Events Calendar April 2012 THRU APR 1 Kraft Nabisco Championship. The first “Major” LPGA tournament of the year features top female golfers. Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. 760-324-4546 website THRU APR 1 Dinah Shore Week. Annual event is the largest lesbian gathering in the world. website THRU APR 1 In The Heights. The 2008 Tony® Award-winning Best Musical, is a moving, funny, and uplifting show about a community of hard-working immigrants seeking a better life and trying to find their place — their home — in their new country. With a remarkable young cast, thrilling Tony® Award-winning dancing and a dynamic Tony® Award-winning score, In The Heights is an exhilarating journey into a vibrant Manhattan community — a place where the coffee is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. Experience the next chapter of the classic American story at the most joyous and exciting musical on Broadway. If you liked Fiddler on the Roof, you will love In The Heights!Times vary. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 1 14th Annual Opera in the Park. Building on a thirteen year tradition, the 14th Annual Opera in the Park will showcase talented young artists from throughout the Southwest backed by a professional orchestra. This is sure to be one of the most magnificent collections of performers to ever grace the stage of this FREE annual public event.  Opera in the Park is a day-long event filled with fine art vendors, beer and wine gardens (presented by Jensen’s Finest Foods and Stella Artois), food booths, strolling performers, tented and shaded seating and a variety of new elements for children of all ages. The festivities start at 10:00 a.m. with Main Stage performances from 1:00-4:00 p.m. This incredible FREE day in the park is held in beautiful Sunrise Park in the heart of the City of Palm Springs located on Sunrise Way between Ramon Road and Baristo Road. Sunrise Park Palm Springs CA 10am-5pm. 760-320- 5272 website 1 T34 Fly-In. The T-34s return to the air museum for a weekend of flight exhibitions, formation flying, contests and just plane fun. In the afternoon on Saturday the T-34 pilots will discuss their particular aircraft and the reasons why they should be chosen “Best in Show”. Enter our drawing for a T-34 ride! Flight Exhibition Scheduled. Palm Springs Air Museum 1pm. Call 760-778-6262 website 1-6 The Palm Springs Photo Festival is an intense week-long event for professional, emerging and serious advanced amateur photographers. They are dedicated to providing a rich program intended to inspire, educate and instill or reignite passion for the art and commerce of photography. Hyatt Regency Suites, Korakia Pensione and The Palm Springs Art Museum. 800-928-8314 website 2-6 Spring Holiday Day Camp. Are you looking for the right resource for your child 5-9 years old? Each day a different educational theme!  “Down the Rabbit Hole”, Tomorrow Land, Simply Science, Frontier Land and Easter Fun! Sign up for a day or the whole week! Their Camp Director and staff of well trained camp assistants offer themed educational activities, art, stories, and special projects. Camp experiences bring children together through discovery of the world we share! Whether you need the day off after the Holiday to rest, golf or shop, The Children's Discovery Museum is the resource for your child. 8:30am-5:30pm. 760-321-0602 website 5-7 Boom Town. Journey to a time and place rich in adventure! Wonder at the outstanding acrobatics! Revel in the discovery! Early mining inspired machines serve as the playground for prospectors and adventure seekers in Cirque Mechanics' newest production, BOOM TOWN. The creators of Birdhouse Factory, the show the New York Times called, "Extraordinary!", transport you to the 1865 mining town of Rosebud, where an unlikely discovery sets off a series of hilarious and unexpected events full of the lore, excitement, and adventure of the Gold Rush and the Wild West! Times vary. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 6-8 Indian Wells Art Festival. A premier fine arts festival attracting thousands annually. Featuring 200 judged and juried artists and hundreds of pieces of one-of-a-kind artwork available for sale. Watch Glass Blowing, Monumental Rock Sculpting, Wood Carving, Pottery Wheel Demonstrations, Weaving and Mural Painting. Glass, Beadmaking and Canvas Stretching Demonstrations all day! Indian Wells Tennis Garden 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (Gates close at 4:30). 760-346-0042 website 6-9 White Party. Drawing more than 20,000 gay men from all over the world it's one of the largest events on the US party circuit. After-hours events and pool parties. 888-777-8886 website 7 Art Under The Umbrellas. Over 70 artists participate at each Art Under the Umbrellas event, located along the closed-off streets of this charming outdoor venue reminiscent of colonial Mexico. This makes for an enjoyable day outdoors perusing artist wares, exploring Old Town shops, and dining in Old Town restaurants. Art patrons will find quality artwork, while tourists will discover treasured mementos. 10 am to 4 pm. Old Town La Quinta. Free admission and parking. Call 760-564-1244 or visit website 7 Earth Day Eggs-travaganza. Celebrating both Earth Day and Easter, this daytime event offers a fantastic spring fling for families. Visits from the Easter bunny (in his very own Easter Garden) are paired with free carousel rides, face painting, jelly bean counting contest, live music, eco-crafts, green vendors, and more. Kids can make their own Easter baskets out of recycled materials, search for sweets at our GIANT Easter Egg hunt, and learn about all kinds of animal eggs at the Discovery Center. A special Fault Line Education Center and Tour and Easter-themed animal enrichment round out this fun family day. Don't forget to bring a recycled item (bottle, phone, can) in exchange for an incredible desert plant at our Garden Booth. The Living Desert. 760-346-5694 website 7 Callaway Sisters. Sisters and Tony-nominated actresses Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway will once again grace the stage of the Annenberg Theater, following their sold-out show last year. Don't miss the chance to see one of today's most celebrated sizzling sibling acts as they put their unmistakable stamp on songs. The show will be ignited with unforgettable songs from Broadway, pop and jazz. From heartwarming to hilarious, they will blend their celebrated voices in a performance that features highlights from their critically acclaimed shows"Sibling Revelry" and "Relative Harmony" as well as their newest show "Boom!" 8pm Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 760-325-4490 website 7 Lisa Lampanelli. Comedy's Lovable Queen of Mean. Heralded as "more than a standup -- a standout," by comedy legend Jim Carrey, Lampanelli is a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker, and a vial of estrogen. She has won accolades from The King of All Media Howard Stern, who called her "a true original and a brilliant comedy mind who'll steal the show every time." 8pm . Agua Caliente Resort Casino 800-585-3737 website 7 Kelly Clarkson. Since bursting onto the music scene 10 years ago, Kelly Clarkson has released 5 studio albums (Thankful, Breakaway, My December, All I Ever Wanted, Stronger), sold over 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the US and has had 9 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. 9pm Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. 800-827-2946 website 7 Keith Sweat and Brenton Wood. In 1987, Keith Sweat released his debut solo album Make It Last Forever, which sold three million copies. Brenton Wood is best known for his two 1967 hit singles: "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little Sign" which hit #9 on the pop chart and #19 on the R&B charts and sold over one million copies. 9pm Spotlight 29 Casino. 800-585-3737 website 8 Easter Sunday. Call ahead as some venues may be closed. 8 Annual Easter Egg Hunt. More than 3,000 strategically hidden eggs and a special visit from the Easter Bunny on a fire engine. Palm Springs Firemen’s Association annual Easter Egg Hunt at Ruth Hardy Park. 9am 760-323-8181 12 Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. A night of rock and roll from classic to contemporary honoring those who serve and protect, and benefitting the Veterans Affairs Program and Public Safety Academy at College of the Desert. In 1997, Gary formed the band with Kimo Williams and in 2003, it soon turned into a lifelong commitment to the USO and military causes. 8pm. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 13 & 14 Engelbert Humperdinck. Dubbed music's "King Of Romance," Engelbert Humperdinck has sold over 150 million records worldwide, including 64 gold and 24 platinum albums since he first entered the American pop charts with his smash hit "Release Me" (And Let Me Love Again) followed by the hit single "After the Lovin'." Engelbert is one of the world's premiere concert performers. 8pm. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 13-15 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival - Weekend 1 of 2. Annual alternative music festival will feature a mix of artists on multiple stages. This year's line-up will feature more than 150 acts including The Black Keys, Radiohead, Dr Dre and Snoop Dog. Empire Polo Field in Indio. website 13-29 Brigadoon. Musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Songs from the musical, such as "Almost Like Being in Love" have become standards.  It tells the story of a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years, though to the villagers, the passing of each century seems no longer than one night. The enchantment is viewed by them as a blessing rather than a curse, for it saved the village from destruction. According to their covenant with God, no one from Brigadoon may ever leave, or the enchantment will be broken and the site and all its inhabitants will disappear into the mist forever. Two American tourists, lost in the Scottish Highlands, stumble upon the village just as a wedding is about to be celebrated, and their arrival has serious implications for the village's inhabitants. The original production opened on Broadway in 1947 and ran for 581 performances. Brigadoon then received a West End production opening in 1949 that ran for 685 performances, and many revivals followed. A 1954 film version starred Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. Palm Canyon Theatre is a regional, actor’s equity facility providing affordable theatre in downtown Palm Springs. Times vary. 760-323-5123 website 14 Propeller Blades & Super Chargers: the mechanics of WWII aircraft. A plane is no better than its power plant, and engines have led the design and development of aircraft since the Wright brothers built the first airplane engine. Learn about some of the most iconic engines ever built and see, hear and feel them run. Engine Demonstration Scheduled. Palm Springs Air Museum 1pm. Call 760-778-6262 website 14 The Phantom's Leading Ladies. The Phantom’s Leading Ladies have collectively starred in hundreds of musicals across the country, including Broadway shows such as Show Boat, Singin’ In The Rain, Sunday In The Park With George and She Loves Me, plus more than 4,000 performances as Christine Daaé in The Phantom Of The Opera. Together and/or individually they have sung with the New York Pops, the City of London Philharmonic, the California Philharmonic, and the Santa Fe, Pacific, St. Louis, Cape, Chattanooga, Signature, Springfield and Stockton Symphonies; performing in such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Library of Congress and London's Royal Albert Hall. Since their debut in 2001 the Ladies have appeared in galas for Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre, the Children’s Burn Foundation and the American Heart Association, in San Francisco’s R.E.A.F. AIDS benefits and L.A.’s S.T.A.G.E. benefits, as part of Holiday Express concerts for Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans, and on national television for the 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon – sharing the stage with Michael Feinstein, Maureen McGovern, Lucie Arnaz, Tony Danza, Jack Jones and many others along the way. 8pm Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 760-325-4490 website 15 Festival of Opera & Art. Favorite singers from the 2011 fest Raul Hernandez and Daniella Nuzzoli, along with other great singers, will present arias from favorite operas, classic Broadway and melodic and beautiful operetta, accompanied by Maestro Gualtiero Negrini and his Festival orchestra. Well-known pianist Gale Enger will perform on the keyboard from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m. The main concert will begin at 2:00 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. A multitude of supervised activities and entertainment await the children, including face painting, arts and crafts, goal soccer and interactive art activities presented by S.C.R.A.P. Gallery. Artists in different genres will display their works. Bring your blankets, chairs and umbrellas and enjoy an old-fashioned day in the park. FREE to the public. 12:30-4:30pm Palm Desert Civic Center Park(760) 323-8353 website 15 Pasquale Esposito - Italian Tenor. Accompanied by his band of stellar musicians, Pasquale will take his audience on a journey of time and highlight some of the songs that have greatly influenced him as an artist.  Music will span from 1880 until 2011.  Enjoy a taste of Broadway, Opera, and traditional American, Italian, and Spanish standards on this unforgettable, musical journey through time. Aside from touring internationally, Pasquale has released several recordings which have highlighted his incredible diversity as a vocalist.  From his love of the Great Opera Arias to the American, Italian, and Spanish standards, Pasquale delivers songs in his unique pop-opera style that sets his warm tenor voice aside from all. Many songs from his latest release: "IL TEMPO" will be performed. 7pm. Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 760-325-4490 website 18 One Night Only. Jewish Family Service of the Desert Presents a Michael Childers Production of One Night Only, celebrating the music of the Gershwins. The stellar cast of more than 20 performers includes Lucie Arnaz, Brent Barrett, Ann Hampton Callaway, Patrick Cassidy, Carole Cook, Loretta Devine, Michele Lee, Freda Payne, James Snyder, and more. 6:30pm. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 18 Crosby Stills & Nash. The musical partnership of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash, is not only one of the most successful touring and recording acts of the late '60s, '70s, and early '80s -- with the colorful, contrasting nature of the members' characters and their connection to the political and cultural upheavals of the time -- it was the only American-based band to approach the overall societal impact of the Beatles.  8pm Agua Caliente Resort Casino 800-585-3737 website 20 3 Broadway Divas. Tony® award winner Debbie Gravitte, Jan Horvath of Phantom of the Opera fame, and Christine Noll join The Desert Symphony with knock 'em dead show stoppers from Evita, Gypsy, Wicked, A Chorus Line and many more. 8pm. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 20-22 Rock & Mineral Tailgate Show. Free Parking and Admission. 9am-5pm. Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center, Indio. Free Parking and Admission. 760-328-6916 21 Latinos in War: The American Military Experience. On December 7, 1941, when the United States officially entered the WWII, Hispanic Americans were among the many American citizens who joined the ranks of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps as volunteers or through the draft. Not only did Hispanics serve as active combatants in the European and Pacific Theatres of war, but they also served on the home front as civilians. Come and learn about the contributions that this often overlooked portion of our population has made in the defense of our country. Palm Springs Air Museum 1pm. Call 760-778-6262 website 21 Spencer Day. Fusing jazz, contemporary and folk/country genres, Spencer Day, 29, has enjoyed a musical career remarkable even for someone twice his age. His voice inspires comparisons to Harry Connick Jr. and his compositions to those of Cole Porter, Paul Simon and Rufus Wainwright. 8pm. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 21 Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe. Best known as reality TV Star and the lead vocalist of Motley Crue. They released such albums as Shout At The Devil, Theatre of Pain, Girls, Girls, Girls and their highest selling album, Dr. Feelgood8pm Spotlight 29 Casino. 800-585-3737 website 22 Earth Day 20-22 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival - Weekend 2 of 2. Annual alternative music festival will feature a mix of artists on multiple stages. This year's line-up will feature more than 150 acts including The Black Keys, Radiohead, Dr Dre and Snoop Dog. Empire Polo Field in Indio. website 24 Publisher's Birthday Gala. Celebrate the birthday of one of Coachella Valley's finest. 760-668-6863 26-28 Open Call 2012 Talent Competition. Don't miss the Valley's best performers ages 8 to 100 in an exciting talent competition that has become a McCallum audience favorite and sell-out event. Local artists team up with the staff and crew to present four visually stunning and energy filled performances. Vote for your favorite performer on Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Celebrate the winners at Saturday evening's final performance. Times vary. McCallum Theatre 760-340-2787 website 27 Rhythm in the Night. Your favorite stars from American Idol to Broadway will blow you away with an unforgettable evening of entertainment singing the #1 hits of our American Music Icons. Celebrating the Music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana! Expect to hear favorites like Livin' La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, and Let It Shin, with dazzling video and images in this One Night Only multi-media concert event! 8pm. Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 760-325-4490 website 27-29 Stagecoach. Annual Country Music event is one of the top destination festivals with more than 100,000 music fans in attendance last year. This year's line-up is led by headliners: Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Balke Shelton and Alabama. Empire Polo Field, Indio. website 28 Battle of the Coral Sea: A 70th Anniversary Tribute. In early May of 1942 a naval battle took place in the Coral Sea that helped shape the entire outcome of the war in the Pacific theatre as it stopped the seemingly unstoppable Japanese expansion in the Pacific. It was also the first naval battle in history in which neither side's ships sighted or fired directly upon the other. WWII veteran and Battle of Coral Sea survivor Vincent Anderson will share his memories of those fateful days in May of 1942. Palm Springs Air Museum 1pm. Call 760-778-6262 website 28 Polo Polo. Mexican comedian, known internationally for his practical jokes for adults, and its use as part of the gamble of his jokes, adorned with a light humorous misogyny in his repertoire. In the 90s Polo polo was becoming one of the favorites of the public and continues to travel Mexico and the United States. By the year 2000, Polo Polo had been an example of a successful career, in which the comedian had combined performance in movies, plays, and the presentation of his comedy shows8pm Spotlight 29 Casino. 800-585-3737 website