USModernist Goes To Palm Springs for Modernism Week!
Tuesday, February 20-Monday, February 26, 2024
If you're into mid-century Modernist architecture, you don't want to miss USModernist's wildly popular annual trip to Palm Springs for Modernism Week. There's no other place in America with as many mid-century Modern houses per square mile - hundreds if not thousands of Modernist houses and buildings. And this is the very best week to go - when the town shares its crazy fun Modernist design from houses to art to furnishings to lifestyles to fashion to food! It's like the Superbowl for mid-century architecture! Proceeds benefit the documentation, preservation, and promotion work of USModernist, a 501C3 nonprofit educational archive.
Get on the waiting list for 2024 here.
You'll fly to Palm Springs and go back in time to 1962 as we stay at the USModernist Compound, aka the retro Hotel Skylark. I mean, c'mon, what's a group without its own private compound? We take over mid-century hotel for the week! Plus you get event admissions, exclusive private tours, eye-popping Hollywood-style parties at fabulous celebrity houses, and a walkable location to downtown Palm Springs. There's our own free private open bar, available when we aren't touring - or attending fun events somewhere else. And forget renting a car all week (although you can if you want) - you get Uber credit for free rides around town!
Typically each day there is a wonderful breakfast by the pool, a tour/event in the morning, and a great party or reception or dinner in the evening. During the afternoons, choose from extra Modernism Week activities available directly from the Modernism Week website. Or walk, shop, drink, sleep, or eat your way through the magic that is Palm Springs during Modernism Week. Or sit, swim, or tan by the pool, just a few feet from your door. Weather in Palm Springs is usually cool and sunny. Many tours are on foot, so make sure to bring walking shoes. At least two evening parties involve dressing up (jackets for men, cocktail attire for women) but all the day events are very casual. Proceeds benefit USModernist's ongoing nonprofit documentation, preservation, and promotion projects.
Wow, that’s incredible! Yes, indeed. This year's amazing trip includes:
Six nights at the retro Hotel Skylark, including free wifi and a really good breakfast (oh the bacon! oh the frittatas), glamorous pool, a firepit, pool, and a hot tub.
Roundtrip flights on American Airlines from RDU to Palm Springs, plus airport transfers. To fly in from somewhere else, you'll get a $250 per person rebate after registration and you're responsible for getting to the Hotel Skylark on your own.
Transport on all USModernist tours and events, either by private bus.
A special FREE Uber account good for up to $75 of travel within Palm Springs. It's like having your own driver. Actually, it is exactly like having your own driver.
Access to a free, private, open bar every day, plus access to a free massage therapist by the pool on two days (first come first served)
Tours nearly every day and a reception/party/dinner nearly every evening
A welcome party by the pool
A private guided coach and walking tour of Modernist buildings around Palm Springs with architecture guide Trevor O'Donnell
Rare interior tour of Sunnylands Estate, the "Western White House" designed by A. Quincy Jones; plus the Frey House II, designed by Albert Frey
Admission to exclusive parties such as the USModernist benefit at the former Kirk Douglas Estate, a private sunset party and tour at the Hotel Lautner, and an evening at the Frank Sinatra House
Plus you can access the huge array of movies, lectures, presentations, exhibitions, other tours, and art installations put on by Modernism Week
Tour Leader Angela Roehl has been a Modernism Week regular for years. At breakfast, while you sip your coffee and eat bacon and frittatas, Angela will outline your day's events and options. USModernist's founder George Smart will be around during the day recording interviews with Modernism Week speakers and special guests for USModernist Radio, which you can watch poolside from your lounge chair.
The Exciting Itinerary
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Tuesday
Fly to Palm Springs. If you fly with us, you'll transfer to the USModernist Compound, aka the Hotel Skylark. If you fly on your own, UBER to the hotel from the airport. 1466 North Palm Canyon. That afternoon, a welcome reception with cocktails and heavy appetizers (plenty for dinner) by the beautiful pool. USModernist's George Smart will welcome you to Palm Springs and Tour Director Angela Roehl will give a quick overview. And we don't need fancy Vingcards or RFID chips or magnetic strip keys: it's 1962 vintage keys all the way! You're likely going to be tired from travel, so head to bed or watch an architecture movie with us by the pool. |
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After the great breakfast at the hotel (which you'll get every morning), and a quick morning briefing, Angela will introduce you to the best architecture guide in Palm Springs, Trevor O'Donnell, and you'll board a private tour bus to see dozens of commercial buildings and homes with some exclusive interior visits. Trevor's fun and encyclopedic knowledge makes for a entertaining and informative morning! You'll tour the amazing Frey House II around noon. At your leisure, use your Frey ticket to visit the Palm Springs Art Museum. That night, USModernist's swanky benefit party at the Kirk and Anne Douglas Estate, designed by Donald Wexler. For this, you'll want to get dressed up. |
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Thursday
After Angela's morning briefing, you will tour several special private house, some never open to the public -- and the Palm Springs Architecture and Design Museum, with a fascinating new exhibit on Albert Frey. Later that day, an exclusive cocktail hour at the Lautner Compound in Desert Hot Springs. Later, walk down North Palm Canyon to a huge street art fair with food booths in downtown. Friday
After Angela's morning briefing, you will tour Sunnylands Estate, aka the Western White House, designed by architect (not the musician) Quincy Jones. Travel via private bus. Later on, lounge by the pool, stop by our open bar. A massage therapist is available poolside for free 15-minute bookings. That night, a special private dinner inside a cool midcentiry Modernist house. Saturday
After Angela's morning briefing, you'll be touring a special private house, then you're on the road by private bus to ascend the Palm Springs Tramway - an incredible 8000 foot view of the town and valley below. Return around 12, or stay at the Tramway and have lunch on your own. That night, a cocktail party at the famous Frank Sinatra House. For this, you'll want to get dressed up. Sunday
No briefing, it's your free day - morning, lunch, and afternoon on your own. Some people meet friends, some go to Joshua Tree National Park, some go hiking, so go to the casinos, some stay by the pool, some go on the Modernism Week double decker bus tours, some go shopping! Lounge by the pool, stop by our open bar. A massage therapist is available poolside for free 15-minute bookings! That night, a farewell group dinner at a great downtown restaurant Monday No briefing today, just a final breakfast, goodbyes to the sun and the mountains and your fellow travelers, then you'll leave for the Palm Springs airport and fly home. |
The Fine Print: Pricing available July 2023. You agree to these terms and conditions by clicking "Add to Cart" and paying. Once payment is made, there are no refunds for any reason except for trip cancellation. We encourage everyone to purchase travel insurance separately. However, you can sell or give your place to another person with at least 4 weeks written notice to USModernist. The new person will have to pay for their own airfare, as that's non-refundable and non-assignable. Includes airfare from RDU. If you wish to do your own flights, you'll receive a $275/person rebate within a week of registering. To claim this, write george@usmodernist.org with your intention right after registering. You're then responsible for getting to the Skylark on your own. Participants must sign a liability release as is standard with all USModernist trips. Airport parking is not included. You're responsible for incidental charges to your hotel room. The itinerary and order of events are subject to change without notice or refund. Architects can get self-reported CEU hours if arranged in advance with the AIA. There is a small but possible risk of overnight stay if flights are cancelled or delayed, in which case participants are responsible for any additional costs of meals, lodging, transportation, and incidental expenses. Adults 21 and over only. There is NO SMOKING or tobacco products of any kind at the hotel, inside or outside. $250 fine if you're caught and/or there's evidence in your room. Proceeds benefit the documentation, preservation, and promotion work of USModernist, a 501C3 nonprofit educational archive. |
