By Diane Marlin-Dirkx
Love what you ask? Think, dear Cupcake and Stud Muffin. February 14? It’s just around the corner! Valentine’s Day! For those aliens among us, this is the story we celebrate every year on February 14. Legend has it that when Claudius II forbid his soldiers to marry, a priest named Valentine encouraged young lovers to unite in holy matrimony. Jailed for the offense, Valentine’s heart was lost to his jailer’s daughter and the two pledged undying love (Long before he was made a saint, we surmise). We don’t know if he gave her anything other than his heart. You know the old saying, “Tis better to give than to receive.” (There are people who actually believe that.) But obviously on the fast track to making a name for himself, he was a good catch for a jailer’s daughter. For you, beyond giving a big, fat, box of Chocolate in all its glory and seductive selection, here is an assortment of musical evenings to complete a heart-felt gift from you to your Valentine. Read on.
Thursday, February 5, 7:30 – 9:00 PM. Serial Musical Evenings: Pete Carlson’s Jazz for Jazz Lovers features The Banda Bros. Sextet and all we can say is, “hot, hot, hot!” Led by Drummer Ramon Banda and Bassist Tony Banda, brothers who’ve been playing together and playing well with others, such as Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band (a 32 year-in-tune collaboration!) since before they were teens, starting with backyard jam sessions and wedding bands. Today the Banda Bros. are trumpeted as one of LA’s hottest Latin jazz bands performing a blend of Latin, Afro-Caribbean, and straight ahead jazz and original compositions. Hear and cheer them at Pete Carlson’s Golf and Tennis, 73741 HWY 111, Palm Desert. Admission ticket: $25 per person. Call for more information 760-568-3263, or toll-free: 1(800) 600-3263. Visit website: www.petecarlsonsgolf.com Seating is limited. Non-profit concert proceeds support jazz education and scholarships for young musicians in the Coachella Valley.
Saturday, February 7, 9:00 AM. The Desert Film Society presents “24 Days” (“24 Jours”). “Lia Award winner, Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel. Directed by Alexandre Arcady, in French with English sub titles, and based on true events that occurred in 2006 in France and on a memoir written by the victim’s mother. The narrative: A woman walked in to a wireless store on Boulevard Voltaire, asked for the sales attendant’s number and left. Later, she called asking to see him. Ilan wasn’t suspicious; he was 23 years old, with his whole life before him. How could he have known that he was flirting with death? Festival showings: Toronto Jewish Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada; Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel; Jewish Film Festival, Australia; UK Jewish Film Festival, UK; Boston Jewish Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival (NC), Palm Springs International Film Festival, USA .The “buzz” from Screen Daily: “French director Alexandre Arcady delivers one of the most wrenching and politically astute films to come out of France.” Palm Springs Camelot Theatres, 9:30 AM showing. Doors open at 9:00 AM w/film introduction at 9:20 AM. Discussion follows the film. Complimentary refreshments. Free to Desert Film Society Members, $15 at the door. Additional information: 760-770-0507 or visit www.desertfilmsociety.com. Desert Film Society is a non-profit 501 (C)(3) Organization.
Saturday, February 7, 8 PM. Here’s a swoon-worthy evening starring Michael Feinstein, hailed as “the most prominent ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” says the Los Angeles Times. We agree. The pianist brings his velvety vocals along with his heart to the McCallum for a show that examines the wide ranging canon of American song. Being a personable performer and host, Feinstein showcases both the influences and golden eras of the genre, sharing insightful commentary intermingled with definitive performances. In the late 1990s, Feinstein recorded two more albums of Gershwin music: Nice Work If You Can Get It: Songs by the Gershwins (1996) and Michael & George: Feinstein Sings Gershwin (1998). Feinstein’s albums in the 21st century have included Romance on Film, Romance on Broadway (2000), Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra(2001), Hopeless Romantics (2005, featuring George Shearing), and The Sinatra Project (2008).1988 he won a Drama Desk Special Award for celebrating American musical theatre songs. Feinstein is also a multi-platinum-selling, five-time Grammy-nominated recording artist. He currently serves as Artistic Director for The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana. For information or to purchase tickets, call the box office 760-340-ARTS (2787) or online at www.mccallumtheatre.com. McCallum Theatre accepts payments by cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Please note programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.
Sunday, February 8, 3 PM. It’s tune-up time for the 8 th Annual Doctors’ Concert Fundraiser for The Steinway Society of Riverside County. Ruth Moir, founder/president, doesn’t play around for this fundraiser, she encourages those in medical practices to put down one instrument for another in the interest of programs to “engage, educate, and inspire children, changing their lives forever,” Florence Henderson, TV’s favorite Mom on “The Brady Bunch,” is Honorary Chair of the concert. And we’d bet the doctors- Rainer Bergmann, Scott Aaronson, Murthy Andavolu, Lisa Lindley, Judith Zacher, Justin Thomas, Eric Fox, and Vincent D’Auria.– enjoy performing, as well. The non-profit Steinway Society produces classic concerts in schools for K through 12, including performances by internationally known professionals, Piano and ukulele labs for elementary group lessons in daytime/after school programs, financial need awards including lessons, pianos (!), Annual Festival Competition and Winners Concert, workshops, summer music camp and student mentoring, Music is Wellness performances monthly for the Memory Care Center at Eisenhower Medical Center. Reception and concert at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, 39000 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage. For tickets, call 760-341-4130, $65 per person/open seating. No practice necessary.
Friday, February 12 – Sunday, February 22. Modernism Week celebrates 10 Years! So Cool! So Party-Hearty Ready! Make it a Throwback Thursday night celebrating 10 years of Modernism Week at the best party of the decade! Fasten your seat-belts as DJ Jason Bentley, KCRW’s Music Director and host of ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ and ‘Metropolis’ will take everyone on a wild ride! Opening night guests will be the very first to experience CAMP, our new 30,000 square foot MW Headquarters. 7 PM – 10 PM at MW CAMP (Community and Meeting Place), 555 N. Palm Canyon Drive at W. Chino, Palm Springs, CA 92262 .Cost: $125 per person. Admission includes wristband for 5-day return admission to MW CAMP. Valet parking included. Adults 21 and over, please. Tickets are available at www.modernismweek.com/event/details/248452 Added Attraction on Saturday, February 21, 7 – 10 PM. Celebrate Modernism Week After Dark at the Vintage Travel Trailer Show! This fun and funky outdoor soiree will showcase 40+ beautifully restored vintage trailers, buses and Airstreams – many never-before-seen at Modernism Week. You’ll have the chance to place your vote for a “secret” trailer award and see this, along with other awards – including “Best in Modernism,” presented to the proud trailer owners who have travelled from all over the West to be at Modernism Week. Tickets: $25 per person; $15 for students (ID required); Free for children 12 & under. Enjoy retro Rockabilly music. Your ticket includes admission to the Vintage Travel Trailer Show party, entertainment and access inside the trailers. Food, beverages, cash bar, and sweet treats are available for purchase. No pets, please. At the Hilton Palm Springs Parking Lot, 400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
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!
