Modernism Week, 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. More than 350 events are being offered during the 11-days of the festival. While some events are sold out, many events still have availability and some events have increased capacity. Tickets are now on sale at modernismweek.com. Highlighted events that have ticket availability include: 

TOURS

Featured Home Tours

This year, Modernism Week will present three Featured Home Tours, open for public tours and events most days and some evenings during Modernism Week. 

Modernism Week Featured Home: The Shag House

2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/24, 2/25, and 2/26, $35

The artist Shag has reimagined a cherished midcentury modern pool home in 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. He preserved much of the original Palmer and Krisel layout of this classic Alexander design, but created an entirely new front exterior, front entry, and converted the original breezeway into a swank party lounge. Modernism Week sponsors Brizo, California Closets, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting, JennAir, and Willis generously contributed to this project.

Modernism Week Featured Home: Yoasis

2/17, 2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/24, 2/25, and 2/26, $35

“Yoasis” (named after the home’s location – Yosemite Drive and Oasis) is Grace Home Furnishings’ latest desert project and a new Modernism Week Featured Home. The project is a 1965 hip and unique vacation home that has been completely transformed with an updated midcentury design that blends Bohemian and Hollywood Regency style. Modernism Week sponsors Bang & Olufsen, Brizo, California Closets, DEDON, Dunn-Edwards, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Flor, JennAir, Modern Twig, and Willis generously contributed to this project. 

Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Hi-Sun

2/17, 2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/24, 2/25, and 2/26, $35

Enjoy the drama of a panoramic stone and mountain backdrop while touring Hi-Sun, designed by Charles Du Bois and built by the Alexander Construction Company in 1963 as the model home for the Las Palmas neighborhood’s Summit Estates development. The home’s Hawaiian flair and other original midcentury modern features, such as the living room’s stone fireplace, were retained as the house was remodeled to reflect the designers’ signature style. Modernism Week sponsors Bang & Olufsen, Brizo, California Closets, Dunn-Edwards, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Flor, JennAir, and Willis generously contributed to this project. 

There are also many exciting neighborhood tours. Highlights include;

  • Da Vaal Estates a Rancho Mirage Neighborhood Home Tour (2/18, $65) Da Vaal Located in the Tamarisk Country Club area, Da Vaal Estates is a midcentury modern architectural condo development designed in 1960 that features a clever layout which gives homeowners an extra level of privacy as well as a sense of space.
  • 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. 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 and features an impressive concrete brise soleil exterior.
  • El Rancho Vista Estates Home Tour (2/25, $85) This Wexler and Harrison designed community with bright colors, modernist roof lines and decorative concrete block walls will transport you to the sunny California of yesteryear.
  • Indian Canyons Neighborhood Home Tour (2/25, $125) 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.

·       Park Imperial South, An Experiment in Form, Function & Folded Plates (2/18, $125) Sip on twilight cocktails and experience a special VIP poolside performance while touring the iconic Barry Berkus-designed residences of Park Imperial South.

·       Sunrise Park Neighborhood Tour – Close to Everything, But Far From Ordinary (2/19, $75) Close to everything, but far from ordinary, Sunrise Park is an eclectic collection of architectural styles that evolved over time from Atomic Ranch to late 60s mod.

  • 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.  

In addition, participants may choose to experience general 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 significant midcentury architectural treasures of Palm Springs.  

Encore: Sustainable Homes Tour (2/25, $70). 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. 

Las Casas Romanticas, a home tour of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in Old las Palmas (2/23, $150) This 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 mid-century 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.  

Cody’s Cody: An Iconic Home Tour + Optional Reception (2/25, $40 and $125)

This 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 where he worked to get the house down to the least amount of structure. The ultra-minimalism would go on to express his vision for what is now called Desert Modernism in future projects. An optional reception follows the tour.

EXPERIENCES

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 mid-century 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 amount of live entertainment options. Highlighted events that still have availability include:

  • ‘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.
  • 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.
  • The Right to Rock – Trini Lopez Tribute Show and Cocktail Party (2/17, $75)
    A new immersive musical multimedia concert based on the life of the late 1960s rock legend, “Rat Pack” member and long-time Palm Springs resident, Trini Lopez.
  • 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. 

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

For hotel accommodations, guests are encouraged to book the exclusive Modernism Week Opening Weekend hotel package at of the newly opened deluxe Azure Sky Hotel for 4 nights and 5 days. Ticket price includes deluxe boutique hotel accommodations for 4 nights (including resort fees and taxes), and tickets to the most desirable Modernism Week events over 5 days. Go to modernismweek.com for more details. Guests may also choose to stay at The Hyatt, 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.

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