Jay Leno tops this weekend's nightlife, March 24-25
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HOT PICK
Saturday
Comedy: Former "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno has endured some painful accidents in recent months. The 72-year-old was subject to significant burns on his hands, face and chest last November when flames erupted as he worked on one of his vintage cars. He underwent two procedures, including a surgical excision and grafting, and then in January, he broke several bones in a motorcycle accident.
However, Leno recovered and remains in good spirits, continuing to perform stand-up comedy shows. He's also quipped about recent events and told the Las Vegas Review Journal "You know, after getting burned up, you get that one for free," Leno said. “After that, you’re Harrison Ford, crashing airplanes. You just want to keep your head down.”
Leno will perform Saturday at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage.
If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $75 to $125. 888-999-1995. aguacalientecasinos.com
BEST BETS
Friday
Comedy: You may remember stand-up comedian and actress Iliza Shlesinger as the 2008 winner of the comedy competition show "Last Comic Standing." Since then, Shlesinger has continued to build a successful career on stage and in films such as "Spenser Confidential," "Pieces of a Woman" and more. She also released six comedy specials through Netflix and the series "The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show."
Shlesinger will perform on Friday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $39 to $79. 760-342-5000. fantasyspringsresort.com
Choir: During the 2018 Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in London, The Kingdom Choir performed the song "Stand By Me" for the 2 billion people around the world who tuned in to the ceremony. Ever since its founding in 1994 with conductor Karen Gibson, the group has performed music from various traditions.
The Kingdom Choir will perform Friday at the McCallum Theatre.
If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. $35 to $75. 760-340-2787. mccallumtheatre.com
Funk: Since 1968, the R&B and funk band Kool & the Gang has provided the soundtrack for glorious occasions with songs such as "Celebration," "Get Down On It," "Jungle Boogie," and "Ladies Night." Even as the R&B genre shifted to disco and the '80s brought new standards of pop music, Kool & the Gang stayed relevant with its horn section, cool grooves and jubilant mood.
In 2012, Kool & the Gang was the opening act for Van Halen's reunion tour. Even though it was atypical, the band was well-received by Van Halen's fans, most of which are female.
Kool & the Gang will perform on Saturday at Spotlight 29 Casino. If you go: Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Friday, Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. From $55. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com
Saturday
Soul: The music of duo The War and the Treaty, featuring Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, is defined by several different genres, but it's soul combined with country, gospel, folk and more which has led to the pair being featured at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry and the Americana Music Association. Al Green, Jason Isbell, John Legend and Van Morrison have all taken The War and the Treaty on tours as an opening act.
The War and the Treaty will perform on Saturday at Pappy and Harriet's.
If you go: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. $21. 760-228-2222. pappyandharriets.com
Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Jay Leno tops this weekend's nightlife in the greater Palm Springs area
