DESERT HEAT

Last week I was in Palm Springs not only soaking up the desert heat, but hunting for future stories as well. Found two guys, partners, who own Casa Ocotillo where we stayed – Brian and Vic. They will make a wonderful article as both of them have been involved with the AIDS community through the years.

Checked out Palm Springs Art Museum that currently has two extraordinary exhibitions: Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nick Muray – and -- D. J. Hall: Thirty-Five Year Retrospective. Both are extremely interesting, informative, and have that “Oh, wow” factor.

The museum has a 1939 letter written by Frida to Nick [they had a 10 year love affair] when she was in Paris attending the opening of her work. The letter is such a gem, as Frida is outraged by the gallery owners and the intellectuals of the day. "[They are a] bunch of coocoo lunatic son of bitches...." She goes on further to say that they sit on their asses all day and talk and talk and talk about nothing. "I want to chew them up and spit them out." The lengthy letter further describes Frida's hatred for Paris and their art world.

As for the DJ Hall exhibit, the lively, electric colors in her paintings captivated every single one of my senses and thrilled them all into an orgasmic frenzy. I had to return 3 times to the museum just so I could experience it all over again!

Also caught THE DARK KNIGHT at Cathedral City's IMAX Theatre on opening day. Heath Ledger's frightful and eerie characterization of The Joker is a great accomplishment that will be added to an already extensive resume of a short-lived career.

Now back in LA, I'm currently tracking down more stars for cover stories....