By Curtis Hendricks
With the upcoming Thanksgiving break, many schools in out valley are using this time to show off some talented individuals in their Fall productions. November 21st through the 23rd, the Indio High School (IHS) Performing Arts Department will be performing The Diary of Ann Frank. Show times for the performance will be starting at 7:30 pm all three nights. La Quinta High School Performing Arts Department will be performing Almost, Main on November 14th through the 17th. Show times for Almost, Main start at 7:00 pm all four nights.
The Rancho Mirage High School (RMHS) is hosting various different events during the week before Thanks Giving. On November 15th, from 2pm-4pm, RMHS will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for their theater. RMHS’s web site states, “This will be the effective ‘ribbon cutting ceremony’ for Mrs. Helene Galen’s extraordinarily generous endowment to the Rancho Mirage High School Performing Arts Program. Please JOIN US to see the theatre, cheer for our friend Helene and support the most exciting high school performing arts program in the country!” The RMHS Theater will be named the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center (HGPAC). The RMHS choirs will be performing their introductory concert on November 21st, at 7pm. The RMHS website states, “Come to see and hear the excitement known as the brand new RMHS choirs. We will hear a selection or two from each of our groups, as well as an encore performance of our selections from the ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’! Tickets on sale now! Only $3 for general admission and $2 with a venom card (at the box office only)! 100% of your ticket price goes directly to the RMHS choir program and will provide scholarships and supplies for our singing Rattlers!”
The newly named HGPAC will also be a host for non-RMHS events in the coming week. The Cathedral City High School (CCHS) choir will be performing their annual holiday concert on November 16th, at 7pm. Gregory X. Whitmore, and the Cathedral City Symphony Band will also grace the new HGPAC stage with their season opener, Contrasts, and include special guests, the Desert Winds Freedom Band. The performance will take place on November 18th, at 7pm, and will be free to the public. Only 600 seats are available at the HGPAC.
Lastly, Hope Academy Charter in Palm Desert will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 19th. The ceremony will include an open house for the public to visit the school and learn the new learning environment and structure. Hope Academy Charter has also opened a new office in Indio for an independent learning program. Hope Academy Charter’s web site states, “We are proud to announce our Indio Satellite opening at the beginning of November. This site will be strictly independent study for grades K-12. Please inquire on site in Palm Desert or call to enroll.” Hope Academy Charter can be contacted at (760) 610-0861.
