HOT PICKS: Judy Collins tops this weekend's nightlife, March 11 to 13

Palm Springs Desert Sun

HOT PICK

Friday

Folk: Folk singer Judy Collins is not only a gifted songwriter, but a powerful voice as heard in her covers of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now," Pete Seeger's "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and the Christian hymn "Amazing Grace." She's also written songs such as "Since You Asked," "My Father," and "Secret Gardens."

Judy Collins will perform at McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, Calif., on March 11, 2022.

In recent years, she's released albums covering artists such as Leonard Cohen, John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles and Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. She teamed up ex-boyfriend Stephen Stills for the 2017 album "Everybody Knows."

Collins will perform Friday at the McCallum Theatre.

If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. $35 to $85. (760) 340-2787. mccallumtheatre.com

Friday

Americana: The Los Angeles band Balto describes itself as "a boozy, swaggering style of American music rooted at the intersection of Motown, Big Star, Plastic Ono Band-era Lennon, and Jackson Browne."

Balto will perform at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown, Calif., on March 11, 2022.

Balto will perform its interactive rock show on Friday at Pappy and Harriet's.

If you go: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. $10. (760) 228-2222. pappyandharriets.com

Saturday

Sinatra: Canadian crooner Paul Anka is known for the romantic hit songs "Put Your Head On My Shoulder," "You're My Destiny" and "One Man Woman/One Woman Man." But he was also friends with Frank Sinatra, and Anka wrote "My Way" for his 1969 album, which would also be covered by Elvis Presley and punk rocker Sid Vicious.

Paul Anka will perform at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., on March 12, 2022.

Anka is on tour singing the songs of Sinatra and will perform Saturday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $59 to $89. (760) 342-5000. fantasyspringsresort.com

Magic: Magician and prankster Michael Carbonaro is known for his practical jokes utilizing his magic on the reality TV series "The Carbonaro Effect" on truTV. He's also appeared on "Happily Divorced," "30 Rock," "Grey’s Anatomy" and "CSI Miami."

Michael Carbonaro will perform at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on March 12, 2022.

But Carbonaro is also known to perform his magic on national tours and will be stopping by on Saturday at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage.

If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $25 to $175. (888) 999-1995. aguacalientecasinos.com

Comedy: Comedian Tim Allen is easily recognized by fans of "Toy Story" as the voice of Buzz Lightyear and Tim "The Toolman" Taylor from the '90s sitcom "Home Improvement." He also just wrapped the final season of the popular sitcom "Last Man Standing."

Tim Allen will perform at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, Calif., on March 12, 2022.

Allen will be performing a comedy set on Saturday at Spotlight 29 Casino.

If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $75 to $185. (760) 775-5566. spotlight29.com

A previous version of this album misattributed the Carly Simon song "You're So Vain" to Judy Collins.

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.