Get ready to laugh and learn at this light-hearted (but deep) dive into a range of obscure midcentury topics. The iconic and historic 1957 William Krisel-designed Ocotillo Lodge in South Palm Springs is the setting for this humorous and informative series of five all-new 10-minute presentations about the midcentury era. This irreverent and witty series has been one of the most popular events during previous Modernism Week festivals and last year quickly sold out.

Upon arrival, enjoy a complimentary mocktail while exploring the property’s newly renovated Candlewood Room (overlooking the Ocotillo Lodge’s famous champagne cork-shaped swimming pool) and the Maverick Room, the former hotel’s hidden lounge. In addition to the presentations, the event will feature a museum-quality exhibition about Krisel and the fascinating role that the historic Ocotillo Lodge played in the development of midcentury Palm Springs. Prior to the talks, a short presentation by Tony Vardaro will recount the history of the iconic hotel, which helped make Krisel a household name.

Exclusive Midcentury Modern-inspired Ocotillo Lodge memorabilia will be available. A portion of the proceeds will support the ongoing restoration and preservation of the Ocotillo Lodge.

PROGRAM TITLES:

Daydream Believers: Why the Made-for-TV Monkees Deserve Your Rock-and-Roll Respect

The Monkees were a manufactured pop rock band, conceived in 1965 by television producers to star and perform in a new NBC situation comedy series. To everyone’s surprise, they became one of the most commercially successful bands of the late 1960s. This fast and frothy romp makes the case that America's "Prefab Four" were actually bona fide midcentury mod icons.

Presenter: Cheryl Farr, brand strategist, consumer trendspotter, and CEO whisperer at SIGNAL Brand Innovation.

Losing Time: The Disastrous Consequences When Palm Springs Became Its Own Time Zone

Palm Springs has had a rich history of nurturing the quirky and the curious. This fun, amusing, and eccentric talk relates the fascinating tale about the brief period in history when Palm Springs inexplicably declared that it was its own isolated time zone.

Presenter: Eric Chiel, long-time Palm Springs resident and pop-culture enthusiast. Eric has documented the idiosyncrasies of Palm Springs for decades and has uncovered the area’s distinctive history and culture.

Rebels & Rye: A Scandalous History of the Cocktail Ring

It began as acts of rebellion. During Prohibition, women wore oversized gemstone rings into illegal speakeasies as glittering proof that they were out in public, drinking, socializing, and taking up space. By the midcentury era, the cocktail ring had evolved into part Hollywood glamour, part suburban performance art, and part wearable confidence booster. Think martinis, Lucite purses, kidney-shaped pools, and rings large enough to require their own zip code. This lively talk explores how one tiny accessory became one of the boldest symbols of mid-20th century style.

Presenter: Dana Sednek, founder of RetroStarr Vintage Jewelry and co-founder of Denver Modernism Week.

Living Easier the “Wright” Way

Industrial designers Russel and Mary Wright wrote the 1950 Guide to Easier Living, a seminal midcentury handbook that emphasized the new concept of comfortable living instead of obsolete formal entertaining. The Wights promoted a fresh, informal, functional, and beautiful new concept of American home life featuring Modern design using durable new materials. But not everything they predicted came true. This revealing talk points out how the Wrights got it right, AND wrong.

Presenter: Janice Lyle, former director of Sunnylands Center & Gardens and former Executive Director of the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Space Damsels in Distress: One Small Step for Man (But No Steps for Women)

Midcentury science fiction had the future all figured out. It belonged to square-jawed men with rocket ships and ray guns, but women got skimpy outfits and existed only to helplessly scream. This rollicking talk skewers the genre's most gloriously absurd female archetypes: the passive damsel in distress (in impractical bikini-spacesuits) or dangerous exotic alien queens ruling suspiciously man-free planets.

Presenter: Bob Bogard, Modernism Week’s Marketing Manager, science fiction nerd, and long-time Mod With a Twist presenter.