Weekender: Forever Marilyn, Diana Ross, Donna the Buffalo

What's on your agenda? Here's our suggestions for Aug. 1-4

JIM POWERS Arts & Entertainment

Thursday, Aug. 1
12:30-6:30 p.m.:  Rancho Mirage conducts the last blood drive of the eight Coachella Valley cities competing to see which one can produce the most donated pints. Donors must be at least 15 year old. Each donor receives one a free car wash at Quick N Clean Car Wash in Rancho Mirage, a free ticket voucher to Knott's Soak City Palm Springs and a "buy-one-get-one-free" coupon courtesy of Ben & Jerry's at the River in Rancho Mirage.

6 p.m.: The free film screenings continue at the Palm Springs Art Museum with "Shyamal Uncle Turns Off the Lights" from India. An 80-year-old Kolkata retiree is on a mission to her his neighborhood street lights turned off after sunrise upon noticing they stay on all day.

7 p.m.: The Riviera serves up specialty drinks and food for its "Hot as Hell" Pool Parties from 7-10 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 31. Read our preview.

7 p.m.: Look for a lot of blondes near the Forever Marilyn statue in downtown Palm Springs. They will be participants in the Forever Marilyn Look-A-Like contest starting at 7 p.m. during VillageFest. Contestant categories include pets, Miss Junior Marilyn (under age 16), Ms./Mrs. Marilyn, Drag Marilyn and Performing Marilyn. Watch our VIDEO and hear from one of the contestants.

Dinner suggestion: Sullivan's at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert offers a new pre-fixe three-course dinner for $39. For $5 more, enjoy an 8-ounce filet or 12-ounce NY Strip.

Revolver

Friday, Aug. 2
5 p.m.: Do you wanna dance? The Riviera Palm Springs will host an American Cancer Society Relay for Life event with dancing from 5 p.m. Friday until 5 p.m. Saturday. Entry is $20 per person.

6:30 p.m.: Meet the filmmaker of "2 Guns", producer Randall Emmett, who will answer questions about the movie starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, at Cinemas Palme d'Or in Palm Desert. Q&A takes place after the movie. Emmett has also produced "Narc", "Wonderland", "16 Blocks", "End of Watch", "Alex Cross" and "Broken City".

7 p.m.: In a modern romantic comedy about a marriage and a dog, the dog's name is the play's title, "Sylvia" at Desert Theatreworks. The play runs just this weekend at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and also a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee at the Arthur Newman Theatre inside the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert. Read about this newest theatre company in the desert.

7:05 p.m.: The Palm Springs Power host the winner of the Orange County Collegiate League in its quest for a second straight So-Cal World Series title.

8 p.m.: The city of La Quinta brings the big picture movie setting to its Civic Center campus for a free screening of the movie, "Rango". Bring your own snacks, a blanket and chairs to enjoy the movie under the stars.

7 p.m.: Knott's Soak City will stay open a few hours after its normal 6 p.m. closing time to bring kids and families its third annual "Dive-In Movie". Tonight's feature is "Babe". The movie season runs through Aug. 23.

8 p.m.: Paul, Ringo, George and John. We never tire hearing the Beatles thanks to tribute bands like Revolver, which plays for free at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella.

8:30 p.m.: Donna the Buffalo has actually been around for 25 years, but their mix of mountain music fused with cajun, rock, folk, reggae and country recently came together with the launch of their first album in five years. See them perform with The Believers at Pappy & Harriets in Pioneertown. Read our profile of Donna the Buffalo.

9 p.m.: Dancing, cool pool, eats and drinks sounds like a good recipe for your Friday nights at the "Caliente Pool Party" through Aug. 30. The Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa partners with FM radio station KKUU (92.7) to turn the pool into an oasis nightclub. Read our preview.

9 p.m.: Cameo makes the statement, "Tell me what's the word, Word Up" like no other musical group can. Catch this RB, funk and dance floor sound at the Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon.

10 p.m.: Anticon Weekend begins featuring artists from the record label, including Daedelus, D33J, Low Limit, Baths and Sodapop. Free admission, 21 and over at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club's Amigo Room. Read our preview.

Dinner suggestion: It's Prime Rib Night at the IW Club at the Indian Wells Golf Resort. From 5-9 p.m., get a 12-ounce Prime Rib, House Salad, Twice Baked Potato and Chocolate Cake for $20 a head.

"Metropolis"

Saturday, Aug. 3
7 a.m. – Noon: College of the Desert Street Fair located near the main entrance to the college off Monterey Avenue.

8 a.m.: Did someone say free ice cream sundaes? The Living Desert's third Zoo Chill Day includes that and free personal-sized coolers filled with bottles of Aquafina given to the first 200 adults who come into the park with paid admission. Guests will be invited to make their own free sundaes from 10-11 a.m. in the Meet and Greet area next to the park entrance.

8 a.m.: Community swap meet at The Sportsman's Club in Joshua Tree. It's $20 for a space to sell your household items and more.

9:15 a.m.: The Desert Film Socety screens "Zaytoun" at Camelot Theatres. Filmed in Beirut, the film follows a young Palestinian refugee and an Israeli fighter pilot, who form a tentative bond in their attempt to make their way across war-torn Lebanon back to their home.

Noon: Anticon Weekend runs noon to 6 p.m. poolside and again at 10 p.m. featuring artists from the record label, including Daedelus, D33J, Low Limit, Baths and Sodapop. Free admission, 21 and over at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club's Amigo Room. Read our preview.

2 p.m.: In a modern romantic comedy about a marriage and a dog, the dog's name is the play's title, "Sylvia" at Desert Theatreworks. The play runs just this weekend at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and also a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee at the Arthur Newman Theatre inside the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert. Read about this newest theatre company in the desert.

4 p.m.: City of Indio Open Air Market runs until 10 p.m. Free admission.

7 p.m.: Indio Performing Arts Center has begun a string of Saturday night flicks. See the 1927 classic, "Metropolis" with 25 minutes of once-lost material.

7:05 p.m.: The Palm Springs Power host the winner of the Orange County Collegiate League in its quest for a second straight So-Cal World Series title (only if necessary).

9 p.m.: Jazz extraodinaire Warren Hill, who has worked with Restless Heart, Chaka Khan and Natalie Cole, performs at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon.

9 p.m.: Don't freak out, but the music of Mr. "Super Freak" himself, Rick James, will be played by a tribute band at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's Rock Yard stage in Indio at 9 p.m. Cover band  starts the evening at 7:30 p.m. and then returns at 10:30 after the tribute band.

Dinner suggestion: For $49, you get the choice of an appetizer, salad and main course, a side and dessert at Morton's the Steakhouse in Palm Desert.

"Hot Flashes…"

Sunday, Aug. 4
Noon: Anticon Weekend runs noon to 6 p.m. poolside featuring artists from the record label, including Daedelus, D33J, Low Limit, Baths and Sodapop. Free admission, 21 and over at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club's Amigo Room. Read our preview.

2 p.m.: Starring Deborah Wheeler-Ure and Joanne Lapointe, "Hot Flashes With Divas Divine" covers an eclectic range of song styles focusing on a woman's life cycle. See them with musical director Rob Woyshner on piano at the Arthur Newman Theater in The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert.

Brunch suggestion: Zin American Bistro offers a brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring cage-free, organic eggs plus Endless Mimosa, Mindy's Bloody Mary and champagne.

Diana Ross

Ain't No Mountain High Enough!
Motown legend Diana Ross, who has sold more than 100 million records, takes the stage twice in desert locales over the weekend, beginning with an 8 p.m. showing Aug. 2 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, and again at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. At 69, Ross has two stars on the Hollywood Walk fo Fame – one for herself and one for The Supremes. She recently completed a tour of South America before embarking on this U.S. multi-city run.

For more Things to Do, check our comprehensive calendar.