01/13/09

The Man Who Dressed Marilyn Monroe - the legendary William Travilla

Posted by Shawn T. Bennett

Where does one start when introducing the legendary William Travilla? With a career spanning longer than 40 years, Travilla is one of the world’s most prolific designers. You can see some of his most famous work through March 29 at 123 N. Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs.

Posted at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1

12/22/08

Dustin Hoffman, Gus Van Sant, and Alexandre Desplat to be Honored at 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival

Posted by Kelly O'Connor

The 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will present Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman with the Chairman’s Award, Academy Award nominee Gus Van Sant with the Sonny Bono Visionary Award, and Academy Award nominee Alexandre Desplat with the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing.

Presented by Cartier, the Awards Gala will kick-off the 2009 Awards Season on Jan. 6 at the Palm Springs Convention Center and will be hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart. The festival runs Jan. 6-19.

Festival chairman Harold Matzner commented, “We are honored to present awards to Dustin Hoffman, Gus Van Sant and Alexandre Desplat at this year’s event. These talented men deliver some of their finest work in their current projects and we...

Posted at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

12/19/08

Friends of the Desert Mountains' Dirt Catalog Now Available

Posted by Kelly O'Connor

SHOPPING FOR DIRT FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Local organization’s innovative Dirt Catalog now available

Desert dirt might sound to most like a stocking stuffer threat for misbehaving children. But one Coachella Valley nonprofit organization has found a way to turn giving away dirt into a unique, educational and compelling gift this holiday season.

Friends of the Desert Mountains, the Coachella Valley-based conservation, preservation and education organization dedicated to protecting the Coachella Valley's mountains and scenic vistas, has published the premiere issue of its Dirt Catalog, a unique presentation of one-of-a-kind gift opportunities designed to raise funds — and friends —for the conservation and land preservation organization.

A lizard...

Posted at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

12/11/08

Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet, and Cast of Revolutionary Road to be Honored at the 20th Annual PS International Film Festival

Posted by Kelly O'Connor

Expect even more stars to grace the red carpets during this year’s film festival.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival will recognize the cast of one of this year’s most highly anticipated movies, Revolutionary Road, also receiving four Golden Globe nods, including Best Motion Picture. Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, and Zoe Kazan are expected to attend and accept the award.

The Awards Gala will kick off the festival on Jan. 6 at the Palm Springs Convention Center and will be hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart. The 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival runs Jan. 6-19.

Adapted from the landmark novel by Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road...

Posted at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

12/08/08

Jesus Christ Superstar a Hit at the McCallum

Posted by Kelly O'Connor

Photography by Robin Carroll

Seen and loved by thousands, Jesus Christ Superstar, the original rock opera, was a hit at McCallum Theatre Nov. 28-30.

The groundbreaking theatrical masterpiece by legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice was performed for five audiences.

Jesus Christ Superstar is one of the most popular and enduring works ever created for the musical theatre. Featuring such notable songs as "Superstar," "Everything's Alright," and "I Don't Know How to Love Him," the musical earned five Tony Award nominations.

Posted at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

11/25/08

Swing With The Stars At Kraft Nabisco Championship’s Celebrity Pro-Am

Posted by Todd

For 37 years, the Kraft Nabisco Championship Celebrity Pro-Am has featured some of the biggest names in celebrity golf. From Dinah Shore, Robert Wagner and Dandy Don to Celine Dion, Ben Roethlisberger and Dr. J, the field is always filled with maximum star power.

This year, amateur golfers can make some history of their own by playing in the tournament’s Celebrity Pro-Am at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

Open for the first time to the general public, the 2009 Pro-Am will offer an exciting opportunity for golfers to play with LPGA professionals and celebrities from sports and entertainment.

This year’s Pro-Am will be played on Tuesday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 1, during Tournament Week. The Kraft Nabisco Championship is the first...

Posted at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

11/10/08

Art of Food and Wine Palm Desert: And the Winners Are…..

Posted by Kelly O'Connor

Hundreds of guests were treated to a friendly culinary competition under the stars at The Art of Food & Wine kick-off event Food Flight.
Top area chefs and bartenders competed while attendees sampled and picked their favorites. The winners are in:


Food Flights Chef Competition

Beef, presented by Brandt Beef:
- Chef Jaime Alejandro, Desert Willow Golf Resort
- WINNER Russ Olden, Olden Days Catering – prepared skewered, cold-smoked filet mignon on crostini with horseradish as well as filet mignon tempura skewers with smoked mango chutney

Dates, presented by the California Date Administrative Committee:
- Roy Luna, Azul Restaurant at the Trilogy Golf Club, La Quinta

Posted at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

11/06/08

Lantana Offers Half off Wines Featured at Fall Event

Posted by Todd

Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spa's Lantana Restaurant will be among local restaurants featured during the two-day Grand Tasting at the Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert taking place through Sunday.

"We are excited to showcase Lantana's contemporary California cuisine at this upscale food and wine celebration," said Executive Chef Chris Mitchum. "To preview this great event, guests can enjoy eight of the varietals to be featured at the Art of Food & Wine available at our Lantana Restaurant, while also receiving half off any bottle over dinner."

The third annual Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert is a four-day celebration attracting thousands of art and culinary enthusiasts from across California and around the country to enjoy...

Posted at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

11/06/08

Barrie Lynn's Cheese and Wine Adventure

Posted by Todd

Barrie Lynn, "The Cheese Impresario," will tell you: artisanal cheeses are THE way to entertain. Everyone wants to know more about them — who makes them, how to serve them, how to put a cheese course together, and what wines complement them.

Find out answers to these and other questions during The Cheese Impresario's Artisanal Cheese & Wine Pairing Adventure at The Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert at 2 p.m. on Nov. 8.

Attendees of this free seminar will experience a selection of cheddars made by the award-winning cheese makers of Wisconsin and be introduced to cheddars from three to 10 years old. The cheeses will be paired with wines from Summerland Winery.

Enjoying the trend of handmade and carefully crafted foods, Barrie Lynn has been seen in...

Posted at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/15/08

Noble House Hotels & Resorts Unveils an Icon Transformed - Riviera Resort & Spa

Posted by Todd

Following an extensive $70 million modernization, Riviera Resort & Spa -- a legendary 24-acre property that in its heyday played host to luminaries such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Elvis Presley -- reopens its storied doors today.

Once billed as 'Palm Springs' largest and most famous resort, the revived property -- re-outfitted in a swank Hollywood glam motif with sleek lines, abstract accents and a burst of deep colors -- is located in the epicenter of old Palm Springs, a former mid-century hot spot currently in the midst of a multi-billion dollar renaissance.

This iconic resort, which evokes the glamour, allure and ultra-cool chic of 1960s Palm Springs, was purchased by Seattle-based Noble House Hotels & Resorts in 2006. First opened to...

Posted at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0