Palm Desert First Weekend: Hiking, Food and Music Galore!

A wildflower festival, sand sculpting, music, food, hiking and more--something for everyone--is planned at this weekend’s First Weekend.

Here are the highlights:

March 6 -15, 2015

Nunsense: The MEGA Musical

Arthur Newman Theatre, Joslyn Senior Center, 73750 Catalina Way

Performances: 7 p.m., continues 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: $25 general; $23, student/55 and older

(760) 980-1455; www.dtworks.org

To save their convent from financial ruin, the Little Sisters of Hoboken have “One Last Hope” to raise the money and properly bury their accidentally poisoned sisters.

Friday, March 6, 2015

El Paseo Cruise Night

3:15-6 p.m.

El Paseo, between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue

Information: www.elpaseocruisenight.com; (760) 346-8965

These rides are totally awesome! The vintage and classic vehicles gather at 3:15 p.m.on the upper parking deck at The Gardens on El Paseo and begin cruising at 4:30 p.m.Grab a sidewalk seat to watch this movable feast for the eyes!

El Paseo Art Walk

4-8 pm

El Paseo, between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue

Information: www.elpaseoartwalk.com

The Art Walk, held the first Friday of each month from November through May, is a long-standing tradition in Palm Desert. As part of the “First Weekend” citywide promotion, galleries along the famed shopping district offer extended hours, artists’ receptions and exhibits. Gallery hop in style by taking the El Paseo Courtesy Carts!

Artist Reception for Susan Block and Steven Klinsky

4-8 p.m.

Desert Art Collection and Sculpture Garden, 45-350 San Luis Rey Avenue

Information: (760) 674-9955; www.desertartcollection.com

Reception for actress/artist Susan Block and ceramicist Steven Klinsky.

First Friday

4-9 p.m.

Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen, 72567 Highway 111

Includes free admission to the museum, docent tour, screening of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), microbrews by Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse and concert with Lincoln Jesser in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden.

El Paseo After Dark

6-8 p.m.

El Paseo, between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue

Information: (877) 735-7273; www.elpaseocatalogue.com

Enjoy world-class shopping, exquisite dining and world -class art at more than 250 shops, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and specialty stores. Treasures every step of the way!

2Cellos

8 p.m.

McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive

$25-$45

Information: (760) 340-2797; www.mccallumtheatre.com

Classically trained Croatian cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser have appeared on Glee bring a mixed bag of music that includes Michael Jackson and Guns’N‘Roses!

Saturday, March 7

Free Guided Public Art Tour

9 a.m.

Location: Palm Desert Public Library, 73300 Fred Waring Drive

Information: (760) 568-1441; www.palmdesertart.org

Take a free, guided walking tour of the public art collection as part of Palm Desert’s inspiring and fun filled weekend of art and culture on the first Saturday each month at 9 a.m. Meet at the entrance to the library. For more information visitwww.palmdesertart.org or call 760-568-1441.

Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitors Center

Information: (760) 568-9918; www.desertmountains.org

Celebrate the beauty of the wildflowers at the 8th annual Friends of the Desert Mountains Wildflower Festival. The activities will include food, a beer and wine garden, kids’ zone, exhibitors, raffles and The Sand Guys building an enormous sand sculpture!

Philip Ferranti and Tom Brewster

2-4 p.m.

$5, CSUSB student free with ID

Cal State San Bernardino/Palm Desert Campus, Indian Wells Theatre, 37500 Cook Street

Information: (760) 341-2883; www.pdc.csusb.edu

Coachella Valley hiking expert Ferranti, 140 Great Hikes In and Near Palm Springs and photographer Brewster, Portrait of Palm Springs, on scenic and unique hikes and terrain within 50 miles of Palm Springs. Includes a slide show and book signings

Gardens Annual Concert Series

5:15-7 p.m.

$12, includes two glasses of wine, refreshments

The Gardens on El Paseo, 73545 El Paseo

Information: www.thegardensonelpaseo.com

Art of Sax concert benefits Shelter From the Storm

Johnny Mathis

8 p.m.

$95

McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive

Information: (760) 340-2787; www.mccallumtheatre.com

Popular crooner returns to the McCallum stage.

Sunday, March 8

Sunday Brunch Unplugged

11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Desert Willow Golf Resort, 38995 Desert Willow Drive

Information: (760) 346-7060, ext. 104 for parties of 8 or more;www.desertwillow.com

Ala carte Sunday brunch with entertainment by Matteo Palmer.

Paint Nite

1-4 p.m.

$45

The 3rd Corner - Wine Shop and Bistro, 73101 Highway 111

Information: www.paintnite.com

Join artist Kellie Gillette-Wood at 3rd Corner in Palm Desert for a fun afternoon of bottomless mimosas and painting.

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