Hold on to your hula hoops, guys and gals, because Modernism Week is hosting its Fall Preview in Palm Springs over the Columbus Day holiday weekend, Oct. 10-13, 2014.
The opening party, Aloha Modernism at the Hacienda Cantina & Beach Club on Friday, Oct. 10, raves on from 6 to 10 p.m. A screening of the Elvis Presley film, “Blue Hawaii” features a 30-foot screen, presented in drive-in movie style.
Give three cheers to Palm Spring’s Mayor Steve Pougnet for having the vision to turn a dreary shopping center parking lot into a cool swimming pool hot spot, rain or shine.
Next, get your hairpins into position in time to style your locks into a stunning beehive (that was a popular hair-do in the 1950s) for the Modernism Show & Sale at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday.
Arrivals are welcome at 10 a.m. with ample viewing time until the midnight hour.
From lucite to loud Hawaiian shirts, stunning bakelite jewelry, vintage travel posters and more, it’s a blast to the past. Last year, all that was missing was my grandmother’s heavily plastic covered three cushion lime-green sofa from Minneapolis, circa 1954.
Moving on to the “reception & parties” category, Bienvenidos Modernistas, benefitting the Palm Springs Art Museum, takes place Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Are your ready for some weird geography?
Consider a fascinating lecture “The Salton Sea … Beautiful, Intriguing and Weird” — benefitting the Palm Springs Modern Committee. Report to the Rancho Mirage Library at 4 p.m. for the two-hour session.
A Modernism mood will light up your life on Sunday, Oct. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Uptown Design District when shopping, cocktails and music move in. Don’t miss the “Lighting of the Torches” (site of the former Don the Beachcomber Restaurant) at the corner of 120 W. Via Lola and N. Palm Canyon Drive.
Make time for iconic walking tours visiting mid century favorites such as Frank Sinatra’s Neighborhood, the Rat Pack Playground and the Golden Era of Hollywood Homes in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood and the Stars and Star-Architects in Deepwell.
Modernism events are a blend of free and fee, best to check out rates for private parties and details of where it’s all happening. Go to modernismweek.com, follow on Facebook or call 760.799.9477.
Pam Price is also a contributor to forbes.com/sites/PamPrice.
