Good morning and happy Monday. The SR111 Roadway Project continues with nighttime striping operations through Friday, working from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. with (hopefully) minimal traffic impacts. While fresh pavement is now complete along 8 miles of SR111, work later this month includes bus pad installations requiring 48-hour lane closures, with drainage and sidewalk improvements expected in mid-May at Via Olivera and North Palm Canyon Drive. Stay updated at SR111RoadwayProject.com for any schedule changes due to weather or field conditions.
🎶 Setting the mood: “Le visionnaire” by Cortex
LEADING OFF
Chorus named first resident artists of Plaza Theatre
When the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre reopens in December, it will be partnering with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus serving as its inaugural resident artists.
Driving the news: The multi-year partnership, announced last week, marks a new chapter for both the historic venue and the chorus, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The chorus plans to kick off its 26th season on December 19 through 21 with a holiday show at the theater called “Bells, Brass & Sass.”
- The chorus will return in spring 2026 with “Rhinestones & Rainbows,” a celebration inspired by Dolly Parton.
Why it matters: Theater management said the partnership fulfills the Plaza Theatre’s mission to support local arts following its community-backed restoration project.
- “This multi-year partnership is a love letter to Palm Springs,” said John Bolton, the theater’s general manager.
The backdrop: Originally opened in 1936, the Plaza Theatre is undergoing a complete renovation to become a modern performing arts venue while preserving its historic character.
- The chorus has been a cultural fixture since 1999 and was proclaimed the “Official Gay Men’s Chorus of the City of Palm Springs” in 2018.
What they’re saying: Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte called the partnership a demonstration of “commitment to connecting the iconic landmark with the Palm Springs community.”
But wait: Want to dive deep into the history of the theater? A free community event is planned this Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center, where showbiz expert and historian Jim Cook will explore the theater’s its role in the golden era of Hollywood.
- The talk will also cover the theater’s ongoing restoration and its anticipated reopening in December 2025. You can RSVP for the event here.
BRIEFLY
⚖️ Man sentenced to 11 years for fatal DUI crash in Palm Springs
A 54-year-old man was sentenced last week to nearly 12 years in state prison for killing three people in a multi-vehicle collision in Palm Springs while driving intoxicated during a sandstorm. The sentence followed a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
- Shawn Michael Kirkpatrick admitted to three counts of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI resulting in great bodily injury from the September 2023 crash that claimed the lives of Yovani Aguilera Tapia, 32, and David Losacco and Millicent Lewis, both 29.
- According to Palm Springs Police, the victims had slowed their vehicle during reduced visibility conditions on North Gene Autry Trail when the defendant failed to decelerate, rear-ending them and causing their car to hit another vehicle whose occupant suffered moderate injuries.
- Looking back: Kirkpatrick was arrested in November 2023 following an investigation into the crash. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped a related charge and sentence-enhancements. He had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
🌈 LGBTQ+ recovery center to host annual fundraiser
The Sunny Dunes Clubhouse, a nonprofit serving the LGBTQ+ recovery community, will hold its third annual spring gala fundraiser on May 18 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The “CommUNITY in Recovery” themed event begins at 5 p.m. and aims to support the organization’s mission of providing a safe environment for those in recovery programs.
- Founded in 1992 and incorporated as a nonprofit in November 2021, the clubhouse — located in Rimrock Plaza at 4711 East Palm Canyon Dr. — currently hosts 93 meetings weekly across three meeting rooms, totaling over 4,800 meetings per year with more than 130,000 attendances recorded in 2024.
- “We want to help more people recover in more ways,” said Soterios Rouman, board chair of Sunny Dunes Inc. “We recognize that people in our community seek recovery for additional addictions beyond alcohol and also seek personal growth in many different areas of their lives.”
- Details: The fundraising gala will feature a mocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, a three-course dinner, testimonials, and entertainment. Tickets are available at $175 each, with VIP tickets at $250, and can be purchased at www.SunnyDunes.org/gala.
TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS
Mahjong Monday
1 p.m. | Play Lounge and Cafe
Come play the American version of Mahjong with others. Play Lounge has two mats and sets, but feel free to bring your own.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group
2:30 p.m. | Mizell Center
This weekly support group offers a safe, confidential, supportive environment for individuals caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.
Architectural Review Committee
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The ARC typically holds regular meetings at 5:30 pm on the first and third Monday of each month to review and make recommendations on building and landscape design to the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff. You can find agendas here.
Behind the Curtain: Untold Stories of Canada’s Team Broadway
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
This critically-acclaimed song and dance show celebrates the friendship lived and performed by Broadway alumni Craig Ramsay and Catherine Wreford, well known for their recent “Team Broadway” win of Canada’s most popular reality TV show “The Amazing Race Canada.” ($38)
See all events
SAVE THE DATE
AND FINALLY …
Forty-eight Palm Springs Unified School District students have returned from an eye-opening adventure where they explored educational institutions, connected with cultural landmarks, and even met with Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz at the U.S. Capitol.
Driving the news: The College and Culture Tour recently concluded its fourth successful year, made possible by the school district, its supporting foundation, and donations from members of the community, including readers of The Post.
Where they went: Students visited colleges such as Howard University (seen above) and Johns Hopkins University, while also engaging with political representatives in Washington, D.C.
Beyond campuses: The itinerary included cultural landmarks such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Latino, the MLK Monument, and immersive experiences at art exhibitions including works by Monet and the LEGO Art of the Brick.
What’s next: Returning students will be paired with mentors to navigate college applications and the college application process, with program coordinator Jarvis Williams noting that participants often support each other through these steps after sharing the transformative experience.
Why it matters: “I think having that level of support and building those trusting relationships within the school district is bridging gaps in our community that extend far beyond just the students,” Williams said as he prepared to help chaperone the trip.