BYLINE: DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
Happy Halloween! Every kid we’ve ever known, including yours truly, has always been afraid of the dark, of things that go bump in the night and sounds too eerie to describe, too horrible to hear through human ears, such as “cackling” which is forbidden this month. (Too Biden.) Yet, with the election on November 6 looming, we’ve heard that “Big Bird” is the costume of the year—the result of campaign feathers flying debate fall-out—and polls are show that we may be turning the fear factor into the fun factor for the party, perhaps both parties, as it were. At least, we’d like to look at it this way. So, dress as you imagine yourself, or as you want to be, draw couture-ish inspiration from a century, a character, or a creature by a mash-up from your own closet or jump a broom and head to a “Boo-tique.” Go ahead on October 31, freak your pals out! Go viral on your social network! Now that’s scary!
Today! Thursday, October 25, 11am. Hey, honey-bunny, we know the hour is early but swirl your mascara on tight because here’s your chance to be one of six Girls of Playboy Golf who will represent the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino during key events for one year! The modeling competition takes place with a walk on the runway followed by scintillating answers to a variety of questions from judges. Open to the public, beautiful girls from all over the state will compete before a crowd of cheering family and fans for a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of the final Playboy Golf Tournament. The 6th Annual Playboy Scramble will be held November 9 and 10 at Eagle Falls Golf Course in Indio. For more information, go to www.fantasyspringsresort.com/playboygolf.
Tonight! Thursday, October 25, 7:30pm. The locally produced film I Didn’t Come Here to Die will be shown one night only at the Camelot Theater in Palm Springs. Produced by desert residents Kim Waltrip and Jim Casey, the savvy heads of Kim and Jim Productions, the film is a story of 6 young do-gooders working on a humanitarian project in the deep, dark, deceptively beautiful forest who conclude after horrifying accidents (maybe-maybe not), rash and perhaps naïve decisions, and “the unpredictability of human nature” (Duh!), that “volunteer work can be a killer!” Waltrip, a Palm Springs Women in Film member and receiver of the Desert Diva Award at the organization’s Broken Glass Awards (upcoming March 1, 2013) has garnered critics’ awards and global exposure for her films— Adopt A Sailor, Visiting, Expecting Mary, A Thousand Cuts and Outrun— at the world’s leading film festivals. Tickets at the door, $7 and $11. 2300 East Baristo Road Palm Springs, 760-325-6565.
Friday, October 26, 3pm. Singer, Actress, Civil rights activist, dancer, icon and legend (whew, what a woman!), Lena Horne will be honored with a shining star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars for its 348th dedication ceremony. Though born in 1917, performing at 16 years old at the famed Cotton Club in Harlem (NY), her star will rise in full relief in the West, specifically at 139 S Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. The Hollywood star’s 1942 film Panama Hattie gave the songstress her signature song– the bluesy, mournful Stormy Weather. However she was more than a singer, actress and dancer, Horne was a civil rights activist, talking the talk and walking the walk by marching in Washington in August, 1963. After retiring in 1980, she starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: the Lady and Her Music which ran for more than 300 performances on Broadway receiving many awards and accolades. Spending many happy years in Palm Springs with her husband, Lennie Hayton, she died in 2010 at 93 years of age. More info at www.palmspringswalkofstars.com
Saturday, October 27, 9am – 2pm. The 5th Annual Fall City of Palm Springs Sustainability Celebration to promote “A Healthy Planet, Healthy You” brings out the best in the desert absolutely free! Mayor Steve Pougnet welcomes and invites Coachella Valley with this program to become aware of the connection between sustainability and wellness. Get ready to enjoy free food sampling, a certified Farmers Market, surprise celebrities, organic food trucks, family fitness activities, green vendors, raffle prizes including adults’ and kids’ bikes, gift baskets, bicycle safety check, electric vehicle display, wildlife exhibits—and so much more! It’s a wealthy, healthy circus for the whole family. Speakers will include Mayor Steve Pougnet, Dr. Stephen Gundry, author “Dr. Gundry’s Diet Evolution,” Scott Cole, author “Get Fit America For Kids,” Michelle Globis (“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution”) and Denise Ritche (“Sacred Cow Compost”). Location: 2300 E Baristo Rd., Palm Springs. For info, 760-323-8214, or go to www.yoursustainablecity.com.
Saturday, October 27, 6 – 9pm. Late breaking news! Nicole Barosi Gallery has registered 50 artists for the Day of the Dead fundraiser to benefit Food In Need of Distribution (FIND). Each selected a cigar box from the gallery at $5 each to transform into an altar artfully inspired by “The Day of the Dead” (Dio de los Muertos), a holiday celebrated by Mexico and globally that begins November 1 to honor friends and family members who have passed away. On Saturday night, the completed altars will be exhibited at the special Reception and Costume Party, where prizes will be awarded to the best costumes on attendees. On Wednesday, November 7, judges will determine the best altar at 5 pm with the winner receiving $250. Sale of the altars will begin at 6 pm, during Backstreet Art District’s monthly Art Walk and will continue through Sunday, December 2. Altars are priced at $77 each with $67 going to FIND. The artist’s name of the work will not be revealed until the transaction is complete. Nicole Barosi Gallery, HWY 111 and Cherokee Way within the Backstreet Art District, Palm Springs, open Thursday through Saturday, Noon until 4pm. Call for info 760-464-9203.
Monday, October 29, 2012, 7 – 9pm. Be alert! Here come the Demons, Devils and Divas with monstrously big voices to sing scary music to the benefit of little ghouls, goblins and gremlins for the OperaArts childrens’ programs! Soprano Suzan Hanson and Bass-Baritone Dean Elzinga will be accompanied by pianist and OperaArts Music Director Victoria Kirsch to perform music by Verdi, Gounod, Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd) and Tom Lehrer (The Masochism Tango) as well as dramatic readings by Shakespeare and (shudder!) Edgar Allan Poe at the Michael H. Lord Gallery in Palm Springs. No blood or gore will be seen or served; vampires and vampire-elles will be offered wine, champagne, sparkling water and an array of appetizers in the spirit of the spooky Halloween holiday. Tickets, $45. Order by calling 760-323-8353, or go to www.operaartspalmsprings.org.
Monday, October 29, 7 – 9pm. Howl at the Full Moon in full costume! The Joshua Tree Retreat Center at the Institute of Mentalphysics will host a community drum circle celebrating the Full Moon facilitated by percussionist Sam Sloneker in the Friendship Hall. It’s the fourth year of monthly community drum circles and you are encouraged to get in to Halloween costume and bring a percussive instrument from tympani to triangle to tambourine, from bucket to bongos to big bass drum. “Our drum circles are always lots of fun! Dress wildly!’ Says Sloneker, reminding us that when the sun and moon pull in the opposing directions with Earth in the middle, we are energized, as well as a mite unbalanced and “playing together in our circle” helps to ground and center us. No charge, but a suggested donation of $5 per participant, $10 per family is appreciated. Location: 59700 Twentynine Palms HWY. Info, call 760-365-8371.
“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Valley Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event! Thanks!
Comments are closed.