Robin Thicke to Head International Balloon Fest

American Singer, Songwriter Tapped to Headline 11th Annual International Hot Air Balloon Festival

CATGEDRAL CITY — Robin Thicke is scheduled to be the headline performer at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival here on Friday, Nov.21.

The City Council is expected to finalize the deal when it meets in special session on Monday.

Organizers are definitely putting the hot in Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Thicke is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2013 single “Blurred Lines” (featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams), which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100, received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, it received nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

From its infancy 11 years ago, the Balloon Festival has matured into the city’s signature, must-attend event. It is on par with some of the Coachella Valley’s other major events that attracts thousands.

This year, in addition to the city of Cathedral City sponsoring the event, the city of Rancho Mirage is also a sponsor,

It seems all that’s left now before Thicke arrives in Cathedral City is to dot some Is and cross  some Ts.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the following actions when it meets Monday:

• Approve Robin Thicke as the headline entertainment for the 11th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival on Friday, Nov. 21.
• Authorize the City Manager to execute the Concert Production and Revenue Sharing Agreement with SoundSkilz Entertainment,
  establishing: Utilization of previously approved $80,000 Special Events Fund allocation for artist performance fee; Revenue sharing structure: 75% City / 25% SoundSkilz on all net ticket revenue; Production responsibilities with SoundSkilz absorbing all technical, hospitality, and production costs; Food and beverage revenue retained by SoundSkilz to offset production investment; and accept and appropriate $12,500 in funding from Visit Greater Palm Springs toward artist fees and production suppor