Modernism Week Returns!

By Bob Bogard

Modernism Week’s signature February festival takes place February 15 – 25, 2024, highlighting midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. The popular annual 11-day festival will feature more than 400 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in more than 35 neighborhoods and communities, walking tours, and nightly parties. Also offered are a range of architectural double-decker bus tours, several fashion-related events, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, landscape talks and garden tours, walking and biking tours, and a series of compelling and informative talks with world-class speakers. All events are open to the public and tickets are on sale now at modernismweek.com. Some events sell out quickly due to limited capacity. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Modernism Week (a non-profit organization) and other local preservation, neighborhood, and community groups.

“We are thrilled that Modernism Week is returning for its 19th year in Palm Springs,” said Lisa Vossler Smith, Modernism Week CEO. “We are excited about the compelling new programs this year, including an emphasis on architect Albert Frey’s work. We have expanded our architectural bus tours, and will offer a variety of parties, educational talks, vintage fashion events, and live entertainment options. We are very pleased to be offering CAMP, our headquarters, again inside the Hyatt Palm Springs. We invite the public to join us for eleven amazing days of festivities.” 

Some of the highlighted events include:

Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Wexler ’54, 2/16 – 2/19 and 2/23 – 2/25, $40

This tour of the recently renovated and historically designated Wexler ’54 is a must-see. Located in the Deepwell Estates neighborhood, this Wexler-Harrison home is a quintessential example of post and beam residential design and a model of thoughtful architectural preservation. The current homeowners worked with architect and preservation consultant Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA, to develop an architectural plan and pursue a historic designation to protect and preserve the home, which was granted in 2022. H3K Home + Design took the profile of the 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home back to its roots to retain the best of midcentury style and elegance while creating a home that supported today’s lifestyle inside and out. Modernism Week sponsors Baldwin, Brizo, California Closets, Dunn-Edwards, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Flor, JennAir and Willis generously contributed to this stunning and soulful renovation.

Modernism Week Featured Home: The Shag House, 2/16-2/19 and 2/23-2/25, $40.

The artist Shag has reimagined a cherished midcentury modern pool home in the Little Beverly Hills neighborhood of Palm Springs to create a fully immersive tour experience that will make visitors feel as though they have climbed into a life-size Shag painting. Shag has drawn upon his architectural studies and the aesthetic of his artwork to reimagine this classic 1958 home, originally designed for the Alexander Construction Company. For the core of the house, Shag preserved much of the original Palmer & Krisel layout of this classic Alexander design, but created an entirely new front exterior, expanded the front entry, and converted the original breezeway into a swank party lounge. Modernism Week sponsors Brizo, California Closets, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting, JennAir, and Willis generously contributed to this project.

Stories Untold: Honoring Diverse Voices, Illuminating Untold Stories and Forging Connections with the Past Through Architecture and Landscape Design (2/19, free)

Since 2022, Modernism Week has presented Stories Untold, focused on the history and narratives of architects and design professionals historically left out of the spotlight. This year Stories Untold celebrates recently constructed buildings and venues designed to illuminate untold stories, honor diverse voices, and foster meaningful connections with the past. Sharing this story will be esteemed guests Dr. Tonya Matthews (President and CEO of IAAM), Walter Hood (renowned landscape architect, MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’ Fellow, and designer of IAAM’s African Ancestors Memorial Garden), Gabrielle Bullock (Director of Global Diversity at the international architectural design firm, Perkins&Will, which co-designed the Smithsonian Museum), and Jason W. Foster (President and COO of Destination Crenshaw). This is a free event, but tickets will be required. The is event is graciously underwritten by Room&Board.

Modernism Week Opening Night Party: Disco in the Desert 2/15, $350.

The most anticipated bash of the year returns with an Opening Night Fever dance party! This solid gold disco extravaganza is in a larger venue this year, which will be transformed into a tony, velvet-rope-entry dance club. A live band, lavish libations, and all-night party bites will fuel the disco inferno. 1970s disco club-inspired dress is encouraged. Generous support and gorgeous lighting provided by the evening’s presenting sponsor, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. Extraordinary entertainment provided by Steve Tobin & Johnny Krupa and The Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation.

Modernism Week will host the festive Preview Party for the 24th Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show(2/16, $125) at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The party is the prime opportunity for participants to shop directly from dealers before the show opens to the public on Saturday. The ticket price includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and re-entry to the show all weekend. The popular event showcases more than 125 premier national and international exhibitors from across the U.S. and Europe featuring vintage furniture and decorative and fine arts reflecting all design movements of the 20th century with a heavy emphasis on mid-century modern and compelling 21st century original designs for modern living.

1963: A Tribute to the Music of an Unforgettable Year (2/19, 2/20, $165)

In this new show, multi-award-winning singer Tod Macofsky pays tribute to the year of his birth through the unforgettable songs that shaped his youth and the events that changed the world. He will be backed by the Gand Band, voted Best Local Band in the Coachella Valley four years in a row. Chef Dave of PS Underground will tantalize the taste buds with a three-course meal inspired by the year 1963 updated with a cool, contemporary twist. Classic cocktails will flow freely from the fully hosted bar and the wine glasses will never go empty.

Shag With A Twist – A Murder Mystery Musical  (2/18, $100 General Admission $175 VIP and 2/19, $85 and $100 VIP) “Shag With A Twist” brings to life the art of Shag in a sexy show that will leave the audience shaken and stirred. Guests will be fully immersed in the retro-cool world of the most beloved Shag characters as they come alive in a colorful cocktail of song and dance to solve the “Infamous Case of the Tupperware Party Killer.” This performance promises to transport attendees to a world of retro style, adventure, and intrigue, as can only be found in the imagination of Shag.

“Swinging On A Star” – An Evening of Jimmy Van Heusen’s Songs with Marissa Mulder (2/20, $35 and $50)This evening of songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen’s songs features the award-winning Marissa Mulder, a gifted lyric interpreter who puts her stamp on some of Van Heusen’s most prolific songs such as “Come Fly with Me” and “All The Way.”

Charles Phoenix Presents “New York Cityland and the 1964 New York World’s Fair” (2/17, $50 and $65)Charles Phoenix’s latest entertaining photo slide show celebrates the marvels of midcentury Manhattan and the futuristic 1964 New York World’s Fair. See his collection of vintage images and hear stories of a bygone era.

These are just a small sampling of the more than 350 programs that will be offered during the 11-day festival. Visit modernismweek.com to view the entire schedule.

Modernism Week top sponsors include Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, JennAir, Flor, Natural Retreats, and Willis. The City of Palm Springs is the Civic Presenting Sponsor. To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).