Palm Springs Modernism Week 2024

Modernism Week Guide, Feb 15 – 25

Modernism Week’s signature February festival highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in Palm Springs. The popular annual 11-day festival will feature more than 350 events, including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in more than 35 neighborhoods and communities, walking tours, and nightly parties.

CAMP, which stands for the Community and Meeting Place, is an exciting feature of Modernism Week. It is a vibrant and interactive hub where design enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and creative minds come together to celebrate the mid-century modern movement. CAMP offers various engaging activities, including presentations, panel discussions, film screenings, book signings, and exhibitions. Renowned architects, designers, and historians worldwide gather at CAMP to share their insights and experiences, providing visitors a unique opportunity to learn and be inspired.

Hyatt Palm Springs – 285 N Palm Canyon.

Ample free parking. Enter underground at Hyatt on Palm Canyon Drive or in the multi-level garage across from the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Barry Bergdoll,(2/17, $20 and $35) With the just-completed reconstruction of Albert Frey’s 1931 House in Palm Springs as his inspiration, Dr. Barry Bergdoll will trace the evolution of Modernist architecture on exhibition and highlight important international exhibitions of architecture that have been the catalytic converters of the Modern Movement. This includes the Museum of Modern Art’s 1932 inaugural architecture exhibition of “International Style” buildings, which brought the exploding culture of exhibitions of modernist architectural designs to a crescendo. Located at Annenberg Theater.

Featured Modernism Week 2024 Home Tours

This year, Modernism Week will present two Featured Home Tours.

Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Wexler ’54, (2/16 – 2/19 & 2/23 – 2/25, $40)

This tour of the recently renovated and historically designated Wexler ’54 is a must-see. Located in the Deepwell Estates neighborhood, this Wexler-Harrison home is a quintessential example of post-and-beam residential design and a model of thoughtful architectural preservation. The current homeowners worked with architect and preservation consultant Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA, to develop an architectural plan and pursue a historic designation to protect and preserve the home, granted in 2022. H3K Home + Design took the profile of the 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home back to its roots to retain the best of midcentury style and elegance while creating a home that supported today’s lifestyle inside and out. 1177 E Mesquite Ave

Modernism Week Featured Home: The Shag House (2/16-2/19 & 2/23-2/25, $40) The artist Shag has reimagined a cherished midcentury modern pool home in the Little Beverly Hills neighborhood of Palm Springs to create a fully immersive tour experience that will make visitors feel as though they have climbed into a life-size Shag painting. Shag has drawn upon his architectural studies and artwork’s aesthetic to reimagine this classic 1958 home, originally designed for the Alexander Construction Company. For the core of the house, Shag preserved much of the original Palmer & Krisel layout of this classic Alexander design but created an entirely new front exterior, expanded the front entry, and converted the original breezeway into a stylish party lounge. The location will be printed on the ticket.

Signature Modernism Week 2024 Home Tours

Monday Edition, Meet the Architect ($50) An exclusive one-house Signature Home Tour showcasing the Architect’s creative work, Mark W. Daniels, AIA. Transcending the ordinary, this remarkable architectural home boldly embraces simplicity. Private Residence. The location will be printed on the ticket.

Friday Edition, Meet the Design Team (2/23, $50) This exclusive one-house Signature Home Tour showcases the talents of Lance O’Donnell, AIA, and the interior design team of Capurro + Davis Design in the hillside neighborhood of Little Tuscany. Private Residence. The location will be printed on the ticket.

NEW: Modernism Week Restoration Series: The Sutter House (2/18, $60) Modernism Week will present the inaugural Restoration Series, home tours devoted to celebrating significant examples of Desert Modernist architecture that have been preserved, restored, and contain carefully curated furnishings and décor. The modernist masterpiece Sutter House, by architect E. Stewart Williams AIA, 1958, is Palm Springs Historic Site #133 and the first to be featured in this new series. The home has been carefully updated and furnished with thoughtful attention to the period. The Sutter House – 1207 S Calle de Maria

NEW: Home Tour of “That Pink Door House,” Villa Sierra (2/20 &  2/21, $40) Step behind the famous pink doors of the playful Villa Sierra, a colorful take on midcentury modern Hollywood regency style designed by James McNaughton. This is a rare opportunity to take in all the colorful surprises of this iconic midcentury desert ranch, including expansive public rooms of grand proportions and floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the boundary of inside and outside. 1100 E Sierra Way

NEW: Art + Architecture Home Tour: Hollywood Regency Style (2/16, $40) Get an exclusive tour of a rare private gem in the world of midcentury and Hollywood Regency architecture in Palm Springs – the 1967 masterpiece designed by renowned architect James McNaughton. This significant home is not just a showcase of architectural excellence but also showcases the owner’s stunning art and design collection. Private Residence. The location will be printed on the ticket.

Returning Home Tours

House of Tomorrow Home Tour – Experience the newly renovated Alexander Estate, known as the House of Tomorrow, popularly known as the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in 1967. $55.  1350 Ladera Circle

Twin Palms Residence: PS ModCom Iconic Home Tour – Visit the Iconic Twin Palms Home Tour of a Class One Historic Site Designed by William Krisel AIA. $40 (30 min) – 1070 Apache Rd

Modernism Week 2024 Architectural Bus Tours

In addition to the popular recurring Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour, Modernism Week offers other compelling bus tours. All bus tours depart from CAMP at the Hyatt Palm Springs.

Illuminated Twilight Tour (2-16 – 2/21, and 2/23 – 2/24, $90) This evening tour provides guests with a 90-minute illuminated view of some of the most significant midcentury architectural treasures of Palm Springs.

The Homes That Define Palm Springs Bus Tour (2/15, 2/22 & 2/25, $90)This 90-minute tour showcases some of the most popular neighborhoods in Palm Springs, drawing attention to the spectacular home styles, including pre-war Spanish Colonial Revival and a range of midcentury modern residential architectural styles.

Charles Phoenix Super Duper Double Decker Bus Tour (2/16 – 2/25, $150) Experience midcentury architectural treasures of Palm Springs with retro pop culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix as he leads a spirited adventure atop a double-decker open-air bus. This tour always sells out.

Bella da Ball’s Celebrity Homes Bus Tour (2/16 – 2/18 & 2/23 – 2/24) $90 Bella da Ball, Palm Springs’ own drag emcee, guides this special sunset tour of Palm Springs celebrity haunts, clubs, and homes.

Parties & Special Events

Modernism Week Opening Night Party: Disco in the Desert (2/15, $350) The most anticipated bash of the year returns with an Opening Night Fever dance party! This solid gold disco extravaganza is in a larger venue this year, which will be transformed into a tony, velvet-rope-entry dance club. A live band, lavish libations, and all-night party bites will fuel the disco inferno. 1970s disco club-inspired dress is encouraged. Palm Springs Air Museum – 745 N Gene Autry Trail

Preview Party for the 24^th Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show (2/16, $125) at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The party is the prime opportunity for participants to shop directly from dealers before the show opens to the public on Saturday. The ticket price includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and weekend re-entry to the show. The popular event showcases more than 125 premier national and international exhibitors from across the U.S. and Europe, featuring vintage furniture and decorative and fine arts reflecting all design movements of the 20th century with a heavy emphasis on mid-century modern and compelling 21st-century original designs for modern living. Palm Springs Convention Center – 277 N Avenida Caballeros

The Shag House: First Look Cocktail Party– (2/16)Join Shag and his collaborators for the exclusive first look at The Shag House. This stylish poolside reception will feature mid-mod-inspired hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and swank tunes. $200 (2 hrs) 4 – 6 pm, 660 S Compadre

The Big Reveal House Party at The Shag House – (2/16) Step into the sights and sounds of the Shag House during the Big Reveal House Party hosted by world-renowned artist Shag. $150 (2 hrs) 8 – 10 pm, 660 S Compadre

Royal Hawaiian Estates Presents “A Blue Hawaiian Hop!” – (2/16) Join the Royal Hawaiian Estates as they present “A Blue Hawaiian Hop” under the pre-dusk sky! $140 (2 hrs) Royal Hawaiian Estates – 105 E Twin Palms Drive, Gate #2

In MOD We Trust, PS ModCom’s Annual Gala Benefit (2/17, $200) will be held at The Church, a former Community Church built in 1960. This testament to midcentury modern design recently underwent a complete exterior restoration, and its there-imagined interior now serves as a state-of-the-art recording studio and entertainment venue. Check-in information will be printed on the ticket.

Trina Turk Fashion Show at the Historic Frank Sinatra Estate (2/18, $250) Don’t miss the debut of fashion designer Trina Turk’s Spring and Limited-Edition Collection for 2024 at the legendary Frank Sinatra “Twin Palms” Residence. Be among a limited number of guests for this rare opportunity to enjoy a premiere fashion show experience at one of Palm Springs’ most notable midcentury modern homes. Guests will have the special opportunity to meet Trina Turk while touring the Sinatra Estate.  1145 E Via Colusa

Friday Night Cocktail Reception at the Frank Sinatra Estate (23, 6 – 9 pm) Offering guests the unique opportunity to wine and dine like Sinatra. 1145 E Via Colusa. $200

Retro Martini Party (2/23, $250) is the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation’s annual fundraiser that will take place at the Leon & Thea Koerner Residence (1955, E. Stewart Williams) in Deepwell Estates. This historic venue checks all the boxes: great architecture, sophisticated ambiance, and magnificent mountain views. This is the first opportunity to see this spectacular midcentury residence since an extensive home restoration was recently completed. Check-in information will be printed on the ticket.

Poolside Gossip: Cocktails & Conversation with Nelda Linsk & Shawn Waldron – (2/23, 5 – 7 pm) Please join us for cocktails and conversation with Nelda Linsk (Palm Springs icon and the beautiful subject of Slim Aarons’ “Poolside Gossip” photograph) and Shawn Waldron (Curator, Print Sales and Exhibitions for Getty Images). $125 (2 hrs)

Elegant Jazz Dinner at Smoke Tree Ranch & VIP ALL ACCESS Pass to PSJazzFest – (2/24) ALL ACCESS VIP JAZZ EXPERIENCE tickets include Up Front reserved seats to all PSJazzFest performances and an Elegant Jazz Dinner at the private enclave of Smoke Tree Ranch, exclusively for VIP pass holders. $1,000. Check in the Smoke Tree Ranch gate by 5 pm for dinner. Cocktails will be at 5 pm, followed by dinner at 5:30 pm. Live entertainment followed at the Annenberg Theater.

Modernism Week 2024 Live Performances

 Shag With A Twist – A Murder Mystery Musical (2/18, $100 General Admission $175 VIP & 2/19, $85 and $100 VIP) Note: The 2/18 VIP ticket includes premium seating, access to an exclusive pre-show meet and greet reception at 6 pm.

Shag With A Twist brings to life the art of Shag in a sexy show that will leave the audience shaken and stirred. Guests will be fully immersed in the retro-cool world of the most beloved Shag characters as they come alive in a colorful cocktail of song and dance to solve the “Infamous Case of the Tupperware Party Killer.” This performance promises to transport attendees to a world of retro style, adventure, and intrigue, as can only be found in the imagination of Shag.

“Swinging On A Star” – An Evening of Jimmy Van Heusen’s Songs with Marissa Mulder (2/20, $35 and $50 VIP) This evening of songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen’s songs features the award winning Marissa Mulder, a gifted lyric interpreter who puts her stamp on some of Van Heusen’s most prolific songs such as “Come Fly with Me” and “All The Way.” Annenberg Theater.

Modernism Week partnered with PSJazzFest

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall at the Annenberg – Opening Night! (2/25, –$60 – $350) These two legendary performers will take the stage to deliver a truly memorable opening night performance, including their full orchestra and huge LED screen to share their story.

 The Cookers – Legendary All-Star Jazz Band Live at the Annenberg (2/25, $40 and $75) With each member of this legendary jazz group having four decades of experience in the jazz world, The Cookers are the most incredible jazz super-band working, and this performance will blow the roof off!

 Veronica Swift In Concert at the Annenberg (2/25, $40, $65, and $125) Swift’s performances surpass the boundaries of genre classification, enchanting sold-out audiences with her seamless transitions from Ella to Judy and from Grace Slick to the Dresden Dolls.

 Taj Mahal Quartet and Sona Jobarteh (2/25, $60, $70, and $295) Blues legend Taj Mahal brings his glorious voice and virtuosic multi-instrumentalism to this uniquely powerful evening of new world music with Sona Jobarteh, Gambia’s griot kora sensation.

Modernism Week 2024 Featured Talks

Annenberg Theater All Access Pass

ESSENTIAL CITY: A Futuristic Exploration of Desert Cities – (2/16, 1 – 2:30 pm) Desert cities are the frontline of climate change. Welcome to ESSENTIAL CITY, a hypothetical desert city conceived by SOUND SPACE DESIGN Architects and Desert Developments. Camp Theater  $15 (1.5 hrs)

Preserving the Bauhaus Legacy on Cape Cod: Saving Marcel Breuer’s Summer Home–A CALL TO ACTION! – (2/16, 1 – 2 pm) Threatened! Marcel Breuer’s own summerhouse is in Wellfleet, MA. Peter McMahon, founder of the Cape Cod Modern House Trust on plans to preserve it. A Call To Action to save this irreplaceable house. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr $150 Ticket & Signed Book, $18 General Admission

More Than Desert Modern: William F. Cody’s Visions of Postwar Architecture and Leisure Living – (2/17, 9 – 10 am) In the Coachella Valley, William F. Cody created new visions of modernism, desert architecture, and postwar living. The authors of Master of the Midcentury illustrate Cody’s indelible imprint. Book signing. Camp Theater. $15 (1 hr)

John Wayne, Hollywood and the American West  (2/17, 9 – 10 am) John Wayne’s son Ethan Wayne will be joined by Laurie Kratochvil and Amy Shepherd to present a photographic journey through the Hollywood of yesteryear, the American West, and the enduring spirit of John Wayne and his contemporaries. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $18

The Direction of Sculptural Ceramics in Architecture by Stan Bitters – (2/17, 11 am – 12:30 pm) Stan Bitters, the legendary master of ceramic murals, shares his 65-year-long experience working on ceramic sculpture and his motivation to interject art into architecture. A short film follows. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $25 (1.5 hrs)

Charles Phoenix Presents “New York Cityland and the 1964 New York World’s Fair” (2/17, 3:30 – 5 pm)  Charles Phoenix’s latest entertaining photo slide show celebrates the marvels of midcentury Manhattan and the futuristic 1964 New York World’s Fair. See his collection of vintage images and hear stories of a bygone era. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $50 and $65

An Introduction to Herbert Bayer and the Bauhaus–Aspen Connection (2/18) The newly opened Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, located in Aspen, CO, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the artist and designer Herbert Bayer. Acting Director Lissa Ballinger will share Bayer’s journey from New York to Aspen, where between 1946 and 1975, Bayer was instrumental in Aspen’s postwar revitalization, designing the Aspen Institute campus and shaping the organization’s early artistic and programmatic vision. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $18

California Cool: Explore Palm Springs and Beyond Through the Modern Paintings of Danny Heller – (2/18, 11 am – noon) Fill your eyes with swaying palm trees, shimmering swimming pools, atomic architecture, and colorful classic cars as artist Danny Heller takes you on a road trip through his retro-focused paintings. $15 (1 hr)

Architect Mark W. Daniels, AIA: “Talking to Strangers Only Leads to Good Things – (2/19, 9 – 10 am) Architect Mark W. Daniels, AIA, presents an entertaining and informative talk delving into the intricate world of design and the creative process to generate truly unique architectural buildings. Camp Theater $15 (1 hr)

Bakelite, Bone & Bamboo: The Mystical Chinese Game of Mahjong – (2/19, 1 – 2:30 pm) “Click clack” go the tiles. What is this mysterious Chinese game of mahjong? Learn how it’s played and why it’s so popular, and explore the thrill of collecting exotic vintage sets. Camp Theater.  $15 (1.5 hrs)

The Birth of Modernism: Irving Gill in California – (2/20, 11 am – Noon) Meet the Modern Master–Irving Gill of San Diego. Architect and historian Alan Hess reveals how Gill perfected the architecture of simplicity before the Bauhaus and set the template for Modernism. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $18 (1 hr)

The Secrets of Designing Great Desert Gardens– (2/20, 11 am – noon)  What are the secrets of designing great desert gardens? Landscape architect Lisa Gimmy will explore the character of six great gardens and share her experiences designing and building in the desert. Camp Theater. $15 (1 hr)

The Unique and Beautiful Sonoran Desert Gardens of Steve Martino, FASLA (2/20, 1 – 2 pm) For the past 40 years, the landscape architectural firm of Steve Martino & Associates has been committed to developing and advancing Landscape Architecture in the Southwest. Camp Theater $15 (1 hr)

Material Landscapes: Authenticity, Innovation, and Collaboration – (2/20, 9 – 10 am) Surfacedesign, Inc. presents a selection of their landscape architecture work that celebrates horticultural exuberance, material authenticity, and cultural and ecological narratives that emerge from each site. Camp Theater  $15 (1 hr)

From Bauhaus to Your House: The Life and Designs of Anni Albers – (2/20, 1 – 2 pm) Join Annalisa Capurro and Michal Silver for a fascinating insight into the extraordinary life, designs, and legacy of Anni Albers. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $18 (1 hr)

10 Years of Iconic Houses: Connecting the Most Significant House Museums of the 20th Century (2/20, 3 – 4 pm) This behind-the-scenes talk with Netherlands-based founder Natascha Drabbe, provides insight into ICONIC HOUSES, the international nonprofit network connecting more than 200 architecturally significant 20th-century houses open to the public as house museums. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $18

Francisco Artigas at Midcentury: Modern Houses of the Mexican Miracle – (2/21, 9 – 10 am)Francisco Artigas, renowned architect of the 1950/60s, designed elegant modern homes for the elite of Mexico City and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy of sophistication and timeless style. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. $18 (1 hr)

Rational Simplicity and Rudolph de Harak: The Life and Work of a Midcentury Modernist Designer – (2/21, 1 – 2 pm)  Join Richard Poulin, author of the first major publication on Rudolph de Harak, as he gives an in-depth and definitive account of this influential midcentury modernist designer’s life and work. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr. Includes book signing. $18 (1 hr)

“Memories of Sinatra” presented by Legendary Five-Time Emmy-Award Winning Journalist and Television Host Bill Boggs – (2/21, 6 – 7 pm )Bill Boggs has traveled the world with his multi-media show on Frank Sinatra, which celebrates Sinatra’s impact on all of us and now for the first time he is bringing it to Palm Springs—rarely seen video clips, great stories and songs. $35 (1 hr). The Palm Springs Cultural Center – 2300 E Baristo Rd

Wait Until You See: Slim Aarons x Palm Springs – (2/21, 3 – 4 pm) Slim Aarons made his most famous work, Poolside Gossip, at the Kaufmann House. Shawn Waldron, author of “Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection,” will discuss Aaron’s work in Palm Springs and beyond. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr $18 (1 hr)

Palm Springs Fashion, Then & Now: Trina Turk and Nelda Linsk in Conversation – (2/22, 3 – 4:30 pm) an extraordinary event featuring Style Icon Nelda Linsk and Fashion Designer Trina Turk discussing ‘Palm Springs Fashion’ and the influential fashion shows Palm Springs has hosted over the years. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr $35 (1.5 hrs)

A Tale of Two Kaufmann Wives and Two Tragic Endings – (2/22, 1 – 2 pm) Author Adele Cygelman delves into the lives of the two women who were eclipsed by their better-known husband and even better known house, Neutra’s Desert Kaufmann House, and who both met a tragic end. Book signing. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr $18 (1 hr)

The Kaufmanns of Fallingwater: Modern Movement Tastemakers – (2/22, 9 – 10 am) As retailers, patrons, and philanthropists, the Kaufmanns played a significant role in promoting modern design. Fallingwater’s Director, Justin Gunther, explores the contributions of this influential family. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr  $18 (1 hr)

Midcentury Modern Style: An Approachable Guide to Inspired Rooms – (2/22, 11 am – noon) Interior designer Karen Nepacena shows how to bring the spirit of MCM style to any home. Photographer Christopher Dibble shares inspirational yet relatable images that capture the essence. Book signing. Camp Theater.  $15 (1 hr)

Sarasota School of Architecture Redux – (2/22, 11 am – noon) Marty Hylton of Architecture Sarasota re-examines the postwar origins of the Sarasota School and its resurgence as a new generation of designers transforms Sarasota and architectural practice. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr  $18 (1 hr)

Modernism Rules the Waves: The Edgy Elegance of Midcentury Liners and Cruise Ships – (2/23, 9 – 10 am) Join midcentury design aficionado and maritime historian Peter Knego as he takes you across the seven seas via a rarefied world of floating Midcentury Modern masterpieces. Camp Theater. $15 (1 hr)

Neutra, Wright and Modernism in Bakersfield – (2/23, 11 am – noon) Bakersfield, best known for its music legends, was also a hotbed of modern architecture. Experience one of the most unexpected concentrations of modern architecture just 100 miles from Los Angeles. Camp Theater $15 (1 hr)

Paul Rudolph, Charles Moore, and Back Again: A Sarasota Architect’s Journey – (2/23, 11 am – noon) Explore the enduring architectural legacies of Paul Rudolph, FAIA, and Charles Moore, FAIA, from architect Jonathan Parks, AIA, sharing intimate knowledge of their work and their influence on his own. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr $18 (1 hr)

The Wood Expressionism of John Marsh Davis, 1961–1979 – (2/24, 9 – 10 am) Author-architect Hans Baldauf, FAIA, LEED AP, presents John Marsh Davis’ design legacy of wood expressionism, spanning dramatic coastal residences and magisterial timber-framed Napa winery complexes. Includes book signing. Camp Theater. $15 (1 hr)

Wasteland to Wonderland: Palm Desert Corporation and the Making of a Modern Desert City – (2/24, 11 am – noon) Although mostly forgotten, Palm Desert is a desert city with deep roots in modern architecture. Historian Luke Leuschner presents an overview of the creation of the city with new and unseen material. Camp Theater $15 (1 hr)

Paradise Lost: Googie & Modernism in The Catskills (2/24, 1 – 2 pm) The resorts of the Catskill Mountains or ‘Borscht Belt’ offered a glamorous summer haven during the 20th century. Explore this hidden midcentury modern wonderland with photographer Isaac Jeffreys. Camp Theater  $15 (1 hr)

Special Presentations

“Memories of Sinatra” presented by Legendary Five-Time Emmy-Award Winning Journalist and Television Host Bill Boggs – (2/21, 6 – 7 pm) Bill Boggs has traveled the world with his multi-media show on Frank Sinatra, which celebrates Sinatra’s impact on all of us and now for the first time he is bringing it to Palm Springs—rarely seen video clips, great stories and songs. Palm Springs Cultural Center. Includes presentation and a film. $35 (1 hr)

Featured Walking Tours

Celebrity Haven: Unique Boutique Resorts – See a close-up of the inns and resorts that were and remain havens for the stars today. Many were designed and built after WWII when America’s appetite for Modern design was the rage. $45 (2.5 hrs) Check in at the Palm Springs Architecture and Design Center – 300 S Palm Canyon Dr

Frank Sinatra’s Neighborhood: The Hollywood Elite – This tour affords a visual feast blending classic Spanish Colonial Revival with sleek midcentury Modern designs, including Frank Sinatra’s avant-garde modernist jewel by renowned architect E. Stewart Williams. $45 (2.5 hrs) Check in at The Movie Colony Corner of E Via Colusa and N Hermosa Dr.

Giants of Architecture – See how desert Modern design was applied to commercial buildings in the heart of the fashion and finance district in Palm Springs. $45 (2 hrs) Check in at the Business District – Ramon Rd at 500 S Indian Canyon Dr, in front of US Bank.

Heart of the City: Pioneers to Playground of the Stars -Explore the dynamic past and vibrant present of this world-famous desert getaway while strolling the Walk of Stars. Learn how Hollywood stars, part of our local scene, made Palm Springs their playground. $45 (2 hrs) Check in at Palm Springs Historical Society The McCallum Adobe – 221 S Palm Canyon Dr

Hidden Paradise: Show Biz Legends’ Hideaways – The Mesa is a beautiful, secluded neighborhood with a fascinating assortment of eclectic architecture. It boasts one of Palm Springs’ most stunning architectural anomalies, the Santorini House. $45 (2.5 hrs) Check in at The Mesa neighborhood – Corner of S Mesa Dr and W Camino Carmelita.

Inns, Architecture, and Glamour – See the vintage hotels still providing the “Rich and Famous” seclusion and relaxation. Stroll among these charming and beautiful boutique inns as you hear fascinating tales of history. $45 (2.5 hrs) Check in at Palm Springs Historical Society The McCallum Adobe – 221 S Palm Canyon Dr

Rat Pack Playground: Modernist Homes – Discover the trendy midcentury Vista Las Palmas neighborhood, once nicknamed the “Beverly Hills of Palm Springs,” and view the homes now called “Alexanders,” developed by George and Robert Alexander. $45 (2.5 hrs) Check in at the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood – Corner of N Via Monte Vista and W Stevens Rd

Shangri-La of the Stars: Midcentury Showcase – Stroll through this pristine midcentury neighborhood with its collection of elegant Modernist homes designed by the desert’s most revered architects. $45 (2.5 hrs) Check in at the Deepwell Estates neighborhood – Corner of E Mesquite Ave and Manzanita Ave

Stars of The Movie Colony – The impressive Movie Colony neighborhood represents Hollywood’s Glamour Heyday with its mix of romantic Spanish Colonial Revival estates and elegant modernist homes. $45 (2.5 hrs) Check in at the Movie Colony neighborhood – Corner of N Avenida Caballeros & E Granvia Valmonte

Modernism Week 2024 Self-Drive Tours

Racquet Club Estates Midcentury Home Tour – (2/17) Tour these great examples of midcentury modern homes in the Racquet Club Estates neighborhood, complete with vintage cars and outfits. $70 (3.5 hrs) Check in at Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Victoria Park – 2744 N Via Miraleste.

Modern Garden Tour (2/21) The 14th annual Modern Garden Tour. $80 (3 hrs)—2 tour times, 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Check in a CAMP.

Signature Home Tour: Afternoon Tour–Modernism Week (2/18 & 2/25) – Take this self-driven home tour through various neighborhoods in Palm Springs featuring several iconic architectural homes by some of the most noted architects. $150 (3 to 3.5 hrs), 5 homes on this tour. Check in at CVEP – 3111 E Tahquitz Way. There is also a Morning Tour.

Sustainable Homes Tour – (2/24) Tour some of the High Desert’s most sustainable homes. Learn about homes that not only generate their own power, but are doing it in style. $75 (6 hrs), 7 homes on this tour. Tour locations will be printed on your ticket.

Indian Canyons Resort Modernism Home Tour – Tour the magnificent custom homes of Indian Canyons Resort designed by famous midcentury architects set among the lush fairways of the championship William Bell-designed golf course. $125 (3.15 hrs) 9:45 am – 1 pm. Check in at Indian Canyons Neighborhood – 1097 E Murray Canyon Dr.

Albert Frey: A Symposium – Feb 14

The Albert Frey Symposium includes a presentation by four experts at the Annenberg Theater. Following the morning presentations, a box lunch will be provided in the sculpture garden, and the Frey exhibition book will be offered for sale with a book signing by the presenting authors. 9 am – 1 pm.

After lunch, a self-driving tour of Frey sites will feature an architecture specialist at each site to provide insightful historical information. Symposium participants will be provided a map of the tour sites, including several Frey structure exteriors that can easily be viewed from the street.

Curated Shopping Event

Curated Vintage Event – (2/24),  Retailers and private dealers showcase their finest vintage apparel, luxury items, textiles, jewelry, and accessories. If fashion is your passion, this event is not to be missed. $25 First Dibs (9 – 10 am), $15 General Admission (10 am –  4 pm) Temple Isaiah-Warsaw Ballroom. 332 W. Alejo Road.

Modernism Week 2024 Vintage Care Show

Modernism Week Vintage Car Show – “Bikinis & Bucket Seats” is a tribute to the fun and sun of 1960s California youth culture. More than 50 vintage cars from the 1950s, 60s, 70s will be displayed at this free event.12:00 PM to 3:00 PM Free (no ticket needed). Palm Springs Convention Center – 277 N Avenida Caballeros

Modernism Week Engaging Films

FILM: “Brown vs. Brown”–The Tension of Midcentury Modernism in New Zealand – (2/16, 3 – 4:45 pm) A film on the late modernist architect Peter Mark-Brown, his legacy, Neutra’s influence, and New Zealand’s iconic midcentury homes, viewed through the lens of his filmmaker son, with Alan Hess in Q+A. Camp Theater. $15 (1.75 hrs)

FILM: “Modernism, Inc.”–A New Documentary on Eliot Noyes – (2/18, 3 – 4:30 pm)  The new documentary, Modernism, Inc., explores the rise and fall of American Modernism through the lens of one of its most influential practitioners, Eliot Noyes. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr $ $18 (1.5 hrs)

FILM: World Premiere of “New England Modernism–Revolutionary Architecture in the 20th Century”  – (2/19, 6 & 7 pm) Emmy® award winning documentary filmmaker Jake Gorst premieres his feature-length documentary on Modern Architecture in New England 1930-1975, and its influence on contemporary architectural design.  Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr $20 (7 pm, 2 hrs) for film only or $95 (6 pm, 3 hrs), which includes a pre-screening reception.

Jimmy Van Heusen: Swingin’ in the Desert with Frank & Bing–Film and Panel Discussion – (2/20, 5 – 6:30 pm) Meet Jimmy Van Heusen, the composer more swingin’ than Sinatra! A look at the glamorous life and remarkable music of the four-time Oscar-winning songwriter who spent decades in Palm Springs. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr  $18 (1.5 hrs)

Palm Springs Plays Itself: A Vintage Home Movie Cocktail Hour with Deserted Films – (2/21, 3:30 – 4:30 pm) Local home movie film archive, Deserted Films, will screen and provide entertaining context for a selection of amateur vintage 16mm, 8mm and Super 8 films shot in and around Palm Springs. Camp Theater.  $25 (1 hr)

FILM: “Back to the House of Tomorrow” – (2/21, 4:30 – 5:30) Back by popular demand! Discover the story of a house important for its role in Palm Springs and Hollywood history and for its personal themes of family and community, tragedy, and renewal. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr  $15 (1 hr)

FILM: “Albert Frey: The Architectural Envoy – Part I” – (2/21, 9 – 10 am) Swiss-born architect Albert Frey introduced Corbusian-influenced modernism to the United States and developed an extraordinary design style, blending industrial techniques and a love of nature. Camp Theater. $15 (1 hr) or $30 for parts I & II.

FILM: “Albert Frey: The Architectural Interpreter – Part II”– (2/25, 10:30 – Noon) In 1939, Swiss-born architect Albert Frey embarked on a decades-long journey of discovery. His world travels, and love of nature would lead him to a new style of modernism in Palm Springs. Camp Theater. $15 (1.5 hrs)

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