Palm Springs
Modernism Week, the ultimate celebration of midcentury architecture, design, and culture, kicked off February 15th and runs through February 25th, so if you haven’t attended any of the events yet—there’s still time! Modernism Week’s signature February Event is an annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture right here in Palm Springs. Enjoy more than 350 events including the Modernism Show & Sale, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more. Modernism Week not only features a wide range of programming at many locations throughout Greater Palm Springs, but many of the events are free or priced under $45. Here are some of our top picks for accessible events. Now, go get your Modernism on! XOKate
Under $45:
Palm Springs Door Tour, February 25, several tours from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM, $20
This is a self-guided bike tour through the Indian Canyons neighborhood where docents at each stop will share information about the homes’ architecture and front door colors. Presented by Dunn-Edwards Paints and curated by Palm Springs Style.
Talks and Presentations at CAMP and the Annenberg Theater
Modernism Week has gathered leading luminaries in a wide array of fields to share their knowledge with Modernism Week participants. The talks take place during the 11 days of the festival and range in prices from $10 – $20.
Vintage Trailer Show Weekend – Producer’s Choice
February 24, 10 AM – 4 PM; $25
The Vintage Trailer Show is one of the most celebrated and exciting events of the second weekend. This thoughtfully curated collection of vintage trailers, campers, buses and motor homes is arguably one of the largest and most attended vintage trailer shows in the United States.
Architecture Design Art Film Series
February 23-25; Various times, prices range from $12 – $20
Modernism Week has teamed up with Am Docs (American Documentary Film Festival) to host the first-ever Architecture Design Art Film Series. Held over three days (February 23-25) at the Camelot Theater, the series will feature 26 films, documentaries and short films that cross 14 Modernism Week Programs. Two of the films will be reprise screenings of the “Frey: Part 1” and “Sinatra in Palm Springs” films.
Mod with A Twist
Daily at CAMP February 16 – 24, 5 PM; $45
Mod with a Twist has become one of the most sought-after tickets during Modernism Week. This popular “think and drink” event features thought-provoking and irreverent presentations and runs daily February 16 through 24 with two alternating panel tracks (Mod Dreams and Mod Life). Five informative, amusing and captivating 10-minute talks will be presented by leading Modernists and guest presenters on an amazing range of topics, accompanied by a richly detailed audio and visual presentation. Back for the fifth year, these programs typically play to a full house.
Free Events:
Midcentury Photo Gallery Opening
February 24, 2018 12 – 7 PM
The new Grace Home Gallery, located at 1001 N Palm Canyon Drive, will unveil its new 2018 collection of midcentury photography. Located in the vibrant Uptown Design District, the gallery specializes in modern era photographers from the 1940s through the 1970s such as Slim Aarons and Bert Stern.
Modernism Yard Sale
February 25, 8 AM – 12 PM
This annual sale is produced by Modern Bear and hosted by H3K Home. It has become one of Modernism Week’s most popular free events – carefully curated vendors offer their highly coveted mix of vintage midcentury decorative furnishings, fashion, and collectibles.
Palm Springs Walk of Stars Dedication
February 22, 2018 at 2 p.m.
The Palm Springs Walk of Stars will honor renowned Desert Humanitarian Nelda Linsk, made famous in the iconic Slim Aarons photograph ‘Poolside Gossip,” at a star dedication ceremony on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 2 p.m. at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive. The event is free and open to the public.
Meet the Authors: Modernism Week Book Signings at CAMP’s Destination PSP
February 24, 2018, 11 AM
Come meet Palm Springs authors that have immortalized modernism in print.
Free Art Events:
Donald Wexler, Architect Exhibit
February 1-28 at the Palm Springs Public Library (during regular opening hours)
View a comprehensive photo essay about the impact of Wexler’s work in Palm Springs.
Architecture & Art at The Hideaway
February 24, 6-9 PM
“The Spirits of Palm Springs” is a sculpture exhibition that captures the immortal celebrity of some of Palm Springs’ most beloved past residents. The event will take place at The Hideaway, the quintessential midcentury hotel in Palm Springs’ Tennis Club neighborhood. Hosted wine and hors d’oeuvres included.
Modernism Week’s CAMP (“Community And Meeting Place”) will provide a central hub for Modernism Week from February 16-25, 2018. Located at 230 Museum Way (directly across from the Palm Springs Art Museum in the future Downtown Palm Springs public park space), CAMP will include an information desk, a box office, a café by Cheeky’s, the Modernism Week merchandise store by Destination PSP, a demonstration kitchen, designer lounges and a theater. Entrance into CAMP is free and open to the public and will be open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Free Activities to do at CAMP
There will be several free events and “happenings” at CAMP that will offer fun and engaging activities for attendees. These include the “Poolside Gossip Meet and Greet with Nelda Linsk.” This is a one-of-kind opportunity to participate in the recreation of the famous 1970 Slim Aarons photo “Poolside Gossip” with Nelda Linsk, who was depicted in the photo taken at the celebrated Kaufmann House. Nelda will be at CAMP from 10 AM – 12 PM on Saturday February 24 and 25.
Modernism Week sponsors will feature a wide range of free compelling activities at CAMP. Alfa Romeo returns to CAMP to provide attendees the opportunity to test drive the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the all-new Stelvio. For every test drive, a $20 donation will be made to Modernism Week’s scholarship fund, for student entering the fields of architecture and design. Dunn Edwards will display several SHAG prints and will provide complimentary color consultants to assist attendees in choosing the right color of paint for their projects. Corian Design will offer a free mobile phone charging station.
The Ferguson Demonstration Kitchen at CAMP will host design conversations, daily chef appearances and ongoing food preparation demonstrations with tasty samplings. Highlights include demos by visiting chefs Brooke Williams from Top Chef and the food styling duo “White on Rice.” Local chefs will also conduct demonstrations on weekends. There will also be free design talks with tastemakers and bloggers. A full CAMP schedule is at modernismweek.com.
CAMP attendees will have the opportunity to explore the newly designed AlPod mobile home, which will be on display each day in front of CAMP. AlPod’s aluminum structure is strong and light, making it easy to transport and allowing it to be stacked in a modular fashion. Although it is designed primary for use as a home, it is suitable for use as a suburban cottage, a holiday cabin, an office, an exhibition venue or a mobile shop.
About Modernism Week:
Modernism Week is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, providing scholarships to local Palm Springs students pursuing college educations in the fields of architecture and design; as well as giving grants to local and state organizations for their efforts to preserve modernist architecture throughout the state of California.
Modernism Week’s Mission:
The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation, and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area.
