The desert has always been known for its entertainment. In its early years, Palm Springs hosted Frank Sinatra’s glamorous weekend visits with the Rat Pack, and year after year Indio welcomes music’s biggest names for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. And even in-between the valley’s most legendary moments, there is always something exciting in store for locals and visitors alike to indulge in a bit of star power.
Whether you want to watch the stars — Kali Uchis, Alicia Villarreal, and more — or you want to be your own star — at a painting event or an open mic night — this list has something for everyone.
Here are our picks for the top things to do in the desert Monday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 24. (And if you’d like to submit an upcoming event of your own for a future roundup, see the bottom of this article for directions.)
Open Mic Night at The Roost Lounge
The Roost Lounge hosts an open mic night every Monday at 6 p.m.
Sing those Monday blues away at the Roost Lounge. Every Monday, pianist Joel Baker tickles the ivories for an open mic night. Sign ups to perform begin at 6 p.m., and the sing-a-long takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
When: 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18
Where: The Roost Lounge, 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Drive #203, Cathedral City
Cost: Free admission
More info: theroostcc.com
Summer Night Paint and Sip at Miracle Springs Resort & Spa
Let your creativity — and some wine — flow at Miracle Springs Resort and Spa. Unwind this Tuesday, and paint a peaceful swing set scene with friends. At this paint and sip event, no experience is necessary, as there will be instructors ready to help you with your creation. And, your first wine is included with your ticket purchase, with a $10 limit.
When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19
Where: Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, 10-625 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs
Cost: $33.85
More info: eventbrite.com
Will Brahm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Musician Will Brahm will be performing at Agua Caliente Resort and Casino Aug. 21.
Fresh off the release of his 2025 album, “Distance to Empty,” Will Brahm is taking his talents to the Carousel clubroom in Agua Caliente’s Cascade Lounge this week. Braham has performed with the New West Guitar Group and Arturo Sandoval, and his jazz and rock-influenced stylings made him a semifinalist in the 2019 Herbie Hancock International Jazz Guitar Competition. Los Angeles-based and Portland-raised, Brahm is taking all that jazz to the desert this Thursday.
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21
Where: Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $17.85-$71.21
More info: eventbrite.com
Wild Nights at the Living Desert
A native garden featuring cactus and ocotillo at The Living Desert.
Adventure to the wilds of the Americas at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ after hours event. Explore the zoo’s different areas and animals; including the Sonoran Pond’s native bats, the Wild Americas’ mountain lions, as well as the Mexican wolves, skunks, jaguar, bighorn sheep, and baby bobcats the zoo is known for. Visitors can also cool off at the splash pad, meet the animal care team, compete in desert trivia for prizes, and search for scorpions with a blacklight. This wild Friday night will also be complete with entertainment, treats, and themed drinks.
When: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22
Where: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert
Cost: $14.95-$19.95 (Free admission for children under 3)
More info: livingdesert.org
Irma Ruiz at Spotlight 29
This back to school season, Irma Ruiz is taking the jokes from the classroom to the Spotlight 29 Casino stage. An educator-turned-comic, Ruiz is bringing her unapologetic comedy to the casino’s Chairman’s Lounge as part of the Teachers Gone Bad series. Her stand-up set is perfect for teachers, parents, or anyone looking to laugh. To attend, audience members must be 18 years or older, or 16 or older and accompanied by someone over the age of 21. Doors open at 7, and the show starts at 8 p.m.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22
Where: Spotlight 29, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella
Cost: $23.17-$172.57
More info: spotlight29.com
The Peter Gabriel Project at Agua Caliente Casino The Show
The Peter Gabriel Project will be coming to The Show at Agua Caliente Resort and Casino on Aug. 22.
This weekend, rock out like it’s the ’80s. The Peter Gabriel Project is coming to Agua Caliente Resort and Casino. Musician Brody Dolyniuk formed the group as a tribute to British singer and frontliner of the rock band Genesis, Peter Gabriel. Titled “The Prophet of Pop Rock: The Gabriel Legacy,” the show will feature a performance of Gabriel’s “So” album, as well as other hits.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22
Where: Agua Caliente Casino The Show, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: $19.95-$49.95
More info: aguacalientecasinos.com
Saguaro Drag Brunch Experience
Drag Brunch at the Saguaro Hotel Palm Springs is hosted every Saturday and Sunday.
Queen out this weekend at the Saguaro Drag Brunch Experience. Jasmine Masters, “The Meme Queen” from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Drag Race All Stars,” will be hosting the event, which features a rotating cast of fabulous drag queens. Doors open at 11 a.m. for a pre-show lounge and meet and greet with the queens. Seating starts around 11:30 a.m., and the big show begins at noon. The queens are ready to wow, and with food and bottomless mimosas available, you couldn’t ask for a more dazzling weekend brunch experience.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug. 24
Where: The Saguaro, 1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $45-$93.10
More info: saguaro.tripworks.com
Sci-Fi Summer: ‘The Matrix’
Keanu Reeves’ Neo and Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith engage in a final battle in “The Matrix Revolutions.”
This Saturday, enter an alternate reality at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. “The Matrix,” the 1999 mind-bending film starring Keaneu Reaves, will be playing on the big screen at the Camelot Theatre as a part of the Sci-Fi Summer Film Series. There will be a pre-show at 6 p.m., complete with 1999 tech artifacts, fashion, and film trivia. Film expert Eric Smith will introduce the film before the dystopian journey begins at 7 p.m.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
Where: Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $13.65
More info: eventbrite.com
Alicia Villarreal at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Alicia Villarreal is promising “pure Mexican magic” this Saturday night. After finishing last year’s tour, Villarreal is back in the U.S. for her “Donde Todo Comenzó 2.0 Tour.” The Latin pop solo artist and lead vocalist of the ’90s Mexican Norteño band Grupo Límite will be rocking the Special Events Center stage at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino this Aug. 23.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Cost: $62-$103
More info: fantasyspringsresort.com
Kali Uchis at Acrisure Arena
Grammy Award-winning artist Kali Uchis announced she will be taking her “Kali Uchis – The Sincerely, Tour” to Acrisure Arena in August.
This Saturday, Kali Uchis isn’t “just a flight away” — she’s right here in the desert. The Grammy award-winning artist, famous for songs like “Telepatía” and “Dead to Me,” will be performing at the Acrisure Arena at 8 p.m. Uchis released her fifth studio album, “Sincerely” this May before hitting the road for “The Sincerely, Tour.” With Thee Sacred Souls opening the show, it is sure to be a night of soulful R&B entertainment.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
Where: Acrisure, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Cost: $113-$1,212.10
More info: acrisurearena.com
To submit an event for The Desert Sun’s consideration in future 10 things to do stories, send an email to [email protected] with the time, date, location and price of admission for your event, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required, but are highly encouraged as part of the submission.
Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time, and to make sure your event jumps out in our inbox, put “10 things to do submission” in the email subject line.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Things to do in Palm Springs: 10 events to check out in the desert
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
