BYLINE: DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
Halfway through the joys of summer where “easy does it” seems to be the traditional motto, the mission, and not the translation of the unspoken “scream” from the Norwegian expressionist Edvard Munch pastel that early May was gaveled down for $120m in a12 minute bidding war. Although non-admirers gargled glass shards at the price, others, drooling, called the work “priceless.” We just thank the muses that this painting didn’t set the tone for the season. Whatever. Value, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. And during the season, we could all use an escape. Whether your escape is a snooze in a breeze-fueled hammock or a sound-barrier breaking scream from a roller coaster, make it count, make it joyous in the last days ahead of summer pleasures. Easy does it.
Thursday, July 26, 4pm-8pm. Last chance to see two Global Lens free film series screenings at the Palm Springs Art Museum (PSAM). They’re free, they’re provocative, from new young directors and countries not typically associated with film making. Qarantinam is the stunningly photographed story of a broken family in a dilapidated Baghdad house who take in a sullen and imperious boarder that turns out to be a contract killer. Yikes! And on August 2, Tollbooth will unspool a “wry, heartbreaking story of a lonely tollbooth attendant and a woman who drives by every day. Annenberg Theater at The Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs. PSAM is open on Thursday nights with free admission between 4-8pm with temp set at 75 degrees! Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. Info, call 760-325-7186, or visit www.psmuseum.org.
Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28. Bling Alert! Today and tomorrow “All That Glitters” is on sale at the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop in Rancho Mirage. Showcase after showcase of vintage and contemporary jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, rings, pins and brooches, by the names you know in design, each piece pre-worn and gently cared for by only the most discriminating fashion plates before being donated for a good cause that touches everyone. All funds raised support the free programs and services of the American Cancer Society. A unique resale shopping experience, window-gazing at the Discovery Shop is similar to visiting the most exclusive boutiques of designer clothing, jewelry for men and women, plus a plethora of gift and sundry for your home—all at great prices. And that’s putting it mildly. Get your racing shoes on and sharpen your elbows. Summer hours are 9am – 5pm, and the staff is welcoming and knowledgeable. Located at 42-446 Bob Hope Dr., in the Rancho Las Palmas Shopping Center, across from the River in Rancho Mirage. For donations or volunteer information, please call the Discovery Shop at 760-568-5967. For information on the American Cancer Society’s programs and services, call anytime at 800-ACS-2345, or visit online at www.cancer.org/discovery , or www.discoveryshop-ranchomirage.org.
Saturday, August 4, 10am to 2pm. If you’ve been starting your sentences start with “What this family needs…”, think about completing it with “a good strong walk together.” (We think “a good strong talk together” is possible, if the kids will listen. Not.) A “Strong Family Walk” at Westfield Palm Desert mall benefits Olive Crest, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk children through the healing power of family. Mission? Since 1973, Olive Crest has been dedicated to preventing child abuse, treating and educating children and preserving the family…”one life at a time.” Wow! And we’ve always said, “The family that shops together, stays together.” Here’s the 4-hour run-down: Meet at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, lower level, Westfield Shopping Mall. As you register your family, each walker will receive a validated Passport to selected stores inside the shopping center providing opportunities for raffle baskets full of exciting gift items donated by participating Westfield merchants. Per person cost, $10 registration fee, or $50 for a family of six or more. Sponsors are Westfield Palm Desert, Macy’s, Coachella Valley Weekly. And Rob Zwemmer and Associates. For details and early registration by credit card, please call Olive Crest at 760-341-8507, or visit www.olivecrest.org. All proceeds support local Olive Crest programs in our community. Westfield Palm Desert Mall, 73840 Highway 111, Palm Desert.
Saturday, August 11, 7pm – Midnight. Hot? Here’s a cool shower you won’t want to miss. The 6th Annual Perseid Meteor Shower will be hosted by the Mojave Desert Land Trust who endeavors to preserve desert wilderness including our beautiful night skies under the stars. Romantic, yes? Here’s the sigh-worthy scoop. The Perseids are considered by many to be the best meteor shower of the year, sometimes peaking at 50 per hour. Expect a great night for meteor-watching, but wait: The star show will not be confined to the sky. The Southern California Desert Video Astronomers will donate their time and equipment to project spectacular live images from deep space onto the side of the Integratron building using powerful telescopes and a state-of-the-art projection system. Built in the 50s by aerospace engineer George Van Tassel who claimed that extraterrestrials gave him the all-wood design, it has an acoustically perfect sound chamber where you can experience a “sound bath.” A scientist from Joshua Tree National Park will give a presentation to ambient live music during the event. There will be a raffle, Aspen Mill desserts, and a coffee bar. Tickets are $40 per person for Land Trust members; $55 for non-members which includes membership. Kids 12 and under are free. Overnight camping is an additional $30 per person and includes a continental breakfast. Bring comfortable chairs or blankets, water bottles (refills available on site), flashlight, camping gear. Location: The Integratron, 2477 Belfield Blvd., Landers, CA 92285. More info: www.integratron.com. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Purchase tickets at www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org. Or call 760-366-5440.
Monday, August 6 through Friday, August 24, 1pm – 5pm. So, your kid wants to be an actor? If he or she sees the Hollywood star rising over them in the west, give your budding Daniel Radcliffe, Dakota Fanning, Miley Cyrus or Justin Beiber, the creative edge by casting him or her in The Play Project! It’s an improvisational acting class for 6 to 18 year olds in a fun, supportive environment led by Jeannette Knight, an award-winning actor, director and educator, whose body of work includes over 40 roles and 20 directing credits nationwide. She has served as an artist-in-residence for the California Arts Council, Beaumont Actors Studio, and the McCallum Theatre. Currently, she is on the theatre faculty at the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy, one of only three arts-based boarding schools in the United States. Rosie’s Kids, a Coachella Valley charity is helping to make this acting program more affordable for children and their families by offering grants to cover all fees. Founded by Rosie Welmas, who saw the need while coaching children’s cheerleading squads, her organization helps with providing funds for the extracurricular activities that encourages growth as well-rounded individuals. Cost: $150 per child. For more information, call Rosie Welmas at 760-574-1828, or email mdwelmas@aol.com. Location: 45-140 Towne St., Indio.
Thursdays, August 9 through September 6, 6pm. Free Films! Nice alliteration, Palm Springs Art Museum (PSAM) and Palm Springs International Film Society (PSIFS)! These two dynamic organizations have continued a partnership which is tightly focused on bringing a quality film series to diverse audiences across the Coachella Valley on a consistent basis. Every film in this August into September series qualifies as a genuine classic comedy, some droll black comedy, some all-American vaudeville slapstick, all terrific. Tonight, Thursday, at the Annenberg Theatre the first film unreeling with giggles galore is Duck Soup (1933), starring the Marx Brothers, namely (as it were) Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo, with the ubiquitous always-looking-for-love tank Margaret Dumont. To which Dumont might respond, “I resemble that remark.” (Apologies to Groucho!) Calendar: August 16, Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), Dir. Frank Capra with Cary Grant; August 23, The Ladykillers (1955), Dir. Alex Mackendrick with Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers; August 30, Dr. Strangelove or How I leaned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), Dir. Stanley Kubrick with Peter Sellers and George C. Scott; and on September 6, Annie Hall (1977), Dir. Woody Allen with Diane Keaton. Annenberg Theater at The Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs. More info, call 760-325-7186, or visit www.psmuseum.org.
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