By Marc Thomson
LABOR DAY EVENTS
Labor Day Things to Do
It's time to get behind the Shed! The Labor Day Weekend Tool Shed Backlot and Vendor Fair takes off from 6 p.m. till 2 a.m.. Swill down a beer, shop your butt off and get to know someone new. The event features food and beverage tables as well as goods from lots of queer and otherwise friendly vendors. Music provided by Mr. DJ Ace. The Tool Shed is located at 600 E Sunny Dunes Rd, Palm Springs. Call (760) 320-3299 for more information.
Mark Weigle
Weigle sings about waltzing cowboys, Two-legged bears, losing friends and a lover and to AIDS, coming out of the closet to his parents, encounters with closeted married men, being with a Deaf lover, and joyous love songs without having to flip pronouns. For instance his dance track "Love Your Body Like It Is" reminds us "You are not your dick, my brother...you are the body you were born with, you are the soul you make yourself.." Filmmaker Joe Gage (LA Tool & Die, et al) says, "Mark Weigle's mercurial, eloquently performed music is filled with dark humor and strange beauty."
The composer/recording artist comes to the desert to play in concert Sept. 1-2, 4 at 8 p.m.. A three-course gourmet dinner and show, includes preferred seating, $49; show only, $25; reservations suggested. The Villa Resort, (760) 328-7211. The Villa Resort, 67-670 Carey Road. Palm Springs.
West Coast Rubber 2005
If you're into rubber, latex, spandex, this is your weekend, buddy.
Sept. 2-5 latex lovers from around the world gather in Palm Springs for the West Coast Rubber 2005 convention. Vendors, bus tours to the bars, pool parties and of course the Mr. West Coast Rubber contest. Full weekend packages are only $75 or you can snag individual tickets as well. The Villa Resort's special rate of just $99 per night, single or double occupancy has a three-night minimum and if you stay a 4th night, it's half price. Check out West Coast Rubber for tickets, the schedule of events and more information.
The Troupers
The popular, ca.m.p comedy drag group of crazy entertainers, The Troupers, will be doing their shtick to the delight of everyone who lives in the desert. 9 p.m., Sept. 3 at Ground Zero. There will be no cover charge, as usual. Although no reservations are required, it is suggested to come early to be seated. Additional seating is at the bar. Ground Zero is located at 36-737 Cathedral Canyon Drive just north of the IMAX Theater. For information call: (760) 321-0031 or (760) 318-1137.
Mr. Nude Palm Springs
The Mr. Nude Palm Springs Contest, Saturday, Sept. 3, at 3 p.m. will grace the pool at the Cathedral City Boys Club (CCBC) located at 68-369 Sunair Road, Cathedral City. Call (760) 324-1350 for information on special rates.
Englebert Humperdinck
This singing hunk from the 70s and 80s, and he still heats up the stage. Engelbert Humperdinck will be in Palm Springs, in person, to sign his book "Engelbert: What's in a Na.m.e? The Autobiography" at 3 p.m., Sept. 3 at Peppertree Bookstore, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Palm Springs. Call (760) 325-4821 for more information or check out PeppereTree Bookstore online.
COMING OUR WAY
Troy Skinner
Palm Springs cabaret singer, Troy Skinner, debuts his new show, songs of life and love by such greats as Sondheim, Porter, Cy Coleman and others. "Life Is" plays Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Peters at the Atrium, 69930 Hwy 111, Rancho Mirage. Call (760) 321-1776. Tickets $10.
Betty Buckley
Betty Buckley, star of the Broadway hits "1776," "Sunset Boulevard" and "Cats" won the Tony Award for outstanding achievement in the theater that year for playing Grizzabella - who can forget "Memories?" Many remember her as Abby Bradford on "Eight is Enough".
She's live at the Villa for the grand season opening, Sept. 8-11, 8 p.m., nightly. Thursday Dinner and preferred seating: $69. Thursday Show only: $45. Friday-Sunday; dinner and seating: $74. Friday-Sunday show only: $45. Villa Resort Palm Springs, 67-670 Carey Road, Cathedral City. (760) 328-7211.
Desert Film Society
Once again, the Desert Film Society finds a world acclaimed film and brings it to the desert. The selection for Sept. 10, however, is a one-time west coast premiere! "Erosion" is a sexy, daring psychological drama about a man who is haunted by a failing relationship. A pair of lovers, escaping loveless marriages, turn to each other and wild sexual experiences - they break into strange houses.
The Society has brought special guests, Ann Lu (Writer/Director) and Peiti Feng (Producer) for a very lively Q&A following the screening. See it at Palm Spring's Camelot Theatres, Saturday, September 10, screening: 9:20 a.m.., complimentary coffee and pastry 9 a.m.. Admission is $15 at the door to the public or free to the members of the Desert Film Society.
Women in Film
Women in Film, that international nonprofit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, empowers, promotes, nurtures, and mentors women in the entertainment and media wild hold a Networking Breakfast at either the Lodge at Rancho Mirage or Ric's Cafe at the Camelot from 10 a.m. -12 noon. On September 10, Sheri Davis, Inland Empire Film Commissioner will speak on how films get chosen to be made here in the desert. Tickets are $20 for WIF members $25 for non-members. Phone Casablanca Studios for information and reservations: (760) 251.9980.
Opera Concert
Billy Reed's Restaurant, hosts will be dining with divas with an Opera Concert, 6 - 8:30 p.m., Sept. 10. It's an amazing program of grand opera arias and duets, Neapolitan love songs, Broadway and film show tunes. And, yes, you can dine and swoon at the same time. Billy Reed's is located at 1800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Call (760) 325.1946 for more information.
"Homo esta?"
Gain bilingual skills at the Intermediate Conversational Spanish class, 1:30-3 p.m., Tue. and Thursdays starting Sept. 13. Only $65, and pre-registration is required. Offered at the Desert Pride Center, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Call (760) 327-2313 for more information.
