BYLINE: DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
Golly, and gee-whiz for good measure. We love summer. The first day of which arrived a week ago as of yesterday. Sorry, we didn’t remind you. We were too afraid it was a ruse to lull us into complacency immediately followed by one of those wicked summer monsoons in India and Arizona that encourage you to tie bells on your toes–but please, hold the dancing, Twinkle Toes. Do you know what tossed rotten tomatoes do to a “do?” Summer opens the door to much ado about everything and nothing, all at the same time. There are some things that we can’t do without in summer. My personal pick is a pair of pants you can wipe your hands on. (Don’t say that fast. Your tongue may dissolve.) Email your personal picks to linkx@dc.rr.com. Another summer must-have: An excuse to party! How about a celebration named for “the shot heard round the world?” Fireworks! Food! Frolicking under the stars! Here’s your invite: Independence Day is July 4. You’ve been reminded!
Saturday, June 30, 7pm. For an out-of-this-world evening, head to the Joshua Tree Astronomy Arts Theatre for the presentation of Scorpio Moon, featuring the evocative music of two local artists: Steve Rushingwind, an awarding winning Native American flute Player, and Clive Wright, one of the valley’s foremost Electronica, beats, Ambient guitarists, and middle-eastern Oud strummer. (The oud is a distant cousin of the guitar.) The concerts will be performed in the beauty of nature’s purest scenery, accompanied by state-of-the-art astronomy under the stars starring live images projected on two cinema-sized screens. Images will focus on the moon’s craters which will be shown in sharp relief, and also on seldom, if ever, seen images of the planets Saturn (not the car) and Mars (not the candy bar). Please bring chairs and warm clothing! Some food, refreshments and camping will be available. Donation, $10. Contact Southern California Desert Video Astronomers (SCDVA) at www.scdva.org, or on Facebook. Directions to the Joshua Tree lake and campground, off Sunfair Rd. in Joshua Tree, CA, or go to Google maps.
Sunday, July 1, 5pm – 8pm. “Jazz It Up” with Bill Marx & All Star Band for ACT for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) does just that and so much more at its 4th annual fundraiser at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Just one ticket at the special price of $75 (inclusive of tax/tip) through June 25 ($85 at the door) pays the tab for beer, wine or soft-drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a light buffet, a silent auction, plus all that jazz music acknowledged as the distinctive, exclusively American art form, the hottest around played by composer/pianist Bill Marx, known for his dancing digits and humorous patter learned from his Dad, the late, great and silent Harpo Marx. Hey, that’s cool! Another cool fact: The $40 donation to the Palm Desert-based charity helps Coachella Valley residents with MS by providing free physical therapy and other programs at no charge to enhance their quality of life. For reservations, call Anne at 760-773-9806, or email actforms@verizon.net. Mission Hills Country Club, 34-600 Mission Hills Dr., Rancho Mirage.
Wednesday, July 4, starting at 7:30pm. Calling all doodle dandies and doodle dandettes! Get ready for a spectacular celebration of Yankee (rebellious) independence at this year’s fundraiser in support of the Aids Assistance Program in the landmark O’Donnell House in Palm Springs. Designed by architect and artist William Charles Tanner, built by Alvah Hicks. supervised by Palm Springs pioneer Nellie Coffman, completed in 1925, the Ojo del Desierto was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. “This year’s location is guaranteed to be the best spot in town to catch the City’s fireworks display,” says Mark Anton, Executive Director of AAP, founded in 1991 and dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of those surviving HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $100 for the fundraiser and include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and valet parking. Purchase online at www.aidsassistance.org, or by calling 760-325-8481. Location: 412 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
Wednesday, July 4, 7pm. Fireworks at 9pm. Red, white, blues and more colorful spirit-soaring music to our ears! Starting at 7 pm with the National Anthem, Palm Desert celebrates Independence Day with a free concert by the “Swing Cats Big Band” 7:30pm program of all-American Jazz and Patriotic Music sent out on the warm desert air by professional musicians dedicated to the big band sound! They’ll perform at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park in the Amphitheater with fab acoustics and a summer-style vibe. Concertgoers are encouraged to tote blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets filled with your favorite snacks and soft drinks. (Alcoholic beverages and smoking are no-no’s.) This is an evening of patriotic tunes and swingin’ sounds from a talented band led by trumpeter and music teacher Dan Methe, an active member of Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) and International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE). He promises all music is orchestrated to get your toes-tapping, hands-clapping, voices-humming and bodies swaying and swinging from jitterbug to foxtrot, and more!. Location: Civic Center Park, San Pablo Ave. and Fred Waring Drive. For more information, call 760-346-0611, ext. 416.
Wednesday, July 4. “Carnaval of Lights!” The City of La Quinta invites residents of the Coachella Valley to celebrate the red, white and blue celebration with a Light Parade around the village area, chili cook off, live entertainment, games, food, at La Quinta Community Park, at 4:30pm, Flashy Fireworks display from La Quinta Resort and Spa at dusk. And don’t forget free swimming from Noon to 5pm at La Quinta Pool, Fritz Burns Park at the corner of Avenue 52 and Avenida Bermudas. Get a hot dog for $1. Not in the mood for a hot dog? Grab your red, white and blue snow cone for $1. Get ready to Party-hearty, courtesy of the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce, Desert Recreation District, City of La Quinta, Family YMCA of the Desert, Desert A.R.C. and more La Quinta-loving generous sponsors. For more information, call 760-777-7035 or visit www.LA-QUINTA.ORG
Wednesday, July 4, 5pm. Batter up! Nothing like cheering the home team at a great game of baseball on a holiday. Come enjoy the Palm Springs Power Baseball Team play the Casa Grande Cotton Kings from Arizona, at the Palm Springs Stadium. The Power baseball club recruits elite collegiate players from all over the country to play the all-American game for Palm Springs in the months of June and July providing affordable entertainment for the community in the Coachella Valley. Location: 1901 Baristo Rd., Palm Springs. Gates open at 5:00 pm. Game starts at 6:00 pm. Come see the game and stay for the fireworks at 9:15 pm. For more information call 760-778-4487, or visit www.pspbb.com
Wednesday, July 4. 5pm to 9:30. Semper fi! Party with the big guys at 29 Palms Marine Base for a night that has special meaning for all Americans, especially our soldiers. Live music by MCAGCC 29 Palm Band, a specially talented group with hot weapons in their hands, including horns, reeds, winds, percussion and more! And there’s nothing like seeing a fireworks show in the cool, crisp night air, surrounded by mountains, and the bravery and valor of our military men and their families. For directions and more information, call 760-830-5086, 29 Palms Air Ground Combat Center.
Wednesday, July 4. The 11th Annual Indio 4th of July Festival is being touted as “an old-fashioned patriotic Fourth of July celebration, with food, fun and fireworks. This momentous day in our country’s history, marks our independence from England and a ruling monarchy, and a promotion of “we the people” governance! Hurrah! The constitution lives! Cheer our history and our people at the Riverside County Fairgrounds. For more information, call 760-391-4175.
GO WILD JULY AND AUGUST! The Living Desert Summer Zoo Camp is dedicated to letting kids be kids while offering a selection of experiences themed to the appropriate age from 6 to 14 years. Marketing and P.R. Manager Nyla Patzner says, “Our Summer Zoon Camp is popular with children of all ages and interests. Kids have so much fun they lose track of the fact that they are actually learning about the animals and desert environment. It is also popular with parents who are looking for a safe and unique way to get their children out of the house for a few hours in the morning.” Now there’s an honest woman. We like the way she thinks. Here’s the scoop: Weekly, half-day sessions for ages 4-12 are offered July 2nd – July 6th, July 16th – July 27th, July 30th – August 3rd include animal encounters, special behind-the-scenes visits, games and more. Special 2-day ZooCampers, ages 6 to 14, includes Jr. Rangers Program at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Session A, July 9th – 10th, 9am-2pm. Session B, July 11th – 12th, 9am to 2pm.
Desert Explorers Programs, ages 10 to 14: Session A, August 6th – 7th, 8am to 12noon. Session B, August 8th – 9th, 8am to 12noon. For more information, including ZooCamp Sleepover, call 760-5694, or visit www.LivingDesert.org.
Thursday, August 2, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. The USC Alumni Club of the Desert in partnership with Trojan League Associates of the Desert and Trojan Club of the Desert invite you to the “Scend Off!” for new USC students, and those returning scholars and their families. Enjoy a meet and greet cocktail reception, delicious buffet dinner, fun presentations, student gift bags, and “AWESOME” raffle prizes. All students with parents or two guests attend at no charge as guests of USC Alumni. For additional guests, alumni and friends may attend at $35 per person. Dress code: Business casual. (Warning to revolutionaries: No jeans, short-shorts, t-shirts, hats, or collarless shirts!) For more information, call Craig at 760-832-8620, ext. 40, or RSVP by July 27 to craig@kevaworks.com. Location: Desert Falls Country Club, 1111 Desert Falls Parkway, Palm Desert.
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