July 3 Daily Briefing: City celebration kicks off, building to be bulldozed, Lip Sync preview, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone. We hope you’re preparing to have a wonderful (and safe) holiday weekend and will be mindful of the heat warnings that have been issued. As of the time this email was sent there have been no plans to cancel any of the events planned in the city, but you should be aware that anything can happen. We suggest checking the city’s Facebook account for any last-minute changes. As for us, we’ll be taking a few days off and will be back in your inbox on Monday. Let us be the first to wish you Happy Independence Day! 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs celebrates 4th of July with several days of festivities

Starting today, Palm Springs is gearing up for its “All American Fourth of July Celebration Week,” five days of special events throughout the city.

First things first: The festivities kick off today in Victoria Park with a free KidsFest and celebration of newly installed playground equipment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. KidsFest will have music, games, and free food for kids and families in Palm Springs.

Next up: Starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, everyone is invited to a pool party at the Palm Springs Swim Center, complete with pool toys, games, and food. Watch the fireworks from the pool to celebrate the holiday in true Palm Springs fashion. 

Play ball: What’s more American than baseball? At 6 p.m., head over to the Palm Springs Stadium to watch the Palm Springs Power all-stars collegiate game. 

Enjoy a free concert at Sunrise Park at 7:30 p.m. featuring Fortunate Son, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band.

The city’s Firework Spectacular starts at 9:15 p.m. sharp in Sunrise Park.

But wait, there’s more: The festivities don’t stop on July 4. You can enjoy “Kung Fu Panda 4,” a free “dive-in” movie at the Palm Springs Swim Center at 7 p.m. Friday, a concert in Downtown Park on Saturday at 7 p.m., and a screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in the Downtown Park at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Details: For more information on events in the city, visit this website or call Palm Springs Parks and Recreation at 760-323-8272.

• For a guide to events in the rest of the Coachella Valley, The Desert Sun has that covered here. 

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BRIEFLY

🚧 Former Smoke Tree bank building will be demolished

Two weeks after the re-opening of the Bank of America building off South Palm Canyon Drive, the demolition of a building on East Palm Canyon Drive that used to contain a BofA is moving forward. 

• The building, which sits in the Smoke Tree Village shopping center, had housed Bank of America since 1976 until the bank closed that branch last year. It’s now one of several empty buildings in the shopping center that owners of the land it sits on say is in need of revitalization. 
  
  
• On Tuesday, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board decided against considering the building for elevated historic designation, allowing the demolition to proceed.

Bottom line: A representative of the shopping center’s owners said Tuesday that there are no current plans to build anything else on the property. It is hoped that tearing it down will prevent issues that have surfaced with other vacant buildings in the city.

🚨 Police: Shooting victims had no local connection

Three men who were found dead Sunday inside city limits near Interstate 10 were not from the area and had no connection to Palm Springs, police said Tuesday. 

• At approximately 1:15 p.m., the department received a report of possible gunshot victims in the area of North Indian Canyon Drive and Garnet Avenue. Two deceased males were found in a white sedan at the intersection, while a third male with self-inflicted injuries was discovered near the Interstate 10 overpass.
  
  
• The coroner has not released the names of the men, and an investigation into exactly what happened during the incident is ongoing, but Sgt. Marcus Litch said Tuesday during a meeting of local business leaders that they were not local. 

Details: Anyone with information about the incident is urged to phone 760-778-8422 or send an email here.

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YOUR LONG WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

• Palm Springs Power baseball on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Palm Springs Stadium.
  
  
• “Bye Bye Birdie” Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Palm Canyon Theatre.

TODAY

• KidsFest in Victoria Park from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

THURSDAY

• Pool Party at Palm Springs Swim Center at 3 p.m.
  
  
• Rock the City free concert featuring Fortunate Son band at Sunrise Park at 7:30 p.m.
  
  
• VillageFest operates as usual this evening in Downtown Palm Springs at 7 p.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Fireworks Spectacular at Sunrise Park at 9:15 p.m.

FRIDAY

• Desert Hot Springs Fireworks Spectacular at Mission Springs Park at 6 p.m.
  
  
• “North by Northwest” screening at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m.
  
  
• Free Country Western Dancing at Ace Hotel at 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Hot Pink 4th of July Weekend at the Trixie Motel at 11 a.m.
  
  
• “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” screening at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
  
  
• Piano Riot at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m.
  
  
• Rock the City free concert featuring K-Tell All-Stars at Downtown Park at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY

• “The Princess and the Pirate” screening at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 3 p.m.
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 3 p.m.
  
  
• “Stop Making Sense” screening at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 6 p.m.

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AND FINALLY …

The 2nd annual ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle returns to Palm Springs on Sunday, July 7. Teams from various community organizations will compete in a lighthearted showdown of talent and entertainment.

Driving the news: Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) is hosting the event at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, with comedian Shann Carr producing the show.

• This year’s theme, “Better Together,” highlights new teams representing local community organizations.

Why it matters: The event brings together hard-working community members for a fun-filled afternoon, fostering a sense of unity and friendly competition among Palm Springs organizations.

• “After the success of last year’s event, excitement is building as locals eagerly anticipate another unforgettable showdown of talent and entertainment,” said Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein.

The players: Teams from various organizations, including Brothers of the Desert, The Center, and the Palm Springs Police Department, will compete against last year’s winner, Palm Springs Unified School District.

• Most of last year’s contestants are serving as judges and coaches for this year’s competition.

Details: The event takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 East Baristo Road.

• Tickets start at $35 and are available here.