Exciting new events have been added to Modernism Week’s robust program that will be offered to the public in February 2024. These events include a Signature Home Tour in Palm Desert, an exclusive interior home tour at Marrakesh Country Club, a behind-the-scenes talk about the remodeling process of a 1958 Palmer and Krisel home, a walking tour of a stunning Palm Desert neighborhood, a new talk and a film, a free tour of more than 50 art studios in Palm Springs, and a free guided bike tour through the architectural marvels of South Palm Springs.
The popular annual 11-day festival, which takes place February 15-25, 2024, 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. Also offered are a range of architectural double-decker bus tours, several fashion-related events, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, landscape talks and garden tours, walking and biking tours, and a series of compelling and informative talks with world-class speakers. All events are open to the public and tickets are on sale now at modernismweek.com. Some events sell out quickly due to limited capacity and high demand.
Newly added events include:
Palm Desert Signature Home Tour (2/20, $100) This popular tour of midcentury modern and “new century modern” homes will take place in the beautiful neighborhoods of South Palm Desert. Until now, many of these properties have been the best-kept secret in the greater Palm Springs area. The self-driving tour of 4 residences will feature a variety of neighborhoods and modern architectural styles. Participants will have exclusive interior access to several fabulous homes never before seen by the public and will be able to experience custom designed homes by some of the desert’s master architects. A keepsake tour map and program are included. This event is generously sponsored by KUD Properties.
Marrakesh Country Club: John Elgin Woolf’s Desert Masterpiece (2/21, $200) Perfectly sited and surrounded by mountain views in Palm Desert, Marrakesh Country Club – developed by legendary pioneer Johnny Dawson – is a place like no other. The 364 villas, all painted the rosy color of a desert sunset, surround an 18-hole executive golf course. Constructed between 1969 and 1979, these homes are a classic example of the Hollywood Regency style. The tour includes 6 pink houses, each one unique unto itself, yet all modern and elegant. After the tour guests will enjoy a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres and music performed live by a Bossa Nova band in the Marrakesh Clubhouse, recently renovated by renowned interior designer Tom Scheerer.
Stunning in Sunmor: An Atomic Ranch + H3K Talk & Tour (2/16, $70) This 1958 home designed by Palmer and Krisel in the Sunmor neighborhood of Palm Springs was recently redesigned by H3K Home+Design. It features a sensitively expanded floorplan and expertly perfected interior complimented by an expansive courtyard and a quintessentially Palm Springs patio and pool. After touring the house, participants will learn about how the redesign took place from Howard Hawkes and Kevin Kemper of H3K Home+Design. The talk will be moderated by Atomic Ranch editor Jickie Torres and will highlight the crucial design decisions made during the remodel and provide insight and advice for anyone navigating their own midcentury makeover.
1963: A Tribute to the Music of an Unforgettable Year (2/19, 2/20, $165) In “1963,” multi-award-winning singer Tod Macofsky pays tribute to the year of his birth through the unforgettable songs that shaped his youth and the events that changed the world. He will be backed by the Gand Band, voted Best Local Band in the Coachella Valley four years in a row. Chef Dave of PS Underground will tantalize the taste buds with a three-course meal inspired by the year 1963 updated with a cool, contemporary twist. Classic cocktails will flow freely from the fully hosted bar and the wine glasses will never go empty.
Palm Desert Walking Tour: Living Large in Small Spaces (2/22 and 2/23, $55) This walking tour showcases the Painters Path area of Palm Desert. Bordered by east Shadow Mountain and Edgehill, this site of smaller homes and condominiums helped provide diversification in housing for South Palm Desert. In the early 1950s, the Palm Desert Planning Department encouraged a variety of builders and architects (including Walter White, Ross Patten and Duke Wild, John P. Moyer and others) to build small homes in the area. In addition, the award-winning Sandpiper Condominiums (William Krisel), Kings Point (Hugh Kaptur), and Sands and Shadows (Harold Bissner) were built there over a 20-year period beginning in 1958. This inaugural walking tour will begin at Kings Point and circle throughout the neighborhood returning back to Kings Point for a reception.
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Palm Springs Modern at the 1968 Palevsky Residence by Craig Ellwood – Where it All Started! (2/16, $100) Twenty-five years ago, author Adele Cygelman and photographer David Glomb introduced Palm Springs Modern (1999, Rizzoli), a groundbreaking photography book showcasing the city’s signature modernist residential architecture. The debut event took place at the stunning Max Palevsky residence, designed by Craig Ellwood in 1968, in the exclusive Little Tuscany area of Palm Springs. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the book, Modernism Week will host a celebratory reception and book signing at the Palevsky residence. Filled with an exceptional collection of 20th-century art and furnishings, this meticulously maintained estate has been retained by its original family and is rarely accessible to the public, making it the perfect venue for this momentous anniversary celebration.
Meet Modern Pittsburgh: Intersections of Art, Architecture & Design (2/19, $15) This talk is a dynamic exploration of mid-late 20thcentury Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania focusing on the city’s built environment, art, and cultural spaces and showcasing Pittsburgh’s top-down urban renewal implemented at the midcentury.
Back to the House of Tomorrow (FILM) (2/21, $15) Back by popular demand, Modernism Week welcomes back filmmaker Simcha Shtull to introduce her award-winning documentary and answer questions following the screening. Back to the House of Tomorrow is the story of a residence important for its role in Palm Springs and Hollywood history, and for its personal themes of family and community, tragedy, and renewal. The film is not yet available online, so don’t miss this opportunity to experience it in person.
“Swingin’ The Disney Songbook” with Matt Johnson and The New Jet Set, Featuring Adryon de León (2/21, $35 and $50) “Swingin’ The Disney Songbook” is an evening of retro-cool jazz interpretations of beloved songs from Disney’s animated films. Featuring a world-class quartet that combines virtuosic musicianship and charismatic personalities punctuated by delightful movie images and period footage, this performance is a dynamic tour-de-force of musical style and taste.
Masterpieces of Art: Monet, Picasso, O’Keeffe, Warhol & Herb Alpert (2/21, $50) Discover the finest artworks available from Old Masters to Contemporary at Heather James Fine Art in this exclusive private tour of their gallery space, guided by the esteemed senior curator, Chip Tom. Includes a seated lunch.
Desert Art Tour (2/23 and 2/24, FREE) More than 50 artist’s studios in five art districts will be open for tours on this FREE self-guided tour. Participants will be able to see artists’ workspaces and learn about how their contemporary work is influenced by artists of the midcentury modern era. Educational materials linking their work to the great masters will be on display. Studios will be open on February 23 and 24 from 11 am – 4 pm with extended hours at The Perez Art District on Friday, February 23 until 7 pm. Participating galleries include:
- Negocio Arts (1800 North Via Negocio in Palm Springs): Approximately 7 participating artists
- The Lofts at Sun Center Art District (610 South Belardo Road, Palm Springs): Approximately 6 participating artists.
- SOTA Art District (south of the airport, includes individual studios surrounding 4629 E Sunny Dunes Road in Palm Springs): Approximately 12 participating artists.
- Backstreet Art District (2600 South Cherokee Way, Palm Springs): Approximately 8 participating artists.
- The Perez Art District (68845 Perez Road, Cathedral City): Approximately 30 participating artists.
Hot Purple Energy Architectural Bike Ride (2/17, FREE) Explore architecturally significant neighborhoods in South Palm Springs on this free guided bicycle tour sponsored by Hot Purple Energy. Participants will pedal past midcentury homes and learn about the architects that made this part of Palm Springs famous. For those who wish to explore the area on their own, an electronic copy of the map that has the route clearly marked with arrows will be available for an additional week after the tour. The route will also be available on the biking app, Strava. Bikes are not provided.
In addition to these newly added events, tickets are available for these exciting Modernism Week programs:
- Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour (2/15 – 2/24, $120) – Modernism Week’s signature bus tour provides guests with an overview of the most significant midcentury architectural treasures of 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 and 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.
