Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition Session 3 Winner
By Esther Sanchez
Truth be told, when I was asked to get in touch with Dan Mazer, AKA “Banjer Dan” for this article I had no idea what was in store for me. I figured we would spend 15 or 20 minutes on the phone talking about his music, the competition, his prizes...
By Lisa Morgan
Few bands have left as indelible of a mark on the history of 90s punk as Pennywise. It all started around 1989 with a few friends throwing down a backyard punk rock concert in Hermosa Beach. Only their girlfriends showed up. Pushing onward, doing more shows to more people and writing more songs, their EP landed on...
By Eleni P. Austin
“I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king.” Of course that’s Frank Sinatra, but it could just as easily be Michael Des Barres, who seems to have had more lives than the proverbial cat.
Descended from French nobility, Marquis Michael Phillip Des Barres was born in Sussex, England in 1948. ...
By Monica Morones
Multi-media artist Sallé Kirby has been an influence in the art community with her bright, expressive and beautiful work. Photographer, painter, printmaker, are just a few of the many subjects this talented woman is gifted at. I first met Kirby in a photography class and I was instantly drawn to her charisma and her perspective on art. ...
By Janet McAfee
Vanessa Ruggles and Curtis Sweesy, Loving All Animals’ German Shepherd foster parents, spotted the shelter dog’s photograph and video on Facebook. The German Shepherd appeared gaunt and distressed, listed by the San Bernardino City Shelter as “rescue only” due to numerous issues including “emaciated and fearful”. The couple grew more alarmed when a second video appeared showing...
By Rick Riozza
In our last article, we arrived in Paris a couple of weeks early to commence a fun wine tasting tour to famed wine destinations only hours outside of the City of Lights. There’s no better warm-up for us wine tennis fans before settling in to watch and experience the 2015 French Open at Stade Roland Garros—which begins...
By Robin E. Simmons
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Australian medical doctor George Miller had an idea for a movie 35 years ago, but could only raise about $400,000. So he shot the post-apocalyptic MAD MAX in rural and desert locations with a young, unknown actor named Mel Gibson. The movie became a hit and MAD MAX: ROAD WARRIOR followed. It was...
By Heidi Simmons
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Lucky Alan
By Jonathan Lethem
Stories
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It’s great to read an author whose writing is unencumbered and has nothing to worry about other than what’s on the page. In Jonathan Lethem’s Lucky Alan and Other Stories (Doubleday, 176 pages), nine stories reveal high craft and a story telling ability that goes beyond traditional and into the magical.
This is Lethem’s third...
Monday May 25th we will be remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces with Memorial Day.
Every last Monday of May, we take time off from work to reflect on the significance of this all-important celebration and enjoy many outdoor activities and events. Make this Memorial Day memorable by following some of...
With summertime upon us and daily temperatures poised to exceed 100 degrees most days over the next four months, it is important to remember to drink more fluids than you think you need in order to avoid becoming dehydrated. If you wait to drink water until you are thirsty, you are already somewhat dehydrated. Alcohol or sugary drinks are...
By Haddon Libby
The long Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer for most. Over the next few months, many of us will be flying off to vacation destinations both domestic and abroad.
Skytrax Air Travel ranks all airlines on a five star scale using dozens of factors that span from website simplicity and general operations to the experiences in...
By Dale Gribow
This week is Memorial Day and that means “our finest” will be out in force with DUI Checkpoints for those of us drinking and partying. I am often asked if these checkpoints are legal. The short answer is YES.
Checkpoints are generally legal however there can be situations where a particular DUI checkpoint could be found illegal. Not...
By Julie Buehler
I “guaranteed” the Clippers would win Game 6.
I had watched them steamroll a stunned Rockets team into submission for 3 of the first 4 games of the series and despite an ugly and uninspired defeat in Game 5, it looked like the Clippers had turned that elusive corner from perennial disappointment to consistent contender.
So I sat behind...
Week of May 21
© Copyright 2015 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): James McNeil Whistler was an influential painter in the latter half of the 19th century. He advocated the "art for art's sake" credo, insisting that the best art doesn't need to teach or moralize. As far as he was concerned, its most important purpose was to bring forth...
By Bronwyn Ison
As children we dream of what adulthood will look like. Not cognizant of all the responsibility associated with adulthood we wanted to grow up as quickly as possible. You also pondered what you may become when you grow up not knowing your epiphany announced itself in a latter part of your life. You began to dream of...
By Sunny Simon
I have a friend I call “If Only Eloise.” Of course, her real name isn’t Eloise, and to be honest with you she is not exactly a friend. My last conversation with Eloise consisted of a litany of laments. It went like this, “If only I had completed my master’s degree, if only I stayed with my...
Recognizing the Best of the Valley’s Independent Musicians and Bands on Sunday, May 17
By Tracy Dietlin
Got your tix for the 2rd Annual CV Music Awards? Time is running out to get the tickets at the pre-event price of $25 for the Sunday, May 17 show at the Riviera Palm Springs starting at 5 p.m.
If you wait until the day of the...
By Robin E. Simmons
Last Saturday, I hosted a Q&A with director Anne Fletcher after a screening of “Hot Pursuit” at Cinemas Palme d’Or, where it is playing. Here is an excerpt of that conversation.
Can you tell me a little something about your journey to directing?
In a nutshell, I came to Hollywood from Detroit to dance and met a lovely...
Theatre 29 is beginning the process of selecting plays, comedies, dramas and musicals for their 2016 season.
Area theatrical directors are being invited to submit suggested plays for consideration. The Theatre 29 Season Selection Committee strongly suggests Directors submit two titles to allow flexibility in forming a well-balanced season. Directors can request a particular time slot or slots but are...
By Dee Jae Cox
The Miracle Worker was first produced in 1959, but the story is timeless.
And some classics are most certainly worth restaging. William Gibson’s, “The Miracle Worker” is by far one of them. Set in the early part of the twentieth century, it tells the story of Helen Keller, a deaf, blind and mute child that was introduced...
BY DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
Sing it out loud and proud, Guenevere: “Tra la! It's May! The lusty month of May! That lovely month when ev'ryone goes Blissfully astray. Tra la! It's here! That shocking time of year When tons of wicked little thoughts Merrily appear! It's May! It's May! That gorgeous holiday When ev'ry maiden prays that her lad Will be...
Thanks to all of the gentlemen featured in last week's Men's Issue of Coachella Valley Weekly. On Wednesday, May 6th, a congratulatory cocktail party was held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs in their honor. Thanks to all who attended and help make it happen. Here are a few photos courtesy of our wonderful friend and photographer,...
TWIN EAGLES OF THE DESERT EAGLES
By Esther Sanchez
Over the past couple of decades, those of us who have paid attention have witnessed the music scene in the Coachella Valley break free from its shell of obscurity to spread its wings. For the most part, bands from rock, punk and heavy-metal style genres have been the local artists that have...
The kick off for the Summer Edition 2015 of The Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition brought a great show! The $100 weekly cash prize for 1st place, fantastic prizes for 2nd and 3rd places, plus a local celebrity to judge each week kept the performers on their toes to give it their best! DJ Alex Updike kept the crowd...
Thursday - Sunday, May 14-17, 2015
by Esther Sanchez
Are you planning on attending the Joshua Tree Music Festival this weekend but have yet to take the time to do any research on performers that you might not be familiar with? No worries, Party People! I have done my homework & have graciously hand selected a few artists that I personally think...
By Craig Michaels
Born and raised right here in the 760, Bianca Fort has been the mid-day personality on U92.7 for the past 7 years. Her career at the Desert Radio Group actually began 10 years ago when Bianca was still attending Palm Springs High as a freshman. As a regular listener, Bianca became pretty good at winning prizes from...
By Patte Purcell
Who's the debonair guy sitting behind the drums? It's the desert's favorite jazz drummer Craig Chestnut. Despite his youthful good looks he's been playing for 43 years. He started in the 4th grade when he received his first set of drums passed down from his brother. Once he got behind the drums he wouldn't leave much to...
“sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit” (Milk Records/Mom+Pop Records)
By Eleni P. Austin
“Put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you, tell me I’m exceptional I promise to exploit you.” That caustic admonishment comes from Courtney Barnett on her first official long-player, “sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just think.” It’s a difficult...
By Rebecca Pikus
Summer in the Desert belongs to us again! The Exciting, Original Event “A Summer Music Festival” offers a 6-week series of Live Music Events along with an Exhibition of amazing Music Art! Many Musicians are also Artists -- and many Artists are also Musicians! So what could be a better combination!
Leslie Jean Porter Gallery has put together a...
By Janet McAfee
Coachella Valley cats have a wonderful advocate in Mary Ewing, a local resident who works tirelessly to save their lives and find them new homes. Her program, Whiskers and Purrs, supports the cat rescue operation for Loving All Animals in Palm Desert.
For animal rescuers, there is usually a defining incident that ignites our passion to save and...
By Rick Riozza
Allons-y! C’mon—let’s get going! And get ready for pure athleticism and emotion on clay!
True to my calling as your wine, food & tennis columnist, we are on our way to the French Open tennis tournament that takes place in the city of Paris at Roland Garros Stadium beginning on May 24th.
The two week French Open is the...
A Great New Mid-Valley Dining Spot to Try
By Judith Salkin
You could call Jack Srebnik, owner of Maracas and The Slice restaurants, and co-owner along with Todd Flood of JT’s Diner, crazy. He gave up the relatively sedate life of an accountant to work for Sysco Foods and then jumped into the restaurant business where over the past 25 year...
By Robin E. Simmons
HOT PURSUIT
This diverting comedy has met with mixed reviews. Some of the more negative ones have singled out director Anne Fletcher for making a “mysogynistic, shrill and unfunny” movie. In a recent Q&A I hosted at Cinemas Palme d’Or, director Fletcher said she was just trying to make a fun action comedy without an agenda.” She...
Ruth Rendell 1930 – 2015
Book Review by Heidi Simmons
Hard to imagine a world without mysteries, psychological thrillers and crime novels. It’s a beloved genre and a literary staple. For many, “Who Done Its” are the foray into the world of reading or, for others, the only stories worth reading. With over 80 published works, British author Ruth Rendell was...
By Maria M. Miranda
On Memorial Day, we honor men and women who died while courageously serving in the U.S. military. We also recognize active duty service members, especially those who have been wounded. Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades to thank our service members and their families for their sacrifices.
Policymakers put into place laws...
By Haddon Libby
While the Coachella Valley is a second or third home to many of the nation’s most affluent people, many of our full-time residents struggle financially. Only 17% of our communities have income levels above the state or county averages. Meanwhile, nearly one in five or over 70,000 of our neighbors live in poverty. The Department of Health...
By Dale Gribow
Susan from Palm Springs asks:
Over the last year you have stated that law is an information gathering game. Why is that true for an auto accident?
In my radio show “Accidentally Yours” I informed my listeners it is important to memorialize everything in order to gather information your lawyer will later need. Use your cell phone to take...
National “Wildfire Awareness Week” is declared the first week in May. Approximately 95 percent of all wildfires are sparked by the activity of people, which means that almost all wildfires are preventable. “With a record dry and warm winter Californian’s fire activity has been nearly double what it normally is for this time of year,” says Fire Chief Sam...
ShareKitchen and the Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center are collaborating to bring you an incredible speaker for our upcoming workshop on "How to Market on a Shoestring Budget". You don't want to miss this energetic ball of fire, Dr. Gayle Carson, CSP, CMC, aka the Spunky Old Broad on May 20th at ShareKitchen from 5:30-7:30pm.
When business is slow the first...
By Julie Buehler
All I knew was that I wanted to spend some time with my sister-in-law, Carli.
We decided a hike would be fun.
I knew there was this Cross on top of a hill and I knew it was in Palm Desert. So I Googled “Palm Desert Cross Hike” and the address 72500 Thrush Street came up on my phone.
Ok....
By Flint Wheeler
The league suspended the Super Bowl MVP Monday for the first four games of the season, fined the New England Patriots $1 million and took away two draft picks as punishment for deflating footballs used in the AFC title game.
"Each player, no matter how accomplished and otherwise respected, has an obligation to comply with the rules and...
Week of May 14
© Copyright 2015 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The danger of resisting a temptation too strenuously is that the temptation might depart. I suggest that you prevent that from happening. Without throwing yourself at the mercy of the temptation, see if you can coax it to stick around for a while longer. Why? In my view,...
By Bronwyn Ison
What is it about music that strikes cords of emotions within us? Music has been a part of our culture for as long as we can remember. Researchers have been able to explain of late the correlation as to why music is a catalyst to soulful emotion. Generally, music makes us feel good, happy, excited and we...
By Sunny Simon
A few weeks ago I attended a speech contest. One of the contestants gave a very humorous speech about surviving a harrowing adventure while on vacation. His so called exciting escapade turned out to be a giant scam. Our hero admitted his naiveté in ignoring the red flags (and there were many) he experienced early on. In...
By Dr Peter Kadile
Hey Dr. Kadile, my son frequently gets ear infections after being in the pool for awhile. Will he have to get tubes for his ears? -Kathy, Desert Hot Springs
Kathy, your son most likely has frequent outer ear infections (otitis externa), commonly know as “swimmers ear”. The outer ear is the area from the eardrum to the outside...
From the Publisher: In this issue you will find 20 of the most interesting and influential men in the Coachella Valley. They were all chosen for different reasons, but one thing they all have in common is their sense of humanity, charity and the desire to make the Coachella Valley a better place to live. I would like to...
By Lisa Morgan
Palm Springs residents were invited to participate in the City of Palm Springs Homelessness Town Hall Meeting on Monday, May 4, and the people responded. The 5:30 p.m. event, hosted by the City Council Homelessness Subcommittee, comprised of Mayor Steve Pougnet and Councilmember Ginny Foat, held at the Mizell Senior Center was overflowing. The conference room was...
By Esther Sanchez
2015 CVMA nominees in the category for best metal band, Robotic Humans are in it to win it. With skilled musicianship, solid vocals and a growing catalog of original songs, the trio has created a melodic vibe that is a bit of a throwback to good 90s-style grunge-rock for the alternative purist with splashes of heavy-metal done...
By Patte Purcell
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dan Kuramoto the truly legendary originator of the ground breaking Hiroshima, who will be in concert at Grooves at the Westin Saturday, May 16.
Vibrant, eclectic and truly original, the multi-GRAMMY nominated Hiroshima creates a musical world all its own. The intoxicating mix of traditional Japanese folk music and instruments interwoven with...
CV WEEKLY PRESENTS FROM A WHISPER TO A DREAM: SHOWCASE, CONTEST & CONFERENCE WITH MAJOR MUSIC INDUSTRY PARTNERS
By Rich Henrich
Coachella Valley Weekly announced today, a partnership with From a Whisper to a Dream: Showcase, Contest & Conference headed up by entertainment attorney Talia Kosh and music producer/ multi-talented musician, Brian Hardgroove, bass player for Rock and Roll Hall of...
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