Modernism Week opens this week in Palm Springs, California. While some of the 350 events being offered during the 11-day festival are sold out, attendees may still purchase tickets for an exciting range of tours, talks, parties, and more. 

The annual festival that highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, runs February 16-26. Tickets and information may be found at modernismweek.com. Highlighted events that have ticket availability include: 

TOURS

  • Desert Lanai 4, A Charles Du Bois Community (2/19, $50), is an intimate condominium community designed by famed midcentury architect Charles Du Bois that features his famous “Swiss Miss” roofline. Alternately referred to as Alohauses for the Alpine and Polynesian influences, these visually arresting desert dwellings have become coveted trophies. Additional midcentury modern classic features include breeze block dividers between the properties and natural stone façades on every unit. Each home on the tour has been lovingly restored and showcases unique décor.
  • Villa Alejo, (2/18, $70) New to Modernism Week, this stunning condominium complex in Downtown Palm Springs is an imposing site. The 66-unit condominium complex offers a stunning example of midcentury brise soleil, a signature sun control feature of desert modern architecture. Villa Alejo was designed by architect Donald Engen and offered the first full-size subterranean parking garage in the desert area, which meant a car would be cool when the owner got in. Always desirable as “the” place to live in downtown Palm Springs, the building was refurbished inside and out when it was converted to condominiums.
  • The Ocotillo Lodge – Palmer & Krisel‚ A Vision of Midcentury Vacation Glamour (2/18, $95) Palmer and Krisel’s magnificent hotel, the iconic Ocotillo Lodge, was the place where perspective home buyers were wined and dined and persuaded to purchase properties in what is now known as Twin Palms. Rooms were either 525 or 590 square feet, and all feature private or semi-private outdoor space in addition to the gorgeous shared grounds, originally designed by internationally acclaimed landscape architect, Garrett Eckbo. The Ocotillo Lodge was once famously owned by the Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry and LA Lakers Owner, Jerry Buss
  • Historic Cavanagh Adobe House Tour: Spanish Meets Modernism with Surprising Commonalities (2/24, $60) The historic 1922 Cavanagh Adobe in Indian Wells is one of the oldest structures in the Coachella Valley. It was extensively repaired and restored by the current homeowners, architects Michael Burch, FAIA, and Diane Wilk, AIA, in 2011. Tours will explore the 101 year old house and grounds.
  • Cody’s Cody an Iconic Home Tour + Optional Twilight Tour with Cocktail Reception (2/25, tour $40, Tour & Reception $125) This is a rare opportunity to visit William Cody’s personal residence. Designed in 1952, the home was a laboratory for Cody’s new ideas about architectural minimalism. The interior of the home has been curated by Peter Blake Gallery of Laguna Beach, one of the foremost purveyors of minimalist and Finish Fetish art combined with an amazing selection of the greats of modern furniture.
  • Calypso Palms – Mardi Gras Home Tour (2/25, $65) Celebrate Mardi Gras the Calypso Palms way while touring 10 midcentury modern unique condos. Built in 1960, this community has only been on a Modernism Week tour once before. The twelve-unit community will be transformed to make attendees feel as if they are in New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras. Calypso Palms is one of the best kept secrets of a midcentury boutique community and an undiscovered gem in the desert.

In addition, participants may choose to experience other architecture tours, including;

Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours (2/16 – 2/26, $120)

Modernism Week’s signature bus tour! The Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour provides guests with an overview of the most significant midcentury architectural treasures of Palm Springs.

Twilight Architectural Bus Tour (2/17 – 2/25, $60)

The Twilight Architectural Bus Tour provides guests with an evening view of some of the most prominent architectural buildings in Palm Springs.  

Las Casas Romanticas, a home tour of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in Old las Palmas (2/23, $150) This first-time home tour features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture from the earliest days of Palm Springs with homes both authentic and reimagined. Modern for their time, these homes were forerunners to the midcentury period of architecture that would follow in the 1950’s. These early lifestyle homes in Old las Palmas are sited on large, estate sized properties with lush gardens, ubiquitous fountains and commanding views of the mountains.  

EXPERIENCES

Curated Vintage Event (2/25, $20 First Dibs, $10 General Admission)

Inspirational retailers and private dealers will converge to feature their very best clothing, textiles, jewelry, and accessories. Sellers will be featuring Yves Saint Laurent, Emilio Pucci, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Malcolm Starr, Tiki and many rare hard-to-find iconic pieces for both men and women. 

Modernism Show (2/17 – 2/20, $110 for preview party, $30 for show)

The 22nd Annual Modernism Show returns this year at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The popular Show showcases 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 midcentury modern and compelling 21st century original designs for modern living. Modernism Week will host the festive Preview Party for the Palm Springs Modernism Show on February 17. The party is the prime opportunity for participants to shop direct from dealers before the show opens to the public on Saturday. Ticket price includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and daily re-entry to the show. 

2023 Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show (2/25 – 26, $25)

This is one of the most celebrated and exciting events of Modernism Week’s second weekend and this year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever. This thoughtfully curated collection of vintage trailers, campers, buses and motor homes is arguably one of the largest and most attended vintage trailer shows in the United States.

TALKS

Every year, Modernism Week offers dozens of compelling talks on a wide variety of interesting topics. Highlighted talks include:

Stories Untold — Asian American Architects and Midcentury Modernism: Influential Design and Social Exclusion (2/20, $18) Modernism is deeply influenced by Japanese design and architecture. Architects of Asian descent helped shape midcentury Southern California, despite deep-rooted discrimination. Stories Untold shines a light on Asian architects rarely given the attention deserved. This presentation is underwritten by Room & Board. 

Frances Anderton – L.A.’s Multifamily Housing Story (2/19, $12) As Los Angeles confronts a growing housing crisis, a city known for its single-family housing will inevitably shift toward a greater emphasis on apartments and other types of multi-family housing. 

Black Leaders of Leisure in Southern California during the Jim Crow Era: The Implications of their Stories Today (2/20, $12) Historian Alison Rose Jefferson investigates the recreational places Black Californians created from 1900 into the 60s, during Jim Crow times, seeking to make the California Dream a reality for all. 

ISOKON and the BAUHAUS: A Century of Modernist Design (2/22, $15) Authors Daybelge and Englund reveal the story of the Isokon, from its beginnings to the present day, and examine the work, artistic networks, and legacy of the Bauhaus artists while in Britain. 

Frank Lloyd Wright and the Emergence of Global Modernism (2/23, $15) Stuart Graff and Dr. Jennifer Gray of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation examine FLW’s pivotal role in the development of modern architectural design in the 20th century and its relevance today. 

Walter Gropius: Between the Bauhaus and Harvard (2/23, $15) Walter Gropius architect, designer, and visionary founder of the Bauhaus School was one of the most influential pioneers of International Modernism. 

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

This year Modernism Week will provide a dazzling line-up of live entertainment options. Highlighted events that still have availability include:

  • Phat Cat Swinger Retro Prom Night (2/19, $120)Dust off your tux and poodle skirt and get ready to drink, dine and dance the night away with Hollywood’s hottest little big band, Phat Cat Swinger, at the iconic Albert Frey designed American Legion Post 519.
  • ‘Lizzy And The Triggermen’ at the Annenberg – Presented by Modernism Week and Jazzville (2/25, $45.00 – $60.00 – $85.00)Dubbed “10-piece jazz sensations” (LA Weekly) and “one of the hottest swing bands in LA” (Good Day LA) Lizzy & the Triggermen has been making waves since they burst onto the SoCal scene. 
  • A History of the Legendary Jazz Trio, “The Poll Winners” and Live Jazz Performance (2/21, $65)
    After jazz historian Will Friedman talks about the famed midcentury jazz trio, “The Poll Winners,” he will present a not-to-be-missed jazz performance with West Coast jazz guitar legend, Bruce Forman and his trio.
  • PLAZA (multiple days, $195)Created by PS UNDERGROUND exclusively for Modernism Week, this immersive dining extravaganza pays homage to the jewel of our Palm Springs crown: the Plaza Theatre.

In addition to these musical acts, there will be FREE music performances daily at Modernism Week CAMP headquarters inside the Hyatt Palm Springs.

For more details, to purchase tickets, and check availability of events, go to modernismweek.com. 

For hotel accommodations, guests are encouraged to stay at The Hyatt Palm Springs, the only all-suite hotel in Palm Springs that offers separate living spaces and balconies. Use Hyatt’s group code MOD23 for a discount off the best available rate.

To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com where you may also sign up for M, an online magazine that offers original coverage of modern architecture, design, and experiences. Follow Modernism Week on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.