The Palm Springs International Film Awards was a gala event to remember. Heralded by Deadline as “…a must-stop on the way to the [Oscars] in March”, the star-studded evening celebrated the best in cinematic performance and production. Many recipients and hosts- even Steven Spielberg!- had…
Jim Egan is not just a retired businessman and Coachella valley philanthropist–he is a celebrated painter with a new show at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert. Egan’s latest show “Icons: Painting by Jim Egan” features over 60 acrylic portraits of his…
This January, the McCallum Theatre celebrates 35 years. It opened on January 2nd, 1988. Some trivia for you: The very first night ever at the McCallum was a gala for the ages. It was a tribute to Bob Hope, hosted by Lucille Ball. If you…
The 2023 Film Festival and Awards Gala felt extra special this year. After 2 years on hiatus due to the pandemic, you could feel the excitement as Palm Springs residents and honored celebrities came together again. Harold Matzner picked his top six moments from this…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Brendan Fraseris the recipient of the Spotlight Award, Actorfor hisperformance in The Whale. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through January 16,…
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’s Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner will co-host the2023 Palm Springs International Film Awards, which will be previewed on this evening’s broadcast of the venerable newsmagazine program.The award show returns in-person on January 5, 2023 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with Media Partner…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Danielle Deadwyler is the recipient of the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress for her performance in Till.The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Viola Davis is the recipient of the Chairman’s Award recognizing her work as an actress and producer for The Woman King. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023 at the Palm Springs…
The 34th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) announced that the festival’s opening night will be the World Premiere of 80 For Brady directed by Kyle Marvin, on Friday, January 6. The festival will close with The Lost King, directed by Stephen Frears on Sunday, January 15. The festival will…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Michelle Yeoh is the recipient of the International Star Award, Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Cate Blanchett is the recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, for Tár. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through…
The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Sarah Polley is the recipient of the Director of the YearAward, for Women Talking. The Film Awards will take place in-person on January 5, 2023at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running through January 16, 2023. The event will be presented by American Express and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight and IHG Hotels & Resorts.
On October 21st, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (The Center) welcomed over 500 guests at their annual fundraiser, Center Stage 2022. Rob Wheeler, executive director and CEO of The Center addressed the crowd of 525, saying, “we are truly stronger together, and our…
COLIN FARRELL WITH THE DESERT PALM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, ACTOR The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Colin Farrell is the recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for his performance in The Banshees of Inisherin. The Film Awards will take place in-person…
This Veteran’s Day, Harold wants to honor all those who have served to protect our great country. Our brave veterans are one of the many causes close to Harold’s heart. On Veteran’s Day in 2017, the Matzner Tank Pavilion opened at the General Patton Museum,…
We are so honored to see Spencer’s named on Palm Springs Life’s list of Best of the Best Outdoor Dining Spaces! Readers voted on their favorite restaurants, shops, and activities in the Coachella Valley across 20 categories. What is it that the readers love about…
Palm Springs Life Magazine published a wonderful article this month: “50 Moments That Shaped Greater Palm Springs.” As the list travels through history, you can see our community start to come together, from its pre-1900 foundations through the Rat Pack era. We see when landmarks…
Harold and the McCallum Board along with Michael Childers invite you to this year’s “One Night Only.” We are celebrating the 16th year in the desert with “New York, New York” on November 9, 2022 at 6 p.m. All proceeds benefit The Barbara Sinatra Children’s…
A toast from Spencer’s and Harold Matzner! 🍸 U.S. News and World Report has named their picks for the top 22 restaurants in Palm Springs for 2022- and of course, Spencer’s made the list! Their editors researched dozens of review sites, including restaurant, dining and…
After two years off due to Covid, the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala is back and tables, seats, and passes are all on sale now! The 2021 Gala will take place on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Harold Matzner, the Board of Directors, and…
Part 2 of Palm Springs Life Magazine’s profile of Harold Matzner focuses on the Palm Springs International Film Festival. With quotes from colleagues, fellow board members, friends, and family, writer David Lansing illustrates how Harold turned the film festival into the success it is today. …
Accomplished actress Renée Zellweger is receiving praise for her role as Judy Garland as the Palm Springs International Film Festival will award her with the Desert Palm Achievement Award. Chairman of the Palm Springs Film Fest, Harold Matzner, said of her performance, “This is a…
Coachella Valley mourned the loss of Ronald Auen, one of the area’s biggest philanthropists. Harold Matzner, fellow philanthropist and Chairman of The Palm Springs International Film Fest and McCallum Theatre acknowledged his passing, saying it was “an enormous loss to the valley and to all…
Reception honors outstanding philanthropic individuals, businesses, and organizations making a difference in the Coachella Valley. A private event was held to honor the nominees for the 13th Annual National Philanthropy Day In The Desert, where one of Palm Springs’ biggest benefactors and Spencer’s owner, Harold…
Spencer’s Restaurant, Lulu California Bistro, and Trio raised a combined $61,679 for the Dining Out For Life Coachella Valley initiative, in which 10,000 Coachella Valley residents came out strong to raise funds for AIDS service organizations like the Desert Aids Project. All in all, $280,000 was raised by Coachella…
The 2018-2019 Coachella Valley social season got its unofficial kick-off with the 27th annual “Dinner In The Canyons,” hosted by The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The evening began with a cocktail reception featuring a musical performance by the Cahuilla Indians using traditional gourds, set against…
The McCallum Theatre hosted the JFS Desert’s “One Night Only” finale, which is one of three fundraisers meant to benefit the non-profit that provides critically needed social services to thousands of people. Over the years, “One Night Only” has brought in $1.9 million for JFS…
Coachella Valley Philanthropists Sarah and Leo Milmet were honored at the Annual ACT for Multiple Sclerosis gala, which featured a 1950’s “Hooray for Hollywood” themed red carpet, complete with paparazzi, glitz, and glam. Golden Oscar-level contributors include The Auen Foundation, The Conboy Foundation, Coachella Valley…
One of Coachella Valley’s long-running and most popular events, The AAP – Food Samaritans 25th Annual Gala, Evening Under the Stars, took place at the Palm Springs O’Donnell Golf Club, complete with a sunset cocktail hour, marketplace and silent auction. The AAP – Food Samaritans has…
The Palm Springs Air Museum hosted the Mizell Senior Center’s 13th Annual “Stars Among Us Gala,” which was produced and directed by Frank Goldstin of Momentous Events and featured Michael Jackson live performer Jalles Franca. The Mizell Senior Center has spent the last 43 years…
The Palm Springs Art Museum’s “Not Your Typical Gala” was a mix of classic artwork, acrobats, and the eccentric stylings of Andy Warhol’s Americana and celebrity-influenced pop art. The crowd was also a mixed one, with the gala hosting everyone from artists, to writers, to…
Desert Arc, a nonprofit grouped aimed at creating opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, acknowledged the leaders and businesses which have championed their cause. Among the recognized were Eisenhower Health, JFK Memorial Hospital, Palm Springs Disposal, Destination PSP, Renova Solar. Sacred Heart Church, steered by…
The 8th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show and Charity Luncheon raised $135,000 via silent auctions for the Animal Samaritans Rescue Program. The luncheon honored their partner SNIP, which offers mobile spaying and neutering for low costs throughout Coachella Valley. Animal Samaritans has been…
Brought back and revamped, the Christmas dinner and symphony concert “Christmas in Vienna” was a sold out experience. Celebrating their 25th anniversary and providing a tribute to founder Jeanette Banoczi who passed this summer, the talents of the Coachella Valley Symphony and the Buddy Rogers…
The McCallum Theatre broke its own fundraising record by raising $1,725,000 at the 30th Anniversary Gala honoring Chairman Harold Matzner. Matzner, one of the Valley’s biggest philanthropists (and that’s saying something), is said to have donated more than $70 million to nonprofits since 2000, with…
In this follow-up to a November article discussing the influential philanthropist of many hats, a few Coachella Valley’s more influential residents discuss their relationships with Harold Matzner, how their organizations became involved with him, and the brilliance behind the man whose name has become synonymous…
The General Patton Memorial Museum honored Harold Matzner with the “Founder’s Award” for funding the Matzner Tank Pavilion building and donating enough to bring three military tanks back to life. Read full article here at Desert Sun
The Ten Tenors, some of the most popular performers in McCallum Theatre’s history, will perform at its 30th Anniversary fundraising Gala on November 30th. Coachella Valley’s own entrepreneur and humanitarian, Chairman Harold Matzner, will be honored that night for his long list of philanthropic contributions….
Coachella Valley philanthropist and owner of Spencer’s Restaurant, Harold Matzner, will serve as Presenting Sponsor and Honorary Chair at the 11th Annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon in the Grand Ballroom of the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa… Click Here To Read Original Article at The Desert Scene October 14,…
Two-time Grammy winner and jazz musician Diane Schuu joined piano prodigy Paul Cracchiolo to bring the house down and earn rousing applause for their amazing performances. Harold Matzner was underwriter and attendee at the Coachella Valley Symphony’s year-end gala “Rhapsody and Blues,” which benefited both the orchestra and the Buddy…
One of Palm Spring’s most festive events, the 24th Annual Evening Under the Stars, featured a delicious dinner catered by Savoury’s, a performance from Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, music by DJ Jerry Bonham, and a spectacular fireworks display. Honored at the event were Timothy Jochen,…
The Steinway Society celebrated its annual “doctors” fundraiser and its 15th anniversary, with support from sponsors like Jordan Varela, Donna MacMillan, Harold Matzner, and more… To Read Original Article at The Desert Sun, Click Here: The Desert Sun, February 25, 2017
Harold Matzner joined fellow presenters in honoring those who have contributed greatly to the success of the College of the Desert (COD) and to the Coachella Valley. To Read Original Article at The Desert Sun, Click Here: The Desert Sun, January 7, 2017
Coachella Valley icon Mel Haber passed away recently, but he left behind good memories and a lasting image. Restaurateur and philanthropist Harold Matzner called Haber “a huge asset to the community” and referred to him as a “lovable character.” To Read Full Article at The…
by BRUCE FESSIER The nation’s biggest little film festival kicks off Tuesday with organizers wondering how it got so big. The 22nd annual Palm Springs International Short Film Festival and Film Market will screen 328 films from 54 countries, which is about the same as…
By Betty Francis This may be the most important report I will ever write for you. Please read it. After 19 years of society reporting (just when I thought I knew virtually every charity in the Valley) I discovered a new one last week that…
