Greetings, Darlin's,

It’s official: on Saturday, marmot meteorologist Punxsutawney Pete emerged from his burrow just long enough to predict another six weeks of winter! This news came as no surprise to folks in Duluth (21 degrees and snowing at the time), Detroit (28, also snowing), or Buffalo (30 and so balmy the snow turned to freezing rain). But here in Palm Springs, we could only bask in the sunshine and give thanks that the groundhog is not a desert animal.

Or we would bask if we could only find the time! What genius decided to schedule so many special events in the shortest (albeit slightly longer in this Leap Year) month? Super Bowl Sunday and Super Tuesday. Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays. Mardi Gras and Black History Month. The Tour de Palm Springs (a very busy time for bicycle enthusiasts AND area emergency rooms) and our marvelous annual Date Festival. Add the Grammies and the Oscars and is it any wonder an obscure, mid-month feast day devoted to St. Valentine gets hardly any attention at all?

I hope you’ve saved a free page or two in your datebook, however; because the Follies will present nine shows each week throughout the month. And though the record-breaking return engagement of our current guest stars, The Four Aces, must end on Feb. 9, I have yet another treat in store for you the following week!

For the very first time, beginning Feb. 12, Miss Melba Moore will join us as a Follies guest star and reprise some of the highlights of her extraordinary career as an actress and singer. Miss Moore first attracted rave notices in the groundbreaking 1960s musical Hair and then won the coveted Tony Award for her second Broadway show, Purlie. In the intervening years, she has been equally successful on stage with hits such as Timbuktu! and Les Miz,  on TV in two successful series named for her, and in films such as All Dogs Go to Heaven and Milos Forman’s cinematic version of Hair.

Even while she worked as an actress, however, Miss Moore’s versatility and remarkable multi-octave range kept her very much in demand in the recording studio. And with 12 albums over three decades, she scored hits and the attention of the Grammy Awards in many genres, including pop, rock, rhythm and blues, disco and gospel. I can say with complete confidence that we have never had anyone quite like her on our stage and you will not want to miss her live renditions of her hits, including “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” But she can only be with us for six short weeks, through March 22, so reserve your seats while you still can. She is an especially entertaining performer and I recommend you see her!

Riff Markowitz
"The Follies Man"

P.S.
If you have somehow overlooked Valentine’s Day despite the best efforts of the good folks at Hallmark, Whitman’s and FTD, a Follies gift certificate makes the perfect solution! It’s the gift that says “I really care!” because it’s non-fattening, non-allergenic and won’t wilt and turn brown overnight. The friendly folks in our Reservations department will tell you all about it when you call them at (760) 327-0225.

The Follies Reservations representatives can give you more specific information on individual bus transportation to and from the Follies when you call them at (760) 327-0225.

	Seems Like Old Times. It’s not unusual for guest stars from previous seasons to return to be reunited with their Follies family. Jane Kean (Season 12 guest star and Trixie from TV’s The Honeymooners), Kay Starr (Season 5 guest and one of the great pop singers of the past century with hits such as “Wheel of Fortune” and “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Waltz”) and Ralph Young (the very first Follies guest star with his partner, Tony Sandler) all made the recent holiday season that much brighter by joining us for performances. Sammy King, the extraordinary ventriloquist who is a veteran of three Follies seasons and who will return for Follies 18, caught the show just last week.
	Sports Legends. The Follies has hosted giants from the world of sports, including two in the past month. “Dandy” Don Meredith, who followed his great career as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys with an equally impressive run as a Monday Night Football broadcaster couldn’t help but admire the stamina of the Follies cast over the course of a three-hour performance. Yogi Berra played in 14 World Series, mostly for the New York Yankees, and later became one of the most famous managers in the history of baseball. He was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
	Legendary Beauties. Of course, the Long-Legged Lovelies are famed for their comeliness, but the Follies audience often has gems of its own! Jane Russell (one of the great beauties of the World War II and post-war eras in films such as The Outlaw and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) recently made the latest of her many visits to the Plaza Theatre. Susan Anton (of TV’s Baywatch and countless variety programs) took in the show en route to her new job in the Las Vegas production of Hairspray. Lee Meriwether (Miss America of 1955 and a favorite from TV’s Barnaby Jones) joined us for an evening performance in December.
	TV Favorites. It’s often said we have a special relationship with television stars because we come to know and love them in the informal setting of our own homes. The Follies has proved this maxim repeatedly of late as a virtual parade of beloved personalities from the small screen were greeted warmly by Follies crowds. Billie Hayes (best known as Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf) came to see the show and visit her old friend, Follies gentleman Leonard Crofoot. Elinor Donahue (Betty of Father Knows Best) and Arlene Golonka (Millie Swanson on The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry RFD) reminded us of days when TV sitcoms found humor in simple, everyday events. The venerable TV genre of science fiction sent representatives as well: both Ron Harper (Planet of the Apes) and Del Munroe (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) have attended in recent weeks. One of the great TV funny men of all time, Shecky Greene, caught the show and even traded a quip or two with the Follies Man.
But it would be wrong to assume that stars from TV’s Golden Age are the only ones drawn to the Follies. In addition to Dancing with the Stars’ Kym Johnson (whom we profiled in last month’s message), handsome Kevin Kilner took in the Follies after his recent work on One Tree Hill and The Closer, but before starting work on the new ABC hit, Cashmere Mafia.

The Follies partners with numerous Coachella Valley restaurants, hotels and attractions to make sure you have all the information you need to plan the perfect Desert getaway, whether you visit for a day, a weekend or an extended stay. This information has been collected for you on the Follies website’s Visitors Information Page (click here).

Many of our partner establishments have special offers available to Follies fans during the month of February:

	The Falls Prime Steakhouse (155 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-416-8664) and Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro (155 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-778-6000) already give Follies patrons 15% off their dinner bill on the day they attend the show (show your ticket or stub to receive this discount)! But during the month of February, these fine eateries will also give Follies patrons who show tickets or stubs an additional $10 “bounce back” coupon that may be applied to any future meal through July 31, 2008!
	Gadabout Vacations Loves The Follies! Call 800-952-5068 and say "I LOVE GADABOUT" and receive $50 off any tour under $1000; $75 off any tour under $2000; or $100 off any tour over $2000 when you book any trip in our 2008 catalog during the month of February. Click here to view our 2008 Catalog. Applicable on any future Gadabout catalog departure. One coupon per person, per tour. Not redeemable for cash and can not be combined with any other offer. Must book by February 29, 2008.
	For those of you planning a special outing on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2008, the Palm Court Café at the Hyatt Regency Suites (285 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-969-6080) is offering a "Valentine's Dinner Menu" from 5 to 10 p.m. Celebrate your love with a romantic five-course delectable dinner for two. $48.00 plus tax and gratuity includes 2 glasses of  sparkling wine per person.
	Through the end of the month on Feb. 29, the Palm Springs Air Museum (745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, 760-778-6262) will take $1 off the adult admission price for anyone who visits the Museum and identifies himself or herself as a Follies patron. (This offer is good for admissions Sundays through Fridays, and excludes Saturdays.)
	Pinocchio in the Desert (134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 760-322-3776) offers Bottomless Champagne at $3.95 per person, every day during breakfast or lunch, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and during dinner, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Or you can mention the Follies and receive a free, “special Follies” dessert with the purchase of an entrée (not valid with any other offer).