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Friday, Feb. 13 | ☀️ 74°/53°
Welcome to Friday, everyone, where we hope you’re ready for the big festival that’s happening this weekend! While you probably assume we’re talking about Modernism Week, we’re not. We’re talking about the Riverside County Fair and Date Festival. While you could and should attend as many Modernism Week events as possible, we also think it’s worth the trek to Indio for some fair fun. If you need advice on what to do, you’re in luck — Kendall wrote a complete guide to the fair here.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush (Can you believe this was her debut single?? -Kendall)
Leading Off
Clockwise, from top left: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Esperanza Spalding, and Stanley Clarke. (Submitted photos)
Bass players taking center stage at Palm Springs International Jazz Festival
The Palm Springs International Jazz Festival is putting bass players in the spotlight for its fifth edition, running Feb. 20-22 with a lineup that traces the evolution of jazz bass from its earliest roots to modern innovation.
Driving the news: Stanley Clarke, considered the first bass guitarist to become a jazz star, headlines opening night with his N4Ever band at the Palm Springs Art Museum's Annenberg Theater. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, led by upright bassist Ben Jaffe, takes the stage Feb. 21, and Grammy-winning singer-bassist Esperanza Spalding closes the festival Feb. 22 — both at the Plaza Theatre at 8 p.m.
The festival also features blues-based pianist Ben Sidran, Brazilian singer-pianist Eliane Elias, and former Rolling Stones backing vocalist Lisa Fischer.
Why it matters: The lineup spans nearly the entire evolution of jazz bass — from the traditional New Orleans style represented by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Clarke's funk fusion breakthroughs to Spalding's genre-defying modern approach.
Idyllwild Arts Academy jazz instructor Marshall Hawkins, who played bass for Miles Davis, said the festival captures key milestones in that evolution. "The bass is the foundation of the music," Hawkins said. "I don't care whether it is classical or bluegrass. The bass holds it all down."
What's next: A twilight reception at the Franz Alexander mid-century modern home kicks off the festivities Feb. 19. Tickets range from $50-$228 each. Information: psjazzfest.org.
Briefly
Photo: California Winter League
⚾ California Winter League playoffs begin today in Palm Springs
The 2026 California Winter League playoffs tip off today at Palm Springs Stadium, with eight teams competing in quarterfinal action across two divisions — the American Division and the Canadian Division — in a three-day postseason that concludes with the championship game Sunday.
Today’s main stadium games begin at 10 a.m. with the Washington Blue Sox facing the Palm Springs Chill, followed by the Manitoba North Stars against the Canada A's at 12:30 p.m. Two additional quarterfinals take place on the auxiliary field at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Semifinals are Saturday, with the title game set for noon Sunday.
Details: Today is Canada Day with $5 general admission for Canadian residents, and Saturday features $3 beer specials. All main stadium games will stream live on the Bally Live App. Tickets are available at the box office at 1901 East Baristo Rd.
A MESSAGE FROM PALM SPRINGS SPEAKS
See Author Wade Rouse appearing on Tuesday , February 24 at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Palm Springs at the historic Plaza Theater. He will be in conversation with fellow author Steven Rowley, talking about Wade’s book “That’s What Friends Are For.” Set in Palm Springs, this poignant and hilarious story was inspired by TV’s beloved The Golden Girls, celebrating love, aging, finding your people, and the art of impeccably timed one-liners.
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
California Winter League Championship at Palm Springs Stadium all weekend long ($10)
Intersect Palm Springs at the Convention Center all weekend ($35)
In the Wake at the Cultural Center all weekend ($42)
Pippin at the Revolution Stage Company, Friday and Saturday ($33)
Hair at the Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend ($46)
Modernism Week 2026 across Palm Springs all weekend
Today
Beginner Spanish at the Mizell Center at 9 a.m. ($100)
Foodie Fridays at the Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Palm Springs Modernism Show - Opening Night Party at the Convention Center at 6 p.m. ($150)
Hush-Hush at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs at 8:30 p.m. ($22)
Saturday
Sober & Strong at Atlas Training at 8 a.m.
Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
The Architecture of Paul R. Williams at the Palm Springs Art Museum at 9 a.m. ($120)
Hollywood Icon - Robert Redford at the Mizell Center 10 a.m.
ORANGERIE Fine Art Gallery Debuts at ORANGERIE Fine Art at 3 p.m.
Sunday
Palm Springs Vintage Market off North Indian Canyon Drive: 7 a.m. early entry ($10) and 8 a.m. regular admission ($5)
Mahjong Meetup at Social Cafe & Play Lounge at 12 p.m.
“Arthur Elrod: Desert Cool” Premiere at the Palm Springs Art Museum at 4:30 p.m. ($35)
The Judy Show at the Purple Room Supper Club at 5 p.m. ($45)
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🚠 And Finally …
Photos courtesy Modernism Week
If you've noticed the streets are a little busier and restaurant waits a little longer, that's because Modernism Week is back — and it officially starts today. The 11-day festival runs through Feb. 22 and draws architecture and design fans from around the world to the Palm Springs area, but there's plenty for locals to enjoy, too, and lots of events still have open seats.
Driving the news: While the big-ticket programs tend to grab the headlines, some of the most interesting offerings dig into lesser-known stories — like a talk on preserving modernist architecture in Africa, the untold story of émigré architect Leopold Fischer in Southern California, or a rare look inside John Lautner's 1947 residential fourplex.
The full schedule of events is available at modernismweek.com.
Don't miss: Dozens of events — some of them free — are worth checking out, including the vintage car show on Feb. 16, a talk with Nelda Linsk — honored as the "First Lady of Modernism Week" — modernism projects created by students at St. Theresa School (Feb. 17 and 19), and the Modernism Yard Sale on the festival's final day, Feb. 22.
Bottom line: Plenty of events still have tickets, ranging from $18 to $250, including home tours, architectural talks, a vintage trailer show, the popular Palm Springs Modernism Show, and this year's keynote by Elizabeth Diller of Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
Check modernismweek.com for the full lineup.
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