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Southern California's Western Design Expo to return elsewhere

2012 event is canceled. exhibitors, please call 800-664-5617 for more info.

(All appearances subject to change)

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Mojave Theatre Schedule for Thursday, March 24

Beginning at High Noon inside the Renaissance Hotel in the theatre next to Western Design Expo
Gunspinning talents of Tombstone Tony Redburn

Vintage Western Wear Fashion Show
Visit with Julee Brady & the gals of the Cowgirl Historical Foundation as they model Vintage outfits from designers such as Nudie, Turk and Manuel; and tell the tales & history of their famous outfits! A must see for the fashionista!
12:30   "Remembering Roy Rogers"  100 Years of a Legend
Share in the celebration of memories and enjoy the stories of family life as Roy's daughter Cheryl Rogers- Barnett gives a glimpse into the life of her famous father, and what is was like growing up in her famous family.
1 PM   Bob Boze Bell
For an historically correct look at the Old West, no one writes or draws it better than the publisher of True West Magazine, Bob Boze Bell. This will be an informative and enjoyable 45 minute talk laying waste to many of the cowboy myths we all grew up on..

2 PM      Memories of  'GUNSMOKE'

Join authors, actors, screenwriters and directorsof this beloved show as they discusss the  popularity and continued love of TV's longest running Western.
3 PM     Visit with The Legends
Take a journey into the lives & careers of some of your favorite film and television Cowboy Stars of the past and present. See and hear where their paths have taken them, and what it is that they're doing now.
4 PM    Old Friends, Why I Love Them
Listen as some of your favorite Western Celebrities  perform 'Cowboy Poetry' readings  straight from the works of John Mitchums'; 'America, Why I Love Her'. A 'Must see' for lovers of Cowboy Poetry poetry....
4:30   Remembering JOHN WAYNE
Film and television star Ed Faulkner shares his memories of working with one of the world's favorite cowboys, 'The Duke'

Then come outside to the Rancho Deluxe Lounge & join us for a Celebrity 'Meet & Greet' with Michael Martin Murphey before his 6pm concert begins!

The seminars move outdoors on Friday thru Sunday to the patio area known as:

Friday Rancho Deluxe Lounge

HIGH NOON      Bob Boze Bell
For an historically correct look at the Old West, no one writes or draws it better than the publisher of True West Magazine, Bob Boze Bell. This will be an informative and enjoyable 45 minute talk laying waste to many of the cowboy myths we all grew up on..

2 PM  'Women in History'

A visit with Shirley Morris creator of the documentery "Oh, You Cowgirl!" An honest to goodness cowgirl tale. For the first time in history this true story unravels the mystery of one of the greatest cowgirl rodeo stars of her time, Prairie Rose Henderson. It tells the story of the impact  women had in history and their contribution to our western heritage has been overlooked for nearly one hundred years. Learn a bit about Shirley and listen as she reads her poem "A Cowgirl's Dream" and invites you to the screening of her film.

4 PM  Family Memories
Share in the memories as the children (& maybe even some spouses!) of some of your favorite film & television stars share stories of their famous families.

Also… Celebrity ‘One on One Interview, Juni Fisher, Gary Allegretto, Naomi Bristow, JD Thornbury and more…

Saturday Rancho Deluxe Lounge

“Palm Springs West Fest’s Top Ten Westerns of All Time”
SATURDAY ONLY Rancho Deluxe Lounge @ HIGH NOON
David F. Matuszak, author of the Centennial Edition of The Cowboy’s Trail Guide to Westerns, will host an open discussion regarding the best Western movies of all time. Matuszak will lead a discussion regarding the essential elements of America’s only true art form—Western filmmaking. Discuss how the Western bridges the gap between the myth of the West and the spirit of the West. Explore the contributions that Westerns have made to American culture. Join in the writing of West Fest’s history by voting for your favorites. Participate in the discussion or sit back and enjoy the conversation of both working and armchair cowboys alike as they select the “West Fest’s Top 10 Westerns.”

2 PM 'The Art of Creating a Western'
Join artist, author, actor and the hit film 'Tombstone's' Texas Jack Vermillion, Paul Sherayko as he shares the ins and outs of shooting a western today.

3 PM Harmonica Workshop with Gary Allegretto

4 PM  Visit with The Legends
Take a journey into the lives & careers of some of your favorite film and television Cowboy Stars of the past and present. See and  hear where their paths have taken them, and what it is that they're doing now.

Also….Celebrity ‘One on One’ Interviews, Juni Fisher, Gary Allegretto, Naomi Bristow, JD Thornbury and more…

Sunday Rancho Deluxe Lounge

Noon     Memories of  'GUNSMOKE'
Join authors, actors, screenwriters and directorsof this beloved show as they discusss the  popularity and continued love of TV's longest running Western.

2 PM  'Women in History'
A visit with women pioneering the western cause, and dedicated to preserving Western History in today's world; saluting the month of March & "Women in History ' month.
Bring along your guitar, and tune up your vocal chords for a WESTFEST ‘Open Mic’ day on the Rancho Deluxe Lounge Stage!

Also….Celebrity ‘One on One’ Interviews Juni Fisher, Gary Allegretto, singer Naomi Bristow, buackaroo roper JD Thornbury, Cowboy Balladeer Mike Tcherkasskey and more…

Western Design Expo Set for 2011

The Palm Springs WestFest announces their Western Design Expo March 24-27 in the Renaissance Hotel and Palm Springs Convention Center.

Following the achievements of the 2010 Palm Springs WestFest & Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo and its 12,000 attendees last March, Spur of the Moment Productions CEO Christopher Burkhardt is inviting local and regional Western artists to join America's top Western designers in the fields of fashion, furnishings and art in a special 4-day show.
Themed "Where Old West meets The New West," The Western Design Expo will showcase artist interpretations of our Western lifestyle in a multimedia format, and will include painting, sculpture and other art representative of today's cowboy culture.
"With Palm Springs' proximity to the LA, OC and San Diego markets, and the success of the past Rodeo and WestFest, we are creating California's largest Western festival, " stated Burkhardt. "With a marketing budget that reaches national and regional audiences, the Palm Springs WestFest has become a destination event. By including the Expo, as well as the Gene Autry FilmFest,  our TwangFest musical experience and Bogert BBQ Showdown, we are helping to spotlight our Western heritage and that of the museum, while honoring our late cowboy mayor."
The week prior to the rodeo, a Western Week celebration will allow Palm Springs citizens, tourists and businesses to take part in several celebrations, trail rides, parties and special promotions in and around town.

On the first day of the Western Expo, March 24, Spur of the Moment will bring in celebrities to sign autographs, and have musicians and historic look-a-likes on hand for the kick-off celebrations. Admission is just $5.

The Palm Springs WestFest & Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo is presented by Spa Resort Casino and sponsored by Palm Springs Life. It is located at the Palm Springs Convention Center and the Renaissance Hotel.

More on the Western Design Expo

As part of the resurgence of the Western way of life, traditional American values and emphasis on family and patriotism, commemorating our Western heritage has become even more important. Organizers of the Palm Springs WestFest are bringing together what some are calling a Western World's Fair, so wide are the parameters and so important is the gathering. This is a unique shopping experience you cannot find without traveling to Cody, Wyoming in September.

In addition to some of the best Western designers in furnishings, art and sculpture in America, the Expo also encompasses Western authors, on hand to sign and sell their books in all categories. A separate wing will include Western artists working in oil, watercolor, plein air and multi-media categories.
The 12,000 sq. ft. ballroom designated as the Western Design Expo brings together dozens of the top couturiers, bootmakers, hatshapers, jewelry makers, and cowboy furniture dealers in a handsome display area. just outside in the ample foyer is a gallery dedicated to showcasing and judging individual designer works, many made specifically for this show.

This juried collection includes Nashville’s Manuel as one of the auspicious judges, joined by Cowboy Way Editor William C. Reynolds and Albuquerque's Shelle Neese from Studio Seven. (See announcement below)

About some of the Exhibitors..

El Paso’s Tres Outlaws Boot Co. has made boots for our own Gene Autry, Presidents Bush 1 and 2,
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reba McEntire, and New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton, to name a few

Pony Express, Downtown Palm Springs, will showcase a collection of retro Western shirts.

Many of these offerings are one of a kind, and some are created specifically for this event:   Patricia Wolf, Amado Pena, Bolingo Bags, Douglas Magnus silver, Old Frontier Clothing Co., PRB Sculpture, Diamond 57, Mike Greenfield, J Fork Jewelry, Sunwest Silver, North Valley Hat Co., Four Winds, Tucalotta Creek Furniture, River Crossing Custom Apparel and Buck Taylor.

Shoppers can place an order for custom cowboy boots, a room full of furniture, or modern and vintage Western apparel.

The outdoor "Vendor Village" completes the WestFest shopping experience with 40 displays ranging from apparel to solar power.   The Western festival is interactive and educational, and best of all it is only $5.  It is located on Avenida Caballeros between E. Tahquitz and Amado Road, across from the Palm Springs Convention Center.  It is 25 acres of fun for the entire family. (More...)

Be sure to take advantage of special hotel packages and  rates during the Western Expo! See Hotel button at top of page.

Have a passion for fashion? The Western Design Expo is flavored by rhinestones and rodeo, and designed to showcase The New West. It promises to show off the pinnacle of Western style, from beaded hats to hand-carved boots, as well as kids' outfits plus outerwear, scuplture, furnishings, leather and clothing.

(Fashion images by steve thornton)

ANNOUNCING:

The three judges for the 2011 WDE have been chosen, and they are:

Manuel

Often called the Rembrandt of Rhinestones, this Mexican-born tailor got his professional start with Nudie's in Hollywood. In his illustrious career, he has created the Lone Ranger's signature mask; designed Elvis Presley's gold lame' suit; dressed Johnny Cash in black; put Dwight Yoakam in his trademark hat, jeans and bolero jackets; drew the Rolling Stones' tongue logo; and tailored more musicians' stage outfits than any other true American.

Shelle Neese

Since 1981, Studio Seven Productions in Albuquerque has been producing advertising, editorial, web and fashion photography all over the great Southwest; Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Colorado, Arizona & Texas. Wardrobe stylist and editor Shelle Neese, with photographer husband Michael, has pioneered and developed the Santa Fe Look for designers, retailers, movie producers and magazines. More than a fashion coordinator, Neese is the arbiter of what constitutes today's Western fashion, furnishings and accessories.

Map of the Western Design Expo exhibits:

Above is the Western Design Expo Space.

Below is the Western Artists Hallway, and the Rancho Deluxe patio for Authors, and the Mojave Theatre.

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