Jamie Grant (left), the new CEO of McCallum Theatre, discusses the venue’s reopening and upcoming season with Palm Springs Life editor Steven Biller.
ADVOCACY
How local arts leaders support each other during the pandemic (The Desert Sun)
Representatives from Modernism Week, Desert X, Sunnylands, Palm Springs Art Museum, and other art and cultural organizations have been meeting for biweekly via Zoom to help each other navigate changing state guidelines, safety protocols, grants and loans, reopening, and operating amid COVID-19.
THEATER AND STAGE
Meet new McCallum CEO Jamie Grant (Palm Springs Life)
Jamie Grant, the new CEO of the McCallum Theatre, talks to Palm Springs Life editor-in-chief Steven Biller about leading during the pandemic and what patrons can expect when the venue raises the curtains again in December.
McCallum Theatre to open at full capacity in December (CV Independent)
Theater president and CEO Jamie Grant has lined up a “greatest hits” season, including performances by Pink Martini, Wynton Marsalis, The Ten Tenors, and Chris Botti as well as productions of Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Jersey Boys, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
VISUAL ART
Artist collaborates with Coachella Valley students in Desert X finale (The Desert Sun)
The biennial exhibition of site-specific art ends at the Coachella Valley Art Center in Indio with a presentation of art made by students from around the Coachella Valley in collaboration with acclaimed Colombian painter Oscar Murillo.
Coachella Library receives its first painting and other artistic donations (The Desert Sun)
Vineyard Harvest, by Laurence Neufeld, was commissioned in 1979 by Lionel Steinberg and record producer/songwriter Billy Steinberg, who donated it to the library. The painting alludes to Lionel’s work in growing grapes and forming the David Freedman Company, which became the largest grape-growing operation in the Coachella Valley.
Opponents of ‘Forever Marilyn’ statue protest downtown placement (The Desert Sun)
Opponents of the statue have argued that the city didn’t provide enough opportunities for public input on the statue’s location, which is near the art museum.
Indio calls on artists to beautify utility boxes (The Desert Sun)
The city program aims to enhance streetscapes for pedestrians and drivers and minimize graffiti on 15 public utility boxes. Artists will be paid $750 per selected entry with money from the city’s Arts in Public Places Fund that’s derived from development fees.
MUSIC
Local band YIP YOPS appear in commercial for 7 Eleven (The Desert Sun)
They’re depicted performing in a garage, listing off the items and singing the chorus, “if you want it, you can get it at 7 Eleven.”
In pictures: Joshua Tree Music Festival (The Desert Sun)
Pods, masks, temperature checks … check. Festival producer Barnett English followed the rules, drew an appreciative crowd, and rocked out. This is how it was done.
