Photographer Michael Childers to be honored at CVRep Luminary Luncheon

The Coachella Valley Repertory will honor photographer and Rancho Mirage resident Michael Childers during its Luminary Luncheon on *March 30.

Voice-over artist Gary Shaw will be the master of ceremonies for the event, which will feature an interview with Childers by KESQ anchor and reporter Peter Daut. Other speakers scheduled to appear are "Hart to Hart" actress Stefanie Powers; fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie; photographer Greg Gorman; musical theater lyricist, director and producer David Zippel; and a musical performance by actress and singer Julie Garnyé.

Childers said the honor from the Cathedral City theater was "unexpected."

"I think they do great work and it's a stunningly beautiful theater, and if I can help them raise some money, then so be it," Childers said during a recent phone interview with The Desert Sun.

Childers' work includes magazine covers for Vogue, GW, Esquire and Elle, and he was a founding photographer for Andy Warhol's Interview and After Dark magazines. He's also snapped iconic photos of celebrities such as singer Elton John, actor Marlon Brando, artist David Hockney and singer and actress Bette Midler.

But he rejects the "celebrity photographer" categorization and said "the label got so tired" because of the many things he did outside of that, which include the world of dance companies, abstract nudes and surrealism.

"I have a passion for all the arts," Childers said. "I've done books on ballet companies and when I lived in London and New York, it was easier when I worked for dance magazines to photograph some of the greatest dancers and dance companies in the world. I also like to know what's happening in the world of music now."

He's also a producer and puts on the annual event "One Night Only" at the McCallum Theatre. The event celebrated 16 years in November when it took on a "Back to the '70s" theme and benefited the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. The soiree featured performances by Lily Tomlin, Debby Boone, Lucie Arnaz and more.

The Joshua Tree Gallery of Contemporary Art is also hosting an exhibition of works by Childers and Gordon Clark. There was a preview of the collections in December ahead of its Grand Gala scheduled for Jan. 22, and the exhibition runs through March 13.

CVRep Founding Artistic Director Ron Celona told The Desert Sun in 2020 that the Luminary Luncheon was designed after the show "Inside the Actors Studio," featuring an entertainment industry veteran sharing their story with a host.

Some previous Luminary Luncheon honorees include performers Millicent Martin and Teri Ralston; the late Charlotte Rae, known for her role as Edna Garrett on "The Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes"; Broadway star Gary Beach; and Golden Globe Nominee Adrienne Barbeau.

If you go

What: CVRep Luminary Luncheon

When: March 30

Where: Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, 71-333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage

Tickets: $125 to $1,250. Sponsorships available from $2,500 to $5,000

Information: cvrep.org

Correction: A previous version of this article included incorrect location information for the Luminary Luncheon.

Update: The Luminary Luncheon has been rescheduled to March 30.

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye. Support local news, subscribe to The Desert Sun.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Photographer Michael Childers to be honored at CVRep Luminary Luncheon