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Black History, an Orange Party, Lipstick, a Beatles Review, Jennifer Holliday and the Oscars! Posted by Nicholas Snow | February 24, 2016 The Black History Month Parade and Fair; an Orange Party with Lipstick at the Copa; a Beatles Review; Jennifer Holliday performs for the Mizell Senior Center; Many party choices for Hollywood's Biggest Night; Daniel Vaillancourt loves Palm Springs; plus Events, Happy Hours & Hot Deals! Soldiers of the 369th (15th N.Y.) who won the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action, 1919 (From Wikipedia, with permission) Celebrating Black History As Black History Month comes to a close, the biggest weekend of our local celebration gets underway with the Black History Month Parade and Town Fair taking place Saturday, February 27th. The parade kicks off at noon on Arenas Road going North to Alejo Road, and the Town Fair runs from noon until 6:00 p.m. at Frances Stevens Park, 500 N. Palm Canyon Road. As we learn at PalmSpringsBlackHistory.org, “The Mission of the Palm Springs Black History Committee (PSBHC) is to promote unity to diverse cultures of the Coachella Valley and build a spirit of cooperation between the diverse cultures and educate about contributions of local African-Americans in building the vibrant Coachella Valley.† More info. Orange you Excited? We Are! Put on your lipstick and come on down to the COPA Thursday, February 25, for Get Tested Coachella Valley’s second Orange Party of 2016, happening concurrently with Bella da Ball’s weekly drag and cabaret extravaganza. At Orange Parties across the desert, the Get Tested campaign is igniting new conversations about how HIV testing can save lives and end the HIV epidemic in the Coachella Valley. Hosted by “the one & only Ambassador of Fun†and “Hostess with the Mostesst†bella da Ball, the entertainment lineup includes the supremely talented vocalist, Carol Kamenis; the Mistress of Makeup and Mayhem, Marina Mac; the dynamic Queen of Camp, Cherilyn; and the Queen of the Headdress, Pinki Meringue Shimmer.  More info. Imagine...and Experience! The February 26th showing of In My Life - A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles  at the Annenberg Theater has long been sold out, but a second show has been added on Saturday, February 27. In My Life is the nationally touring musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein, featuring the live music of renowned tribute band, Abbey Road. The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades. The show is appropriate for all ages.  More info. Stars Among Us Saturday Night! Tony and Grammy Award-Winning Actress Jennifer Holliday will emcee Mizell Senior Center’s ‘Stars Among Us Gala’ which will be held on at the Palm Springs Air Museum, Saturday, February 27, 2016. “The Supremes – Live at the Cocoanut Groveâ€Â will transport attendees to an era when The Cocoanut Grove nightclub at the historic Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles was at its height of fame. Described as the biggest, best and most expensive nightclub in the United States, The Cocoanut Grove featured celebrated stars from the 1920’s through the 1960’s including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, Liberace, Barbra Streisand, Sonny and Cher, and many others, including The Supremes in June 1967.  Kicking off the festivities will be Gala Emcee Jennifer Holliday, star of the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls.†Holliday, who landed the role at 19, won the 1982 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, and her recording of the show’s hit song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" earned a Grammy Award the same year. Her success as a recording artist has continued with R&B hits and inspirational Gospel performances. Holliday will also perform her signature songs from “Dreamgirls.† The headliners of the evening, SUPREME REFLECTIONS, will present hit after hit and tell the story of The Supremes, whose popular music is a part of the soundtrack of our lives. Adults, young and old, are sure to remember a time when they first heard “Baby Love,†“Someday We’ll Be Together,†“Stop! In The Name of Love,†“Come See About Me,†“Love Child,†or “You Can’t Hurry Love.†The vocals of this multi-talented trio are so true to the original recordings of The Supremes that it may be difficult to tell that they are singing live and not lip-syncing. “Mizell Senior Center experienced unprecedented success with our 2015 Stars Among Us Gala, and we’re hoping to top it in 2016 with an amazing entertainment line up and exciting silent and live auctions,†explained Jack Newby, Director of Development at Mizell Senior Center. “The funds raised at this event will provide critical support for the programs and services offered at Mizell, including our expanded Meals On Wheels program.† Mizell Senior Center operates the largest Meals On Wheels Program in the Coachella Valley, serving nearly 500 meals each day to homebound seniors from Palm Springs to North Shore Salton Sea. For many of these clients, the Meals on Wheels driver is their only contact with the outside world and critical services they would otherwise be unable to access. In addition to helping area seniors receive sufficient balanced daily nutrition, drivers are trained to recognize issues that may be affecting their clients so that Mizell staff can refer them to available resources. The Mizell Senior Center Meals On Wheels Program is a critical component in the overall health and well-being safety net for area seniors.  More info. Hollywood’s Biggest Night An annual OSCARS® party benefits AIDS Assistance Program again February 28th, but this time in two locations! TRIO Restaurant is offering a pre-fixe six-course dinner, well drinks, wine & champagne, complete with Orange Carpet Arrivals at 4:00 p.m. ($125 bar seating; $150 general seating; $175 VIP/premium seating). Get your TRIO Awards Night tickets at www.aidsassistance.org or call (760) 864-8746. At the other end of town, OSCARS® fans converge at The Purple Room for a six-course dinner as internationally acclaimed impersonator Michael Holmes presents a hysterical parody of Judy Garland during a live, wide-screen telecast. For reservations, visit www.PurpleRoomPalmSprings.com or call (760) 322-4422. As for me, I’ll be joining the celebration at Lulu California Bistro! They’re offering a four-course meal and big screening viewing throughout, including their spacious upstairs terrace. publisher Brad Fuhr at Lulu California Bistro (file photo) Nicholas Snow and GayDesertGuide.com On the menu, Prime Rib, Chilean Seabass, Rack of Lamb, Filet of Fresh Salmon, Half a Chicken, and gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. Plus “a decadent display of desserts†including cotton candy and a chocolate fountain. The party starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. for only $34.99 per person.  More info. Top Five Bookmarks of the Week 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. PS Classic Car Auction Changes Venues Hotel Planned for Burned Historic PS Community Church Indio Officials: A Fall Coachella Festival Could Happen Calling All Locals, Arrive Palm Springs has Arrived 'William Krisel's Palm Springs' Book Wins Fans at Modernism Week Daniel Vaillancourt says, "PS I love you because..." He says, "Nowhere else—with the exception of another small town I adore, Provincetown, Massachusetts—do I feel more welcome, freer, or safer. You are home!"  Read more. Find Your Favorite Happy Hour There's never a shortage of Happy Hours in the Coachella Valley.  Discover them with our Happy Hour Finder! Hot Deals in the City Getting up to 50% off at some of your favorite places by in our Hot Deals section!  More info. No Need for FOMO! (Fear of Missing Out) In addition to those we’ve highlighted above, there are hundreds more events listed here. Compiled from a variety of sources by Nicholas Snow Copyright © 2016 www.gaydesertguide.com. All rights reserved.
