Posted on by James Kampas

Christmas in Vienna (in the Desert)

The Vienna Boys Choir at The McCallum Theatre
Nov. 22, 2025 – The Vienna Boys Choir at The McCallum Theatre.

Tonight felt like the true beginning of the holidays for me. The Vienna Boys Choir performed a program titled Christmas in Vienna at the McCallum Theatre. It included a mixture of classical works by Brahms, Pergolesi, Bruckner, and Mozart, alongside recognizable carols like “Silent Night” (sung with lights dimmed and each boy holding a candle), “Little Drummer Boy,” and “O Tannenbaum.” It was a truly mesmerizing concert.

It is easy to see why this group is so legendary. The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the world’s most famous and historic choral ensembles, made up of boys aged 10 to 14, trained in the rich tradition of Austrian sacred and classical music. Founded in 1498, the choir is known for its pure, bell-like sound and its close association with composers like Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert, whose works helped define its legacy. Today, the boys live and study at the Palais Augarten in Vienna and travel the globe performing everything from Renaissance polyphony to modern pieces.

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The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Nov. 20, 2025 - Giraffes and Ostrich
Three Chuckwallas
Bennett’s Wallaby
Patas Monkeys Maisha and Naledi
Nov. 20, 2025 - Turkey Vulture at The Living Desert.
Cheetah at The Living Desert

Nestled against the dramatic backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the Coachella Valley, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a unique 1,200-acre sanctuary dedicated exclusively to the preservation and appreciation of the world’s desert ecosystems. Far more than a traditional zoo, this immersive park blends meticulously curated botanical gardens with spacious naturalistic habitats, showcasing flora and fauna from the deserts of North America, Africa, and Australia, including cheetahs, giraffes, and Bennett’s wallabies. Visitors can explore geographic replicas of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, wander through extensive hiking trails, and engage with active conservation efforts like the “Headstarting Desert Tortoise Hatchlings” program. The Living Desert is a premier destination for understanding the delicate beauty and resilience of desert life.

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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!

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CV Link Bridges Communities

May 25, 2025 - CV Link at El Cielo Road.
May 25, 2025 – At El Cielo Road in Palm Springs.

CV Link is a multi-use pathway in the Coachella Valley, designed for walkers, cyclists, and low-speed electric vehicles. Once construction wraps up—currently projected for this fall—it will extend more than 40 miles, linking Palm Springs to Coachella with much of the route following the Whitewater River wash. The trail will offer a safe, scenic, and eco-friendly way to travel while promoting outdoor recreation and connecting communities across the Valley. We’ve been enjoying the open sections on our e-bikes and can’t wait for the entire route to be completed.

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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

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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.

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Desert Jam 2025, Indio

May 3, 2025 – Fatso Jetson playing “Dream Homes.”

Fatso Jetson headlined Desert Jam 2025 last night at Little Street Music Hall in Indio, topping a five-band lineup. Hailing from Palm Desert, they’re widely credited as pioneers of the desert rock scene, blending stoner rock with punk, surf, jazz, and psychedelic influences into a sound all their own. I was especially excited to catch The Pandoras, who had reunited with three of their original members. Other bands on the bill included Salton City Surf Club, Paradise Vultures, and Bombshelter Alley. Desert Jam 2025 is a 3-day festival taking place this weekend across multiple venues throughout the Southern California desert.

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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.

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Tango Obsession

March 19, 2025 - Camaraderie performs Piazzolla.
March 19, 2025 – Camarada performs Piazzolla.

Last night at the Rancho Mirage Library, the distinguished chamber music ensemble Camarada delivered an invigorating performance of Argentine musical masterworks in a program titled Camaraderie: Tango Obsession. Andrés Martín, the group’s bassist and composer-in-residence, introduced each piece with brief comments about its cultural and historical context. I enjoyed hearing the scintillating rhythms and seductive melodies of Tango Nuevo music and learning how it evolved.

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Desert X Returns

March 18, 2025 - "Soul Service Station" by Alison Saar.
March 18, 2025 – “Soul Service Station” installation by artist Alison Saar.

Desert X 2025 is a site-specific international art exhibition held at different locations across the Coachella Valley. It features eleven installations by artists from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. The exhibition explores themes such as Indigenous futurism, design activism, and the impact of human intervention on the desert landscape. Desert X 2025 continues through May 11.

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Jean-Yves Thibaudet!

March 11, 2025 – Maestro St. Clair takes a bow.

Music Director Carl St. Clair led the Pacific Symphony tonight in an exciting concert at the McCallum Theatre. It began with an energetic rendition of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and concluded with the great composer’s uplifting Symphony No. 7. In between, celebrated French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet delivered a virtuosic performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ exotic Piano Concerto No. 5, “Egyptian.”

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Tribute to Led Zeppelin

March 7, 2025 – Zeppelin USA plays “Stairway to Heaven.”

The Show at Aqua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage is a modern 2,000+ seat concert venue that brings a wide range of entertainment to the Coachella Valley. It’s only about 5 miles from home, so it’s easy to get there, and ticket prices are usually inexpensive. Friday night, Zeppelin USA paid tribute to rock legends Led Zeppelin, and we were there to rock out and enjoy the evening.

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Music in the Gardens

"Music in the Garden" at Sunnylands.
March 2, 2025 – The Reed Brothers performing with John Malcolm Penn.

Every Sunday in March, Sunnylands offers free concerts to the public. It is located in Rancho Mirage and just a short bike ride from home. Sunnylands is a historic 200-acre estate, once the winter retreat of Walter and Leonore Annenberg. Known as the “Camp David of the West,” it’s hosted numerous prominent figures, including presidents and world leaders.

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Summer at Big Bear Lake

July 21, 2024 - View from our Lagonita Lodge room.
July 21, 2024 – View from Lagonita Lodge room.

Big Bear Lake is about a 2-hour drive from Palm Springs, and it’s nice to come up here for a few days to get away from the desert heat. It’s hot today, but you can still go outside and enjoy nature. Big Bear is a charming mountain community with plenty of good restaurants and places to get a drink.

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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.”

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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.

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A Magical Evening with Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony

Oct. 19, 2017 - Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony.
Oct. 19, 2017 – Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony.

What a pleasure to hear Maestro Riccardo Muti and the incomparable Chicago Symphony Orchestra last night at the McCallum Theatre. Having seen them several times during my years in Chicago—always at the magnificent Symphony Center—it was a treat to reconnect with this extraordinary ensemble here in the desert. The program offered a beautifully balanced trio of works: Schubert’s mysterious “Unfinished” Symphony, Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Concerto, and Schumann’s radiant Second Symphony. Principal clarinetist Stephen Williamson played the Mozart with elegance and warmth.

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Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park
March 4, 2011 – Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park is an incredible place to hike and camp, with massive boulders scattered across the landscape just begging to be climbed. The distinctive Joshua trees add striking color and texture to the desert scenery, giving the park its otherworldly charm. On one visit, I even spotted a coyote strolling casually down the road, completely unfazed—a perfect reminder of the wildness that still thrives out there.