Well, shit y’all. This is going live 🎉
Welcome to the first Amado newsletter! Full of things to love and do in the hi desert (™️ forthcoming).
I’m not gonna lie. I struggled with figuring out the tone of this brand-spanking new digest that is now in your hands. Do I make it funny? Straightforward? Do I format things in a mindful list, or just slap together a million links and photos in a row?
As with all things in my life, I’m gonna figure it out as I go, and be as personable as possible. If the pandemic has taught me anything it is to be adaptable, and be open to anything. A-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. What is truly remarkable to me is that you have read this far down. Thank you. You trusted me enough to subscribe, and I want to curate a list that is fun, educational, and best of all - uniquely the desert.
So let’s get to it!
HAPPENINGS
Friday, 6/25 - 6:30pm-9:30pm: Roadkill Reno, C.W. Robert Mihlberger, and Alison Wadsworth are in pop-up art show “Its Fine” at The Station. Each artist has posted something cryptic about the works being shown on their Instagram accounts; I hope it has to do with balloons across the board.
Saturday 6/26 - 2pm-8pm: The coast comes to the desert as Cousins Maine Lobster (Orange County) makes a pit stop at Joshua Tree Brewing Company. I might need three lobster rolls, personally. More info here.
Saturday 6/26 - 7:30pm: The guitar, synth, and punk stylings of Israel’s Arcade grace the stage at Mon Petit Mojave, arguably the first drive-in venue in the state of California, and possibly the country. The list is closed for the free-with-RSVP show, but the waitlist is active and constantly being updated. Advance confirmation required for attendance. Read all about it here.
Saturday 6/26 - 8pm: A live music dance party in the middle of nowhere sounds heavenly these days. Shake your coconuts to The Everglades and The SiBlEyS on one of the best patios in the world: The Palms Wonder Valley. More info here.
Monday 6/30 - 8am: The Susan Luckie Solar/Alternative Energy Project is ready to make its debut at Copper Mountain College in anticipation of celebrating CMC’s 20th anniversary as an independent community college. The $1.1M project includes solar canopies, a new campus-wide recycling program, and updates to HVAC systems. Learn more at the groundbreaking ceremony and community breakfast first thing Monday morning. RSVP by 6/25 to shutson@cmccd.edu for your spot.
DON’T MISS THIS
Pappy & Harriets has had a slew of shows going onsale and selling out fast (Bonobo? Modest Mouse?? Patti Smith???). Don’t miss Algiers on Sept 29, onsale tomorrow (Fri 6/25) at 10am. See you in the pit.
The Desert Institute is opening the fall enrollment for outside classes next week on July 1. From guided hikes to camping cooking classes, all skill levels are welcome to attend and learn in over 30 classes. After the raucous benefit concert the JTNPA threw last week (that I was lucky enough to attend), support is needed. Explore the course catalog here.
Desert Oracle is returning to a live and weird studio audience next weekend for their first event since the end of 2019. Listen to Desert Oracle Radio Friday nights from 10-11pm on Z107.7, then catch the in-person soiree at Theatre 29 on July 10 & 11. Tickets are available here.
Finally - Desierto Alto is bringing back their Tropical Tuesday Backyard series, pairing up with drinkslingers La Cantina Cocktails and rotating local food wizards for a divine pairing. The July 13 edition with Epicurean Fling just went onsale, and is sure to sell out like last edition’s Hot Dog Panic event. Tickets here.
SHIT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT
Landers Brew Company posted this week on their socials they are fighting an uphill battle around ownership of the property, with threat to sell by the landlord. The bar has been a huge supporter of musicians, artists, and non-profit fundraisers over the years, and was one of the first to welcome creatives to the patio space during COVID-19. Donate to their GoFundMe to get their legal battle supported.
WORTH THE DRIVE
The legendary Nile Rodgers is opening up his own rollerskating discoteque. I’ll let the following take it from here:
“[It] is a dream come true for me,” Rodgers said in a press release. “People know and love to dance to my songs, what they may not know is that I’ve been a skater all my life and I love to roller disco. I can remember the first time I ever walked into a disco and saw people from every walk of life put their troubles, prejudices and differences aside in the name of love and dance. It was the perfect place and we look to create that same spirit at The DiscOasis.” I am going to drive from JT for this at some point this summer.
The DiscOasis takes place at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes, kicking off July 16 and continuing through Labor Day. Timed-entry tickets can be purchased here.
That’s it for this edition. Thanks for reading!
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About me:
I’m Jenn, a hi-desert orb since 2019. I moved to Joshua Tree completely independent of the pandemic and now can’t imagine being anywhere else.
Amado in Spanish means “beloved.” It was important to me when naming this newsletter that I focus on the center of it all - events that bring us together. As a new person in a new place, I wanted to immerse myself and get to know the community that would be my support system. In my short time as a local, I have found that the heart of the desert lies in its people - and the way we have formed communities to forge our bonds, especially during COVID-19, has been my own personal saving grace.
I love sharing things that I am interested in, and appreciate you are too! Til the next time.
Amado is published every Thursday. Sign up here so you don’t miss the next issue. Full archive of past newsletters can be accessed here.
Disclaimer: I founded and run The Grand Calavera, an events and production company for hire. Some events listed here from time to time may be special projects I am working on.
Feedback, ideas and more can be sent to thegrandcalavera@gmail.com.
Well done! Thank you
Making it up as you go is off to a good start. I throw you a share on my Wandering Mojave FB page.