BB Ingle is, without a doubt, one of the Coachella Valley’s premiere party-planners.
He’s been producing events locally for more than 35 years now, and one of his biggest events is his annual Halloween Bash. This year, he’s moved the event—taking place on Saturday, Oct. 26—to The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage.
Why did he decide to move the event? The Show has the best lights and sound system in the Coachella Valley, Ingle told me during a recent interview. He added that seats will be removed to allow for the “ultimate dance party.”
“It’s like something you would see in Vegas,” he said.
What else makes for a good party?
“An enthusiastic host is crucial, since people get excited by who’s hosting the party,” Ingle said. “If you’re not in a good mood, you can’t get other people in a good mood. … Entertainment, the dancing and the energy are important ingredients for a good party.”
Over the years, Ingle—honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year by the Coachella Valley Weekly at the CV Music Awards—has helped countless people meet each other … and sometimes even fall in love.
“That’s my No. 1 one claim to fame! I’m not exaggerating,” Ingle said. “I’ve had over 100 people who have met at the parties, got married, had kids—and it makes it really worthwhile to me to know I’ve changed someone’s life.”
Now that 35 years have gone by, he said, party-goers sometimes tell him: “My mom and dad told me to tell you hi.” Multiple generations from one family will often be present at his events, with the “parents over there listening to classic rock, and the kids will be listening to electronic music.”
Ingle said one of the reasons he’s been successful is that he doesn’t rest on his figurative laurels.
“You must always make the next party better than the last,” he said. “You can’t live on your past parties. You’re only as good as your last party.”
When asked what’s changed for him over the years, Ingle said only one thing is really different: the way in which events get promoted. Whether the year was 1987, 1999 or 2019, people have always wanted to party. But before social media, Ingle said, he had to spend weeks on end promoting, making calls and passing out fliers across town. Even though that took a lot of time and energy, he said, it did make promoting a more personal experience.
Though Ingle spends less time on the streets promoting his parties these days, he said, he still doesn’t sleep much during the week leading up to a big event. It’s just part of the process.
“You have to visualize the party, the flow of it, and how it’s going to go down,” Ingle said. “You have to have it all in your mind. If you don’t visualize it all, it’s going to be a disaster. You have to see the end result and work your way backwards.”
While this year’s Halloween Bash won’t be Ingle’s biggest event—he once had 5,000 people show up to a party he put on at the Palm Springs Convention Center—he promised it will be his best. Costumes are highly encouraged, but there won’t be a costume contest. Ingle told me he has already picked out his costume, but he declined to say what it’ll be, so you’ll have to attend the party to see what he has planned.
In case you’re curious, last year, Ingle dressed up as Iron Man. RIP, Stan Lee.
BB’s Halloween Bash will take place at 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage. Advance tickets are $35, and the party is a 21-and-older event. For tickets or more information, visit www.partywithbb.com.