Posted on by James Kampas

Morning at Mission Creek Preserve

Mission Creek Preserve
Mission Creek Preserve
Mission Creek Preserve
Mission Creek Preserve

We took a hike at Mission Creek Preserve, just north of Palm Springs, and it turned out to be one of those perfect desert mornings. The trail winds past the old stone ruins of what was once a small guest ranch, and the desert right now is full of wildflowers—yellow, white, and pink scattered among the creosote and low shrubs. With the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains in the distance and a deep, clear sky overhead, the whole landscape felt quiet and wide open in the best way. It’s a reminder that even in a place many people think of as dry and barren, spring can bring a surprising burst of life.

Posted on by James Kampas

Chamber Music Blooms in the Desert

Feb. 22, 2026 – Tereza Stanislav, Rafael Rishik, Andrew Schulman, & Robert Brophy.

I had an enriching Sunday afternoon at the Richards Center for the Performing Arts in Palm Springs. The New Hollywood String Quartet gave a performance that moved seamlessly from the moody, soulful atmosphere of Turina to the sharp, clever energy of Haydn. They saved the best for last with Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1, Opus 11—especially the famous Andante Cantabile, a movement in which the music became so warm and tender you could hear a pin drop. It was a perfectly balanced afternoon that felt both lively and deeply relaxing.

The New Hollywood String Quartet, inspired by the original, great Hollywood String Quartet, gave its debut concert in Los Angeles in 2001. They are now considered one of the premier string ensembles of their generation. All four musicians are members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Presented by Palm Springs Concerts.

Posted on by James Kampas

Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum - McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet
Palm Springs Air Museum - General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Palm Springs Air Museum - Cessna O-2 Skymaster
Palm Springs Air Museum Entrance

Our morning bike rides often take us past the Palm Springs Air Museum, where vintage warbirds stand proudly under the desert sun. It’s a striking sight—sleek fighter jets and classic WWII aircraft framed by palm trees against the backdrop of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains. Located near the Palm Springs Airport, the 91,000-square-foot museum showcases military aircraft from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Many of the planes remain flight-ready and are displayed alongside exhibits and tributes to veterans, making it a distinctive stop for aviation and history enthusiasts.

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The Centuries Rock the Cascade Lounge

July 23, 2025 – Playing “Crazy Baby” by the Rockin’ R’s.

Last night in the intimate Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, the Los Angeles–based rockabilly trio The Centuries played an energetic 90-minute set as part of the Desert Blues Revival series held there every Wednesday. The Centuries—who have been performing at venues and music festivals across the U.S. and Europe since 2011—brought their signature high-energy show, mixing rockabilly and rock & roll covers with original songs written by the band. Given the midsummer heat, the crowd wasn’t as large as it could have been, but everyone there seemed to be having a good time. We sure did!

Posted on by James Kampas

Ravens on the Attack

As we passed the Cimarron Golf Course this morning on the CV Link bike path, we saw a healthy-looking coyote being harassed by two ravens. Ravens are highly territorial, and these two were no exception. The coyote seemed unbothered at first, casually trotting along, but eventually turned back to look, clearly aware, yet unfazed. Whether they were protecting a nest or simply asserting dominance, the ravens were relentless. PROJECT COYOTE

Posted on by James Kampas

Palm Springs Public Art

May 14, 2025 - Sculptures by David Černý.
May 14, 2025 – Sculptures by David Černý.

You never know where you’ll encounter art when walking around downtown Palm Springs. Two large sculptures by renowned Czech artist David Černý are affixed to the side of the Rowan Palm Springs Hotel (if you’ve ever visited Prague, you’ve likely seen more of Černý’s work there). Meat is a 17-foot-tall classic red car, reminiscent of a Porsche, with a body stylized to resemble a slab of raw meat. The other, from his Babies series, is intentionally ambiguous and surreal. I can’t say exactly what the artist means by these two pieces, but they’re certainly thought-provoking.

Posted on by James Kampas

Palm Springs “Neighbors”

April 3, 2025 - "Neighbors" art installation by John Cerney.
April 3, 2025 – “Neighbors” art installation.

“Neighbors” is a whimsical public art installation by California muralist John Cerney. It features five 12-foot-tall cutouts of Hollywood icons who once lived in Palm Springs—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe, Liberace, and Sammy Davis Jr. Inspired by celebrity house tours, Cerney imagined these stars in everyday moments, like collecting their mail. It’s a fun, larger-than-life tribute to the city’s glamorous past.

Posted on by James Kampas

David Hockney Exhibit

Feb. 13, 2025 - "David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed"
Feb. 13, 2025 – Art patrons examining Hockney’s work.

We visited the Palm Springs Art Museum tonight to see David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed. It’s a wonderful exhibition featuring nearly 200 of the artist’s works in a variety of media, including prints, collages, and photographs. David Hockney is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th & 21st centuries. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a 1993 Los Angeles Opera press conference at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, where he spoke about his set designs for the Strauss opera Die Frau ohne Schatten.

Posted on by James Kampas

Euclid String Quartet Delivers

Euclid Quartet at the Richards Center for the Arts.
Feb. 9, 2025 – Euclid Quartet at the Richards Center for the Arts.

A brilliant performance this afternoon by the highly regarded chamber ensemble the Euclid Quartet, at the Richards Center for the Arts in Palm Springs. The program included string quartets by Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Schubert. “Entr’ acte” by Caroline Shaw was a pleasant surprise, and the Astor Piazzolla encore was an excellent finale to the concert.

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Brubeck Vibes at Cascade Lounge

Sept. 14, 2023 – Jason Fabus Quartet performing “Take Five.”

The Jason Fabus Quartet has been honoring jazz legends Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond with a series of performances inspired by the classic Time Out album. Last night, they brought their tribute to the Cascade Lounge for Jazzville, delivering a dynamic set that included favorites like “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo à la Turk.”

“We’re not just playing the notes,” said bandleader and saxophonist Jason Fabus. “We’re trying to channel the energy and creativity that made Brubeck and Desmond so groundbreaking.”

Posted on by James Kampas

“Pussy Riot” Rocks Pride

"Pussy Riot" at Palm Springs Pride 2022
"Pussy Riot" at Palm Springs Pride 2022
"Pussy Riot" at Palm Springs Pride 2022

There was something really intense about seeing “Pussy Riot” perform last night at Palm Springs Pride. Knowing that band members were imprisoned for speaking out against the Russian government gave their performance a heavy seriousness. Musically, their roots are in punk rock, riot grrrl, and electronic punk. But sound isn’t really the main point—it’s the message that drives everything. Their songs often feature aggressive beats, spoken-word vocals, and raw energy.

Posted on by James Kampas

McCormick’s Exotic Car Auction

  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1956 Jaguar XK 140 MC Roadster that once belonged to late "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1956 Jaguar XK 140 MC Roadster that once belonged to late “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1965 Arntz Cobra.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1965 Arntz Cobra.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1935 Packard 1201 Eight.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1935 Packard 1201 Eight.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1948 Lincoln Continental.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1948 Lincoln Continental.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1941 Plymouth P12 Woody Wagon.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1941 Plymouth P12 Woody Wagon.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1955 Mercury Montclair.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1955 Mercury Montclair.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1948 customized Chevrolet Sedan Delivery.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1948 customized Chevrolet Sedan Delivery.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1934 Mercedes 500K Roadster replica.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1934 Mercedes 500K Roadster replica.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Coupe.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Coupe.
  • Nov. 19, 2021 - 1931 Ford Model A Roadster.
    Nov. 19, 2021 – 1931 Ford Model A Roadster.

We visited the 2021 McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction today, one of Southern California’s most respected classic car events, just to admire the stunning lineup of over 500 vintage and exotic vehicles on display. From elegant Packards and sleek ’50s cruisers to rumbling muscle cars and rare replicas, the show was a vibrant celebration of automotive history—set against the dramatic desert mountains. Family-owned and based in Palm Springs, McCormick’s hosts two major auctions each year, welcoming both the public and dealers to experience a unique blend of car culture and timeless style.