New Events Added to Modernism Week

If you think TV’s “Mad Men” was the hippest of the hip, you’ll love to be cool in the heat of Palm Springs during Modernism Week.

An homage to all things mid-century, Modernism Week celebrates 1950s architecture, decoration, furniture, fashion and more as thousands of visitors jam the Coachella Valley, bringing millions of dollars to the local community.

Organizers announced new events for the 11-day celebration slated for Feb. 11-21.

Officials said the Modernism Week design festival honors the popular design aesthetic from the 1950s and ‘60s, with a a series of tours, lectures, showcases and a set of nighttime parties and other events dubbed “Modernism Week After Dark.”

The 2015 edition this past February drew 59,500 visitors and pumped an estimated $22 million into the local economy, event officials said.

Next year’s Modernism Week will feature the following new events:

• A trip to Albert Frey’s North Short Beach & Yacht Club at the Salton Sea;
• A trip to the Museum of Pinball in Banning;
• An exploration of “Modern Cuba,” with a dinner prepared by Shari Belafonte in a “stunning” residence;
• Fashion events at Modernism Week headquarters, presented by Palm Springs Life fashion editor Susan Stein;
• A celebration of the area’s largest collection of mid-century modern commercial buildings at Eisenhower Medical Center.

Tickets for Modernism Week go on sale Nov. 1.

For more information and tickets, go to www.modernismweek.com.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of Modernism Week