Modernism Week’s signature February festival will take place February 16-26, 2017, highlighting midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California.

For the twelfth year, the annual 11-day festival will feature a wide array of events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, tours of iconic homes in more than 25 neighborhoods including the Signature Home Tour on both weekends, architectural walking, biking and double-decker bus tours, a world-class series of film screenings and informative talks, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a Palm Springs Walk of Stars dedication for John Lautner, the Modernism Week Show House: Christopher Kennedy Compound at Villa Golightly, classic cars, garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, nightly parties and a special series of talks about Mexico City Modern. All events are open to the public and tickets go on sale November 1, 2016 at 12 p.m. PST at modernismweek.com.

“Each year we continue to broaden the programming for Modernism Week based on the feedback of our attendees,” said Modernism Week Board Chairman, Chris Mobley. “This year, we will continue that trend by offering new events and educational opportunities while still featuring the beloved favorites that our audience requests. We will offer a compelling combination of educational talks and film screenings, exciting tours, and activities throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond. Our returning Modernism Week supporters will be thrilled with the selection of appealing new programs.”

One of the highlights of the first weekend includes the annual Modernism Week Opening Night Party on Thursday, February 16, presented by Ferguson Kitchen, Bath & Lighting Gallery. This chic red carpet affair will incorporate a 60s-era spy movie-theme that pays homage to the James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever” which features a famous scene filmed at the Elrod House in Palm Springs, designed by John Lautner, the 2017 Walk of Stars honoree.

Education outreach has always been a core element of Modernism Week programming, and this year that trend continues with a special series of talks and films on the topic of Mexico City Modern. A series of four presentations will be conducted by leading luminaries on the subject, including Anne Rowe, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands, Keith Eggener, a professor of Architecture at University of Oregon and author of “Luis Barragan’s Gardens of El Pedregal”, Luis M. Castenda, author of “ Spectacular Mexico – Design, Propaganda and the 1968 Olympics,” and Cristina Lopez Uribe, an architect and faculty member of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Following Modernism Week, a Mexico City Modern Tour produced by Modernism Week will visit the modernist residences and structures discussed during the presentation and many others. Once again, Modernism Week will present a variety of film screenings, including the U.S. film premiere of “Harry Seidler – Modernist,” a new documentary by the producer of the current film “The Dressmaker” with Kate Winslet, and an Architecture Film Series featuring the West Coast premiere of “Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw The Future,” by his son, Eric Saarinen who, with his sister Susan Saarinen, will be attending.

Additional film screenings include the West Coast premiere of “Windshield – A Vanished Vision” that depicts the construction of and the story of the wealthy family who commissioned Richard Neutra to build a massive summer home on the Eastern Seaboard, “Claremont Modern: The Convergence of Art + Architecture at Midcentury,” and “Design for Modern Living: Millard Sheets and the Claremont Art Community.”

The 17th Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale will feature 85 premier national and international dealers offering furniture, decorative and fine arts representing all design movements of the 20th century.

An opening night Preview Gala benefiting Modernism Week will be held from 6pm to 9pm on Friday. Preview tickets are $75 in advance and include a show catalog. Click here to purchase tickets.

Other exciting educational and enlightening programs include presentations celebrating the photography of Slim Aarons and his work in Palm Springs, a presentation and new documentary film on the history of neon signs, presentations and visual displays examining the architecture of the Desert Modernists, and tours and talks about modern gardens and outdoor living. CAMP, Modernism Week’s ‘Community and Meeting Place’ and headquarters for tours and events, will be located in a dynamic tented structure on Palm Canyon Drive near Baristo Road.

Named by The Hollywood Reporter as the “#1 Must-See Event of Modernism Week,” Traditional Home and California Home + Design magazines present the Modernism Week Show House: The Christopher Kennedy Compound. For a fourth year, Kennedy will bring together nearly twenty of the nation’s most prominent tastemakers to create uniquely designed rooms in this decorator showcase. In an exciting twist for 2017, Christopher is partnering with lifestyle writer and social media sensation Kelly Lee (aka ‘Kelly Golightly’) and her photographer husband, Fred Moser, to renovate their spectacularly sited home in the Andreas Hills area of Palm Springs. The Show House will open with a Red Carpet Gala on February 18, offering cocktails, tastings, music, and an opportunity to mingle with television stars and international design and building leaders. Daily tours and many other exciting evening events will be offered throughout the week.

Modernism Week’s signature 11-day festival will take place February 16-26, 2017. The schedule and tickets will be available November 1 at 12 p.m. PST. To receive updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Hilton Palm Springs Resort, Modernism Week’s official host hotel, is offering a special room rate for a limited time only. Contact them directly at 760-320-6868. Please visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.