Our procrastinator’s guide to Modernism Week 2024 ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

The ever-popular bus tours for Modernism Week will be sure to draw crowds this year. But some lesser-known events are worth a mention.

Well, it’s that time of year again — Modernism Week has come to town, along with more than 100,000 visitors from all over the world. And maybe you haven’t even looked at the schedule yet (no judgment!) so we have the breakdown of some hidden gems that still have tickets (as of the publication of this story).

We spoke with Mark Davis at Modernism Week, who went line-by-line through the schedule of more than 350 events over 11 days and hand-picked what he thinks are some of the most underrated events at both Modernism Week and the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival.

Davis told us that locals shouldn’t overlook the annual event. It gives them an opportunity to learn a little more about the culture, history, and architecture of the world-famous buildings we drive by every day without a second thought.

You can count on certain lectures and home tours to return every year, but many are not guaranteed, so be sure to snatch some tickets if something catches your eye.

Modernism Week is chock-full of fascinating lectures from experts and iconic double-decker bus tours, but it’s also bigger than that. There are cocktail parties, theater, book signings, films, and so much more.

The festival has slowly added new and different events for the past several years.

“I was doing the proverbial throwing things against the wall to see what stuck,” Davis said. “And it’s worked out quite well.”

Read more about some of his picks, including a murder mystery musical, a rare public appearance by a renowned ceramicist, and an award-winning portrayal of Hollywood costume design legend Edith Head.

“Palm Springs Modern”: A Look Back In Time To 1999
Friday | 9 a.m. | Annenberg Theater | $18
Davis highlighted this conversation with the author and photographer of the 1999 book, “Palm Springs Modern.” He said the “extraordinarily influential” book was one of the first to call attention to and celebrate the architecture of Palm Springs, turning it into an international destination.

The Direction of Sculptural Ceramics in Architecture by Stan Bitters
Saturday | 11 a.m. | Annenberg Theater | $25
At 89, Stan Bitters is traveling from Sacramento to give a rare presentation on his 65-year career in modern ceramic arts. “I’m just shocked this event isn’t full,” Davis said.

Albert Frey’s 1931 Aluminaire House and Its Influence on American Modernism
Sunday | 11 a.m. | Annenberg Theater | $18
There are several events related to the newly acquired Aluminaire House that still have tickets available, including this deep dive into why exactly a shiny metal house is connected to the midcentury modern architecture of Palm Springs.

Shag With A Twist: Hosted by Shag
Sunday & Monday | Annenberg Theater | $85 – $175
Watch the art of Shag come to life before your eyes in the “colorful cocktail of song and dance.” Davis said, “It’s basically a murder musical come to life and it all starts with a murder at Tupperware party in Palm Springs.” Say no more.

“Swinging On A Star”: An Evening of Jimmy Van Heusen’s Songs with Marissa Mulder
Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Annenberg Theater | $35
Singer Marissa Mulder will enchant audiences with her contemporary interpretation of the songs of Jimmy Van Heusen. “Van Heusen was responsible for much of the songbook of that time period,” Davis said. “He lived in Palm Springs and was best friends with Sinatra.”

Meet the Architects Who Saved the 1931 Aluminaire House
Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 9 a.m. | Modernism Week Theater At CAMP | $15
Another discussion of the Aluminaire House, this time with the architects responsible for rescuing the modern masterpiece from the scrap heap of history.

“Swingin’ The Disney Songbook”
Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Annenberg Theater | $35
Performers Matt Johnson and The New Jet Set, featuring Adryon de León, will be singing the beloved favorites from Disney animated films in a retro-cool jazz interpretation, complete with footage from the movies.

A Conversation of Wit, Wisdom, and a Whisper of Gossip with Edith Head
Friday, Feb. 23 | 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. | Annenberg Theater | $45
Actor Susan Claassen isn’t merely an impersonator of Edith Head. Davis said she perfectly embodies the Hollywood legend with a full theater set production, including furnishings, photographs, dress forms, and costumes. “People were blown away with it last year,” Davis said.

Albert Frey: A SYMPOSIUM
Saturday, Feb. 24 | 9 a.m. | Annenberg Theater | $125
This symposium features a keynote address from author and Pulitzer Prize-winning architectural critic Paul Goldberger, with presentations by a historian, biographer, and curator. After a provided lunch, attendees will go on a self-driving tour of Frey sites.

The Cookers: Legendary All-Star Jazz Band
Sunday, Feb. 25 | 11 a.m. | Annenberg Theater | $25
Davis said The Cookers have been performing since the 1960s, and its members have performed with Art Blakey and Herbie Hancock, among other jazz legends.

Veronica Swift Live at the Annenberg for PSJazzFest!
Sunday, Feb. 25 | 2 p.m. | Annenberg Theater | $40
Davis said Veronica Swift represents the variety available to see at the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival. “She’s really up-and-coming,” he said. “Those that are in tune with the jazz world definitely know who she is.”