By Valerie Milano & Judy Shields
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/11/25 – Palm Springs continues to cement its reputation as a cultural crossroads where ideas, artistry, and community converge. This winter and spring, Palm Springs Speaks Season Seven, presented by the Friends of the Palm Springs Library, returns with a powerhouse lineup that spans Hollywood royalty, literary brilliance, cultural advocacy, and groundbreaking science. The Hollywood Times will be on hand to cover the season live, capturing conversations that promise to inspire, challenge, and entertain audiences across the Coachella Valley.
All events will take place at 7:30 p.m. inside the beautifully restored Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs—an iconic venue reborn as a gathering place for meaningful dialogue and shared experience.
The 2025–2026 season opens in December with one of the most influential figures in American film and television and continues into spring with voices that have reshaped comedy, literature, cultural representation, and forensic science.
Rob Reiner
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Actor, director, producer, and activist Rob Reiner launches the season in conversation with longtime arts and entertainment journalist Bruce Fessier. From All in the Family to an extraordinary directing career that includes Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men, Reiner’s work has helped define modern American storytelling.
Beyond Hollywood, Reiner’s impact extends deeply into civic life. His advocacy for early childhood development and marriage equality underscores a career driven not only by creativity, but by conscience. A limited VIP pre-event reception at the Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate offers an exclusive opportunity for attendees to engage more closely with the evening’s guest.
Cheech Marin
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Few entertainers have shaped American comedy—and American culture—quite like Cheech Marin. Known worldwide as one half of the legendary duo Cheech & Chong, Marin’s influence stretches far beyond film and comedy stages. As a leading advocate for Chicano art, he has spent decades championing artists whose work reflects the lived experiences and histories of Mexican American communities.
From blockbuster films and television roles to the founding of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, Marin’s career embodies creative reinvention and cultural stewardship. Details regarding a VIP reception for this event will be announced closer to the date.
Wade Rouse in Conversation with Steven Rowley
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Bestselling author and journalist Wade Rouse—also known to millions of readers as Viola Shipman—joins fellow literary favorite Steven Rowley for an evening centered on friendship, chosen family, and the emotional landscapes we build for ourselves.
The conversation will spotlight Rouse’s forthcoming novel, That’s What Friends Are For, set in Palm Springs and scheduled for release in March 2026. Often described as The Golden Girls meets The Guncle, the novel explores love, aging, resilience, and community through the lives of four gay men navigating life in the desert. With humor and heart, Rouse’s work continues to resonate with readers around the world.
CeCe Moore
Monday, March 30, 2026
Closing out the season is CeCe Moore, a pioneer whose work in genetic genealogy has revolutionized modern investigative science. Known to many from PBS’s Finding Your Roots and ABC’s The Genetic Detective, Moore has played a central role in identifying hundreds of violent crime suspects and unidentified individuals, collaborating with law enforcement agencies across the globe.
Her presentation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how DNA, technology, and ethical investigation intersect—reshaping both criminal justice and our understanding of human identity.
Community, Culture, and a Historic Stage
Palm Springs Speaks is more than a speaker series—it is a community investment. Proceeds benefit the Palm Springs Public Library, supporting literacy, cultural programming, and educational access throughout the city. The series is made possible with support from the City of Palm Springs and a broad coalition of cultural, hospitality, and educational partners.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster via the Plaza Theatre website, with VIP options for select events that include premium seating, receptions, photo opportunities, and books. Tickets for Rob Reiner are currently on sale, with remaining 2026 events available beginning Friday, November 21 at 12:00 p.m. PST.
For tickets, details, and sponsorship information, visit palm springs speaks.org.
As Palm Springs Speaks Season Seven unfolds, The Hollywood Times looks forward to bringing readers inside the conversations that matter—where history, creativity, and community meet center stage.
