The Stephen Archdeacon Gallery in the Uptown District of Palm Springs will open a new show this evening, the art of Eric Nash. His show, “Palm Springs Noir” will be on display for a limited time.

Eric believes that art is for everyone. He is inspired by the landscapes, myths, moods and moments of Los Angeles and the new American West, as well as various icons and themes he has worked with since early childhood. The interplay of dark and light to create mood has been a constant.

Stephen Archdeacon Gallery
865 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-673-7520

This Saturday, September 17 from 6-9PM, there will be a special night of shopping in the Uptown Design District!  Hope to see you there!

To celebrate the Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement’s (do.co,mo.mo) National Tour Day on October 8 and 9, 2011, PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM WEEK is pleased to offer its most popular event, the Modernism Double Decker Bus Architectural Tour, a fun, open-air, double decker bus tour of Palm Springs’ notable mid-century modern architecture.

The tour is conducted by a guide who is knowledgeable about the local renowned modernist architects and their striking architecture, as well as Palm Springs’ fascinating 90-year history as a glamorous destination and celebrity outpost. The three-hour bus tour focuses on the exteriors of dozens of residential homes and commercial mid-century modern buildings throughout Palm Springs. Participants will learn the history of Palm Springs’ architecture and the celebrated architects that put modernism on the map. As ground zero for mid-century modern architecture, and with the world’s largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture, participants will see why Palm Springs draws modernism aficionados from around the world.

As a bonus, participants will receive free admission to the architecturally-significant Palm Springs Art Museum, designed by the late modernist architect E. Stewart Williams, a 10% discount from the Museum’s gift shop, a complimentary booklet on Class 1 Historic Sites of Palm Springs produced by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, and a tour map of modern architecture in Palm Springs from the Palm Springs Modern Committee.
$75

For more tickets, go to: http://www.ticketderby.com/vendor/modernism-week-id-1809

According to the visitor’s survey, attendance for the 2011 Modernism Week in Palm Springs was actually up 56% percent- up to 25,550 guests compared to the previous event’s attendance of 16,400.  This brought more than $7.5 million dollars into the valley for the week-long event.  76% of the visitors were not from the Coachella Valley- only 24% of the visitors were locals.  We already anticipating great things for the 2012 Modernism Week, which will be February 16-26; the upcoming event will be extended to a ten-day period, as it was this past year.  For more information, go to http://www.modernismweek.com/index.htm

The Palm Springs Art Museum is a popular attraction with many exhibits with contemporary themes.  A current exhibit,   The opening of the exhibition will feature deSoto’s 2004 sculpture CONQUEST, a simulation (“faux-riginal”) of a 1965 car that never existed. This actual car carries within its branding, color schemes, and inherent metaphors the language of colonial power in the Americas, referencing the white war horse that Hernando de Soto used as a conquering weapon in the new world. DeSoto’s wry sculptural and video inventions in combination with actual Mesoamerican objects bring to light the historical meanings of the museum’s holdings by positioning them within a contemporary context. The car will remain on view through September 18, 2011.

One of the most overlooked attractions in Palm Springs is the fabulous Air Museum.  The museum houses one of the largest collection of flying WWII era planes.  It’s easy to forget what a provincial outpost Palm Springs was during World War II.  The El Mirador Hotel became a military hospital ( Now, it’s a hospital again), and Livmor and Playmor Streets have roundabouts that functioned as a holding area for fighter planes.  The displays are interesting, and the planes are especially interesting- you’ll realize what cramped flying conditions are once you’re in the cabin of some of these big bombers.  Check the museum’s website http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/ for a full schedule- they host some special events thoughout the year, where being a passenger in some planes is an option.  See you at the hangar!

One of our favorite places to dine at night is Copley’s on Palm Canyon Drive.  they have excellent dinners in a wonderful setting, which also happens to be Cary Grant’s first residence in Palm Springs- how could you not want to have dinner at Cary Grant’s?  While most of the seating is outdoors, they have a very cheery dining room and a cute bar- and a great waitstaff.  Check out their menu at http://www.palmsprings.com/dine/copleys/index.html

One hidden gem in the desert is Palm Springs’ Backstreet Art District.  The disctrict’s Downs Studio D is hosting “Open Studio” July 16th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm; cocktails and hors ‘devourers at 5:00.  Hope to see you there!

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The Shields Date Farm has been an attraction in the valley since 1924, but for a real trip in the wayback machine, strap yourself in for a slide show titled “The Sex Life of the Date.” This may be the longest running show in Southern California, running almost continuously since the 1930′s. In addition to this show, you’ll find a great array of local produce, and the world famous date shake. You might have scrunched your face up at the first mention of dates, but please stop that. It’s not the dried up thing that your grandmother dragged out when she felt stopped up. These are wonderful treats, and especially so when crystallized and added to the magic shakes that Shield’s soda fountain has been making for 80 years. A new addition to the Shields Date Farm is their new Cafe with a great menu! They are located at: 80-225 U.S. Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201, (760) 347-0996, and their website is: http://www.shieldsdategarden.com