Weekender: Greg Allman, Steve Miller Band, Liberace

What's on your agenda? Here's our suggestions for May 23-27

JIM POWERS Arts & Entertainment

Thursday, May 23
9:30 a.m.: The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast welcomes keynote speaker Judge Vaughn Walker of the 9th Circuit Court and honors transgender activist Mattie Leyden of Palm Springs.

6 p.m.: Dinner and Beer Pairings sound like the perfect man-combo from Cooking with Class in La Quinta. Master simple recipes and learn how to pair delicious beers.

7 p.m.: "Bye Bye Birdie" closes its run at the Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs this weekend. See this classic musical that will get your toes tapping. Runs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.

8 p.m. to midnight: Jesse Davis is known for jazz singing, but he can easily branch out to R&B, pop, Latin, and swing. Buy you may recognize him from appearing in the TV special, "The Phenomenon of Benji", and he recorded the title song to the Benji feature film, "I Feel Love", which won a Golden Globe. See him at the Palm Springs Riviera Resort.

Dinner suggestion: Are you a first-time Vegan and not sure what to order when you go out to a vegan restaurant? Check out writer Lawrence Karol's experience. Read our story.

Tribesmen

Friday, May 24
7 p.m.: A boy falls asleep on a school field trip and imagines his family, classmates and teachers as animals in "Carnival of Animals" presented by the CK Dance Company at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs.

8 p.m.: The one-man musical, "Musical Comedy Whore" stars David Pevsner, who you may recognize from "Scrooge & Marley" and from the Palm Springs International Film Festival, "Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean". Runs through June 14 at Desert Rose Playhouse inside The Commissary in Rancho Mirage.

9 p.m.: Steve Miller and Lonnie Turner formed the roots of the Steve Miller Band back in 1966. Turner died at the end of April from lung cancer, but the band continues on because of the original Space Cowboy or Gangster of Love – Steve Miller. Their most recognized album, Fly Like an Eagle, ranked No. 3 on the charts in 1976. Read our story.

9 p.m.: Fresh from playing at Coachella, Wardrum & Tribesmen are back at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert.

9 p.m.: The Caliente Pool Party at the Agua Caliente Resort Spa in Racho Mirage promises some hot times, dancing, and blackjack by the pool with partner Radio U-92.7. Read our story.

Dinner suggestion: Sullivan's Steakhouse on El Paseo in Palm Desert is throwing "The Gatsby Gala" at 7 p.m. featuring Great Gatsby-themed cocktails, music and prizes for best 1920s styled costume or answering "Gatsby" trivia questions.

Purple Reign

Saturday, May 25
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Palm Springs Art Museum unveils "Insights on Architecture" featuring the work of Ezrar Stoller (1915-2004), whose photography captured the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Kahn, Eero Saarinen and Marcel Breuer. Exhibition runs through Oct. 6 in the lower level of the museum.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: A parade, food, booths and continuous musical entertainment headline the 63rd annual Grubstake Days Community Fair in Yucca Valley. The location has been changed to the Hi-Desert Boys and Girls Club, the Tri-Valley Little League fields and Brehm Sports Park on Little League Drive, between Palm and Grand Avenues, north of Route 62.

7:30 p.m.: Purple Reign takes the stage at Fantasy Springs' outdoor concert venue featuring Jason Tenner, who regularly performs his "Prince" routine at Hooters Casino in Las Vegas. These free Rock Yard concerts are free and run every Saturday through October.

8 p.m.: Greg Allman, that guy who was married to Cher at one point, also happens to be the founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. Greg was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and he ranks 70th on Rolling Stones' all-time list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". See him at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.

8 p.m.: Though originally hailing from Canada, The Guess Who's only No. 1 hit was called, "American Woman", released in the early 1970s. They were the first Canadian group to have a No.1 hit in the states. Jim Kale and Garry Peterson are the only two original members still with the group. Read our story on their beginnings.

8:30 p.m.: Artists-in-residence Nyoman and Nanik Wenten and 40 members of the CalArts Balinese Gamelan Burat Wangi at Harrison House, 6881 Mount Lassen Ave., in Joshua Tree. The outdoor stage will be filled with costumes, music, dance and instruments. Gamelan Burat Wangi is well known for its well-trained musicians and dancers. $15 donation. (760) 366-4712.

Dinner suggestion: Castelli's Ristorante in Palm Desert is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The actual party is Memorial Day (May 27) when they will feature a menu with 1988 prices.

Debbie Reynolds

Sunday, May 26
Noon: Benefitting the Palm Springs High School Art Institute, Trio will host a Fashion Show and Luncheon. Fashions will be presented by Bill Miller of Deja Vu Vintage Finery. Tickets, www.TrioPalmSpring.com or (760) 864-8746.

6 p.m.: "A Palm Springs Tribute to Liberace" features star Debby Reynolds, one of Liberace's close friends, who will help salute the late piano genius on the night the HBO movie, "Behind the Candelabra" premieres. Liberace impersonator Martin Preston will perform along with magician David Sandy at 696 N. Via Monte Vista in palm Springs. Reservations, www.fastours.com/events or (760) 320-1500. Read our story on "Behind the Candelabra".

Brunch suggestion: How about a starter of Shrimp Kataifi with Spicy Ginger Sauce followed by an entree of Glazed Atlantic Salmon or Roasted Filet of Beef. Visit the beautiful outdoor dining of Le Vallauris in Palm Springs.

Memorial Day Flower Drop

Monday, Memorial Day, May 27
Noon to 6 p.m.:
Before there was Coachella and Stagecoach, there was the Memorial Day Bash in Sky Valley, which celebrates its 25th year. Held at the Sky Valley Community Center, 20905 Hot Springs Road, this year's edition includes groups and solo artists from SoCal singing gospel to country and rock 'n' roll. Admission is free. Information, 800-600-3082.

1 p.m.: Honor our armed services by stopping by the Palm Springs Air Museum for its annual Memorial Day Flower Drop. A B-25 Mitchell bomber will perform a fly-by and drop 3,000 red and white carnations onto the museum's tarmac. Family and air activities are scheduled all day.

Singing the Blues
Located about two hours east of Palm Springs off Interstate 10 if you're headed to Phoenix, the second annual Blythe River Blues Festival is all about sun, fun, being by the water (Colorado River) and swaying to some fine blues. The headliners include Eric Gales, The Record Company, Junior Watson, Cadillac Zack and South Main Blues Band. Boogie-woogie blues pianist Paul Winer of Quartzsite will open the show. The gates open at 9 a.m. and the tunes start at 11 and last until 1 a.m. Water is allowed in coolers, but everything else has to be bought at the fest. You can bring chairs, blankets, towels and popups.

For more events, visit our comprehensive calendar.