BYLINE: DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX

I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted as a result of Monday’s “day off” from our labors, i.e., our national holiday of Labor Day. This work-free day (Yeah, right.) marks the end of summer. It marks the end of watching the butter slip down the chin of our venerated Grandpa—or chins in the case of Grandma—as they chaw through the last sweet cob of corn of the season, scoop up another helping of Auntie Em’s potato salad, and start the count of days until the next get-together with the beloved extended family. (Here’s a clue, “Gobble, gobble!”) In the meantime, here and now we have a lot of events scrambling for attention from locals and our seasonal visitors—fondly called “snow birds.” And for those who are ready to hit the tarmac running, we’ll keep you clued in during what we fondly call, “The Season.” Lots to see. Lots to do. Life is good.

Saturday, September 8, 8pm. Pink Martini time at the McCallum Theatre! “If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, Pink Martini would be that band,” says bandleader/pianist Thomas Lauderdale, founder of the “little orchestra” that’s a global sensation with a delicious and wildly diverse repertoire of musical travels from a Rio de Janeiro samba to a French bistro to a palazzo in Napoli, and beyond. In January, 2012, they recorded The Little Tramp Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” with the late comedienne Phyllis Diller soon to be released on an album. The performance of Pink Martini is made possible through the generosity of Helene Galen—way to go, girlfriend! Tickets are $35 to $95. Call the McCallum Theatre Box Office at 760-340-2787, or go to www.mccallumtheatre.com. Location: The McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert.

Sunday, September 9, 10am to 1 :30pm. “Pink Hats on Parade” will be the creative competition (3 prizes will be awarded!) at a brunch as the Inland Empire Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure celebrates cancer survivors, and their family and friends at the Palm Valley Country Club. Guest speakers include Dechen Farrow, CNC Superior Health Nutrition Consulting and Regina Savage, breast cancer survivor, author, motivational speaker. The Komen Inland Empire Affiliate has awarded grants totaling nearly $5.5 million to local San Bernardino and Riverside County non-profit organizations. With the “Race to the Cure” and other fundraising events, the affiliate funds low- or no-cost breast health services, treatment support programs, patient navigation and community outreach, as well as support for survivors and families. Register online at www.komenie.org, $20 per person. For more information, call Katie Parker, kparker@komenie.org, or 951-676-7465.
Sunday, September 9, 6:30 – 9pm. “Party Hearty!” That’s the request on the invitation to a benefit for The Well in the Desert. It couldn’t be more fitting as an honor to the organization’s late friend Chuck Hodges. The charity provides daily hot meals, emergency food assistance, weekly supplemental food distribution, and access to community services to the working poor, the homeless, seniors, handicapped and others in need throughout the west end of the Coachella
Valley—and have for 15 years. Join the party in The Purple Room at Club Trinidad for music, dancing, dinner buffet. Entertainment will be provided by notable locals vocalist Lola Rossi, Reggie “Vision” Alexander and pianist Denise Motto. $35 per person, no-host bar. Call 760-323-8353 for reservations. Credit cards accepted, or pay at the door. Location: Club Trinidad, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. Donate to Well in the Desert, PO Box 5312, Palm Springs, CA 92263.

Advertisement

Tuesday, September 11, 7:30pm. Filling “the skies with music every September 11th,” the September Concert is the Coachella Valley’s longest running annual 9/11 remembrance event of the country’s horrific attacks in 2001. The free concert takes place at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park presented by the Palm Desert Sister Cities Foundation. It gives our community an occasion to come together to celebrate universal humanity through music, to honor the courage of those who gave their all on that tragic day, as well to salute the dedication of all those who have served, suffered and sacrificed since that day. As elsewhere around the United States and around the world, this anniversary will remember with patriotic music and a tribute-themed program. Organizers expect hundreds to attend and encourage everyone to bring chairs, blankets, water and a candle. Location: Civic Center Park, Fred Waring Dr., and San Pablo Ave. For more information, visit www.palmdesertsistercities.com, or call 760-333-4629.
Sunday, September 16, 4-6pm. It’s a first! A Disco Tea Dance premiers a poolside party benefitting the Aids Assistance Program at the Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel known by its joie de vivre in festive colors and ever-so-savvy sharp style! The evening puts up on stage San Francisco’s favorite DJ Jerry Bonham (SF’s “Remember the Party”) with a special performance by legendary Disco Diva Martha Wash. Get ready to get down, get out by the pool to the hottest sounds around. Speaking of get-up, is there a dress code for pool-side partying? For tickets ($45 per person), and more info, call 760-321-8481, or visit www.aidsassistance.org. For discounted rooms at the Saguaro, call 760-323-1711 and use rate code AApdisco. Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel, 1800 E Palm Canyon Way (at S Sunrise Wy.).

Wednesday, September 19, 1pm. Hear the real skinny on U.S. Diplomacy from Foreign Correspondent Nicholas Kralev, author of the non-fiction book, America’s Other Army. Journalist, author and lecturer, Kralev will speak on his ten years of travel with four U.S. Secretaries of State as diplomatic correspondent for the Financial Times and Washington Times, traveled to 80 countries, visiting 50 U.S. embassies and interviewing 600 career diplomats. Find out what Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and Madeline Albright were really thinking as they dealt out and made deals in foreign policy. A correspondent with highest level access, Kralev shares “behind the scenes secrets, how it affects our daily lives, contributes to U.S. security and prosperity,” plus the challenges ahead for the 21st century. Held at the non-profit Palm Springs Air Museum, the program is included with regular museum admission, ranging from $8 to $15. Book signing follows. Seating limited. Call 760-778-6262, or visit www.palmspringsairmuseum.org. Location: 745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs.

“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event! Thanks!

Comments are closed.