The Venue Report, July 2024: Flo Rida, Ziggy Marley, Paul Reiser—and More! - Coachella Valley Independent (2024)

Happy July! Here’s a taste of what the desert’s entertainment scene has to offer this month.

Acrisure Arena is hosting two events—one featuring 1990s icons, and another featuring a new star. At 7 p.m., Saturday, July 6, New Kids on the Block will bring their boy-band legend to Palm Desert. Openers include Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Tickets start at $27. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 13, one of the kings of the modern Mexican music scene, Junior H will set the area ablaze with his Spanish hits. Tickets start at $128. Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Road, Palm Desert; 888-695-8778; www.acrisurearena.com.

Fantasy Springs has two events worth bearing the heat. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 6, the “Godmother of Soul,” Patti LaBelle, will grace the Indio stage. Come experience this one-of-a-kind talent, still belting out R&B goodness at age 80. Tickets start at $59. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 13, multinational vocal group Il Divo will celebrate 20 years of music and harmony. Tickets available as of this writing start at $79. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Spotlight 29 features a diverse lineup. At 7 p.m., Saturday, July 6, celebrate the legacy of The Eagles with Hotel California, a band that pays tribute to both the legendary band and the iconic album. Tickets start at $10. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 19, rapper, singer and No. 1-hit-maker Flo Rida will fire through his wildly popular discography. Tickets start at $50. At 8 p.m., Saturday July 20, regional Mexican music performer and songwriter Pancho Barraza will head to Coachella. Tickets start at $40. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.

Morongo is hosting some unique live music in Cabazon. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 19, Enigma Norteno and Luis Mexia will combine for an evening of Spanish jams. Tickets start at $49. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 26, reggae and pop hybrid UB40, the band behind “Red Red Wine,” is set to perform. Tickets started at $117 as of our press deadline. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 27, actor, singer and former member of boy band B2K, Omarion will perform an evening of R&B tracks. Tickets start at $69. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.

Agua Caliente is hosting a nonstop schedule in July. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 6, comic Tom Papa, who preaches unity through stupidity, will perform a standup set. Tickets start at $35. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 12, Southern rockers 38 Special will celebrate four decades of arena-rock hits. Tickets start at $35. At 6:30 p.m., Saturday, July 13, Armenian singer Sirusho will perform an evening of Armenian music that mixes traditional and modern sounds. Tickets start at $50. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 19, honor the legacy of reggae music and the Marley family with Ziggy Marley, an accomplished musician and Grammy Award winner in his own right thanks to his mix of reggae and funk. Tickets start at $75. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 27, classic-rockers Cheap Trick celebrate five decades of pop hooks and badass riffs. Tickets start at $65. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com.

Agua Caliente in Palm Springs’ residencies are on fire this month. Desert Blues Revival Wednesdays showcase the blues-guitar-led Robert Parker Jr. Trio (July 3), Brazilian guitarist and California harmonica duo Celso Salim and Darryl Carriere (July 10), Bill Magee Blues (starring the former Hendrix bandmate, July 17), local rock-mixers The Desert Crows (July 24) and the upbeat rockabilly blues of The Jackpot Club (July 31). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $10 to $15, available at eventspalmsprings.com. Carousel Thursdays bring 1960s jazz and blues from Brass Brothers (July 11), the spirit of Sinatra performed by Douglas Roegiers (July 18) and a tribute to Nina Simone from Claude Hall (July 25). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $10 to $15, available at eventspalmsprings.com. For big-name comedy: Paul Reiser will perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 13, and Cristela Alonzo will take the Cascade Lounge stage 8 p.m., Saturday, July 27. Tickets for both shows start at $40. Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs; 888-999-1995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com.

Pappy and Harriet’s has the goods this summer; here are some highlights. At 9:30 p.m., Friday, July 5, fuzzed-out country rocker Tennessee Jet will electrify Pappy’s indoor stage with heavy-Western tunes. Tickets are $17.50, or $15 per person in a four-pack. At 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 6, modern honky-tonk performer Emily Nenni will rock Pioneertown. Tickets are $15. Multi-genre rock outfit Cracker returns to the desert for another two-night stay at 9 p.m., Thursday, July 25, and 9:30 p.m., Friday, July 26. Tickets are $39.50 for each night. At 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 27, experimental ’70s musician Gary Wilson will perform an intimate evening. Tickets are $22 in advance. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-228-2222; www.pappyandharriets.com.

Oscar’s in Palm Springs features one special event on top of their residencies. At 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, director Robert Drake will lead a cabaret show featuring performances by Katy Monroe, Carole Hampton, Jimmy Emerson, Vickie Rabjon and the Robert Drake Trio. Tickets start at $39.95. Tickets include a $25 food-and-drink minimum. Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; 760-325-1188; oscarspalmsprings.com/events.