Palm Springs Modernism Week – October: 2024

 Four Days of Must-See Tours and Events: October 24 – 27

Modernism Week, the annual festival celebrating midcentury modern architecture, art, design, and vintage culture in Palm Springs, is back with Modernism Week – October. This smaller, more intimate version of the February festival will feature over 50 events in four days, many of which are free or low-cost.

Modernism Week’s customized vintage trailer, Astro, and team members will be stationed across the street from the Palm Springs Art Museum on Museum Way, adjacent to the Palm Springs Downtown Park, at its “launch pad” throughout the weekend. This is where guests will meet to board the double-decker bus tours, learn more about Modernism Week, enjoy savory snacks from local food vendors, and more!

Credit: Monica Orozco

Highlighted Events

Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: The Shag House (10/24 – 10/27, $40) Back by popular demand, this immersive tour allows visitors to step into a life-size Shag painting in a reimagined 1958 midcentury modern home.

Bus Tours

Embark on an exclusive journey through the heart of mid-century modern design with the Palm Springs Modernism Week – October Bus Tour. This guided adventure offers a deep dive into the architectural marvels that define Palm Springs, showcasing iconic homes, buildings, and neighborhoods that epitomize the style, sophistication, and innovation of the era. As you travel through the city, expert guides share fascinating stories about the architects and visionaries who transformed Palm Springs into a modernist oasis. You’ll explore famed neighborhoods like Twin Palms and Vista Las Palmas, each a testament to the seamless blend of form, function, and flair.

Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour (10/24-27, $130): Experience an overview of Palm Springs significant midcentury architectural treasures.

Charles Phoenix Super Duper Double Decker Bus Tour (10/24-27, $160): Join retro pop culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix for a humorous exploration of midcentury architectural gems.

Twilight Architectural Bus Tour (10/25 & 10/26, $100): Enjoy a 1-hour evening tour of Palm Springs’ midcentury architecture at twilight.

Bella da Ball Bus Tour (10/25 & 26, $100): Emcee Bella da Ball guides this twilight tour of architecture related to Hollywood, entertainment, nightclubs, and celebrity homes.

The Homes That Define Palm Springs Bus Tour (10/24–27, $100): This 90-minute tour showcases popular Palm Springs neighborhoods and spectacular home styles.

Midcentury Top Ten Tour: Ten Architects Who Made Palm Springs Modern (10/25 & 10/26, $130): Led by top-rated architectural tour guide Trevor O’Donnell, this small-group tour highlights the architects who defined the “desert modernist” style.

Sinatra’s Rat Pack Homes & Hangouts Bus Tour (10/24 & 10/27, $100) Come fly with us as we drive our double-decker bus past the Palm Springs homes and hangouts of the members of the iconic Rat Pack and their era.

Home Tours

These tours invite you to step inside some of the most iconic and architecturally significant homes in Palm Springs, each showcasing the timeless elegance and innovative spirit of the mid-century era. For those who prefer a more immersive experience, the guided tours provide in-depth insights from knowledgeable experts..

Sunnylands Historic House Tour (10/24 – 10/27, $75) Guided tours give visitors access to the famed Sunnylands Estate, designed by renowned architect A. Quincy Jones in 1966 and restored in 2012.

Frey House II Tour + Museum Day Passes (10/24 – 10/27, $75 tour, $125 tour and twilight reception) Hosted by Palm Springs Art Museum, these self-guided tours are a rare opportunity to see the residence of Modernist architect Albert Frey.

House of Tomorrow Home Tour (10/24 – 10/27, $55 tour, $100 tour and twilight reception) Experience the Alexander Estate, known as the House of Tomorrow, and popularly as the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in 1967.

$55 Tour (30 min), $100 Tour & Reception (1 hr)

Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” Estate Tour (10/24, $50) The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation will host a tour of Frank Sinatra’s storied “Twin Palms” estate, designed by Modernist architect E. Stewart Williams in 1947.

The Lautner Compound Tour (10/25 only, $60): Tour John Lautner’s 1947 residential fourplex and enjoy a twilight reception.

ONE-PS Modernism Week Home Tour (10/26 only, $100) -This unique self-guided home tour offers an intimate glimpse into Palm Springs’ diverse architectural heritage. Participants will explore five outstanding homes, each epitomizing the iconic design elements that make Palm Springs a mecca for architecture enthusiasts.

Tiki Oasis: Desert Lanai 4 Cocktail Party & Home Tour (10/26 only, $100) Embark on a Polynesian tiki journey at the Desert Lanai 4 cocktail party and home tour. An unforgettable afternoon of cocktails, island bites, entertainment and midcentury Modernism awaits!

Six Architectural Gems of Canyon Country Club Tour (10/26, $125) Tour six architecturally diverse modernist homes in the historic Canyon Country Club, rich in history and architectural diversity. The tour includes two recently rediscovered 1952 Hugh Kaptur gems. This is a self-guided drive tour but tourgoers will receive an eight-page color collectible handout.

Frey House II

Special Events

Cul de Sac “Swinging ‘66” (10/27 only, $85): Tour six William Krisel homes with classic cars, a vintage vinyl DJ, go-go dancers, and more, complete with a guided tour of pool and garden areas redesigned with drought-tolerant landscaping.

Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show (10/26-27, $25): Featuring nearly 50 premier national exhibitors offering vintage furniture, decorative and fine art.

Sunny Side of the Street(10/25 and 10/26, $195): PS UNDERGROUND invites you to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience of music and ambience that pays tribute to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald as you enjoy a four-course dinner with free-flowing cocktails.

Midcentury Mixology Cocktail Class With Steen Bojsen-Moller at Mr. Lyons (10/24 – 10/27, $80): Learn to make midcentury cocktails at the historic Mr. Lyons restaurant.

Curated Vintage Event (10/26 only, $25 first dibs, $15): This event showcases vintage apparel, luxury items, textiles, jewelry, and accessories.

Escape into the World of Tiki! (10/26 only, $55 general, $75 VIP with complementary drink and mug, $90 with drink and autographed book). Escape into the colorful history of tiki with Martin Cate, author and owner of multiple award-winning tiki bars, including the world-renowned Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco. Includes Aloha Tiki Marketplace with exotic and vintage goods.

Walking Tours

Led by expert guides, this tour takes you on foot through iconic neighborhoods, where you’ll discover the distinct features that define modernist design, from striking geometric lines to innovative use of materials and seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Twin Palms Guided Walking Tour: An Insider’s Perspective of the Desert’s First Modernist Neighborhood (10/24 & 10/27, $45): Explore the desert’s first Modernist neighborhood guided by a neighborhood resident and author.

Celebrity Haven: Unique Boutique Resorts (10/24 – 10/27, $50) In this neighborhood walking tour, see close-up the inns and resorts that were, and remain today, havens for the stars.

Giants of Architecture (10/24 – 10/27, $50) In this neighborhood walking tour, see how desert Modern design was applied to commercial buildings in the heart of the fashion and finance district in Palm Springs.

Golden Era of Hollywood Homes (10/24, 10/25, 10/27, $50) In the Old Las Palmas neighborhood, Spanish Colonial architecture abounds alongside classic examples of dramatic midcentury architecture. Docents share tales of the stars who lived and martini-ed here in this walking tour.

Hidden Paradise of Showbiz Legends’ Hideaways (10/24 – 10/27, $50) The Mesa is a beautiful secluded neighborhood with a fascinating assortment of eclectic architecture. It boasts one of Palm Springs’ most stunning architectural anomalies, the Santorini House. This is a walking tour is at 8:30 am.

Inns, Architecture, and Glamour (10/24 only, $50) See the vintage hotels that still provide the “Rich and Famous” with seclusion and relaxation. Stroll among these charming and beautiful boutique inns as you hear fascinating tales of history.

Modernist Treasures: Lush Living on the Links (10/24 – 10/27, $50) On ancestral land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is an attractive collection of luxurious Modernist residences with impressive landscapes lining the historic Indian Canyons Golf Resort. Walking tour at 8:30 am.

Rat Pack Playground: Modernist Homes (10/24 – 10/27, $50) Discover the trendy midcentury Vista Las Palmas neighborhood, once nicknamed the “Beverly Hills of Palm Springs” and view the homes now called “Alexanders” developed by George and Robert Alexander.

Shangri-La of the Stars: Midcentury Showcase (10/24 – 10/27, $50) Stroll through this pristine midcentury neighborhood with its collection of elegant Modernist homes, designed by the desert’s most revered architects.

Stars of The Movie Colony: Romantic Palm Springs (10/24 & 10/27, $50) The impressive Movie Colony neighborhood represents Hollywood’s “Glamour Heyday” with its mix of romantic Spanish Colonial Revival estates and elegant modernist homes.

Midcentury Sunny Cycle Tour by PS ModCom (10/24-27, $90): A pedaling-optional tour of the Movie Colony, Las Palmas, Vista Las Palmas, and the Historic Tennis Club neighborhoods.

Twin Palms Estates Exteriors Walking Tour: A New Design Era (10/24 – 10/27, $50) View stunning modern architecture with its iconic soaring “butterfly” rooflines in the first midcentury neighborhood built by the Alexander Construction Co. in Palm Springs.

Other Tours

Temple Isaiah: The Evolution of Classical to Extreme Modernism (10/24 and 10/25, $50): A guided media presentation and walking tour of two sanctuaries designed by E. Stewart Williams and David Christian.

The Legacy of Mission 66 at Joshua Tree National Park (10/27 only, $25 or $55 with Park Pass): Delve into the history of Mission 66 and its impact on National Park facilities.

Tours & Talks

Atomic Ranch Talk & Tour: A Completely Remastered Krisel (10/25 only, $65) Explore this never-before-toured Krisel gem on a cul-de-sac that’s been transformed from outside to in with striking curb appeal upgrades, stunning interior renovations and a dream backyard.

Atomic Ranch Talk & Tour: An Architectural Rarity in Twin Palms (10/26 only, $65) Tour a unique home that is one of only two built by Fred Stein, Hollywood executive turned enigmatic local that has been revived and refreshed as a stunning example of the best of Modernist style.

Divinely Inspired: Discussing the William F. Cody Design of St. Theresa Catholic Church (10/25 & 10/26, $45 and $95 with optional book) St. Theresa Catholic Church has long been heralded as a prized masterpiece of William F. Cody’s legacy. Catherine Cody and architect Morris Skenderian, A.I.A. will share how Cody’s total design plan was realized.

Presentations

Escape into the World of Tiki! (10/26 only, $55, $75, and $90) Escape into the colorful history of tiki cocktail culture with a fascinating presentation at the Palm Springs Cultural Center by Martin Cate. Includes one complimentary cocktail after the presentation.

Modernism Week – October Parties

Preview Party for the Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show (10/25 only, $95): Enjoy a wine reception and early buying opportunity at the Fall Show. Preview party tickets include return entry to the show all weekend.

The Mammoth Martini Party at The Shag House (10/25 only, $125): A swinging house party hosted by artist Shag.

Caftan Soiree at The Shag House (10/26 only, $125): Celebrate the caftan as a midcentury fashion staple.

Tiki Oasis: Desert Lanai 4 Cocktail Party & Home Tour(10/26 only, $100) Experience an electrifying evening at the Desert Lanai 4 Polynesian Tiki inspired cocktail party and home tour. Sip tiki cocktails by the poolside bar and explore four homes, each showcasing the iconic A-frame architecture and whimsical tiki-inspired decor envisioned by architect Charles Du Bois.

Free Events

Cocktail Party and Book Signing: “Architectural Pottery” (10/25 only, free): Meet the authors of “Architectural Pottery: Ceramics for a Modern Landscape” at Trina Turk Palm Springs Boutique. No ticket required. 891 N Palm Canyon Drive. 3 – 5 pm.

Shag’s October Modernism Print Release Party (10/26, free): Meet artist Shag and enjoy complimentary cocktails, live music, and more at the unveiling of his newest print. No ticket required. 745 N Palm Canyon Drive. 7 – 10 pm.

Hot Purple Energy Architectural Bike Ride(10/26, free)  Pedal your way through architecturally significant neighborhoods in South Palm Springs and highlight midcentury homes! This is a ticketed event.

Canyon Country Club: History and Design of Palm Springs’ Garden of Eden (10/25, free) Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board member Steve Treinen presents Canyon Country Club’s social and architectural history through vintage and contemporary imagery. This is a ticketed event.

The Rebirth of Albert Frey’s Historic 1946 Bel Vista Tract in Palm Springs (10/25, free) Todd Hays and William LaVoie tell the restoration story of Frey’s 1946 Bel Vista Tract, including a not-to-miss computer recreation drive-through of Bel Vista as it appeared 78 years ago. This is a ticketed event at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Lost, Saved & Endangered: Modernist Architecture in Palm Springs (10/25, free) Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board president Gary Johns will present his popular slide lecture. This is a ticketed event at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Red Tile Romance (10/25) Historian Steve Vaught presents how Spanish architecture became the signature style of Southern California in the 1920s with a look at some of Palm Springs’ greatest Spanish landmarks.

Interior Shag House

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