Joshua Tree Voice - April 2024

Thank you to our advisory board whose talents, insights, and passions contribute to the quality of this publication

Jacqueline Guevara

Executive Director, Joshua Tree National Park Association

Barnett English

Festival Founder and Director, Joshua Tree Music Festival

Dave Catching

Owner, Rancho De La Luna Recording Studio & Rancho De La Luna Mezcal, Musician, Producer

Mario Lalli

Musician, Fatso Jetson, Yawning Man, Mario Lalli and the Snake Charmers

Bobby Furst

Owner/Creator of FurstWurld, Artist

OUR TEAM:

Graphic Design Wizard: Jeff Day

Cover Design: Lisa Lynn Morgan

Web & Marketing: Pointed Services

Staff Photographer: Sandra Goodin

Art Writer: Katie Nartonis

Angeles: Poetry Corner Creator

Owner/Publisher: Lisa Lynn Morgan

Owner/Principal: Ray Rodriguez

FEATURE WRITERS

Bruce Fessier

Rebecca French

Lisa Lynn Morgan

WE WOULD NOT BE HERE without our amazing team, the love of this diverse and colorful, supportive community, and the businesses that have partnered with us through advertising. Please, whenever you can, show them some love – lots of it!

If you would like to partner with Joshua Tree Voice through digital and print marketing, please contact us at (760) 237-0124.

ABOUT THE COVER:

This photo fully captures the passion, power, and full surrender to the song that singer/ songwriter, Rosa Pullman, is known for. It was taken by the amazing Carly Foulkes at the Joshua Tree Music Festival grounds. She can be found on IG: @carlyfoulkes and linktr.ee/CarlyFoulkesOfficial or email her at carlyfoulkesphotography@gmail.com.

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Dear Joshua Tree and all you gorgeous gateway communities,

On behalf of the entire Joshua Tree Voice team, I want to express our gratitude for the overwhelming support of this richly diverse and powerful community. Your daily efforts in your business, your craft, and community service raise the bar and provoke us to do as much as we can to support them. Your encouragement continues to blow our minds and is the wind in our sails. You regularly let us know we are doing purposeful work that matters. At the end of the day, isn’t that what it’s all about? We are committed to doing everything we can do to let the world hear your voice and see the beautiful souls that make this place magic. Thank you for your constant inspiration.

ROSA PULLMAN

Songwriter with Placement on Hit Television Series and Films Finds Her Greatest Joys in Her Community

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

It was a casual backyard birthday party with local musician friends set up to make some music as part of the celebration. The place was full of kindness, love, laughter and meaningful conversations about the culture and the growth of Joshua Tree – pretty much business as usual. But then “she” happened, floating in like a leaf gently separated from a tree. Her presence didn’t really draw attention initially. She was just a peaceful, gentle spirit, lacking airs or bravado, with eyes softly reading the room as if to make sure she didn’t cast a shadow on anyone else’s bit of sunshine. Then, she was invited to sit down at the piano. She nestled up to the microphone, opened her mouth, and the entire atmosphere fell into hushed awe as the lovely notes, effortless extensions of her fingers, rang out. It quickly became obvious that her throat was the place songs go to get warmed, buttered, and served with honey (and maybe a bit of spice). There was no question that this woman’s heart and bones were made for such things,

and every ear within range new they were in the presence of something special - everyone except the musician herself – Miss Rosa Pullman. For her, this was just her breathing.

In an interview with Joshua Tree Voice, Rosa shared just how deep and far reaching her musical experiences have run, and where her music is leading her.

Born Rosa Viggiani-Pullman in Ithaca, New York, to Francie Viggiani and Joe Pullman, she grew up amidst a sweet music scene with an international influx, thanks to nearby Cornell University and Ithaca College. She was exposed to The Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance that echoed the influences of her own family’s history with bluegrass, old time and rock and roll, roots reggae, and zydeco.

“My parents played music together for a time when I was young, playing and singing harmonies in the bluegrass

and older country spiritual realms,” Rosa shared. “My mother also played wonderful classical piano. There was a piano in the house which, apparently, I was drawn to from a very young age. I wrote my first song on it when I was around 6 years old. My mother’s brother is a classically trained jazz pianist as well, and my maternal grandfather also played beautifully. I was exposed to those sounds growing up and developed a reverence and awe for the craft. As I am the only child of my two parents, who parted ways when I was 6, music became like a sibling to me. We spent a lot of time together. I was deeply emotionally affected by it and would often sit and play the piano and weep (when I was alone). Me and music have been bonded on a deep level for as long as I can remember. I have largely felt like an outsider and more of an observer in life, and music was a language that I was very drawn to. It seemed to be able to express what I felt in a freer way. It had an ability to reach depths that I longed for, and still do.”

Photo by JD Rudometkin

Rosa’s mother had a healthy record collection complete with the Beatles, CSNY, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, and more. “I remember my father got into Dire Straits,” she recalled, “which I proceeded to love - specifically the ‘Brothers in Arms’ record. I can sing almost every guitar note Mark Knopfler played on that.”

Her mother’s brother, Uncle Carl (Viggiani), gave her some blues records to listen to, and her world deepened even more. “I was particularly drawn to Howlin Wolf and Ray Charles,” she noted. “Then I heard Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, and Tina Turner. Later it was Madonna and En Vogue. To put it into context, I was born in 1979. There were explosions happening of all kinds in the music world. I remember weeping and singing with Annie Lennox. Paul Simon’s Graceland felt like the soundtrack of a few years of my life. There were many influences, and I soaked up all of them. I heard hip hop; A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul. Radiohead came on the scene. Trip-hop came along with Portishead and Massive Attack. I was all in. It was a ripe sonic scene.”

Rosa dances gracefully between piano and guitar in her performances today that most would identify as Folk-Rock/Americana, but her influences come from an international kaleidoscope of genres. “I played piano mostly until I was around 15 or 16,” Rosa explained. “I would sing along with much of the music, though mostly in private. I had taken piano lessons for a few years with a wonderful teacher who encouraged me to learn songs that I was drawn to, to learn by ear, and to improvise as well. My uncle taught me some blues, encouraging and demonstrating improvisation. I would sit in with different groups in western New York who called themselves the DaDa Society. It wasn’t until I was around 16, that I started really exploring my own voice and writing songs, while accompanying myself. I also started learning guitar on my own, picking up chords here and there. I began recording myself as well, first with a double deck stereo, then with a Tascam 414. I would make layers of harmonies and sometimes add poetry. I took an experimental music class at the college I was enrolled at. I worked at a radio station and opened for a country singer who was traveling through town. Then I moved to Boston and began the next part of the journey, joining an experimental trip hop band called Jupiter 88 (first band I was in). I was 20.”

“There is so much to recount, as I get into it,” Rosa continues. “From the time I moved to Boston, I was exposed to Indian Sufi and classical music. Drawn by the power of those sounds and feelings, at 22, I went to India and lived there for around four years. Then I came to California and began another part of the journey, writing songs and getting up on a stage to sing them. I had done some of this in my teens and 20s but went silent for a while. My time in India deepened my understanding of the world and us humans, with more of our ancient magic, music, and beauty. It also introduced me to inequality, corruption, and abuse. I appreciated the elements of the United States and the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements then, more than I was able to, growing up in America.”

“It is a real long journey we are on to learn how to live together in harmony.”

“It wasn’t until I was 30, I really started singing, playing, and writing while learning about the whole wider world of music, in action, and in earnest,” Rosa recounted.

“Some call me a ‘late bloomer’ which I think is more like, ‘multiple bloomer.’ It’s a big ol’ burly garden, and I’m a lifer.”

“The most important thing with me and music is that it is a soul matter. It is in my bones and blood. It is medicine and has saved me in my life. So, I struggle to make a business out of it. While I feel it is a calling for me, it has not been natural to navigate the industry. It almost feels like a split personality issue - maybe because I seem to take things really seriously… the spiritual journey part of it, the truly powerful part of it. The more one learns about the business (of music), the more shadows start crawling around with stories of manipulation and exploitation of this most sacred, life-giving, activity we call music and of the people who let it move them. It is definitely a journey, and I am not giving up.

If you were to ask Rosa what genre she calls her music, she’ll likely answer, “Personal.”

“All my songs are deeply personal. It seems to be the genre I hail from,” she explained. “I write mostly from personal experiences. A song that has particularly deep meaning for me is called, ‘Take it Back’. There is not a released recording of it yet, but I hope to have that on the next record which I am working on now.

Placement in television and films is an incredible accomplishment for any artist, and Rosa has several: Nashville – “Turn Me Down” and “Radio Tower,” Supergirl – “Daydreaming,” Virgin River – “Radio Tower,” Lucifer – “Your Time Has Come,” The Wilds –“Worries,” Monarch – “Let it Be a Call,” and more. But for Rosa, the main highlight on this musical path has been meeting and connecting with people and sharing precious moments together.

“The more I play and sing the more it becomes clear how powerful music is. It is our birth right, and it brings us together. It can deliver messages to our hearts and change the course of our lives and enlighten our connection all over the world.”

“I have been so grateful to be welcomed by the magical community here in Joshua Tree and the high desert,” she emoted. “I have written so many songs and met so many wonderful people. My heart is truly grateful for it.”

Rosa first came to Joshua Tree as part of a band led by Dean Chamberlain, around 2009. “We played at Pappy and Harriets and at The Palms in Wonder Valley,” she remembered. “I was immediately in love and began coming out, next with Cydney Robinson (who I met in Dean’s band) and then over the years, to play at The Palms Wonder Valley and stay for a few days. For a time, I sat in with the legendary, multiply incarnated, Sunday Band at Pappy and Harriets, and got to meet more magical people in the area.”

One might think that Joshua Tree was always in Rosa’s future. In the highly acclaimed annual fundraiser for MilTree.org, “Live From Joshua Tree,” Rosa shared a song she had written in her teens. “I was off script for that one,” she shared about that performance. “I mostly let the words of the songs tell the story. One of the songs I sang, ‘Coyote Moon,’ was one of the first songs I ever wrote, when I was 17. It had the desert in it, before I had ever been here or knew about it!”

Coyote Moon

By Rosa Pullman

Well I’m weak in the knees

And I’m carrying these dreams

And I’m on this road that keeps turning

Think I’ll burn down that house

Let it crumble to the ground

And when the cold winds blow, I’m leaving

Now the smoke rises high

There’s a thunder in the sky

And an eagle flies over my shoulder

I’m just a new desert rat

Got my ticket and a map

And the signs in the sand keep shifting

But hey can’t you see

There’s no chains on me

I’m free as I can be

So I’ll sit by this road

And watch them all go

As the wind, carries them home

Cause I’ve got my ticket to roam …

Today, Rosa has been focusing more on writing and recording as of late and has a few records worth of songs to deliver this year, but you can catch her at a few very special local shows.

Upcoming shows:

April 5th at Spaghetti Western, 50048 29 Palms Hwy, Morongo Valley, CA (7-9pm)

April 14th at Mas o Menos, 66031 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA (2-4pm)

May 4th at The Firehouse, 65430 Winters Road, Joshua Tree, CA (7pm) with Nigel Roman and Sophia Corrine

October 10-13 Joshua Tree Music Festival (TBA)

Follow Rosa Pullman on all streaming services, at electrosoundrecords.com, IG: @rosapullman, and Facebook: Rosa Viggiani Pullman

Photo by Natasha Agrama

EMPTY SEAT

Red Hot Rock & Roll

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

Passion, exceptional songwriting, dynamic vocals, and electrifying musicianship form the core elements that have propelled this ensemble forward. Their commitment to delving deep into their craft has stood the test of time and countless performances, resulting in the creation of some truly remarkable new releases.

At the 2nd Annual Joshuas Honors Gala, the local band, Empty Seat, mesmerized the audience with their captivating performance.

Empty Seat has been a fixture in the So Cal Rock scene since 2002, enduring and thriving through the years. Led by the fiery lead vocalist Erin Marie, they initially made their mark in the Punk and Rockabilly scene of Whittier, California, sharing the stage with renowned artists like Slim Jim Phantom, Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats, Brenton Wood, and Annabella Lwin of Bow Wow Wow.

Over the years, Empty Seat has graced the stages of numerous esteemed venues in Hollywood and made appearances on various television and cable shows. Their talent was recognized when they clinched the

coveted “Top 10 Band” spot on LA TV in 2007, amidst fierce competition.

After a hiatus in 2008, the band resurfaced in 2018, making a move to the Coachella Valley, home to the renowned Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Since then, they’ve garnered multiple Coachella Valley Music Awards, including consecutive wins for “Best Alternative Band” in 2019 and 2020, along with the “Best Song” award for their single “Won’t Wait.” Erin Marie was also honored with the title of ‘Best Front Woman’ in 2019.

Empty Seat’s journey continued with the creation of original music, including their 2020 hit single “Rise,” a collaboration with Rock and Roll legend Cherie Currie of The Runaways. Their music has received

acclaim and airplay on prominent platforms such as SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage and various radio stations including 95.5 KLOS, Rodney Bingenhiemer’s legendary Rodney on the ROQ (KROQ), 93.7FM KCLB, Z107.7FM, and the US10 Radio Show.

Today, Empty Seat stands strong as a band, reestablishing themselves in the legendary High Desert region and consistently pushing the boundaries with their innovative tunes. Their latest release, “Take Back,” reflects their love for 80s post-punk. Erin’s pitch perfect powerful voice bears the essence of Aimee Mann (Til Tuesday), Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), and Deborah Harry. The tribe behind her play so tight and full you forget that they’re only a trio.

You can follow the band on most streaming services, Facebook, Instagram, and on their website: emptyseatofficial.com

The band has one show in Joshua Tree before going back into the recording studio.

Join them and special guests, Lisa Lynn & the Broken Hallelujahs for a fun night of music under the stars in the heart of Joshua Tree.

Voted #1 Best Music Festival in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards!

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

On Wednesday, March 27th at 12:00pm EDT, USA

Today announced the winners of their 10 Best Music Festivals People’s Choice Award. Up against some very popular and worthy contestants, Joshua Tree Music Festival found itself ranked number one! The top ten festivals are as follows:

JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL Tickets

On Sale Now!

• Joshua Tree Music Festival

• Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

• CMA Fest

• Island Hopper Songwriter Fest

• Monterey Jazz Festival

• Electric Forest

• Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

• Sea.Hear.Now Festival

• Austin City Limits Music Festival

• Newport Jazz Festival

Other festivals in the running included were:

Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival, Las Vegas, Nevada

Outside Lands, San Francisco, California

BottleRock Napa Valley, Napa, California

Rendezvous Music Festival, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Beyond Wonderland Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, California

Lightning in a Bottle, Buena Vista Lake, California

Lollapalooza, Chicago, Illinois

Northern Nights Music Festival, Piercy, California

Shaky Knees Music Festival, Atlanta, Georgia

The selection process began with USA Today’s panel of music festival aficionados hand-picking 20 essential festivals from coast to coast where music fans can enjoy several artists (and even genres) in one place. Public voting opened, and Joshua Tree Music Festival quickly rose to number one.

Joshua Tree Voice reached out to the festival’s founder, Barnett English, for his response:

“Wow. The extended Joshua Tree Music Festival family is beyond thrilled to win the USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Best Music Festival award! Yes, it feels good to be recognized. It’s especially meaningful, as we were the only small, independent,

family friendly, community-centric festival that made the list of (20) nominees. BIG thanks to the kind folks at USA Today for the nomination, and to all the JTMF fam and friends who voted for us up to the top spot.

We appreciate the national exposure, as it helps spread the good word about the joyful revolution that is the Joshua Tree Music Festival. Being small and independent means we get to conscientiously curate a magical experience. But it also means we’re always striving to be financially sustainable. So, we hope this exposure helps bring a few new JTMF devotees into the mix. We need to grow some, but not so much as to alter the vibe, coziness, and intimacy that we’ve nurtured for so long.

Never been? Here’s what you can expect: Love. Joy. Laughter. Euphoria. Real connections. Life-affirming human interaction. Intense feelings of happiness. Transcendent live music experiences. Voracious listeners. The lustfully compassionate. Hugs. That incommunicable thrill of a group deliberately united in exaltation. A place where the whole family can have fun camping out together. If any of those things are missing in your life, then we hope to see you here in May for the 22nd Spring Joshua Tree Music Festival, Thursday – Sunday, May 16-19, 2024

Tix & Info: www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com

Barnett English has been chasing goosebumps his whole life, and he’s brought countless numbers of them to the Joshua Tree Music Festival grounds. These photos are past artists who have graced the JTMF stages: (First page) Alison Russell, Thomas Mapfumo & Blacks Unlimited. (Second page, going clockwise) Robbie Krieger of The Doors (top center), Bernie Worrell of the Talking Heads & Parliament-Funkadelic, Elle King (blond hair, tattoos, guitar), Kinky (black cowboy hat and guitar), Fareed Haque of Garaj Mahal (bottom right), Chali 2na of Jurassic Five, The Avett Brothers (two guys, white shirt, black shirt, banjo), Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (one guy blue turquoise suit), ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Reid Milanovich was first elected to the Tribal Council in 2014, first as a Council Member, then Vice Chairman, and then in Spring 2022 became Chairman of the Tribe.

Chairman Milanovich introduced attendees of the March 16 Legacy Hike event to special guests Lauren van Schilfgaarde, Assistant Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law, and Alex Fay, the inaugural Richard M. Milanovich Fellow at the UCLA Native Nations Law & Policy Center. A renowned resource in support of Native Nations, UCLA Law’s Native Nations Law & Policy Center advances Indian nations’ laws and institutions while promoting cultural resource protections. The Native Nations Law & Policy Center connects students to Native American communities to strengthen legal systems on tribal lands while protecting and advancing tribal cultural and legal values. Through clinical programs and advanced coursework led by preeminent faculty experts in the field, the Native Nations Law & Policy Center addresses critical public policy issues facing Native Nations while offering students invaluable opportunities for legal training.

100s Attend The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike

Legacy Hike at the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs honors the Richard M. Milanovich Educational Fellowship in Partnership with UCLA Native Nations Law & Policy Center.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians welcomed Tribal Members and Community Members from throughout the greater Palm Springs area and beyond to the scenic Indian Canyons on March 16, 2024, for the 9th Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike. The Tribe is steward to more than 31,500 acres of ancestral land. The cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage as well as portions of unincorporated Riverside County span across the boundaries of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.

Hundreds of participants enjoyed the Legacy Hike on March 16, which was emceed by KESQ News Channel 3 Chief Meteorologist Haley Clawson, joining in guided hikes throughout the Indian Canyons. More than 100 runners participated in the event’s 5k run. Nestled at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, the Indian Canyons, ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians,

encompass approximately 60 miles of hiking trails within an awe-inspiring landscape of lush palm groves, fantastic rock formations, and mountain-fed streams. Many first-time visitors are surprised to learn such scenic splendor exists only a few miles from downtown Palm Springs.

The Legacy Hike benefits the Richard M. Milanovich Fellowship, which was created in 2015. In 2021, UCLA Native Nations Law & Policy Center and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians formed a partnership to prepare the next generation of leaders in Indian country and to honor and preserve the legacy of service and leadership of the late Chairman Richard M. Milanovich who served as Tribal Chairman for nearly 30 years until his passing on March 11, 2012. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians seeded the Richard M. Milanovich Fellowship in Law with a five-year, $600,000 gift to help create a new generation of Indian law scholars and advocates.

Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich, the late Chairman Richard M. Milanovich’s son, presented the opening remarks at the March 16 Legacy Hike event. Chairman

Netflix Top Viewed Original Series

“American Conspiracy – The Octopus Murders” Hits Close

to Home for Local

Musician, Bobby Moses Nichols

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

Bobby Moses Nichols has been an integral part of the desert music scene, spanning both the high and low deserts, since the mid-80s. Renowned for his intricate and intuitive guitar leads, Bobby infuses each performance, even covers, with a unique flavor that never repeats itself. His musical journey traces back to his childhood in Brazil and Chile, where he spent extensive hours honing his craft from as early as nine years old.

Over the years, Bobby’s musical prowess has taken him on a fascinating journey, but none more enthralling or absorbing than the one brought to his doorstep in 2021 by award-winning director, Zachary Treitz, and photojournalist, Christian Hansen. The two were creating the docuseries, and Bobby was a key source for their investigation.

The four-part true crime series, hoped to unravel the mystery behind Washington DC journalist, Danny

Casolaro’s life and mysterious death. At the heart of the story lies the enigmatic “Octopus Murders,” a web of intrigue surrounding the early 80s, groundbreaking PROMIS software, originally designed for legitimate law enforcement purposes, purportedly commandeered for use in international espionage and surveillance.

Danny Casolaro’s investigation uncovered activity on tribal land belonging to the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, where Bobby’s father worked. In his role of business advisor in 1978, John Phillip Nichols led the charge in initiating diverse business endeavors for the tribe. These ventures included the establishment of tax-exempt cigarette sales, a card room, a high-stakes bingo hall, and the provision of discounted liquor. Additionally, under his stewardship, the Cabazon tribe introduced comprehensive health insurance programs and launched initiatives focused on enhancing education and employment prospects within the community. But it was his ties to self-professed

PROMIS re-programmer, former child prodigy, Michael Riconosciuto, who worked under Nichols leadership, and his proposed partnership with powerful security company, Wackenhut, that caught Casolaro’s attention.

Based on Hansen’s research, Wackenhut, was involved in many things - private prisons, defending nuclear missile sites, and Area 51, to name a few. The same research also revealed Wackenhut was responsible for black ops jobs for the government, with alleged plans to develop chemical and biological weapons on the reservation.

The 1981 execution-style shootings of Cabazon tribal official, Alfred “Fred” Alvarez, and his friends Patricia Castro and Ralph Boger drew further suspicion. The murders took place at Fred’s home in Rancho Mirage just before Alvarez was to meet with lawyers to discuss what he believed was suspicious activity under the leadership of John Nichols. For reasons that are still unclear today, the investigation was dropped, and

there were never any convictions. Even the cold case resurrection in 2007 that extradited James “Jimmy” Hughes, former security director of the tribe’s casino and bingo operations, was ultimately dismissed when the prosecutors admitted they didn’t have enough to process a conviction.

It is believed by some that Casolaro’s deep dive into the murky world of intelligence agencies, covert government operations, the complex web of individuals with ties to organized crime, government corruption, and international espionage networks ultimately lead to his untimely death under suspicious circumstances.

Bobby Moses Nichols, In an interview with Joshua Tree Voice, reflects on his involvement in the documentary and shares insights into his family’s complex history. He speaks candidly about the challenges of navigating his father’s controversial legacy and his own exploration of his familial ties, unearthing surprising connections to political figures and historical events.

“I inherited all my dad’s stuff; he left it to me alone in his will,” shared Bobby, the third of five children. “I went through twenty large filing cabinets and many boxes of books over the course of two years and ultimately only kept his files from the timeframe covered in the documentary because I knew instinctively it was going to be needed at some future time. Boy was I right.”

Realizing that they were going to tell the story with or without him, Bobby decided to work with the film makers. “I wanted to put a human face to my father’s story,” he explained. “I’ve been aware and watching the internet to see what information was out there concerning him. This is a small sliver of my life, but it’s one that people are fascinated with. People couldn’t figure out who my father was, and in my younger years, I experienced that same feeling. He was definitely an enigma.”

“The show was focused on Casolaro and his research,” Bobby continued. “It only touched on who my father really was. That said, all prior research on the Octopus could never say much about him because little was known. I gave these guys a glimpse of him no one had access to before. Yes, his efforts (and my brother’s, Mark Nichols) opened up financial freedom to Native Americans across the country. Unfortunately, the salacious stuff is what most folks concentrate on. My dad never drank, smoked, or used any foul language,” Bobby recalls. “He never owned any weapons - zero. He was incredibly intelligent and was certainly a master manipulator. I like music. So did my father. I wish I knew then what I know now. There are so many questions I would have asked.”

“The PROMIS software is the birth of the digital surveillance state,” Bobby surmised. “All of the surveillance software currently in use by the NSA, FBI, etc…are newer generations of the PROMIS source code. It’s all pretty crazy. If I ever mentioned anything on this level to friends, their eyes would glaze over after 30 seconds, like I was speaking a foreign language. I never

wanted to really engage with this stuff, but Zachary and Christian have done me a favor in that I can have a more educated discussion of the details.”

“Of course we’re in another era now, but I and many other people feel what’s happening currently on the planet has connections to these events of 30-40 years ago, particularly the surveillance aspect. PROMIS also made it possible for large amounts of money to be moved around between banks internationally without detection. That was what the BCCI bank was all about – it was a CIA bank basically. They (Zachary and Hansen) didn’t get into some of the names associated with the distribution of PROMIS ~ Robert Maxwell (Czechoslovak-born British media proprietor, politician, fraudster, and the father of convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.), Tim Osman (code name used by Osama Bin Ladin), and others. I get the sense the first twenty years after PROMIS was hijacked, repurposed, and used as a window for nefarious intentions to set in place before real controls were established.”

“My father wasn’t motivated by profit like a criminal would typically be. He was an agent of change. Growing up, we always had what we needed, but we weren’t wealthy by any means. My father died in 2001, living on a monthly retirement check from the Cabazons and his social security. But he was constantly working on big projects, like putting in a power plant in the Philippines, housing tracts in Guam, and things of that nature until the day he died of a heart attack.”

“I’ve come to realize that my father’s CIA background influenced him in dark ways. Bumping off people was a real thing, mixed in with helping indigenous peoples. That’s why he’s controversial. The Octopus is a real look into how intelligence agencies operate. My father was a lot more than what the story portrays.”

“My family’s 25 years of starting and developing all the tribe’s business ventures seems to somehow have been scrubbed from their Wikipedia pages. That’s criminal in my opinion. There are published books detailing it, such as Return of the Buffallo Everyone from the Coachella Valley who were around from the late 70s until my brother Mark left in 2005 knows the Nichols family’s influence on everything they did. The Indio Tamale Festival was Mark’s brainchild, as was the Southwest Art Festival. The first local Pow Wow’s were started by Mark and the Cabazons. The list goes on.”

John Phillip Nichols did actually do time, but not for the controversies list here. In 1985, he pleaded no contest to two felony charges of soliciting the murder of individuals he believed to be involved in drug dealing. Despite these allegations, the planned killings never took place, and Nichols served over two years in prison for his involvement.

“I was at Le Paon restaurant in Palm Desert in 1988 when tribal members and my family celebrated the US Supreme Court delivering a huge win to the Cabazons with what’s known as The Cabazon Decision. It’s the court decision that opened up the floodgates to allowing casinos on reservation land across the country. My dad had just been released from prison. It was quite a celebration.”

“It’s a bit of a lonely voyage,” confessed Bobby. “It’s a very fertile field to explore. I have to ultimately decide to begin engaging with it, which isn’t easy. I suppose it is for all of us, but experiences customize the experience. Mine’s pretty customized,” he laughed. “Danny’s friend in episode 4 calls this, ‘the most explosive story in U.S. history.’ It’s hard to wrap my head around that comment.”

While Nichols acknowledges the gravity of the narrative surrounding his family, he remains focused on his passion for music while grappling with the deeper implications of his familial history.

In the second episode of the series, Bobby is filmed saying, “I’m a musician, man, and I’d like to stay that way.” Later, he expounded, “I’m all about music, but there’s a deeper karmic pull at play. I want the two to help each other.”

“Did my father kill someone,” Bobby questioned? “I hope not. At the end of the day, it is still an unsolved mystery.”

Bruce Fessier

First Inductee to the Coachella Valley Journalism Hall of Fame

On February 28, 2024, at Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Bruce Fessier became the first inductee to the Coachella Valley Journalism Hall of Fame for his contributions to local journalism for more than 40 years. It has been an extreme honor for Joshua Tree Voice to have this tenured writer contribute stories and insights to our publication after a long career with the Desert Sun. Former Desert Sun editor, Greg Burton, introduced Fessier calling him a “champion for tomorrow” as he referenced Fessier’s work which included assisting Sonny Bono in launching the Palm Springs Film Festival, covering Pearl Jam at the Empire Polo Club, and nurturing and critiquing the development of the McCallum Theatre. Fessier has journaled our desert communities’ events and people into posterity. Writing with the same passion for our local artists as he did Frank Sinatra, his tireless and intense efforts have given our community’s history and culture a voice that will be remembered throughout the ages.

Moved to tears by Burton’s introduction, Fessier graciously accepted the award with a hug to its presenter. He then eloquently thanked Jane, his wife of 40 years, crediting her as the foundation for all his successes.

“I was more emotionally moved by the induction than I could have imagined,” shared Fessier. “My former editor, Greg Burton, gave me an introduction on par with Bono’s presentation of Frank Sinatra at the 1994 Grammy Awards. He wasn’t there for most of the things he said I did. He put into beautiful words what I’ve always tried to do, which is to contextualize the past by how it informs the future. When he called me ‘a champion for tomorrow,’ I got choked up. He got me because he gets me.”

“The Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation produced a lovely inaugural event,” Fessier added, “which we could have expected from an event chairman named Randy Lovely. I look forward to supporting its ventures and advocating for many other worthy journalists to join me in the Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame.”

Other worthy inductees included Karen Devine, anchor for KESQ; Frank Jones, owner/publisher of Palm Springs Life; Milt Jones, and owner/publisher of Palm Springs Life (posthumous).

To learn more about or to contribute to the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation, go to https://cvjf.org/cvjfhall-of-fame/

Coachella Music & Arts Festival 2024 Spotlighting Music from Around the World

By Bruce Fessier

Listening to my Coachella 2024 playlist while driving to a film festival last month conjured memories of listening to NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton” on my car cassette deck in 1988.

NWA was so beyond the MTV and radio boundaries of “decency,” I rolled up my windows so passersby wouldn’t hear me singing along to “F*&! the Police.”

This year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is equally beyond the borders of American mainstream music. Of the 145 artists appearing April 12-14 and April 19-21 at Indio’s Empire Polo Club, more than twothirds are from nations other than the United States.

So, pulling up to a gas station, I found myself again rolling up my car windows to prevent people from hearing me rock out to a song called “Tokyo Calling” by Atarashi Gakko. I don’t know why I felt conspicuous bopping to song in Japanese. But, after looking up the meaning of “Tokyo Calling” on Lyrics Translate, and watching its video on YouTube, I was enamored by its pop-punk sound and its fanciful take on Japanese science

fiction. Its marching drums and big EDM beat create an urgency that makes even more musical sense when you realize the lead singer is proclaiming in Japanese, “Like a nightmare, a dystopian story is looming!”

I understand Coachella’s business motivations for featuring music from all over the map. Coachella founder and Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett has had a partnership with YouTube for more than a decade. Their livestreaming activity has grown steadily with YouTube selling exclusive Coachella merchandise in far-away markets that now produce Coachella artists.

“All of a sudden you have the biggest artist in that region,” Tollett said at last October’s SXSW Sydney, Australia conference, as reported by Audience Republic. “And what it does is, it just gets everyone watching from that area. Coachella wasn’t really that well known in Asia. Now everyone in Indonesia follows it, not just Korea. It became a thing where no matter what country you’re in, you could watch it like it’s your show.”

The revenue from YouTube and other partnerships means Coachella may have tickets available at the gate of Weekend 2 and still be the world’s most profitable music fest.

It’s also the most viewed festival on other social media. NoDeposit365 reports Coachella was tagged in over 5.4 million Instagram posts last year, dwarfing secondplace Lollapalooza with 1.5 million tags. The revenue from those platforms means Tollett can spend less time building audience and more time improving the festival experience by trying to unclog vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow.

Tollett also told the SXSW industry audience that he began booking more international acts several years ago because “it’s the way music went.” Artists such as Bad Bunny of Puerto Rico, who headlined in 2023, and J Balvin of Colombia, who is Sunday’s second-billed artist, are having U.S. hits in their native languages.

BLACKPINK of South Korea had people singing with them in Korean at last year’s festival.

Atarashi Gakko

Saint Levant

Lana Del Rey

So, for a new generation of music lovers, language is not an insurmountable barrier. They’re listening to music from nations from Cuba to Argentina, Italy to Turkey, Nigeria to Niger, and India to Australia, and they’re getting great, eclectic music at Coachella.

What to hear at Coachella

I usually select about 20 songs per Spotify playlist. But this festival offers so much compelling music to digest, my Coachella list grew to over 100 songs from 32 nations, not counting the Asian and Indonesian artists that may return with the collective, 88Rising.

The internationally dominant lineup also reflects Southern California’s diversity. The big reunions are No Doubt, the ska-turned-“Just A Girl” pop band from Orange County, and Sublime, the eclectic Long Beach trio now featuring Jakob Nowell, son of the band’s late creative leader, Bradley Nowell.

L.A.’s diversity may be best represented by 2020 multiGrammy nominee Jhene Aiko, who was home schooled in what she calls “Slauson Hills” until high school. She boasts of having DNA that is 25% Asian, 33% African, and 34% European. She makes my Spotify list with her beautiful ode to motherhood in California, “Sun/Son.”

The L.A. hip hop culture is ably represented by Friday headliner Doja Cat, who made my curated Spotify list with “Woman” and “Paint the Town Red,” and Saturday headliner Tyler, the Creator, who curates Goldenvoice’s L.A. hip hop incubator, the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.

I also like L.A. natives Militarie Gun, whose Offspringinspired “Seizure of Assets” tells what it’s like to have your car repossessed, and the EDM duo, Kimonos, who describe what it’s like to be on your own in L.A. in “My Life Back.”

Some of the best descriptions of Southern California come from transplants like Chappel Roan and Friday headliner Lana Del Rey. Roan, who opened for Olivio Rodrigo in February at Palm Desert’s Acrisure Arena, is openly queer and inspired by drag queens. I love her “Red Wine Supernova,” where she tells a perspective lesbian lover, “I’ve got a California king/ Okay, maybe it’s a twin bed/ And some roommates (Don’t worry, we’re cool).”

Del Rey could succeed Joni Mitchell as a doyenne of SoCal culture with songs like “Coachella” (which she wrote after her 2014 festival appearance), “West Coast,” and “Arcadia,” a dual reference to L.A. and an idyllic land in Greek mythology inhabited by inhuman creatures.

Del Rey’s work with Coachella artists Jon Batiste (“Candy Necklace”), Bleachers (“Margaret”), and Sublime (who are sampled on “Doin’ Time”) suggest some likely guest artists on stage. But her recordings with nonCoachella artists make one dream of an historic set. She collaborated with Taylor Swift on “Snow on the Beach,” Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande on “Don’t Call Me Angel (Charlie’s Angels),” The Weeknd on “Lust for Life,” A$AP Rocky on “Summer Bummer,” and Arcadia High School alumnus Stevie Nicks on “Beautiful People, Beautiful Problems.”

International Acts to Watch

The only desert artist is Latino vocalist Eddie Zuko, who ponders growing up in the Imperial Valley on the chill, soulful “Made.” But local residents may recognize many international artists from their high desert appearances. Cuban singer-producer Cimafunk played the Joshua Tree Music Festival in 2022. A half-dozen others played Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown, including the fun New Zealand indie rockers The Beths, the Arctic Monkeys-inspired Lovejoy from the UK, and Hermanos Gutierrez, featuring the guitarist sons of an Ecuadorian mother and Swiss father. Jungle, a UK electronic group that played Pappy’s in 2018 and Tachevah: A Palm Springs Block Party in 2015, brings a Portugal the Man vibe to its “Back on 74.”

The international acts are important because many are delivering news of the world, just as Bob Dylan and NWA served as underground town criers in the 20th century.

The powerful “Afrique Victime” by guitarist Mdou Moctar of Niger, has lyrics that translate to “Africa is a victim of so many crimes/ If we stay silent, it will be the end of us.”

Saint Levant, who grew up in Gaza after being born in Jerusalem to a French-Algerian mother and PalestinianSerbian father, sings lyrics in “Jerusalem Freestyle” that translate to “We Fight for our rights and it’s anti-semitic/ You think after being oppressed they would get it.”

The EDM duo, ARTBAT, one of two Coachella acts from Ukraine, includes lyrics in their August release, “Coming Home,” that translate to “In the streets we will walk like we used to do/ There will be something new to believe in/ Find a way through the pain.”

The language barrier has already fallen on streamers with international content and in film festivals. The Palm Springs festival I was driving to while listening to “Tokyo Calling” featured a movie titled “Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre” about the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed 364 Israeli music lovers. It featured cell-phone video taken during the gunfire of victims describing the bedlam in Hebrew, making the footage authentic and even more terrifying.

I couldn’t help but think that, with cable news focused almost exclusively on domestic issues, only international music seems capable of reaching global audiences with news of international conflicts, and with sounds that could create international understanding.

Coachella has been presenting music outside of the mainstream since 1999, when it focused on artists that couldn’t get on radio or TV. With its art and festival magic, it transformed alternative music into the mainstream.

Now it’s doing the same thing with international music, and it may bring the world together.

Tickets for Weekend Two are still available at Coachella.com

Artists photos Courtesy of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Background photo by Calder.

Bruce Fessier was the first inductee of the Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame and is a journalist who has covered every Coachella. Contact him at jbfess@gmail.com and follow him at facebook.com/bruce.fessier and instagram.com/bfessier/

Stagecoach 2024

For the first time since its inception in 2007, the Stagecoach Festival has SOLD OUT. There is a waiting list on their website for anyone hoping to get last minute tickets. The lineup has a few surprises, and a few returning veterans. The Mane Stage is traditionally reserved for the arena country artists while the Palomino Stage hosts former arena classic rockers, some of country music’s greatest legends, as well as rising stars in the genre. Set times for all artists are available on the Stagecoach app. Some of the big hitters joining the festival this year include Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone (Performing A Special Set Of Country Covers), Jelly Roll, Hardy, Willie Nelson & Family, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Leon Bridges, Diplo, Dwight Yoakam, Wiz Khalifa, The Beach Boys, Hailey Whitters and many more.

Jelly Roll will be joining Guy Fieri for a cooking demo at Guy’s Smokehouse on Friday at 5 pm. That should be a hoot. Make sure you’re there sportin’ a bib so you can enjoy BBQ styles from California to Tennessee compliments of Guy’s pit masters. Guy will be there all three days with multiple artists thrown down the good stuff.

The festival’s Palomino Stage will see performances from Dwight Yoakam, Leon Bridges, The Beach Boys, Carin León, Clint Black, Luke Grimes, Charles Wesley Godwin, Charley Crockett, Wyatt Flores and more.

Diplo is also set to return for his legendary slot at Late Night in Palomino. He’ll be joined by Nickelback and Wiz Khalifa, who will be doing their own respective Late Night in Palomino sets to help close out each evening in style.

The Toyota Music Den will feature more intimate sets from favorites like Abby Anderson, Alexandra Kay, and RVSHVD. The festival will also see the return of the Bud Light Backyard, everyone’s favorite inthe-field air-conditioned nightclub oasis.

See you on the wagon trail!

It was also recently announced that Abby will open on select dates of Tim McGraw’s recently announced Standing Room Only Tour this spring. Kicking off her run of shows in Nashville, TN, on April 25, tickets for the shows can be purchased at timmcgraw.com/tour-2024.

With more than 100 million streams and notable viral traction for her 2023 hit “Heart On Fire In Mexico,” Abby Anderson is poised to be country music’s next big star. Anderson – who has captivated audiences for a decade with her authentic songwriting and powerhouse vocals – moved to Nashville at the age of 17 to pursue her dreams of performing. Listeners quickly resonated with her ability to blend new age tones and personal, heartfelt storytelling with catchy, overarching pop melodies. The Texas native has toured with an array of artists as diverse as her influences, including genrebending acts like Linda Ronstadt and Rob Thomas. She’s also shared the stage with Stevie Nicks, Brett Eldredge and Hunter Hayes, winning over fans night after night. Early label releases like the infectious “This Feeling” and tender-hearted single “Make Him Wait” put the singer on the map and racked up millions of streams and accolades including being named to the CMT Next Women of Country class, a Pandora Country Artist to Watch, and Music Row Magazine’s Next Big Thing.

Abby Anderson Performing at Stagecoach 2024

“Gregarious, charming singer-songwriter (Billboard)”

Abby Anderson releases her anthemic, hopeful new song “Bright Side of Blue” today. Written by Abby Anderson, Bonnie Dymond and Clara Calaway and produced by Bonnie Dymond, the song chronicles Abby’s journey overcoming past struggles and growing into a place of confidence and power. The stormy, deep production is juxtaposed with bright, positive lyrics that remind listeners of the light at the end of the tunnel during trying times. “Bright Side of Blue” is the first single off Abby’s highly anticipated new six-song project due this summer.

Listen to the track here:

https://abbyanderson.lnk.to/brightsideofblue

“I’ve had some low lows in my life. Moments I wouldn’t care to re-live but very thankful for because it taught me there’s always a smile. Always a reason to keep going,” said Abby. “It’s now a skill and practice I take with me everywhere I go and in everything I do. You can knock me off my feet and put me in the bluest of blues, but I’ll always find a way to get to the bright side of it.”

It was also announced today that Abby will have two headline shows in June. She will play at the Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY, on June 1, and at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA, on June 6. Tickets are available now at https://www.abbyandersonmusic.com/tour

Abby is known for blending new age tones and personal, heart-felt storytelling. She writes from a place of honesty, maturity, and confidence that shines through the messages of her songs. With a distinct

tone and overarching melodies, her music captivates a loyal fan base. First To Hit The Road, Abby’s most recent project released in September of 2023, boasts more than 20M streams across DSPs. Standout track “Heart on Fire in Mexico” has notably been added to 80,000 user playlists and counting.

Sunday, April 28, 5-5:30pm - Toyota Music Den

Photos by Jess Severn

Follow Abby Anderson: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Website

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Rick Foucheux is a Maryland writer who was on a brief winter retreat in Palm Desert.

“My creative writing has appeared a number of times on a podcast called The Rose Rhapsody, a production of The Rose Theatre Company where I’ve also appeared as an actor. Some of my plays have been produced for readings in Washington.“Thirty Palms” came to me rather quickly on a beautiful February day, sitting by the pool in the photo. I was renting a condo in Palm Desert and was continually charmed and stimulated by the sky, the palms, the mountains, the architecture — all affected me. My trip

THIRTY PALMS

by Rick Foucheux

Here thirty palms are in my view, A next to perfect number. Their verdancy afore the blue, In vivid dream, no slumber.

Wherefore comes this spree decor, Familiar hearth and home?

Like seeing through my own back door

The blue and cosmic dome.

When again in snowy north — The conifers on blue — My thoughts will southly sally forth, No difference in my view.

to Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree is already a striking travel memory.”

Photo Credit: Rick Foucheux

To have your poetry published in our Poetry Corner, submit your piece (300 words max). If you like (please know, it’s not mandatory), include a short three-line bio introducing yourself, a photo of your inspiration, and/or a photo of yourself along with your composition to PoetryCorner@JoshuaTreeVoice.com Please understand that submitting does not guarantee publication.

Coco Rose, Nurturing Creativity and Giving Back to Bali

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

The Coco Rose journey unfolded with a motherdaughter escapade to Bali, igniting an entrepreneurial path of tradition, companionship, and innovation. Beyond their passion for exploration, it was the legacy of the artisans, the mesmerizing allure of the island, and its rich cultural tapestry that drew mom, Eileen, and daughter, Shannon, back to this paradise repeatedly.

The ethos of Coco rose revolves around crafting an oasis where mothers and daughters (sister, couples, and besties for that matter) can revel in their attire during their travels. Every piece of Coco Rose Collection is meticulously chosen by Shannon and Eileen during their sojourns in Bali (and beyond), offering women of all ages, sizes, and tastes the tranquil and beautiful bohemian essence of Bali.

Browsing their fashions is a fantastic online experience, but their brick-and-mortar locations provide the pre-travel fun and ambiance that can almost be as memorable as the trip itself. With stores located in Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Del Mar, desert locals can

enjoy shopping at JW Marriott Palm Desert, Desert Springs Marketplace, on El Paseo in Palm Desert at their El Paseo OUTLET, and at their newest location in Old Town La Quinta. Beyond their beautiful fashions, they also have home décor that will give your home a lovely Bali vibe. But when you shop at Coco Rose, you are doing more than enhancing your wardrobe and home, you are also helping them in their significant philanthropic efforts.

The foundational belief of Coco Rose is that their prosperity is intertwined with the prosperity of the island. In 2022, amid the economic fallout of Covid-19, Coco rose acquired a rice field to create employment opportunities on land slated for government repossession due to unpaid dues. The rice field has not only provided jobs for the diligent women who craft our exquisite garments but also for all members of the village community.

A decade ago, when the journey began, the prospect of nurturing creativity while giving back to the beloved island seemed distant. Yet, each handpicked fabric and

design in their collection has bolstered employment for local Balinese artisans, upholding the Coco Rose vision while fostering enduring friendships along the way.

The Ralphy Campaign

“Coco Rose owes much of its essence to Yunik - our sister, friend, and muse,” shares Eileen. Eileen’s encounter with Yunik in Bali’s bustling shopping scene marked the genesis of a deep bond. Yunik’s dynamism and charm captivated Eileen, forging an instant friendship. “Today, Yunik is instrumental in our operations, managing production and shaping a significant portion of the Coco Rose brand. She’s the linchpin of our team,”

From the first meeting with Ralphy, Yunik’s son, his aspiration to become a doctor has been clear. Yet, in Indonesia, this ambition is often thwarted by the prohibitive costs of medical education. “We believe in Ralphy’s potential, mirroring his mother’s determination,” Eileen adds.

Enter the Ralphy Campaign – the commitment to fund Ralphy’s medical education. For every caftan crafted by Yunik, whether in-store or online, a dollar will be allocated to Ralphy’s future. Look for the golden star on each tag or explore the “YUNIK COLLECTION” online to support this cause. Contributions will fuel Ralphy’s journey to medical school in Southern China, where he can embrace his heritage and access diverse medical practices.

For inquiries or additional contributions, please contact shannon@cocorose.com.

To shop on line, visit cocorose.com Visit them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CocoRoseResortWear and on Instagram @cocorosebali. Better yet, visit them in person.

Making Friends with Theatre 29

By Rebecca French

My husband, Joe, is a secret ham. He is so extra; he loves to sing and dance for me and our dogs, sometimes while quoting his favorite movie and TV lines. It wasn’t until we had been together for about a year that I first learned the extent of his love for the musical Little Shop of Horrors… “‘Cause I’m a dentist and a success!”

To most people, Joe seems kind of like the villainous dentist from the show. He rides a black Harley, is an ex-truck driver, tough, stoic, and can be earnest but underneath it all, he has a heart of gold, and did I mention, is a secret ham?

We first started going to Theatre 29 when Joe heard they had done a production of Little Shop of Horrors back in 2019. Despite his seemingly tough-guy veneer, Joe got friendly with one of the directors when we made inquiries about the show and learned how much the elaborate puppet, Audrey 2, cost to rent for the production (a lot). From then on, we’ve been to almost every show Theatre 29 has hosted this season. And have been loving it! The cast is always fantastic. The ticket-takers and ushers are so kind and welcoming. We seem to meet a new friend each time we go. Although cliche sounding, Theatre 29 is just a special place with so much heart.

In fact, the last time we went, we met and chatted with the lovely Director, Cindy Daigneault. Among many other duties, Cindy is instrumental in making sure the show pre- and post-production go smoothly. She also connected me with her husband, Theatre 29 cofounder, Gary Daigneault.

Theatre 29 was first started in 1999 by a group of bighearted locals who wanted to share and hopefully pass on their love of the performing arts to the young people of the Morongo Basin. What started as a handful of folks putting on ad hoc performances using school district

facilities has now grown to become the area’s largest and most successful non-profit community theater.

Gary explains it best; “We like to say the goal was not to train performers, but to train audiences to appreciate the theater arts.”

Since Theatre 29’s inception, they’ve thrived with the support of generous donors, and patrons, including the City of Twentynine Palms, the Officers Spouse’s Club, and two Community Development Block Grants.

But it’s the thousands of volunteers (including all the great people we meet at each performance) — children, active-duty military, teens, and adults — rallying to help that have allowed Theatre 29 to hold over 150 productions to date, viewed by an estimated 20,000+ patrons.

Over more than twenty-five years, Theatre 29’s mission mostly remains the same — To engage, educate, and entertain our communities through performing arts. And fam, there really is something for everyone at Theatre 29!

Their rich, 5-week summer youth program introduces kids from 7-17 to all aspects of live theater production. This summer’s program, running from June 24th to July 28th, will center around developing iterations of the super fun musical, Seussical.

Theatre 29 also has a stellar resident improv troupe called the “Rotating Players” and hosts monthly improv workshops open to everyone, especially beginners. Come learn improv basics and then hone your newly acquired skills through interactive games. Don’t you think it sounds like my husband Joe needs to join this class?

Theatre 29 has won many top awards for direction, acting, music, choreography, set design, technical theater, and costumes. We recently attended their performance of “Man of La Mancha” and was delighted. Like the ethos of Theatre 29 itself, theater by all for all, the cast is made up of actors of all ages, skill levels, and ethnicities. Although there are only two small stages, the set designers optimally utilize the space to transport you to another world.

April 5th will mark the start of Theatre 29’s next production, a run of the musical Daddy Long Legs. Based on the 1912 novel of the same name, it’s reminiscent of gothic works by the Brontes and Jane Austen.

Next year, Theatre 29 is hoping to renovate and expand, in partnership with the city of Twentynine Palms. The City Council has approved a design to increase seating to 160 and a stage extension to allow scenery to be flown up until it is out of sight of the audience (called a Fly-Loft). Joe had to explain what this was to me!

So, if you’ve got a free Friday, Saturday night, or Sunday afternoon, have a heart, and come out and support this wonderful institution. You’re sure to make a new friend.

Rebecca French lives in Twentynine Palms. She started her career in the business end of publishing at The Washington Monthly, Newsweek, and Businessweek magazines. She’s done mostly behind-the-scenes writing and editing for years.

By Katie Nartonis

Yucca Valley is giving Joshua Tree a run for its money in terms of new art spaces and art opening events. There are now 12 participating galleries in Yucca Valley open during the monthly Yucca Valley Art Walk event held on the third Saturday of each month. This month, that falls on Saturday, April 20th.

EXHIBITIONS ARTIST

On April 20th, during Art Walk, the gallery will open “PsychedeliArt”. Juan Thorp, the Space Trucking gallerist, describes the upcoming exhibit as “full of electric color, strange ideas, good trips, and funky fun art.” Juan encourages folks to “come trip out on all the groovy art by a dozen artists from all over the Morongo Basin.” The list of artists includes local legends Julianne Elliot, Kim Farbota, Rusty Jordan, Ilan Leas, Rik Livingston, Orchid Mandala, Walker Mettling, Cecilia Romero, Steffi Sutton, Juan Thorp, and Penelope Valentine. There will be a black light room, and light refreshments will be served.

Space Truckin Gallery will offer two shows in April. First off, is Kat Johson’s Solo show, “Welcome to the Funhouse.” Kat creates evocative sculptures made from various found and collected objects. Her latest piece, “Big Box of Luck,” is made of an antique spice cabinet and is full of charms, omens, and surprises to bring fortune and luck. Kat’s show will be on view through April 13th.

in Yucca Valley

Poppy Fabrics, just a few doors down, will host “The Fiber Art Show” through April 13th. On April 20th, 5-8pm, “Repurposed” opens in the same space, as the recycled, re-used show, created with art from their workshop.

Goat Mountain Co, located in the same business park, will mount the “Retelling of Yucca Man” art show. This art by locals, addresses the mythical Yucca Man legend. Origins, tales, and lore will be revealed and explored. The Yucca Man show runs through April 13th. During Art Walk, Goat Mountain Co. will present the “Nude Show”. This group show features the beauty of the human body in “all its curves and fuzzy spots.” Many local artists are participating in this “body” of work. It opens April 20th, 5-8pm.

Space Truckin Gallery has put out a call for art for May’s, “Put a Joshua Tree on it, Again” showcase. Any art, as long as it has a Joshua tree on it, will be included.

Please follow each gallery on instagram for more info. @spacetruckingallery @goatmountainco @poppyfabricshop.

Katie Nartonis is a writer, curator, film maker and specialist in art and design. Her most recent documentary film, “Jack Rogers Hopkins: Calfornia Design Maverick,” about the late San Diego based mid-century designer-craftsman, premiered during Palm Springs Modernism Week in 2023. She is currently writing “Glimpses of The Joshua Tree Dream,” a book on the way we live in the high desert.

Philip Bonafede has been growing desert gardens for over 45 years and has been doubling as one of the greater Joshua Tree area’s snake wranglers and snake-aversion dog trainers since 1998. You can contact him at 760-401-4488 or email at pbdesert@earthlink.net

Rattlesnake Aversion Training Can Save Your Dog’s Life

By Philip Bonafede

Rattlesnake season has just begun, and many people are concerned about their beloved family dogs. During this period, from April-November, many local dogs are bitten by rattlesnakes, and many die! This can easily be avoided. Dogs can be taught how to react to a rattlesnake encounter so that they don’t end up going face to face with a rattler out of curiosity.

“Rattlesnakes only bite defensively when they fear harm and are NOT aggressive!”

A Rattlesnake Aversion Class creates a new foundation of awareness while delivering a powerful, lifesaving message to careless dogs. Trained dogs can also alert their owners to the presence of a rattlesnake and allow both to avoid a possible bite.

During the class, by paying close attention to your dog’s body language, you will learn what to look for when roaming the desert trails during snake season. By observing your dog’s new corrected reaction to a live rattlesnake encounter, both you and your dog can safely avoid the snake. Each dog’s reaction is different. Some bark, some hide behind you, some retreat quickly and maintain 20+ feet from the danger. K9 Rattlesnake Aversion classes utilize sight, sound, and the scent of live rattlesnakes to teach dogs to recognize, respect, fear and avoid a rattlesnake!”

WHAT ABOUT RATTLESNAKE VACCINES? By now you have probably heard of the canine rattlesnake vaccine. Some may suggest you have your dog vaccinated

to buy time to get to a vet after a bite. Some believe the vaccine will reduce the severity of the injected rattlesnake venom. Unfortunately, none of these assumptions are true, according to the American Animal Hospital Association and the National Snake Bite Support Network. The introduction of deactivated western diamondback rattlesnake venom into your dog’s bloodstream may create a venom allergy which could later increase the severity of a rattlesnake bite.*

WHAT DO I DO IF MY DOG IS BITTEN BY A RATTLESNAKE? If your dog is bitten, you should immediately go to an animal hospital to receive a rattlesnake antivenom (Crofab or Anavip) which is the proper treatment for a rattlesnake bite. Just because the wound is bleeding does NOT mean venom was injected. 25% of all rattlesnake bites are “dry” bites. No venom is injected. Only your vet can make this medical determination.

WHY DOES A RATTLESNAKE AVERSION CLASS WORK?

Most vets and dog trainers recommend a Rattlesnake Aversion Class as the most effective method of avoiding a rattlesnake bite. Timing, technology, and experience coupled with a quiet class setting and no distractions are keys to success. Choosing a trainer who knows and respects rattlesnakes and who spends enough time with each dog to achieve the desired results is crucial. However, results of proper training cannot be 100% guaranteed.

Some dogs can forget the lesson, while others will refuse to exit the car for their review class due to the

scent of rattlesnakes at the class site. The good news is that approximately 97% of all dogs do carry this lesson for life. One review and one annual class are highly recommended to verify the lesson is anchored in place. Since each dog has its own unique personality and learning ability, some dogs will get the lesson in 10 minutes with one or two corrections, while others will need a full review class to completely absorb the lesson. Less than 1% will need a second review class during the same season.

RATTLESNAKE FENCING: This is an excellent option to divert rattlesnakes around your property. There are local contractors who offer this service. Specific technical guidelines must be employed in order for the fencing to be effective.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR RATTLESNAKE AVERSION CLASSES: In order to book your reservation at Phil’s K9 Rattlesnake Aversion Classes in North Joshua Tree, text (760) 401-4488 or email for details: pbdesert@earthlink.net

RATTLESNAKE REMOVAL: Several snake handlers are available from Wonder Valley to Morongo Valley. Text the address and a picture of the snake from a safe distance away to (760) 401-4488. Do not take your eyes off the snake until they arrive, and DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPROACH OR DISTURB THE SNAKE.

Remember, your dogs are alive because of the love, care, and decisions you make to protect them.

Philip Bonafede has been a desert resident since 1973, has been rattlesnake handling since 1966, has performed local snake relocation since 1998, and is licensed and insured.

Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/147504670529874

*https://www.aaha.org/ aaha-guidelines/2022-aahacanine-vaccination-guidelines/ key-vaccination-considerations-byantigen/rattlesnake-toxoid/

RUSTFEST 2024: Rust Never Dies!

By Katie Nartonis

“Rustfest was really great this year – everyone hung out and listened to music, browsed and purchased art…next year we will have more food!” – William “Billy” Savage

Simi Dabah, a self-taught artist/welder, has been creating welded steel sculptures from industrial scrap for more than fifty years. Simi has a studio in Los Angeles and a second studio in Joshua Tree on 8 acres of land. Dabah’s Joshua Tree space is home to RustFest a day long art festival – and a gift to our desert art community!

Ben Allenoff, sculptor and resident artist at the Simi Dabah recalls how this year’s RustFest came into being – and how it came to life! Allenoff recalls, “About a year ago the term “RustFest” popped into my head, and I liked it very much. So, I decided to act on it, and put together an event on very short notice. It was well attended and great fun - so I decided to do it again this year – hence, Rustfest II. We had 200 - 300 people this time on February 25th, and everyone seemed to have a great time!”

Allenoff describes this year’s event, “Sue Friedland wrapped two of my pyramid-shaped stick sculptures with her rust-died textiles, prayer-flag style. Ellen Finan, Gina Atwell, and Janice Teitel worked together to create fiber art pieces for two of my stick installations.”

Allenoff’s performative sculptural works are sometimes communal in nature – where Ben invites his fellow artists to contribute to his works.

Claudia Bucher’s arresting performative piece was a powerful addition this year. Ben Allenoff notes, “In addition to her costumed, walking performance, Claudia Bucher dressed one of my stick installations with various articles of clothing, and built her own stick installation. It “was all conceived and created as a single durational participatory performance art piece.”

Bobby Furst brought some of his rusty assemblage sculptures. Bobby notes that the festival for him is “a wonderful day of Art, performance, music, food and community.” Allenoff also showed his own rustprints, crafted by allowing the natural activation of rust to create beautiful impressions captured on paper.

Allenoff describes the day’s music as a, “dreamy improvisational psych-blues-rock by Robbie Robb’and with Cat Callebrezze sitting in for a bit on the saxophone and Karl Young doing the same with his shakuhachi. They played the entire festival, it was more or less one continuous flow of beautiful sounds drifting across the property.” What an inspiring moment – one of many that blossom spontaneously from the power of the creative community of the Hi-Desert.

He continues, “Rustfest is generously supported by the Simi Dabah Sculpture Foundation - they donated the use of the property for the event (also laid out some $ for parking/ security). There was no admission charge. Just a celebration of community and creativity. People always seem happy to be on this property –Simi’s sculpture, perhaps, exudes a lot of playful, positive energy – I think my work and that of the other artists and the music, food, and people built on Simi’s vibe - it all worked together to create a great event.

We had bratwurst by Wurstwagon – well-loved, and they sold out.”

It’s powerful when land is used to elevate the work of local sculptors/artists. A natural and influential confluence of environmental and artistic expression. Proceeds from the sales of Simi’s sculptures during the event will be donated to local non-profits that serve the community. Rustfest is now something we all look forward to – another cultural festival – home-grown here in the Hi-Desert. Allenoff note, “Yes, we hope to have a Rustfest III next year, or maybe sooner.” Keep us posted for sure!

The Simi Dabah sculpture park is open Saturdays, 9am – 4pm and is located at 5255 Sunfair Road in Joshua Tree. More information at: simidabahsculptures.com

Katie Nartonis is a writer, curator, film maker and specialist in art and design. Her most recent documentary film, “Jack Rogers Hopkins: Calfornia Design Maverick,” about the late San Diego based mid-century designercraftsman, premiered during Palm Springs Modernism Week in 2023. She is currently writing “Glimpses of The Joshua Tree Dream,” a book on the way we live in the high desert.

Gubby Beck:

Desert Sculptor

By Katie Nartonis

“The excitement of the sparks, fire, and learning all the possibilities and manipulations that were possible with steel!”

- Gubby Beck

by Katie Nartonis

Gubby Beck (ne Beckenstein) is a Yucca Valley metal sculptor originally from Upstate New York. She earned her BFA in Sculpture and Printmaking at SUNY (Statue University, New York) in Plattsburgh. Her work ranges in size from large scale installations to home decor and miniatures. She is a metal welder, and bends all of her metal by hand - without using any heat. Gubby’s sculptures vary from illustrative landscapes, to organic abstract forms, to whimsical “surreal scapes.”

Gubby grew up in upstate New York, surrounded by mountains and lots of green trees. “Nature was always a big inspiration for me and my work, whether it would be drawing from life or finding surreal pareidolia within nature.” Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive images in random visual patterns. The ability to cull identifiable imagery from chaos may indeed be a useful tool for the visual artist.

When she was a teenager, her Father moved to California, and she would visit him whenever able. In her mid-twenties, she made the permanent move to Venice Beach. While she couldn’t afford the space to weld and make sculpture, she decided to instead concentrate on her painting practice. When she met her now fiancée, he mentioned off-hand that she would love Joshua Tree. “We took a visit, and I instantly fell in love with the landscape, the funky desert trees, and rockscapes. We realized the desert was more our pace, rather than the busy city and congested areas. We’ve now been living here for over 7 years and we still love it!”

“I love the sunshine and opportunities found on the West coast” Beck

Beck notes that she has been an artist her entire life - starting with drawing and ceramics classes at a young age. Throughout school, she had trouble in other classes, but always felt connected and grounded when she was in an art class. “The world made more sense to me if it was visual rather than comprehending written text. When it was time to apply for college, the only avenue that I thought was for me was a Fine Arts degree.” She started off with graphic design, thinking that was a way for an artist to make continuous money.

After a few classes, she realized that creating through a computer screen was not as fulfilling as creating with her hands and “feeling a medium.” She ventured into the other art classes that were offered at her school. Printmaking caught her eye, as it was similar to the world of graphic design and she was able to do my illustration work. Then she explored ceramics, painting and drawing. Two years into her schooling she came across a sculpture class – that was where she fell in love with welding!

“I enjoy experimenting and challenging myself with steel, from going large scale to miniatures. It is actually more difficult to weld small and I find myself bouncing back and forth between a large sculpture to a small one, which keeps it interesting!”

Her latest sculpture, the 8 foot tall Infinite Connection is the first sculpture selected for the new Yucca Valley Library temporary art program. For the artist, it symbolizes the varied connections of the world and bringing people together.

She designed the piece as part of a response to the Library’s call for art. “For a few months I had an idea of a sculpture that I really wanted to create. I sent in my sketch proposal, and before hearing anything back, I was so excited that I decided to start it regardless if I was accepted or not. This sculpture is similar to one

that I’ve done before, but it would be thicker, larger and stronger - more impactful. I started by bending and welding steel into what I call a “pod” shape, which is similar to a diamond or geometric form. I based this sculpture off of circles and the infinity shape, making it look like it’s a continuous form. I ended up creating 51 pods in total to complete the sculpture, ranging in size but all the same ⅜” thickness.”

It took her a few weeks to build the pods alone - all curves were hand bent without any heat, meaning just elbow grease and leverage. Assembling the pods together took another 2 weeks. The piece now measures at 8ft 7in x 8ft x 8ft 9in and the steel is left raw to embrace the natural rust overtime. The linear aspect of this sculpture casts wonderful shadows, continuing its form and changing throughout the time of day and seasons. The sculpture will be up for the year, and then a new piece will be featured. Infinite Connection will be for sale after it’s run, and can be delivered after November.

Gubby knows that the area thrives when our local artists have a space to show. This past year, she opened her own gallery and studio space storefront in Old Town, Yucca Valley called Open Vault Studios. She notes, “In our space you can find my sculptures and my fiancé’s paintings, illustrations, and digital work. We also occasionally feature other local artists, allowing them to pop-up and sell to the public. I also used to run an artisan market in Yucca called “Old Town Get Down” and I hope to do another in the future. Gallery spaces and markets are the main space for artists to show their work and connect with the community.”

Katie Nartonis is a writer, curator, film maker and specialist in art and design. Her most recent documentary film, “Jack Rogers Hopkins: Calfornia Design Maverick,” about the late San Diego based mid-century designercraftsman, premiered during Palm Springs Modernism Week in 2023. She is currently writing “Glimpses of The Joshua Tree Dream,” a book on the way we live in the high desert.

Craft burgers, sandwiches, wings,

50+ different bottled beers, specialty cocktails,

MAY 24 - 25 - 26

Celebrating Community

FRI. MAY24

7am - noon Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament

Hawks Landing Golf Course

Shotgun start 8am - Lunch & Awards 12-1pm

5 - 7pm Kick-Off CHAMBER MIXER– Elks Lodge 2314

Heavy Hors d'oeuvre – Live Music – Prizes - Mix & Mingle - Dance

SAT. MAY 25

10am - 4pm Brehm Park & Boys & Girls Club

Tug O War - Adult & Kid’s Water Slides/Jumpers - Mechanical Bull

Games - Mini Golf - Food Trucks - Grubstake Vendors - Dunk Tank

Car & Motorc ycle Show - Horseshoe Tournament - Beard Contest

NOON / Little Miss & Mr Miner Personality Contest

1-2pm Lil Red Wagon Parade Grand Marshals

Little Miss & Mr Miner Winners

Displays: MCAGCC Marines - SB County Fire & Sheriff - Basin Transit

MB Ambulance - MB Health Care Distric t - CERT

Camel Rides - Exotic Petting Zoo

Live Music

11am-1pm Sterling Sylver / 2-4pm Joanie & the Boomers

SUN. MAY 26

“Go for the Gold” GRUBSTAKE DAYS RUN

10k and 5k RUN - 2k WALK Star ts @ Y V High School

Pony Express Ride Arrives HIGH NOON Pioneertown Post Office

Friends of Pioneer town Bake-O ff - Wild West Reenac tors

Live Music - Food Trucks

S.E. Davis of Yucca Valley

Selected as 2024 Greenleaf Scholar

The Copper Mountain College Foundation is proud to announce S.E. Davis of Yucca Valley as the 2024 Greenleaf Scholarship winner. Through a rigorous application process, Davis along with seven other finalists, Cassidy Albrinck, Ruth Kanuch, Kassandra Nealy and Chloe Philippi from Yucca Valley High School and Jessica Burke, Sarah Cerna, and Tyler Luke from Twentynine Palms High School, showed their stellar character in written and oral interviews. A celebratory ceremony will take place on April 18, 2024, for all scholarship awardees.

Davis, who attends Yucca Valley High School, was chosen out of a highly competitive field to receive this year’s Greenleaf Scholarship. The scholarship will pay tuition, books and fees plus living expenses while Davis attends Copper Mountain College. In addition, those same expenses will be paid while Davis attends a university to complete a baccalaureate degree.

Davis states, “I am learning that I have the strength to fight every day to stay alive and achieve my dreams of becoming a pediatrician to help with the epidemic of anxiety and depression among children and youth in the Morongo Basin.”

Davis, who is no stranger to obstacles, continues to tout “inclusivity and love as the only way to treat people.” Endowed by local banker F. Roy Greenleaf Jr., the scholarship is awarded each year to a promising student that is interested in learning, is success oriented, has performed well in school and shows a desire to return to the Morongo Basin upon completion of their education. Davis calls this place home stating it is, “my family, my people, my community.”

According to CMC Foundation Executive Director Sandy Smith, “Davis’s conviction that everyone should be treated with kindness and respect regardless of their differences came through strongly in the interview. The optimism of someone who has not always been valued was truly inspirational and I look forward to welcoming Davis to the Greenleaf family.”

The Copper Mountain College Foundation would like to thank all applicants for this year’s Greenleaf Scholarship and reminds high school seniors that a wide range of CMC scholarships begin accepting applications as of April 1.

For more information on how Copper Mountain College Foundation uses legacy gifts, visit www.cmccd.edu/Foundation.

Photo credit: Photos courtesy of the CMC Foundation.

CMC’s mission is to provide educational opportunities for diverse desert communities and beyond through a comprehensive curriculum and support services that demonstrate a passion for the success of every individual student. Copper Mountain College offers high quality, affordable instruction that enables students to attain mastery in basic skills and career development, and build pathways to associate degrees, certificates, university transfer, and personal enrichment.

For more information about Copper Mountain College, visit our website at www.cmccd.edu.

MBCA 13th Annual Desert-Wise Landscape Tour

Spring in the Morongo Basin means it’s time for the Landscape Tour! For more than a dozen years the Morongo Basin Conservation Association has curated the Desert-Wise Landscape Tour in late April. This self-guided day-long experience is the equivalent of a backstage pass to some of the Hi Desert’s most unique, attractive, and water-conscious landscapes. Your next opportunity to join this tour is Sunday, April 21, 2024.

Locals and visitors from around the world are drawn to the Desert-Wise Landscape Tour for a variety of reasons. Many come to gather inspiration, looking for ideas and techniques that they can take home and apply to their own rocky, sandy, wind-swept, or flood-prone property. Other tour goers are drawn by the chance to learn how people have created attractive and comfortable surroundings while carefully conserving and managing resources like water, power, soil, and natural beauty. It is a celebration of local homes and yards where people and nature live and grow and thrive together.

The Morongo Basin Conservation Association’s Landscape Tour isn’t just for those who have a green thumb. Many sites include unusual and artful sculpture, hardscape elements both found and created, and other enhancements that inspire whimsy, spirituality, or simply awe.

One surprising element of the Desert-Wise Landscape Tour is that the very small price of admission allows tour goers to enter private locations otherwise impossible to see. These are the quiet spaces, secret gardens, and grownup follies of private owners. Some are new, others have been cultivated over multiple generations. There are places behind long walls, tucked over ridges, or set back just far enough from the everyday that they are seldom noticed.

April offers the greatest opportunity to experience the Hi Desert at its best. Longer days, moderate temperatures, and colorful displays of wildflowers, often in abundance, together make for a memorable tour. The single day of operation means it has a low impact on the desert environment and on the homeowner hosts who volunteer their time to share their successful use of beautiful native and drought-tolerant plants, and strategies for water conservation and sustainability.

The Desert-Wise Landscape Tours began in 2011. Their growth in popularity can be attributed not only to the unique and inspiring tour experience, but also to the careful planning and attention to detail given this event by volunteers at the Morongo Basin Conservation Association. Beginning in 2020, the in-person tours have been augmented with virtual, video tours. Free access to the video tours is available on our YouTube Channel http://tinyurl.com/3c4nxnaj. After you sample the virtual tours, register for this April’s Desert-Wise Landscape Tour and your backstage pass to these Hi Desert gems of memorable and sustainable landscaping.

MBCA Desert-Wise Landscape Tour

When: April 21, 9am to 4pm

Where: The Morongo Basin

How: Register in advance at the MBCA website mbconservation.org/ dwl_tours or on Tour Day at the Mojave Desert Land Trust in Joshua Tree from 9 am to noon.

13TH ANNUAL

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

Many New Sites | 9am - 4pm

In-Person & YouTube Videos

#mbconservation

Authentic Mexican cuisine, cooked to perfection!

Proud to announce we are a recommended restaurant in the Michelin Guide for the 2nd year in a row (2022, 2023)

(760)-417-4471

tacquila.com or book through Open Table

415 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA