From Cinema Diverse to Taste of Palm Springs, here's 10 things to do in the valley this week

The Coachella Valley is home to a number of events and activities to enjoy — even during excessive heat. If you're interested in filling your calendar, we've put together a list of 10 things happening this week in the valley and nearby communities.

Check out the following events this week:

'Hot Times - Cool Art' Exhibit

The Artists Council's first show and sale of the fall season, "Hot Times - Cool Art," opened earlier this month at the Artists Center. This dynamic show features 130 works of original art submitted by a select number of the AC's 650-plus members. Each piece of art depicts the artist's interpretation of the show's summer heat theme. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces will be on display — and available for purchase, if you want to spruce up your home.

When: Exhibit runs now through Oct. 6

Where: Artists Center at the Galen, 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert

Cost: Free admission, with art available for purchase

More info: artistscouncil.com

Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs

There are too many good restaurants to try in the Palm Springs area, and it feels like an impossible task to try them all. But at the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs, you'll be able to check out what more than 40 local eateries have cooking, along with wine and beer tastings. The tribute band Bruno Mars & The Hooligans will also provide entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.

When: 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18

Where: Indian Canyon Golf Resort, 1100 E. Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Cost: $30 for wristbands

More info: pschamber.org

Cinema Diverse LGBTQ+ Film Festival

Palm Springs will celebrate a wide variety of LGBTQ+ films with the 17th annual Cinema Diverse Film Festival this week. The fest opens with the world premiere of the action film "Big Rage." Set against the backdrop of the Salton Sea’s booming lithium gold rush, two former fighters, each haunted by their past, cross paths in a desperate bid to secure the nation's future. As they navigate the treacherous underworld of this ecological disaster zone, they must confront their demons and the corrupt forces that threaten to destroy everything they hold dear. Other films on the lineup include "Turtles," "Padres," "Fabulous Seven Forever" and a selection of short films. The festival also runs Sept. 26-29.

When: Various times, Sept. 19-22 (check website for specifics)

Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs

Cost: $14.50 for individual films; passes start at $79

More info: psculturalcenter.org/filmfest

The Conservatory at CV Rep presents 'Before the Bell'

Come see 13 desert locals perform in the current Youth Theatre Production of "Before the Bell," a drama about a high school bullying incident. The play, appropriately being staged ahead of Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in October, includes over a dozen students from Cathedral City High School, Desert Hot Springs High School, Palm Springs High School, Rancho Mirage High School, and one home-schooled student. This play tells the story of connected events that lead up to an assault on a student by two bullies — a story told once from the perspective of the victim, again from the viewpoint of the first bully, and lastly, through the eyes of the second bully. Note: All performances will be followed by a Q&A with the cast, crew, mental healthcare professionals, CVRep Executive Artistic Director Adam Karsten and Director of the CVRep Conservatory and Youth Outreach Programs Howard Shangraw.

When: 10 a.m. Sept. 19, 20, 24, 26 and 27

Where: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, #140, Cathedral City

Cost: Student performances are free; public performance tickets are $10 (plus fees)

More info: cvrep.org

Last Chance to see: Palm Canyon Theatre presents 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'

Community theater's fall season kicked off this month with Frank Loesser’s musical, based on Shepherd Mead’s 1952 satirical book of the same name, which follows the ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch as he works his way up from window washer to chairman of the World Wide Wicket Company. Guided by his literary muse, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," Finch navigates corporate challenges and triumphs. This Palm Canyon Theatre production closes Sunday.

When: 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays now through Sept. 22

Where: Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Cost: $38 for adults; $34 for seniors; $17 for students (with group discounts available)

More info: palmcanyontheatre.net

Revolution Stage Company presents 'Movie Magic,' 'Flaming Queen'

Revolution Stage Company has two shows coming up this week to immerse audience members in whimsical comedy and music. On Sept. 20, award winning cabaret host Jeff Barnett will take his audience on a journey through songs found in movie soundtracks from Bacharach to Brooks to Bond and beyond with "Movie Magic." The cabaret features Charles Herrera, Kim Schroeder Long, Heather Joy and accompaniment by Stephen Hulsey. The following night, Billy L'Amour will bring his drag show, "Flaming Queen," to center stages with live singing, dancing, costumes and some naughty song parodies.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 ("Movie Magic"); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 ("Flaming Queen")

Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Cost: $30 ("Movie Magic"); $50 ("Flaming Queen")

More info: revolutionstagecompany.com

Jackie Beat's Drag Queen Story Hour

This is one story hour where kids are not allowed. At this adults-only event, world famous drag queen Jackie Beat will read from the 1958 book "The Problem of Homosexuality" and will spill the T on the "deviant and perverted gay lifestyle" that the book considered a psychiatric disorder. She'll also belt out a few delightfully filthy songs.

When: 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

Where: Dietlart Gallery, 4629 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs

Cost: Starting at $28.52

More info: shorturl.at/lNxJ9

Outdoor movie series at Sunnylands Center & Gardens

With Halloween just around the corner, Sunnylands Center & Gardens is reviving its popular outdoor movie series with a trio of films featuring teens dealing with the supernatural. One is the 2006 animated film "Monster House," which follows three teens who discover that their neighbor's spooky home is actually a monster in disguise. Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and small picnics. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking and pets are not permitted.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage

Cost: Free

More info: sunnylands.org/events

Palm Springs International Comedy Festival Awards Gala

The Palm Springs International Comedy Festival is back and promises to bring star-studded talent and laughs to the desert. The festival kicks off with an awards gala that will honor several industry icons, including Cybill Shepherd, Tom Arnold, Jeff Garlin, Tommy Chong, Will Sasso, Mo Collins and the cast of the sketch comedy show "Mad TV," who will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the world of comedy.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Where: Hotel Zoso, 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Cost: $161.90 or $215.26

More info: psicf.org (check the website for additional comedy festival events too)

Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market - Indoor Summer Edition

Just because the summer heat has yet to loosen its grip on the Coachella Valley doesn't mean you can't shop for fresh produce at the farmers market. The original Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market has moved indoors at the Palm Springs Pavilion for the season, and still features California-grown fresh food products, chef demonstrations and entertainment.

When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays June through September

Where: Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S. Pavilion Way (next to the Palm Springs Swim Center at Sunrise Park), Palm Springs

Cost: Free admission, with several items available for purchase

More info: certifiedfarmersmarkets.org

Inclusion in The Desert Sun's weekly community calendar is solely at the editors' discretion. Priority is given to free and community-oriented events. To submit an event for The Desert Sun's consideration in future 10 things to do stories, send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time, date, location and price of admission for your event, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required, but are highly encouraged as part of the submission. (Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time, and to make sure your event jumps out in our inbox, put "10 things to do submission" in the email subject line.)

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: From Cinema Diverse to Taste of Palm Springs, here's 10 things to do in the valley this week