2018 Modernism Week Begins With Tours, Opening Night Bash

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Modernism Week, the annual celebration of modern desert architecture, begins Thursday with bus and walking tours of locales throughout more than 23 Coachella Valley neighborhoods.

The regionwide festivities held through Feb. 25 begins with tours offering attendees a rare, first-hand look into the desert haunts of the likes of the Rat Pack, Cher, Natalie Wood, Elizabeth Taylor, Kirk Douglas, Cary Grant, Judy Garland, and more. While a number of events are sold out, tickets remain available for many others.

New events slated for 2018 include "Hollywood Revisited," a musical extravaganza showcasing costumes worn by stars from Hollywood's Golden Age, an auction of Architect Walter S. White's "Wave House" in Palm Desert, and the "Sacred Places-Modern Church Tour" of more than seven local houses of worship.

Thursday also features the Opening Night party at the Indian Canyons Golf Resort, designed by Palm Springs architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison, and a favored hangout for the late Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Walt Disney and Dean Martin.

Modernism Week also features several free events, including Friday's Palm Springs Walk of Stars' dedication to modernist architect Paul R. Williams, Thursday's "Sojourn in the Desert," exhibiting White's work, and a House Hunting seminar for those on the lookout for a midcentury modern home.

Other notable events include the Modernism Week Show & Sale, featuring rare and vintage furniture reflecting all design movements of the 20th century, which also includes admission to the new Palm Springs Modern Design Expo, featuring the latest in cutting-edge building materials, technology and furniture from 40 exhibitors.

Palm Springs residents can also get another look at the historic Aluminaire House, which is expected to be permanently moved to the new Palm Springs Downtown Park, across from the Palm Springs Art Museum.

A fundraising tour held during Modernism Week will also include a community update on the final concept for the new park and how the Aluminaire House will play a role in its final design.

In addition to tours, more than 85 lectures and talks from a variety of speakers will provide their insights throughout Modernism Week.

Tickets and a full schedule of events can be found at www.modernismweek.com

— By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock