The Coachella Valley's so-called “tourist season” beginning this month may be a little more special with all the events celebrating milestone anniversaries in the desert.

The 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival is Jan. 6. The 50th anniversary of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic starts Jan. 19. The 15th Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards is Feb. 21. The 10th Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is expected to be the last weekend of April.

But aside from the big, internationally respected events, there are quirky little activities that also define us with their surprising quality.

For example, did you know a nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation of Hawaiian culture is based in Palm Springs?

The Ka Wailoa Cultural Foundation is presenting “Ho'omana'o 2008: A Time To Remember” Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Palm Springs Wyndham Hotel. Publicist Kumu Hula Kekoa Yap says it will make the city “the center of Hawaiian music, dancing and song.”

But that's not even an unusual event. The desert is an international community in which at least 41 languages are spoken. Ethnic organizations stage Greek festivals, Filipino concerts, Chinese dances, German Oktoberfests and South of the Border salsa festivals that are better than you might imagine.

You can also see remarkable homegrown talent in the desert.

The April 24-25 “Open Call” at the McCallum Theatre has so much talent, especially among the teens, it can sell out the first day of preliminary competition.

The tiny Beatnik Cafe in Joshua Tree stays open two hours past its normal closing time each Wednesday to accommodate all the talent waiting to play its open mic night.

Little theater also offers big talent. The intimate Groves Cabin Theatre in Morongo Valley offers some of the best dramatic theater you'll find anywhere. Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs offers some of Broadway's biggest musicals in its classy, remodeled theater.

Check out some of these special events and little gems throughout this season, which now extends through May:

Music clubs

The Red Barn: StonerRock.com calls this Palm Desert club “the place to see the most recent breed of rock bands from the desert of Southern California.” John Stanley King literally lived there. 73290 Highway 11 Palm Desert. 346-0191.

Robbie T's Sports Bar and Grill: A new hot spot on Westward Ho in Indio. Keyboardist Stan the Man leads a jam with remarkable musicians on Sundays. Alyce Bowie, an amazingly diverse guitar-driven band with sweet harmonies, solid original songs and good stage presence, plays this Saturday. 79-940 Westward Ho Drive, Indio. 200-9844.

The Tack Room: Next to the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Tyler Hilton used to play there. The Pedestrians, a great punk-rap-horn-driven show band, plays there Friday. 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio. 347-9985.

Buddy Greco's Dinner Club: This classy little club is a throwback to the great supper clubs of the 1950s. One of the great jazz men, Buddy Greco, leads a swinging trio and his wife, Lezlie Anders, adds fine rhythmic vocals in the Peggy Lee-Julie Christie tradition. 68-805 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City. 883-5812.

Sullivan's Steakhouse: This wood-laden restaurant in the Gardens on El Paseo is a great place to hear live jazz nightly. 73-505 El Paseo, Palm Desert. 341-3560.

Tony's Pasta Mia: Mike Costley sings with Marty Steele in this New York-styled Italian eatery in downtown Palm Springs. People like Jack Jones and Trini Lopez drop in to sing and listen to Costley. The equally fine Pat Rizzo and singer-pianist Pat Tuzzolino perform Fridays and Saturdays. 360 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 327-1773.

Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace: This saloon north of Yucca Valley defines the high desert music scene. It books occasional name acts such as Leon Russell and the Donnas, but local artists keep the place jumping. Ted Quinn leads an open mic night on Mondays and the Thrift Store All-Stars, led by Travis Cline (formerly of of Gram Rabbit) and featuring such regulars as Victoria Williams and Tim Easton, play Sundays. 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. 365-5956.

Shows to catch

Fergie, Oct. 24: There wouldn't have been this kind of conflict five years ago, but now you must choose between cutting-edge comic Margaret Cho at the McCallum Theatre (73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. 340-ARTS) or contemporary hit-maker Fergie at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino (84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. 342-5000).

Peter Cincotti, Oct. 25: The singer-pianist is one of the few legitimate young jazz stars. He returns to the McCallum as part of the Fitz's Jazz Cafe series.

Leslie Jordan, Nov. 2: The “Sordid Lives” star brings his life story, “My Trip Down the Red Carpet,” to the Annenberg Theater in the Palm Springs Art Museum. 101 Museum Drive at Tahquitz, Palm Springs. 322-4800.

The B-52s, Nov. 8: One of the most influential bands of the early 1980s brings its eclectic repertoire to the McCallum.

Mick Fleetwood, Nov. 15: The Fleetwood Mac co-founder brings his band to Spotlight 29 Casino, and you can be sure it will pulsate. 46-200 Harrison St., Coachella. 775-5566.

“Jesus Christ Superstar,” Nov. 28: One of the first “rock operas” begins a run at the McCallum.

“Photo Flash,” Dec. 4: A comic mystery set in the desert, written by Rancho Mirage writer Michael Craft and produced by the talented Joslyn Players, begins a run at the Arthur Newman Theatre at the Joslyn Center. 73-750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert. 340-3220, ext. 107.

Kathy Griffin, Dec. 6-7: Possibly the biggest comedienne on the “D-list” returns to the McCallum.

“Stardust,” Jan. 15: A musical revue featuring songs by the poetic, underrated “Stardust” lyricist Mitchell Parish will be produced by the Joslyn Players at the Newman Theatre.

“Movin' Out,” Jan. 30: A dance production in which Twyla Tharp's brilliant choreography makes Billy Joel's songs sing like never before, comes to the McCallum.

Richard Dreyfuss, Feb. 6: The “Mr. Holland's Opus” star gives his opus with the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra at Palm Springs High School in a benefit for the Steinway Society of Riverside County. 2401 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs. 341-4130.

Hal Holbrook, Feb. 19: The actor brings his critically acclaimed “Mark Twain Tonight” to the McCallum for what could be his last tour.

“Mamma Mia,” March 19: The ABBA-inspired musical that inspired the film begins a McCallum run.

Melissa Etheridge, April 4: One of the premier female rockers performs at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78-200 Miles Ave., Indian Wells. 200-8400.

Outdoor activities

Desert Adventures Jeep Tours: The fascinating Twilight Jeep Eco Tour takes visitors to the San Andreas Fault, currently from 4-7 p.m. 340-2345.

Dinner in the Canyons: There are many great ways to experience the Indian canyons, from self-guided hikes to Bill Edelen's winter solstice lecture at Andreas Canyon. But this dinner in Andreas Canyon, benefiting the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, is one of those magical desert experiences. 778-1079.

Festivals

The Dance Under the Stars Festival: Dance is more popular than ever on television, and the choreographers showcased at this Nov. 15-16 event are future reality TV stars. 340-ARTS.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival: The Jan. 6 gala is the desert's biggest star magnet, and the films screened through Jan. 19 are the best foreign films of 2008. 322-2930.

The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival: Two weeks of carnival rides, exhibits and bands, Feb. 13-22, at the Date Festival Fairgrounds in Indio. 82-503 Highway 111, Indio. 863-8247.

The Virginia Waring International Piano Competition: A rare opportunity to see amazing young pianists in what is called the Olympics of piano music. vwipc.com.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival: Named the nation's premier outdoor music festival by Pollstar. This 10th anniversary, three-day event at the Empire Polo Club in Indio in late April is even more highly anticipated. 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio. coachella.com.

The Stagecoach Country Music Festival: The country counterpart to Coachella, held over two days at the beginning of May at the polo club. stagecoachfestival.com.

The Palm Springs Film Noir Festival: This will be the first of these festivals not booked by the late Arthur Lyons. It will be interesting to see how the Palm Springs Cultural Center carries on the tradition. 325-6565.

Charity benefits

The Broken Glass Awards: The newest entry into celebrity-driven charity events will honor producers Jennifer and Suzanne Todd, Donna Mills, Rozene Supple and Pattie Daly Caruso in a benefit for the Palm Springs chapter of Women In Film & Television Nov. 7 in a luncheon at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells. 44-600 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells. 564-4094.

The Bob Hope Classic Ball: Expectations are high for this grand dame of society events Jan. 18 at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells on the Hope Chrysler golf tournament's 50th anniversary. 44-400 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells. 346-8184.

Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards: Barry Manilow and notable warriors against AIDS will be honored at this important fundraiser for the Desert AIDS Project Feb. 21 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs. 323-2118.

The Gold and Silver Circle Awards: The luncheon for the Pacific Southwest Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is becoming more and more star-studded as it raises money for scholarships for young people interested in the TV industry. The April 19 event will honor Elinor Donohue, Martin Landau, Buddy Greco, Polly Bergen, Michael Horse and Patrick Williams. 416-0165.

Evening Under the Stars: This benefit for the AIDS Assistance Program, which Manilow has called his favorite charity event, will feature Motown-style entertainment April 25 at O'Donnell Golf Course, 301 N. Belardo Road, Palm Springs. 325-8481