Film
Family Movie Night: Free Birds
Families and friends of all ages can enjoy a free screening of Free Birds. No tickets needed; just come for a fun-filled flick. 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21. Free. Indio Community Park, 45871 Clinton St., Indio. Myrecreationdistrict.com.
Special Events
27th Annual Hoedown at Sundown
The evening commences with an open bar, appetizers and a silent auction, and is followed with Western barbeque fare at 7 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., guests can kick up their heels to music and instructional line-dancing, as well as a live auction. Patrick Evans is the emcee, and all the fun benefits the 44 locations of the YMCA in our desert cities. 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1. $135. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. 760-341-9622; www.ymcaofthedesert.org.
AMFM Fest
Art. Music. Film. More. A creative feast in the Cali desert for progressive artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, curators, creators and culture-makers. All movies will be shown at the Mary Pickford Theatre. Venues vary for art, music, panels, parties and special events. Thursday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 16. Prices and venues vary. Amfmfest.com.
Fourth Annual Italian Festival
This community event to celebrate the Italian heritage and culture features vendors, performers and a family fun zone. Taste the Italian flavor of fine restaurants, create your own Venetian mask, ride the Buckets o’ Fun and enjoy a special Italian-themed puppet show. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2. $10 one day pass; $15 two-day pass, with discounts. La Quinta Civic Center Campus, 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta. Desertarc.org/italian-festival.shtml.
Eighth Annual Fall Family Festival
This festive occasion brings together fun games, arts and crafts and community resources for Coachella Valley families in one joyous celebration. Main Street in Old Town La Quinta will be closed off and lined with more than 50 exhibitors and vendors, all with a family focus and activities for children. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8. Free. Old Town La Quinta, Main Street, La Quinta. 760-342-7400; www.aboutfamiliesinc.com.
Gourmet Food Truck Event
Try food trucks for lunch featuring burgers, barbecue, tacos, California cuisine, sushi and dessert. Outdoor seating is available, or bring a blanket. Dabble in the local farmers’ market; listen to music provided by The Coachella Valley Art Scene; enjoy a beer garden with some of the best craft beers from La Quinta Brewing Company and Coachella Valley Brewing Company. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the first Sunday of the month. Free. Cathedral City Civic Center Plaza, 68700 Avenue Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City. Thecoachellavalleyartscene.com.
Hike 4 Education
Three-, five- and 10-mile hikes for all ages benefit technology in Desert Sands Unified School District classrooms. 8 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 2. $15 to $30. Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area, 58075 Jefferson St., La Quinta. 760-609-4622; desertsandseducationalfoundation.org/hike.html.
Hollywood Dine and Dish II: A Star-Studded Dining Event to Support AIDS Assistance Program
Join comedienne extraordinaire and “Love Goddess” Judy Tenuta, the effervescent Ruta Lee, award-winning photographer of the stars Michael Childers, and Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Bruce Vilanch for a one-of-a-kind evening. One hundred percent of each ticket will feed five AAP clients for one month. 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1. $500; $750 couple; 100 percent tax-deductible. At a private residence; info given following ticket purchase. 760-325-8481; aidsassistance.org.
Indio Powwow
Hosted by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, the powwow features Native American drums, dancing and singing, plus arts and crafts, and traditional Native American foods. Various times Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30. Free. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. 760-238-5770; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Palm Springs Leather Pride
Celebrate the anniversary of the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert with a weekend-long event that has become a centerpiece of the West Coast leather scene, featuring parties, leather-formal events and the Mr. Palm Springs Leather Contest and Silent Auction. Thursday, Oct. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 2. Prices and locations vary. Desertleatherpride.com.
Playa De Los Muertos: A Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
The event features a sangria bar, tray passed (appetizers) inspired by the traditional Mexican holiday, and lots of entertainment from DJs Von Kiss, plus COLOUR VISION and DJ Aaron C. Proceeds from the event will benefit Meals on Wheels, whose volunteers deliver more than 170,000 meals to homebound individuals from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea each year. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1. $45. Hacienda Cantina and Beach Club, 1555 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-778-8954; playadelosmuertos.bpt.me.
Raices Cultura Annual Dia de los Muertos
The Ninth Annual Dia de los Muertos event, hosted by Raices Cultura, closes Coachella’s Sixth Street for experience-art displays, large-scale installations, performances, and arts and crafts activities. 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1. Free. Sixth Street in Coachella. 760-428-8763; www.raicesdelvalle.org/muertos.
Stroke Recovery Center’s 35th Annual Winter Wonderland Ball: A Night at the Copa
Stroke Recovery Center’s annual black-tie gala features cocktails, a delicious dinner and dancing with music by Wayne Foster Entertainment. Proceeds go directly to caring for survivors of stroke and traumatic brain injury who, along with their families, receive free year-round, long-term rehabilitation, counseling and education at the center. 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22. $350. Riviera Palm Springs, 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-323-7676; galasrc.org.
The USO Variety Show
The USO has been entertaining troops worldwide in times of peace and times of war for more 70 years. Now, the Bob Hope USO needs you to laugh, enjoy and have some fun remembering the good ol’ times. Join us for live nostalgic tributes to Bob Hope and his band of Hollywood celebs; enjoy free tours of the museum pre- or post-showtime. 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13. $55 to $75. Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs. 760-778-6262; palmspringsvacationtravel.com.
Wild Pride Party
In association with Greater Palm Springs Pride, this fun event will benefit the Living Desert and Palm Springs Pride. Ticket includes food and one signature drink, with a cash bar all evening, plus music by master DJ Luc Benech; Bella da Ball makes a special appearance. 5:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5. $30. The Living Desert, 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. 760-346-5694; www.livingdesert.org/event/wild-pride-party.
Visual Arts
Art Under the Umbrellas
The event presents a diverse collection of 80 talented artists exhibiting their original creations along Old Town La Quinta’s picturesque Main Street. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15 and 29. Free. Old Town La Quinta, Main Street, La Quinta. 760-564-1244; lqaf.com.
Desert Art Festival
A three day art event featuring numerous artists presenting their original work in all mediums of two– and three-dimensional fine art, including paintings in acrylic, oils and watercolors, photography, etchings, sculpture in clay, glass, metal, stone and wood. Each artist will be present to meet with the public and discuss their work. All work is available for purchase. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30. Free. Frances Stevens Park, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 818-813-4478; westcoastartists.com/shows/ps5.html.
A Grand Adventure: American Art in the West
The epic 19th-century landscape paintings of Yosemite and Yellowstone by Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran introduced the American public to the grandeur of the West. By the turn of the century, a new genre of Western art had developed. A Grand Adventurebrings together 40 significant classic and traditional artworks from private collections. The artworks span nearly 100 years, dating from the latter half of the 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century. The exhibit is on display through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. Included with regular admission prices. Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, 72567 Highway 111, Palm Desert. 760-346-5600; www.psmuseum.org/palm-desert.
Twentynine Palms Weed Show
The Weed Show is one of Twentynine Palms’ oldest and most unique artistic traditions. This annual display, now in its seventh decade, features artistic arrangements of indigenous desert vegetation as well as found objects both natural and manmade. Awards are granted in nine categories, with a “People’s Choice” award to be decided by visitors to the exhibition. Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 9. Free. Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms. 29palmshistorical.com.
Submit your free arts listings at calendar.artsoasis.org. The listings presented above were all posted on the ArtsOasis calendar, and formatted/edited by Coachella Valley Independent staff. The Independent recommends calling to confirm all events information presented here.