September 27 to October 3, 2012
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
Perez Road Fall Festival
by Lisa Morgan
Art scene
Perez Road Businesses Coming Together With and For the Community
E
verybody loves a block party and YOU’RE INVITED! Saturday, November 10, from 10 am to 4 pm, the Perez Business District Community will be holding their annual Perez Road Fall Festival benefiting and supporting fundraising for Boys and Girls Club, Shelter from the Storm, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, FIND, VFW, The Community Blood Bank, Animal Samaritans and SaveA-Pet. In this tough economy, businesses have to be creative and work hard to earn business. The festival, expecting to build on last year’s success, will again aim to
stimulate community spirit and economic activity by coming together providing a fun family event while benefiting some very worthy causes. The event is spearheaded by Astonish Events who, with over 13 years of event planning, projects that as many as 2500-5000 people will be coming out to enjoy this year’s festivities. The Master of Ceremonies will be the charismatic and effervescent Brian Wanzet, also known as Bella da Ball. CV Weekly’s own DJ Craig Michaels and Musical Affair Entertainment will be supplying interactive FUN, with music, dancing and Game Show Mania in the Family Fun Zone. The whole
The day will also include youth karate, hula and Zumba demonstrations. The event will be held on Perez Road, between Plaza and Summit roads in Cathedral City. Parties interested in vending, exhibition, and/or demonstration opportunities at the festival are invited to apply by October 30. For registration information and sponsorship opportunities go to perezroadfestival. astonishevents.com or call Astonish Events at (760) 406-1414. family will be encouraged to participate in dances such as the Cha Cha Slide, Conga, Twist contest, and many others. Kids and adults will experience the buzzers, lights and the excitement of seeing the crowd go wild as a row of four contestants square off in Game Show Mania. With a combination of general knowledge trivia and audio sound clips, the Game Show will appeal to everyone! Live music will be playing all throughout the event along with over 30 collector, specialty and “roading” vehicles on display, more than 150 vendor booths, artisans and crafters and a beer garden.
Club Clubb Crawler Cl C l Review Revi R i
by Lisa Morgan
From Dive to Destination
Plan B Live Entertainment and Cocktails celebrates its first year
P
lan B Live Entertainment and Cocktails is throwing a one-year “survival” anniversary party— and everyone is invited. The festivities will take place at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29. There will be live music from “Over the Wall,” as well as amazing drink specials—something owner Jeannette Krehbiel has been providing since she opened Plan B one year ago. Krehbiel accomplished what many men before her were unable to do: She turned a venue—in this case, the former Oasis bar, located on the corner of Ramon Road and Monterey Avenue in Thousand Palms— into a popular live-music cornerstone and local hangout.
6
As she talks about the one-year anniversary, her eyes are bright, strong and determined. She is, as she says, “all in” after overcoming huge obstacles, including a brutal economy and banks that did not want to help; she fronted the money on her own. Thankfully, her efforts are beginning to pay off. In the year she’s owned Plan B, she has taken the place—previously licensed for beer and wine only—and turned it into a full-service bar. She even added some good bar food, with items costing between $4 and $8. Plan B is now home to a new patio, where patrons can take their drinks outside and enjoy a smoke. Plan B showcases live bands every
weekend, featuring practically every genre of music, from rap to metal. The building has been given a total face lift with a jumbo-screen TV, new furniture, pool tables that play host to leagues and open tournaments, Friday-night karaoke, and football events (on Mondays, Thursdays and all weekend). And Krehbiel says she’s only getting started. It’s not just the expanded liquor license, the new entertainment and the cosmetic changes that turned this bar from a dive into a first-rate entertainment club: Also important is the warm and friendly relationship-building that takes place inside. Many patrons who have given this bar a chance have quickly made it
their home away from home—a place where they are greeted by name and are treated like honorary family members. You can see the genuine love Krehbiel has for her patrons and her employees. Plan B is still something of a hidden gem, undiscovered by many. It’s just a matter of time until the rest of the valley finds this treasure. Celebrate the success of one amazing woman’s dream while enjoying live music, great drink specials and terrific people at Plan B Live Entertainment and Cocktails, 32025 Monterey Ave., in Thousand Palms. But consider yourself warned: Plan B just might become your “Plan A.”
I
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
September 27 to October 3, 2012
by Selma Grows
Bluming Imagination
t’s a pleasure to introduce another self-supporting artist in the Coachella Valley. Mr. Keith Blum lives in Palm Springs and has been practicing his art professionally for over 30 years. Blum specializes in “Trompe L’oeil”, an art technique involving realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects exist in three dimensions. Blum paints to add depth to an environment without taking attention away from it. He does well, considering you have to look twice to recognize the separation from art and reality where his paintings reside. He is originally from LA and takes pride in his involvement with supporting the local charities like Meals on Wheels and the UCLA Intervention Program by donating large murals and canvases to their cause. Blum has a style that challenges the mind and stretches the eyes horizons. “I like to entertain the eyes as well as fool them,” Blum states, with a sense of magic in his tone. Inspired by Post Impressionism and the Italian Renaissance, names like Van Gough, Monet and Rafael come to mind as you enter Blum’s highly dimensional acrylic wall and ceiling murals in custom homes, hotels, coffee shops and business offices across America. He has work in Las Vegas NV, Dallas TX, and Minnesota as well as murals all over California. With over 90% of his self-sustained income coming from commissioned pieces it’s exciting to imagine all the different worlds to where Blum has transported his lucky clients. “I paint anywhere the client wants me to paint,” Blum comments. Walls, ceilings, doors and sides of buildings have all been graced with Blum’s impeccable passion for detail. Blum also enjoys creating dog and cat portraits and has completed an incredible 4’x5’ canvas “Peita” (Vision of
Christ post cross in mays lap) available to view upon request. Each commissioned piece of art Blum creates is estimated regarding the intended scale and detail of the piece. “I am selftaught, reliable, and professional with reasonable pricing,” Blum states. To sample his art you can either visit Crystal Fantasy in Palm Springs, where he has a few live canvases for your viewing pleasure or go to www.keithblum.com for instant gallery access. Not only has Mr. Blum agreed to create a workshop for adult SELMA Members, but he has also graciously committed to participate in the upcoming auction to benefit SELMA by donating a commissioned mural to the highest bidder. Look for further details in future issues! To contact Mr. Blum email him at KBLUM@dc.rr.com or call him directly at (818)437-5617 Support and Education for Local music and Arts, Coachella Valley Chapter 1 www. selmagrows.org
7