Mark Your Calendars! Modernism Week — October in Palm Springs Is Around the Corner
If you love contemporary furnishings and the whole midcentury vibe, grab your tickets to Modernism Week — October (formerly Modernism Week Fall Preview), running Oct. 13-16. This four-day long “mini-Modernism Week” features more than 50 events, and we’ve rounded up some fan favorites! Enjoy fabulous home tours, a mai tai competition and a preview party that will give you the opportunity to shop before the Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show show opens to the public. Buy tickets early, as many events sell out quickly!
@localemag Have you ever see the #franksinatra estate inside the #moviecolony neighborhood in #palmsprings @ModernismWeek #mw #modernismweekoctober #modernismweek2022 #localemagazine 🎥: @Apt 5 Creative ♬ That’s Life – Remastered 2008 – Frank Sinatra
Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Hi-Sun
This beautiful midcentury masterpiece was designed by Charles Du Bois and was built in 1963 as the model home for the Las Palmas Summit Estates development. Set against a dramatic background of palm trees and mountains, it’s now the personal home of Kevin Kemper and Howard Hawkes of H3K Home+Design. The original features are still in place while the house has been remodeled to reflect the designer’s unique style.
House of Tomorrow Home Tour
Although it’s known as “The House of Tomorrow,” the recently renovated Alexander Estate also bears the distinction of being the honeymoon hideaway for Elvis and Priscilla Presley back in 1967! It’s located in the historic Vista Las Palmas neighborhood and was designed by architect William Krisel in 1960. Public tours will be available Oct. 13-16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A cocktail reception and twilight tour will be held at the House of Tomorrow from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 15 as well.
Palm Springs Modernism Week
Premier Double-Decker Architectural Bus Tour
Get an overview of midcentury architectural commercial buildings and residences on a 2.5-hour double-decker, open-air bus tour. These daily tours will depart across the street from the Palm Springs Art Museum. Special editions of the popular bus tours will be led by retro pop culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix and drag emcee Bella da Ball as well, but don’t wait until it’s too late – tickets will sell out quickly!
Tour of Albert Frey’s Frey House II
Learn about Frey’s architectural viewpoint and enjoy a rare opportunity to see this gorgeous residence during a half-hour, self-guided tour, which takes place every day of Modernism Week — October. A limited number of guests can also attend a twilight tour and cocktail reception at 4:30 p.m. each afternoon. Your tour ticket will also give you free admission to the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Architecture and Design Center!
Palm Springs Modernism Week
Cul de Sac A-Go-Go!
Dress in ‘60s attire and prepare to travel back in time when you go to this residential circle at the fabulous Canyon View Estates! You’ll tour homes designed by architect William Krisel, see classic vehicles in carports and driveways and enjoy go-go dancers in ‘60s garb. You’ll also come away with a Cul de Sac A-Go-Go! souvenir booklet filled with history, photos and vintage ads. This tour takes place Oct. 16.
10/2
Sustainable Homes Tour
This is a self-driving tour of some of the High Desert’s most eco-friendly homes. You’ll see residences that are entirely solar-powered—and in most cases, are completely off-grid! You can get tips on sustainable living from the homeowners and watch an on-demand video conversation with sustainable architect Don Albert. It’s available to view online or download and listen while you take the tour on Oct. 16.
Palm Springs Modernism Week
Sunnylands Historic House Tour
You’ll be transported via shuttle from Sunnylands Center & Gardens to the former winter home of Walter and Leonore Annenberg, designed by architect A. Quincy Jones in 1966. On this tour, guides will point out features of the home along with rare paintings and other works of art. It’s recommended that you see the 20-minute movie, “A Place Called Sunnylands,” before taking this tour; it’s shown free to the public at Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
Preview Party for Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show
Buy a ticket to this event on Oct. 14 to have the opportunity to buy midcentury design items before the show opens to the public on Saturday! Enjoy a wine reception with appetizers and get a head start on choosing from among thousands of 21st century treasures. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Modernism Week, and your Preview Party ticket includes Modernism Show re-entry all weekend!
Palm Springs Modernism Week
Midcentury Mai Tai Domination Cocktail Party
This first-ever mai tai competition on Oct. 15 will take you to the tropics as top bartenders face off in a classic Polynesian tiki-themed and Trousdale-designed midcentury home! The contenders are from some of the top tiki bars in Greater Palm Springs and will compete to mix the championship mai tai. You’ll have the opportunity to sample every competitor’s tropical drink to help determine the winner of the competition.
10/23
Lost, Saved & Endangered: Modernist Architecture in Palm Springs
The Lost, Saved & Endangered presentation is a slide lecture presented by Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board member Gary Johns–a very popular event every year. Johns will tell amusing stories and show rarely seen vintage photos during this presentation. PSPF is a nonprofit organization that offers free membership and strives to promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the historical resources and architecture of the Coachella Valley.
Palm Springs Modernism Week
Curated Vintage Event
This pop-up event at Temple Isaiah focuses on vintage fashion and accessories. Top-notch retailers and private dealers showcase their best clothing, textiles and jewelry to inspire you to create your own special style. Emmy award-winning fashion stylist and costume designer Brenda Cooper will discuss her simple style system that she’s used for three decades to dress Hollywood’s elite. She will also sign her new book, “The Silhouette Solution.”
VIP Club Weekend Package at the Azure Sky Hotel
For four days and three nights, a limited number of guests can stay at the newly renovated Azure Sky Hotel and enjoy the best of Modernism Week — October! Amenities for hotel guests include a live jazz cocktail party at sunset, a private mini-coach tour to see beautiful midcentury modern homes and buildings, a docent-led tour of the Annenberg Estate, tours of the House of Tomorrow and Hi-Sun and more.
To see the full list of events, click here!
Modernism Week — October
@modernism_week
Lynne Eodice is an accomplished writer & photographer. She is the former Features Editor for Petersen’s PHOTOgraphic magazine, and has contributed her writing and/or editorial expertise to Photographer’s Forum, Rangefinder, DoubleExposure.com, California Tour & Travel, Family Photo and Adorama’s Learning Center. She is also the author of Photos That Inspire: Photo Workshop, an instructional book that’s illustrated with more than 200 images by various photographers, published by Wiley & Sons.
