Brian Blueskye
| Palm Springs Desert Sun
Watch: COVID-19 vaccine clinic opens at Palm Springs Convention Center
Eligible Riverside County residents must register online for an appointment at Palm Springs Convention Center.
Vickie Connor, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Drag queens performing at a rooftop brunch service. The band Bonfire covering the sounds of AC/DC. It’s all happening this weekend in the Coachella Valley, where live entertainment is beginning to return ahead of a spring season that could see even more events as coronavirus numbers continue to decline.
In Palm Springs, Rosemary Galore will host a lineup of drag queens starting Sunday on top of the Twist hotel, at a socially distanced, all-you-can-eat dim sum brunch from adjoining restaurant Roly China Fusion, according to a press release.
“This is not your drag mother’s drag brunch,” Galore said in a prepared statement. “It’ll be the hottest show in town — and it’s not even summer yet!”
Roly China Fusion owner Chad Gardner told The Desert Sun that “things are improving vastly,” which has allowed entertainers to move outdoors.
The declining COVID-19 numbers come as the Coachella Valley enters what is normally its busiest tourism season. While some of the region’s signature events like the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals have been canceled, others remain on the schedule. The outdoor art biennial Desert X kicks off its third edition Friday, and Modernism Week will host a combination of virtual and in-person events next month.
While the U.S. supply of vaccines appears to be ramping up, health experts warn that eased restrictions could lead to a fourth wave of virus infections this spring. So, while live entertainment is returning, it will likely look different than pre-pandemic times.
In Indio, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino will open its Rock Yard venue on Friday night with a performance by the Boston tribute band Don’t Look Back. Bonfire will take to the stage on Saturday.
The casino is owned by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, a federally recognized Native American tribe. Native American tribes, as sovereign nations, are not required to follow state-issued COVID-19 mandates.
Reopening status: Riverside County stalled in purple tier
Vaccinations: About 6% of Riverside County residents are fully vaccinated
The casino’s Public Relations Manager Michael Felci said capacity is normally 1,500 people, but the upcoming concerts will be limited to 500. Guests will be required to have their temperature taken upon entering the property, and will also need to wear masks and practice social distancing, he added.
Other highlights on the casino’s schedule include Pearl Jam tribute band Vitalogy on March 20 and Led Zeppelin cover band Led Zepagain on April 10. This year also includes a country music night on Tuesdays and a Latin night every Sunday and Wednesday.
Some local venues have already been offering outdoor entertainment in smaller capacities. The Palm Canyon Roadhouse opened its Backyard Rock Patio earlier this month, with performances by rock and jazz bands. On Saturday, the local band 212 featuring former child actor Vinny Berry is scheduled to perform.
For Gardner, who opened Roly China Fusion in October 2019, outdoor dining only provides about 50% of the restaurant’s revenue while carry-out provides 10% to 15%. Even when indoor dining is available again, most customers will choose to dine outdoors because “it makes them feel safer,” Gardner said.
More — and larger — events could be on the way. Riverside County announced this week that outdoor entertainment, including sporting events, may resume with limited spectators on April 1. The number of attendees will depend on which phase of reopening the county is in.
If Riverside County remains in the state’s strictest purple tier at that time, for example, live events with an audience of 100 people or fewer will be allowed. Reservations will be required and visitors will only be allowed from within 120 miles of the venue. No concession or concourse sales will be allowed.
Gardner is hopeful that Riverside County will be further along in the reopening process. In the next level, the red tier, indoor dining can resume.
“I think the vaccine getting out to 10% of the country so far and going into the warmer season,” Gardner said, “all of these things are coming into play.”
Previous reporting by Desert Sun reporter Larry Bohannan was used in this report.
Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye. Support local news, subscribe to The Desert Sun.
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