Oh, to be 20 again. It’s a glorious age, full of audacious vim and vigor (and a lot less face cream). This year, Modernism Week enters its rip-roaring 20s with nary a fine line in sight and with even more thrill-seeking vitality than last year, which drew a stylish international crowd surpassing 130,000 participants.
Feb. 13 to 23, choose from more than 400 events, including tours through rarely accessed homes, neighborhood walks, engaging talks, films, and don’t-take-me-home-yet parties. The deep curation offers something for everyone, every day, leaving no chance of a wrong turn when mapping your itinerary — whether you prefer an inspirational whirlwind of architecture and design or a leisurely stroll down midcentury memory lane, retro cocktail in hand.
“Everything is always fun, fabulous, interesting, colorful, historic, educational, and so very Palm Springs,” says drag queen extraordinaire Bella da Ball of the 11-day cultural bash. The flamboyant, wig-wearing, bingo-hosting alter ego of Brian Wanzek is one of three Mod Week insiders who let us in on the very best of this year’s offerings. Make no mistake: The event producers are pulling out all the stops so we can party like it’s their (20th) birthday.
Shining and New
“A number of private homes are opening their doors to the public for the first time,” says Anne Rowe, Modernism Week board member and director of heritage at Sunnylands Center & Gardens. Two debuts she won’t miss are “a chic 1976 residence by architect Stan Sackley with original interiors by Steve Chase, just updated by Grace Home Furnishings” and Michelle Boudreau’s interiors for the former home of television’s Batman, Adam West. “I can’t wait to see if there’s a bat phone in this must-see 1954 design” by architect Albert Frey, she says.
Chairman of Modernism Week William Kopelk plans to catch the world premiere of the documentary The Harvard 5: A Story of Love, Architecture, and a Design Revolution (Feb. 15), covering the stories of five seminal architects, and a first-time series highlighting the reverberating impact of the experimental Black Mountain College in North Carolina (Feb. 16–17). “I’ve always been fascinated with its influence on Modernism,” he says.
Vinatge Car Show
PHOTO COURTESY visit greater palm spring
Free and Low Cost
Mod times, even in these times, can be had for a song. Film screenings start at $15, and the irresistible kitsch of the Vintage Trailer Show (Feb. 22–23) delights for $30. Select events are free, though some require advance registration and have limited capacity. Check the schedule for gratis lectures, a Vintage Car Show (Feb. 17) lined with 50-plus road beauties, and the Hot Purple Energy Architectural Bike Ride (Feb. 15), which cruises through several Palm Springs neighborhoods.
“Also free are two programs under the Stories Untold track (Feb. 17), which I always try to attend,” Rowe says. For 2025, these focus on Black architects, designers, and an unsung Black artist shaping the modernism movement.
Bella da Ball recommends free presentations at CAMP (Modernism Week’s Community and Meeting Place) and Hollywood Meets the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre (Feb. 20), a multimedia journey underscoring Palm Springs’ rich history and the magic of the silver screen. Fans of the artist Shag, he adds, can mingle at Shag’s Print Release Party (Feb. 15) and Print Exhibition Party (Feb. 22), both set to live music by the Martini Kings with plenty of flowing libations.
Not to Miss
The parties always promise good times, bringing excitement and energy to the diverse programming lineup. This year in particular: a birthday party two decades in the making.
“Nothing compares to the outrageous Modernism Week Opening Night Party (Feb. 14),” shares Rowe, “described by the most jaded of fabulous partygoers as the best party they have ever been to. No costume is “too much” for this crowd. In celebration of the 20th, the packed dance floor, decadent hors d’oeuvres and craft cocktails, and entertainment will be on full blast. It’s a pricey ticket, but it is always a memorable and highly Instagrammable evening.”
Palm Springs Modernism Show
PHOTO COURTESY VISIT GREATER PALM SPRINGS
Vintage Trailer Show
PHOTO BY DAVID A. LEE
For a venue that rivals the main course, Rowe has her sights set on the Trina Turk Fashion Show and Luncheon (Feb. 22) inside the illustrious Marrakesh Country Club clubhouse, recently reimagined by design superstar Tom Sheerer.
Kopelk has earmarked An Evening With the Daughters of Design (Feb. 18), a spirited roundtable between three descendants of Eero Saarinen, Charles Eames, and Harry Bertoia, each continuing their legacy.
Our three insiders pooled their votes for best home tour, with contenders being residences and estates once belonging to Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, William Holden, Howard Hughes, interior designer Arthur Elrod, and industrial designer Raymond Loewy. Experiential tours explore the personal abodes of midcentury architects Albert Frey (the renowned glass-and-rock Frey House II), Donald Wexler (led by guest hosts), and William Cody (housing an art installation by Phillip K. Smith III).
the short list
If you only hit up three Mod Week events this February, our insiders fancy these.
1 See keynote speaker Dr. Raymond Neutra (Feb. 15). The president of the Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design and the youngest son of architect Richard Neutra (1892–1970) shares stories about his father and growing up at the bustling live/workspace he designed in 1932.
2 Browse the Palm Springs Modernism Show (Feb. 14–17). Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this art and design extravaganza showcases 130 national and international exhibitors as a consistent highlight of the biannual festivities.
Bella da Ball
PHOTO BY STUART FUNK
3 Go on tour. Collect as many home and neighborhood tours as you can, then add a garden tour and one of over 100 bus tours — hop on a bus tours led by Bella da Ball or pop culture icon Charles Phoenix if you can.
more info
For up-to-date schedules, go to modernismweek.com, then get your tickets at go.modtix.com, where you can search for free events and filter by type of activity, date, or availability.
