The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies Confidential Newsletter

The Follies Man
October 2008

Dear Group Leaders and Tour Operators,

We're just a few days away from the October 28 grand opening of the Follies' spectacular all-new 18th season, entitled “Get Your Kicks!” – a musical tribute to the legend and lore of historic Route 66. 

Our world-famous line of Long-Legged Lovelies and Follies Gentlemen (all 55-85 years young!) along with “Follies Man” Riff Markowitz will “travel” this highway via music, dance, comedy and all the iconic imagery “The Mother Road” holds in our collective imaginations.  

Freda Payne
Freda Payne

Irina Markova
Irina Markova
We are thrilled to welcome a series of acclaimed guest stars including “Band of Gold” singer Freda Payne, TV and Las Vegas star Susan Anton and the multi-talented John Davidson, along with variety act, Irina Markova and her Russian Poodles – all making their debut engagement at the Follies!

And, by popular demand, you won’t want to miss the encore engagement of everyone’s favorite ventriloquist, Sammy King, and his wiseacre-feathered sidekick, “Francisco.” The Follies joyfully welcomes them back for their final appearance anywhere (Francisco has decided to retire to his hacienda in Tijuana following this engagement).

Susan Anton
Susan Anton

Sammy King
Sammy King & Francisco
Good seats are still available for most performances, but don't delay in reserving seats now for our newest edition!

We have continued offering special rates for parties of 10-14 and 15-19, as well as traditional groups of 20 or more. You can save 10% to 40%, with your level of savings based upon the actual number of tickets purchased.  We also offer Deluxe Packages that include refreshments, souvenirs or both, with savings of up to 66%.

John Davidson

And we are also accepting group reservations for the Follies' 19th season. No, that’s not a misprint. Groups of 20 or more can book their space NOW and take advantage of our economy-proof special rates. Groups that make their reservations by December 31, 2008 for performances October 2009-May 2010 will be at the Follies Season 18 group rate!*

Simply call, fax or email us at the numbers below and a group representative will be happy to confirm your arrangements.

We look forward to welcoming your groups to the Fabulous Follies!

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Shari, Daniel & Brad
groupsales@psfollies.com
760-778-7657
800-967-9997
(fax) 760-322-3196

*Economy-Proof offer is valid for groups of 20 or more, for all performances October 2009-May 2010, excluding New Year's Eve, that are booked by December 31, 2008.  Deposits must be paid by July 15, 2009.

"JOIN A GROUP" PROGRAM A BIG HIT

Follies Bound!Last month we introduced the “Join A Group” program to help you fill your buses! We frequently receive phone calls and emails from individuals who can no longer drive to Palm Springs on their own, but still wish to attend a Follies performance.  We are happy to now refer them to tour operators and group leaders from proximate geographic areas that have told us they will include individual travelers in their pre-formed groups.

If you would like your group’s day trip, overnight trip or extended tour to be included on our referral list, simply phone or email us with the complete information. This program is also being promoted on our website and advertised to individual patrons via our monthly "Follies Confidential" newsletter. Please be assured that your contact information will not be published on our website, but will only be referred by phone or email when a patron inquiry is received. 

Some of our participating groups are very happy to report that our “Join our Group” program is already benefiting them!

NEW!!! SPECIAL SECTION OF THE FOLLIES WEBSITE...JUST FOR YOU!OUR NEW SITE!

We are dedicated to making your group’s visit to the Follies not only a memorable experience, but also one that is easy for you to organize and promote.  We invite you to visit the new Tour Operators & Group Leaders Only section of our website, where you’ll find instructions, suggestions and resources to help make your event an outstanding success! 

Sample FlyerFLYERS MAKE ADVERTISING GROUPS EVEN EASIER!

New this season, we have designed a pre-formatted Follies Flyer that can be customized to your specific group's visit for you to photocopy and distribute. 

For groups that design their own flyers and advertisements, we have high-resolution photos and artwork available to download at www.psfollies.com/groups/downloadables.php.

  FOLLIES PRESENTATIONS A PROVEN HIT

The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies is only performed at the historic Plaza Theatre, but Follies Community Ambassadors travel far and wide spreading the gospel about “The Little Show That Could.” Not only can presentations help you attract new members to your group and heighten excitement of returnees, but folks tell us their overall Follies experience is enriched by the information presented in these educational and entertaining gatherings.

Ambassador presentations provide a “behind the scenes” look at not only the Follies as a theatrical production, but facts and healthy-living tips about our amazing ladies and gentlemen, who unerringly perform up to nine three-hour shows per week, seven months a year! Each presentation is geared to the specific interest and profile of the audience invited by the host, and includes a video presentation and a lively question-and-answer discussion.

If you would like more information, please contact Ambassador Manager Dolores Dey at (760) 778-7654, or email her.

E-NEWLETTER BUILDS EXCITEMENT FOR FOLLIES VISITS

We know that communication is key to filling buses and we want to assist you in any way possible.

Monthly, the Follies sends an informative and entertaining "Confidential" newsletter to our most loyal patrons with news on upcoming shows, special events and items of general interest to our many fans.

If you or any of your travelers would like to receive this monthly communique, please send an email or go to the Fan Page of the Follies website (www.psfollies.com/fans.php) and click the "Fan E-Newsletter" link.

Visitor InfoVISITORS INFORMATION PAGE

We partner with over 35 restaurants, hotels, attractions, retailers and special services to assist in making your visit to Palm Springs and the Follies even more enjoyable. Please browse the "Visitor Information" page of the Follies website for a complete listing plus additional helpful details.

This page also includes parking information and street directions to make getting to the Follies as easy as possible!

For October, we’re spotlighting our Restaurant partners to assist you when planning your Desert visit.

SHERMAN'S DELI AND BAKERY, Call (760) 325-1199 or visit www.shermansdeli.com. Also visit the Palm Desert location at 73-161 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92260. (760) 568-1350.

COWBOY DINNER THEATER, P.O. Box 1094, Palm Springs, CA 92263. Call (800) 600-3082 or (760) 329-0189, email shows@cowboydinners.com or visit www.cowboydinners.com.

LE VALLAURIS, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-5059, email vallauris@aol.com or visit www.levallauris.com. Group Info: Le Vallauris accepts groups on its patio for pre- or post-show dining. Contact Tony Bruggemans at (760) 325-5059.

MELVYN'S RESTAURANT, 200 W. Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Call (760) 325-2323, email contact@inglesideinn.com or visit www.inglesideinn.com.

WANG'S IN THE DESERT, 424 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-9264 or visit www.wangsinthedesert.com. Group Info: Contact Joel Herzer or Alford Harrison at (760) 325-9264.

TOP OF THE CHOP, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-5200 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.

CHOP HOUSE PALM SPRINGS, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 320-4500 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.

CHOP HOUSE PALM DESERT, 74040 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Call (760) 779-9888 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.

LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA, 222 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-2794 or visit www.lascasuelas.com.

BILLY REED'S RESTAURANT, 1800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-1946 or visit www.billyreedspalmsprings.com. Group Info: For groups of 20 or more, breakfast, lunch and dinner all-inclusive, price available. With group arrivals, bus driver and tour escort meal will be complimentary. Catering is also available. Contact: Cyntha DeAnda at (760) 325-1946

ROCK GARDEN CAFÉ, 777 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 327-8840. Buffet available for groups upon request.

SPOTLIGHT 29 CASINO, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella, CA 92236. Call (760) 775-2930, email info@Spotlight29.net or visit www.Spotlight29.com. Group Info: Contact Diane Delfiandra at (760) 775-2853 or email ddelfiandra@Spotlight29.net.

PEABODY'S CAFÉ, 134 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-1877.

KAISER GRILLE PALM SPRINGS, 205 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 323-1003 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.

POMME FRITE, 256 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 778-3727 or visit www.pomme-frite.com.

PEPPERS THAI CUISINE, 396 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-1259, email peppersthai@verizon.net or visit www.peppersthai.com. Group Info: Contact Burt at (760) 322-1259 or (760) 272-3341 for special Follies group discounts and pricing.

PALM COURT CAFÉ – HYATT REGENCY SUITES PALM SPRINGS, 285 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-9000, email jlopez@hyattpalmsprings.com or visit www.palmsprings.hyatt.com.

PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT, 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-3776, email pinocchio@dc.rr.com or visit www.pinocchiops.com. Group Info: Affordable group rates available. Contact Desiree Huenen-Gerhardt at (760) 322-3776.

PALM SPRINGS BUREAU OF TOURISM & VISITORS CENTER, Mailing Address: 277 N. Ave. Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Complete listing of all Palm Springs hotels, restaurants and attractions. Call (760) 778-8415, email visitors@palm-springs.org or visit www.palm-springs.org. Group Info: Contact Mary Jo Ginther at (760) 778-8415.

THE FALLS, PALM SPRINGS, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Also visit their La Quinta restaurant at 78-430 Highway 111. Call (760) 416-8664, email reservations@thefallsrestaurants.com or visit www.thefallsrestaurants.com. Group Info: Contact Diane Daniels at d.daniels@thefallsrestaurants.com or phone her at (760) 416-8664.

MATCHBOX, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 778-6000 or visit www.matchboxpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Contact Diane Daniels at d.daniels@thefallsrestaurants.com or phone her at (760) 416-8664.

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY, Call (888) 515-8726 or (760) 325-1391, email pstramway@pstramway.com, or visit www.pstramway.com. Group Info: Contact Gabriele Wich at (760) 325-1449.

CAFÉ JASMIN, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way #103, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 320-7535 or (760) 773-4881 or email jasminrestent@yahoo.com.

HOG'S BREATH INN LA QUINTA, 78-065 Main Street, 2nd Floor, La Quinta, CA 92253. Call (760) 564-5556 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN, 123 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Another CPK location can be found in the El Paseo Collection at 73-080 El Paseo in Palm Desert (760-776-5036). Call (760) 322-6075 or visit www.cpk.com. Group Info: Contact General Manager Doug Smith at (760) 322-6075.

THE PARTING SHOT
John Kendrick & Veteran Natascha