Desert Cities Guides
May 2009
| Brad Mercer and The Acquitted |
Brad Mercer and The Acquitted
 Friday, May 29, 2009
The Roadhouse
Palm Springs, California
Story and photos by Yvonne Scott
For more Yvonne Scott photos of Brad Mercer and the Acquitted at The Roadhouse, click here.
On Friday night, May 29, Brad Mercer, professional performer, singer/songwriter, recording artist and local radio personality of The Eagle 106.9 and his new band The Acquitted, debuted at The Roadhouse located on South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. The group was brought together by Mercer as lead singer and lead guitarist, along with Tim Kramer on guitar, James St. James on drums and Paul Villalobos on bass guitar.
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| Movie Review: Up |
Movie Review: Up
 Disney Pixar (2009)
Story by Allen Lawrence
Photos from Disney Pixar Official "Up" Web Site
After seeing the movie “Star Trek” two weeks ago, I figured there were really no other good movies that would be coming out this year. As a Trekkie for many years, I thought that the best had been done and space was clear to return to mundane and short-term diversions. I was wrong.
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| Desert Youth Ballet Performs Beatrix Potter |
Desert Youth Ballet performs Beatrix Potter
 Sunday, May 31, 2009
Indio Performing Art Center
Indio, California
Story by Janet Walker
Photos by John Garber
For more John Garber photos of "Beatrix Potter," click here.
Squirrels skittered, bunnies hopped, and mice tripped lively across the stage at The Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC) during the Sunday, May 31, performance of “The Tales of Beatrix Potter,” performed by the Desert Youth Ballet. Jemima Puddle-Duck, Elegant Fox, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Squirrel Nutkin were all there.
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| Hayah Living! |
Hayah Living!
(Hebrew/Arabic origin, pronounced “haw –yaw”)
Becoming. Being. Effecting.
New Beginnings
By Mika Young, “The Hayah Living Guide”
Hayah Living! is a monthly column for anyone looking to live a fully present life that inspires others.
I arrived back home to California on Aug. 8, 2008 (08/08/08), in order to begin anew after having lived in Massachusetts for 18 years. For many of those years, I lived my life as some self-proclaimed “savior redeemer type” trying to get others to the point of reaching their dreams while hiding from my own. With four extra thighs and two backsides later (HA!), the time had finally come for me to make up my mind and set off on the course to run my own race ... and win!
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| Movie Review: Terminator Salvation |
Movie Review: Terminator Salvation
 Review by Nick Jones
“I'll be back,” stated now by not only Arnold Schwarzenegger, but also Christian Bale in the new “Terminator Salvation.” Which of course begs the question, “Can Bale fill the shoes of Arnold as the new star of ‘Salvation‘?“ I'm sorry to announce I think not.
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| Private Lives |
Private Lives
 La Quinta PlayHouse Presents Noel Coward's ‘Private Lives'
Through May 31
La Quinta PlayHouse
La Quinta, California
Story and photos by Greg Begin
La Quinta PlayHouse is presenting an outstanding adaptation of Noel Coward's play “Private Lives” in La Quinta's quaint, historic district. Director and cast member Eric Olson and cast bring the 1930 comedy to life in the intimate theater in an entertaining way any married couple can truly appreciate. The three-act play tells the tale of two newlywed couples who happen upon their respective ex-spouses while both couples honeymoon at the same hotel in Deauville, France. Pictured are (standing, l. to r.): Victor Prynne (Eric Olson), Louise (Jane Parson), Amanda Prynne (Jenise Fryatt); (seated): Elyot Chase (Brian Raffi), Sybil Chase (Tawni Fiamengo).
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| The Ragamuffin Project Comes to the Valley |
The Ragamuffin Project Comes to the Valley
 The Ragamuffin Project Comes to the Valley
Indio Performing Arts Center
Indio, California
Story by Allen Lawrence
Photo courtesy of The Ragamuffin Project
The Ragamuffin Project is coming to the Coachella Valley. This talented and entertaining ensemble casts young local actors to present a program designed to educate and entertain children of all ages.
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| The Allman Brothers and Doobie Brothers Rock |
The Allman Brothers and Doobie Brothers Rock
 Saturday, May 23, 2009
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Indio, California
Story by Melissa Schoos
Photos by Cathy Jardine
For more Cathy Jardine photos of this concert, click here.
Oh, this story will be a piece of cake! It will be insightful and cute, and it will really get the readers' attention. That was what I was hoping for when I signed up to attend the performance of the Allman Brothers along with the Doobie Brothers at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Saturday, May 23. My name is Melissa; Gregg Allman wrote a song in 1964 called “Sweet Melissa.” I had to be the one to write the story, right?
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| Nichols Portrays Eartha Kitt Purr-fectly |
Nichols Portrays Eartha Kitt Purr-fectly
 Saturday, May 23, 2009
Indio Performing Arts Center
Indio, California
Story by Mika Young
Photos by John Garber
To see more John Garber photos of this event, click here. On Saturday, May 23, 2009, crowds made their way out to the Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC) to experience the previously three-time NAACP-Award nominated “My Name is Eartha, But You Can Call Me Miss Kitty” starring Suzanne Nichols. Old and young, black and white, gay, straight and undisclosed were instantly united through the exchange of one great Eartha Kitt story for another as they eagerly awaited the show to begin. An elegant and hilarious apology for temporary technical difficulties by IPAC Director David Clinton Reid proved to be a delightful and unconventional segue into a powerful presentation.
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| Purple Reign at Fantasy Springs |
Purple Reign at Fantasy Springs
 Satuday, May 23, 2009
The Rock Yard
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Indio, California
Story and photos by Stephen Torres
To see more Stephen Torres photos of Purple Reign, click here.
Saturday night, May 23, the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., was taken hostage and painted purple with funk when the one (but not only), “Prince” graced the audience with a performance by the tribute band, Purple Reign. Billed as the “Rock Yard On Steroids,” the event drew such a mass of people to the outdoor party bar that they overflowed the grass area and into the surrounding restaurants and cafés, but with free admission to the show, this was no real surprise.
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| Mr. Lucky, Chris Isaak, Rocks THE SHOW |
Mr. Lucky, Chris Isaak, Rocks THE SHOW
 Friday, May 22, 2009
The Show
Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa
Rancho Mirage, California
Photos and story by Yvonne Scott
For more photos of Chris Isaak by Yvonne Scott, click here.
This past Friday night at 9, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, musician and actor Chris Isaak opened his act at The Show at The Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa to a sold-out crowd.
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| Living Longer |
Living Longer
By Art Kunkin In his 2007 book, “Ending Aging,” Cambridge University geneticist Aubrey de Grey says that the technology required for allowing us to be biologically young for an indefinite time is now almost fully developed. According to de Grey, this biological engineering is so close to completion that the first people who will live to 1,000 years of age may be alive today.
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| New Moon for May |
New Moon for May
The New Moon Over Coachella
By Johnny Mirehiel
This column will be a regular feature on these Desert Cities Guides pages appearing at each New Moon. In this space, I will be using the astrological chart of the New Moon each month as it will appear over the heart of the Coachella Valley. Here is the chart of that moment for this month:
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| Summer Tips for Pets |
Summer Tips for Pets
 Summer tips for pets
The desert summer can be tough on people. But it can be even worse for cats and dogs.
Here are some summer safety tips for companion animals.
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| Thunder From Down Under |
Thunder From Down Under
 Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Spotlight Showroom
Spotlight 29 Casino
Coachella, California
Story by Melissa Schoos
Photos by Cathy Jardine
To see more Cathy Jardine photos of the Thunder From Down Under, click here. Life is good. And now I want to live in Australia. Or at least visit frequently. Why? Obviously you have not seen the men of “Thunder From Down Under” because if you had, you would not have asked that question. I reckon (I actually stood this close to one of them when he used that word. As in: “I reckon you can let go of my leg now, babe,” or was it “mate?” He may or may not have been talking to me) I should share my wealth of knowledge regarding the Thunder Boys, but whom am I kidding? You just want to see the photographs.
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| Joshua Tree Music Festival |
Joshua Tree Music Festival
 Friday-Sunday, May 15-17, 2009
Joshua Tree, California
Story by Stephen Torres
Photos by Alicia Garcia
Joshua Tree Lake Campground was the site this past weekend of the Seventh Annual Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF) showcasing more than 25 musical acts on three stages during the course of three days, while also hosting a few thousand well-to-do campers, spiritualists and general peace-loving, consciousness-raising folks out to listen to some great live acts. Aside from pulse-pounding, dance-inducing acts like Materialized out of Oakland and The Nortec Collective from Tijuana, the festival was full of art installations, both large and small along with countless activities that were geared for the family.
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| Aeromyth Tribute To Aerosmith |
Aeromyth tribute to Aerosmith
 Fantasy Springs Rock Yard presented AEROMYTH with amazing portrayal of Steven Tyler
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Indio, California
Story and photos by Yvonne Scott
To see more Aeromyth photos by Yvonne Scott, click here.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's amazing outdoor venue, The Rock Yard in Indio, Calif., bought out a true rocking of the desert under the stars at 8 p.m., Sat., May 16, featuring Aeromyth, the Aerosmith tribute band. Local DJ Mr. Brad Mercer The Eagle 106.9 was the master of ceremonies for the night.
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| Red Hot Ballroom 2009 |
Red Hot Ballroom 2009
 Saturday, May 16, 2009
Indio High School, Indio Ca
Story by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Allen Lawrence
Things got “RED HOT” at Indio High School on Saturday. Hundreds of
excited family members came out to see their children dance in the
first dance competition produced by Red Hot Ballroom, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by Bob and Nancy Horn. This was in
conjunction with the Desert Sands Unified School District and Indio
Performing Arts Center.
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| Travel Rally Day promotes Coachella Valley |
Travel Rally Day promotes Coachella Valley
 Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa
Rancho Mirage, California
Story by Lissa Giulioni
Photos by Yvonne Scott
For more Yvonne Scott photos of Travel Rally Day, click here.
Tuesday, May 12, is the newly proclaimed “Travel Rally Day!” More than 40 cities across the United States rallied on behalf of the Travel and Tourism industry. Here in the Coachella and highly visited top five destination places to visit in California supportively rallied at the Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
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