Valentine's Day screening of 'Victor/Victoria' will feature talk with Lesley Ann Warren
Fans of actor Lesley Ann Warren will have a chance to honor her Tuesday with an event dubbed A Victor/Victoria Valentine at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
The event kicks off at 7 p.m. with a reel highlighting Warren's extensive work throughout Hollywood, followed by an on-stage discussion with the actress and Bruce Vilanch.
Before the screening, guests can enjoy a drag tribute to "le Jazz Hot" performed by Ethylina Canne.
The night is presented by Marc Huestis, who has organized similar events at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco for over 40 years.
"'Victor/Victoria' is a very beloved movie and dealt with gender fluidity before the word gender fluidity even existed," Huestis said. "It demonstrates all sorts of love: gay love, straight love, trans love, love of self and all sorts of things."
Huestis moved to Palm Springs in June 2020 and was nervous to bring his events to a new location. He said he was hesitant because "movies are suffering" right now and have low attendance.
Throughout his career, he tried to bring his shows on the road, but they weren't as successful as the ones in San Francisco.
"I finally decided I was gonna do it, and the response has been absolutely terrific," Huestis said. "It's almost sold out, a 500-seat theater." "And a lot of people have moved from San Francisco to Palm Springs — gay men of a certain age — of which I am one, so I realized I have a core audience here," he added.
Huestis did not move to Palm Springs for work, however. He retired from doing events while still living in San Francisco, and his last one involved Kim Novak and Eddie Muller for a screening of "Vertigo" in 2018.
"I had a list of people when I started doing it, and I basically did (an event with) every movie star that I wanted to," Huestis said.
He decided to buy a house in Palm Springs rather than in San Francisco, he said, because it was more affordable. And his motivation to bring his movie-star filled events to the area is rooted in finding and building a community in his new city.
"I'm doing this mostly to meet people because this is where I live now," he said. "I adore my house, but I kind of miss my community, and I just need to sort of create and re-form a community here."
"So, I'm looking forward to this being my big ole coming out party in Palm Springs," he said.
If you go
What: Marc Huestis Presents: A Victor/Victoria Valentine
When: 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14
Where: Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
How much: $30
More info: eventbrite.com/marc-huestis-presents-a-victor-victoria-valentine
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs Cultural Center to host screening of 'Victor/Victoria'
