Performances start this Saturday (March 13) and run through next weekend. Shows are at 7 p.m. March 18 and 19, with a matinee at 2 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under. Information: 951-765-6420.
After volunteering participants were given a free one-day admission to one theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort.
Although the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program has ended and guests may no longer register for projects to earn a free ticket, volunteer projects can still be found at the HandsOn Network at http://HandsOnNetwork.org.
]]>The Gowalla platform, is now available on iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices. With Gowalla apps, users can check in to various restaurants and destinations to share their experiences with other Gowalla users. They can also collect "game-like rewards" at locations they visit.
For the full article, click here.
]]>The cocktail hour starts at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and performance beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $60, and you can make your reservation by calling (760)360-9191.
]]>Up coming shows at Romano's include The English Beat, not a cover band, but the real The English Beat.
To purchase tickets by phone at 951-781-7662 or http://ticketweb.com.
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The festival runs through Sunday and features films from the United States, Canada, Norway, Russia and Panama. The opening film, which begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, is "Sing Birds: Following the Paths of Cahuilla Power," about the bird songs of the Cahuilla Indians, whose ancestral homeland includes the Palm Springs area. A reception begins at 7 p.m.
The festival is presented by the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in Palm Springs.
All screenings and receptions will be at Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for those 60 and over and 16 and under. An "all-access pass," which provides entry to all screenings and receptions, is $50. Tickets are on sale at Camelot, by phone at 800-595-4849 or online at www.camelottickets.com.
For more information, call the Camelot box office at 760-325-6565, the museum at 760-778-1079, or go to www.accmuseum.org.
David Olson,
dolson@PE.com
Winners will receive free movie tickets and see their work in The Guide and on inlandsocal.com.
Voting ends Mar. 19 and winners will be announced Mar. 25.
]]>Each of the participating wineries will provide three-ounce pour of its zinfandel wine. The event includes pasta appetizers and a logo glass. Attendees will receive a 10 percent discount off a bottle of zinfandel or 15 percent discount off a case at any of the wineries.
Tickets cost $45 each. For information about the event, click here.
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In the action-packed film "Repo Men," in theaters Mar. 19, Law stars alongside Forest Whitaker, as a skilled repo man. No they're not repossessing cars, they're repossessing organs.
The movie takes place in a world where replacement body parts and organs can be purchased on installment plans and be repossessed if not paid for. Law plays the "skilled and licensed technician," who is specially trained to gather those body parts.
When he gets injured on the job, he is forced to rely on the program to keep himself alive. Soon, the company he works for along with his longtime partner turn on him.
We've seen the previews but Empire Online has an sneak peek of a scene in the movie. Click here to check it out.
The first, and most notable due to the Oscars, is "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire." The film follows an overweight girl who struggles through life dealing with an abusive, horrific mother and being abused by her father, which resulted in two pregnancies.
Yes, it's not an easy movie to sit through. It did pick up two Oscars this weekend; one for Adapted Screenplay and the other for Best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique's turn as the abusive mother.
The film also has an amazing performance from Gabourey Sidibe as the title character.
There are a lot of extras on the DVD set, something you'd normally see on a huge, big budget blockbuster. There is an audio commentary with the film's director Lee Daniels, four featurettes, Sidibe's audition video and a deleted scene.
The Blu-ray version has the above extras along with an extra featurette.
The price for the standard version of the disc is averaging at around $17 and the Blu-ray is averaging at $25.
Another Oscar movie is released this week, "Up in the Air." This film didn't fare too well at the awards, coming up empty handed. This should not be a reflection on the film, which is fantastic in my opinion.
The film stars George Clooney as a man whose job is to fly around the country and fire people. He spends most, if not all, of his time in the air.
His way of life is threatened when a new employee comes up with a way to fire people using web cameras. He also meets a woman who is exactly like him and falls in love.
The film was nominated for six Oscars, including a Best Actor nomination for Clooney and a Best Director nomination for Jason Reitman.
The extras on the standard version include a commentary with the filmmakers, a featurette, deleted scenes, extended scenes and trailers.
The Blu-ray disc comes with all of those extras plus additional deleted scenes, a music video, storyboards and an American Airlines prank clip.
"Up in the Air" does get one award this week at least. It is averaging as the cheapest DVD release this week at $16.99 for the standard disc. You can get the Blu-ray version for around $25.99.
Speaking of Oscar shutouts, Michael Moore's newest documentary "Capitalism: A Love Story" was overlooked in the Best Documentary Feature this year.
The film follows
Of course there is the trademark
The extras on the standard DVD version include what are basically deleted scenes, extended interviews, trailers and a full 1979 Jimmy Carter speech about the economy.
The Blu-ray version includes all of the above extras along with a digital copy of the film.
"Capitalism: A Love Story" is averaging at $17.99 for the standard version and $24.99 for the Blu-ray.
John Travolta's recent film "Old Dogs" might not be considered "Oscar worthy," but maybe something along the lines of "turn off your brain family fun."
The film also stars Robin Williams (great combo on paper, eh?) as two friends who get into comedic trouble when Williams' character discovers he has two pre-teen children.
It is wacky and filled with physical comedy like the pair being attacked by penguins or hitting people in the crotch area with golf balls. Good clean family fun there.
There are three different versions of "Old Dogs" out this week so be on the lookout. The first is a standard one disc DVD version that includes an audio commentary, deleted scenes, bloopers and a music video from Travolta where he tackles the Bobby Brown hit "Every Little Step I Take" with his daughter Ella Bleu (who also stars in the film.)
Normally I would use this space to make fun of the video, but given the tough times the Travolta family has had, I'll give him a pass. You can view the video here if you're curious.
The one disc Blu-ray comes with the above extras along with a feature of the younger actors in the film interviewing Travolta and Williams, Disney trailers and a Bryan Adams music video.
The three disc Blu-ray comes with everything from the other discs, a standard DVD copy of the film along with a digital copy.
Prices are averaging really well at $17 for the standard DVD, $24 for the one disc Blu-ray and $26.99 for the three disc Blu-ray.
Finally is the animated film "Planet 51" starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. It follows Johnson's character, an astronaut, as he lands on another planet filled with aliens (who live normal, basic suburban lives) where he is actually the alien that everyone is afraid of.
The other voice talent in the film is impressive; Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott, John Cleese, Justin Long and Jessica Biel.
The extras on the standard DVD version include extended scenes, a "Run Rover Run" DVD game, five featurettes and trailers.
The Blu-ray version includes all of the above along with a "Target 51" game along with an iPhone application, a standard DVD copy of the film and a digital copy.
Like with some of the other movies being released this week, "Planet 51" is averaging at $17.99 for the standard version and $25.99 for the Blu-ray.
Great deal of the week: If you are a Blu-ray owner and a James Bond fan, then this week is a great week for you. Best Buy has "Die Another Day," "Quantum of Solace" and "Goldfinger" on Blu-ray for only $12.99.
--Timothy Guy]]>Got a hankering to experience the cowboy life? Tug on those Tony Lamas and mosey on down to Palm Springs Wild West Fest this weekend.
Produced by the Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs West Fest includes music, food and family fun next door to the Palm Springs Convention Center at 277 N. Avenida Caballeros. Event organizers promise plenty of free events, including Western music presented on two stages for toe-tappers to enjoy.
The Frank Bogert Memorial PRCA Rodeo commemorates Palm Springs' legendary mayor (and tireless desert promoter) who died last year. Rodeo times are 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Basic advance ticket prices are $20 for adults, $10 for kiddos - it's five bucks more per ticket at the gate -- with some special options available. You can purchase them online here.
Don't have dapper cowboy duds to don? A marketplace featuring all things Western - from hats to home furnishings - will be set up.
Margarita's restaurant will be hopping all weekend as well with parties featuring live music, dancing, food and a cash bar. The Cowboys Ball, headlined by Jann Browne and the Dangerous Neighbors, is Friday from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $20 in advance or $22 at the door. Saturday night, Miguel Garcia and the Vaquetones perform at the Rockin' Rodeo After Party from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Tix are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Sunday afternoon, the caballeros take over with Fiesta del Charro, with live Latin rock performed by Quinto Menguante from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Margarita's is located at 1000 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. Info at (760) 778-3500
Party too hearty? Sunday morning kicks off with a traditional "cowboy church."
For details, click on the links or phone 800-664-5617.
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Actress Farrah Fawcett was left out of the 82nd annual Academy Awards' "In Memoriam" segment Sunday. Her longtime partner Ryan O'Neal, Jane Fonda and Roger Ebert have not been shy in expressing their disappointment over it and the Academy, is not apologizing for it.
The "In Memoriam" segment honors figures of the movie industry who have passed away in the last year. Among those honored were Patrick Swayze, David Carradine, Dominick DeLouise, Natasha Richardson, and Brittany Murphy.
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences spokeswoman Leslie Unger told the Associated Press the segment can only honor so many people. The initial list of more than 100 people was already brought down to 30.
Though the 62-year-old was primarily a television actress (Charlie's Angels), she also starred in several feature films.
For the full article, click here.
The musical "Anne of Green Gables" based on the classic book, is coming to the Heartland Theater in Yucaipa. The show follows the story of Anne, from her troubled childhood as an orphan, to her triumphs as a young woman.
The musical opens this weekend, March 12 - 14, and runs through the end of March.Performances are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors/students/children, and $30 for a family of four. All tickets are sold day of at the box office.
And as an opening day special, children under 12 get to watch for free, one child per one paying adult. For more information visit at www.heartlandplayers.org.
]]>"Jazz Night" is at 6 pm and will be at the Desert Willow Golf Resort, while the rest of the festival will be held at the Date Palm Country Club the next three nights. Donations are appreciated and will benefit the Jazz Society of the Desert.
The Jazz Society of the Desert presents the Palm Springs Jazz Weekend. The event will be held at the Date Palm Country Club and Reilly's Irish Pub, March 19, 20 and 21. Times and events vary, so for more information visit www.desertjazz.org.
]]>The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity had filed two lawsuits, in 2007 and 2008, alleging that the stores would not meet standards to reduce greenhouse gases.
Under settlements reached late last week, Walmart will install rooftop solar panels, efficient heating and cooling systems and LED lighting when it builds the two stores. Both stores also will recycle cardboard boxes and materials.
In addition, Walmart will contribute $120,000 to Mojave Desert Land Trust, which is raising money to acquire land to expand Joshua Tree National Park.
The center had sued Perris and Yucca Valley for approving the stores, which the group contended did not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act.
-- David Danelski
ddanelski@PE.com