Featured Events in and around Twentynine Palms, CA

Visit our TWENTYNING PALMS VISITOR CENTER & GALLERY, 73484 29 Palms Hwy. (at Desert Queen Ave.), Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, open 9-5 Mon.-Fri., 10-4 Sat.-Sun. (760)367-6197.

Special Events - May/June

Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 12:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free Concerts. Enjoy an afternoon and evening on the grass at Luckie Park, Twentynine Palms, and listen to the sounds of Reaction, the Lazy Brad Lewis Band, and Southbound performing on stage at the south end of Luckie Park next to the Racquetball building. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, picnic, family and friends. Beer booth and food vendors available on site. Info: Park & Recreation Dept., (760)367-7562

Friday, June 1, 2012 - 5:00-6:30 p.m. - Art Reception. The public is invited to the reception for "Desert Nights" - an Art in Public Places exhibition at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center & Gallery and the Chamber of Commerce downtown Twentynine Palms, 73484 29 Palms Hwy., next to Bucklin Park. Reception sponsored by Sky's The Limit Observatory & Nature Center. Enjoy the reception, then cruise off to the Chris Hillman concert (below)...

Friday, June 1, 2012 - 7 p.m. - Concert in Indian Cove Campground: An Evening with Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen. Join us for An Evening at Indian Cove when the Joshua Tree National Park Association hosts Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame member Chris Hillman and long-time music collaborator Herb Pedersen for a live performance at the Indian Cove Amphitheater. These legendary musicians (whose careers include The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons, The Desert Rose Band, several Grammy Award nominations and Academy of Country Music Association honors) bring their signature blend of bluegrass and country-rock to Joshua Tree for a one-night-only performance. This not-to-be-missed event takes place on Friday, June 1, starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 each and are available online at www.joshuatree.org or by calling JTNPA at 760-367-5525. They're going fast, so don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the musical legacy of Joshua Tree National Park! (Note: Must purchase tickets in advance, no sales on site.)

Saturday, June 2, 2012 - 4-10 p.m. - Street Fair & Car Show. The annual event is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce downtown Twentynine Palms on the highway and kicks off with a Soap Box Derby on Donnell Hill. Vendors, food, music, and family fun. www.29chamber.org

Live Music - Twentynine Palms/Wonder Valley

29 Palms Inn - Jazz, Country, Folk, Pop & Harp

Music Nightly 6 p.m. & Sunday Brunch 11 a.m.

Local country, folk, jazz musicians and songwriters perform poolside or in the dining room at 29 Palms Inn, 73590 Inn Avenue off National Park Drive, two blocks south of Hwy. 62. (760)367-3505. Enjoy a beverage, music, good food, and good company next to the Oasis of Mara and Joshua Tree National Park visitor center.

The Palms Restaurant & Bar - Saturday nights, special events - Escape reality!

Rustic desert roadhouse and hip home of Wonder Valley Music Festival, The Sibleys, and an eclectic lineup of visiting musicians. In Wonder Valley, about six miles east of Twentynine Palms at 83131 Amboy Road, (760)361-2810.

Joshua Tree Music Festival - May 18-20, 2012

(Photo by Sean Naugle 2011)

Joshua Tree Music Festival - May and October

The world famous Joshua Tree Music Festival happens 14 miles west of Twentynine Palms at Joshua Tree Lake & Campgrounds (north of highway on Sunfair Road). The 10th annual festival is May 18-20, 2012. The JT Roots Music Festival (country & bluegrass) is Oct. 2012. www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com.

Theatre 29 - "A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody"

A LITTLE MURDER NEVER HURT ANYBODY ~ A Comedy by Ron Bernas, Directed by John Wright ~ May 4 - June 2, 2012

It’s New Year’s Eve at the Perry mansion, and Julia and Matthew Perry seem to have it all. But Matthew wants more -- to be rid of his wife Julia to have some real fun! He resolves to murder Julia by the year’s end, and tells her so. She vows to stay alive, and tells him so. And so the game begins -- a hilarious year-long match of wits and witless. With the Perry’s friends and staff dying off mysteriously, it seems Matthew is successful in murdering everyone but Julia. As the bodies are falling, dim-witted daughter Bunny contemplates calling off her wedding to unwitting Donald since all the gift-bearing guests are dying. Enter Detective Plotnik, a Sam Spade reincarnation. Friday & Saturday 7 p.m., May 4–June 2; Thursday 7 p.m., May 17; Sunday Matinee 2:30 p.m., May 27

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Performances are Friday & Saturday at 7 p.m., with one Thursday show at 7 p.m. and a Sunday Matinee at 2:30 p.m. Theatre 29 is located at 73637 Sullivan Road (around the corner from the Fire Station and Barr Lumber on Adobe Road) in the City of Twentynine Palms. Theater 29 is an all-volunteer, non-profit (501(c)3, community theatre organization that operates year-round.  Tickets are $12 Regular admission, $10 Seniors & Military, and $8 Children under 12 and Students with ID.  For tickets and reservations, call the Box Office at (760)361-4151 or order tickets online at www.theatre29.org .

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS AT THEATRE 29:

"The Memory Jar" by Author/Director Kurt Schauppner, June 8-9-10, 15-16-17 (Original Play)

"Suessical" the Musical by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, directed by Gary Daigneault and Ed Will, June 29 to July 28

"Actress" by Author/Director Josh Lazar, August 3-4-5, 10-11-12 (Original Play series)

"Anne of Green Gables" new musical by Nancy Ford and Gretchen Cryer, based on novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, directed by Kathryn Ferguson, August 24 to Sept. 22

"Darkum Asylum" Halloween Haunt production directed by Frances Wright & Charles Harvey, Oct. 19-20, 25-26, 29-30-31

"A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" by Phil Olsen & Paul Olsen, directed by Marty Nieder, Nov. 16 to Dec. 15

Tickets: 760-361-4151 - www.theatre29.org

Art in Public Places - Visitor Center & Gallery

March 1 to May 31, 2012: "Desert Wildflowers: Kaleidoscope of Color" is a group exhibition by desert artists capturing spring in the Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree National Park, featuring 67 works of art! Twentynine Palms Visitor Center & Gallery and Chamber of Commerce, 73484 29 Palms Hwy. (at Desert Queen Ave.), downtown Twentynine Palms. (760)367-6197.  Open daily, 9-5 Mon.-Fri., 10-4 Sat.-Sun. (Coming in June: "Desert Nights" exhibition. Opening reception is Friday, June 1, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Admission free.)

29 Palms Art Gallery

May 2 to 27, 2012: Diana Durr (oil paintings), John Greenfield (ceramic sculpture), Ray Yeager (digital montage), with works by Twentynine Palms Artists' Guild members. Art Reception: Sunday, May 6, from 12 to 3 p.m.  29 Palms Art Gallery, 74055 Cottonwood Dr. off National Park Dr., 29 Palms, (760)367-7819. Open 12-3 p.m. Wed. through Sun. from Sept. to June. Monthly art shows, receptions, art classes for youth and adults. (Summer hours: 12-3 Fri., Sat., Sun., June to August.)  www.29palmsartgallery.com 

29 Palms Creative Center - Art Classes

Visitors welcome for art lessons! Private art instruction and group art classes for all ages, plus artist studios on site and work on display September to July. See the website for classes available for printmaking, handmade art books, mosaics, and more. Artist/Owner Gretchen Grunt. (Closed August.) 29 Palms Creative Center, 6847 Adobe Road, 29 Palms, (760)361-1805. Open 10-5 Mon.-Sat. or by appointment. A short walk from the 29 Palms Inn, on Adobe Road downtown across from Barr Lumber. www.29palmscreativecenter.com.

29 Palms Inn - Bi-monthly Shows

May & June 2012: Eclectic travel photography by Cindy Daigneault and desert critter paintings by Scott Monteith are featured on the Inn's eclectic dining room walls.  29 Palms Inn, 73950 Inn Avenue, off National Park Drive, 29 Palms, (760)367-3505. Open 7 days a week 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (serving lunch, dinner, cocktails). Bi-monthly shows are sponsored by the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council. www.29palmsinn.com

Other Art Venues in Twentynine Palms

 Click here to see our color brochure/map - ART & TREASURES IN TWENTYNINE PALMS 

A ROADSIDE ATTRACTION GALLERY:

69197 29 Palms Highway, Indian Cove area, 29 Palms, (760)362-4100. Open Mon.-Sat. Rotating desert art and photography shows and receptions sponsored by Chaparral Artists.

BOWDEN FRAME SHOP:

73487 29 Palms Hwy. (Hwy. 62), 29 Palms (760)367-1174. Open 9-5 Mon.-Fri. Ongoing: Desert and Southwestern paintings by Marilyn Fernald and other artists, along with fine art prints and photography.

GLASS OUTHOUSE GALLERY:

77575 29 Palms Hwy. (Hwy. 62), Wonder Valley. Located 5 miles east of downtown Twentynine Palms, turn right off the highway onto Thunder Road. Honk your horn! (760)367-3807. Open Tues.-Sun. 1-5 p.m.  Monthly shows by featured desert artists.

THE SILK PURSE, Art & Antiques:

73519 29 Palms Highway, downtown 29 Palms, next to Bistro Twentynine, (760)367-2999. Open 10-5 Tues.-Wed., 10-6 Thurs.-Sat. Ongoing: Robert Arnett desert oil paintings of Mojave Desert landscapes, cabins, and historic sites. Also vintage paintings by various artists.

Desert Institute Field Classes - Joshua Tree National Park

(Oil Painting by Diane McClary)

Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park

The Desert Institute presents its outdoor adult weekend field classes for February, March, and April 2012. Come to Joshua Tree National Park and learn about this exciting desert wonderland with expert instructors. Classes are open to all skill levels and include art, photography, desert survival, biology, ecology, geology classes and more! (Class fee discounts for JTNPA/PINE members.)  Contact the Desert Institute office for catalog, information and registration: 760-367-5535 or www.joshuatree.org

Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 ~ (760) 367-5535 / Fax (760) 367-5583 / Email: desertinstitute(at)zippnet.net

Click here for CALENDAR OF CLASSES - Desert Institute 2012 - Feb., March, April

Cultural Lectures - Old Schoolhouse Museum

The Old Schoolhouse Lecture Series features speakers on cultural history and natural science topics relating to Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave Desert, sponsored by the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park and Twentynine Palms Historical Society. Lectures are held at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. Time: 7 p.m. Donation: $5 per person at the door. For information, contact the Desert Institute at 760-367-5535 or desertinstitute(at)zippnet.net. (Optional "Dinner with the Speaker" at 29 Palms Inn at 5 p.m. Diners pay for their own meal. Contact Marion Gartner at 760-361-1202 or desert29palms(at)yahoo.com.) 

Remaining Lectures:

April 13, 2012 - The Sun’s Cycle: Spots and Flares - John Varsik, Ph.D., Astronomy, Research Professor, Big Bear Solar Observatory

May 11, 2012 - Historic Ranching in the CA Deserts - Bob Bryson, Ph.D., Anthropology, Chief of Resource Management, Mojave National Preserve

June 8, 2012 - Climate Change Research in JTNP - Cameron Barrows, Ph.D., Research Ecologist UCR

The Old Schoolhouse Museum / 29 Palms Historical Society is located at 6760 National Park Drive (turn south off 29 Palms Hwy. downtown), Twentynine Palms. (760)367-2366.

Sky's the Limit - Saturday Tours

SKY'S THE LIMIT Observatory and Nature Center
A Committee of the Basin Wide Foundation

SKY'S THE LIMIT - Open for Saturday Tours

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sky's The Limit is open for tours every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come and visit the Orrery and learn about the sizes and relative distances of the planets. Learn about ancient and modern astronomers and astronomical instruments old and new. Visit the Meditation Garden, completed in Sept. 2010 and designed by Ray Yeager, which adheres to the discipline of Japanese Dry Landscape Garden. Evening Star Parties occur on the site from time-to-time and by special request.

     Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center is a 15-acre site located at the top of Utah Trail (east side) just before the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms. Phone (760)367-7222 for more info. Leave a message and we'll get back to you!

Sky’s The Limit, P.O. Box 25, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 - Voicemail: (760)367-7222

Keys Ranch Tours

Enjoy a "Living History" tour of the historic Desert Queen Ranch in Joshua Tree National Park and experience life in the early 1900s world of desert pioneers Bill and Frances Keys. Tours: Tues., Thurs., Sat., Sun. at 1 p.m. $5/$2.50. Contact Joshua Tree National Park at (760)367-5500, or read more below...

JTNP Living History Tours - Keys "Desert Queen" Ranch (2010)

Desert Wildflowers in the Spring

Verbena Dunes- Jim Bagley 2008

During the spring wildflower season, more than 60 species of wildflowers can be seen in Joshua Tree National Park and in the surrounding desert areas of Twentynine Palms.  Bill Truesdell, retired chief of interpretation at Joshua Tree National Park, says not all species are visible from the road. When tourists find a good patch of flowers, they should stop, get out of their cars, and walk around. “They’re likely to find more than they really realize is there,” said Truesdell, who volunteers at the park.

Wildflower blooming varies from year to year, but generally occurs from February through May in the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, and Mojave National Preserve areas. Wildflower information is available at the Oasis Visitor Center in Joshua Tree National Park and the Kelso Depot Visitor Center at Mojave National Preserve.

Joshua Tree National Park offers wildflower walks. Visitors should call the park for dates and times. Joshua Tree National Park, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. (760)367-5500.  Visitors can also get wildflower updates at Joshua Tree National Park’s website: www.nps.gov/jotr or at Mojave National Preserve: www.nps.gov/moja.

Jackrabbit Homestead audio tours

"Jackrabbit Homestead: Tracing the Small Tract Act in the Southern California Landscape, 1938-2008" is a forthcoming book by Kim Stringfellow, available Fall 2009 from Center for American Places, and a Web-based multimedia presentation (available now!) featuring a downloadable car audio tour. The audio tour explores the cultural legacy of the Small Tract Act in Southern California's Morongo Basin region near Joshua Tree National Park. Stories from this regional history are told through voices of local residents, historians, and area artists -- many of whom reside in reclaimed historic cabins and use the structures as inspiration for their creative work.

The self-guided car audio tour and driving map of Wonder Valley -- a jackrabbit homesteading settlement located east of Twentynine Palms -- can be downloaded for free at www.jackrabbithomestead.com

The Jackrabbit Homestead project is made possible by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities as part of the Council's statewide California Stories Initiative.