Jan. 21 Daily Briefing: Theater ticket prices, vehicle seized, a record for PSP, and more

Welcome to Wednesday! Talk about perfect timing. Just as readers on our Facebook page were discussing our story about ticket prices at The Plaza Theatre (see below) — and wishing for more arthouse films in the valley shown more days a week — Festival Theaters (see its schedule here) sent a news release announcing their renewed focus on independent, international, and LGBTQ+ cinema, complete with $7 ticket Tuesdays and daily showtimes starting at 11 a.m. Between that renewed commitment and the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s ongoing classic film programming (see its special event lineup here), movie lovers in the desert have some great, affordable options!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Dirty Work” by Steely Dan

LEADING OFF

Plaza Theatre ticket prices spark affordability questions, explanations

Some Palm Springs residents say ticket prices at the newly restored Plaza Theatre are higher than expected. Theater operators say the pricing reflects the cost of booking performers in a 700-seat venue and is comparable to other local performing arts spaces.

Driving the news: Since the city-owned theater reopened in late 2025, tickets have ranged from $19 for community-oriented shows to $1,500 for premium events like the opening gala featuring Wicked star Cynthia Erivo.

• Tickets to an annual speaker series that previously started at $35 to $55 more than doubled, and an April Billy Porter show ranges from about $95 to $250.

By the numbers: As of mid-December, the Plaza Theatre’s average ticket price sold was about $92, according to John Bolton, general manager of the Plaza Theatre and senior vice president of Oak View Group, which operates the venue.

• That’s in line with the McCallum Theatre’s average of $92.68 over the past 36 months, according to Pollstar data Bolton cited.

Why it matters: Artist fees must be spread across the Plaza’s 700 seats, creating higher per-ticket costs than larger venues. An artist fee divided by 700 seats versus 7,000 seats produces significantly different pricing, Bolton said.

City Hall efforts: City Manager Scott Stiles said the City Council emphasized the importance of keeping part of the Plaza’s programming accessible, pointing to $19 tickets for a showing of the movie “Camille” as an example.

• The city owns the theater but doesn’t set ticket prices, which are handled by the Plaza Theatre Foundation and Oak View Group.
  
• Tickets can be purchased at the box office inside the theater on event days starting at 11 a.m., sometimes offering lower-cost options than third-party sellers.

In context: The theater closed in 2014, and restoration efforts launched in 2019 included millions of dollars in city funds. The project is expected to bring at least $21 million annually in economic impact.

Dive deeper with Erin Rode’s full story

BRIEFLY

🚍 Commission discusses how transit, job strategies can help cut emissions

• The Palm Springs Sustainability Commission heard presentations Tuesday on economic development and regional transit redesign, both aimed at reducing environmental impacts by addressing workforce commuting and vehicle use.
  
• Wayne Olson, the city’s chief economic development officer, said building a local workforce and attracting year-round visitors can reduce the need for workers to commute from outside the city. SunLine Transit Agency’s Anna Dan said expanding public transit is the most effective way to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
  
• What else? SunLine is conducting a public survey on potential transit improvements that remains open through the end of next month.

🚨 Vehicle seized in fatal Vista Chino hit-and-run

• Palm Springs Police said Tuesday they had identified and seized a black 2005 Chevrolet Silverado believed to be involved in a fatal hit-and-run on East Vista Chino early Sunday morning. Capt. Gustavo Araiza said officers served a search warrant in Thousand Palms and recovered the vehicle.
  
• The pedestrian, identified by the Riverside County Coroner Tuesday as a 56-year-old Palm Springs man, was found dead in the eastbound lanes near the 1000 block of East Vista Chino at 3:30 a.m. Sunday after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.
  
• Details: No arrests have been made, and investigators are working to identify the driver. Anyone with information should contact the Traffic Division at 760-323-8125.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Sunshine Sisters Breakfast
8 a.m. | Rick’s Restaurant
Start the day with other Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters with breakfast and conversation.

Introduction To Energy Healing
10 a.m. | The Center
Starting with a series of Chi Kung exercises to build energy, learn hands-on healing techniques such as brain balancing and a full-body healing called a chelation. ($75)

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others. This is a free library program; you do not have to be a member of Mizell Center to attend.

FuturePS: AI Tech & Creative
5 p.m. | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
FuturePS is an upscale, low-key social gathering for builders, founders, artists, educators, and those curious about how AI and technology are reshaping life, work, and play in the desert.

Architectural Review Committee
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The ARC typically holds  meetings at 5:30 pm on the first and third Monday of each month to review and make recommendations on building and landscape design to the Planning Commission, City Council and city staff. This meeting was rescheduled due to a holiday. See tonight’s agenda here.

Bow Wow Bingo
6 p.m. | Boozehounds
GED Magazine and Boozehounds bring you an exciting charity bingo – Bow Wow Bingo hosted by the Queen of Bingo Ethylina Canne. Join in every third Wednesday of each month and bring your doggie pals. ($25)

The Greatest Showman Sing Along
7 p.m. | Quadz Video Bar
Join Quadz Palm Springs for their weekly movie night. This time it’s a sing along screening of The Greatest Showman. 

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• The Gand Band Jeanie Cunningham Star Fundraiser on Thursday
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival on Saturday
  
• Psychedelic medicine and health community conversation on Saturday at Mizell Center
  
• “Car Show Car Show” at Market Market on Sunday
  
• Third Annual Palm Springs Readers’ Festival from Jan. 30 through Feb. 1
  
• Palm Springs Speaks with Cheech Marin on Feb. 10
  
• Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Feb. 19-22

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) wrapped up another banner year in 2025, it was announced Tuesday, continuing a growth streak that’s quietly reshaping how travelers move in and out of the Coachella Valley — and doing it with fewer flights than before the pandemic.

Driving the news: Airport officials said in a news release that PSP welcomed more than 3.3 million passengers in 2025, an increase of about 2.4% compared to 2024. The airport set five all-time monthly passenger records, including March 2025, the busiest month in its history, when nearly half a million travelers passed through the terminal.

• Nine months posted year-over-year passenger growth, signaling demand well beyond the traditional peak season.

What’s behind it: Airport officials say the growth reflects more travelers choosing to fly from Palm Springs, driven primarily by increased domestic travel and sustained interest in the Coachella Valley as a year-round destination.

• Despite higher passenger counts, PSP handled about 3,800 fewer commercial flights than at pre-pandemic levels, a drop of roughly 6%, as airlines increasingly use larger mainline aircraft instead of smaller regional jets.

Why it matters: Larger, quieter and more fuel-efficient planes allow the airport to serve more passengers while reducing overall flight activity, supporting both the regional economy and environmental goals.