2024

August Appearances 2024

Published September 3, 2024

8. Aug. 31. Marty Wiviott has just returned from a “gazpacho” tour of Europe and has declared Jerry Keller’s “LuLu” the WINNER!!!! ABSO-lulu!!!!

8. Aug., 30 w/ Rabbi Jerry Cutler and his wonderful wife, my Cousin Jeff loving each other, a Cadillac Margarita and fabulous vegan entrees @ Todd Flood’s “Maracas”.

7. R.I.P. Alain Delon 11.8.24 – 8.16.24. Beautiful man, beautiful actor.

6. R.I.P. Dear Gena Rowlands. 6.19.30 – 8.14.24. Four time Emmy, Two time Golden Globe, Oscar nominated actress. Memories of “The Notebook”, “Gloria”, “Woman of Influence”, “Hope Floats”. Love of her family; late husband John Cassavetes; son Nick Cassavetes and so much more. Glorious lady.

4. R.I.P. Peter Marshall. Nothing about you was “Square”. 3.30.1926 – 8.15.2024.

3. Great Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Lead$ Lunch @ “Sonny’s Fusion Bar and Grill” @ 214 E. Arenas. David White is such a wonderful host @ this location every Tues., in August @ 12 noon. www.pschamber.org.

2. See you @ 1 PM today @ Steve Kanold’s ACT-tours FREE “Travel Club of the Desert” w/ speaker “Joey Pal” Brian Bilhartz of Bilhartz Desert Insurance www.bilhartzinsurance.com, prizes and treats. Best Western Palm Desert Resort, 74-695 Highway 111, across from the Embassy Suites. www.act-tours.com.

1. I can see clearly now, (if you’re singing) because the “eyes have it” after cataract surgery at Acuity Eye Group. “Piece of cake” procedure and I actually enjoyed it. Learned a lot. www.acuityeyegroup.com.

Posted in 2024, Appearances

July Appearances 2024

Published July 31, 2024

7.25.24 – What a performance for this SRO show!!!! Adam Karstens does it again w/ this last offering in the Summer Cabaret Series @ CVRep. www.cvrep.org. David Burnham is THE consummate entertainer. He sang, dance, involved the audience, did impressions and on and on for the shortest 90 minutes in history. Cool on so many levels. Joey gives the evening a perfect 5 chocolate kisses!!!

10. 7.22.24 Lovely breakfast @ Spencers At The Mountain w/ producer extraordinaire Richard de Santis. www.spencersrestaurant.com. Food, fun and fellowship.

9. R.I.P. Bob Newhart 9.5.29 – 7.18.24. Thanks for all the “giggles”.

8. 7.17.24 – Adam Karstens does it again!!! Lovely evening @ CVRep w/ Glenn Rosenblum where we seemed to be in his “living room” looking @ home movies and scrapbooks. THE BEST format I’ve ever seen . Comfortable and funny. All about the “Composers and Lyricists” 101. Great pacing, great guests performers, great music. Don’t miss the next one in the Summer Cabaret Series. www.cvrep.org.

7. No matter what our politics, please, TODAY WE SHOULD ALL BE AMERICANS. God Bless America!!!

6. R.I.P. Richard Simmons. How will we get thin now!!!!

5. R.I.P. Dr. Ruth. “Sexy Lady”. 6.4.28 – 7.12.24.

4. R.I.P. Jerry West. 5.28.38 – 6.12.24. What great memories @ the Forum. Stellar guy!!!

3. 7.10 – Adam Karstens continues to provide “cool” entertainment for us @ CVRep w/ this Summer Cabaret Series. Deven Green and Handsome Ned presented a “non-stop” energetic program full of original material, witty banter and unique verbiage. Fun to watch Handsome Ned NEVER take his eyes off Deven, interesting since she WAS IN CONSTANT MOTION. lol. www.cvrep.org.

2. 7.4. – Happy Independence Day America, On you, 248 looks good!!! God Bless America!!!!

1. 7.4. – Fabulous red, white and blue 4th of July @ Steve and Lalo’s “Casa Del Monte” in Yucca Valley. What a show!!!

Posted in 2024, Appearances

June Appearances 2024

Published July 1, 2024

#10. CVRep’s Summer Series presented a lovely program 6.26.24 in Philip Chaffin’s “Will He Like Me”. Cleverly done entirely in music, no spoken words until the “thank you’s” @ the end. Chaffin has a strong vocal instrument and the stories were woven together by an incredible selection of songs, many familiar and some not so well-know, but all usually performed by women. Clever, entertaining and paced beautifully. Get’s a perfect rating of Joey’s 5 chocolate kisses!!! Another great selection by Adam Karstens. www.cvrep.org.

#9. R.I.P. Donald Sutherland 7.17.35 – 6.20.24

#8. June 19 – Happy Birthday Gena Rowlands. Forever beautiful.

#7. Wed., June 19 – Leslie Tinnaro @ CVRep. 4 out of 5 chocolate kisses. Kudos to Adam Karstens for another lovely selection. www.cvrep.org.

#6. R.I.P. Willie Mays. 5.6.31 – 6.18.24. A “GIANT” in so many ways.

#5. Happy Birthday Barry Manilow. Thanks for the music and giving it to us.

#4. Father’s Day June 15. REMEMBERING my Daddy @ 31, on this Father’s Day, Victor Lawrence Marquis, getting the Bronze Star in 1945. Happy Father’s Day to the women who fill that role too.

#3. REMEMBER Fri. June 14, 2024 Flag Day.

OLD GLORY – narrated by Mack Ellis – YouTube

#2. June 6, 2024 – Remember the 80th Anniversary of “D Day”. “Time will NOT DIM the glory of their deeds” Gen. Pershing. REMEMBER.

#1. Come on the “Scorpio” 8 day bday cruise in Nov., for only $995. No matter when you birthday is!!!! www.act-tours.com.

Posted in 2024, Appearances

May Appearances 2024

Published June 3, 2024

#19 – FRI., May 31 – Happy7 Natal Day Pat Boone. Forever young.

#18 – THURS., May 30 – Happy Natal Day to a GREAT BROAD!!! To quote your book title…”Consider your ass kissed” dear Ruta Lee.

#17 – MON., May 27 – Freedom is not free. REMEMBER today and all days.

#16 – SUN., May 26 – Red-headed again.

#15 – SAT., May 25 – Celebrity photographer Michael Childers hosts a star-studded 50th Anniversary screening of the cult classic “The Day of the Locust. Directed by the late John Schlesinger. Moderated by TCM Host Dave Karger. Glorious on the big screen. www.psculturalcenter.org.

#14 – SAT., May 25 – Legendary LGBTQ Icon Bruce Vilanch and “With Love Mommy Dearest” author A. Ashley Hoff. www.bjustfabulous.com.

#13 – FRI., May 24 – Palm Springs Walk of the Stars honoring Burt Spivack followed by an amazing party hosted by Harold Matzner @ Spencers. Star-studded A-list event. www.walkofthestars.com

#12 – WED., May 22 – “Baby the Musical” struck an interesting chord w/ me. I happily had a baby at 20, 22 and 42, so the three scenarios were sort of familiar to me. This show addresses lots of meaningful “mothering” issues that women will recognize and gives insights into some “fathering” issues that may help men understand pregnancy better. Outstanding vocal performance goes to Joseph Portoles as Danny. Thru June 8. 4 chocolate kisses www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

#11 – TUES., May 21 ; “Robert Drake, the Authentic Fake” @ Dan Gore’s “Oscars”. Lots of marvelous entertainment, lots of great variety and amazing food from new Chef John Dough and his Cuban influence in
the beautiful indoor show room. Robert Drake’s Show continues monthly thru Sept.,
5 chocolate kisses. www.oscarspalmsprings.com.

#10 – Sat., May 18, I didn’t know what to expect and was so pleasantly surprised and entertained by the incredible talent presented by RSC and Lynne Jassem in “Being Richard Greene”. This belongs on Broadway in my opinion. What a talent “he/she” is ON SO MANY LEVELS!!! Great story teller along the way too.
4 chocolate kisses. www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

#9 – Fri., May 17, Michael Holmes’ Purple Room has saved you a trip back in time to Las Vegas. Scot Bruce and his brilliant band transported a packed audience back to the 70’s w/ the most energetic, enthusiastic, rockin’ and rollin’ evening w/ Elvis imaginable. The audience knew every word and believed every hip-swingin’ gyration. DO NOT MISS ANYTHING MICHAEL HOLMES presents.
5 chocolate kisses. www.purpleroompalmsprings.com.

#8 – Happy Birthday to my son, Tyler Joseph Marquis Schaefer. The blood line goes on in a magnificent way. What an honor to have shared these years w/ you. You are a magnificent human being. Blessings today and all days.

#7 – So honored to have TCM’s Dave Karger taping the show to air next week. See him in person May 25. www.psculturalcenter.org.

#6 – Wed., May 15 – Happy Birthday Dear Lainie Kazan. SO GLAD YOU WERE BORN.

#5 – Sun., May 12; HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY…all of us had one and some of us ARE one.

#4 – Sat., May 11; “Light in the Piazza” @ the Palm Canyon Theatre. No need to travel to Florence, Italy for a “taste” of things Italian. This production features quite a bit of actual Italian, spoken and sung as if it were the actors’ native tongue. Plus a nice take on a Mother’s Day theme. Always a joy to hear a score I haven’t heard before. www.palmcanyontheatre.net.

#3 – May 5; Happy Cinco de Mayo and here’s a margarita from our home to yours. OIe’

#2 – May 4; “Tour de Palm Springs” celebratory party @ Tim Esser’s. Entertainment by P.S.H.S. Jazz Band under the “guest” baton of Brian Ingelson, subbing for his son!!! www.tourdepalmsprings.com .

#1 – May 3; Desert-Theatricals production of “Oklahoma” starring Ava Sarnowski and Jordan Killion is just truly lovely. As usual, great costumes, great dancing and of course the magical music of Rogers and Hammerstein II, all directed and choreographed perfectly by Ray Limon. BUT the “show-stopping, stop-the-presses, can’t believe it” moment is the voice of Jordan Killion as “Curly”. When you think Alfred Drake, Gordon McCrea or John Raitt, make room for Jordan Killion, who, in my opinion, has the talent of all of them and THEN SOME. If you don’t see him locally, you’ll have to fly to New York. Can’t believe he’s not on Broadway.
5 chocolate kisses.www.desert-theatricals.com.

Posted in 2024, Appearances

April Appearances 2024

Published May 2, 2024

#14 – Ap., 27 – Animal Samaritans “Caterday” @ the Rowan w/ Jarred Ellis (Dir. of Development and Philanthropy) and Prince Fleet Easton. Pppuuuuuurrrrrfect.

#13 – Ap., 26 – Amazing lunch @ Willie Rhine’s “849” w/ the Amazing Kaye Hanson.

#12 – Ap., 20 – Dan Gore’s “Oscar’s Bitchiest Brunch” w/ Drag Legends “Gypsy” and Lawanda Jackson. www.oscarspalmsprings.com.

#11 – Ap., 19 – Richard Skipper guides us thru a glorious walk down Memory Lane in “Still Going Strong!! Celebrating 60 years of Hello Dolly!!” @ Gary Power’s Revolution Stage Company. Educational, entertaining and enlightening. www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

#10 – Ap., 17 – Brian Ellis’s Star Dedication on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. Amazing taste of Palm Springs history.

#9 – Ap., 16 – “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is one of the best shows Gary Powers and the Revolution Stage Company has presented. Great direction, consistent wonderful acting, singing, choreography, music, dialogue, humor, cast and tech. The audience was so involved and it was contagious. Don’t miss this one. www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

#8 – Ap., 13 -“Billie!! Backstage w/ Lady Day” starring Synthia L. Hardy @ the Revolution Stage Company. A combination of story telling and song. Standout performance by “piano man” Lanny Hartley. www.revolutionstagecompany.com

#7 – Ap., 12 – “Boys In The Band” @ Palm Canyon Theatre. This 1968 drama that was so ground-breaking @ it’s premier, plays a bit more smoothly and relevantly in our time, especially here in Palm Springs. A man thought to be heterosexual shows up at a homosexual birthday party. The dialogue is fast-paced and non-stop between the 9 actors and Director Eric Stein-Steele’s sets fill the stage beautifully. On stage thru Ap., 21. www.palmcanyontheatre.net.

#6 – Ap., 10 – “Nice Work If You Can Get It” @ CVRep. Glad talented Star Jennifer Knox was featured on the Joey English Show’s “Talk of Stars”. Amazing and extremely well-executed choreography by a huge compliment of dancers, (dance capt. Luke Rands) also w/ fascinating intricate sets, GREAT GERSHWIN music and great dialogue. The piece de resistance was Joyce Bulifant knocking it out of the park. Directed by David Eggers. On stage thru Ap., 21. Don’t miss this. www.cvrep.org.

#5 – Ap., 8 – Amazing Total Eclipse of the Sun today. Reminds us of who’s planet this really is. Miraculous!! This does not happen in any other part of the Universe.

#4 – Ap., 6 – Honored to be the V.O.G. for the 25th Anniversary Gala for Act for MS, emceed by Ruta Lee, produced by Richard deSantis. Great event, great charity. www.actforms.org.

#3 – Ap., 5, Kudos to Joshua Carr and Ray Limon and the brilliant production of the Tony Award Winning “Damn Yankees” @ the R.M. Amphitheater. The caliber of this show was a 10 on every level; the singing, acting, choreography, tech, sound, lighting, sets, costumes were Broadway level and then some. Food presentation by Willie’s (www.williesrm.com) was amazing of course. Even the weather cooperated. A perfect evening. Don’t miss this show or “Oklahoma” coming in May. (www.desert-theatricals.com.)

#2 – Ap., 4, Nona Watson and the P.S. Chamber of Commerce presented “The Garth Guy Show” Garth Brooks tribute band as part of the “Rock the Park” series @ the Downtown Park under amazing Desert Night Skies. Kudos to Nona and her team. Keep ‘um coming. www.pschamber.org.

#1 – Red-Jeep Tour’s (www.red-jeep.com) Fabulous Guide Rick Curtiss speaking @ Steve Kanold’s FREE Travel Club of the Desert. Come w/ me to Puerta Vallarta for my birthday in Nov.? www.act-tours.com.

Posted in 2024, Appearances

March Appearances 2024

Published April 2, 2024

#9 – 3.31 – Easter AND grand-girl Alea’s 22nd bday. Blessings all around.

#8 – 3.30 – “THE CHASE” w/ Broadway’s Robert Drake and at least 1000 other gorgeous people to enjoy the legendary Barry Manilow. Congrats to David Brinkman and DAPHealth.

#7 – 3.27 – 2nd Bus Load of Steve Kanold’s ACT TOURS “Celebrity Champagne Tour of Joey’s Egg-cellent, Egg-travagant Historic Easter House” w/ special guest star Dann Foley (in front of Joey in her Bunny ears). www.act-tours.com.

#6 – 3.22 – Dinner @ “Maracas” w/ son Tyler and grand-gal Alea. Beautiful desert nights and lots of “Bunny hugs” as we near Easter and Alea’s 22nd natal day.

#5 – 3.19.24 – Palm Springs International Piano Competition presents Jonathan Mamora in concert on Mar., 26. But first hear him on my show all the way from Barcelona!!!! www.psipc.org for tickets.

#4 – 3.17.24 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Joey O’English. Today everyone is Irish, green-eyed and red-headed.

#2 – 3.12.24 – Saw a surprising production of “The Woman In The Mirror” w/ Marty Wiviott. It’s the brainchild of Dayna Steele (on my show on Thurs., Mar., 7) about her journey thru the depths of Alzheimers w/ her mother and her book of the same name. @ Revolution Stage Company. Didn’t know what to expect and was thoroughly entertained, enlightened and informed. Don’t miss this. (www.revolutionstagecompany.com)

#1 – 3.9. 24 – Saw “Sweeney Todd” @ the Palm Canyon Theatre (www.palmscanyontheatre.com) w/ Marty Wiviott. Great sets, wonderful voices and amazing tech. Kudos to director Derik Shopinski and musical director Steven Smith. Anyone for pie?

Posted in 2024, Appearances

February Appearances 2024

Published March 5, 2024

18. Feb., 29 – I’ve been in entertainment for over 7 decades and have probably seen/been in hundreds of shows, BUT Now Helene LeClair and I will forever spell E-N-T-E-R-T-A-I-N-E-R Tony DeSare. ABSOLUTELY the consummate performer. The singing, the composing, the piano playing, the personality, the “Sinatra” touch. ALL done in concert w/ Nancy Tapick and the amazing Desert Symphony under the magic baton of Dean Anderson @ the McCallum. There aren’t enough adjectives. www.desertsymphony.org.

17. Feb., 28 – Hollywood Royalty @ the McCallum. With Marty Wiviott watching Lucie Arnaz sharing the sum total of her fabulous heritage and her own exciting EXTENSIVE entertainment talents w/ a really fortunate audience. PERFECT. www.mccallumtheatre.com.

16. Feb., 28 – Just saw a Preview of POTUS at CVRep! Snappy dialogue, 7 extremely talented women, fast paced mayhem for the entire two acts. Funny, interesting characters, great set, lighting and costumes. Fun ride through the political “behind the scenes” at the White House IN AN ELECTION YEAR! I give it 5 chocolate kisses. Highly recommend Potus. Brilliant direction by Courtney Young and the acting by all is superb! www.cvrep.org.

15. Feb., 24 – With Dann and his new book when “Mr. Community” Steve Henke, em-ceed the Dann Foley Pop-Up Event @ “Joey’s” Revivals in the Sun Center for Foley/Stinnette Interior Design.

14. Feb., 19 – With Marty Wiviott @ the Revolution Stage Company to see Tony Award Nominee Sharon McNight present “Red Hot Mama, The Sophie Tucker Songbook”. I smiled the whole time!!! Brilliant production in association w/ Michael Alden Productions. One more night. www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

13. Feb., 18 – So honored to be the em-cee for this joyful event for all the right reasons, with all the right organizers, all the right guests, honoring the right person, and with all the right kids.

12. Feb., 16 – Sitting in “Ruta’s Row” at Michael Holmes’s “Purple Room” w/ Marty Wiviott watching the legendary Ruta Lee “on the piano” lol – actually dear Stephen Smith is on the piano. What a “dame”!!!! You Go Girl.

11. Feb., 14 Fabulous dinner @ Jerry Keller’s “Lulu” w/ Marty Wiviott. There’s always a party @ Lulu. “ABSOLULU”!!!

#10 – Feb., 14 – Happy 92nd bday to Gypsy. I’ve loved you since 1969 and “Gypsy’s” in NYC. You “Go Girl”.

#9 – Feb., 14, Remembering my grandmother, Ilda Cecilia Widner (of the Titantic Wideners) Marquis, “Mimi” who was born on Valentine’s day 1893. Miss her.

#9 – Feb., 13 – En-joeying “Truman Talks Tennessee” w/ Marty Wiviott @ RSC was like sitting on the front porch swing w/ my Granny in South East Missouri and visiting w/ anyone who walked by. It was a delicious “comfy”, intimate feeling. Kudos. www.revolutionstatecompany.com.

#8 – Feb., 13 – Fat Tuesday originated because we use to EAT LOTS before giving up “food” for Lent. Now we just play jazz and keep eating. lol

#7 – Feb., 11 – At Jerry Keller’s “LuLu CA. Bistro” watching the Chiefs win w/ Linda (wife of Fred “The Hammer”) in Fred’s Chief jersey.

#6 – Feb., 7, 1964, THE BEATLES arrived in NYC. 60 years ago today. Remembering that day and the “Fab Four” and the day music changed forever.

#5 – Feb., 6, Attending Revolution Stage Company’s production of “Witchland” w/ Marty Wiviott. Based on a true story and headed for Off-Broadway. If you can remember “duck and cover” this show is for you. www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

#4 – R.I.P. Toby Keith (7.8.1961 – 2.7.2024) Thank you for the music and giving it to us. Good American. 40 million albums later.

#3 – Feb., 3, 1959 The Day The Music Died. Pictured here w/ Don McLean who wrote the incredible 1971 hit song “American Pie” to remember Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. Where were you?

#2 – R.I.P. New York City Firefighter Bob Beckwith who instantly came out of retirement on 9.11 and became the representative “face” of all firefighters in the photos from that day, standing w/ President George W. Bush . Sept., 21, 1933 – Feb., 2024.

#1 – R.I.P. Carl Weathers (Raider’s Linebacker and Apollo Creed in the Rocky films) 1.14.48 – 2.1.24.

Posted in 2024, Appearances

January Appearances 2024

Published February 5, 2024

11. With Craig Prater @ “Willies” for the “after party” for THE Susan Stein Star dedication on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars and w/ THE Star herself. Lovely event for a lovely (on so many levels) lady.

10. R.I.P. Chita Rivera 1.23.33 to 1.30.24.

9. Jan., 25. “Happy Hour” w/ David Perry drinking in the Rat Pack vibe @ Michael Holmes’s Purple Room Supper Club.

8. Jan., 22 – Gary Power’s Revolution Stage Company’s “Monday Monday, a Musical Journey” produced by Michael Alden starring Joe Croyle. Attended w/ Broadway’s Robert Drake. A nostalgic, thoughtful, happy walk down memory lane for any Baby Boomer. www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

7. Jan., 20 – Attending the honoring of Major Gen., Austin Renforth, USMC/RET @ the American Legion Post 519 as the guest of Amado Salinas and Tony Aguilar. Wonderful.

6. Christina Bianco @ the Annenberg “Cabaret 88 Series” as the guest of John Monahan. Wonderful.

5. RIP Joyce Randolph, the last of the “Honeymooners”. 10.21.1924 – 1.13.2024.

4. “Studio 1 Forever” screening Jan., 11, VIP cocktails before and star-studded “Cheesecake After-Party”. DON’T MISS THIS ONE @ the P.S.I.F.F.!!! www.studiooneforever.com.

3. With Marty Wiviott @ a fabulous production of “Avenue Q” @ the Revolution Stage Company. Amazing staging, actors w/ great voices, BUT THE PUPPETS stole the show. Don’t miss this!!! www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

2. Remembering the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in 1961…I’m the tall majorette, kneeling, third from the left. (Everything old is new again.)

1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!…. full of champagne and chocolate..while wearing RED of course!!

Posted in 2024, Appearances