by Lola Rossi-Meza
Plan to attend the Fifth Annual Loving All Animals Super Pet Adoption Fair with an exciting line-up of entertainment on the Main Stage produced by Lola Rossi of Prestige Entertainment on Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., being held at the Whitewater Park in Rancho Mirage.
The event will open with the Boy Scout Troop #262 Color Guard and the raising of the United States Flag while Lola Rossi sings “The National Anthem” on both days at 10 a.m. followed by a performance with pianist and vocalist Denise Motto. At 10:30 a.m. also on both days, Valerie Mahabir presents a performance by The Desert Youth Ballet. After a few announcements, smooth jazz guitarist, Joe Baldino, performs his unique style of original music from his CDs, available for purchase. Rossi and Motto return to the stage with guest saxophonist Chase Knun, a young musician currently working on his first CD project.
Headlining on Saturday and Sunday will be impressionist, comedian, actor and musician, Rex Meredith, who made his home and raised his family here in the Desert. He has performed all over the world and is making a special appearance to help this organization find good homes for the animals during the event. Meredith has performed on the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson; “An Evening At The Improv”; The Merv Griffin Show; and at “The Comedy Store”; to name a few, and hosted his own show, “The Laff Shop with Rex Meredith.”
Also headlining on Saturday is jazz vocalist and recording artist Peter Marin. He will perform with pianist David Ring, drummer Jay Lewis and bassist Tibor Lesko. Meredith and Marin will alternate from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. with a short intermission during the Mayor’s Recognition Award presentation.
Motto returns to the stage shortly after at 3 p.m. to perform acoustic jazz with guitarist Steve Crowell, and then presents a high energy Dance Show featuring Eva and the Rio Color Dancers, to end the day on a “high note” with a Samba.
The event begins the same way on Sunday at 10 a.m. with announcements at 11 a.m. followed by pianist Donnie Beck and vocalist Elaina Beck with saxophonist John Bolivar performing R & B along with a few original songs. After a few announcements, guitarist and vocalist John Stanley King takes the stage with fiddler Eric Frankson and the band. Since it is Sunday, around 1 p.m., Rossi will sing an inspirational song, “We Lift You Up” followed by a special “Blessing of the Animals” by Father Howard Lincoln of Sacred Heart Church in La Quinta.
Comedian Rex Meredith returns to the stage around 1:15 p.m. and will alternate until 3 p.m. with entertainer Fleet Easton, who is also headlining that afternoon with a performance and style that is uniquely his. In between their two shows, the Heatwave Faculty Band with Bolivar on sax, Tomas Granillo on drums, guitarist Todd Ashley and bassist Mike McMahon, who is also directing the Sound Crew for the entire event. As a matter of fact, all the Sound and Staging is provided by the Music Program of the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley under the direction of Jim Little, with some support from Icon Presentations.
The Heatwave Jazz and Show Band will perform during the final hour of this annual event. Musicians include: Danielle King on piano and vocals; vocalists Ariss Durazo and Holly Tuck; Granillo on drums; Mat Emery on bass; Nick Henry on alto saxophone and Jacob Guaydacon on tenor saxophone.
Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend this very special event for the entire family.
