Liberace Museum to Close its Doors

I saw this press release in Saturday's New York Times. It saddened me. Liberace is part of Palm Springs history, he lived here in the desert, in fact his beautiful home is just a stone's throw from where I live (see photo above left). Maybe we can get the Las Vegas Museum to relocate it to Palm Springs...Here is their press release:

LIBERACE MUSEUM TO CLOSE ITS DOORS OCT. 17 

 Las Vegas – After 31 years of operation, the Liberace Museum will close its doors Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010 to focus its monetary contributions on the Liberace Foundation.
 

Due to the economic downturn and the decline in the number of visitors, the Museum is forced to close the space and focus primarily on its dedication to the Foundation and the donation of scholarships.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we feel it is important to close the Museum to ensure the future of the Liberace Foundation and to keep the legacy of Liberace alive through its continued scholarship program,” said Jeff Koep, chair of the Liberace Foundation. “Since the inception of the foundation 34 years ago, more than $6 million in scholarships have been awarded to 2,700 students, and we will continue to award scholarships to deserving individuals.”

The memorabilia at the Liberace Museum will be maintained. A national touring exhibit is planned, and details will be announced at a later time. The board will also continue to research options for a location change to make the Museum more accessible to potential patrons.

“The traveling exhibit is an exciting way to share the life and legacy of Liberace while providing an income stream for the Foundation,” said Koep. “In no way do we intend to close the doors and not continue to explore options that will allow us to reopen at a later date.” The Museum hours will be extended until the closing date, which will be announced at a later time.
 

About the Liberace Foundation:
The Liberace Museum is a non-profit organization that supports the mission of The Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts which has funded scholarships since 1976. The scholarship program has provided nearly $6 million in scholarships, touching the lives of more than 2,700 students from 120 of the nation's premier institutions. For more information, to make a donation and to become a supporter of the Liberace Foundation, call 702.798.5595, visit the website at www.liberace.org, or email info@liberace.org.
For old time's sake- watch this quick video clip of the great Liberace performing:



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Award-winning screenwriter/filmmaker Rob Williams to appear on The Palm Springs Savant & Co

On today's Palm Springs Savant & Co show, I'll be interviewing the award winning screenwriter/filmmaker Rob Williams about the new independent film 'Role/Play'. It is a film about a soap opera actor who is "outed" as being gay. The film is suitable as PG-13, however it is intended for mature audiences with open minds. It may not be suitable to all my readers but please read my review below and tune into the show to hear Mr Williams.

I had the opportunity for a private screening of this film to prepare for today's show. Role Play is a romantic drama, with two lead characters (with very different life perspectives from each other) who learn they have much more in common they they initially realized. It opens with TV soap opera star "Graham Windsor" (Steve Callahan) who has just been outed as the result of a gay sex tape scandal. He has taken refuge at a Palm Springs resort (filmed at the beautiful Alexander Inn) to escape from the media. Windsor meets "Trey Reed" a marriage-equality activist (Matthew Montgomery) who has his own issues stemming from a public divorce. 

The story unfolds with revelations, disclosures, and self-discovery,  as a budding romance develops. The film tackles issues such as gay marriage, the judgmental/prying mainstream and gay media, and the challenges of trying to live a lie while being in the public eye. 

Role Play has an entertaining plot line that could easily have been about a straight couple. In essence, it is a story about the importance of being honest with oneself and finding love in life- that has broad appeal for both gay and straight audiences. Montgomery and Callahan give solid performances that hold the viewers attention. TV's "Too Close For Comfort" Jim J Bullock also appears in this film as Windsor's protective agent, "Parker Ryland". Fans of indie films and alternative lifestyle topics will enjoy listening to Sunday's radio show online anytime or via podcast from iTunes.

Here is the news release about today's show:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PALM SPRINGS- September 19, 2010 -- Rick Rockhill, host of The Palm Springs Savant & Co is pleased to welcome award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Rob Williams, co-founder of Guest House Films, to his radio show on Blog Talk Radio. Listeners will hear Mr Williams, (head of Guest House Films, a premier independent and gay niche-oriented film production company) discuss his latest feature film project "Role/Play'.

'Role/Play' is a dramatic narrative feature film about a recently outed actor (played by Steve Callahan from 'East Side Story' and 'Nine Lives') and a recently divorced gay marriage activist (played by indie gay film star Matthew Montgomery from 'Redwoods', 'Socket', 'Pornography: A Thriller', 'Long-term Relationship', 'Back Soon' and 'Gone But Not Forgotten') . Hiding out from negative media coverage, the two meet at a secluded Palm Springs resort soon find common ground as they explore the fickle nature of fame in the gay community and the issues facing gay celebrities in the media. 'Role/Play' is a narrative drama that deals with hot-button issues such as a outing gay celebrities, the price of fame, how the press treats gay celebrities, and the LGBT press in general. The film also stars Jim J. Bullock ('Too Close for Comfort'), David Pevsner ('Naked Boys Singing'), Brian Nolan ('The Lair') and Matthew Stephen Herrick.

Rob Williams was named to Instinct Magazine's "Leading Men of 2008" list for his contribution to independent cinema, has won dozens of awards for his films, and will be featured for his work on NBC television. 'Role/Play' is Rob Williams' fifth film in four years. His last film was the hit of 2009, the gay Christmas comedy, 'Make the Yuletide Gay', an Indie blockbuster, sold out countless festivals. Mr Williams is now working on his next films: 'Make the Yuletide Gay 2' and 'The Mystic Chord', the screenplay adaptation to Jim Tushinski's book, 'Van Allen's Ecstasy'.

'Role/Play' is the feature film at The Palm Springs Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: Cinema Diverse, a program of the Palm Springs Cultural Center held from September 24-26, 2010. It is dedicated to advancing education, to nurturing community-wide participation in the cultural arts, and to sponsoring scholarship awards for deserving individuals. For tickets and more information visit www.psculturalcenter.org.

The radio show will broadcast live Sunday September 19th 2010 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM PDT and can be heard live or on demand anytime online at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/palm-springs-savant/2010/09/19/palm-springs-savant-co-119-independent-film-rolepl

The episode will also be available via podcast from iTunes.

For more information about The Palm Springs Savant & Co radio show visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/palm-springs-savant

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Meet Mason the Poodle Guide Dog

Meet 'Mason' a standard poodle guide dog from the Guide Dogs of the Desert. Mason is a guide dog ambassador who has been very busy lately. Mason has been out visiting Petco stores to help raise awareness of National Guide Dog Month. Being the smart poodle he is, Mason knows that it takes two years and costs more than $40,000 to train a single guide dog. I've written about guide dogs before, for more details, check out this prior post. My employer, Natural Balance Pet Foods has teamed up with Petco to raise $1 million this month for accredited guide dog schools across the United States. You can donate at any Petco store today or online at www.petco.com/naturalbalance through September 24th. Donations are a little behind where we would like them to be, so we need a last push to get the word out. That's why 'Mason' is out visiting stores. Help me spread the word. You can donate any amount $1, $5, $10, $20 online, it is fast and easy. Thanks for your help.
-Rick Rockhill
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Shifting Your Perspective a Bit

Sometimes one's perspective can change everything. I learned that a number of years ago. Things can look very  different when you open your mind to see them from another side. Just for the sake of having a visual for this post, I went into the garden at home and took these three photos. This top left photo is a bit difficult to sort out at first, because its not clear exactly what is going on. This first photo is looking top down onto a cactus. The eye and brain work in milliseconds to observe, evaluate and determine what we see.

Then there is this perspective, where I  positioned my camera underneath the base of the main cactus looking up toward the sky (You can see a little bit of me, peeking in the photo). This angle has strange view as well, and oven provides a glimpse into the "underbelly" of the cactus, revealing some ugliness of the growth scars. Something you wouldn't have seen from the first view.

And finally, the side view that most people have of this very same plant. It is what is expected of a cactus. I can't say that I've adequately conveyed my thoughts here through these photos, but being the enlightened reader that you are, you most likely see where I am going. How we chose to view things in life can make a huge difference on our happiness and attitudes. Sometimes things are not what they seem. Being open to considering other perspectives can be an eye opening experience. So whether you are having a tough time understanding someone else in your life, or maybe you are going through a difficult time in your own life, try to see things from another perspective. You just may be surprised. Next week on my radio show, I'll have another Spiritual Enlightenment show, with Joy Meredith of Crystal Fantasy store in Palm Springs. We'll explore this topic of shifting your perspectives to help see things more clearly. I'll post info about the show in a few days, you can listen on demand anytime, so don't worry about the date of broadcast. In the meantime, think about these cactus photos.

-Rick Rockhill

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YOU Can Make A Difference This Weekend

We're smack in the middle of the National Guide Dog Month fundraiser and still need to get the word out about donations. For those of you who have already made a donation, THANK YOU. Our goal is to raise $1 million and we're only half way there. The next 10 days will be critical in reaching that goal. You can donate in two ways: 1. Go to any Petco store and donate at the registers or 2. Donate online right now, just click here its fast and easy to do. You can donate $1, $5, $10, $20 or any amount to help provide guide dogs to the blind. In this photo above, I'm with "Mango" a guide dog puppy-in-training from the Guide Dogs of the Desert in Palm Springs. If you have not seen it yet, check out this video of me with Natalie from Petco about Guide Dogs.

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Expecting Mary Premiere in Palm Springs

Jim Casey, Lainie Kazan, Della Reese, Linda Gray and Kim Waltrip

Last night was the official Palm Springs premiere for the brand new film 'Expecting Mary'. It was held as a benefit to the Desert Aids Project, a non-profit organization that provides medical care and comprehensive support services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the desert community. Expecting Mary has close ties to the desert; J&J and Wonderstar Productions are both based here in Palm Springs.

Members of the supporting cast of Expecting Mary

Expecting Mary was completely sold out for this special viewing, just one day before the official opening Friday September 10th in select cities. Principal cast members attended, including Linda Gray, Della Reese and Lainie Kazan. If you missed my interview with Linda Gray, you can still listen to it on demand here. In addition, a broad group of supporting cast were also on hand to support this presentation, including Duncan Bravo, Kathy Lampkin, Kinsey Packard, Matt Kaminsky, Mandell Butler, & Larry Bates. I've seen Expecting Mary multiple times, having attended screenings in several cities. The audience reaction to the film was electric; people were experiencing the full range of emotions that the script so masterfully elicits. 

After the film, the key stars were on stage for a Q&A moderated by local personality Gloria Greer from Palm Springs Life magazine and CBS2 TV. The stars happily answered questions from an enthusiastic audience for about 20 minutes before attending a lovely reception held outside under the clear desert sky.

Until you see the film, this yellow VW bug won't mean much, but once you've seen it, it will make you laugh! The reception had an array of delicious cupcakes and cookies with various movie logos on them.

Della Reese and I chatted for awhile and caught up since we last saw each other in New York. She is such an incredible lady, and a true talent on many levels. Della's role in Expecting Mary is a scene-stealer for sure. Della plays 'Doris Dorkus", the grumpy owner of trailer park where much of this story takes place. She punctuates the screen with a bold, direct sense of humor, and draws in the viewer wondering what made her become so cantankerous and surly to the ditsy and innocent Darnella whom she encounters several times. But soon, even Doris has a transformation, along with several characters making her a lovable woman with great appeal. This film is filled with great characters, each colorful and likable. If you live in one of the cities where this opens for its initial run, please go check it out this weekend (see yesterday's post below for cities). Strong openings are very important to the success and sustainability of independent films. Go see the film and tell me what you think. With a dash of good luck and your support, it will expand to additional screens in time for Thanksgiving...stay tuned!
-Rick Rockhill

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Want FREE Tickets to See Expecting Mary?

At long last, Expecting Mary opens nationwide in select cities for its official release tomorrow. I'm offering FREE tickets (for this opening weekend only) to the first 100 of my readers who contact me by noon Friday Sept 10th. Look below to see if it is opening in a city near you. If so, let me know if you want to go, courtesy of The Palm Springs Savant. If you need more information about the film, check out my radio show from this last Sunday. My guests included actress Linda Gray ("Sue Ellen Ewing" of TV's Dallas). Linda is one of the major stars of Expecting Mary and speaks extensively of her role as Darnella Dare. Listen to the show, then go see the film!

Look below to see if there is a theater near you:

California

The River 12
Century Theaters
Rancho Mirage, California

Rancho Stadium 16
Rancho Mirage, California

The Camelot
Palm Springs, California

 

Florida

Coconut Point 18
Estero, Florida

Merchants Crossing 16
Fort Myers, Florida

Belltower Stadium 20
Fort Myers, Florida

Hollywood Stadium 20
Naples, Florida

Kansas

Cinemark 20
Merriam, Kansas

Great Mall 16
Olathe, Kansas

Palazzo 16
Overland Park, Kansas

Westglen 18
Shawnee, Kansas

Legends 14
Kansas City, Kansas

Barrywoods 24
Kansas City, Kansas

Town Center 20
Leawood, Kansas

Studio 30
Olathe, Kansas

Missouri

Kansas City Stadium 18
Kansas City, Missouri

Northglen 14
Kansas City, Missouri

Eastglen 16 Lee's
Summit, Missouri

Independence 20
Independence, Missouri

Ward Parkway 14
Kansas City, Missouri

Oklahoma

Kickingbird 8
Edmonds, Oklahoma

AMC Crossroads 16
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Bricktown Cinema 16
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Moore Warren Theatre
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Penn Square 10
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Quail Springs Mall 24
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Spotlight 14
Norman, Oklahoma

West End Pointe
Yukon, Oklahoma

Tennessee
Clarksville 16
Clarksville, Tennessee
Rocky Top Cinema 10
Crossville, Tennessee
Roxy 8
Dickson, Tennessee
Thoroughbred 20
Franklin, Tennessee
Streets of Indian Lakes
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Roxy 10
Lebannon, Tennessee
Providence Stadium
Mt. Juliett, Tennessee
Wynnsong 16
Murfressboro, Tennessee
Thouroughbred 20
Nashville, Tennessee
Hollywood 27
Nashville, Tennessee
Green Hills Stadium 16
Nashville, Tennessee
Malco Roxy
Smyrna, Tennessee

Utah

Cinemark 12
American Fork, Utah
Cinemark Bountiful 8
Bountiful, Utah
Tinseltown 17 USA
Layton, Utah
Megaplex 8 @ Thanksgiving Point
Lehi, Utah
Cinemark Tinseltown 14
Ogden, Utah
Megaplex 13 at the Junction
Ogden, Utah
Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons
Sandy, Utah
Century 16 Union Heights
Sandy, Utah
Cinemark 16
Provo, Utah
Wynnsong 12
Provo, Utah
Carmike 12
West Jordan Utah
Cinemark 24 Jordan Landing & XD
West Jordan, UT
Megaplex 20 at The District
South Jordan, Utah
Ritz 15
West Valley City Utah

Be sure to let me know ASAP, either with a comment here, or just send me an e-mail at rickrockhill@msn.com

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