CHARITY: This free exhibition at La Quinta Museum, April 10-May 20, features one-of-a-kind chairs brought to life by 15 artists from the desert communities and Idyllwild. After the exhibition, the chairs will be auctioned to benefit Idyllwild Arts Foundation. Info
MUSIC FOR YOUR EYES: Herb Alpert: A Visual Melody, an exclusive exhibition of paintings and sculptures by the artist and musician, continues through May 21 at Heather James Fine Art in Palm Desert. Info
WARHOL AT THE MUSEUM: See iconic screenprints by the King of Pop at Andy Warhol: Prints From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation through May 28 at Palm Springs Art Museum in downtown Palm Springs. Info
DESERT PHOTOGRAPHY: Journey Through the Desert – The Road Less Traveled, a survey of photography from early 20th century to today, continues through July 29 at Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert. Info
FILM
DOC FEST: The American Documentary Film Festival rolls April 6-14 at Palm Springs Cultural Center (formerly Camelot Theatres), and opens with an appearance by George Takei, star of Allegiance to Broadway. Info
BRILLO BOX (3 CENTS OFF): In 1969, Lisanne Skyler’s parents bought an Andy Warhol Brillo Box (3¢ Off) sculpture for $1,000. Forty years later, the same piece sold for more than $3 million at a Christie’s auction. The screening, April 19 at UCR Palm Desert, concludes the City of Palm Desert’s season of art documentary films and discussions. Info
WEED SUMMIT: The inaugural Palm Springs Cannabis Film Festival & Summit is set for April 20-22 at Palm Springs Cultural Center. Info
WILD & SCENIC FILM FEST: Celebrate the natural world and explore issues such as energy, biodiversity, conservation, and climate with leading activists, professionals, and filmmakers. This free, one-day film fest on April 21 is a partnership between host UCR Palm Desert and The Living Desert and the Rivers & Lands Conservancy. Info
HERITAGE
MARIACHI FESTIVAL: Enjoy folklorico dancing and music by Mariachi Estrella, Mariachi Espectacular, and Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea at this free festival April 7 at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Coachella. Info
ARTISANS AT THE PUEBLO: Artists converge on Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs on April 8 to share their artwork with Coachella Valley residents and visitors. Info
ART OF TEXTILE: The exhibition Textiles en Movimiento runs April 8-15 at Moorten Botanical Garden in Palm Springs, showcasing artworks and materials highlighting regional Argentine textile tradition and innovation, as well as the remarkable symmetry between the California desert and northwestern Argentina. Info
LITERARY & SPOKEN WORD
ZINE FEST: Joshua Tree Zine Fest, the High Desert’s inaugural DIY publishing festival, unfolds April 1 at Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center. Info
DESERT ORACLE RADIO: Ken Layne broadcasts another episode of his strange and wonderful Desert Oracle Radio program April 26 at Annenberg Theater, coinciding with Free Thursday Nights at Palm Springs Art Museum. Info
MUSIC
INDIAN WELLS MUSIC FESTIVAL: Jonny Lang and Jon Batiste With The Dap-Kings headline the inaugural Indian Wells Music Festival April 6-7 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The lineup also includes The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mindi Abair & The BoneShakers, The Robert Cray Band, and Sandra Lynn. Info
FLASHBACK: Relive the magical Summer of Love April 6-8 at the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus performance of “Cruizin’ Haight Ashbury to Woodstock” at Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs. You’ll hear songs by Simon and Garfunkel, Mamas and Papas, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Beach Boys, and others. Info
OPERA IN THE PARK: Enjoy open-air arias and set up your own picnic April 8 at Opera in the Park, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs. The program pays tribute to Leonard Bernstein’s Centennial with feature music from West Side Story and Candide. Info
MUSIC OF MICHAEL JACKSON: Windborne and Desert Symphony play through an amazing catalog of material, from the Jackson 5 to his final performance, April 12 at McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. Info
HAVANA NIGHT: Lily and the Miramar Orchestra comes to Indian Wells Theater at CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, April 13 and 14, with a show featuring Cuban legends Calixto Oviedo, Geraldo Aragon, Oscar Hernandez, and others. Info
THEATER
JEWTOPIA: Stereotypes collide, cultures clash and chaos ensues in Jewtopia, April 19-29, at the Indio Performing Arts Center. Info
SHAKESPEARE FEST: Hear ye, Shakespeare lovers! Green Room Theatre Company/Coachella Valley Shakespeare launches a nine-day Shakespeare event, April 21-29, at Barnes & Noble at Westfield Palm Desert. Info
YELLOW: This Del Shores play, running April 24-26 at Palm Canyon Theatre, chronicles a year in the life of the “perfect” family in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Info
2 ACROSS: Two strangers, both married, with opposite personalities board a train for a funny, witty, and romantic trip in 2 Across, on stage at CV Rep in Rancho Mirage from April 25 to May 20. Info
