43 Things to Do in January

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL / JAN. 2–13

Founded in 1990 by then-mayor Sonny Bono as a tourism and cultural initiative, the film festival has grown to attract more than 135,000 attendees and screen more than 200 films annually at locations throughout Palm Springs and Cathedral City. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities around town. psfilmfest.org

EL PASEO ART WALK / JAN. 3

With striking street art and a string of galleries that covers several blocks, renowned shopping street El Paseo is just as much an aesthete’s paradise as it is a fashionista’s. Visit more than 15 galleries and attend exhibition openings and artist receptions during the area’s monthly art walk. elpaseoartwalk.com

GEORGE THOROGOOD / JAN. 11

In 1981, Delaware–born rocker George Thorogood and his band went on a whirlwind tour of all 50 states — in just 50 days. While the “Bad to the Bone” singer’s schedule isn’t quite so rigorous nowadays, he still puts on a killer show, including one at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio. fantasyspringsresort.com

TUSK / JAN. 9

Named after Fleetwood Mac’s 12th album Tusk, this tribute group makes “Dreams” come true for fans of Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, and John and Christine McVie. “Go Your Own Way” to the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert to hear sounds-just-like-them covers of the band’s most iconic hits. mccallumtheatre.com

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS Golf Tournament / JAN. 15–19

This official PGA event (held, naturally, at PGA West in La Quinta) blends the excitement of a professional golf showdown with the energy of a desert music fest. Separate concerts by Stevie Nicks and Luke Bryan follow gameplay on Friday and Saturday.
theamexgolf.com

THE TEMPTATIONS & FOUR TOPS / JAN. 18

Motown is coming to town (specifically, to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio). Both The Temptations and Four Tops occupy spots on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest artists of all time, with the former coming in at 68 and the latter nabbing number 79. fantasyspringsresort.com

4XFAR MUSIC & ADVENTURE FESTIVAL / JAN. 18–19

Land Rover hosts this adrenaline-packed festival at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio. In addition to live shows by award-winning musicians, off-road test drives, and tasty eats, the festival offers attendees the chance to explore outdoor activities like bouldering, mountain biking, and al-fresco mixology. 4xfar.com

For the other 36 things to do in Palm Springs in January, click here:  https://www.palmspringslife.com/43-things-to-do-in-january/

Leading Luxury Media Company Expands into Palm Springs

Dry Heat Resorts Is in Their Premier Issue

With an audience of over 16 million, Modern Luxury Media is the nations largest luxury media company and offers leading luxury brands with access to affluent audiences in the most prominent cities across the U.S.  Some of its most notable magazines are Modern Luxury Angeleno, Modern Luxury Aspen, Gotham, Hamptons, Los Angeles Confidential and others.  In total, the company currently publishes 85 Magazines across 22 markets that all cater to the lifestyles of the rich and famous (I think I just dated myself). 

The world of Modern Luxury is ever expanding and has recently expanded into the Coachella Valley with the inaugural issue of Modern Luxury Palm Springs.  The magazine has numerous well written and interesting articles about things like the new Gucci store on El Paseo, The new Porsche dealership in Palm Springs, Tom Ford's new skincare line as well as some of Palm Springs signature events.  It also features a special section called "Power Players of Palm Springs" that I just happen to be in.  I hope you take a few minutes to check out the article about me and Dry Heat Resorts.  It's conveniently located on page 54. 

Sincerely,
Kenny Felsher
Dry Heat Resorts

Forever Marilyn Statue Returning to Palm Springs...Forever

From 2012 - 2014, Palm Springs was graced by the "Forever Marilyn" statue of Marilyn Monroe.  The 26 foot tall sculpture was then located at the, under-construction, downtown Palm Springs mall on Palm Canyon Drive.  The sculpture was very popular with tourists and locals alike, and from the day that it left, there's been talk of its return. A lot of people, myself included, felt that it belonged here due to Palm Springs connection to the Hollywood stars of her generation.  In addition, there are rumors that she was actually discovered, poolside, at Charles Farrell's Racquet Club compound. 

P.S. Resorts, a group of hotels aimed at promoting tourism, along with the city and others, worked to bring the statue back.  Construction of a new downtown Park will begin soon, and the sculpture will be installed there.  It will actually be located  by the Palm Springs Art Museum, which is very close to its original location. 

The larger-than-life sculpture depicts the actress in an iconic billowing-dress-in-the-air scene from the 1955 film, "The Seven Year Itch."  After it left Palm Springs, it toured other cities.  During its run, the statue evoked strong opinions, from those who loved it to those who hated it.  I was one of the former and look forward to her return in February, 2020.

Real Estate Trends W/ Vacation Rental Focus

The short term rental industry has exploded over the past decade. This post examines the ​deep shifts in ​real estate, technology, and labor that have ​forged a new definition of "mixed-use" and opens the discussion with insight into the direction it’s heading next. ​Following is an excerpt of the post.  To read the entire article, click here; https://www.vrmb.com/mixed-use/

Part 1. The Death of Retail Commercial Real Estate

It all started a few years ago when I was in NYC for a business trip. We had just purchased our new home so I took an extra day to visit an area of the city that used to be lined with home store after home store. 

At the time, I was working for a large media company in corporate America and leading a division that helped traditional media companies (think newspaper and television companies) integrate digital media into their advertising teams. 

By then, I had seen first hand the impacts that “going digital” can have on businesses. However, I had never thought of the implications that could mean for real estate.

Until then. Somehow seeing the visual of what used to be a retail mecca now lined with “for lease” sign after “for lease” sign on vacant storefronts, it finally hit me. I remember thinking to myself: what is going to happen to all of this retail space as more shopping happens online and less happens in-store?

The headlines in years since have only caused this question to fester. According to a recent article in Moneywise, “Walgreens, Dressbarn, Pier 1, Gap and other chains have already announced 7,500 store closings in 2019 -- way more than we saw during all of 2018.”

​Reinvented Spaces

Vacancies have led to reduced commercial rent, which has led to reinvented use of commercial spaces. One way these spaces are being reinvented is by tapping into the sharing economy.

Allwork.Space reported on the increase in co-working spaces that “Between 2014 and end of 2018, the number of flexible workspace locations expanded by +205% while the number of operators expanded by +138%.”

Another new trend is converting large vacant spaces (or developing unused land for multi-family spaces) for the sole purpose of short-term rentals. The death of traditional retail has created new ways to meet today’s consumer demands. 

​The Consumer Shift to Digital

This new economy has also changed the way people interact with one another – consumer habits have changed dramatically.

I think of my own habits and how they have migrated online. I rarely leave my house to grocery shop because I do it through an app. During the week, I do not even leave to eat out because dinner from my favorite restaurants can be delivered to my door. Many days, I do not even leave to go to work in the traditional sense because I can do a fair amount of what I need to on my laptop, iPad or phone.

I did not grow up doing all of those things. This shift really has only happened in the last few years for me. However, many people just slightly younger than me (and those much younger than me) may never know the reality of grocery shopping or reporting into a physical office.

Knocking on your neighbors’ door for sugar is a foreign concept to many. This is just one of many factors for a reduced appeal of home-ownership among millennials.

Short-term rentals are growing exponentially. People are re-purposing unused real estate such as vacation homes, portions of their own homes, and even newly-purchased property for the sole purpose of short term renting it.

What some new-to-the-scene folks do not realize is that short-term rentals date back to the 1950’s in U.S. and even ​earlier in Europe (side note: check out this great infographic on the history of vacation rentals by Rentals United).

Vrbo (formerly Vacation Rentals by Owners) was founded in 1995 as a place for hosts to list their vacation rentals for potential guests. Back then, while they may have found the home on VRBO, most communication was done via phone, fax or even snail mail.

Then in 2008, Airbnb came along. What originally started as “Air Bed and Breakfast” because the founders began renting out air mattresses in their apartment, now boasts “6+ million unique places to stay in 100,000+ cities and 191 countries and regions” according to their site.

Airbnb managed to bring a “cool factor” to the traditional vacation rental model. Though not the first game in town and definitely not the only, it has become the verb many use in and outside of the industry (i.e. “I have an Airbnb”). 

​Accidental Investors vs. Accidental Hosts

This “cool factor” and rise in short term rentals has attracted two distinct groups of stakeholders:

• ​Those with ​a desire to host
• ​Those looking to invest for income

I personally started in the “desire to host” camp. As a by-product, it has also provided a steady income stream for my family. I call ​my group Accidental Investors. This group is focused on guest experience, providing unexpected amenities and making sure the space is uniquely designed to stand out. While many of us Accidental Investors are smart about making sure those things also result in increased occupancy or revenue, those are not the main reasons we do them, they just help us justify them.

Most Accidental Investors scoff at those who ​enter the industry ​solely to make money.

Traditional investors, on the other hand, look at ​vacation rentals as ​first and foremost a financial decision. They analyze all aspects of the deal, make sure the property will be income producing and then consider if further expenses can be justified for things like guest experience, amenities and design. I call this group Accidental Hosts.

Many Accidental Hosts look at Accidental Investors like we are crazy for doing what we do to make guests happy because they feel renting your home should be purely a business transaction.

Adding to the two newbie groups above, you also have The Pioneers: the predecessors who have been renting traditional vacation rentals since before it was the cool thing to do – you know, before Vrbo and well before Airbnb. This group is now trying to adjust to the newfound popularity of the industry which can be both good and bad: while new ways to market their homes has increased, so has competition. Some are on board and adapting with the times while others are rolling their eyes at both newbie groups and longing for the good ole’ days before Airbnb came along and ruined it all.

As you probably know, Palm Springs has a unique relationship with old Hollywood.  A big reason for that is the city's proximity to LA.   Stars, and studio execs alike, used to vacation in the city, and many even had homes out here.  Today, A list stars like Leonardo DiCaprio own homes in Palm Springs, and A, B, C and D list stars flock to the desert for events like Coachella and Stagecoach.  Blah, Blah, Blah...celebrity, celebrity, celebrity;  you get the picture.

I'm speculating here, but I think all of this connectivity to Hollywood and celebrities has resulted in Palm Springs having more than its fair share of film festivals.  For Example:  there is the star-studded Palm Springs International Film Festival held each January.  In 2020, this festival occurs from Jan 2 - 13.  There are also the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, the American Documentary Film Festival, Palm Springs International Short Fest, and more.  If you are looking for a quick getaway this month, and enjoy smaller indie-type films, CinemaDiverse, which is an  LGBTQ- themed film festival takes place September 19 - 22. 

If you need a place to stay while in town, I know a guy (LOL). 

5 Reasons To Ditch The Generic Hotel— And Rent a Home Instead So, you want to get away. See the sites. Create lasting memories. Relax and re-charge. First things first— book the plane tickets. Next, book a tiny, expensive room at some huge, bland hotel. Hope that you can find two rooms close together. Cross your fingers that they might even be adjoining. Wonder if there will be more than stale pastry and lukewarm coffee at the morning buffet. Pray that your room isn’t next to the elevator or even worse— the ice machine. But wait— what if we told you there was another way? A way to make your trip more relaxing, more private, less expensive, and less stressful? Who wouldn’t want that? There is a way to do all those things. Instead of going with the standard hotel chain, book a vacation rental home instead. Here are 5 reasons why staying in one of our vacation rentals is the only way to go:

1. Budget Friendly At first glance, you may think there is no way you can afford a home over a hotel. We’re here to tell you that per square foot, vacation homes are almost always more affordable than hotel rooms. Consider the fact that the average hotel room is a measly 325 square feet while the average vacation rental home is 1,300 square feet. Even better— travel with a group of friends or family and split the cost for savings that add up quickly. Keep in mind that your vacation rental has a full-sized kitchen so you aren’t forced to eat out for three meals a day. That’s a big chunk of change that’s staying in your pocket. And doesn’t breakfast always taste better when you're wearing pajamas?
2. Super-Flexible When staying at a hotel, you have no choice but to conform to the hotel’s schedule for housekeeping, maintenance, meals, pool hours and fitness facilities. Renting a vacation home means getting out of bed whenever you feel like it. Afternoon naps and midnight snacks. No limits on happy hour. A dip in the pool at sunrise. Feel free to do what you want, whenever you want to do it.

3. Comfy & Homey Our vacation homes are just that— homes. There’s no scratchy, industrial-grade carpet or teeny, single-serving coffee maker in our homes. In your vacation rental, you'll find full-sized appliances, laundry facilities, pots and pans, multiple bathrooms, dishes, blankets, linens, books, and board games. These small touches can make your stay significantly more comfortable and relaxing, particularly if you’re traveling with children.

4. Privacy & Peace For traveler’s who value tranqulity, a typical hotel room can be a nightmare. Thin walls. Elevator and vending machine noise. Banging doors. Maintenance workers and housekeepers coming and going. A crowded pool. A loud, packed restaurant. Ugh. These sources of stress simply don’t exist in a vacation rental home.

5. Live like a local For a truly unique vacay, a home rental will give you that coveted “local” feeling. Relax on your front porch and chat with the neighbors. Visit the local mom & pop grocery store and stock up on supplies. Rent bikes and peddle around town. Take a stroll down your street. Chat with new friends at the neighborhood watering hole and get to know the best places to eat— and maybe some juicy local gossip too. These types of distinctive experiences simply don't happen when you're staying at a generic hotel.

By working directly with a local agency— like us— you will get personalized service and local insider knowledge before you even arrive. Our local agents have first-hand knowledge of the area and the different options available and can help you choose the home that is perfect for you. Call or email us today. We can't wait to see you!

Tiki is a Maori word for a type of stone or wooden carving found throughout the islands. However, in the 20th century, Tiki became known for its romanticized conception of tropical cultures, most frequently imagining Polynesian culture. The Tiki culture began in 1934 with Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt's opening of Don the Beachcomber. The Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood soon became a Hollywood hotspot for all the major stars. However, the Tiki trend didn't really become popular until after World War II, when young men returning from the Pacific wanted a taste of what they had experienced. Their taste for the tropical quickly made its way to the rest of the nation.

By the end of the 1940s, Palm Springs had become the getaway for celebrities and urbanites, who brought the Tiki trend with them.  In 1953, Don the Beachcomber had 16 locations from coast to coast, including the hugely popular one in downtown Palm Springs. Frequented by Hollywood celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Bing Cosby and Bob Hope, everyone knew Palm Springs and its Don the Beachcomber were the spot for a good time. While the Tiki trend has begun to fade in the recent years, the Desert Tiki Culture is alive and well in Palm Springs. Today, there are still some great Tiki bars that take guests away from their day-to-day lives, much like they did during its Hollywood high in the 1950s and 1960s.

Unfortunately, Don the Beachcomber in Palm Springs is no more, but the spot is now home to Bootlegger Tiki (a nod to Earnest Gantt’s Bootlegging days), who continue the Tiki traditions that made this spot famous.  The bar retains a Polynesian theme, with delightful blowfish light fixtures and thatched palm walls, with a patio offering mountain views.

Toucan’s Tiki is one of the best gay bars in Palm Springs and another favorite in the desert, specializing in strong Tiki drinks. Guests can enjoy a Sunday night drag show or one of the many popular weekly theme nights while sipping a taste of tropical paradise.

The Tonga Hut offers authentic Pacific cuisine inside a fun environment reminiscent of Palm Springs’ rich Tiki past. The Tonga Hut celebrates the growing number of local Tiki art and culture festivals in Palm Springs, as well as an appreciation for mid-century style of fabulous architecture and design. Be sure to explore the secret Tonga Room, hidden inside a telephone booth!

Finally, one cannot talk about Desert Tiki Culture without talking about The Reef, an intimate Tiki Bar with great views of the colorful Caliente Tropics Hotel pool surrounded by the hotel’s many hand carved Tikis. Caliente Tropics Hotel also puts on an event to celebrate how much Tiki means to Palm Springs. Tiki Caliente is an annual event creating the aura of island living in a desert setting. Tiki Caliente will immerse guests into the colorful and unique Tiki world that has made Palm Springs its desert home. 

Taco Bell To Open Pop Up Hotel In Palm Springs

Just when you thought you had seen everything;  Taco Bell recently announced that it will be opening a Taco Bell-themed hotel in Palm Springs that is going to be called, "The Bell".  The Hotel and Resort will be opening for a limited time this August.  It is an 18 and older hotel complete with exclusive Taco Bell menu items, Taco-Bell-themed apparel, an on-site salon with Taco Bell-inspired nail art and hair styling services and plenty of other surprises.  Taco Bell-themed weddings are also on the menu.

Marisa Thalberg, Taco Bell’s chief global brand officer, explained the vibe The Bell will host. “The Bell stands to be the biggest expression of the Taco Bell lifestyle to date. It will be fun, colorful, flavorful and filled with more than what our fans might expect,” she said in the brand’s press release.  Who knew there was a Taco Bell lifestyle? (LOL)

Reservations will open in June, and guests can start checking in on August 9.  The hotel will be available for a limited time only, and Yum Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, hasn't yet determined how long the hotel will be open.  Click here to learn more: https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/food/2019/05/16/taco-bell-hotel-and-resort-coming-palm-springs-california/3693358002/

                                                   
                                                               

One of my favorite shops in Palm Springs is On The Mark Fine Foods & Provisions.  The locally owned store is a one of a kind gourmet food market and deli, featuring a range of unique boutique products such as:  craft beer and wine, artisan crafted cheese, nitrate-free meats, pates, small batch oils and vinegars, and more!  I actually just ate lunch there where I had one of their unique made to order deli sandwiches.  While they don't have any indoor seating, they have these great picnic tables just outside their front door where you can enjoy your sandwich while people watching on Palm Canyon Drive.  The fact that it was sunny and 78 degrees made the entire experience that much more enjoyable. 

On The Mark is now putting on events at their downtown Palm Springs store.  In April, for example, they are having two hour long wine tasting events where attendees can sample various wines and hors d'oevres in a fun and social setting.  All of their wines are organic or biodynamic and are paired with handcrafted hors d'oeuvres from products they sell at their shop. 

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 29 @ 5:30
Friday, April 12 @ 5:30
Friday, April 26 @ 5:30

For tickets, click here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/on-the-mark-fine-foods-amp-provisions-15909424831

On The Mark is located at 777 N Palm Canyon Dr. in downtown Palm Springs.  Their number is 760-832-8892.  They would also love to cater an affair for your while you are at your Palm Springs vacation rental. 

Like the native California fan palm, the Coachella Valley music scene springs from an oasis of creative spirit. It has spread far and wide from roots in midcentury crooning and desert rock to encompass a trove of musical identities, and April serves up a supreme sampling of that vast and varied sound as local talent and big names take the stages at storied venues across town. Here’s where you can check them out.

PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE

Palm Springs

This gem of a honky-tonk presents cover bands and local rockers playing original tunes sure to blow your socks off. Join the open jam session Sunday nights. (Anyone know any Blue Cheer?)

ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB (Pictured above)

Palm Springs

The Ace draws an eclectic array of artists year-round and packs extra heat during festival season. Enjoy live DJ sets by the pool and techno-funk in the Amigo Room, or belt out the tunes during karaoke Tuesdays.

OSCAR’S

Palm Springs

Soul, blues, and drag queens. The supper club at Oscar’s shows Palm Springs’ longest-running cabaret, the Celebrity Female Impersonation Dinner Show, every Friday and Saturday night.

To read the entire Palm Springs Life article and learn about more music venues in the Coachella Valley, click here; https://www.palmspringslife.com/live-music-palm-springs/

One of Dry Heat Resorts most popular luxury vacation homes, Villa Estrella, just had a face lift and is now even more stylish and luxurious.

The above picture showcases the newly designed living room.  Other rooms redecorated include the dining room, family room and even the powder room (Seen Below):

Local design firm, Grace Home Furnishings, got the job and delivered an authentic rustic modern touch to the popular central Palm Springs property.  To see more about Villa Estrella's new look, Click here:  Villa Estrella's New Look. 

Local Design Firm Hosts Modernism Events

The Guggenheim House (Featured Above) is one of three luxury vacation homes decorated by Grace Home Furnishings that are  available to rent through Dry Heat Resorts. 

The design firm, whose store is located in the Uptown Design District, will be hosting three events at this year's 2019 Palm Springs Modernism Week.  The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area.

Sunday, February 17, 1 - 4 pm: 
Exclusive Designer Home Tour at House of Grace 2019
Tour the latest design project from Michael Ostrow of Grace Home Furnishings, an extraordinary modern residence in the Skye Neighborhood of Palm Springs.  Champagne, fresh cocktails and light bites from savory to sweet will be served.  Moderated discussions will be held at 1:30 p.m and 3:30 p. m. For Tickets to this event, click here.

Sunday, February 17, 6 - 9 p.m.:
Come Fly With Me: Cocktails at House Of Grace
Enjoy an evening under the stars at the newest design project by Michael Ostrow of Grace Home Furnishings, an extraordinary modern residence in the Skye Neighborhood of Palm Springs.  For tickets to this event, click here.

Saturday, February 23, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Inside Look at the Inwood Room at Sunnlands
Join designer Michael Ostrow and Anne Rowe, Sunnylands' Director of Collections and Exhibitions, for a look inside the process of adapting the Inwood Room to meet the needs of Sunnlands Retreat withing the framework of the stewardship of managing a historic home.  See before and after photos and learn about the challenges of preserving the history of Sunnlands while adapting to the current needs of this legendary property.  The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.  Coffee and snacks will be served.  For tickets to this event, click here.

PALM SPRINGS, CA – January 3, 2019 - SunLine Transit Agency will bring the Palm Springs BUZZ bus back into service on Thursday, January 10, 2019. The BUZZ will provide free rides in Palm Springs every 20 minutes from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.www.sunline.org/buzzisback

"The entire team at SunLine is looking forward to bringing the BUZZ back," said Lauren Skiver, CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency. "What’s especially exciting about SunLine operating the BUZZ service is that it will align with SunLine’s fixed route service – providing valley-wide transit options."

A ribbon cutting and brief program will take place with the launch 12:00 pm at Museum Way and S. Palm Canyon. Hosted by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism City, regional officials will ride the BUZZ following the ribbon cutting. Media is invited to attend.

"The City of Palm Springs is delighted to partner with SunLine Transit Agency to return the very popular BUZZ trolley as a transit option for our residents and visitors," said Councilmember Lisa Middleton, the City’s representative to the SunLine Board of Directors. "We are deeply appreciative of General Manager Lauren Skiver and her SunLine team’s creativity and investment in Palm Springs and public transportation."