BYLINE: DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
There’s an old gag from Vaudeville used to describe the acts for an audience that flocked to the stages in every part of this country, from the seaports ripe with the ocean’s tang to the wind-blasted deserts of the west, and all the burgs and towns in between. The gentleman on the stage wearing a tattered, time-tested suit and smiling ear-to-ear would say: What do we have for you tonight? Then he would crow to the back seat of the balcony, “A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants!” And the eager audience would roar with anticipation and laughter. Then again, it might have been Chuckles the Clown’s sign off philosophy memorialized on the Mary Tyler Moore Show “Chuckles the Clown Bites the Dust.” Whatever. For your pleasure, ladies and gents, here we fill up your calendar with the best entertainment including songs, dances, and loads of laughter—whether intended or not. Have fun!
Saturday, May 5, 9 – 11:30 am. Take a hike! What better way to start the weekend than to climb into your walking shoes, lace-up your favorite old tennis shoes, or what-have-you-footwear, and get moving! Meet at Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert. Bring your camera and get ready for an easy and enjoyable saunter in the natural beauty of the desert. What an inspirational kick-start to the season! They promise that this is an “an easy to moderate hike for a 400 foot elevation gain, 3 to 4 miles.” Hey, that doesn’t sound like a “no pain, no gain” day. It sounds like a walk in the park! For more information, call 760-862-9984.
Saturday, May 5, 5 pm reception, 6 pm dinner. We’re a sucker for a posh British accent and “with a little bit of luck” (Thank you, My Fair Lady), the talk we love will be all about the 14th Annual London Calling Fashion Show fundraiser for The Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation at Spotlight 29 Casino Showroom, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella, CA. This is always a terrific celebration with a silent auction, raffle prizes and a dinner that you’ll be talking about long after your plate is clean! Since 1998 the foundation has provided $170,260 in scholarships to over 500 local students to honor Theresa Andrea Mike and her commitment to developing sense of the culture, history and a future for her tribe, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. Walk-ins are welcome. Individuals $50; Table of 8, $400. For information, or reservations, call 760-863-2484. www.theresamike.com.
Saturday, May 5, 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Cheers to the Living Desert for “Saving Wildlife One Beer at a Time,” which is the mission for the 3rd Annual Brew at the Zoo, one of Southern California’s most popular beer festivals. It’s a celebration of America’s finest brews benefitting the zoo’s care for over 500 animals, 1600 protected acres and scholarship programs for thousands of visiting school children. Map it out: Over 3 live music stages, over 1500 guests expected, 40 vendors, beer and wine pairings with delicious appetizers (including veggy options) and desserts. Non-alcoholic beverages are offered along with premium wine and beer. Themed areas include Paradise Cove, Discovery Ale House, Eco-Luxury Safari Lounge, HPE Sustainability and Leadership Award, Home brew demonstrations, Hangover Prevention Center, Big Brew Raffle, animal encounters. A VIP Lounge has even more enticement. Tickets are $40 member, $55 non-member. VIP Lounge, $175. Bring ID: Open to adults 21 and up. Children, infants and strollers are not permitted. Taxis are available. Call 760-346-5694, ext. 2121.
Sunday, May 6, 10 am. What the world needs now, is right in Rancho Mirage. World Laughter Day with Yogi Ramesh Pandey will lead a session of Hatha Yoga, mastering body, mind and soul toward the art of laughter, which he says is good medicine for what ails you, whether anxiety, stress or trying to lose pounds without losing your mind. Yogi Ramesh produces TV’s program Universal Yogi and has appeared on Oprah and the Roseanne Barr shows. He has been profiled in the Los Angeles Times (“Ramesh Pandey, Better Body by Breathing”) and the U.S. News and World Report (“Ramesh Pandey: Universal Yoga Guru”). There’ll be prizes, music, singing, snacks at this free event at Whitewater Park, 71-560 San Jacinto Dr., Rancho Mirage. For more information, call 562-716-9367.
Thursday, May 10 through Sunday, May 13. Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival presented by the Palm Springs Cultural Center in screenings at the Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo, Palm Springs, starting at 10 am to last unreeling at 7:30 pm. It’s the 12th annual festival of the best of the genre. We haven’t seen so many shadows and dark doings since our teen-hood sneaks in and out of the house. Writer/film historian and programmer Alan K. Rode says, “I’ve tried to keep the festival fresh by programming quality movies that either aren’t on DVD or otherwise haven’t been viewed on a big screen for many years.” This year’s classics include The Big Heat (1953) with star Glenn Ford’s son, Peter, discussing his Dad’s stellar career, a psychotic Joan Crawford stars in Possessed (1947), Shield for Murder (1954) with special personal appearance of actor William Schallert. For more information about the films, special guest appearances and the complete schedule, call 760-325-6565, go to www.arthurlyonsfilmnoir.org
Friday, May 11 through Saturday, May 27, on Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm. The all-American musical West Side Story with script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and Choreography by Jerome Robbins is as topical in subject matter today as it was in Shakespeare’s time when he wrote the original play on which it was based, Romeo and Juliet. In the musical that takes place in New York in the 50s, there are gangs fighting for turf—the Jets and the Sharks, a couple destined to be in love, someone marked for death, separation, reconciliation, every emotion enhanced by glorious music, including “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” “A Boy Like That,” “Cool,” “One Hand, One Heart.” For more information and tickets, $25 – $250, call 760-323-5123. Or go to www.palmcanyontheatre.org
Saturday, May 12, 11:30 am to 2 pm. The Press Panel: How to Make the Media Work for You! Get the low down on how you and your business or organization can benefit at the Palm Springs Women in Film and Television (PSWIFT) luncheon at the IW Club 44-500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells. Moderated by Pattie Daly Caruso, “Valley View” television host/producer. Local luminaries on the hot seat include Greg Burton, Executive Editor of The Desert Sun newspaper, Steven R. Biller, Editor in Chief, Palm Springs Life magazine, Karen Devine, News Anchor, KESQ TV 3 ABC, Gino Lamont, News Anchor, KMIR6 NBC, Brooke Beare, News Anchor, Local 2 CBS, Bruce Fessier, Special Projects Editor, The Desert Sun, and Gloria Greer, Social Editor/Palm Springs Life, Host/producer KVCR TV/Time Warner Cable. Patti Gribow, PSWIFT president says, “An opportunity to learn first-hand the workings of the media and get tips on how to get your message heard in the noisy hype of a crowded marketplace.” Get your questions ready! Also on the menu, scholarship presentations and honors for two organizations Tools for Tomorrow and BookPALS. Seating is limited. RSVP by May 7. Tickets PSWIFT members $30; Non-members $40. For more information or tickets, call 760-238-0306, or go to www.pswift.org
Saturday, May 12, 5 pm. TV’s “Bionic Woman” actress Lindsay Wagner, humanitarian, author, mother and Coachella Valley resident will be honored with the 347th Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, at The shops at The Corridor, 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive. President Robert Alexander will preside with expected guests actor Richard Anderson (The Bionic Woman, Six Million Dollar Man), singer/actress Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman), actress/entertainer Ruta Lee, and Dr. Gladys McGarey, internationally known as the “Mother of Holistic Medicine.” Ms Wagner’s films (Shattered Dreams, The Taking of Flight 847, Evil In Clear River, Child’s Cry), and books (The High Road to Health, New Beauty: The Acupressure Facelift) are best-sellers that display her advocacy and promote public education. “Every aspect of our lives will benefit from a shift in perspective that quiets the mind and opens the heart,” says Wagner. Open to the public. No admittance charge. For more information, please call Robert Alexander, 760-416-5811.
Saturday, May 12, Two Performances, 2:30 matinee & 7 pm. Encore performance(s) of Derrik Lewis’ Musical Chairs Concert series, namely “I Love A Piano!” And we do. Finally. After years of Mom’s nagging and tethering our fingers to the keyboard. Geeesch! And what tickles your ivories? Classical? Ragtime? A special tribute to Roger Williams? Whatever. It’s going to be a grand night for singing along with celebrated popular pianist Gale Enger. Disneyland’s own Ragtime digit-meister Robert Glenn. Prodigy-extraordinaire young award-winner Noah Yaghoubian, plus Esther & Hannah Yaghoubian. And introducing the sensational songstress soprano Porsia Smith. All will perform at the Joslyn Center, 73-750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, in the Arthur Newman Theatre, named for long-time board member and Joslyn Players supporter, Rancho Mirage resident Arthur Newman. Tickets, members $20, non-members and at the door $25. For more info, call 760-340-3220. Credit Card orders, 760-883-1800. www.JoslynCenter.org
Sunday, May 13, 10 am to 5 pm. Every second Sunday of the month, you get a free ticket to ride to the Palm Springs Art Museum to mingle, make art, and get messy! What a concept! Bring the whole family to enjoy activities, films, exhibitions, performances, and this coming Sunday enjoy the special treat of a celebration of Cinco de Mayo (Comingo 13 De Mayo) with generous support from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation with additional funding provided by The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation. Get ready to join in on The Art Party: Painting, Sculpting, Film, Sketching, Ceramics, Music, Printmaking, Photography, Performances and a Community Art Wall. For more information, call 760-322-4800, or go to www.psmuseum.org
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