If you are looking to host a corporate retreat, wedding, party, family reunion or any other type of event in the Palm Springs area, there is a new event venue, built within a 1955-built bank in downtown Palm Springs, that embodies the mid-century modern lifestyle of Palm Springs.

 

TheBank, built in 1955 as The Coachella Valley Savings and Loan, is Palm Springs newest and most unique event venue. The building retains all of it original character making it a true mid century experience for any type of event. Upon entering TheBank you're taken back to 1955 with original black terrazzo floors, circular walk-in vault with stone facade and free form terrazzo stair case. The second level, the former banking floor, is a large open space with 20-foot high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows overlooking South Palm Canyon Drive with yet another circular walk-in vault. TheBank can accommodate any type of event.  Cocktail parties, sit down dinners, dancing, live performances, DJ's, movie premiers, photo shoots, car shows, product launches and many more.

The architect of the building,  E. Stewart Williams, is one of the more famous Palm Springs mid century modern architects.  Among his major projects are the Oasis Office Building, Coachella Savings and Loan (I and II), Crafton Hills College (in Yucaipa), Santa Fe Savings Bank and the Upper Mountain Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. In addition to the Frank Sinatra House (his first residential commission), Williams has designed numerous architecturally significant private residences throughout the Coachella Valley.  His most dramatic public building is the Palm Springs Desert Museum. It’s first phase was designed in 1976.

I visited The Bank Palm Springs yesterday as they held a Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce meeting there and was blown away by how authentic most everything was.  I remember going to banks as a child in the 70's and 80's in similar buildings.  Without questions, this venue will take you back to those days and offers a fun, retro, unique space to have your next Palm Springs event.

The Bank if located at 383 South Palm Canyon Dr. in downtown Palm Springs.

Palm Springs was recently voted the #1 hippest mid-sized city in American!

There is no universal definition of "hip." For some, it's hipster - that ironic cool that has been perfected by the likes of Brooklyn and Portland. For others, it's trendy and fashion forward, showing off the latest, chicest clubs, restaurants, and boutiques, a la Miami or LA. And while big cities are often known for being hip, smaller cities get passed over, but that shouldn't be the case. To find the 10 hippest mid-sized cities, gogobot, a popular travel website, grabbed the U.S. cities with ranks #100-900 by population according to census data and sorted them by the preferences of their "Trendsters Tribe". They're smaller, sure, but each celebrate cool in their own unique way.  Following are the top ten hippest mid-sized cities in America:

1. Palm Springs, CA: Why it's hip: Once upon a time, Palm Springs was known for being a retirement haven where the post-employment crowd liked to spend their vacations and golden years. Boy, has that changed. While it's still Baby Boomer-friendly, it's now also LGBT-friendly, foodie-friendly, mircrobrew-friendly, and millennial-friendly.

Where to go: You can get a taste of the new and trendy at many stay, eat, and play options in the city. For hotels, try the Colony Palms or the Avalon. (Better yet, stay at a Dry Heat Resorts vacation rental and eat and play at the hotels).  Get some shopping done at Trina Turk Boutique, and take in a little modern culture at the Palm Springs Art Museum. For fancy cocktails and late-night eats, try Tropicale and Bootlegger Tiki.

2. Napa, CA: Why it's hip: Sure, there's wine. But Napa is so much more than that. Once a sleepy town and quick stopover for those on their way to the wineries, the city itself is now its own destination, with blocks packed full of boutique hotels and spas, upscale eateries from celebrity chefs, tasting rooms, shops, and art galleries.

To find out what the other Hippest Mid-Sized cities in America are, Click here to read the entire article...

The 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival is in full swing and doesn't end until January 11.  The Black Tie Awards Gala, which kicked off the festival on January 2, featured A-list stars like Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Rooney Mara and Saoirse Ronan.  While I watched the red carpet walk on TV, I recognized an actor being interviewed whose face I knew, but whose name was a mystery.  He is a character actor who I remember as playing villains in movies and tv shows.  I even think I've seen him in tv commercials and music videos.  Here is his picture; 

Does he look familiar to you?

He looked very familiar to me and then the interviewer mentioned that he lived in Palm Springs.  This caused my ears and interest to perk up because I'm always interested in knowing about famous people living in Palm Springs since I make a living off of Palm Springs tourism.  People are fascinated with celebrity and Palm Springs has a well know historical celebrity past.  This definitely sells the city to older vacationers, but new blood is always good.  Not that this particular 71 year old actor will draw the attention of those under 30, right.  But, he is a celebrity and does currently live in Palm Springs. 

Anyway, this Palm Springs celebrity's name is Udo Kier.  He was born in Cologne Germany, has appeared in over 200 films and has lived in Palm Springs since 1991.  In 1966, Kier was cast in the lead role for the film Road to St. Tropez.   One of the most important films in his early career was Andy Warhol's Frankenstein in 1973.   Another film, Blood for Dracula in 1974, was done by Warhol's studio and produced by Roman Polanski.  Kier played the lead roles of young doctor Frankenstein and young count Dracula.  Other films that people may recognize him from include Blade, My Own Private Idaho, Ace Ventura Pet Detective and Armageddon.   

What I mainly recognize him from is the 1992 video for Madonna's song "Deeper & Deeper".  This happens to be my favorite Madonna song, and I remember him playing this mysterious villain who had the most compelling eyes.  

Remember to rent a luxury vacation rental from Dry Heat Resorts whenever you visit the California desert.