Sidewalks bustle with visitors making shopping choices at owner-operated boutiques, restaurants offer alfresco tropical drinks on their patios, and hotels are booked solid. The onslaught of Modernism Week brings diehard architecture groupies to Palm Springs in mid-February each year.
Modernism Week, actually a period of ten days, dives into the Mid-Century Modern architectural style, which came to prominence in the 50s and 60s in Palm Springs. Growing tired of the regulations applied to their design efforts, prominent architects in LA sought commissions in this desert community a hundred or so miles away. There it was known that code guidelines were less stringent to test new design elements and use unusual materials.
Fortunately, today many of those commercial buildings and residences have been preserved or restored to their original condition. These buildings, with ticketed tours, remain the centerpiece of the event. However, after recently experiencing nine of the 340 events offered, I can assure you there is much more.
Lectures Inspired Me
I still talk about ALUMINATION, a (yet to be released) movie on the design and development of the Airstream Trailer, for it opened my eyes to a world previously unknown to me. The groundbreaking RV was a popular subject for the Modernism Week planners who had scheduled it to play in the large Annenberg auditorium Palm Springs Art Museum. Wally Byam created the Airstream in a small warehouse in Los Angeles in order to find a way to enjoy the outdoors. Hearty souls trekked from South Africa to Cairo, Egypt, serving as a way to test its design. Wally helped ship 47 airstream trailers to South Africa. Each time something went wrong with one, he called the home office to explain how to improve on it. In the end, 27 trailers made the entire trip. The official word caravan remains tied to Wally.
Later in the week, after a lecture on the phenomenon, a caravan of refurbished Airstreams pulled into Palm Springs. Intrigued, Modernism Week attendees lined up to explore them.
Photo 3 Modernism Week Yard Sale Photo Credits Kathy Condon
Modernism Yard Sale
One of the more popular events, a Modernism yard sale takes place at the festivities close. Vendors arrive en masse from all over Southern California and Arizona. This event attracts an unprecedented number of buyers seeking the “Mid-Mod” style.
I’m not a serious collector but I always love this event. Perhaps, it’s because many attendees dress in vintage 50s and 60s outfits for photo opportunities. Maybe it’s also a trip down memory lane for me, since many of the things I grew up with as a kid are on display hoping for a new home. Or it could be just enjoying the beautiful Palm Springs morning. Truth be told I gave in and bought a silver ring that screams Modernism.
Photo 4 Modernism Cocktail Parties Photo Credits Kathy Condon
Party Hearty
Have you always dreamed of living like a movie star in Palm Springs? Here’s your chance with an abundant list of cocktail parties at the former homes of Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, William Holden, Dinah Shore and our famous international designer, Trina Turk.
Reliving the 50s, and 60s in the moonlit backyards at any one of these Palm Springs homes is a memorable experience. Plus, it’s an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Just remember to dress your fabulous best … Palm Springs glamour is anything but quiet and reserved. The excess of pinks, oranges and mauves will knock your eyeballs out. And not just on the gals. Be sure to pack your dancing shoes, too, and be ready to break out your swing moves.
Vintage Car Shows
During Modernism Week, owners of vintage cars are more than happy to put the top down and cruise Palm Springs showing off their prized possessions. Often staged as props in front of Mid-Century homes, these cars seek admirers who want to study the details of design from this bygone era.
During the event, a vintage car auction takes place in downtown Palm Springs where sellers bring their carefully restored cars, with hopes of finding new buyers. Auto enthusiasts are quick to nab Modernism Week events where private collectors open their doors to showcase some very rare cars.
Tour a Home
As a Palm Springs resident, I know that near downtown, on one of the back streets in the Vista las Palmas neighborhood, for example, a hidden home perfectly reflects the Modernism era. Situated on one of those streets, Maison Bleue Moderne identifies as such with its front door painted the signature Palm Springs blue.
By the way, the desert city is known for its colorful doors. Often homes with a white exterior display a brightly colored front door. Visitors often hunt these down, for they make great Instagram photos. There is a widely sold coffee table book just on the subject of our doors.
What’s Next?
The above categories provide a peek into the kinds of events surrounding this annual event. I do have a little secret for you. Go to the Modernism Week website and sign up for their newsletter. Then watch for the October Fall Preview Weekend. There are fewer crowds and events, but plenty to fill anyone’s schedule. Do plan ahead for this event because hotels fill up and popular events sell out quickly.
Sign up for the Double-Decker bus tour of historic neighborhoods and get a 2.5-hour overview of the famed desert city. Then once you hop off the bus, retrace your steps to get that ultimate Modernism Week photo.
Bonus Opportunity
For those who cannot come in February for the entire Modernism Week or Preview Week, an added opportunity to experience some of these majestic homes and secluded neighborhoods through tours is available the weekend of May 12-15, 2022. Check the Modernism Week website for ticket information.