By Stanley Paul
Biba with her hosts Michael Martinez and Nick Williams
Biba Roesch’s annual birthday celebration has become a Palm Springs tradition each season. This year’s party will be hard to top! It was hosted by her very talented landlords and good friends Michael Martinez and Nick Williams in their newly renovated original 1947 Spanish style home complete with a charming guest casita, swimming pool, outdoor fireplace and lush gardens. The house is located near the center of the town, an area which is quickly becoming one of Palm Springs trendiest neighborhoods, in fact Academy award winner Gary Oldman recently bought a house down the street.
The Highlight of the evening was a performance by renowned Flamenco dancer Miguel Bernard who surprised Biba with a specially choreographed Flamenco dance. Biba has been an avid admirer of his talent for many years and was completely enchanted, along with the rest of her guests, with his astonishing performance.
Guests included many Chicagoans as well as the glitterati of the Palm Springs Art community. In addition to those in the following photos, Chicago’s representatives included Vicki and Bill Hood, Gail and Jack Witlin and Tracy Kupferberg.
Nancy Kelley and Linda Heister
Mamie Walton
Former Chicagoan Colin Fisher with Biba
Sisters Judy Hudgens and Posey Fisher with former Chicagoan Doris Hart. Posey Fisher is busy remolding her original landmark 1952 Albert Frey house right down the street from Biba.
Hosts Michael Martinez and Nick Williams with Peter Roesch
Former Chicagoans Jerry Sanfilippo and Spyros Petros
Designer Bruce Dunlap, whose father, William Dunlap, was general partner of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
The wonderful Flamenco dancer Michael Bernal
The evening’s stars together . . .
. . . and yours truly
