Harold’s Six Favorite 2023 Palm Springs Film Festival Moments

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…

Palm Springs International Film Festival Schedule and Films Announced!

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…

Palm Springs International Film Awards To Present Sarah Polley With The Director Of The Year Award

Headshot of Sarah Polley

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.

LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s Center Stage 2022

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…

Honoring our Veterans at the Matzner Tank Pavilion

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,…

Worth a Read: 50 Moments That Shaped Greater Palm Springs

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…

Creating Change

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…

Dining Out for Life Greater Palm Springs 2018 raises $280,000

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…

Dinner in the Canyons

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…

One Night Only Nears $2 Million For JFS Desert

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…

Lights, Camera, Action ACT For MS Goes Hollywood

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…

25th Anniversary Gala Evening Under The Stars

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…

‘Stars Among Us’ Shine For Mizell Senior Center

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…

PS Museum Gala Raises $1 Million

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 recognizes community leaders for their support

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…

8th Annual Men Of The Desert Fashion Show & Charity Luncheon

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…

Coachella Valley Symphony ‘Christmas in Vienna’

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…

Harold Matzner: The Brilliant Enigma

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…

Patton Museum Receives 4 Tanks and 2 New Buildings

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

National Philanthropy Day Luncheon Celebrates Biggest Givers

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,…

24th Annual Evening Under the Stars A Festive Success

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,…

Harold Matzner Says Farewell to Coachella Valley Icon Mel Haber

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…