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Council approves free Jan. 25 amphitheater festival with Orchestra Sinfónica de Minería

5348114 · July 10, 2025

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Summary

The Cathedral City Council on July 9 unanimously approved a special use permit allowing Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic to host a free, daylong festival at the Community Amphitheater on Jan. 25, 2026.

The Cathedral City Council on July 9 unanimously approved a special use permit allowing Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic to host a free, daylong festival at the Community Amphitheater on Jan. 25, 2026, featuring the Orchestra Sinfónica de Minería and local ballet folklórico and mariachi groups. The presenter said expected attendance is about 2,500 and the producing organization budgeted about $150,000 for the event.

City communications and events manager Ryan Hunt described the program and local partnerships, saying the event supports “cultural diversity celebration, international artistic showcase” and provides “free access to high quality arts programming.” Lee Mills, executive director of Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic, said the orchestra will perform a program of Mexican and Latin American composers and that the festival will include master classes for local high school students.

Mills told the council, “We will be spending about a $150,000 producing this event and it is our gift to the Coachella Valley community.” Hunt said the organizers have budgeted city fees and deposits that together return roughly $3,100 to the city (a $2,500 nonprofit rental rate plus a $1,000 refundable cleanup deposit) and will provide a certificate of insurance naming the city with $1,000,000 liability coverage.

Council members asked about ADA access, security coordination with Cathedral City Police Department and alcohol/insurance questions; staff said ADA accommodation is established in the amphitheater and the organizers will coordinate private security and insurance with CCPD as usual. The council voted to approve the special use permit; the motion passed unanimously.

The event is planned as a free community festival with food vendors, art components and an evening orchestral performance. Organizers said the program is intended as a pilot that could be repeated if successful, and that they are coordinating with local schools and the Palm Springs Unified School District foundation to maximize educational outreach.