While enjoying Chef di Cucina Ian Gresik’s five course Italian dinner paired with Italian wines at Drago Centro in downtown Los Angeles, I learned from Joyce Kiehl, Director of Communications of Greater Palm Springs, that Frank Sinatra would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year.
We dined on Burrata with olive crostini, potato gnocchi with Maine lobster, wild mushroom risotto, a duo of beef on soft polenta and a wonderful chocolate dessert, I discovered The Riviera in Palm Springs is celebrating the most famous Rat Pack member birthday from September 2015 through his actual birthday on December 12, 2015. There is no cover charge to attend the Riviera’s Sinatra Series Centennial Events.
Weekend At Sinatra’s at the Riviera commemorates Sinatra’s 100th birthday with special screenings, events, parties and custom food and beverage menus. Even though it has been decades since Frank Sinatra visited the Riviera Palm Springs, the resort honors one of their favorite guests. “When the pack left Hollywood Cool, they came to Palm Springs Hot” is the Riviera slogan.
The Sinatra Series begins with a double feature of Ocean’s Eleven on Saturday, September 26. Guests can watch a complimentary screening of the original “Ocean’s Eleven” featuring Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Retro cocktails and snacks will be available. During intermission there will be special musical entertainment before the screening of the newer Ocean’s Eleven – the 2001 version with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. This event will start at 6 p.m. at the Chiki Pool. Special rates for event attendees are offered through September 30, 2015. When booking your reservation, please reference “group code” for Weekend at Sinatra’s: 50O35C.
In October the resort is hosting a Rat Pack Halloween Party. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite 60s era icon, hipster or mobster. Stories and music from the era will be shared throughout the night in the Starlite Lounge. There will be surprise guests, a lively costume contest with prizes for – His & Her Best Costume, Best Rat Pack Costume, Most Creative Costume. Enjoy entertainment all night long. The party starts at 8 p.m. to midnight.
From Sunday, November 15 to November 21 the Riveria’s wonderful Circa 59 is serving a special Sinatra Throwback prix fixe menu. Recipes will be prepared from the Sinatra Family cookbook. The first serving is 5:30 p.m nightly for the dinner.
The biggest celebration is in December starting on Friday, December 11 with a fun kick off at the Chiki Pool, with DJ and live music, food and cocktails starting at noon.
In the evening the Riviera ballroom is transformed into a Rat Pack event at 7 p.m. with appetizers, champagne, wine and the best tunes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Special entertainment scheduled is from Vaughn Suponatime and Russ Loniello.
On Frank Sinatra’s actual birthday – Saturday, December 12, guests can enjoy lounging by the heated pool starting at 10 a.m. At noon there will be a BBQ lunch available at the festive Chiki pool. At 1 p.m. there will be a poolside fashion show. At 2 p.m. guests can view a special vintage slideshow of Palm Springs. Then go back to their rooms to dress for the 4 p.m. Sinatra Jack Daniels bar crawl.
Some of Palm Springs’ best bars and restaurants are participating in this one-of-a-kind pub crawl that includes a contest for the “best drink” among the bartenders. Be back by 7 p.m. for a cocktail party and dinner in Grand Ballroom. At 8 p.m. there will be special toasts to Frank. Entertainment by James Darren aka Moondoggie
Hotel pricing for the weekend begins at $109 per person/night. Please call (760) 327-8311 or visit http://www.psriviera.com/sinatra.aspx to book a room.
The Riviera Palm Springs is located at 1600 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
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