BY DIANE MARLIN- DIRKX
In the interest of a Public Service Announcement, we want to inform you that last Tuesday, April 22, was Earth Day. On this day, wafting over the Ether-net, came the news that “over a billion people in 190 countries take action…from San Francisco to San Juan, Beijing to Brussels, Moscow to Marrakesh, cleaning up their communities…all on behalf of the environment.” This is a good thing, as Martha would say. In my community, homeowners had a clean out your garage day, teaming up with neighbors, attracting buyers and a good friend was thrilled over cleaning up with $120 on a vase that she had been given and despised for years. (The gifter, an aunt, had passed over the holidays.) In California, we’re just happy that on Earth Day, the Earth was quiet and not dancing the Macarena, tossing collectibles off shelves, and messing with our calendar of fundraisers from ballet to Disco to quaffing a beer or wine at a Carnival or at the Zoo and enjoying a new circle of 4-legged friends. Read on.
Saturday, April 26, 1pm. Loving All Animals presents the “Carnival of the Animals” Benefit Tea with a musical performance by the Desert Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christian Chalifour, music director, with a special appearance by New York Metropolitan Opera Diva Janet Hopkins, recognized as one of the most vocally-gifted artists of today and an avid supporter of animal rescue. This magical, musical program will take place in the enchantment of BG Bird Gardens, Meet and greet Ms Hopkins between 1:00 to 1:45pm by purchasing a seat at a table for $125 per person. General Admission, $65 per person with performance at 2:15pm. Limited seating. RSVP no later than April 19, if not sold out sooner. Call 760-834-7003. Or purchase tickets online, www.lovingallanimals.org. BG Bird Gardens, 73-179 Joshua Tree St., Palm Desert.
Saturday, April 26, 5pm. Live! Love! Dance! Fundraiser benefiting Desert Youth Ballet. Remember your first plié? The Desert Youth Ballet offers performance opportunities for talented young dancers in the Coachella Valley. In addition to their own programs, they are often asked to perform for both charity and local civic events across the Coachella Valley. Members of the DYB have also performed with the Moscow Ballet in The Nutcracker at the McCallum Theatre for the past several years. Come see this talented and well-trained troupe perform the plié and more with style! Event at71711 San Jacinto Drive in Rancho Mirage. For more info, call 760-341-0122. Or go to www.desertyouthballet.org.
Saturday, April 26, 6pm. The Girlfriend Factor presents Club Cabana, Unleashed & Uncorked Ready for Launch again as the Annual Fundraiser for the non-profit group whose mission ensures that women have access to higher education and occupational training to improve their self-sufficiency, economic and personal goals. Unleashed and Uncorked! is a festive beachcomber style evening of good food, drinks and fun, culminating in the Uncorked Auction run by renowned local boy Brian Harnik. Taking place at Toscana Country Club, the event is open to the public and stars a steamy hunk-o-rama dream team of Cabana Boys— this year to be paired with spectacular live auction packages including out-of-town hotel stays, local restaurant dining, beauty packages, wine and golf. Tickets are just $85 and can be purchased on the Event page of GFF’s website www.thegirlfriendfactor.org. For more information about Club Cabana, Unleashed & Uncorked! or the Girlfriend Factor call (760) 772-9594.
Saturday, May 3, 5:30pm. “The First Ladies of Disco” is the hot entertainment that will tear up the stage at this year’s Evening Under the Stars annual fundraiser benefiting the AIDS Assistance Program. Linda Clifford, France Joli, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Maxine Nightingale, Pamala Stanley, Anita Ward, Martha Wash, and the ladies formerly of Chic: Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin, and Norma Jean, will all take the stage at this star-studded affair, considered by many to be the unofficial finale of the desert event season. Gala festivities will include cocktails served by an abundance of bartenders, fabulous live and silent auctions, inspiring honorees, delectable cuisine, divine entertainment, and dancing. Tickets for the benefit are $395 and $500 per person, and individual VIP seats are also available. Tickets may be purchased by contacting AIDS Assistance Program at 760-325-8481 or by clicking the button below. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Don’t miss this show. It will bring back memories, and inspire new ones!
Saturday, May 3, 6:30-9:30pm. The annual “Brew at the Zoo!” also goes by a user-friendly label-ready moniker on a mission, namely “Saving Wildlife One Beer at a Time!” Bring on the suds and do your duty to support the Living Desert and its outdoor, free-ranging savannas, noisy (and quiet) with animals usually only seen in parts of the world which require a passport! Trust us, it’s a trip!. The Living Desert, 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. Ticket, $40 to $125. For more info, call 760-346-5694, or go to LivingDesert.org.
Monday – Friday, July 7 – 11; July 28 – August 1. 8am – 1 pm. Save the Date! Be an early bird whether you want the worm or not! Critter Camp Returns for kids ages 6 through 11 years old and they don’t want to miss a minute of this week-long day camp. Why? Listen up, scout. Right now, Animal Samaritans is accepting sign-ups for its popular, fun-filled, learning-inspired Summer Critter Camps. Our humane pro-active educators will hold two camps for up to 20 children each. These week-long camps fill up quickly, so sign up your kids today! Camp location is at Thousand Palms Chamber of Commerce, 72-715 La Canada Way, Thousand Palms. Activities include hands on animal encounters with therapy dogs, reptiles, birds, and rodents, Animal-themed games, Animal-themed arts & crafts. This is a terrific time to get a well-rounded education about caring for pets, and getting a whole new outlook filled with animal fun facts. Snacks and bottled water are provided, but campers must bring sack lunch. Cost per camper: $85. To register, call 760-601-3761 or email Critter Camper Registration.
“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Valley Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event! Thanks!
