WINE FESTIVAL & CHOCOLATE DECADENCE
When: 1-5 p.m. March 4 Where: Pechanga Summit, 45000Pechanga Parkway, Temecula
Price: $100 general admission, $150 for VIP, $75 for food only. Tickets can be purchased at 877-711-2946 or pechanga.com. When it comes to food, he suggests people eat light meats such as turkey breast with a pinot noir because it complements the flavors of the meat and doesn't overpower the taste of the food.
“Some wines are more universal and will go with just about anything, and some are more geared to certain types of food,” he said.
As for chocolate desserts, the Pechanga pastry kitchen will be offering a mix of sweets to go with the various wines such as pops, macaroons and brownies in different flavors. Deden Putra, the executive pastry chef at Pechanga, said he and his team combined dark, milk and white chocolate with several fruit flavors.
“You will see a lot of colors and textures on the deserts with a mix of flavors like citrus and raspberry,” Putra said.
Although he recommends that white wine drinkers stick with the milk and white chocolate, he doesn't think there is a wrong combination.
“All chocolate pairs well with wine,” Putra said. “You just need to match the balance of the base of the chocolate and wine.”
Tammy Marine, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, will also be on hand, since proceeds from the event and silent auction will be donated to the nonprofit to help with housing in southwestern Riverside County.
Marine said the organization has been working with the casino since 2007 at this event, and she's excited to be back among volunteers helping serve wine and treats.
“Pechanga puts on topclass events, and it's wonderful to see people come out and engage with the decadence of chocolate and wine while supporting a charity at the same time,” she said.
Mexico's Banda Bronco has a modern take on norteño and other regional genres that helped elevate the group in the '80s and '90s. Hits include “Adoro,” “Que No Quede Huella” and “Si Te Vuelves a Enamorar.”
8p.m. March 3, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $65$95. 800-514-3849, aguacalientecasinos.com
George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic are pioneers of funk and helped influence hip-hop with Clinton's vision, which incorporated outlandish fashion, science fiction and psychedelia. The band is known for hits like “Atomic Dog,” “It's All Love” and “One Nation Under a Groove.”
9 p.m. March 3, Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $39-$59. 951-849-3080, morongocasinoresort.com
Jim Gaffigan
The stand-up comic and actor will bring his family-friendly brand of humor to a casino crowd. He got his big break performing on “The Late Show With David Letterman” in 1999 and has since gone on to headline major venues across the country and star in his own television series.
8 p.m. March 3, Yaamava' Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. $55-$150, 21or older only. 909-864-5050, yaamava.com
Sheryl Crow
The guitarist, singer-songwriter and rock hall nominee will play her blend of pop, country and folk music. During the recent Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood performed “Songbird” as a tribute to the late Christine McVie. Crow's hits include “If It Makes You Happy,” “Soak Up the Sun” and “All I Wanna Do.” 8p.m. March 4, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $79-$129. 800-827-2946, fantasyspringsresort.com