Modernism Week 2023

By Bob Bogard

Modernism Week’s signature February festival will take place February 16-26, 2023, highlighting midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in Palm Springs. For the seventeenth year, the annual 11-day festival will feature a wide array of events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, tours of iconic homes in more than 23 neighborhoods (including the Signature Home Tour on both weekends), architectural walking, biking and double-decker bus tours, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, classic cars, garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, nightly parties, a 2-day vintage trailer show, nightly parties, and a special series of compelling and informative talks at the Annenberg Theater and the CAMP theater. All events are open to the public, and many events are free or low-cost Tickets are available at modernismweek.com. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Modernism Week (a non-profit organization) and other local preservation, neighborhood and community groups.

A highlight of the winter tourism season in Palm Springs, Modernism Week was originally launched with a handful of weekend events dedicated to showcasing the city’s mid-century modern architecture during the popular Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale. With its worldwide fame as a celebrity getaway and international vacation destination, a growing interest in the architecture of Palm Springs and the city’s world-renowned mid-century modern architecture is attracting a new group of enthusiasts who have put the area on the map for cultural tourism as well as fun in the sun.

While some events are already sold out, many more are still available, including:

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.

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.

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.

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.
  • House of Tomorrow Home Tour (multiple days, $55)
    Experience the newly renovated Alexander Estate, known as the House of Tomorrow, where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in 1967.

  • Martinis on The Mountain (2/22, $150)
    The historic hillside Thomas O’Donnell Estate was designed by William Charles Tanner in the Spanish Colonial Revival style that was a precursor to midcentury modern design. This party enables attendees to explore the significant building take in its unparalleled views across the valley while enjoying Palm Springs’ signature cocktail, the martini, along with classic hors d’oeuvres, and live music.

TALKS

This year Modernism Week will offer more than 80 informative and entertaining talks, panel discussions, other presentations at various locations during the 11-day event that runs February 16-26, 2022. A distinguished array of speakers – all leaders in their fields – will share their knowledge and insights with Modernism Week audiences each day of the event. A series of engaging films will also be offered. Tickets range from $12 – $65 for talks and panels. Films range from free to $35.

Highlighted talks include:

  • A Tale of Two Kaufmann Wives and Two Tragic Endings (2/24/$12)
    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.
  • Charles Phoenix Supermarket Superstars (2/18, $45, $60). A BIG RETRO slide show extravaganza roasting and toasting iconic brand name products that put KITSCH in your cabinet…FUN for your fridge…POP in your pantry…and SUPER in your supermarket!

  • The Architecture of Suspense: The Built World in the Films of Alfred Hitchcock (2/20, $15). Christine Madrid French’s cross-over exploration of film and architecture is the first to look at buildings as a character in Hitchcock’s most popular movies and the director as an architect himself.
  • Nancy Sinatra – Sound & Vision (2/23, $35, $135). A special presentation not to miss featuring Nancy Sinatra’s music, videos, and photos from her personal archives, followed by a discussion of her impact as a trailblazer in music and fashion.

  • Southridge – Beyond the Gates (2/24, $15). Susan Secoy Jensen and Steven Price show us beyond the guarded gates of Southridge, an exclusive community known for its seclusion, panoramic views, and concentration of architectural excellence.
  • “Don’t Worry Darling” – Palm Springs Retro Style (2/25, $20, $125). Palm Springs sets the stylish scene of the Warner Brothers psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling. The film’s Oscar and Emmy nominated designers offer an up-close look at costume and set design.

For a complete event schedule please visit www.modernismweek.com