May 22 Daily Briefing: Benefit for Cultural Center, ghost bike placed, our pet of the week, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone. Below is a story about a special event coming to our city’s cultural center. It’s designed to benefit the nonprofit organization that operates the facility, and it couldn’t come at a more crucial time. We learned this week that they lost two air conditioning units — at a cost of $20,000 to replace. If you’ve ever enjoyed a show inside Camelot Theatres or plan to do so in the future, we urge you to help them out. “This will be essential to us keeping the doors open this summer for programming as well as operating an affordable entertainment cooling center,” a representative wrote. If you can pitch in, please go here and give what you can.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Billie Bossa Nova” by Billie Eilish 

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LEADING OFF

Free little library is miniature modernism with a unique story

Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film “Day of the Locust” with a special screening and panel discussion on May 25.

Driving the news: Set in 1930s Hollywood, “Day of the Locust” offers a dark and gritty view of the movie industry. The event will feature a Q&A session with significant contributors to the film, including celebrity photographer Michael Childers, actors William Atherton and Pepe Serna, and moderated by Dave Karger of Turner Classic Movies.

Why it matters: Despite its initial failure at the box office, today “Day of the Locust” is heralded for its candid take on the industry, becoming a cult classic that challenges the traditional narratives of Hollywood.

What they’re saying: “The entertainment industry will always have chew-you-up-and-spit-you-out reputation attached to it,” Karger says. “That persists from the 1930s when the novel was written, to the 1970s, when the movie was made, to today. So this film really is timeless in that regard.”

Details: Proceeds from the screening will benefit the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The event also includes a VIP meet-and-greet session at 5:30 p.m. For more information on tickets and pricing, potential attendees are encouraged to visit the official event page here.

Dive deeper with Cat Makino’s complete story here.

IN OTHER NEWS

🫶🏼 On Tuesday, a ghost bike was placed at the spot where a Palm Springs woman was struck and killed while riding her bicycle earlier this month in Cathedral City. Its presence is both a memorial and a reminder of the need for safety. [KESQ]

🏒 The Coachella Valley Firebirds have released their home game schedule for the Western Conference Finals. The first home game is scheduled for next Wednesday. [NBC Palm Springs]

🚨 Palm Springs police released video footage earlier this week of a man appearing to steal more than $2,500 worth of landscaping tools from a truck and trailer. [City News Service]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Bash for the Barkees
5 p.m. | Eight4Nine Restaurant
The third annual “Bash for the Barkees” will raise money for senior and hospice dogs rescued from shelters. Entertainers for the night include Siobhan Velarde and Mark Kahny. ($75)

Community Outreach for Parks & Recreation Master Plan
5:30 p.m. | James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center
The team working on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan will be seeking community input at the second public meeting discussing the plan. Come to learn more about the master planning process and suggest ideas for the future of Palm Springs parks. 

Planning Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, commissioners will discuss recommended locations for cannabis temporary events, among other items. 

2024 Summer Cabaret Series: Broadway Showstoppers
7 p.m. | CVRep Theatre
Glenn Rosenblum is back this summer with his extremely popular Broadway Showstopper series. Previous guests have included Teri Ralston, Ilene Graff Jackie Joseph, Alix Korey, Joshua Finkel and more. ($50)

SAVE THE DATE

• Walk of the Stars presentation for Bert Spivack on Friday.
  
  
• Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop on May 26 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
  
  
• COD Palm Springs Campus Meeting on May 29 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
  
  
• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Cabaret on June 2 at Reforma Palm Springs.
  
  
• Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week from May 31 through June 9.
  
  
• Palm Springs Firefighters Association Fish Fry on June 1 at Ruth Hardy Park.
  
  
• Palm Springs International ShortFest from June 18 -24.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today we invite you to meet Dodger, a male cat available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe.

• Frisky Business owner Claire Rogers tells us that Dodger is lucky to be alive after he was attacked by a coyote. He’s all healed up now and ready to find his forever home!

If you’re interested: You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. Look for the cafe’s current hours here.

• All cats available at Frisky Business come from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat. 

But wait: Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge by clicking here.