Saturday, Feb. 27, Palm Desert Civic Center Park
By Pamela Bieri
National recording artist/saxophonist Will Donato will perform at The Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2016 on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park.
Donato has performed at the walk each year for the past several years as a tribute to his mother who had Alzheimer’s disease, and in support of the Alzheimer’s Association that provides support and care for an estimated 11,000 Coachella Valley residents with the disease, and some 33,000 families and caregivers who daily face the challenge of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or related dementias.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s opens with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Opening ceremonies start at 9 a.m. and the walk gets underway at 9:30 a.m. on a clearly marked course throughout the park, returning to the amphitheater where a health fair, festivities and awards take place. The website to register teams and individuals is now open at www.alz.org. Click on the Walk icon for the Coachella Valley Walk in Palm Desert.
Donato will perform at approximately 10:30 a.m. when walkers return and before awards ceremonies begin at the amphitheater. Joining Donato on stage is up-and-coming local saxophonist Chase Huna.
Donato is an award-winning composer whose 2014 CD release, Universal Groove, is his fifth solo CD release on Innervision Records. His current hit radio single, “JAY WALKIN,” produced by Steve Oliver, is on the Billboard Chart Top 30. Donato has performed with some of the best known musicians of the genre, namely Al McKay of Earth Wind and Fire, Bruce Conte of Tower of Power, Ricky Lawson Musical Director for Michael Jackson, Steve Reid of The Rippingtons, Steve Oliver, Greg Karukas, Nick Colionne. He also fronted Steve Reid’s Bamboo Forrest for four years.
More than 24 sponsors and health fair exhibitors will be on hand at the 17th annual fundraising walk to meet and visit with walkers, family members, and community volunteers. The walk benefits the national Alzheimer’s Association’s ongoing programs and services in the Coachella Valley.
Individual, family and friend, and corporate teams are encouraged to sign up now online and start fundraising for Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Coachella Valley office is located at 77564 Country Club Drive, Ste. 150, Palm Desert. Local phone number is (760) 996-0006 or online at www.alz.org.
