By Diane Marlin-Dirkx
Hello! Do you know what day it is tomorrow? (if read on 02/13/14) Here’s a double yodel, just in case: HEL-LO! Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! Now, don’t knock yourself out with that slap to the forehead, but open the storage compartment up there, slip in that thought and be careful not to delete it, you’ve got to “work it” today. The old saying goes, “It’s better to give, than to receive.” There are people, usually spouses who actually believe that. Legend-alert: When Claudius II forbade his soldiers to marry, a priest named Valentine encouraged young lovers to unite in holy matrimony. Jailed for the offense, the priest lost his heart to his jailer’s daughter and the two pledged undying love. (Long before he was made a saint, we surmise.) Did he give her anything other than his heart? Who knows? But obviously on the fast track to making a name for himself, he was a good catch for a jailer’s daughter. Don’t get caught empty-handed, nor (sigh) empty-hearted. You can do a drive-by looting of the counter at the quick mart as “das auto” slurps fuel, speed-dial your personal shopper to pick and pack the perfect bauble at your fav-rave upscale boutique, or plan the perfect date just for you two. Some suggestions:
Friday & Saturday, February 14 & 15, 8:30am-4pm. Heart tickling thrills for the whole family! Up, up and away in loops, dipping over the runway at 200 mph, whirling dangerous rolls and performing other elaborate maneuvers as amazed fans cheer the derring –do from these masters of the air. The air-show stars expertly built, beautifully designed airplane models piloted by the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club members. “Monstar Jet Jam2014” is action-packed, exciting heart-stopping entertainment and a terrific Valentine’sDay treat for all with awards, refreshments and featuring flyers and their model airplanes flying in from all over the Southwest. Limited grandstand seating, so bring chairs. $5 parking fee, with 50% and all other donations going to The Wounded Warrior Project. “These planes replicate the flight of a real jet with their sound, speed and beauty,” says Dan Metz, president of the local club. For more info, call 760-340-0836, or go to cvrcclub.com. Two day event is at the Canal Regional Park, Coachella.
Saturday, February 15, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Dog Pawty Celebration/Adoption Event. You are invited to attend the 3rd anniversary “pawty” at The Pet Hotel at Barkingham Palace, 34-550 Spyder Circle (cross street Dinah Shore) in Palm Desert. Living Free Animal Sanctuary and Loving All Animals will have some wonderful rescue dogs available for adoption. This will be a fun filled day with food, music, dog vendors, and agility demonstrations. Local musician Joe Baldino, will provide fabulous guitar music. Bring your well behaved dog on a leash. You may want to enter your pup in the “Royal Costume” contest for a $20 entry fee to win some fabulous prizes. Artists Karen and Tony Barone will be on hand to exhibit their latest sculptor, a 6 foot tall Golden Retriever. This promises to be a full filled day, and you just might meet your 4-legged Valentine. Call (760) 537-1172 if you need additional information.
Friday Thru Monday, February 14 – February 17. Lookie Loo Heaven! An annual event, Palm Springs Modernism Week features 80 premier national and international decorative and fine arts dealers presenting all design movements of the 20th Century—all in one place. Mid-century modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture will be headlined in over 100 events including the show and sale, home tours, films, lectures, double-decker bus tours, walking and bike tours, a pre-fab showcase, vintage fashion, live music events, a vintage trailer exhibition, and more. Modernism Week is a charitable organization providing scholarships to local students pursuing college educations in the fields of architecture and design, as well a efforts to preserve California modernist architecture. The Valentine’s Day Preview Gala, 6-9pm; $75 in advance; Feb. 15-17 Show & Sale, 10am, Weekend tickets available at door, $20. For more info, go to modernismweek.com. Main Events at the palm Springs Convention Center.
Thursday through Sunday, February 13-16. Online Complimentary Day Pass! She (or He) is a work of Art, take your Valentine to see more when The Palm Springs Art Museum present a booth at the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, coming to the Palm Springs Convention Center on The February 13 Opening Night Preview, which will benefit the museum. As a thank you, they are pleased to provide a link to print out complimentary day passes to this event. While at the fair, stop by the museum’s booth to receive more information on upcoming events and exhibitions. Meet 55 prominent national and international galleries. Explore 1,000+ important contemporary works of art. Enjoy inspiring panel discussions, impressive sculptures, installations and performance art. Receive a special Valentine’s Day gift! The Day Pass give you access to any one day of the fair, Friday and Saturday, 11 am-8pm, Sunday, 11am-6pm. Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs, For more info, call 800-211-0640. For Day Pass, go to: http://psmuseumdayps14.eventbrite.com For more event details, see the fair at http://palmspringsfineartfair.com
Sunday, February 16, 3:30-5:30pm. The famed—some would say —infamous mop-haired , pop-artist Andy Warhol captured those of the same ilk to great success in the art world of the sixties. At a concert, the artist is celebrated with Warhol’s World in Song: Musical Snapshots from the 60s. The evening features songs by Broadway’s Great White Way composers, including Sondheim (A Little Night Music), Bernstein (West Side Story)and modernist-meister Leitman. Wine, cheese and dessert follow the performance at the Heath Gallery, 222 Amado Rd., Palm Springs. Ticket, $75. Benefitting OperaArts Student Outreach program. For more info, call 760-323-8353, or go to OperaArtsPalmSprings.org
Wednesday, February 19, 7pm. ONE NIGHT ONLY! And now for something completely different, delirious, delightful and downright delicious. To wit: The Italian Heritage Club “Evening of Comedy II.” And if you missed Comedy I, they’re making this a laugh-filled evening you can’t refuse starring five talented guys who cut their teeth on pasta, namely Norm Crosby, Gary Mule Deer, Tony Calabrese, Filippo Voltaggio, and Steve Mittleman, all appearing in the Sierra Ballroom at Sun City Palm Desert for One Night Only. But boy, what a night. The Italian Heritage Club was founded 10 years ago. Membership is open to all Sun City Palm Desert residents and you don’t have to be Italian to join. Tckets, $5 per person, available at the Mountain View Club House on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 9am-12pm. Or call Frank Montiforte, 76 0-578-3479, or email MrFrank522@aol.com.
Wednesday, February 19, 8pm. “Stepping Out For COD” starring Tony Award winning Act-and-song-tress Bernadette Peters who, in a tiny frame has more power than most operatic fat-lady divas. Noted for headlining hot-ticket musicals on Broadway Sunday in the Park with Gorge, Into The Woods, Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun), respected interpreter of composer Stephen Sondheim, even with challenging roles and music, her voice and range are accomplished, springing across the footlights unleashed from under her fiery red mass of coiled curls to her toes. . Four of the Broadway cast albums on which she has starred have won Grammy Awards. More! She has garnered seven Tony Award nominations,, winning two. On TV Peters has been nominated for three Emmy awards, and In films, three Golden Globes, winning one. Audiences love her with ovations. Get ready for a show to benefit COD Foundation. For tickets, per person $65 to $150, call 760-340-2787, or go to mccallumtheatre.com
“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!
