The Annenberg Totem Pole at Sunnylands had been restored to its original beauty. Sunnylands held a dedication ceremony in its honor. The Totem was made by Henry Hunt in 1976 and placed on the 5th fairway on the golf course in the Annenberg Estate. Over 100 people came to watch this historic event. The brightly colored tall Totem is back to the way it looked in when it was new and stands guard over the 5th green.
Center Director Janice Lyle and President Geoffrey Cowan welcomed the guests to this Dedication. Acting Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Jeff Grubbe introduced the Kwakiutl People. Henry Hunts son, Stanley Hunt, gave the history of the Annenberg Totem and explained the various parts of the Totem and their meanings.
The restoration was accomplished with the help of Stanley Hunt and his family, Wife Lavina and son Jacob.They apprenticed with Henry Hunt and continue their trade making Totems.
The Hunt Family along with relatives Mervyn, Coreen and Kaleb Child gave a splendid performance of tribal dances in traditional costumes. They described each dance and it’s meaning to the Kwakiutl tribe. Stanley and Melvyn played small drums for the dancers. They changed costumes behind a large cloth depicting items of meanings to the tribe.
Local Dignitaries Mayor Dana Hobart, Geoffrey Cowan, Jeff Grobbe and Anne Howe were asked to join them in a dance in full regalia. 4 children were also dressed in traditional garb and danced for the guests. Guests were asked to join along with a dancer around the area in a Conga-like line. Most of the people were eager to join in.
After the dedication ceremony, the guests were bussed to the Sunnylands Center. Family activities were planned to create their own Totem Pole design. Carving and painting demonstrations and story telling by the Kwakiutl Tribe members. Guests could visit the Gardens at Sunnyland Center which is open to the public on weekends.
Totem Pole ~photo by Pat Krause
Kwakiutl Banner ~photo by Pat Krause
Acting Chairman Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Jeff Grobbe and Sec. Treas. Vincent Gonzales lll. ~photo by Pat Krause
Director Janice Lyle, Jeff Grobbe and Mary Perry ~photo by Pat Krause
Dancers, Hunt and Child families ~photo by Pat Krause
Dancer and drummers ~photo by Pat Krause
Mayor Dana Hobart, Jeff Grobbe, Anne Rowe and Geoffrey Cowan ~photo by Pat Krause
Dancers ~photo by Pat Krause
Dancers ~photo by Pat Krause
Children dancing with Keakiutl dancers Natalie Navarro, Amy Delarrosa, adult dancer, Adrian Deleon and Amy Bauer ~photo by Pat Krause
Guests dancing, Bob Woodworth, Wendy Rogers, Dana Hobart and Tamara Cobbin ~photo by Pat Krause
The McCallum Theatre brought Engelbert Humperdinck to its stage on April 13th to a sold out crowd. Engelbert has been singing for over 40 years and has a large fan base. His fans continue to grow as young people all over the world are discovering his brand of music. He started with dance music and has recorded many kinds of music during his career including the ballads that have made him famous.
Everyone knows the words to Release Me as it was one of his top hits on the billboard charts. Engelbert started the craze for sideburns and longer hair. He even became a blonde for a short time. He was considered a heart throb entertainer in the 70’s and 80’s. Other famous songs included After the Lovin, Quando Quando, The Last Waltz and Spanish Eyes.
He mentioned he was here last year at the McCallum and loves this little theatre. He sang many of his older favorites and hit songs. He told the audience they would also be hearing some new songs they might not have heard before. His striking good looks, his dark eyes with the side burns still there and the longer hair have not diminished over the years. It is said that Elvis may have copied his style.
Arnold George Dorsey is his real name but his manager suggested the name of Engelbert Humperdinck after a Austrian Composer and the name stuck. It is a name one is not likely to forget especially after hearing him sing. He has been honored with four Grammys, Golden Globe Award, and a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame. He has sold over 150 million records, 63 were gold and 24 went platinum. An amazing accomplishment during his career. His new single, Love Will Set You Free is #1 on Amazon.com charts. He and Elvis remained friends for many years.
David Lindsay-Abaire, the off-beat playwright of such plays as “Kimberly Akimbo” and “”Rabbit Hole” (a powerful story) debuted his latest effort “Good People” at LA’s Geffen Playhouse last week. This time he takes a page from his own roots; examining the lives of South Boston residents or “Southies’s”, as they are affectionately known in Boston’s working class neighborhoods. Lindsay-Abaire proudly focus’s on his “Southie” heritage, and imbues his Boston-born Irish-American characters with a love of family, and their neighborhood (Southie), along with a ton of social, economic, and cultural problems in the process.
The LA theatre scene really benefits from having a wealth of talented actors who work and live in the LA area. After all, it’s the hub of the movie business and home base for many TV sit-com shows. The cast of “Good People” directed by Matt Shakman, boasts award-winning actors with solid credits, and a creative team you can take to the bank. Why then, was it so hard for me to connect with these “good people”? According to program notes and an interview with Lindsay-Abaire, regardless of his best intentions about plot, and characters, he says the play would inevitably end up being about class struggle in Brahmin-run Boston.
In today’s America, older urban neighborhoods have the preponderance of unemployed workers. The country has been in an economic crisis mode for three years, a scary sign of the times. What is the effect of this situation on America? That alone would make a great backdrop for a play about a serious subject – the steady erosion of America’s middle class. But alas, that is not the story Lindsay-Abaire wants to tell. On press night, the “laugh birds” were out, and the play took on the tone of a TV sitcom with laughs coming practically at the end of each line. Yes, laughter covers the pain and the collective shock of recognition on the part of the audience as to the core story, but let’s not lose sight of the plight of the characters in the process.
Lindsay-Abaire’s story stars the wonderfully talented Jane Kaczmarek, who portrays Margie Walsh, a combative single mom and high school dropout, who is habitually late for work in her low end, hourly paying job due to unreliable home care for her daughter, eventually getting herself fired. Margie alienates rather than generates any empathy or sympathy for her plight or for workers in similar situations. She drowns her disappointment, her resentment, her denial, and her future, in sharp-edged, off-putting self-destructive one-liners, and zingers that are aimed at keeping people who might be able to help distant. This passive/aggressive attitude may satisfy her pride, but it comes with a high price tag and at the expense of her future and that of her daughter. She’s now unemployed, with rent due, and a child with a major disability to take care of. Not a good trade-off.
Jon Tenney as Mike, a one-time high school beau of Margie’s is a “Southie” who got out of the neighborhood via the education route and hard work. Mike is now a successful doctor with a wife, a young daughter, and an upscale lifestyle and a beautiful home in the Chestnut Hill section of Boston. Margie, in a desperate move contacts Mike with the intent of asking for a job in his office, which sets in motion a series of events that lead to highly charged confrontations and moments of truth that touch the lives of Margie, Mike, and his wife Kate (Cherise Boothe) in unexpected ways.
Tenney’s Mike is a worthy opponent for Kaczmarek’s Margie. He’s a “Southie” too, and he won’t be bullied or forced to do something he feels is not in his best interest. Their on stage chemistry and nose to nose confrontations is the stuff that made Albee’s George and Martha so compelling to watch in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
Brad Fleisher as Stevie, Margie’s boss, Marylouise Burke as Dottie, Margie’s landlady, and Sara Botsford as Jean, Margie’s friend complete the solidly acted cast.
The creative team led by Shakman includes an excellent set by Set Designer Craig Siebels, and a nice mood lighting plot by Elizabeth Harper, and costumes by E.B. Brooks. The Geffen Playhouse, in keeping with its mission statement, is the perfect venue to present somewhat edgier, and interesting original work.
This story, although solidly produced, may not be my favorite play or cup of tea, but one cannot deny the passion and the talent of the actors who are working very hard to make it an evening in the theatre that one will remember. The play runs through May 13, 2012. Call the Playhouse at 310-208-5454 for reservations and ticket information.
Marylouise Burke, Sara Botsford and Jane Kaczmarek ~photo Michael Lamont
Brad Fleischer, Marylouise Burke, Sara Botsford and Jane Kaczmarek ~photo Michael Lamont
Jon Tenney and Jane Kaczmarek ~photo Michael Lamont
Jane Kaczmarek and Brad Fleischer ~photo Michael Lamont
Sara Botsford, Jane Kaczmarek and Marylouise Burke ~photo Michael Lamont
Cherise Boothe and Jon Tenney ~photo Michael Lamont
Jane Kaczmarek, Jon Tenney and Cherise Boothe ~photo Michael Lamont
Jane Kaczmarek and Jon Tenney ~photo Michael Lamont
LBGT Girl Power took over the KNC weekend with Parties all over the Desert. Club Skirts has hosted this 5 day event for 22 years. Pool and Spa parties were the norm with entertainment each night. The Riviera Hotel was the official host for 2012. Local gay and lesbian bars in Palm Springs were filled each day and night. This event has always been associated with the Dinah Shore Golf championship now known as the Kraft Nabisco LPGA Championship. The golf tourament has always been held at Mission Hills Country Club.
Ginny Foat, Mayor pro-tem of Palm Springs officially did the kick-off at a party at the Riviera. This is the biggest and best getaway for a good time and plenty of entertainment. Golfing fans could spend each day on the golf course watching their favorite golfer.
Actress and Author Meredith Baxter spent Friday night with the guests. Other Celebrities performed at various parties around town. Pool Parties and Concerts are such a big part of this weekend. Dances were held somewhere each night.
Saturday night was the biggest event with top names performing at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The famous Chaka Khan was the featured entertainer for Saturday nights party. Chaka Khan walked the Red Carpet before her performance. She is famous for songs like, Tell Me Something Good and I’m Every Woman.
The theme for Saturday nights party was Dinah Goes to Rio. Neon Hitch and newcomer B D Jean were part of the entertainment. Guests danced the night away. This LGBT Event brings a lot of people and money to the Desert and gets bigger each year.
Chaka Khan in Fancy coat and she brought her whip ~photo by Pat Krause
Chaka Khan gets interviewed by Channel 3 ~photo by Pat Krause
Desert Hot Springs, CA — The Board of Directors of the Desert Hot Springs Chamber Of Commerce has promoted former Business Development/Marketing Director Heather Coladonato to the position of Executive Director.
According to Russ Augustine, Board President, “The Board of Directors is quite pleased with Heather’s performance and competence in promoting the Chamber, growing membership and initiating programs that both elevate the Chamber and cast Desert Hot Springs, “California’s Spa City,” in a positive light.”
Augustine stated that the Board agreed that Coladonato needed additional authority and liberty to effectively move the organization forward and to represent the Chamber.
Coladonato, a valley resident since 1991, was named one of Palm Springs Life Magazine’s 40 Under 40 young professionals for 2010. She brings a wealth of experience in both national and international business relations as well as contacts from the greater Palm Springs area.
With a membership of 273, the Chamber serves business in and around the greater Desert Hot Springs region. For more information, contact the Desert Hot Springs Chamber office at 760.329.6403.
As the news and communications begin massive changes, so does the way everyday people communicate with one another. In a progressive city like Desert Hot Springs, the time has come for a more localized, friendlier social networking program that unites all of its people, businesses and services together. Here comes DHSToday.com
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