Weekender: Tony Bennett, Huey Lewis, Joshua Tree Music Festival

What’s on your agenda? Here’s our suggestions for May 16-19

Tony Bennett is still thrilling them at age 86. Catch his show Thursday at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino in Rancho Mirage.

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Thursday, May 16
5- 9 p.m.: Opening for Arizona artist John Randall Nelson, “Teardrops for Holly Solomon” at Archangel Art Collective in Palm Springs.

7 p.m.: What do you say about a guy who at age 86, is still performing, still recording and above all, still relevant. Tony Bennett has managed to do all three and make it look easy. It doesn’t matter how old you are, this is a voice that transcends age. Catch him at The Show at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino in Rancho Mirage. Read our story.

7:30 p.m.: “Three Strangers” opens the 14th annual Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival at Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. The festival features a mix of landmark and obscure vintage movies from the classic film noir era. The opening movie features Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Geraldine Fitzgerald. Sir Michael Lindsay Hogg, Fitzgerald’s son, will sign copies of his book, “Luck and Circumstance: A Coming of Age in Hollywood, New York and Points Beyond”, before and after the screening. Continues through the weekend. Read our story.

Dinner suggestion: Have you tried the appropriately named Palm Springs Crazy Roll at Wasabi? This Palm Springs tradition has an extensive sushi bar. Read our story.

 Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway

Friday, May 17

All day: Featuring bands like Papadosio, Ganga Giri, The Egg, Bang Data, not your household names when it comes to mainstream music but certainly a reason why the Joshua Tree Music Festival is geared toward an alternative music audience. Takes place at the entrance to the national park, there is camping allowed, and shade to view one of two main stages. Read our story.

8 a.m.: Registration begins for the 63rd annual International Al Jolson Society Festival at the Spa Casino Hotel in Palm Springs. The festival celebrates the life and times of Jolson, who lived in Palm Springs during the 1930s and ’40s. His charismatic voice is paid tribute to by entertainers Tony Babino, Richard Halpern and Dean Mora, Bill Campbell and more at night. During the day are seminars and presentations on Jolson. Read our story.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The 18th annual Elvis Weekend with the King starts with a tribute artist contest. House tours run 8-10 a.m. Saturday, a matinee concert from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, evening concert from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, a Sunday brunch concert from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call (760) 322-1192.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Learn more about the “The Mysteriously Enchanting Salton Sea” from a new summer exhibit at the La Quinta Museum, which is open Tuesdays through Saturdays. The exhibit runs through Sept. 28, and features photographs and interview excerpts from Christina Lange’s new book, “Portraits and Voices of the Salton Sea”.

10:30 a.m.: Shakti Fest features yoga, dance and music to celebrate the devotional path. There is continuous Kirtan music, yoga classes, meditations and prayers, eco-friendly holistic market place, vegetarian, vegan and raw vegan cuisine and a wellness sanctuary during the weekend-long fest at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center.

4:30 p.m.: Minnesota Viking linebacker Matt Blair and former Anaheim Angels General Manager Tony Reagins host a golf tournament to benefit the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association at Palm Royale Country Club in La Quinta.

6 p.m.: Roy’s Restaurant in Rancho Mirage will hold a benefit for The First Tee of Coachella Valley, a program designed for underprivileged Coachella Valley children to teach them the basics of golf. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wines and cocktails plus a silent auction. Tickets need to be purchased prior to the event.

8 p.m.: Aficionados of “Bye Bye Birdie” will remember Ann Margaret, but this classic film was a springboard for the career of Dick Van Dyke, who wound up getting his own TV show following the movie’s success. The play gives us some classic tunes plus the Elvis-like impression from Conrad Birdie. See it at the Palm Canyon Playhouse through May 26.

8:30 p.m.: Camp out at the Forever Marilyn statue and watch one of the blonde bombshell’s classics, Niagra, with Joseph Cotten, preceded by a Shortfest called “Yours Truly”.

9 p.m.: “The Power of Love” was one of two Huey Lewis and the News hits that sold more than 1 million copies, but it was not responsible for the group’s sole Grammy. That belongs to the group’s music video for “The Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll”. See them at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa. Read our story.

Dinner suggestion: Trio in Palm Springs where 10 percent of lunch and dinner proceeds will be donated to the Stroke Recovery Center of Palm Springs. Reservations are a good idea.

 Il DIVO

Saturday, May 18

All day: Featuring bands like Papadosio, Ganga Giri, The Egg, Bang Data, not your household names when it comes to mainstream music but certainly a reason why the Joshua Tree Music Festival is geared toward an alternative music audience. Takes place at the entrance to the national park, there is camping allowed, and shade to view one of two main stages. Read our story.

All day: The 18th annual Elvis Weekend features House tours from 8-10 a.m., a matinee concert from noon to 3 p.m., evening concert from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, and a Sunday brunch concert from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call (760) 322-1192.

7:30 a.m.: Don’t forget the COD Street Fair, which never closes even during the summer. Open until 2 p.m., and tree are shuttles from the parking lot to the event. Also open Sundays.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Former Olympians Janet Evans, Rowdie Gaines, Eric Shanteau, Chloe Sutton, Brian Goodell and Aaron Peirsol will help offer swim lessons to kids as part ofFamily YMCA of the Desert’s “Teach Swim Safety” at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.

10 a.m.: Relay for Life in Rancho Mirage. This American Heart Association event runs 24 hours and the whole family can participate. Set for Maryvale Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.:  Get educated on alternative healing and wellness methods during a free Wellness Weekend at Crystal Fantasy in Palm Springs. There will be demonstrations, classes and workshops. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 19.

Noon – 4 p.m.: If you didn’t see the Blu Home Origins during Modernism Week in February, here is another chance to see this amazing pre-fab house in Joshua Tree. It’s stunning against the desert backdrop. Guests should meet at JT Sportsman Club to take a shuttle to the house. Read our story.

1-5 p.m.: Tulip Hill Winery hosts a wine-tasting paired with appetizers from local restaurants at The River in Rancho Mirage. Check out the four new releases for spring.

6 p.m.: Fashionistas, unite for a good cause at the Spotlight 29 Casino Showroom in Coachella. The 15th annual Theresa A. Mike Fashion Show features models of all ages and some of the top lines of clothing like Caroldean’s, Déja vu, Francesca’s and Old Navy. Proceeds benefit education scholarships. Read our story.

6 p.m.: Wind of Art Gallery opening reception at the Backstreet Art District, 2682 S. Cherokee Way, Palm Springs.

6:30 p.m.: Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder plays to benefit the Hanson House at Desert Regional Medical Center. Reception starts at 6:30 followed by dinner and Felder’s “Evening With Hotel California” at Indian Canyons Golf Resort in Palm Springs. (760) 322-9000.

7 p.m.: Featuring the percussion skills of Don Litton, guitarist Takahito Mori and bass player Amin El, Amin El Collective’s jazz is smooth, sensual and real at the Coachella Valley Repertory in Rancho Mirage.

8 p.m.: Performing with a full orchestra, Il DIVO sings popular songs with a classical twistlike “Somewhere” “Unchained Melody” and “Adagio”. This is their first show in Indio at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

8:30 p.m.: The Los Angeles Sparks women’s basketball team will greet the public at Tacos & Tequila at Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa. Last year, Sparks coach Carol Ross was named WNBA Coach of the Year, Nneka Ogwumike captured Rookie of the Year honors, Kristi Toliver won Most Improved Player and guard Lindsay Harding was named to the WNBA All-Star Game.

9 p.m.: Indie band Caxton with Burning Bettie at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert.

Dinner suggestion: Start with a killer Margarita and continue with an assortment of enchiladas at Blue Coyote Grill in Palm Springs.

 Ganga Giri

Sunday, May 19

All day: Featuring bands like Papadosio, Ganga Giri, The Egg, Bang Data, not your household names when it comes to mainstream music but certainly a reason why the Joshua Tree Music Festival is geared toward an alternative music audience. Takes place at the entrance to the national park, there is camping allowed, and shade to view one of two main stages. Read our story.

9 a.m.: Start Sunday off with pilates in front of the Forever Marilyn statue in downtown Palm Springs. Bring your own mat. The event benefits the USO, so bring items like travel-sized toiletries, packaged snacks, disposable razor, and Gatorade to help support our troops.

11:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of the Desert honor five women at its annual fundraiser, including Sandra Fluke, Voice of Women’s Rights; May Ann Andreas, Lifetime Achievement; Julie Bornstein, Democratic Ideals; Sue Caspari, Volunteer of the Year, and Gail Jacobs, Humanitarian. At the Mission Hill Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: The 18th annual Elvis Weekend closes with a Sunday brunch concert from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call (760) 322-1192.

1-6 p.m.: Opening reception at the Roadside Attraction Art Gallery in Twentynine Palms, featuring drawings, abstract paintings, collages, sculptures and mosaics. Triplicity artists include locals Suzanne Ross and Robyn Goudy, and Christine Brown from Long Beach.

1:30 p.m.: The Palm Springs Follies ends today. Special guest Lesley Gore will sing her No. 1 hit from the 1960s, “It’s My Party”. The musical revue is a delight with a cast ranging in age from 54 to 83.

Brunch suggestion: Tropicale in Palm Springs has a separate category for Benedicts on its Brunch menu, or how about a Breakfast Pizza. Reservations recommended.

 “From Here to Eternity”

Just like a Drive-In

The city of Rancho Mirage will host a series of Tuesday night movies under the stars as part of its 40th anniversary celebration featuring the legendary movie stars who used to live there, like Frank Sinatra, the Marx Brothers, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz and Bob Hope. The next showing is “From Here to Eternity” at 8 p.m. May 21 at Whitewater Park, 71560 San Jacinto Drive. People are encouraged to arrive at 7 p.m. Popcorn and soft drinks will be served, and patrons can bring blankets, food and drinks. Free valet parking will be available. Future movies include “Ocean’s 11” on June 4 and “Road to Morocco” on June 11.