Singing With The Desert Stars

VIP Tickets - $200

Includes premier seating in the first four rows, early admission to the Pre-performance reception at 6:00pm, the Post-performance Dessert Celebration 

General Admission Tickets – $125

Includes seating behind the VIP Tickets, the Pre-performance reception at 6:30pm, and the Post-performance Dessert Celebration

Desert Ensemble Theater (DET) has announced Celebrity Star Contestants and Star Coaches for the second annual Singing With the Desert Stars, the company’s gala benefit on Friday, October 6, 2023 from 6pm-9pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The event, a friendly competition that teams Broadway veterans and prominent vocalists with nonprofessional singers who are community leaders, benefits DET’s student Internship/Mentorship and Scholarship Programs. The event will include a preshow reception with heavy appetizers, sponsored by Eight4Nine as well as an open bar sponsored by Desert Beer Company (beer sponsor). In addition, we will have sweet treats from Brandini Toffee and some even sweeter raffles and silent auction items. 

Singing with the Desert Stars sold out in 2022. This year’s Star Contestants are artist and gallery-owner Marconi Calindas-Cafege; KESQ anchor Peter Daut; Eight4Nine pastry chef Albert Gonzalez; journalist and PR professional Barbara Kerr; Sotheby’s realtor Maria Patakas; Old Town Artisan Studios Director of Development Katie Thornton; and philanthropist Rich Weissman. They will each put their personal spin on a song under the mentorship of a Star Coach.

DET Artistic Director Jerome Elliott Moskowitz will direct, host, and lead the mentoring team. The Star Coaches are Darci Daniels, Christine Michele, Lizzie Schmelling, Broadway veterans Douglas Graham and Leslie Tinnaro, and last year’s winner, Christine Tringali Nunes. Chip Prince, with more than 20 years of Broadway and national tour experience, is music director. DET presents the second annual edition of Singing with the Desert Stars after its highly successful inaugural in 2022. Conceived by community organizer Danny Kopelson, the evening brings focus to DET’s work with local high school students that offers them real-life work experience in technical theatre. In-turn, DET grants financial support to interns pursuing an education in the arts. To date, DET has granted nearly $29,000 in scholarships to well deserving senior interns.    The event’s winner is determined by the audience. All tickets include a pre-and post-performance reception at the theatre. There will be a raffle and a silent auction to raise additional funds for DET’s education program.

NEED HELP GETTING YOUR SEAT? CALL 760-565-2476 and a staff member will help