4 More Reasons to Visit Greater Palm Springs ‘After’ Coachella!

The 2022 season of the Coachella and Stagecoach fests are over, but that hardly means the fun comes to an end in the desert paradise! On the contrary, it’s just beginning. Greater Palm Springs has something for everyone from entertainment and art to films and food to keep you coming back.

IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY VISUAL ARTS SHOWCASE AT MELISSA MORGAN FINE ART GALLERY IN PALM DESERT

The talented students of the Idyllwild Arts Academy will present its Spring 2022 off-site student exhibition May 6-7.  Following a hiatus during COVID, the Idyllwild Arts Visual Arts students are excited to return to the desert and showcase their work, marking the reintroduction of a special partnership with Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery, which gives students a unique taste of what it’s like to participate in the professional world of fine art.

The visual arts reception will be held at Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery, a prestigious contemporary gallery in the heart of El Paseo, on May 6 from 4-7 p.m. which will be followed by a special rock concert by Idyllwild Arts Academy songwriting students in the Melissa Morgan Sculpture Garden from 7 to 8 p.m.

The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will run through May 7 and will feature the year’s best visual works from students of Idyllwild Arts Academy, the pioneering arts high school that has been changing lives through the transformative power of art for more than 70 years.

Curated by Visual Arts Chair Linda Santana along with the Visual Arts faculty, the exhibition showcases art from 28 artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, ceramics, mixed-media, sculpture, drawing, photography, jewelry and printmaking. Forty works were chosen from artists in grades 9-12. The range of art speaks to the experiences of young visual artists in the 21st century with reflections on life, friendships, cultural mythologies and personal ethos. All art will be available for purchase in support of the artists and Idyllwild Arts Academy.

Located on a 205-acre campus in the San Jacinto Mountains, the Idyllwild Arts Academy was recently ranked the #1 Private High School for Arts in America and prides itself on providing a one-of-a-kind experience for young artists hailing from more than 30 countries.

TRIO GIVES FOODIES A CHANCE TO GIVE BACK

Since first opening its doors to Palm Springs diners 2009, TRIO has served up timeless, flavorful dishes and warm, generous service to Palm Springs residents and visitors alike. The restaurant’s commitment is not only to creating great cuisine inspired by owner Tony Marchese’s family heritage and Chicago childhood, but also giving back to the Greater Palm Springs community. Foodies can combine their love of great food with these two upcoming events to give back.

Dining Out for Life, benefitting Desert AIDS Project takes place on April 28. Dine at TRIO on Thursday, April 28 and know that 60% of all sales will be donated to Desert AIDS Project as part of Dining Out for Life.

Palm Springs Craft Cocktail Week, benefitting DAP Health and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, will take place April 29 – May 7. TRIO’s featured cocktail for the event, the Flower Sour, is made with Local Modern Love Gin, egg whites, Saint Germain, fresh lemon juice and hibiscus lavender syrup.

Find more information here.

HOLD OUR BEERS: PALM DESERT BREW AT THE ZOO RETURNS MAY 7

Palm Desert Brew at the Zoo is returning to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens on Saturday, May 7 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., offering a wide selection of craft beer, exquisite wine, delicious bites and live music, as well as a few special animals!

“This will be the first Brew at the Zoo since 2019 and we’re really excited to welcome everyone back,” said Living Desert CEO/President Allen Monroe. “Not only is it one of our most important fundraisers that supports our education and conservation programs, Brew at the Zoo is one of our most popular events. And the new format, which features full-size beverages and unique food offerings, will really enhance the guest experience.”

Presented by the City of Palm Desert, the 11th annual event features an array of beer and wine selections at bars located throughout the zoo, inviting attendees to delight in culinary creations from onsite eateries and enjoy live music performances throughout the night. Guests will also be able to explore the Rhino Savanna boardwalk and African Safari trail, catch a glimpse of giraffe, cheetah and rhino.

Advanced tickets for Palm Desert Brew at the Zoo are required and are $40 each, providing admission to the event, live entertainment, one BrewBuck and a surprise souvenir. BrewBucks can be used to redeem one beer, wine or food item; all items are one BrewBuck each. Additional BrewBucks are $6 each and can be purchased on site during the event. All proceeds benefit The Living Desert’s conservation and education programs. Attendees must be 21+ and provide a valid photo ID.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit, accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ensuring the highest standards of all aspects of animal care, education, conservation, public service and operations. The Zoo is active in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the world, as well as in its own community. The Zoo has been a top destination in the Palm Springs area for more than 50 years.

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST RETURNS TO IN-PERSON SCREENINGS AND FORUM JUNE 21-27

 The annual Palm Springs International ShortFest & Short Film Market, one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America, will return with in-person screenings June 21-27.  Kicking off on Tuesday, June 21, ShortFest will screen a full slate of films at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The ShortFest Forum will also be held in its traditional live format with classes and panels featuring industry representatives, filmmakers and additional guests. Awards and cash prizes worth $25,000, including five Academy Award-qualifying awards, will be announced on Sunday, June 26. Best of the Fest shorts will screen on the final day, Monday, June 27.

 ShortFest is a bellwether for Hollywood, with several of this year’s Oscar winners and nominees screened at 2021 ShortFest. Designated by AMPAS, BAFTA, BIFA and Goya Awards as an award-qualifying festival, and accredited by the International Short Film Conference. The event is produced by the Palm Springs International Film Society, whose mission is to nurture and encourage new filmmaking talent, honoring the great masters of world cinema and expanding audience horizons.

More information on 2022 ShortFest Programming and its schedule will be announced soon on the website.