Welcome to the eighth Amado newsletter! Full of things to love and do in the hi desert (™️ forthcoming).
This past Tuesday, I completed another trip around the sun. Birthdays were tricky for me growing up because mine is in August, the patron month of vacation and “we really need to do that thing before school starts” projects. Yet I have fond memories of the lazy summer days leading up to my birthday, basking in the warm weather in my parents’ backyard. On the actual day of my earthly emergence, my family would procure my favorite dessert (this insane whipped cream pastry strawberry ring from Peter’s Bakery) and we’d hang out and I’d see my friends after. If only I had the foresight to know that at that moment in time, I could literally do anything I wanted to celebrate my getting older. I had so little responsibilities as a non-adult.
Fast forward two decades later, and, well…(gestures wildly). Folks love to use the word “unprecedented” to describe COVID-19, which I hate, because there are so many other ways to describe the times we’re living in. Anomalistic. Bizarre. Just saying “what in the actual fuck” six times in a row. It feels wretched in a way to know that the pandemic has been so long that I celebrated a second birthday inside it. We produced two seasons of Mon Petit Mojave. I doubled the amount of rescue animals in our house. And I think back to the simpler times of celebrating something as common as a birthday, and it feels crushing to ache for an uncomplicated time.
Here’s the thing. If you told 18 year old me the adventures, the heartbreak, the people, the escapades, the life changing moments that would occur after I left the comfort of home - I would not have fucking believed you. Truly. When I honestly examine how far I’ve come and achieved, I am left with nothing short of impressed. Maybe that’s a humble brag, or maybe it’s rightly stacking all of my life experiences together and being proud of who I am so far, eager for what’s to come next. That is the gift of perspective, coupled with gratitude and time spent in the desert. I’m glad I have the gray hairs to prove it.
HAPPENINGS
Saturday 8/21 - 7pm-10pm: Tumbleweed Sanctuary in Yucca Valley is hosting its first ever Stargazing Lounge, in anticipation of the sturgeon moon tomorrow (August 22). If you have caught the moon for the last few nights, you know it’s going to be a looker. The launch party features a drum circle, refreshments by La Cantina and Desert Taco, and a full moon ceremony by energy worker Europa Gitte that takes place in the venue’s central labyrinth. Free and open to the public.
Sunday 8/22 - 2pm: Hi-Desert Nature Museum and the Joshua Tree Early Music Society present “Post Pestilence Consulere,” performing the works of Josquin des Prez, Francesco Landini, Guillaume Dufay, and more. The musical selections, featuring music from the 12 through 15th centuries, finds its inspiration from the time of the Black Death (also known as the Pestilence, the Great Mortality or the Plague) in Europe. In-person tickets have now sold out, but there are still spots for digital attendance to the concert. For more information, click here (scroll to the Museum > Chamber Music section).
Sunday 8/22 - 6pm-8pm: Joshua Tree’s fiercely inclusive and radical spoken word event The Desert Split Open Mic makes a return for poets and performers alike. Taking place at the new outdoor stage at the Joshua Tree Folk School, guests are invited to read up to 6 minutes of feminist, queer, or otherwise radical poetry or prose. Messy works-in-progress, petty rants, and that weird thing you wrote after watching the news are also encouraged. Vaccinations in place for those who plan to read. Click here for more information and directions.
Tuesday 8/24 - 1pm: the desert does not have any shortage of celestial or extraterrestrial stories, and the Integratron in Landers is no exception. Go deeper into the beginning history of this landmark at “Long Life, Other Life: Giant Rock, the Integratron, and Van Tassel’s New Channels.” Founder and former aerospace man George Van Tassel stated long ago that Solgonda - a space person - visited him, took him upon his craft, and then most importantly, presented him with instructions on how to build a life extension machine that we know as the Integratron today. Moderator Daniel Paul’s lecture will provide an overview of Van Tassel, the significance of Giant Rock for him, and the Integratron as manifestation of what Van Tassel learned there. Register for the free lecture via Zoom.
Thursday 8/26 - 1pm-5pm: the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is hosting a virtual public meeting for the Assembly Bill 32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee. The Committee was created under AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, to help advise the board in developing the Climate Change Scoping Plan and on pertinent issues related to AB 32. The virtual meeting is open to the public and includes a public comment period. Agenda and contact information can be found here.
DON’T MISS THIS
Catch the “Midsummer Mandala” exhibit at the Art Queen East Village Gallery before it closes on August 31. The show features works by local artist Valerie Davis, who incorporates vivid geometry alongside organic materials and textures. Mandalas, selenite and other gem pieces make appearances in the collection. Click here for more info and directions.
The Big Read Morongo Basin series is a go for 2021. This year's book is 'An American Sunrise' by Joy Harjo, a performer and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation serving her second term as the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States. The series includes complimentary event programming this fall, including drive-in film screenings, an exhibition at Beatnik Lounge, artist talks, and a literary evening with the author. A full schedule can be found here. Hi-desert residents can begin picking a free copy of the book starting August 28; check out the list of organizations and businesses participating.
The Landers Open Air Market will return Labor Day Weekend, showcasing local artisans, crafters and more for those north of 62. Admission is free and the event is all ages. If you are interested in becoming a market vendor, click here for more info.
Lastly - the Animal Action League has announced their September events to eager pet owners and parents. The 501(c)3 non- profit provides low-cost services such as vaccines, spay/neutering, and nail trims for underprivileged cats and dogs. This valuable community resource gets booked at a high volume. Check out the schedule here and be sure to be on time.
SHIT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT
In Vol. 6 I wrote an impassioned SYSCA section about live events, and the need for more folks to get vaccinated. Since that edition two weeks ago, our county (San Bernardino) has gone up from 49% to 50% fully vaccinated. The National Park Service mandated this week that all visitors, employees and contractors must wear a mask inside NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor areas - regardless of vaccination status. This applies to Joshua Tree National Park.
You may already know, but…COVID-19 will continue to perpetuate daily living if more folks do not band together for the greater good and slow down infection. Vaccines, mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing, and mindful actions can contribute to suppress spread. Though we are in a remote area, the rapid spikes of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the county have started to contribute to the cancelation or postponement of events in the hi desert. So far, this includes the Pioneertown 75th Anniversary celebration, Pioneertown International Film Festival, and the production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Theatre 29. Let’s work together to prevent more casualties - literally and figuratively.
WORTH THE DRIVE
Inside Agua Caliente Casino in downtown Palm Springs is the Cascade Lounge, an intimate venue that hosts live jazz scene Jazzville. Presented by Barry Martin (DJ Baz) and Take Five Entertainment, the series has been producing weekly shows on Thursday nights. Catch “NUTTY,” a band with a unique blend of jazz and rock 'n roll served up with a vintage Vegas vibe, on August 26. Or, be sure to dress up in that old glam wear and attend “Stardust - Where Old Hollywood Meets Vintage Vegas” on September 16. View all upcoming shows here. Tickets start at $10 and often sell out.
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 Amado 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 Friday (formerly Thursday), pending an existential crisis. If that’s the case, it may be published on Saturdays. 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. Like me on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (shameless plug).
Feedback, ideas and more can be sent to thegrandcalavera@gmail.com.