Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Goldenvoice, Marvin Hamlisch, “Under the Streetlamp”

By Frances Allen

AQUA CALIENTE CULTURAL MUSEUM

Several hundred feet above the desert floor, among the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains just south of Palm Springs, in an area known as Andreas Canyon, there is a small mesa surrounded by towering palms and uplifted rock formations. For millennia, this oasis, nourished by the brook that flows through it, has been part of the sacred ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians … a place of peace, in harmony with nature.

It is only fitting, since they were here first, that for more than 20 years the Desert’s social season traditionally begins with a catered, al fresco, Native American-inspired, sit-down gourmet dinner served on this ancient mesa, with only the moon and stars for a canopy.

This year’s Dinner in the Canyons, as with prior dinners, benefits the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Desert’s native cultures alive through exhibitions, educational programs and cultural events. The Agua Caliente are a proud, hospitable people, and their passion for sharing and protecting their culture is reflected in their museum, winner of numerous, national-level awards of achievement.

Music is an integral part at any festive gathering of Native people and guests at this year’s Dinner in the Canyons will be enthralled with the song, dance and storytelling of Chuna McIntyre and the Nunamta You’ik Eskimo Singers and Dancers from the shores of the Bering Sea in southwest Alaska. The group will perform in traditional regalia with authentic masks and artifacts, enhancing the spiritualness of the evening.

This year, Dinner in the Canyons will take place on Oct. 13; additional information is available by calling (760) 833-8174.

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is located at 219 S. Palm Canyon Dr. in downtown Palm Springs, in true Native American hospitality, admission is free.

An important aspect of the museum is its desire to inspire people to learn about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other native cultures. It is also the first Native American museum to be part of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations program, and as such provides the opportunity of sharing resources as well an entitling the museum to bring world-acclaimed Smithsonian exhibitions to the Coachella Valley.

“Under The Streetlamp”

If you love the hit Broadway musical, “Jersey Boys,” you’ll become enamored with “Under the Streetlamp,” four flawless voices with a repertoire that features classic Motown hits, good ol’, ‘rock ‘n’ roll and doo-wop. In fact, each of the group has starred in various productions of the musical.

Under the Streetlamp will make their first appearance in the Coachella Valley as entertainment headliners for the Palm Springs Art Museum’s 2013 fundraising black-tie gala to be held at the museum on Jan. 16.

The art museum gala is one of the season’s major fundraising events and tickets for the cocktail-dinner-and-show becoming scarce very quickly.

More information is available at (760) 322-4844.

GOLDENVOICE

Stagecoach Music Festival by Goldenvoice

The impresarios behind Goldenvoice, promoters of the hugely successful Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals in the City of Indio, may promote rock music but that hasn’t deadened their business acumen.

After months of threats about finding a new venue for its concerts, it now appears very likely that Goldenvoice will get what it has always wanted from the city: a long-term, multi-year contract.

Given the fact that the Indio City Council has already expressed a desire to negotiate a long-term contract, the only items not agreed to are the terms of such an agreement. But then, the ‘devil is in the details.’

Since the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals have such an international following and audience, we will keep readers advised as to whether the negotiations are harmonic or discordant. But rockers can rest a little easy: there is a contract in place now that covers the 2013 festivals.

MARVIN HAMLISCH

Marvin Hamlisch

No one was more saddened or shocked by the unexpected passing of Marvin Hamlish than the performers and residents of the Coachella Valley.

Over the years, Hamlisch performed numerous times at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, where his talent and popularity insured sold-out appearances.

Hamlisch’s next appearance at the McCallum had been booked for Jan. 21, and, in the best “the show must go on” tradition, McCallum President and CEO Mitch Gershenfeld said that moves are afoot to have the performance on that night be a tribute to the great award-winning composer.

Shortlink: