By Patte Purcell
The desert needs more venues to host jazz events. One country club is stepping up to the plate to do just that.
Woodhaven Country Club located at 41-555 Woodhaven East in Palm Desert is now open to the public for dining and golfing. They are also hosting The Celebrity Jam Fest on Oct. 5.
I interviewed their new GM Derrick Strub who recently took over in September. His background includes 10 years with Marriott in setting up golf and event operations. He will focus on bringing on the new level of dining and entertainment that was set in motion by the last GM. This includes a Live music night on Wednesdays from 5-8pm twice a month when season begins Nov. 1. I will be working with them to find excellent choices for live music here in the desert.
Woodhaven is committed to bring in quality entertainment. The other big news is they have brought in a renowned Chef Richard Perez. He brings with him a wealth of experience. He was most recently the Executive Chef of the Cork Tree Restaurant. After taking over he guided The Cork Tree to one of the top rated restaurants in the Coachella Valley producing Gourmet California Cuisine. Richard sharpened his skills for Northern Italian Cuisine working for IL Fornaio in Pasadena and Las Vegas. He worked for the famous Los Angeles Athletic Club in Downtown Los Angeles and The Regency Club in West Los Angeles. Other noted restaurants in his career are the 4 star rated Spago, The Magic Lamp Inn, Pacific Dinning Car and L’Oranderie. He has worked with noted great chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Paul Prudhomme and Alice Waters. He delights in coming up with different outstanding dishes and brings passion to his work.
In season there are nightly dinners with Thursday nights offering a featured special. There is a special buffet on Monday nights. Dinners are served from 5-8 nightly.
The other outstanding member of the team is events coordinator and Sales Manager Bianca De La Garza. She is responsible for all of the events that Woodhaven holds. It is perfect for weddings and other events with a large ballroom and attached deck with seating. It even has a separate lounge for other activities.
Celebrity Jam Fest is holding its next indoor event Oct. 5, from 6-9 at Woodhaven Country Club in the Ballroom. There is an artist party for VIP from 5-6 that includes ‘The Tasting Experience’ a combination of wine, and liquor tastings with appetizer food pairings by Chef Perez. He plans to have samplings from around the world so it should be interesting and tasty! The tasting event continues until 7 pm for VIP ticket holders.
Featured liquors include Alien Tequila, Hiro Sake, Happy Vines French wines, and Direct Cellars wine club will also be pouring. Heritage vodkas, rye, and bourbons are including their latest lavender vodka and hisbicus vodka. There will also be several specialty beers to sample.
The jam itself features 20 National Artists and local favorites in a 3 hour non-stop jam!
Adam Hawley, composer, guitarist, #1 hit Billboard for 5 weeks, Slim Man (Jazz Vocalist of the Year, 2016 CV Music Awards) Emcee, Bob Desena (#1 Jazz artist of the year, LA Jazz awards), Greg Vail (sax player for major artists and over 1,000,000 CDs sold), Paris and Melody Escovedo, famous percussionists, Joe Baldino (recording artist, composer guitar), Cleer vocalist & recording artist, Andrew Ford (A List bass player), Hans Zermuellen, Keys, Recording artist and A List player, Rose Mallett, Vocalist and Recording artist, Sergio Villegas and Shirley Evaro flamenco guitar and vocalist, Craig Chesnut (A list drummer, award nominee), Cleer Vocalist and recording artist Cat Lyn Day, actress and jazz vocalist, Keisha D, jazz vocalist, Peggy Perkins, vocalist and recording artist, and Mark Gagliano on congas and percussion. All of these artists with be performing and there will be dancing outside under the stars on the attached deck. Tickets for the event can be purchased at purplepass.com/celebrityjamfest or by calling them at 1-800-316-8559. VIP is assigned table seating for $60 each with ‘The tastings experience’. The $45 gold level tickets are assigned table seating with no tastings package. General admission $30 is non assigned available seating. First come basis.
There will also be interesting vendors to peruse including Motus, Desert Body Sculpting, Synergy Smile Designs, even some tasty treats from Roman Blas of Over the Rainbow Desserts.
For questions about the event contact Patte Purcell at 1-702-219-6777. For questions about Woodhaven or to book an event, contact Bianca 760-895-0101.
