In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the nonprofit organization Modernism Week is hosting a four-day celebration of Midcentury-Modern architecture in the city that helped put it on the map.
Midcentury-Modern architecture may not be in vogue anymore, but in Palm Springs, it never went out of style. With perfectly preserved homes from a bygone era, Palm Springs is considered a mecca for fans of this unique design style. It’s no surprise, then, that organizations promoting Midcentury-Modern architecture thrive in this desert town. Each year, the nonprofit group Modernism Week hosts an array of events dedicated to preserving and fostering appreciation for midcentury architecture and design.
Founded in 2005 by a small group of passionate volunteers, Modernism Week hosted its first official event in February 2006. Since then, it has grown to include two yearly festivals, local architectural tours and international excursions. After the success of the original Modernism Week, held annually in February, the organization added an additional festival to its calendar lineup. This year, Modernism Week – October takes place from October 24 to 27 and features over 50 events for attendees.
“We are very happy to once again present Modernism Week–October with a full, four-day event schedule,” says Lisa Vossler Smith, CEO of Modernism Week. “This year, we are offering new tours and events and bringing back many of the most popular tours from previous years.” The festival’s hottest attractions inspire some of this year’s new offerings. One of the most anticipated events, Sinatra’s Rat Pack Homes & Hangouts Tour, will take attendees to the homes and hangouts of the iconic Rat Pack members.
The event expands on the popularity of Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate tour, which Vossler Smith calls “the hardest ticket to get,” and not just because of the name attached to it.
“It is a beautiful 1947 Midcentury-Modern home around a piano-shaped pool. It really is one of the most significant properties that remains intact,” she says.
Other notable events include the Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour, the Palm Springs Modernism Show, architectural walking and biking tours and tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands. If parties are more your thing, there are plenty of options. Signature events this year include a Mammoth Martini party, a Caftan Soiree and a print release party for Shag, a prominent artist in the modernism world.
“Cocktail parties and Modernism Week go hand in hand,” Vossler Smith says. “We try to plan early evening events so everyone can enjoy a little culture and architecture before they have their dinner plans for the evening.”
As a nonprofit organization, Modernism Week donates a portion of the ticket sales to local groups working to preserve modernist architecture. Additionally, the organization awards scholarships to Coachella Valley students pursuing college educations in architecture and design-related fields.
“Awarding the Modernism Week scholarships is one of the most meaningful outcomes of our festivals each year,” Vossler Smith says. “Supporting our local students from the Coachella Valley is a top priority for our organization and one of the many ways that Modernism Week invests in the community.”
Learn more at modernismweek.com.
