Lip syncing takes center stage at American Cancer Society event on April 29
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As drag icon RuPaul (basically) says on her hit show "RuPaul's Drag Race," get ready to lip sync for your life —because it'll help raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
The organization's annual Lip Sync for a Cure show has a stacked lineup of local celebrities who will show off their lip-syncing abilities in order to raise money for research and vital patient services in the desert, specifically for pancreatic cancer. This year's gathering will honor Matty Spindel, a Grammy Award-winning sound engineer and Rick Springfield's tour manager who died from pancreatic cancer in October, and Tristan Rogers, of "General Hospital," for his many years of volunteering with the American Cancer Society.
The event will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Tickets for the show and after-party can be purchased at LipSyncforCure.givesmart.com
The evening's talented "singers" include Rogers, Tim Gross (keyboardist for Rick Springfield), Keisha D, Wesley Eure ("Land of the Lost"), Kathy Coleman ("Land of the Lost"), Jeremy Miller ("Growing Pains"), Judith Chapman ("The Young and the Restless"), Ava Lazar ("Scarface," "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"), Stephanie Czajkowski ("Doom Patrol") and more.
Event co-chair Melissa Neiderman said the musical celebration began in 2017 as a way to "do something out of the box" when it came to fundraising. The event was held at the Purple Room in Palm Springs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then it moved to the Palm Springs Cultural Center last year.
The show that audiences get to enjoy today is a "whole production," Neiderman said.
"We're having some surprise guests ... we're going to have some of our community drag queens, some comedic element to it, the committee's going to lip sync to a Rick Springfield song," Neiderman explained.
Those on stage also try to up the antics when they're performing. The co-chair said people go all-out with costumes, wigs and other props to make themselves look and feel like rock stars. Afterward, local judges get to critique the performers, almost as if they're on "America's Got Talent" or "American Idol."
Throughout the evening, audience members are encouraged to share their personal cancer stories, whether they or a loved one has gone through the experience. Attendees can also honor a family member or friend in a tribute video for $25.
"The last time we did it, it got really intimate," Neiderman said. "It was really a moment where you went, 'Wow, this is not only a community, it's a family.'"
At the VIP after-party, attendees will be able to meet those who performed.
Last year's Lip Sync for a Cure raised close to $50,000, and there are hopes for an even more successful iteration this year. Among the patient services the American Cancer Society provides are free transportation and lodging to those whose cancer treatments are far from home.
If Coachella Valley residents can't make it out to the show, there's another opportunity later in the year to support the American Cancer Society. After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization will hold its Taste of Desert Spirit Gala on Oct. 15 at the Heckmann Estate in Rancho Mirage. The benefit will honor Alison Mayer Sachs, director of community outreach and cancer support services with the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, and Jeffrey and Ellie Tropple of Nothing Bundt Cakes.
There's plenty planned for the evening already, such as an auction, cocktail party, food sampling from local restaurants, live entertainment and celebration for the honorees, Neiderman said. Plus, the theme for the evening is retro '70s, so everyone is encouraged to show up in their best Studio 54 looks.
Tickets for the gala cost $300.
For more information about either event or the American Cancer Society, contact Neiderman at psmelissan@gmail.com or Mary Graham at Mary.Graham@cancer.org.
If you go
What: Lip Sync for a Cure
When/where: 6 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
How much: Show tickets cost $50; after-party ticket costs $125
More info: LipSyncforCure.givesmart.com
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Lip syncing to take center stage at American Cancer Society event
