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The Venue Report, August 2019: Styx, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Mary J. Blige, UB40—and a Whole Lot More!July 26 2019
Although August is one of the slowest months for entertainment in the desert—and the second half of this particular August is especially dead—there are still many events, many places to catch a drink, and many bands coming through town.
Interestingly, most of the events this month are either '90s projects (the kind of artists that will make you say, "Oh I remember them!") or contemporary underground acts. Whether you like throwback pop or underground alternative rock, there is something for everyone across our vast, eclectic desert community.
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage has the first notable event on the Venue Report this month: At 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, the legendary Chicago band Styx will take The Show stage. Tickets start at $65. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.
At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3, Spotlight 29 will host the Pop 2000 tour with host Lance Bass and performances by O-Town, Aaron Carter, Ryan Cabrera and La Quinta-native-turned-Hollywood-star Tyler Hilton. Unfortunately for those wanting to hear "Bye Bye Bye" or "It's Gonna Be Me," the event details say Lance Bass is only hosting and not performing. I know from experience that hosts don't usually perform; I once went Wango Tango, crossing my fingers for the host, Britney Spears, to drop a surprise performance. Didn't happen. Nevertheless, the show will be interesting if you are nostalgic for the third wave of '90s boy bands. Tickets start at $35. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31, UB40 will arrive at Spotlight 29 for a performance as part of the British reggae band's 40th Anniversary Tour. Tickets start at $35. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
On Sunday, Aug. 4, The Alibi, downtown Palm Springs's coolest new venue (learn more here), will welcome '90s alt-rock band Imperial Teen; the exact show time has not been announced. The four-piece multi-instrumental band from San Francisco has an alt/grunge, instantly recognizable sound, with alternating male/female vocals. The group's most-famous song, "Yoo Hoo," is featured in the cult classic film Jawbreaker, starring Rose McGowan. The video for the song features the Imperial Teen lead singer being tied to a bed and teased by the actress herself. Lucky guy! The event is free for those 21 and older. The Alibi Palm Springs, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-656-1525; www.facebook.com/palmspringsalibi.
Be prepared for a short drive up Interstate 10, because at 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, Morongo Casino Resort Spa is hosting a show by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds (below). He's mostly known for his production talents and for writing songs for many other people, including Madonna, so it's interesting to see him embarking on a solo tour. Together, Madonna and Babyface released one of my favorite songs, "Take a Bow." Here's hoping Babyface plays it, or that Madonna will be there, or that she herself returns to the desert one day (insert cry face emoji). Tickets start at $49. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.
At 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, Pappy and Harriet's will welcome Oh Sees. You can read an interview with the band's leader, John Dwyer, here, but I'll add this: The group's wild, exciting, antic-filled show is guaranteed to be worth the drive. The band puts on an in-your-face, loud performance that's perfect for the outdoor stage at Pappy and Harriet's. Want a hot summer night with some exciting, skuzzy, punk-rock sounds? Cold beer? And views? Check. Check. And check. Tickets start at $30—but they were listed as sold out as of our press deadline. You can get them on secondary-sales websites, but you'll pay a lot more. Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.
At 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino will feature a performance from Mary J. Blige. She has many hits, and it promises to be a good throwback night. Tickets start at $79. At 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23, Fantasy Springs will host another Grammy Award-winning singer, Boz Scaggs. You most likely have heard the song "Lido Shuffle" at some point in your life, but you somehow haven't, do your ears a favor, and bless them with the song. Tickets start at $49. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
At 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 12, Indio's Club 5 Bar—along with Ian Townley and Kylie Knight, Indio-based artists and musicians—will host Host Family, Flexing, The Teddys and Carlee Hendrix. Flexing is a touring band from Corvallis, Ore., that has a dark, angular post-punk sound with a female vocalist, reminiscent of Savages, as well as Editors. The group is coming down to Indio to support recent release Modern Discipline. The Teddys is the new project from Indio's Bryan Garcia, drummer for the recently defunct Town Troubles. Host Family is an up-and-coming indie band that is making big splashes in the desert and beyond, with a sound reminiscent of Beach Fossils or Mac DeMarco—a laid back, original and refreshing sound compared to the punk/metal that is popular in the desert at the moment. Carlee Hendrix is a talented local singer-songwriter from Bermuda Dunes; she hasn't played a show in a long time, so anyone who attends is in for a real treat, as she has a wide catalog of acoustic and electric indie/pop songs from which to pull. This promises to be a unique night of underground music. Bring $5. Club 5 Bar, 82971 Bliss Ave., Indio; 760-625-1719; www.facebook.com/Club5Bar.
At 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15, local event promoters Queer Cactus Presents will welcome El Paso, Texas-based indie rock band Sleepspent, as well as Palm Springs' Host Family, Indio's Blue Sun and Palm Desert's Plastic Ruby, to play at Coachella's newest bar, the appropriately-named Coachella Bar. This show promises to be an interesting night of DIY alternative rock bands. Coachella Bar; 85995 Grapefruit Blvd., Coachella; 760-541-9034; www.facebook.com/events/335607437106254.
The Blueskye Report, July 2019: Jethro Tull, Stevie B, Lee Greenwood, Cate Le Bon—and a Whole Lot More!June 28 2019
July and August are the slowest months for entertainment in the Coachella Valley, with multiple venues on hiatus—but the casinos and Pappy and Harriet's are still offering plenty of great events.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has a fabulous Independence Day week slate. At 9 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, enjoy a free Independence Day Fireworks Show. The fireworks will be blasting off from the Eagle Falls Golf Course, and The Eagle 106.9 will be playing some great songs to accompany them. Admission is free. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 5, enjoy the rocking flute-driven tunes of Jethro Tull. The band has extended its 50th Anniversary Tour, and considering the band rivaled the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Elton John in its early years, you won't want to miss this one. Tickets are $59 to $129. Later in the month, at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 27, Mexican singer-songwriter Gerardo Ortiz will return to Fantasy Springs. The 29-year-old was actually born in Pasadena, and he has two Grammy Award nominations to his credit. Tickets are $39 to $89. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage is offering a busy July calendar. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 13, Hotel California: A Salute to The Eagles will take the stage. Hotel California is an Eagles tribute band that has been performing for 30 years and is known for masterfully replicating the sounds of the Eagles songs you love. Tickets are $25 to $35. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 19, check out The Ultimate E.L.O. Experience: A New World Record. This is an Electric Light Orchestra tribute, including the lights and all of the string arrangements. Tickets are $25 to $35. At 8 p.m., Friday, July 26, enjoy '80s R&B and pop at the Freestyle Jam, featuring Stevie B, Trinere, Nu Shooz, Debbie Deb and Connie. These were some of the biggest names in '80s pop and are often sampled or remixed in today's digital era. Tickets are $40 to $60. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.
Spotlight 29 is hosting a couple of hot July events. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 20, the Spanish Comedy Slam will take place. The show will feature performances from Alex Reymundo, who recently had his own Comedy Central special; Luz Pazos, a former beauty queen from Peru who has performed at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and appeared on PBS' First Nations Comedy Experience; Rene Garcia, who has performed with Tommy Davidson, Ron White and Bill Bellamy; Carlos Rodriguez, a Sacramento native who has been voted the Best Comic by the Sacramento News & Review; and Anthony K, another Sacramento resident who has a one-hour special available on Spotify and Google Play. Tickets are $20 to $35. At 8 p.m., Saturday, July 27, go back four decades during the '70s Soul Jam, featuring performances by Harold Melvin's Blue Notes and The Stylistics, as well as Mr. Dyn-o-Mite himself, Jimmie "JJ" Walker. Tickets are $39 to $59. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
Morongo Casino Resort Spa is hosting some great July events. At 9 p.m., Saturday, July 6, country star Lee Greenwood will be appearing. One of his biggest hits is his 1984 song "God Bless the U.S.A." In fact, a lot of his material is 'Merica themed, to give you those July 4th feels. Tickets are $29 to $39. At 9 p.m., Friday, July 12, Chicano rock-band Los Lonely Boys (upper right) will be performing. The South Texas trio was a staple of contemporary radio in the mid-2000s with "Heaven" and "More Than Love." Tickets are $55 to $65. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.
Pappy and Harriet's has a packed schedule; here are a just a few shows you may want to consider. At 9 p.m., Friday, July 5, Welsh musician and producer Cate Le Bon will be performing. Le Bon has toured with acts such as St. Vincent, Perfume Genius and John Grant—if that says something in regard to her talents. While she has a rock sound, she also goes into folk and pop territory. Tickets are $18. At 9 p.m., Saturday, July 20, up-and-coming country performer Gethen Jenkins will take the stage. Jenkins' bio reads like a character out of a bad ass adventure novel—born in the West Virginia, raised in a rural Indian village in Alaska, a stint in the U.S. Marines, etc. He's performed with the Marshall Tucker Band, Wanda Jackson and others. Tickets are $15. At 9 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, on the eve of what will be the 15th and final Campout, Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery will be performing solo; Peter Case will also take the stage. Tickets are $25. Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.
The Blueskye Report, June 2019: Christian Nodal, Dave Attell, Patty Griffin—and a Whole Lot More!May 30 2019
June means the start of summer—and a relatively quiet month as far as big events go. However, never fear, because there's still plenty of entertainment to enjoy.
The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's Special Events Center is fairly calm in June, but the Rock Yard is in full swing on Saturday nights. Here's the list of performers, with each show starting at 7:30 p.m. June 1: Journey tribute band Escape. June 8: Sammy Hagar tribute band Three Lock Box. June 15: Eric Clapton tribute band Clapton Road. June 22: Ozzy Osbourne tribute band Mr. Crowley. Saturday, June 29: The Who tribute band The Who Experience. All Rock Yard shows are free! Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage has a fine June slate. At 8 p.m., Friday, June 7, Mexican singer-songwriter Christian Nodal will be performing. When he released his first album Me Dejé Llevar in 2017, he took the music charts by storm, with the album reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Latin Albums chart. The 20-year-old recently released a new album, Ahora, and his star is continuing to rise. Tickets are $65 to $125. At 7 p.m., Saturday, June 15, Art Laboe's Love Jam VIII will be happening. The lineup includes Baby Bash, MC Magic, Tierra, Frankie J, and LSOB. Come celebrate the popular radio show where you can call in your shout-out to your homeboy or homegirl in lockdown. Tickets are $45 to $65. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.
Spotlight 29 Casino has a June event you won't want to miss. At 8 p.m., Saturday, June 29, the Summer Rap Jam will take place. The lineup includes Warren G, Ying Yang Twins and Petey Pablo. I remember when Warren G released "Regulate" back in the mid '90s, and everyone was playing it in their cars, on their boom boxes and on their home stereos. Tickets are $30 to $45. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is hosting a couple of great shows. At 9 p.m., Friday, June 14, comedians Jeff Ross and Dave Attell will be performing. Jeff Ross is known as the "Roastmaster General" for his celebrity roasts that have been shown on Comedy Central. He's roasted some of the best … and some of the worst, including our current president. Dave Attell was the host of Insomniac With Dave Attell, which ran for four seasons on Comedy Central in the early 2000s. Tickets are $49 to $89. At 9 p.m., Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29, the all-male revue show Australia's Thunder From Down Under returns. Considering how often this show comes back and sells out, it's one of the hottest tickets around. I picture a mob of ladies screaming their heads off for two hours. Tickets are $25. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.
Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace has a wild June schedule. A few highlights: At 9 p.m., Saturday, June 1, one of my favorite psychedelic-rock bands coming out of Los Angeles, Mystic Braves, will be performing. Organist Ignacio Gonzalez is also one of the owners of Lolipop Records, a popular independent label that has released records around the world. Tickets are $15 to $20. At 8 p.m., Sunday, June 9, country/folk artist Patty Griffin will be performing. She recently released her 10th album and will be at Pappy's right after a European tour. Tickets are $30. At 8 p.m., Friday, June 28, local musician Gene Evaro Jr. will be performing in celebration of his 30th birthday. After Evaro's tours with national acts, performances at various music festivals, and music appearances on television shows, one needs to ask: When someone is going to finally sign this guy and make him a bigger name than he already is? Tickets are $20. Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.
The Hood Bar and Pizza has a big event in June. At 9 p.m., Saturday, June 22, fresh off a tour with Tool, All Souls (upper right) will be performing, along with local bands Herbert and Fever Dog. All Souls includes Tony Tornay (Fatso Jetson), Erik Trammell (Black Elk, Brothers Collateral) and Totimoshi members Tony Aguilar and Meg Castellanos. Admission is $5. The Hood Bar and Pizza, 74360 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 760-636-5220; www.facebook.com/hoodbarandpizza.
The Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs has an event booked that fans of the Desert Daze festival should attend: At 9 p.m., Thursday, June 6, the fest presents a performance by the band Traps PS. Admission is free! Ace Hotel and Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-325-9900; www.acehotel.com/palmsprings.
The Purple Room will soon enter its two-month summer slumber, but not before a fantastic June. At 6 p.m., Saturday, June 1, singer Jonathan Karrant will be performing. A popular recurring performer at the Purple Room, he's best known for his excellent performances of Great American Songbook and vocal jazz music. Tickets are $30 to $35. At 6 p.m., Saturday, June 8, Scot Bruce will take the stage. He's one of the best performers of Elvis Presley's music that you will find. He's so good at it that he's been in music videos with Faith Hill and Sheryl Crow. Tickets are $30 to $35. At 6 p.m., Saturday, June 15, Las Vegas will be coming to Palm Springs with Lady Luck. The trio features powerful voices from Broadway, Hollywood, London's West End and the Vegas strip—and the group will be doing a Las Vegas legends-themed show. Tickets are $30 to $35. Michael Holmes' Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com.
Toucan's Tiki Lounge rolls into June with a couple of fun events. At 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1, drag star Sutton Lee Seymour will be performing. Seymour is known as the "Robin Williams of drag" and has entertained in sold-out venues around the world. Tickets are $25. At 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 8, America's Got Talent's Season 8 runner-up Taylor Williamson (below) will be performing. He's quite funny. Tickets are $25. Toucans Tiki Lounge and Cabaret, 2100 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-416-7584; reactionshows.com.
Rodney Carrington became a big hit in the late 1990s with his brand of comedy that includes both standup and comedic country songs.
The 50-year-old Texan's albums continue to soar up the comedy charts today. Carrington will stop by The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage on Friday, May 31.
During a recent phone interview, Carrington tried to prank-call me, before turning serious and telling me it was him. He said he didn't originally see comedy as a career option.
"I was in college at Kilgore College in Texas studying theater, and they had a comedy night in a little bar, and the only reason I went to do it was because it was something I thought would help me with theater," Carrington said. "I thought it would be terrifying and scary, and if I could do that, I could do anything. I did, and I went up the first night—and people laughed. I spent about two years trying to figure out what I did that night to make them laugh, because I didn't know what I was doing. I got bit by it, and I realized there was some way to make a living doing it.
"There was something about it I was drawn to, and there's no school for it. You either have the timing and inkling as you go along that things are getting better, or you don't."
Carrington explained how music became a part of his comedy routine.
"I would have done anything. If I could have juggled, I'd probably be doing that," he said. "I was always into music, and I bought a guitar out of boredom on the road and learned a few chords. I started writing little ditties. I was just doing whatever felt natural. You're just trying to entertain a group of people. It wasn't an intent to where I said, 'I'm going to go out and do comedy and music.' We found each other, and in the process, the music became part of it."
In 2004, his sitcom Rodney debuted on ABC. It lasted two seasons before it was cancelled; the last six episodes never aired, although they were released on DVD and digitally.
"We came out around the time of Desperate Housewives. Our numbers were humongous in the middle of the country, but they care more about New York and Los Angeles," Carrington said. "We were beating shows that stayed on the air, but they were going for style over substance and didn't care what the numbers were. What they said was, 'If you maintain the numbers, you'll be here a long time.' We beat those. What they said and what they did were two different things. It's not a very fulfilling business, because you're pushed around. … (It's like) you're working on a sand castle, and about 5 in the afternoon every day, some guy in a suit comes out and kicks it over, telling you to start over, because he doesn't like it. That's fine for about four or five days, but then it kills your spirit, and you go, 'Why are you doing this?' But we still accomplished a lot of great things, and the show was well-done. I have no regrets whatsoever about it."
Carrington said he feels most comfortable onstage.
"I love the freedom of it," he said. "Over the years of building an audience, people come out, and it feels like we know each other. It's like you show up and see your old family members. That's the part I enjoy—it becomes a mutual affection. I like them; they like me; and we provide each other with something and see each other down the road. That's what I like about it, and it's as simple as that. It involves me and them; it's not just about me."
These days, it's hard to be a standup comedian, he said—even if you're Rodney Carrington.
"There's no subject that's been untapped. (After) 30 years of being out here and doing it, I have the luxury of people coming to see me and knowing who I am," he said. "… For anyone starting out new and building an audience, it's a very difficult time. The internet is eating up so much, and there are so many other things stealing people's time. I think the market is saturated with so many different things. I don't think it's impossible, but it's difficult.
"I don't personally involve myself in any social media. I come from the generation that turned the channels on TV with the pliers. I miss those days. I miss the closeness that we grew up with and the realness of it. People are missing out on that, and people are sad."
I asked Carrington if he was ever entertained by social media and what people post.
"If you're into that kind of thing," he said. "Most of the people my age, they don't spend a lot of time on the internet. I've noticed my audience has gotten older with me. Their lives are changing like my life is changing. I'm 50, and I talk about things that a 50-year-old can relate to."
Rodney Carrington will perform at 8 p.m., Friday, May 31, at The Show at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage. Tickets are $35 to $55. For tickets or more information, call 888-999-1995, or visit www.hotwatercasino.com.
The Blueskye Report, May 2019: Hollywood Vampires, Rodney Carrington, Matisyahu—and a Whole Lot More!April 30 2019
The summer slowdown is beginning after a rainy, windy, busy season. The snowbirds are gone—but May is still packed with a lot of compelling events.
The McCallum Theatre is winding down with a couple of events before going dark over the summer. At 7 p.m., Thursday, May 2; 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4; and 2 p.m., Sunday, May 5, College of the Desert Performing Arts will be performing Phantom of the Opera. Tickets are $23 to $43. Take a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9; 2 p.m., Friday, May 10; and 2 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 11, with Shen Yun. This is a musical and dance performance of various tales and legends from China. Tickets are $120 to $150. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; 760-340-2787; www.mccallumtheatre.com.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is rocking into May. At 8 p.m., Saturday, May 18, the supergroup (and the word "supergroup" is an understatement in this case) Hollywood Vampires will be performing. It's Joe Perry of Aerosmith along with ... Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper! With a lineup like that, you need a word bigger than "supergroup." Tickets are $59 to $99. At 8 p.m., Friday, May 24, R&B superstar Maxwell will be returning to the Coachella Valley. In 2016, Maxwell released his album blackSUMMERS'night to high critical acclaim. Tickets are $59 to $99. At 8 p.m., Sunday, May 26, Runaways guitarist and all-around bad ass Joan Jett will be performing. Tickets are $49 to $89. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage has a star-packed May with several sold-out events. Here are a couple with tickets left as of our press deadline. At 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11, enjoy CIRCOVIA, a Cirque-style extravaganza, created by Misha Matorin, a former member of Cirque du Soleil. Tickets are $40 to $60. At 8 p.m., Friday, May 31, comedian, actor and writer Rodney Carrington will be appearing. You probably remember Carrington's raunchy comedy from the late '90s when everyone was sending .WAV files of his raunchy songs to your AOL e-mail address. Tickets are $35 to $55. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.
Spotlight 29 has a big Latin-music event in May. At 8 p.m., Saturday, May 4, Norteño group Los Huracanes del Norte will be performing, along with Banda Machos. Los Huracanes del Norte is internationally acclaimed Latin group, as is Banda Machos—so what we are trying to say is that this is a huge deal. Tickets are $35 to $45. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is the place to be if you're passionate about … TACOS! At 11 a.m., Saturday, May 18, it'll be time for the Morongo Taco Festival 2019. What could be better than a taco festival? Maybe it'd be more appropriate on a Tuesday—but a Saturday will do just fine, because any time is good for tacos. Tickets are $10, and tacos from 30 various vendors are $2. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.
Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace rides into the spring/early summer season with an impressive May calendar. At 8 p.m., Friday, May 24, Matisyahu (upper right) will be performing. Matisyahu's career started with him winning over audiences as a devout Hasidic reggae star, but over the years, he's become more spiritually evolved and has branched out musically. Tickets are $40. At 4 p.m., Saturday, May 25, the outdoor festival Stoned and Dusted will be taking place, with Melvins, Fu Manchu, Brant Bjork and others. Tickets are $60. Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.
The Date Shed is ending the season with a few events in May. At 8 p.m., Friday, May 10, Los Angeles jam band The Higgs will be performing. Tickets are $10. At 8 p.m., Thursday, May 23, MURS will take the stage. MURS is a socially minded rapper on the independent side of the rap game. He's a brilliant lyricist—and this is one show you won't want to miss. Tickets are $20-$25. The Date Shed, 50725 Monroe St., Indio; 760-775-6699; www.facebook.com/dateshed.
The Purple Room Palm Springs has a star-studded May schedule. At 8 p.m., Saturday, May 4, soul singer Chadwick Johnson will be performing. Johnson has worked with famed producer David Foster, has performed for former President Bill Clinton, and has received international success for his combination of soul music with pop and jazz. Tickets are $30 to $35. At 8 p.m., Friday, May 17, Nutty will be doing a vinyl-record release in collaboration with local artist Shag. Nutty is self-described as "jetsetter jazz." Translation: The group takes rock 'n' roll hits and puts on a jazz spin on them. Tickets are $30 to $35. At 8 p.m., Saturday, May 18, actress, songwriter and singer Amanda McBroom (below) will be performing. McBroom is probably best-known for writing the title track for the film The Rose, and she had recurring roles on shows such as Starsky and Hutch, Star Trek: The Next Generation and many others. Tickets are $35 to $40. Michael Holmes' Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com.
Restaurant News Bites: O'Caine's Finally Open in Rancho Mirage; Tuscano's and BrewQuinta Come to the Valley; and Much More!April 02 2019
At Long Last: O'Caine's Irish Pub Is Finally Open in Rancho Mirage
It seems like as long as there's been a city called Rancho Mirage, O'Caine's Irish Pub has been under construction.
OK, I am exaggerating here, but I do so to make a point: The bar and restaurant at 36101 Bob Hope Drive—that's the shopping center Gelson's is in—has been "coming soon" for a really long time. But finally, the wait is over: O'Caine's opened in March, just in time for St. Patrick's Day.
You'll find the beer and cocktails one would expect to find at an Irish pub, and O'Caine's menu offers tasty-sounding fare like sausage rolls, king salmon, bangers with mashed potatoes, fish and chips—and, of course, corned beef and cabbage (with bacon, too!) and shepherd's pie.
"Chef Gavin's menu offers high-quality, freshly crafted dishes, which reflect the authentic flavors of Ireland. We work with local vendors to procure the freshest ingredients and to source organic, non-GMO, sustainable items for the menu," the website says.
We'll be in soon to check things out with our own eyes. For more information, call 760-202-3311, or visit ocainesirishpub.com.
Tuscano's and BrewQuinta Opens in La Quinta, Boosting the Local Craft-Beer Scene
In 2013, the valley's nascent craft-beer scene got a boost when the number of local breweries tripled—that is, went from one to three—with the openings of Coachella Valley Brewing Co. and La Quinta Brewing Co. The future of craft beer in the Coachella Valley was looking bright and promising.
Today, in 2019, the number of local breweries is … still three.
Yeah, there have been endless rumors about other breweries popping up, and La Quinta Brewing has expanded its footprint by opening two taprooms in addition to its flagship Palm Desert location. Revel Public House has started the Palm Springs Brewing Company—although the handful of beers with that moniker are actually as of now brewed by San Marcos' Mason Ale Works. In other words, there has been some progress in the local beer world—but the fact, is the number of companies actually making beer locally has stayed the same for almost six years.
However, that number will finally be increasing. Desert Beer Company will be opening this year in Palm Desert, according to its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/desertbeerco). And then there's Tuscano's and BrewQuinta.
The restaurant and brewery recently opened at 78772 Highway 111, in La Quinta—a site that has some local beer history, as it was once the site of Lamppost Pizza and Backstreet Brewery. It's a project of two Yucaipa-based businesses: Tuscano's Pizza and Pasta, and Brewcaipa.
As of now, Tuscano's and BrewQuinta aren't brewing any beer onsite. However, according to the Coachella Valley Beer Scene (CVBeerscene.com), that will soon change.
"In the early days, they'll be bringing beer in from Yucaipa, brewed by none other than our local valley friend and beer writer, Aaron Ramson," writes CVBeerscene.com. "Aaron has been the head brewer at Brewcaipa for a little over a year, and was formerly the assistant brewer at Babe's. They plan to put a brewery in the La Quinta location within six months."
This is all very exciting news for the local beer scene—and we'll keep you updated as it develops.
For more information on Tuscano's and BrewQuinta, call 760-625-1129, or visit www.facebook.com/TuscanosBrewQuinta.
In Brief
The Ingleside Inn, at 200 W. Ramon Road, in Palm Springs, has changed management—and that means so, too, has Melvyn's Restaurant. Out is the PlumpJack Group, owned by Gov. Gavin Newsom's family; in is the team that also runs the nearby Avalon Hotel. Executive Chef Jennifer Town has departed, and Melvyn's is now being run by Jason Moffitt, the executive chef at the Avalon. … Congrats to Chelsi Bishop, the manager of the Ben and Jerry's store at The River, at 71800 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage: She has been named by the corporate office as the nationwide Manager of the Year. Congrats! … The Steakhouse at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, at 32250 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage, has a new executive chef. Kenneth Williams' resumé includes a stint at Mirage Resorts in Las Vegas, where he helped open the Bellagio; most recently, he worked as the executive chef of theme park operations at Universal Studios Hollywood. Get more information at www.hotwatercasino.com/steakhouse. … New to 73130 El Paseo, in Palm Desert: Kitchen 86 + Bar, a "modern eclectic small plate restaurant." The menu includes all sorts of "sharables" including various dumplings, rosemary lamb chops and boom-boom shrimp, while "mains" include a cowboy rib eye and a house curry. View the menu and more at www.kitchen-86.com.
The Blueskye Report, April 2019: Tony Danza, Ja Rule, Daniel Tosh, Pale Waves—and a Whole Lot More!March 28 2019
Coachella and Stagecoach dominate the music coverage in April—but there are a whole lot of great events going on before, during and after the festivals throughout the Coachella Valley.
The McCallum Theatre will soon enter its summer hibernation, but not before a fantastic April schedule. At 8 p.m., Thursday, April 4, find out who's the boss when Tony Danza brings in his one-man variety show. He'll be telling stories about his life and playing music with the Desert Symphony. Tickets are $75 to $250. At 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 10, popular Christian-contemporary music artist Stephen Curtis Chapman comes to the McCallum. He's won five Grammy Awards and sold more than 10 million albums. Tickets are $39 to $88. At 7 p.m., Saturday, April 27, the Coachella Valley Symphony will be holding its 26th Anniversary Gala, joined by Under the Streetlamp, a fun music group that performs rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll and doo-wop from the 1950s to 1970s. Tickets are $45 to $85. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; 760-340-2787; www.mccallumtheatre.com.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has an April event you won't want to miss … especially if you've watched Netflix or Hulu recently. At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 6, Ashanti and Ja Rule will be performing. Ja Rule may currently be best-known for his recent involvement with the disastrous Fyre Festival. He's also known for a few hits in the early 2000s. Tickets are $39 to $69. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage has several fun events from which to choose in April. At 8 p.m., Friday, April 5, truTV star and magician Michael Carbonaro will be performing. Carbonaro is also known for his appearances on 30 Rock, Happily Divorced and Grey's Anatomy, on top of his dazzling magic act. Tickets are $25 to $160. At 8 p.m., Friday, April 26, Comedy Central's Daniel Tosh will take the stage. You remember him … he's guy who has all the videos from YouTube showing people doing stupid and ridiculous stuff—supplemented by his colorful and hilarious commentary. Tickets are $80 to $100. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.
Spotlight 29 Casino has a couple of intriguing shows. At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 13, Paquita La Del Barrio (upper right) will be performing. Known as "Franny from the Neighborhood," this beloved performer is well-known in the United States and Mexico for her songs that promote strength and solidarity while challenging sexist machismo. Tickets are $35 to $45. At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 27, the "comedian of a thousand faces," Jo Jo Jorge Falcon, will bring the funny. Falcon is known for his twisted sense of humor—and for sometimes wearing a condom-tip cap. Tickets are $36 to $81. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa has a full slate of impressive April offerings. At 9 p.m., Friday, April 5, '60s pop icons Chubby Checker and Frankie Avalon will be performing on a double bill. Frankie Avalon is best-known for his movie performances with Annette Funicello in what become known as the "beach party" genre. He's also a singer-songwriter and has recorded seven albums. Chubby Checker is known for his hit "The Twist" (which was actually a Hank Ballard and the Midnighters cover) and the accompanying dance. Tickets are $45 to $65. At 9 p.m., Friday, April 12, comedian Cedric the Entertainer will be performing. He's best-known for his role as Eddie in Barbershop, as well as his other acting roles, but he's also been a popular standup comedian through the years. Tickets are $59 to $79. At 9 p.m., Friday, April 26, country artist Rodney Atkins will take the stage. He's had six No. 1 hits on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart since his career began in 2003. Tickets are $45 to $55. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.
Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace has a lot going on in April—and is always a popular place to be during Coachella and Stagecoach, as you never know who will show up. Here are a couple of events with tickets still available. At 9 p.m., Friday, April 19, Pale Waves will be performing. It's a four-piece indie-pop band from the United Kingdom—and this group is fantastic. When I listened to their debut album My Mind Makes Noises, it reminded me of the best alternative pop, such as the Cocteau Twins, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Echo and the Bunnymen. Pale Waves has been selling out venues in the U.K., Europe and North America. Tickets are $16 to $20. At 8 p.m., Sunday, April 28, the legendary rockabilly/rock 'n' roll band Reverend Horton Heat will be performing, along with the Legendary Shack Shakers. No hyperbole: These are two of the best rock bands in America, and both have recorded great music that any rockabilly, blues or rock fan can appreciate. Tickets are $25. Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.
The action remains hot at the Purple Room. At 6 p.m., Friday, April 12, the "King of the Song Cue Ball" Jerome Elliott will be performing. A hilarious award-winning actor, singer and director, and a friend of the Independent, he's performed at just about all of the top cabaret venues across the country. Tickets are $25 to $30. At 6 p.m., Friday, April 26, jazz singer, songwriter and actress Ann Hampton Callaway (below) will come to the Purple Room. She'll be singing jazz songs that were made famous in films. Tickets are $55 to $65. At 6 p.m., Saturday, April 27, actress and singer Renee Olstead will be performing. You might remember her from Still Standing and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Well, she's also a hell of a singer, and performed at the Live 8 concert in 2005. Tickets are $35 to $40. Michael Holmes' Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com.
The Blueskye Report, March 2019: Rob Lowe, Michael McDonald, Los Temerarios, Cold Cave—and a Whole Lot More!February 28 2019
March brings both the revelry of St. Patrick's Day and increasingly warmer weather—which, given the relatively cold February we had, will be even more welcome than normal.
Oh, and March is also bringing a lot of great shows, too!
The McCallum Theatre has plenty going on in March. At 8 p.m., Friday, March 8, get in the Saint Patrick's Day mood with The Irish Rovers. The Irish Rovers provide audiences with a good time featuring traditional Irish music; don't be surprised if you find yourself singing and clapping along. Tickets are $25 to $85. At 8 p.m., Saturday, March 9, Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell will be performing. Tyrell has been a regular at the McCallum for 15 years now. After a dozen or so albums, appearances on soundtracks for films such as That Thing You Do and Father of the Bride, and other accomplishments, he's guaranteed to put on a good show. Tickets are $48 to $78. Here's an interesting one … at 8 p.m., Friday, March 29, actor Rob Lowe will be performing his one-man show Stories I Only Tell My Friends. He'll reveal tidbits about his life in Hollywood and his acting career, which now spans four decades. Tickets are $65 to $150. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; 760-340-2787; www.mccallumtheatre.com.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has a superstar-packed March. At 8 p.m., Friday, March 1, the former lead vocalist for Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, will be performing. He's collaborated with artists from Kenny Loggins and Van Halen to Grizzly Bear and Thundercat. He's also won five Grammy Awards and charted with several singles. Tickets are $39 to $69. At 8 p.m., Friday, March 8, ventriloquist and comedian Terry Fator will take the stage. Ever since he won America's Got Talent in 2007, he's been a huge hit with audiences. Tickets are $39 to $79. At 8 p.m., Friday, March 22, classic-rock band Creedence Clearwater Revisited will be returning to the Coachella Valley. I've seen this band perform on three occasions, and the group—made up of two members of the original Creedence Clearwater Revival lineup and three other fantastic musicians—sounds just as good as the original. Tickets are $39 to $69. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa has a couple of events of which you should take note. At 8 p.m., Friday, March 15, Latin-music duo Los Temerarios will be performing. Adolfo and Gustavo Angel have become Latin-music superstars since they started in 1978, earning a Latin Grammy Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Billboard Music Awards. Tickets are $55 to $85. At 8 p.m., Saturday, March 23, Prince-tribute band Purple Reign will take the stage. I watched this band's soundcheck one time, and I couldn't believe how well this band does Prince's music. Others have taken notice as well—the group appeared on The Late Show With Dave Letterman on New Year's Eve in 2009. Tickets are $25 to $35. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.
Spotlight 29 has a couple of Latin superstars coming through in March. At 8 p.m., Saturday, March 16, enjoy a double bill of Voz de Mando and Kanales. Since the group began in 2002, Voz de Mando has released seven albums; recent single "Pa' Que No Me Anden Contando" became a Top 10 Billboard Latin Music hit in the United States. Kanales came to the United States from Sinaloa and became a big star in Norteño-music world. Tickets are $40 to $45. At 8 p.m., Saturday, March 23, Latin-music duo Amanda Miguel and Diego Verdaguer will be performing. They are Latin-music legends who have been together since the 1970s. Tickets are $51 to $106. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
Pappy and Harriet's is the place to be in March … or, well, any other time of the year. At 8 p.m., Thursday, March 21, Cold Cave (upper right) will be performing. Cold Cave is a project of Wesley Eisold, of the bands American Nightmare and Some Girls. Eisold was born without a left hand, which means he does not play an instrument—but he excels as a vocalist. He's also a published writer. Tickets are $20. At 8 p.m., Sunday, March 24, cosmic-country band Green Leaf Rustlers will take the stage. The band features Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, Pete Sears of Jefferson Starship, John Molo of the Phil Lesh Quartet, and Greg Loiacono of The Mother Hips. A "cosmic-country" band should definitely be a hit at Pappy and Harriet's. Tickets are $30. Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.
The Purple Room has a diverse list of events for March. At 6 p.m., Saturday, March 2, powerhouse cello and vocal duo Branden and James (below) will be performing. The duo features America's Got Talent finalist Branden James, a classically trained tenor, and cellist James Clark. Tickets are $35 to $40. At 6 p.m., Saturday, March 9, Scot Bruce will be performing the songs of Elvis' early years. Bruce is a regular performer at Disneyland and is considered one of the best Elvis-tribute acts in the country. Tickets are $30 to $35. At 8 p.m., Saturday, March 23, get ready to laugh in tribute to one of the most iconic comics who ever lived when Joe Posa stars as Joan Rivers. He's an impersonator of many stars, including Michael Jackson and Liza Minnelli. Tickets are $30 to $35. Michael Holmes' Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com.
The Blueskye Report, February 2019: Joshua Bell, Snoop Dogg, Steve Grand—and a Whole Lot More!January 31 2019
February is the shortest month of the year—but it just so happens to be the time for some of the hottest events of the year.
The McCallum Theatre's packed schedule includes a lot of great stuff. At 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 4, classical violinist Joshua Bell will be performing. He's the violinist who was the subject of a Washington Post story about him busking in the subway—with few paying attention to him or knowing who he was. Bell has a classical-music career that goes back 30 years, and he's played some of the biggest classical music halls around the world. Tickets are $60 to $105. At 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, Broadway star and vocalist Linda Eder will take the stage. Eder is no stranger to the McCallum and has turned in sell-out performances on its stage before. Tickets are $38 to $68. Do you love magic? Then at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17, you'll love It's Magic! The show will feature some of the biggest stars of magic, and it's produced by Milt Larsen and Terry Hill, best known as the producers of America's Got Talent. You'll see magicians who have performed in Las Vegas and magicians who have racked up international acclaim. Tickets are $18 to $38. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; 760-340-2787; www.mccallumtheatre.com.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has some big names coming through; here are just a few to give you an idea. At 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 1, The Beach Boys will be performing. Beach Boys member Mike Love is now the only original member remaining, though longtime member Bruce Johnston is still along for the ride. The band's shows remain wildly popular with fans; you'll hear all the songs that sold millions of records and changed rock 'n' roll history in America. Tickets are $39 to $79. At 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8, R&B group Boyz II Men will be performing. This would be a nice Valentine's Day gift for your sweetheart, if you have one—or even a great night out with friends. I've always been blown away by the Boyz' singing talents and unbelievable harmonies. Tickets are $39 to $79. If those two big names aren't big enough for you, you'll love this one: At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, the Dogg himself, Snoop Dogg, will be performing. Snoop's name is iconic in hip-hop, and he was one of the biggest rappers in the world back in the '90s (in fact, he still is today), with rap anthems that get heavy radio and club play. Tickets are $59 to $109. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa has some compelling offerings in February. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, the famous all-male revue Thunder From Down Under will take place. If your girlfriend isn't replying to your text messages that night, that's most likely where she is. Tickets are $15 to $25. On Valentine's Day, specifically at 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, it'll be a magical night at the Art Laboe Valentine's Super Love Jam. Laboe has become comically known for all the people who call into his radio show to give shout-outs to their loved ones in prison, which often involve names like "Baby Joker." Laboe recently gave an interview where he said that he doesn't judge his listeners—and that's kept him on the air and has led to some uplifting moments for inmates and their families. The Love Jam will feature Zapp, Midnight Star, The Jets, GQ and The Delfonics. Tickets are $40 to $60. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, you'll want to soft-rock all night, because Air Supply (upper right) will be performing. I'm sure Air Supply is hoping for a big resurgence similar to the one that soft-rock contemporary Toto is enjoying having right now … but actually, Air Supply is doing just fine without a Weezer cover and without any memes, because Air Supply has sold more than 20 million copies of its greatest-hits record and is still highly in demand. Tickets are $40 to $60. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.
Spotlight 29 has a few shows booked for the showroom in February. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, comedian Felipe Esparza (below) will be performing. You might remember him from his performances on Comics Unleashed and Comedy Central's Premium Blend, as well as other TV and film appearances. He currently has a hilarious Netflix special out. Tickets are $30 to $40. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, Mexican singer-songwriter Pancho Barraza will take the stage. Barraza is a performer of traditional Mexican music. Tickets are $65 to $85. Now for something different … at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, a comedy play titled A Oscuras Me da Risa will be performed. It's a multi-character comedy about a happy couple going on a weekend getaway and going their own separate ways. Tickets are $36 to $91. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.
Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace has some must-see shows, per usual. At 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, psychedelic rock-band La Luz will be performing. I recently gave La Luz's new album Floating Features a listen, and it's fantastic. This should be a great show—and is a must for any rock fan. Tickets are $15. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, the alt-countryish band Evangenitals will be back. As I always say, you haven't lived 'til you've seen the Evangenitals play. Stick around for their multiple sets, especially the last one at the end of the night. You'll laugh, you'll cry … wait, you won't cry, but you'll laugh hysterically. Admission is free! At 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, Pearl and the Canyon Revelry Band will be performing. Pearl Aday (daughter of Meat Loaf) has quite a set of pipes, and at a young age was a backing vocalist in her dad's band. She's been performing country and released her debut album in 2010; she just released a new album, Heartbreak and Canyon Revelry. My metal-loving friend Frank pointed out that her husband is Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian—so you might catch a glimpse of him at the show. Tickets are $10. Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.
The Purple Room Palm Springs is definitely a nice place to consider taking that special someone to for dinner and a show. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, singer Jonathan Karrant will be performing. Karrant is known for his "Hollywood's greatest hits"-style show, as he performs songs by Burt Bacharach, Michel Legrand and many others. Tickets are $30 to $35. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, Broadway star and vocalist Roslyn Kind will take the stage. The half-sister of Barbra Streisand has toured the globe performing with Babs and her nephew, Jason Gould. Tickets are $45 to $55. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, cabaret performer and singer Iris Williams will be performing. Her jazzy vocals on up-tempo numbers and her ballads will be a treat to hear. Tickets are $40 to $45. Michael Holmes' Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com.
Toucan's Tiki Lounge and Cabaret has a February event worth noting. At 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16, pop-country singer Steve Grand will take the Toucan's stage. You'll probably remember him as the singer of "All-American Boy," a song about a gay man in love with a straight man, which went viral on YouTube. The gay country singer has since found continued success; he's no stranger to the Palm Springs area, having performed at the LGBT Community Center of the Desert's Center Stage gala in 2016. Tickets are $35 to $45. Toucans Tiki Lounge and Cabaret, 2100 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-416-7584; reactionshows.com.
Restaurant News Bites: The Rancho Mirage Wine and Food Fest Is Back: Enzo's Comes to Rancho Mirage; and a Whole Lot More!January 22 2019
Rancho Mirage Wine and Food Festival Grows in Its Second Year
When I talked to David Fraschetti about the inaugural Rancho Mirage Wine and Food Festival a year ago, he promised me that the fest, taking place at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater and Community Park, at 71560 San Jacinto Drive, would feature great food—but the primary focus would be on the wine, with no booze, beer or cooking demonstrations.
"This is a marketing event for our wineries," he told me. "… We're not trying to be everything to everyone."
Seeing as Fraschetti, a Coachella Valley resident, is also the organizer of the popular VinDiego Wine and Food Festival, it should come as no surprise that he apparently knew what he was doing—and that an expanded Rancho Mirage Wine and Food Festival will return this year, taking place Jan. 30-Feb. 2.
A couple of five-course wine dinners at restaurants will happen on Wednesday, Jan. 30, with the Rare and Reserve Tasting happening at the park on Friday, Feb. 1. But the main event is the grand tasting, taking place at the park on Saturday, Feb. 2.
"When we started doing this business seven years ago in San Diego, we had a great business plan: 'If you build it, they will come,'" Fraschetti told me recently. "Last year really proved to be the same out here in the desert."
This year's grand tasting will feature 18 to 20 restaurants—most, but unlike last year, not all based in Rancho Mirage—and about 45 wineries.
Fraschetti said he loves the community aspect of the festival; related to that, a portion of the proceeds will again benefit the Desert AIDS Project.
"I live four minutes from the festival site," Fraschetti said. "The people who come are neighbors of mine. Everybody seems to know everybody out here."
Tickets to Saturday afternoon's grand tasting start at $85. For tickets and more information, including a complete schedule, visit ranchomiragewineandfoodfestival.com.
Enzo's Bistro and Bar Replaces the Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar
So it's a good-news, bad-news sort of thing.
The bad: The Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar, which took over the old Crab Pot digs at 70030 Highway 111, in Palm Desert, has closed its doors. (It had no relation to the Fisherman's Market and Grill locations in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta, for the record.)
The good news: The space is now home to the second Enzo's Bistro and Bar location.
The first Enzo's opened at 78121 Avenida La Fonda in La Quinta last spring and has gathered a lot of great buzz. I have not yet had a chance to check out the "elegant and authentic" Italian fare at either location—but you can bet your bottom dollar I will soon.
Get more info at www.enzosbistroandbar.com.
In Brief
One of the culinary centerpieces of downtown Palm Springs' redevelopment project is open: Il Corso, the much-liked Palm Desert-El Paseo Italian restaurant owned by chef Mario Marfia and, uh, indicted developer John Wessman has opened its second location at 111 N. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 180; get info at ilcorsocv.com. … Save wildlife "one brew at a time," according to the news release, at the 10th annual Brew at the Zoo event, happening at and benefiting the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47900 Portola Ave., in Palm Desert, at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9. Tickets start at $60 (for members) and $65 (nonmembers) and will get you access to more than 30 beer, wine, liquor and non-alcoholic beverage vendors; 10 food trucks will offer food for purchase. Designated drivers get in for just $20; call 760-346-5694 or visit www.livingdesert.org for tickets or details. … Celebrate the Academy Awards in style and support AAP Food Samaritans at the same time by heading to Trio Restaurant at 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, for the annual "Hollywood's Biggest Night" shindig. The event will sell out, so get your seats, starting at $125, ASAP at aidsassistance.org; you'll get a six-course dinner and beverages with your reservation, and most of what you'll pay is tax-deductible. Yay! … The River giveth, and The River taketh away. The Rancho Mirage shopping center, at 71800 Highway 111, recently welcomed the second location of the locally owned Apong's Philly Steak, while the only valley location of MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza Company, which was located at The River, has shut its doors. Learn more about the yumminess at Apong's at apongsphillysteak.com. … This announcement brings me joy: Mariscocos Culiacan, one of my favorite valley seafood places, has opened a second location: In addition to the original Coachella location, there's now one at 16760 Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs. Yes! More info at www.facebook.com/mariscocosymaristorresculiacan760. … Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, at 32250 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage, has recently made some nice changes—including the opening of 360 Sports, a big, beautiful sports bar and restaurant. Learn more at www.hotwatercasino.com/360-sports-bar.


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Whimsy and Flights of Fancy
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will exhibit "Whimsy and Flights of Fancy" on Thursday, Feb 6. with a free reception from 5-7 p.m This exhibition runs through Saturday, April 25. "Whimsy and Flights of Fancy" is inspired by objects from the Arkansas Arts Center's "Playing Around: Toys Designed by Artists collection." These three-dimensional sculptures will be paired with two-dimensional visual art by Eric Freeman, Katherine Strause, and Sherry J. Williamson.
For more on our upcoming exhibits visit asc701.org/upcoming
Eric Freeman: http://ericleonfreeman.com/
Katherine Strause: https://www.katherinestrause.com/
Sherry Williams: https://www.sherryjwilliamson.com/
"The Rare Air," Eric Freeman
- Contact:
- Matthew Howard
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- 870-536-3375

subset: commoncrawl


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There are so many groups of friends that go out on female-only hunting trips for reindeer or ptarmigan. They sail into the fjord together and spread out over the backcountry to walk as many kilometers as needed – one way with just their rifles and rucksacks and the other way with dozens of kilos of animal on their backs.
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In the traditional lifestyle (think: in small northern and eastern settlements), women are the ones who make fur clothes for the hunter in the family to keep him warm on the ice; they also make items like the sled dog harnesses to aid the hunters' transportation. And it is women who cut and prepare the fish and meat so that all can eat and, in old days, burn oil for light and heating.
In the more modern side of Greenlandic life (think: in the capital city), women are also leading society. Half of the highest governmental Ministers are women and three of the five municipalities are led by female Mayors. There are also 9 women who sit on Greenland's Parliament, and both of the Greenland representatives in the Danish Parliament are – you guessed it – women.
Not to mention, Visit Greenland's very own Director is a woman. After a decade of leading Katuaq, Greenland's cultural center where many a traveller at lunch and perhaps saw an art exhibit or theatrical show, Julia Pars moved over to the national tourist board. She will now help drive the tourism industry forward at what is perhaps the most exciting time for travel in Greenland.
There are three times as many women than men enrolled at the University of Greenland, and in the private sector, handfuls of local boutiques, tour companies and small businesses are owned by women all throughout the country.
Physical strength and conditioning is highly important for Greenlandic women. At the country's only CrossFit affiliate, located in Nuuk, 62% of the box's several hundred members are women.
In a country with no roads, air transport plays a central role in connecting the country. If you are lucky, the person flying you to and from just might be one of Air Greenland's five female pilots.


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4 awesome practices music artists need to follow on Facebook
Facebook is the most widely used social media platform and this increases its scope as a marketing tool. People spend a considerable time of the day looking for interesting things on Facebook and if you are a newbie artist you must know how to take advantage of the same. Here are awesome practices you need to follow on Facebook in order to gain instant recognition.
1. Event planning
Having a website and making it famous is an old tactic of music marketing. In the world of digital music distribution, you need to keep your Facebook page updated too. Many people do not check your website but may keep looking at what your FB page is showing. Mention all the shows that you are planning to conduct in the future and let your audience know where they can trace you. This would keep them updated and let you make more sales through concert tickets.
2. Tell people about yourselves
If you see any Facebook page you would notice people mentioning a lot of information in their "About" section. To be true if the listeners do not find anything enticing there they may just move forward without giving you even one look. You must upload a short 'bio' which mentions everything about you.
3. Share things
To get maximum results from music promotion you must leave no stone unturned to grab eyeballs. Share lots of stuff on your Facebook page so that the audience knows you are relatable. From videos, stories, to pictures you can share just everything however, do not do it so frequently that your listener gets bored.
4. No personal account
When handling your artist account do not manage it from your personal profile. Keep the personal profile different from your artist page as only then the audience would pay attention to you. Do not mix your profiles if you want to be considered credible enough.
Now that you have made a foray into the music industry it is important that you keep yourself in the limelight. If you are unaware of the best method to do so, get in touch with Beatrising. They are a reputed music distribution company and having them by your side would propel you to greater heights of success. Get in touch with them if you wish to reach out to your audience but do not know how to take the first steps.


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Helping beyond death
For many people it is a beautiful idea to set an example, even beyond their own finiteness. You can use your will to help children of the world in need. Our organisation vouches to use these means carefully and sustainably for the weakest members of society.
Education is a particularly important part of our work. We want to give children who live in financially difficult conditions a chance for life. Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V. has been committed to this humanitarian cause for more than 15 years now.
If you have any questions and if such a support of our work is possible for you, please talk to our board member for Finance & Funding, Mr. Bernhard Hau, attorney at law, confidentially.
Phone: +49 (0) 69 690 23 255
Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen / Wings of Help e.V.
Cargo City Süd – Geb. 501c
60549 Frankfurt am Main – Airport
Phone: +49 (0)69 690 232 55
E-Mail: email@example.com


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Hilton Munich AirportTerminalstrasse Mitte 20, 85356, Munich, Germany TEL: +49-89-97820 FAX: +49-89-97822610 Email us
Park, Sleep & Fly
Book our Park, Sleep & Fly package including one night and 8 days parking directly at Munich Airport.
Rooms & Suites
Our rooms are designed with comfort and convenience in mind; providing a place to unwind or to catch up on work. Explore the various types of rooms, explore the amenities, and choose the space that's right for you.
Guest Rooms
Step into one of our comfortable and spacious rooms. Here you can work at ease and prepare for your next meeting. Relax in a peaceful and calm atmosphere and enjoy some of the culinary highlights from the room service menu.View All Guest Rooms
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Take the stress out of business travel in this contemporary 30sq. m/322 sq. ft room with a view over the airport area through floor-to ceiling windows from levels 4 to 6. Enjoy exclusive access to the Executive Lounge featuring complimentary breakfast an refreshments.View All Executive Rooms
Accessible Rooms
Enjoy the same attractive, spacious Rooms with all of our coveted amenities plus features preferred by our special needs guests. Each of these rooms has a minimum 40-inch clearance on all door ways and between furnishings, making Wheel Chair maneuvering easy. Our vanities and closets are constructed to provide convenient access. Each room is equipped with a strobe-light door, phone and alarm system. Bathrooms also offer a roll-in shower. The corresponding photo may not reflect the specific accessible room type or room feature.View All Accessible Rooms


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By Arts & Life Music Beat writers
Every week, The Daily's Music Beat comes together to make the Tree-Mix, a playlist of the music that's been on our minds. This past week's theme focuses on songs of the summer, a season that, despite this week's weather, was an entire month ago. The vast span of time elapsed since those days of September, so dearly gone away, deserves some nostalgia, doesn't it?
Jacob Kuppermann, Music Desk Editor (jkupperm 'at' stanford.edu)
Carly Rae Jepsen — "Cut To The Feeling": Explaining Carly Rae Jepsen is maddening in its impossibility. I can list the wonderful things that "Cut To The Feeling" does, from how the opening, Madonna-biting synth glissandos draw you in immediately, to how the handclaps and rhythm guitar keep the tension high during the verses to allow for the supreme release of the chorus, all synth sustains and vocal joy. I can't quite explain, though, the sum of the parts here — "Cut To The Feeling," like all of CRJ's best songs, is an experience beyond just the song, an artificial pop confection that manages to convince you of its authenticity by sheer joy. It's summer, or at least the parts of summer that we selectively remember, distilled into slightly more than 200 masterful seconds, an instantly compelling shard of pure energy.
Nick Burns, Staff Writer (nburns 'at' stanford.edu)
Phoenix – "J-Boy": Phoenix's new album "Ti Amo," released in early June, was a little too saccharine and superficial to really merit serious critical scrutiny. Former Music Desk Editor Tyler Dunston, my roommate at Oxford at the time, and I felt jaded enough towards their French Riviera sellout-chic aesthetic that we started compiling a list of made-up Phoenix tracks, with titles like "Cotton Candy," "Prosecco" and "Santorini." Somehow, the opening track of the album – with its deep synth opening followed by a single falling note, over-the-top drums, and hysterical vocals – still lodged so firmly in my head that I played it on stereos all over Europe, from a loft off the Boulevard Raspail in Paris to an English bed-and-breakfast near Hadrian's Wall, until my traveling companion begged me to find something else to listen to.
Paulina Campos, Contributing Writer (pcampos 'at' stanford.edu)
Bomba Estéreo – "Amanecer": This summer was a pretty great time for music discovery. I had a hard time narrowing down my favorites of the season (which are well represented on the rest of this playlist) but decided to go with a song by Bomba Estéreo, a Colombian band that specializes in cumbia-inspired alternative dance music. If that description doesn't scream "summertime party vibes," I don't know what does. "Amanecer" is the perfect song to dance to with friends, or play while you're getting ready for a night out. Lead singer Liliana Saumet's rapping is slick, while her singing on the chorus sounds like she's doing it with all her might. I was lucky enough to see Bomba Estéreo live at Outside Lands music festival in August, and their performance was surprisingly one of the highlights of my weekend. They turned the Panhandle stage into a nightclub and energized the freezing festival attendees on that foggy night. If you're looking for fun Spanish-language music, but mainstream hits like "Despacito" aren't really doing it for you, I'd highly recommend giving Bomba Estéreo a listen.
Damon French, Contributing Writer (damonf 'at' stanford.edu)
Kishi Bashi —"Honeybody": Indie pop violinist Kishi Bashi released his third album "Sonderlust" in September 2016; winter and spring came and went and found me still listening. "Honeybody," the final track, is many things at once: electric, orchestral and rhythmic, a love song, ode to board games and possible product placement. It's the perfect example of what makes his music so great, an intricately layered pop song that can be listened to over and over and that feels musically erudite without taking itself seriously. When Ishibashi goes for the chorus in his glossy falsetto, "Ooo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-o, Honeybody want your body," it sounds almost like a parody, but all the same it's the enjoyable sound of a talented musician having fun, pop music like nothing else out there.
Dylan Grosz, Staff Writer (dgrosz 'at' stanford.edu)
Tyler, The Creator – "911 / Mr. Lonely": When Tyler, The Creator dropped the gory music video for his lead single "Who Dat Boy," it seemed as if he had just released more of his signature aggressive, horrorcore influenced hip hop. As "Who Dat Boy" closed out with an engine rev, the video jumps to multiple copies of Tyler crooning "Call me, call me, call me," all their vocals coalescing in a unified plea when Tyler tells us his number, "911." The video cuts abruptly. These final 30 seconds were unlike anything I had ever heard from Tyler. They evoked a sunny sense of desperation, a smile turned sour with too much time under the sun. Further Spotify research taught me that this snippet came from the B-side of "Who Dat Boy," formally known as "911 / Mr. Lonely." The two parts of this song are inexplicably linked melodically and thematically, evoking a sense of loneliness within a crowd when summer days just get too lazy. "911" is easily the brighter of the two halves, featuring a desperate Tyler and a Steve Lacy-led chorus repeatedly asking you to "call [him] sometime." With chirps from Frank Ocean, "911" almost seems to answer Tyler's pleas. However, when the song makes the call for you, the number is busy. The song changes gears. As we enter "Mr. Lonely," Tyler grapples with letting go of his hope of companionship and turns to his material possessions for comfort. Tyler is just authentically sad. No gimmick. No "psyche!" He truly believes that he should blame himself for his lack of true friends. Ending on a foreboding note, Tyler hopes for someone to genuinely ask him how he's doing, or else he'll have to call 911, a number doubling for himself and the actual authorities. While "911 / Mr. Lonely" directly deals with Tyler's loneliness despite his fame, this song's consistent shifting of emotional lanes doubles as a reflection on the dark underbelly of the stereotypically bright days of summer.
Jacob Nierenberg, Contributing Writer (jhn2017 'at' stanford.edu)
Fleet Foxes – "Third of May / Ōdaigahara": On June 16, Fleet Foxes returned — finally — with their third album, "Crack-Up." On June 18, I was sitting in the sweltering heat of Stanford Stadium, ready to leave for the summer. My senior year was marred by political and personal devastation. I'd lost my sense of focus and my sense of purpose. I'd grown insecure about my relationships, sometimes feeling like I was the only one invested in them and other times feeling like I wasn't doing enough to maintain them. On June 19, I was back home with a diploma and a mess of unanswered questions: Where did my best self go? What do I mean to people? Was I too slow? Did I change overnight? Those last two questions are sung by Robin Pecknold on "Third of May / Ōdaigahara," the lead single and beating heart of "Crack-Up." I still don't have the answers to those questions. I still wake up some afternoons and wonder when I'll see my best self again. I still look at an unanswered text and wonder if its recipient cares as much about me as I do about them. All of this is to say, there are few lonelier places to be than lost inside your own head, and few heavier realizations than that you are the source of your own torment. "To be held within one's self is deathlike." I know.
Kendrick Shen, Contributing Writer (kshen6 'at' stanford.edu)
Queens of the Stone Age – "The Way You Used To Do": If grunge rock or any sort of groovy distorted guitar is your jam, then I highly recommend that you check out Queens of the Stone Age's newest album, released in the summer: "Villains." The new songs take a trip from the band's previous signature sound, driven by crisp edgy bass guitar, and instead take up a retro-electro-swing sound. "The Way You Used To Do" is the lead single of "Villains" and finds its beat in a fast, borderline stressful riff played on a guitar with the bottom string intentionally snapped off. Many songs have the ability to flip your mood entirely, making you feel happy, excited or dreamy; this song is no different, and I assure you that after listening to "Villains," you will be out to conquer the world. Good luck!


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Electricity consumption fell by 1.3% in 2012
Press release • Feb 11, 2013 01:00 CET
In 2012 electricity production from wind power corresponded to 30.0% of domestic electricity supply 11 February 2013
In 2012, Danish domestic electricity supply fell by 1.3% compared with 2011. This decrease was the same for east and west Denmark. Electricity production from wind power increased by 5.1% in 2012. Electricity production from wind power thus corresponded to 30.0% of domestic electricity supply, as compared to 28.2 in 2011.
Electricity production from large-scale and small-scale CHP plants fell by 20.8% and 24.6% respectively, compared with 2011. Electricity production from autoproducers fell by 8.8%. The large drop is related to the fact that in 2012 Denmark had high net imports of electricity and also the increase in electricity production from wind power in 2012. Danish net imports of electricity have not been this high since 1990. This large increase in net imports of electricity is due to the fact that Nordic hydro reservoir were significantly above normal during the period, leading to low electricity prices.
Ignoring grid losses, Danish domestic electricity supply corresponds to electricity consumption.
More detailed information
The Danish Energy Agency publishes monthly information about electricity supply. The source of these statistics is Energinet,dk, which provides information about electricity supply in eastern and western Denmark.
The monthly electricity supply statistics contain the following information:
- Electricity production by place of production
- Imports and exports of electricity by country
- Domestic electricity supply (electricity consumption and net losses)
The associated spreadsheet contains information for the period January to December 2011, for western and eastern Denmark and for the country as a whole.
Ali A. Zarnaghi
Center for Klima og Energiøkonomi
Tlf.: 33 92 68 40


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How do you know your car might need a front end alignment?
It tends to pull in a different direction than you are steering. It feels less than sure-footed at high speeds or under high loads. You're seeing some unusual signs of wear on the tires. The car seems to wander a bit. Or you just got new tires and want them to perform at their best.
Remember we're talking about cars here, right?
It's a common refrain I hear from CEOs – I wonder if my team is aligned.
Sometimes, it's very practical — they see work going off in different directions, inconsistent with what they thought was an agreed strategy. Or it seems there are too many competing agendas, or disconnects in shared activities. Maybe too many tie-breaker decisions are coming to their desk.
Some — perhaps the harder ones — have an emotional strain. It seems to take forever to get people signed on to the priorities. Or conflicts flare up at the slightest provocation. Or, the opposite of all that energy, it just seems like not everyone is pulling hard, especially for each other.
When a car's wheels are aligned, you can keep a pretty light hand on the wheel; when not, you have to muscle it to keep the car going in the right direction.
The remedy too often heralded as the cure-all is the leadership offsite — a few focused hours on strategy then off to the field for those trust walks or scavenger hunts. Here are your keys back, all set.
What we can ignore is the basic human psychology that people behave the way they do for a reason, and you have to get to those reasons before any change will ever take root. You can true up the wheel alignment on the raciest of sports cars but careen all over the place if you don't know the dynamics of steering or the road is blistered with potholes and washboard surfaces.
Before reaching for the quick fix, here are some alignment factors to consider first:
- How steady is my steering? There is a time for thinking out loud and changing your mind, but how much of the erratic activity can be traced back to your lack of clarity or consistency?
- Am I pushing this crate beyond its design spec? Do I have good people trying to keep up with the pace of the business, but it's time to honestly assess what resources are needed?
- Is my organizational design clear? Is the org chart an obstacle for people doing their best work together?
- Do I deal with inevitable conflicts quickly before they escalate? (Delay a wheel alignment long enough and it will wear a groove in that tire will make any alignment pretty tough!)
- Is the purpose and focus of the business clear and reflected in decisions? (A head-on collision with a sacred cow is a messy scene.)
- Am I fair in dealing with people or am I seen as playing favorites? You may logically spend more time with certain direct reports given their roles, but when those distinctions become evident publicly, you are inviting discord.
- Are we truly together in our commitment to some basic values and principles around our leadership culture? You can have different styles and ways of thinking and doing, but fundamentally different beliefs and values — especially around people and ethics, for example — can send you into a ditch.


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Mistakes Planning a Disney Vacation
Newbies and seasoned Disney travelers have something in common – at one time or another, they've probably made a mistake or two on their Disneyland or Walt Disney World vacation. Hopefully once you recognize the Disney travel pitfalls, you can make a detour towards a successful and magical trip! Be sure to check out all the other links I have in this post for more Disney planning advice when preparing for Disney World or Disneyland.
Mom Rewritten uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through the links in these posts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see the Privacy Policy and Disclosures tab.
Mistake #1: "Surprise! We're Going to Disney…Right NOW!!"
It sounds like a great idea, right? You'll take them to the airport or pop them in the car for the road trip and surprise them with a trip to Disney! They'll be so happy, right?? Depending upon your kids, this surprise of a lifetime could go either way. And you'll really have to know your kids to know how a big surprise like that would go down.
For my two older children, a surprise vacation would not be welcome and might indeed spark a meltdown. They both like to know early-on what's going to happen and be totally prepared so a surprise Disney trip would not be the best idea. However, my 4-year old would be thrilled! He tends to roll-with-the-punches a little better and doesn't mind a few changes in his routine. Only you know how your kids might react.
Instead of surprising the kids just as you're leaving, consider a surprise early on in the planning stages of the vacation. This still gives you the excitement of "Wow, we're going to Disney?!". but allows them time to let the idea of a big vacation sink in. They'll also be able to properly prepare and help you plan the trip as well and give input on what rides and attractions they'd like to see.
I like the idea of a surprise that includes a Disney Vacation Planning DVD (you can order one free through this link) so they can watch and take notes on what to expect during their trip. Throw in a planning guide book so that you and the kids can start planning your trip before you leave including what shows, rides and attractions you want to experience.
Mistake #2: "Why Is It So Crowded?"
If you plan on visiting Disney on a weekend, summertime, holiday season or pretty-much anytime that kids are out of school, you'll need to be prepared that the Parks will be crowded. Be sure to take a look at the calendar before booking your trip to make sure an avoid three-day weekends and holidays if you want to visit when the Park crowds are lighter.
For Disneyland planning advice, see these posts:
Mistake #3: "Where Am I? I Am Totally Lost"
Finding yourself directionally challenged once you pass Main St. U.S.A? Take some time in your pre-vacation planning to study the maps of each Park. You can find the maps on the Disney Parks websites.
Each of the Disney Parks are large and have lots of nooks and crannies to explore. If you have a general idea of the layout of the "Lands" then at least you won't be looking for the Haunted Mansion in Tomorrowland.
Save Money on Your Disney Vacation!
Purchase discount Disneyland and Walt Disney World tickets and vacation packages from my affiliate Get Away Today.
Use the Promo Code REWRITTEN and receive an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California package. (Hotel and 2 ticket minimum purchase to qualify for the discount).
Mistake #4: "I Thought I'd Be Able to See ALL the Characters"
At any given moment, you might find a dozen characters meeting and greeting guests throughout the Park. Will you find your favorite? Maybe!
Not all characters meet guests year-round. Some you'll be sure to see, like Mickey and the "fab five" throughout the day at the Parks and others only come out for special occasions. You'll get an idea of which characters will be out that day from the Entertainment Times Guide you receive at the front gate. There are also special appearances that aren't in the schedule and of course you can see characters in the shows and parades as well.
Be sure to see my post on Traveling Mom, Ways to Meet Mickey and Other Characters for more details on how to see your favorites along with tips for having the best character meet n' greet experience!
Mistake #5: "What Are We Going to Eat? I'm STARVING!!"
Waiting until your vacation day to decide on your Disney meals is a mistake. Even if you only plan on grab & go counter service meals, you should still plan ahead of time what food you'll be eating. This not only saves you time deciding on the spot, time spent zig-zagging across the Park to get to the restaurant and time perusing the menu deciding on your meal.
With such a large family, I always print off a few of the restaurant menus online so we can choose what we'll be ordering before our trip. We can decide early about sharing platters of food, budgeting for meals and it saves us time in line trying to decide. One of us orders and the other gets the table and it's a much more expedited process!
In the case of full-service dining, much of the dining at Disney is considered an "experience". And at Walt Disney World especially, you'll need Advance Dining Reservations (ADR) to get into these restaurants.
When we were checking in for our reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe, there were a half-dozen people trying to get in to the booked restaurant without any luck. You'll definitely need ADR if you plan on full-service. You can play it by ear at Disneyland for the most past, save for Character meals and peak season.
Check out these posts about dining at Disney parks:
- Sharing Meals at Disneyland
- Dining at Disneyland without ADR
- 7 Tips to Save Money on Food at Disney Parks
- MORE Ways to Save on Food at Disney Parks
Mistake #6: "I Should Have Brought the…"
Regretting that you forgot to bring something with you into the Parks? Having a packing list ready before your trip will help you to remember everything you'll need to pack up in your day bag. I find that jotting down essentials as I recall them in the weeks leading up to the trip will help me better than if I go off the top of my head when I'm loading up the suitcase.
Certainly there are a lot of things you can buy inside the Disney Parks gift shops from antacids to flip-flops but the prices will be higher as well. At least at Disneyland, there are convenience stores within walking distance of the front gates.
See these additional posts about what to pack for Disney:
Mistake #7: "Why Are the Kids So Cranky?! This is Supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth!"
Disney Parks are chock full of entertainment from rope drop to midnight, and beyond. For most kids, the constant activity combined with a disruption in their usual routine (and nap schedule) can cause tantrums like you've never seen before! For other kids, anxiety about all the new noises, sights and smells might put them into stress-mode.
Be sure to work in some downtime into your Disney vacation schedule. A mid-trip "off day" will give everyone a chance to sleep in, relax and unwind a bit before getting back into the theme-park frenzy again.
Here are a few handy posts about avoiding the "Disney meltdown!":
Planning a Disney vacation and you need more help?
Be sure to check out this post about the 5 Things You Need to Do Before Your First Disney Trip for more travel planning tips!
Save Money at Disney!
Purchase discount Disneyland and Disney World tickets and vacation packages from my affiliate Get Away Today.
Use the Promo Code REWRITTEN and receive an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California package. (Hotel and 2 ticket minimum purchase to qualify for the discount).
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Blue | Disney Mistakes & How to Avoid Them Loop:
- 1st Stop – Mom Rewritten | YOU ARE HERE! – 7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Disney Vacation
- 2nd Stop – What's the Point? | Winging it: The Biggest Disney Mistake
- 3rd Stop – Magical Mickey Tips | Arriving Late to a Disney Park Can Be a Huge Mistake
- 4th Stop – Love Our Crazy Life | 10 Items Banned at Disney
- 5th Stop – Superheroes and Teacups | How to Avoid Disappointment at Walt Disney World


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- You may wish to consult
Seanfor other, similarly-named pages.
Sean was an Irish sailor who was shipwrecked near Atlantis. He was captured and put to work in the mines. He and Jacko met Jamie McCrimmon and Ben Jackson when the last two were assigned to the mines. The four of them escaped and met with the Second Doctor to aid in his plans to defeat Professor Zaroff.
Sean and Jacko's job was to convince the fish people to go on strike, leaving the Atlanteans without any food. After the Doctor flooded the lower levels of Atlantis, Sean and Jacko fled to the surface, where they saw the Doctor's TARDIS dematerialise. (TV: The Underwater Menace)
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


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The Built In Single Drawer by Bull is a great addition to your outdoor kitchen. With 304 Grade 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Construction and slides out for storage. This single drawer looks good on top of the Built In Access Door
Write Your Own Review
|Bull Warranty
- 304 Grade 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Construction
- Slide-Out Drawer
- Storage space
- See downloads
- Height: 15.2.cm
- Width: 64.8cm
- Depth: 52.0cm
- Weight: 7.7kg


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In 2005, we were asked to devise wraparound activities to support the British Council's International Climate Change campaign ZeroCarbonCity.
Working with staff from the Science Communication Unit (SCU) at UWE, we ran workshops, demonstrations, quizzes and cafe scientifiques for schools and family groups, through to prospective science communicators.
The events took place at various centres across Russia, including Samara, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow and St Petersburg. We also ran related events in Latvia and the Czech Republic.
ZeroCarbonCity was a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change and the energy challenges facing the world's cities. An increasing majority of the world's population are living in cities. A significant part of climate change is affected by the actions of people in these cities, which is why the British Council chose to design a campaign that concentrates on the relationship between climate change and cities.


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If you are a small business owner then you know online marketing is tough. Here is a free list to help you identify the types of content you should use for your digital marketing strategy.
Download my free content comparison guide to know find out what content you should use!
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VOTE November 5th
Vote NO to a 42%* Loveland School District Increase
Concerned Citizens of Loveland
Loveland Against School Levy PAC is a grassroots organization made up of Loveland volunteers who are concerned about the effects of the upcoming 16.78mil levy to our community. We don't have a large budget, but we have many voices.
We are asking the hard questions to figure out how the Loveland Schools got the citizens into a position to "Need" this large amount of money. Follow our website and FaceBook page as we uncover the information that is NOT in the glossy brochures being sent out by the Loveland School District.
On November 5th, the Loveland City School District is asking residents to approve a 16.78 mil PERMANENT levy worth $165 million.
On average a Loveland homeowner's school tax will increase 42%.
Click on the Levy Info tab to see how the levy will effect your home.
Quick Math is $49 per MONTH for every $100,000 of your Home Value.


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The Times reveals an accident prone HSE while British Energy enters nuclear talks according to the Independent on Sunday
It's a dangerous life working at the headquarters of health and safety
The Times on Saturday said that it had obtained data through the Freedom of Information Act which showed that 500 accidents occurred at the headquarters of the Health and Safety Executive in a three and a half year period. According to the Times it equates to one incident almost every two working days and far exceeds sectors including heavy industry, farming and vehicle repairs. One minor injury was reported after someone walked into a warning sign.
Heritage fakers hold builders to ransom
The Sunday Times reported that the Euston Trust, which claims to campaign to protect Britain's architectural heritage, accepted a secret payment of £10,000 to drop its objections to a £16m development in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
Generator in talks with rivals to build new reactors
British Energy, the nuclear generator, has held talks with Europe's largest power companies about building a new generation of nuclear reactors in the UK, the Independent on Sunday reports. According to the newspaper, the company has had meetings with executives from the French group EDF and German group RWE, which owns npower in the UK, ahead of next month's publication of the Government's White Paper on energy. E.ON is also understood to be involved.
Rate rises start to cool homes market
The Financial Times said the three interest rate rises since August had stabilised the house market and began to narrow regional differences, according to its house price index. Annual house price inflation was 'broadly' stable at 6.9% in January with house prices rising just 0.7%.


text: In one tragic day, men and women across the nation felt the same cosmic shockwave and sensed a new, urgent life-changing need. Comes to grips with this powerful force and explores five key spiritual lessons learned from the horrifying destruction of 9/11. Discover the powerful forces ultimately responsible for this and every other evil, and find true peace and security in an age of chaos and disaster. A perfect book for sharing with family and friends who need to find Jesus. Author: Rich Cavaness. Pages: 95 PB. ISBN: 1580191622


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What's the best way to communicate?
Typically this depends on the situation that you need to communicate. If you need to get something out quickly then speaking a message might work best. Or perhaps you need to take some images to record what occurred during or after a situation.
Using IM-Notify you are able to do this and more.
IM-Notify allows you to use the following media types to get your message across or to allow for procedural recording of the situation.
• Voice Messaging
• Photo
• Video
• Location
• Text
• Template
This information is securely shared with your teams and able to be retrieved later from our administration portal.


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Fines are charged at the following rates and apply to all Library users. Fines will accrue all year round on overdue items (during term time and vacation, except Christmas vacation*).
|Loan period
|Fine per item
|Maximum fine
|Two Week Loans
|50p per item per day
|£10 per item
|Laptop Loans
|50p per laptop per day
|£10 per laptop
|Inter-Library Loans
|50p per item per day
|£30 per item
|NB: a British Library charge of at least £160.10 plus VAT may also be applicable for overdue ILL items.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 116 cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis, the polio-like illness causing paralysis mainly in children.
This is a jump from the 106 confirmed cases that the agency admitted to just last week. Parents had been pushing to get more cases identified, claiming that the CDC was underestimating the number.
On Monday the CDC also added Louisiana to the states with cases, confirming that one person was sick with AFM there. The agency is working hard to identify the elusive cause. While viruses have been implicated, no definitive connection to a single pathogen has emerged.
The agency also confirmed the first case for this year in Louisiana, according to KLFY.com. The CDC updates a map of cases every Monday, with the latest update showing cases as of Nov. 23.
The CDC has established a task force to get to the bottom of the medical mystery.


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The Chicago Red Stars have added three more free agents to their list of five for the upcoming NWSL season, including Lori Chalupny, Taryn Hemmings, and Ella Masar. This follows Friday's announcement of midfielder Leslie Osborne. Per league and team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The Red Stars will be announcing their 5th free agent in the near future.
Chalupny, a 29-year-old versatile midfielder from St. Louis and also captain of the 2008 gold-medal Olympic USWNT with 92 caps, returns to Chicago for her second season. She was an integral part of the 2012 Red Stars team that contended in the WPSL Elite final. In between seasons she spent time in Sweden with team AIK.
Read more at ChicagoRedStars.net
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