Joshua Tree Voice October 2024 Issue

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: Jeff Day

Graphic Design (Cover): Lisa Lynn Morgan

Web & Marketing: Pointed Services

Staff Photographer: Sandra Goodin

Art Writer: Katie Nartonis

Poetry Corner Creator: Angeles

Owner/Publisher: Lisa Lynn Morgan

Owner/Principal: Ray Rodriguez

Ashley Breeding

Ray Rodriguez Jr.

Jennifer Lewis

Barnett English

T. Hammidi

Lisa Lynn Morgan

Rose M. Villiers

Marilyn Mays

Brielle Bolds

John Turner

Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s

Todd Fink

Kate Anderson

Christie Irwin

Aydra Swan

Aaron Ferinelli

Lisa Lynn Morgan (LLM)

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:

Local artist, Cory Hamilton, a fan of hit maker Post Malone, presented Post with a custom, carved gift during video production for his song, “I Had Some Help,” with Morgan Wallen. It was filmed at our own Joshua Tree Saloon.

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Here we are – going into year 4 already! We head into it with much humility and gratitude, knowing that we’d be doing something way less interesting if not for our wonderfully kaleidoscopic, photogenic, and supportive community. Shine on you crazy diamonds!

Scan QR code to visit our website and view all our digital magazines

CORY HAMILTON:

Sculptor of the Southwest and Beyond

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

Cory Hamilton is an artist whose work transcends the boundaries of traditional mediums, blending the rugged beauty of the Southwest with his own imaginative vision. Born in Palm Springs and raised in the desert town of Yucca Valley, Cory’s deep connection to his environment has shaped his artistic journey, inspiring a unique body of work that includes sculptures, paintings, and custom furniture. His art celebrates the natural world and the cultural heritage of the American West, while also embracing elements of fantasy and modern design.

A Desert Roots Beginning

Growing up in Yucca Valley, Cory was constantly surrounded by the striking beauty of the Mojave Desert. The local flora and fauna, vast open spaces, and breathtaking sunsets became a source of inspiration for his art. He fondly recalls watching wildlife like roadrunners and desert tortoises during hikes and dirt bike rides—experiences that would later manifest in his sculptures of these very creatures. But Cory’s early love of art wasn’t confined to nature. His father, an artist and woodworker, played a major role in shaping his passion for creating. Watching his dad craft custom furniture, hand-carved doors, and intricate wood sculptures, Cory absorbed these techniques and applied them to his own work.

“My dad inspired me to dive into woodworking and showed me the joy of creating something with your hands,” Cory reflects. “It was natural for me to follow that path.”

At Yucca Valley High School, Cory had the unique opportunity to study art under his uncle, Bruce Hamilton, known as “Hamy” to his students. Both his father and uncle gave Cory the confidence to pursue art seriously. Their encouragement set him on a path toward becoming a professional artist, where he would blend traditional techniques with contemporary themes.

‘Chief Hungry Wolf’ wall sculpture. The warrior wearing a wolf headdress is carved in bass wood finished with wood burning / acrylic paints. With Cory getting his art critiqued from his dog Charlie :)

Finished life size sculpture bust of Harriet Allen. Carved in basswood, finished with wood burning /acrylic paints. Commissioned by Pappy and Harriet’s.

‘Chemingkim’ the meaning of this word is ‘Our relatives’ is a Bronze statue monument for the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians in Coachella. Each figure made in the likeness of tribal council family members who had a hand in establishing Augustine Casino and have passed.

Blending Art, Design, and Carpentry

After high school, Cory spent time honing his skills at Copper Mountain College, where he studied art under local artist Steve Rieman. But Cory’s desire for more hands-on experience led him to join his father’s construction company, Hamilton Builders, where he worked for 15 years. There, he gained practical experience in carpentry, concrete, framing, and custom finishes—skills that would prove invaluable when he later transitioned into creating large-scale sculptures and intricate furniture designs.

The blend of artistry and craftsmanship became the hallmark of his work. Whether he’s working on a custom piece of furniture or sculpting a life-sized bronze figure, Cory’s background in construction informs every project he takes on. His art is not only visually compelling but also deeply grounded in the knowledge of how materials work together, giving his sculptures and furniture both aesthetic beauty and structural integrity.

Southwest and Native American Inspirations

Cory’s art frequently explores themes of the Southwest and Native American culture, subjects that have been close to his heart since childhood. His sculptures often depict desert animals like the bobcat and coyote or feature Native American warriors in moments of deep emotion and contemplation. The power and spirit of these figures, combined with the intricate realism of his style, resonate deeply with viewers.

“I’ve always been fascinated by Native American history and the way it ties into the landscape of the Southwest,” Cory explains. “It feels like a natural connection for me to express that in my art.”

One of his most significant projects to date has been a series of life-sized Native American statues commissioned by the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians. Installed at the Augustine Casino in Coachella in 2023, the project included four bronze statues, along with a majestic bald eagle with outstretched wings. This project, Cory’s largest bronze commission to date, took nearly a year to complete and stands as a testament to his ability to bring both cultural significance and artistic mastery to his work.

A-List Collaborations and Celebrity Creations

While Cory’s art is firmly rooted in the traditions of the Southwest, his reach has extended far beyond the desert. Since 2018, he’s created custom sculptures for a range of A-list celebrities, athletes, and musicians. His first major commission came from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and since then, his list of clients has only grown. Notable commissions include sculptures for actor Jason Momoa, musician Post Malone, and Korn’s frontman Jonathan Davis. One of his most unique pieces is a custom Frankenstein head for Post Malone, which incorporates the singer’s iconic face tattoos and is designed to be worn like a mask.

Each celebrity commission offers Cory a new challenge and a chance to connect with individuals who inspire him creatively. “Meeting these people and sharing my art with them has been surreal,” Cory says. “It’s amazing to see how they connect with the pieces I create.”

These high-profile collaborations have also led to ongoing partnerships, including multiple commissions from Monster Energy for their pro motocross athletes, further cementing Cory’s reputation as an artist capable of bringing a diverse range of ideas to life.

Contributions to Local Iconic Venues

Despite his success with celebrities, Cory has never forgotten his roots. His work is displayed at some of the desert’s most iconic venues, including Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown, where he created a lifesized wood bust of Harriet, the beloved co-founder of the venue. For Cory, this commission was especially meaningful, as he had spent years visiting the establishment and even performing there with his high school band.

“To be the one to sculpt Harriet Allen was such an honor,” Cory shares. “It felt like a full-circle moment for me.”

Looking Forward: Large-Scale Projects and Local Legacy

As Cory continues to grow as an artist, he is expanding his horizons with large-scale public art projects. His concept for a new “Welcome to Yucca Valley” sign is currently under review by the town, and he has other large-scale bronze sculpture proposals in the works across various cities. These public installations allow Cory to share his vision with a broader audience and leave a lasting artistic legacy in the desert community that shaped him.

“I’m always inspired by the landscape, the culture, and the history of this area,” Cory says. “But now, I get to experience it all over again with my wife and kids, and that’s what keeps me motivated.”

To see more of Cory Hamilton’s work, visit him on Instagram at @ coryhamiltonartistry, Facebook at @ coryhamiltondesign, or his website at coryhamiltondesign.com.

Post Malone and I chatting about his sculpture in between takes during his and Morgan Wallen’s music video shoot for ‘I had some help’ at the Joshua Tree Saloon.

Life size Bighorn sheep bust. Wall mount sculpture created for Jason Momoa. He and I hanging and talking art at the Joshua Tree Saloon. Half living, half exposed skull. Sculpted from natural fallen local woods.

Sand dune and Dakar figure sculpture in poplar, finished with acrylic paints. Commissioned from Monster Energy for 2- time Dakar champion Ricky Brabec. The only American to win this prestigious race on a motorcycle in Saudi Arabia.

A Homecoming for Pappy + Harriet’s Harriet Allen and Family

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

“Walking through the past, the things that didn’t last, they don’t matter anymore. It’s the things you cannot see that are the parts of me, that bring me through the door” Harriet Allen

For the first time in years, Harriet Allen, Co-Founder of the legendary Pappy +Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, walked through the doors that had long ago been a second home to her, her family, and thousands of others who would come to enjoy her and Pappy’s hospitality. As she and her family members entered, you could practically feel the old adobe walls embracing them.

There in the foyer, Harriet was greeted by her own image - a bust that had been commissioned by the new proprietors, Lisa Elin and JB Moresco, two years prior. The beautiful basswood sculpture, fashioned by local artist, Cory Hamilton, bore braids and the same warm, steely eyed sparkle that is Harriet’s trademark to this day. Whether you’re looking at the carved image, or the living legend herself, you can feel the strength and

integrity of the woman who at one time managed pretty much everything in that place, including her beloved Pappy.

“Pappy tends to get the lion’s share of attention.” expressed Lisa. “With his larger-than-life personality and mystique, it felt like Harriet wasn’t getting her due as a woman, a business owner/operator, and musician. I’m quoting many locals and old timers that staunchly maintain, ‘Harriet is the one that did most of the work. She cooked, she sang, ran the place, and held it all together.’ I felt strongly, and JB agreed, that Harriet’s legacy needed to be honored in a solid and formidable fashion that would resonate for future generations.”

The gratitude for the heartfelt honor was evident, as was the tsunami of memories that washed over her. Stepping into the foyer, she pointed out her and Pappy’s initials still etched into the cement floor. Above the doorway, she drew everyone’s attention to a red heart shaped bottle nestled between the adobe bricks, a gift to her from Pappy.

Joining Harriet were her daughters, Cheryl Allen and Michelle Sanders, her grandkids Dustin Kronemeyer and Kristina Quigley, and her great granddaughter, Maddie Ban. One had to wonder what the experience was for Maddie, standing in the place where so many family stories were born and then carved into folklore.

Lisa and JB gave her the warmth, time, attention, and excitement a rock star might hope for. JB took her by the arm and led her through the venue, pointing

Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s

Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s

out the enhancements and repairs they made. Much time was spent, the two entrepreneurs, arm in arm, discussing code, safety, service, and construction.

“Don’t get jealous now,” Harriet chirped to Lisa with a devilish yet classy grin. Stories behind the stories were shared. The history that was literally built into the walls was taught. Everyone present leaned in to hear every word.

Harriet looked at home behind the bar, especially when long-time bartender and friend, Stacy, greeted her. Pappy and Harriet hired her when they still owned the place, and Stacy still works there today. As Lisa puts it, “Stacy is truly our touchstone… our living history book.”

Harriet reminisced out loud, “I remember back in the day, saying, ‘I am so proud of Pappy. He hasn’t had a drink in days!’ and Stacy said to me, ‘You might want to check what’s in that coffee cup.’” The number of quality memories these two women shared all came

to the surface amidst the laughter and a long, tearful embrace.

It was in the kitchen, however, where Harriet’s eyes and spirit notably lit up. She walked through the kitchen and out to the old fire pit, graciously acknowledging the staff and sharing stories like a veteran shares war stories. She held the staff in the palm of her hand.

It was a Monday, mid-day. The venue wouldn’t be open until 4 pm. They had all come in early, just to meet her.

“Meeting Harriet felt as low key and familial as we always imagined and hoped it would be,” shared JB. “When ranking the anticipated milestones when Lisa and I took the reins as stewards, having Harriet and her family return was at the top. Her giving us history we had never heard before, her stories, and her perspective of what Pappy + Harriet’s was truly intended to be – ‘a place where the real stars are in the kitchen’, and ‘food was ALWAYS first’ - was everything we could hope for.

“Her warmth and humor infused everything,” added Lisa. “Harriet and her family coming back is bigger to us than any musical artist by a landslide. We’ve wanted to meet her and thank her for all she’s created for so long. We let her and the family know the door was open, that we’d roll our red carpet, anything she needed, we’d do it to ensure she felt comfortable. Her laughter

and hugs from the start … the Palace finally felt like home.”

When asked what their favorite part of Harriet’s visit was, JB shared, “You know a true restaurant person by seeing the ease with which they move through the back of house. Harriet said, ‘There are so many guys back here! I only had three!’ And ‘The food was always first.’ That is the ethos we strive to continue.”

“I loved watching her as she held JB’s arm as he tenderly escorted her around the property to show her the improvements and additions. But I loved the way she lit up in the kitchen more than anything. All of the kitchen was glowing getting to meet THE Harriet. She regaled them with how she used to run the kitchen, so clearly in her element. Breaking bread with her, and her joy at eating the food, especially the cheese fries she created was right up there. She was very pleased we still use ranch, not sour cream.”

Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s

Photo by: LLM

“But my biggest, personal thrill,” Lisa added, “was when she sat under the picture of her and Pappy singing. She began to sing directly to me…everything finally coalesced. I got it, completely. Why she was and is, such a beloved force. It felt as if the building was going up around me as she sang, a million ghosts swirling around us: her parents, John and Francis Aleba, Pappy, patrons, Hells Angels, Gene Autry, and all the good people that built Pioneertown…her voice made the dream real.”

“We just hope she knows that the door is open,” JB expressed. “Her money is no good, and she can pop in announced or unannounced and enjoy the fruits of her legacy.”

“We certainly want her to come in more, eat, drink, dance… and of course, SING,” added Lisa in full agreement. “All we’ve ever wanted was Harriet and her family to enjoy the institution they created… to feel welcome and cared for. We have massive respect for what she and Pappy forged together, and we want her to know that Harriet’s legacy will be honored equally alongside Pappy’s.”

“Walking back inside Pappy and Harriet’s, alongside my Gramma, aunts, daughter, and cousin, was the most beautiful experience for me,” shared granddaughter, Kristina Quigley. Seeing my Gramma honored by JB and Lisa so lovingly was very emotional for me. It was simply amazing! We felt so much love from everyone, and it felt so incredibly good to come back home with open loving arms. I can’t wait to perform there again on the stage I was raised on.”

The forever, reigning Queen of the Pioneertown Palace had much to say about the day:

“I am deeply thankful to JB and Lisa for the loving and respectful way my family and I were welcomed to meet them and their staff. Honoring me with the beautiful sculpture that Cory Hamilton so loving made of me means so much to me. It stands in the bottled wall Pappy made for me for Valentines Day… where Jann Browne made her Mexican Wind music

video…the patio where Rolling Stones honored Cracker for their Desert Life music and video… where friends like Jim Lauderdale showed so much love and support.”

“Pappy and Harriet’s stood for heart, music, food, family, and togetherness from all walks of life. There are so many wonderful memories of our lives, I had to write it into a song:

“Walking through the past, the things that didn’t last, they don’t matter anymore. It’s the things you cannot see that are the parts of me, that bring me through the door.”

“The swinging Chandeliers, the wine barrels Pappy got me from Brookside Winery… we are so proud to see them still standing. Pappy’s sculpture sitting right there in the middle says it all.”

“It meant a lot to me that they asked me so many questions related to our history here at Pappy and Harriet’s, and it felt so good to reminisce and relive some of our past.”

“To meet their hardworking kitchen crew, the heart of their hard work, was so much more than I could have ever imagined.”

“Pappy and Harriet’s has and will always evolve, as all things old and new are destined to have a life of their own. From the bottom of my and my family’s hearts, we are so touched, so honored, and very thankful for the love and respect JB and Lisa show for the past, present, and future of Pappy and Harriet’s.”

Photo by: LLM

Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s

Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s

Nov. 16 Nov. 17

10am-2pm 10am-2pm

One - of-a-Kind Handcraf ted I tems and Fine Ar t

Award winning Gourds that are car ved, sculpted, woven and hand painted

Metal Sculpture

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Wood Car ving

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Unique Clothing

IT’S TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR 2024 JOSHUAS HONOREES!

We are over the moon to celebrate our community once again at the 3rd Annual Joshas Honors Gala, October 20th at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. But before we can do that, we need YOUR input!

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS: Before you click on the Vote Now button, please know that you can only vote one time per email address. You don’t have to vote in all categories, but if you sign out before you are done voting, you will NOT be able to go back and finish under that same email address. If you have questions or accidentally log out before you finish voting, please send your questions or votes to TheJoshuas@JoshuaTreeVoice. com

ABOUT THE NOMINATIONS: Over the summer, Joshua Tree Voice reached out to over 500 people working and creating in the greater Joshua Tree area. These are folks we have worked with over the years who range from business owners, artists, musicians, ecologists, non-profits, and the like. We gave a list of categories for outstanding efforts in the fields of music, art, ecology, local love, and culture. There were no suggested names offered, only the category description. The top 3 names that were mentioned most are now listed as nominees. In some cases, we had multiple ties for third, so we have more

than three nominees in those categories. Previous Honors recipients were not eligible for nomination so that others who are contributing great things to our community can be celebrated.

If you are named as a nominee, please know that this is already a big win. You are seen. You are heard. You are recognized by multiple peers and have been named without any influence other than a deep appreciation for your efforts. If you are not named, that does NOT mean you are not appreciated. There were hundreds of names submitted. These are just

the top few. Know that we see you and will be following your efforts and doing what we can as a publication to support your success. Why a public vote? The reason we put the nominations to public vote is because it creates a unique platform to celebrate the nominees and make our community (as well as subscribers from outside the area) aware of efforts they may not have had the chance to discover. Through this platform, the world can learn about the number of quality, talented, diligent, and loving efforts being poured into our area by some wonderful human beings.

The popular vote will be announced at the 2024 Joshuas Honors Gala on October 20th in the Joshua Tree Retreat Center Sanctuary. The event will begin at 5 pm with a cocktail reception serving lite bites and spirt samples. A bar will be available to purchase additional beverages with the proceeds going to Joshua Tree Retreat Center. MORE food will be served during our intermission as well as at the afterparty (all included in your ticket purchase of $39). Proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Desert and the Joshua Tree National Park Association.

Hope to see you at the party!

OUTSTANDING TWO DIMENTIONAL ARTIST

SUSAN KERNS

JOE ALVAREZ

CHLOE ALLRED

PATRICK HASSON

ZARA KAND

OUTSTANDING THREE DIMENTIONAL ARTIST

RON THERRIO

RIK LIVINGSTON

VICTORIA SEBANZ

JOHN HENSON

CYBELE ROWE

OUTSTANDING ART GALLERY

TAYLOR JUNCTION - PUNK ROCK MUSEUM, JOSHUA TREE

CHAPTER

29 PALMS ART GALLERY

SPACE TRUCKIN

OUTSTANDING PHOTOGRAPHER

MITCH MILLER

MIKE REED

CARL RICE

PENELOPE VALENTINE

OUTSTANDING VIDEOGRAPHY/DOCUMENTARY

WENDY MCCOLM – FILM MAKER

TED MEYER – SHEEPDOGS

SPELLMAN DOWNER – VIDEOGRAPHER

JOSE GARCIA DAVIS & JOE ALVAREZ - CHICANO MOSES

CHASING THE LIGHT – JACO STRYDOM

WENDY MCCOLM – FILM MAKER

OUTSTANDING AMERICANA/FOLK ARTIST/GROUP

PAT & SUSAN KERNS

ROSA PULLMAN

SISTER JOHN ANGELA

BRAD BYRD

OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTAL ARTIST/GROUP

LEE SCOTT

DANNY FRANKEL

Q.VARO

OUTSTANDING WORLD MUSIC ARTIST/GROUP

Q.VARO

LEE SCOTT

3RD EAR EXPERIENCE

PALO XANTO

JASMINE AND LORENZO

OUTSTANDING MUSIC EVENT

MORONGO VALLEY DAZE FESTIVAL

GRAM FEST AT JOSHUA TREE INN 2023 THE PALMS WONDER VALLEY - MULTIPLE EVENTS

OUTSTANDING ALBUM

GHOST RANCH - SON OF THE VELVET RAT

FLAMES OF DURGA (SELF TITLED)

EASY KEEPER - SISTER JOHN ANGELA

OUTSTANDING STUDIO

GIANT ROCK STUDIOS

RED BARN RECORDERS

GATOS TRAIL RECORDING

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG

“I WAS RIGHT, SHE WAS WRONG” LOUISE GOFFIN “THESE TIMES” - THE STIFFTONES

“I NEED A CAR” PAUL MOELLER

“AN AI STOLE MY BABY” PERRY HOBERMAN

OUTSTANDING ROCK ARTIST/GROUP

KARMA DEALERS

CULT OF HELIOS

YUCCA MAN

MARIO LALLI & THE RUBBER SNAKE CHARMERS

OUTSTANDING FEMALE VOCALIST

ROSA PULLMAN

SHANNON NAVARRO

PAULINE PIASANO

LOUISE GOFFIN

OUTSTANDING MALE VOCALIST

JOE CITY GARCIA

JOSUA KJERSTAD

BIG DAVE JOHNSON

GENE EVARO JR.

OUTSTANDING THEATRICAL PERFORMER/FEMALE

LIYAN MCNELTIER

MIRI HUNTER

NADIA CLARK

ELIANA HICKS

OUTSTANDING THEATRICAL PERFORMER/MALE

SEAN WHEELER

PAT WALLIS

JERICHO MCNELTIER

GRAHAM COOLEY

OUTSTANDING INDOOR THEATRICAL PRODUCTION

HAY FESTIVAL/SLUMBER OF REASON

SPARKLE & SWAGGER

CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE - THE PALMS TAPESTRY - MIL-TREE

OUTSTANDING OUTDOOR THEATRICAL STAGE PRODUCTION

BARRETT MARTIN ONE MAN SHOW JTNPA CACTUS WINE EXPERIENCE

JOSHUA TREENIAL - BOXO PROJECTS

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR, THEATRICAL PRODUCTION

MIRI HUNTER

KEVIN BONE

CHRISTIAN CARMAGO

IAN FERRIS

OUTSTINDING CONTRIBUTION TO ECOLOGY/CONSERVATION

MORONGO BASIN CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

HARRISON HOUSE

SKY’S THE LIMIT OBSERVATORY

OUTSTANDING DISPLAY OF LOCAL LOVE PERSON/GROUP

T. HAMMIDI

ROLO & TERRY CASTILLO

GLEN HARRIS

LAUREL SEIDL- GLASS OUTHOUSE

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE

ROLO & TERRY CASTILLO

HARRISON HOUSE

T. HAMMIDI

In addition, every year, the Joshua Tree team takes great consideration in identifying individuals / groups that we feel define the following two honors:

The Voice of Joshua Tree – individuals/organizations whose hard-earned community voice is signature to our desert, and/or exemplifies the collective principles of the community based on our hundreds of interaction throughout the year. Past recipients include musician, Victoria Williams, and Joshua Tree Music Festival Founder, Barnett English.

This year, we are proud to announce that we have chosen to celebrate Friends of Pioneertown, a gathering of like-minded individuals working collectively for the love and respect for their unique and wildly loved community.

The Legacy Honor – individuals who have left a beautiful and cherished footprint in their community. Previous recipients include Harriet Allan, co-founder of the beloved Pappy and Harriet’s, and Kim Stringfellow, who has combined her gifts of storytelling, art, and research to capture for longevity, the unique history of our desert.

JOSHUA TREE RETREAT CENTER FOR MENTAL PHYSICS

KEVIN BONE - THE PALMS

TRAIL BLAZER

JOSHUA TREE RETREAT CENTER FOR MENTAL PHYSICS

HARRISON HOUSE

HIGHWAY SANCTUARY

This year, we celebrate musician, entrepreneur, and recording engineer, David Catching. As co-founder of the world renown Rancho De La Luna, Catching has been a trailblazer and creative force that has brought major recording artists to our desert to experience its mystique and magic. While there are numerous quality recording studios in our area now, Catching was one of the first and has made Rancho De La Luna legendary.

We hope you will all join us in celebrating all of the honor nominees at the 2024 Joshuas Honors Gala.

My Voice

My Voice is a place for individuals to write in and have their voice heard in celebration or concern regarding our hi-desert community. If you would like to submit an editorial, please email info@joshuatreevoice.com.

Pioneertown “Owns” Alanna Gold.

and Corso have been 86’d from the bars due to previous unpleasant business dealings, banned years before this episode came out. This latest outrage is just the cherry on top of the nonsense sundae they’ve been making, but it did get us to the point of enough is enough. It may be worth mentioning that even though she brags about being wed here, she omits that they were banned from being able to celebrate at any of the saloons.

Why does Alanna Gold’s wild exaggeration (lie) actually matter?

involved in the preservation and direction of Pioneertown it is as close to nefarious as a claim could be. There was a severe response, not just from us, but from what it seems, the world.

In a rare and refreshing unified moment, we all chimed in. A barrage of postings sharing our dismay and outrage poured out as the regularly starstruck media, ranging from People Magazine to Business Insider, reiterated her claim. Often, they gave her a chance to clarify, but instead, she doubled down on “how hard it is to own a town”. Many of us reached out to the writers who were shocked to hear how they were bamboozled and surely embarrassed by their lackadaisical fact-checking.

Then the neck-snapping reversal began, most significantly with the Pioneertown Gazette posting an incredibly crafted response and demand for apology with one highlight being “These claims belittle generations of artists, neighbors, nature lovers, community members, musicians, small business owners and otherwise magnificent people of Pioneertown. Pioneertown is a mile-square censusdesignated community with over 400 residents and is privately owned by more than 100 independent parties.”

During this active response period, I was approached by Karma, who operates the Bingo night at the Red Dog Saloon which benefits the Morongo Basin No Kill Shelter. She thought a t-shirt was in order. I whipped together a design and threw it up on t-public (https://www.teepublic. com/user/pioneertown-ca) where a bunch of them were sold with all revenues to be given to the aforementioned charity. In an amazing completely-lacking-in-self-awareness moment, one of the main Selling Sunset characters was seen in the gym WEARING one of the shirts in an apparent attempt to throw shade at his co-star or possibly mocking our anger. Even local animal celebrities like Wolfie the minidonkey and his crew (at www.mojaveminidonkeys.com got on board). As annoying as this all was, and as disappointing as some of the invader behavior has been, it has also been pretty damn entertaining.

I’ll spare you the complex history of how Pioneertown Land Company LLC came to buy the small strip of Pioneertown they overpaid for (it isn’t pretty and is easily found with a bit of googling). Story has it that when using other people’s money you can do that. The LLC is comprised of

investor Dave Corso, whose primary claim to fame is with promotions for the Coachella Festival, and Adam Gold (Alanna’s husband) whose minor stake is said to be 3% of the 1% of Pioneertown they actually own.

When asked directly, the partners will claim to know nothing about plans, but a quick check on submitted proposals will show an intent to create nightclubs, hotels, etc., all to their exclusive benefit. Add to this their active attempts at sabotaging a recent citizen-led zoning overlay that prevents non-Western town architectural elements to be added to Mane St. as well as their being strongly opposed to the ban of franchise businesses. None of this “Saves Pioneertown”, more so it sweeps what we revere aside to be remade as a plastic corporate shell for the hollow of heart to consume. This town was formed in 1946 to act as the base and set for a multitude of western films and TV shows. The buildings that served as the backdrops were also actively lived in and worked at. It was a hybrid set and town, wonderfully unique. It has gone through many iterations of development and is currently a serene mountain neighborhood of wildly individualistic people peppered with phenomenal concerts and rich living at our local landmarks- Pappy + Harriet’s, the Red Dog Saloon, the Pioneertown Motel and the delightful Pioneer Bowl. Incidentally, those 4 world-famous spots are NOT part of Pioneertown Land Company LLC, in fact, Gold

Other than the consistent bad neighbor thing, it does matter how the world sees our rare village. Pioneertown has thousands of visitors every month and already there is a trespassing problem with far too much disrespect from many tourists. At my land in the SW corner where I usually work every day, I am constantly addressing people walking across properties, trying to camp on others’ land, speeding around on dirt bikes and basically treating it all like it’s an abandoned backlot while being oblivious to the people living here. “I thought this was a movie set.” is something I have heard already too often. Someone announcing that they “own a western town that was built to be a movie set” propagates the nonsense that this is the high-desert equivalent of the MGM backlot.

I had just spent a week at an Earthbuilding conference while interacting online with this media circus, and on the way back I had stopped at a dive bar in Kingman AZ. As the conversation went to where I was from, and I shared, the bartender immediately replied, “Oh! The place that new Selling Sunset lady owns! She’s the Sherrif there! What’s she like?” To which I responded, “Who knows, no one has ever spoken to her since she does NOT own Pioneertown and no one has ever seen her there.”

It’s disturbing. Living here is hard. The wind, fire threats, the coyotes, the snakes, the bears, the harsh sunlight etc., the desert is actively trying to dismantle one’s existence here already, we don’t need behind-the-scenes shenanigans. We do the work and the town is flourishing, always improving, always building back better. To have an unknown try to take credit for that is infuriating.

Please keep in mind, I’m not of the never-do-anything crowd. We can have more places of interest here. I’d love a coffee shop, more stores, art events, and functions. We can grow it into a fun, family destination, and the local community organization Friends of Pioneertown meets regularly to work towards that goal (a group Pioneertown Land Company LLC is NOT a member of).

Let’s face it, Corso approached this area quite calculatingly with the whole “Saving Pioneertown” schtick. Some people look at the dirt roads we want to keep, as some sort of 3rd world problem, when it is actually because we wish to remain an equestrian community. He parades this self-appointed savior of Pioneertown identity to whatever monied visitor or politician he can get within earshot of. I’ve seen it plenty. But remember, if someone is “selfappointed”, it’s usually because no one else wants them to do it.

PS: If you want to see more of how Alanna was “owned”, find the Reddit on this subject - it’s quite a collection of digs and does incidentally establish to the world that the people of Pioneertown are the last people you should ever mess with. So, instead of fool’s Gold, we get a silver lining.

Submitted by Rex Edhlund

Edhlund is an artist, writer, and adobe homebuilder in Pioneertown Ca. When not being outspoken, he is out making adobe bricks.

Wolfie the mini donkey

Saturday,

October 5 at 29 Palms Art Gallery

RECEPTION ART

The 29 Palms Art Gallery will host an art reception on Saturday, Oct 5, to celebrate the October exhibition. The gallery will be open all day, and reception hospitality will be served on the gallery patio from 5-7 p.m. The public is invited to attend and meet the artists. Admission is free.

Featured in the West Wing in October is Joanna Fodczuk-Garcia, a Yucca Valley resident who presents us with an exhibition titled “With Water, With Wind”. Polish-born, with prior exhibitions in Poland, Germany, Korea, Mexico and throughout the US, she works on both canvas and paper, to explore an inner reflection of her journey through the exterior terrain. Considering the profound effects of these two ephemeral elements on the hard environment allows her to present the visual vocabulary of light, shape and color.

The East Gallery features 29 Palms resident and gallery board member Timothy Warren. Self-taught, as a child he drew comics, and later made graffiti artwork. From his body to his cars, his love for art is notably manifested. A Retired US Marine Corps Gunnery Sargent with PTSD, his artwork helps keep him grounded, though his often space-fantasy-themed work, primarily spray paint, keeps his “Out of the Box” thinking alive and vibrant. His exhibit – “A Mind Expanded” shows his own unique techniques and recognizable style.

Artists’ Guild members will display a variety of new works in the Members Room this month.

The exhibition will be on display at the gallery Oct 4-27, open Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The historic 29 Palms Art Gallery is located at 74055 Cottonwood Drive at the corner of National Park Drive, in Twentynine Palms, CA. For more information, visit www.29palmsartgallery.com.

# # #

Media contact: Jeni Bate – 310-720-1552

Questions? Email: 29artgallery@gmail.com

The Award Winning 2024 HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours

This October, immerse yourself in the vibrant artistic community of the hi-desert surrounding Joshua Tree National Park as over 180 artists open their studios for the annual HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours. Now in its 24th year, this event is Southern California’s largest open studio event and will take place over three weekends: October 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20. This year’s tour introduces “Art Tours After Dark,” featuring live music performances by local bands and musicians. The event is free and open to everyone. Explore the unique fusion of nature and creativity on a self-guided tour through more than 130 studios nestled in the high-desert landscapes of the Joshua Tree region. Engage with local artists, discover a diverse array of mediums and styles, and purchase art directly from the creators. The influx of artists to the Joshua Tree region promises a rich and varied artistic experience.

Dianne Bennett - Artist

Diane Best - Artist

Jessie Keylon - Artist

“The HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours is more than just an event: it’s a celebration of the incredible synergy between our natural environment and our creative community. This year, we’re thrilled to enhance this experience with live music, deepening the connection between art and the rich cultural tapestry of the high desert,” said Art Tours Coordinator John Henson.

New This Year: Art Tours After Dark

As part of this year’s expanded offerings, “Art Tours After Dark” will feature live music performances from the thriving local music scene. Over 15 venues will host more than 70 showcases of bands and musicians throughout the three weekends. This allows visitors to enjoy art studios by day and live music by night, with all events being free of charge.

Companion Collective Show

A preview of the Tour’s art will be available at the new HiDesert Artists Center, hosting a Collective Show featuring works from over 100 participating artists. The exhibition runs from September 28 through October 27, 2024 with an artist reception on September 28 at 5 pm, providing an excellent opportunity to get a sneak peek at the art featured on the tour.

Plan Your Visit

Given the event’s size and scope, visitors are encouraged to plan their itinerary in advance. For information on the free event app, locations to pick up a tour catalog, or to request a mailed catalog, visit hwy62arttours.org.

Creating Community

The HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours have been instrumental in fostering a sense of community among high-desert artists, spotlighting their work, and celebrating their creativity in the region’s stunning natural setting. This event truly embodies the intersection of nature and culture.

Philip Miller - Artist

About the MBCAC

The Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is presented by the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the artists of the hi-desert communities of Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Landers, Pioneertown, Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley. Learn more at www.mbcac.org.

This organization is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at arts.ca.gov.

Shane Townley - Artist

Colleena Hake - Artist

*Created

Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Popular

Native Plant Sale

Returns October 26, 2024

The Mojave Desert Land Trust is holding its popular native plant sale on October 26, 2024. Several thousand plants will be on sale, representing over 75 species. There will be around 10 new species this year, including scarlet milkvetch (Astragalus coccineus), yellow bush penstemon (Keckiella antirrhinoides), fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), and desert purple sage (Salvia dorrii). There are ample quantities of spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa), turpentine broom (Thamnosma montana), sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus longiflorus), fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), and desert purple sage (Salvia dorrii). The full inventory of plants will be shared with the public in mid-October. Sign up for MDLT emails to find out the inventory early.

It has been a great growing year for many of the native plants on offer, despite this summer’s multiple heatwaves. Desert native plants can be difficult to grow at a nursery scale, particularly when faced with the Mojave Desert’s weather conditions. This year, MDLT’s plant conservation team tested a variety of propagation methods which enabled them to successfully grow species - some for the first time. Seeds were picked and cleaned on site and different germination techniques tested in the greenhouse. Watering and shade needs were managed, species by species, before the plants were hardened and readied for transplantation.

The popularity of MDLT’s sales reflects the public’s increasing interest in growing native plants that are drought tolerant and well adapted to the Mojave

Desert’s climate and soil. Shoppers are advised that although the sale starts at 10am, people regularly show up several hours in advance to line up. This year, we will be staggering entry to ensure safety for all visitors and the number of cashiers will be increased to provide a better customer experience. Come prepared: Bring a hat, a book to read, a chair, and a friend to join you! Water will be supplied.

What: Mojave Desert Land Trust Fall Native Plant Sale

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10am – 2pm.

Where: MDLT Headquarters, 60124 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92284 URLs: More information

FAQ MDLT has prepared an FAQ on how to purchase plants and a planting guide that can be downloaded to help plan ahead.

Please note the sale will be cashless this year but all major credit cards will be accepted (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Union Pay, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay). Checks will also be accepted.

Members get 10% off their plant sale purchase. New members will be able to join in-person on the day of the sale. If shoppers are unsure if their membership is active, they can reach out to membership@mdlt. org. During the sale, visitors will be able to find out how they can support MDLT’s conservation work and purchase newly arrived merchandise.

Things to know before shopping:

• The sales are very popular with visitors lining up an hour before the doors open. Visitors are encouraged to come early for the best chance to get what’s on their plant wish list.

• Please note that only service animals are allowed.

• We do not accept returns or exchanges once plant material has left the premises. • Seeds will also be available for purchase.

• Read our FAQ for more information.

• For questions about what to plant, download our plant lists and visit calscape.org.

• For questions about how to plant, download our planting guide.

Background: The Mojave Desert’s unique flora is a critical part of a sensitive desert ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife and cleaning our air and water through soil stabilization and carbon sequestration. Studies show that locally sourced plant material has a higher survival rate post-planting because local ecotypes are better adapted to the environmental and climatic conditions where they originated than non-local ecotypes.

The California deserts are home to over 2,400 species of native plants, comprising over 30% of California’s diverse flora. Many of these species are considered to be of conservation concern.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust operates a native plant restoration nursery and conservation seed bank in Joshua Tree, California. The Plant Conservation Program was established in 2016 to address the increasing need to protect the California desert from threats posed by invasive species, human development, and rising global temperatures. The program helps MDLT preserve habitat and protect wildlife corridors by conserving native plants and restoring damaged ecosystems and rebuilding food chains.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to protect and care for lands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Since its founding in 2006, MDLT has conserved over 120,000 acres, conveying more tracts of land to the National Park Service than any other nonprofit. MDLT established a conservation seed bank to ensure the preservation of native species and operates an onsite nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters which has grown over 120,000 native plants for restoration projects and community landscaping. MDLT educates and advocates for the conservation of the desert, involving hundreds of volunteers in our work. For more information, visit mdlt.org

Saving the Bighorn

The Agua Caliente Tribal Habitat Conservation Plan sets guidelines for protecting the habitat of the desert’s most popular endangered species.

Story by Ashley Breeding

Encountering an elusive and endangered bighorn sheep always presents a special moment. With the help of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and its partners at the state and federal levels, the population of the tan-color creatures with the whitish muzzle and curled horns is slowly growing and they are becoming easier to spot in the Coachella Valley’s San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains, which cradle the Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon.

California law began protecting the Peninsular bighorn sheep in the early 1970s, and in 1998, they were federally listed as endangered, instigating a recovery plan in 2000. The Agua Caliente Tribe signed on to the

Recovery Plan, joining the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife agencies early on in their mission to protect these animals and their habitat. The Peninsular bighorn sheep live in the Peninsular Mountain Ranges that stretch from the Mexican border at the south to the San Jacinto Mountains at the north.

The bighorn sheep continue to face threats associated with urbanization, climate change predation, and respiratory diseases spread from nearby livestock. While bighorn herds appearing near busy trails might suggest a burgeoning population, data shows only a slight uptick in the population over the past decade.

Photo Credit: Kate Anderson

In 2010, the Tribe established the Tribal Habitat Conservation Plan to help protect bighorn sheep and more than 20 other federally endangered plant and animal species inhabiting the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, including portions of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains within the Reservation.

The Tribe actively protects accessible bighorn habitat on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation by restricting hours and the number of hikers on designated trails and by prohibiting pets within the Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon. Annually, the Canyons welcome thousands of visitors for hiking, sightseeing, and picnicking. Meanwhile, bighorn rely on these lands for shade, food, and water, especially during the summer. The Tribe opens the Canyons only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from July 1 to Oct. 1.

The Tribe has also removed invasive thirsty tamarisk trees and grasses such as cape ricegrass (stipa capensis), which overwhelm the San Jacinto Mountains, depleting streams and other water sources. Conversely, native plants are critical to the health of the bighorn.

With authorization from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the State of California is responsible for monitoring and managing the bighorn sheep population with the long-term goal of growing its numbers so that it becomes self-sustaining.

“The conservation of these iconic animals is a long road with speedbumps,” concedes Jeff Villepique, senior wildlife biologist and supervisor at California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which has nine recovery regions between Palm Springs and the Mexico border. The Tribe monitors the two northernmost regions.

For Peninsular bighorn sheep to be removed from the list of federally endangered and threatened wildlife, a range-wide population of 750 sheep, including 25 or more ewes (females) present in each of the nine regions, must be maintained for 12 consecutive years. If either numbers dip below the criteria, the clock for recovery restarts.

The partnership with the state includes field support. “The Tribe helps track and collar in and around the Reservation,” says Margaret Park, the Tribe’s Chief Planning Officer.

Protecting the habitat of the bighorn sheep requires a cooperative effort, Park says, involving not only regulatory agencies and the Tribe but also landowners and developers.

Leaders across the agencies will review data from a new Peninsular bighorn sheep survey planned for fall 2024 to determine the next steps for their collaborative work.

Managing a Monument

On Oct. 24, 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton signed the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Act of 2000 passed by Congress to “preserve the nationally significant biological, cultural, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values found in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains.”

Agua Caliente land accounts for 23,400 of the Monument’s 280,000 acres. As co-manager of the Monument with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, the Tribe works with Monument management to ensure its culture and history are respected and incorporated into the work of the Monument, Park says. The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert houses exhibits on cultural history and the local ecosystem, as well as interactive displays, films, and reference materials.

This article originally appeared in the Fall/ Winter 2024-2025 edition of Me Yah Whae, the official magazine of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Photo Credit: Christie Irwin

Photo Credit: Kate Anderson

Photo Credit: Kate Anderson

Noah Purifoy: Desert Elder

I do not wish to be an artist - I only wish that art enables me to be. – Noah Purifoy, 1963

By Katie Nartonis

The sacred elder of the Mojave Desert art scene is Noah Purifoy (1917 - 2004). Purifoy was a southerner born in rural Snow Hill, Alabama. He was raised in a pre-war South rife with racial tension and an implied threat of violence toward the black community. His ticket out was his artistic talent, curiosity and intelligence leaving behind an influential body of sculptural work here in the southern California desert.

In 1943, Purifoy graduated from Alabama State Teachers College with a bachelor’s in social science. After graduation, he taught woodshop classes at Tuscaloosa high school before enlisting in the Navy where he served until 1946. After his service, Purifoy went back to school - earning a masters’ degree from Atlanta University in social work. His formal education

was not over. In 1956, Purifoy earned a BFA, Bachelor of Fine Arts, from Cal Arts (then called Chouinard) in Los Angeles.

Purifoy would spend the next three decades in the city of Los Angeles working, teaching and maintaining a rich art practice. He first worked in the public policy space, most notably for the California Arts Council, where Purifoy initiated programs such as Artists in Social Institutions, which brought art instruction to inmates in the California state prison system.

In 1964, Purifoy co-founded the Watts Towers Arts Center, and even served as its first director. Purifoy knew the impact of social unrest on the black community and used his art to send up a flare - a marker - to illuminate the impact of civil unrest and social upheaval

of the time. After the 1965 Watts neighborhood riots, Purifoy collected the melted debris left behind to create an important series. This assemblage work was included in a group exhibition called 66 Signs of Neon which traveled internationally. His work is included in important collections such as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, the Smithsonian Archives and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. The largest collection is here in the desert.

Purifoy settled in Joshua Tree in the 1980’s and spent the last 15 years of his life creating large scale assemblage works using the castoffs of modern society. His land, now the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Museum of Assemblage Sculpture, is a flat 10-acre desert plot dotted with his work - set against majestic views of the mountains that ring the Joshua Tree National Park. Taking the refuse of the modern world and re-ordering it as sculpture, Purifoy’s presence is still felt as an important desert touchstone.

On October 29, 2023, almost 20 years after his passing, Noah Purifoy was nominated by the greater Joshua Tree community and awarded the Trailblazer Honor at the Joshuas Honors Gala, proving his continuing impact on the area.

The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Art is open to the public every day of the year from sunup until sundown and is free of charge. The Foundation asks that visitors sign in at the welcome kiosk and take a brochure for a self-guided tour. Groups of more than 10 people must first contact the Foundation. Wellbehaved dogs are welcome to visit as long as they are leashed and monitored. Location is: 63030 Blair Lane, Joshua Tree. www.noahpurifoy.com

Katie Nartonis is an art + design specialist, writer, curator and documentary film maker. Her latest book, “California Desert Artists” will be featured at the upcoming 29PBF: TwentyNine Palms Book Festival on November 8 + 9. Her upcoming curated exhibit “Garry Knox Bennett: Crafting the Counter Culture” opens at the Maloof Foundation during Palm Springs Modernism Week, 2025.

HAY Fest ival!

(pronounced, EYE FEHS-TEE-BAHL!)

By Ray Rodriguez, Jr.

“You, or your parents move to this special place, and you love the open spaces, the creative energy, yet important things are also left behind. When it comes to people of Mexican decent, born or raised in the U.S., especially younger kids, there can be a disconnect between their rich cultural heritage, with no way to understand it, or how it can fit in their lives and help develop their own possibilities. Imprints can’t just be negative portrayals when there is so much in Mexican cultural roots that can ignite a passion.”

Rolo Castillo legendary graphic artist, creative, innovator and impresario, has once again addressed his thoughtful concerns with the third catenation of HAY FESTIVAL! A more than month long cultural kaleidoscopic tribute to Chicano/ Latino/Aztlan art, music, dance, theatre, film, and food, arrives to celebrate in JT.

And if history repeats itself, plenty of non-Latinos will support and enjoy the fascinating fun and unique area events of Hay Festival.

Of note this year, Carlos Avila serves as Film Curator! An award-winning director for film and TV, Avila joins in supporting the ever-present foundational leaders listed below:

HAY FESTIVAL! Community Developers

Rolo Castillo, An original Big Top Loco and Art Trappist

Terry Taylor Castillo, Executive Director Joshua Tree Retreat Center

Jose Garcia Davis, Professional Theatre, Film, Video, and Visual Artist

Licia Parea, Danzantes and Latina Dance Project

Christy Addis-Gutierrez, Former Program Director Fine Arts Film Festival, Venice CA. Martin Mancha, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Web Design and Development

Ray Rodriguez, Joshua Tree Voice

This year, early fundraising events already featured a return concert by the dynamic, Las Chorizeras, as well as a first-time event titled, “Muralismo,” which showcased 8 artists in an explosive day of live painting.

It is the traditional kickoff event, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION (Day of the Dead), on Saturday, Nov 2nd, setting the stage for the month. This traditional joyful observance dedicated to the memories of family members departed, wellillustrated in the movie COCO, features a mariachi band, surprise guests, area family alters (constructed with fabrics, pictures of deceased loved ones, items or representations of interests while alive, including foods, hobbies, careers or humor), and of course traditional food and beverage offerings. Martin Mancha observed, “To see a mariachi playing in the sanctuary blew me away. I just never imagined it possible. I spoke to a woman who said she hadn’t ever been on the property because she thought it was private and off limits, and she was so happy to feel invited and see what was happening.” Licia Parea observed, “The Day of the Dead was beautiful, and I was impressed by the community participation. It just shows there is a want, a desire for this type of programming.”

Hay Festival! officially concludes with the popular Tamalada (make and take your own tamales for the holidays) on December 15th. With another wonderous series of events planned for this season, there is talk that Hay Festival! may be ready to expand outside of its traditional fall boundaries.

Details on all planned or developing Hay Festival! events can be found at Hay-Festival.com.

A message from your local water providers: Joshua Basin Water District, Hi-Desert Water District, Bighorn Desert-View Water Agency, Mojave Water Agency, and 29 Palms Water District A message from your local water providers: Joshua Basin Water District, Hi-Desert Water District, Bighorn Desert-View Water Agency, Mojave Water Agency, and 29 Palms Water District

From Musician to Memoirist

A Journey Through Sound and Story

By Jennifer Lewis

Orenda Fink’s newly-published memoir, The Witch’s Daughter: My Mother, Her Magic, and the Madness That Bound Us, captures the intensity of surviving narcissistic abuse alongside the thrilling highs of her indie rock career, masterfully exploring how the music scene served as an escape from her homelife.

There are many desert stories woven throughout, including one where Fink meets her new neighbors, ex-New Yorkers and performance artists Julia Heyward and Perry Hoberman, “when Julia ran out from her Quonset studio shouting, ‘Hello! Hello! Are you artists?’ She said she could spot them from a mile away, which she did, quite literally.”

Fink’s discography includes over 16 records, including four solo albums. She has co-written with Moby and collaborated with Bright Eyes, Sparklehorse, and the Faint. Her work has been profiled in NPR, Pitchfork, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone. From the early days of Little Red Rocket to the folk duo Azure Ray with Maria Taylor, the memoir chronicles her big break with Geffen Records, hanging with Michael Stipe in Athens, the sting of a Courtney Love diss, and even casting a love spell on Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. As I read her book, I listened to the songs mentioned within, and I encourage readers to have their own nostalgic musical journey.

Fink experienced a profound transformation while writing her memoir, which led her to become a certified Jungian Depth Coach. She specializes in shadow work and dream interpretation. Speaking with The Joshua Tree Voice from her serene living room, Fink reflects upon her difficult decision to go no contact with her parents and the healing she’s found in both the high desert and her own inner work.

JTV: How has the desert contributed to your recovery from narcissistic abuse?

FINK: Some part of me wonders if there was a shift in my soul, going from a social butterfly, extending my energy outward, to pulling in my energy to a very small group of people. This is also part of my path to recovery from narcissistic abuse because I’m not searching for validation from as many people.

JTV: A prominent theme in your memoir is the exploration of identity. “When I was far from home, there was no one to save, no one and nothing to take care of, nothing to be responsible for. My identity, or my perceived identity, simply melted away and I felt genuine happiness and ease.” You illustrate the contrast between your success as a musician on the road and returning home to a place where that part of you wasn’t recognized. How did this duality shape your sense of self throughout your journey?

Photo credit: Todd Fink

FINK: It’s a step of me trying to either claim or reclaim my identity—not the persona in Jungian terms, but my true self, which I’m not sure I ever actually really knew. I think that also speaks to the idea of me maybe thinking about moving out of music 15 years ago, but being so attached to that identity that I stayed in something that maybe wasn’t the most fulfilling path artistically.

All of that has come together for me in the desert, and COVID had its own weird gifts. We were having our Ruston Cole time, time is a flat-circle moment, for many months when everything was closed and we couldn’t see anybody. I didn’t know anybody. I had time to study Jungian work, and the shadow work started really chipping away at me. I learned what a codependent persona is, or how being a codependent to a narcissist informed my persona and my choices in life. And if I could start chipping away at that, what would I choose?

JTV: You weave the daily life of the desert into each section of the book, capturing it as a present moment and how it unfolds. Did this come about during the revisions?

FINK: It really came in towards the end because, when I was on the precipice of going no contact with my parents, I really, for the first time, understood what the book was about. I did a massive rewrite, pulling out 40,000 words and writing 40,000 new ones. I had read Understanding the Borderline Mother by Christine Ann Lawson where she used the archetype of ‘The Witch’ to describe certain behaviors associated with borderline personality disorder. I was realizing then that my mother had borderline personality disorder and things were really deteriorating and falling apart in a spectacularly bad way. That’s why the desert ended up being the touchstone for the rest of the memoir, which had been written quite a bit earlier.

JTV: As a Jungian Depth Coach, what does a typical session involve?

FINK: There’s not much preparation except to have an open mind. People can either email me their dreams beforehand or bring them up during the session. But you don’t have to remember your dreams to do the work! You don’t have to come in with a dream. But if you do, the preparation is simply trying to remember every detail you can because every detail is important.

JTV: What is shadow work?

FINK: It’s that which is in the unconscious, which we reject in ourselves and other people. Generally, we’re triggered by things in our waking life, which causes our problems. It leads to stagnation, emotional overreactivity, and negative patterns. In shadow work, we start looking into those details to uncover what’s in the unconscious.

JTV: Since the book’s release, have people shared their stories with you about living with undiagnosed or untreated mental illness in their own families?

FINK: I’ve been receiving some really beautiful and intense direct messages that are very affirming. People express gratitude and share their own stories, highlighting similarities to mine. Some have said, ‘I wish I’d had this book earlier.’

Visit www.orendafinkcoaching.com to book a Dream Interpretation & Shadow Work Session.

Jennifer Lewis is a writer, editor, and publisher of Red Light Lit. She is the author of the short story collection The New Low, published by Black Lawrence Press.

Joshua Tree Music Festival WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

By Barnett English

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW. Love. Joy. Laughter. Real Connections. Life-affirming human interaction. Intense feelings of happiness. Transcendent live music experiences that evoke positive change. Voracious listeners. The lustfully compassionate. Hugs. That incommunicable thrill of a group deliberately united in exaltation…a recharge, so that we can more vigorously take on life’s challenges.

WISHIN & HOPIN: For 21+ years, you have been bringing more friends and fam back to the festival. Organic growth. The beautiful result of that slow growth is a community-centric, family friendly, big love feeling that is palpable. It’s real, it’s refreshing and it’s rejuvenating. We’re wishin’ you success in bringing even more friends with you next month (and hopin’ they hear you this time), because that’s what makes the magic happen. Twice a year we are blessed to learn more about love, art, life, connection and compassion from the ever-growing JTMF family.

WORK EXCHANGE - IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE

WANTED: AMBASSADORS - Many of you actively encourage friends and fam to come to the fest, and we’d love to incentivize your efforts. Our fest has grown organically for 21 years. Friends bringing more friends. It’s what makes our community truly familial, loving, and kind. Word of mouth. The mission is two-fold: we’d love to sell more tickets to keep the festivals sustainable and compensate you for your efforts at the same time. If you resonate deeply with the magic of the Joshua Tree Music Festival, and are excited about spreading the good word, then we’d love to have you sign up.

To find out more, send us an email with 50 words or less on why you’d be a fantabulous Ambassador, with AMBASSADOR in the subject line: love@joshuatreemusicfestival.com

- The Joshua Tree Music Festivals are a peoplepowered, community-centric labor of love. Scores of lovely humans bringing their energetic grace to make the magic happen. You can be a part of the gleaming solution and help out in exchange for your festival pass & meals & camping by joining the JTMF Work Exchange Crew. Sign-ups are LIVE now. Choose your preferred schedule and areas where you’d like to help out. BIG thanks in advance to all who join up! Scan this QR code for the Work Exchange page where you will find FAQs, and a link to sign up.

Photos by: Sandra Goodin

Welcome to the Joshua

By T. Hammidi

Queer Salon!

Tree Music Festival

“Welcome, you belong here!” reads the 8’ rainbowcolored entrance sign to Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF) grounds. It might possibly be the coolest sign you’ll ever see in its gorgeous lettering and heartfelt dedication to the diversity and dignity of all living beings. At least that’s what Joshua Tree Music Festival attendees exclaim as they squeal in delight at the inspirational sign. “Welcome” hasn’t lost its impact, here - it says what is obvious and so often forgottenthat everyone needs to belong.

More rainbow letters spell out the Festival ethics: “No sexism. No Racism. No ableism. No fat phobia. No Homophobia. No Transphobia. No Hate.” As Festival attendees enter, push their carts and kids up the dirt entrance, some pause to take family photos in front of the radiant signs; some stop and smile, exhale in relief, discuss. Only a few feet into the Joshua Tree Music Festival, the dialogue about what a brave world feels like, begins. Talk about an oasis in the desert!

JTMF birthed The Queer Salon in May 2023 as a Festival workshop space replete with LGBTQIA+ - affirming play shops, chill and art zones, an interior open floor plan for dance and writing, a kids zone with leopard couch and costumes, and a side room for quieter reflections, grief, and PFLAG circles. Designed by JTMF art director Sarah Renner, the Queer Salon’s style matches its intentions: to uplift and amplify queer lives in a space that feels safe, connected to the magic, and guided by LGBTQIA+ mentors and artists who build community, on purpose.

At the center of the Queer Salon sits a throne with a foot stool inviting Festival attendees to bask in an ethos of dignity and admiration. Festival attendees of all ages take up the call — sitting on the throne, lying quietly on the couches, examining the art gallery wall and rainbow-painted bookshelves layered with LGBTQIA+ books, soaking in the truly good vibes.

I had the honor or curating the Queer Salon with a core team of fellow visionaries, including members of Wyld Womxn, a low-desert feminist art collective for

women and non-binary folks. Wyld Womxn Lauren Bright, Adriana Lopez-Ospina, and volunteer Jayelle Lopez hosted “Queer Acts: Playwriting Together” and “Weaving Wood, Weaving Community” for creative storytelling. Bright commented, “Community is what makes us resilient. No matter how the current climate tries to erase and take away the freedom to exist, we will always find a way. We are always seeds planted.”

This May, artist Jamie O’Neil offered a “Cosmic Smashbooking” art class. Reflecting on her multiple years of Festival attendance, she said, “Joshua Tree Music festival transformed my festival life, and Queer Salon transformed my JTMF experience. I’ve always felt included at this festival; there is a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and attendees. The Queer Salon elevated that feeling of belonging and community by providing a space that is proud out loud about being inclusive.”

Los Angeles writer Scot Zeller read from his play “H@ ppy F@ggot,” bearing witness to the generation of his friends lost to AIDS. Zeller’s focus on inter-generational dialogue created a vibrant and certainly tearful space of learning. Morongo Valley artist Steve Wybenga cocreated an interactive “HIV History Timeline,” detailing key activist moments from 1981 to the present. Festival attendees added names and memories to the timeline, leaving traces of their own histories of loss within the unfolding AIDS crisis.

There is plenty of pleasure at the Queer Salon! Mayan Wish ran a “Faery Make-Up” play shop so popular across ages and genders, that the line out the rainbow door lasted 2 1/2 hours this May! Wish, a costume designer and aerialist by day, fashioned everyday faces into creations of fantasy and playful bliss. Wish commented that he sought “to share love and kindness “through the gift of make-up.

The Queer Salon hosts interactive workshops focused on self-expression and community. It has become, in only a year, a very special addition to the Joshua Tree Music Festival.

Fall for Jesika von Rabbit

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

Jesika von Rabbit’s ethereal influence is a cherished part of the Hi-Desert’s vibrant music scene. Since her early days with the acclaimed Gram Rabbit, Jesika has left her own indelible paw print on our desert’s music scene, cutting her teeth in the desert’s raw, yet magical environment, and charting her own path. This fall, the award-winning singer-songwriter and performer is moving full throttle, with a packed performance schedule that stretches beyond the mystical Joshua Trees, and includes fresh music releases.

Jesika Von Rabbit’s is set to release her second single, “Hooray for Hollywood,” following “Gotta Keep My Buzz Going” from her highly anticipated 2025 album. Her lineup of shows includes a Saturday night residency at Hollywood’s Harvard and Stone. “Who better than the singular talent and live experience of a Jesika von Rabbit,” asks Adam D’Zurilla, the booking agent for Harvard and Stone. “No one,” he answers. “Harvard and Stone is thrilled to host Jesika and band every Saturday in October with support from a wide and wild variety of musicians and performers like Hair, Essenger, Pom Poms, Black Crystal Wolf Kids, burlesque, revolving DJs, and much more.”

In addition to her Hollywood shows, Jesika will be gracing several desert stages, headlining the Morongo Valley Music Festival and performing at Palm Springs’ annual Halloween on Arenas event, where she’ll share the stage with Disco Diva Thelma Houston. She’s also booked for a Halloween night show at the iconic Red Dog Saloon in Pioneertown, CA, and will perform on the main stage at Palm Springs Pride.

Sat 10/5: Harvard and Stone – Hollywood, CA

Sat 10/12: Harvard and Stone – Hollywood, CA

Sat 10/19: Harvard and Stone – Hollywood, CA

Fri 10/25: Morongo Valley Music Fest – Morongo, CA

Sat 10/26: Harvard and Stone – Hollywood, CA

Sun 10/27: Halloween on Arenas – Palm Springs, CA

Thurs 10/31: Red Dog Saloon – Pioneertown, CA

Sat 11/2: Palm Springs Gay Pride – Palm Springs, CA

For more details, interviews, photos, or media inquiries, reach out to Lee Joseph, Jesika’s bassist, driver, booker, publicist, and all-around errand master (and a desert gem in his own right) at Reverberations Media: 818415-5544, or wherever you might run into him.

https://www.jesikavonrabbit.com/

Photos by: Aydra Swan

Introducing Soft Sun: A Dreamy New Force in Desert and Dronegaze Music

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

Soft Sun, a band born in 2023, is already making waves in the world of desert dronegaze rock. It’s not all that surprising considering it’s formed with desert rock OG, Gary Arce of Yawning Man fame. Enter Norway transplant, Pia Isaksen. It seems humanly impossible that the deep, dreamy vocals are being simultaneously delivered alongside monster basslines. Yet, there they are…haunting your head. Do not expect the vocals to be the dominant force here. Isaksen’s voice breathes over the instruments adding a distinctive layer but never overshadowing the sonic coalition. Joining Arce and Isaksen, like a wizard wrangling two space surfers with some kind of magic lasso, drummer Dan Joeright lays down a patient, distant thunder that is both heavy and ethereal. This fusion of mellow heaviness and psychedelic textures is something that will haunt you long after you step away from these tracks. Though they’ve only been together for a few months, Soft Sun has wasted no time in making their mark. The band has already recorded their debut album and a split record, showing impressive momentum early

in

journey. Their music draws from a variety of influences, but together they create something truly original and otherworldly.

The Members of Soft Sun:

Gary Arce (guitar): Hailing from La Quinta, California, Arce is a renowned figure in the desert rock scene, best known for his work with Yawning Man, Fatso Jetson, Ten East, Big Scenic Nowhere, and more. Having grown up playing punk rock, often at the legendary generator parties in the middle of the desert, Arce has developed a distinct guitar style that evokes sweeping desert landscapes and dreamlike soundscapes. His contribution to Soft Sun is a cornerstone of the band’s otherworldly sound.

Pia Isaksen (bass/vocals): Originally from Moss, Norway, Isaksen brings a rich background in heavy psych music to the table. She has spent over a decade with her band Superlynx, and also has a solo project called PIA ISA, in which she explores a drone-gaze style. Her second solo album was released in June 2024.

Dan Joeright (drums): Joeright, who plays in the cosmic rock collective Earth Moon Earth, has an impressive

background as a touring musician with bands like The Rentals, Sasquatch, and Ed Mundell. He also owns and operates the renowned Gatos Trail Recording Studio in Yucca Valley, where Soft Sun records their music. In addition to his steady and deliberate drumming style, Joeright oversees the recording and mixing of the band’s work, ensuring their sonic vision is fully realized.

Soft Sun bridges geographical and stylistic gaps, merging desert rock, drone, and psych influences into a unique auditory experience. Do yourself a favor and dive into Soft Sun’s music. Watch Soft Sun’s otherworldly video for “Unholy Waters,” and listen to the song on all streaming services. Stay updated on their upcoming releases and performances - follow them on social media: @softsunofficial, or reach out via their official email: softsunofficial@gmail.com

their

Video Band Camp

Photos by: Aaron Ferinelli

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Friday

A NEW BOOK FROM THE JTV ARTS WRITER! AVAILABLE

AT THE 29PBF: NOV. 8 + 9 AND ON AMAZON

“CALIFORNIA DESERT ARTISTS is a rich and engaging account of the contemporary art and artists of the Mojave desert. Nartonis has captured lightening in a bottle.”

- Knight Landesman, Former Publisher ARTFORUM Magazine

“The cultural flowering of California desert communities is experiencing a Super Bloom! Katie Nartonis, a desert-dweller, brings her critical eye to share the work of contemporary artists building on the foundations of figures like Noah Purifoy. These artists are intertwined with the natural and cosmic forces of the region.

CALIFORNIA DESERT ARTISTS is required reading for understanding this moment emanating from the California desert.”

- Jenna Didier, Co-Founder M+A and Executive Director LARIVER ARTS

“With CALIFORNIA DESERT ARTISTS, writer and curator Katie Nartonis has created an engaging primer on the artists of the Mojave Desert in southern California. The range of artists and types of art she presents is incredibly varied. For some, after reading the personal stories of the artists, combined with the book’s striking photography, may not see or experience the desert in the same way again.”

- Jeffrey Head, Art + Design Writer

“Jack Rogers Hopkins was a true design visionary, and it took a visionary book to tell his story. That is what Katie Nartonis did with her last publication, California Design Maverick, and it is what she’s done again in CALIFORNIA DESERT ARTISTS.”

- Glenn Adamson, Curator-at-Large VITRA Design Museum

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Dearest Poetry Corner Readers,

As we go into our summer break, I’d like to thank every one of you for your support of The Poetry Corner. Your readership is the pillar of print. The high desert continues to be an everflowing arts community that inspires all who interact with it. The origin story of The Poetry Corner itself begins with an open mic holding space for such art. May these local children and budding artists serve as a reminder that although we can sometimes feel lost— through art, shall we always find our way. May the summer heat bring you into loving communion with water and may you find rest where you need it.

Rose M. Villiers, age 7

I like to clappity clap and

Villiers, age 7

I like to jiggle my hips

And it goes like this

Marilyn

The

With love and gratitude, Angelus

The forest

Mays, age 8

I like to be in the lush, green forest, with beautiful birds singing and rivers murmuring.

Forest

Bright green moss under my feet and the sunlight filtering through the trees making them glow.

Brielle Bolds, age 7

Things I Love Most

I love Love

I love my family

I love myself

clap and snap my hips this snap snap snap snap now snap snap snap snap snap snap snap snap now

Clappity clap, snap snap snap snap

Move your hips now

Clappity clap, snap snap snap snap

Clappity clap, snap snap snap snap

Do it like this now

Clappity clap, snap snap snap snap

Vibrant yellow butterflies with their wings shining. Green everywhere I look, and a cool breeze drifting through the leaves making them dance and wave.

I like to be in the lush, green forest, with beautiful birds singing and rivers murmuring.

Bright green moss under my feet and the sunlight Þltering through the trees making them glow.

Vibrant yellow butterßies with their wings shining.

Brielle Bolds, age 7

Because there’s no right or wrong in what you do being YOU!

Things I Love Most

I love my home

I love my pets

I love exploring nature

I love Love

I love to feel free

I love my family

I love to spend time with my friends and family

The things I love are in my heart

I love myself

Never let your fears tear you apart.

Because there’s no in what you do being I love my home

I love my pets I love exploring nature

Background photo by Matthew Hall

ART ROUNDUP OCTOBER

By Katie Nartonis

YUCCA VALLEY:

Black Rock Art Gallery:

Show Title: Jim Weaver

Dates: Opening Friday, October 18th (5-7pm) Show open thru January 3, 2025.

Information: Black Rock Gallery is located in the Black Rock Nature Center and exists as a space for presenting contemporary interpretations of themes related to the Joshua Tree National Park.

Jim Weaver spent three weeks last November as an artist-in-residence at Joshua Tree National Park, where his work explored the intersection of landscape imagery and scientific inquiry. From this experience, he created a series of relief prints that offer an interpretation of the evolving ecological dynamics of the Mojave Desert. By integrating data on fossil fuel consumption, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and historical fire extent, he creates a visual representation of the invisible forces shaping the environment. As these elements converge in the present moment, the work deepens into a reflection on both his personal response and humanity’s broader reaction to climate manipulation. It provokes essential questions: How do we engage with what remains? What are our true concerns? And, crucially, are we doing enough?

Photo:

“Transformed” Jim Weaver

Compound YV

Show Title: The Onion Fields

Dates: September 21 - November 3, 2024

Information: Compound YV is located at 55379 29 Palms Highway Gallery is open Friday thru Sunday, 12 – 5pm.

‘The Onion Fields’ is a story that began long before twin sisters Amber Maalouf and Ashlie Chavez started to document themselves in the farm town of Orland, California. Amber and Ashlie are identical twins and collaborative photographers. They began shooting film at the early age of 14, processing and developing in their parents’ garage with inherited equipment from their mother, a professional portrait photographer. While they strived for independence, they realized their strongest work was done together. They each have a BFA in Creative Photography with a concentration in Alternative Processing. Today, Amber and Ashlie work together commercially and in fine art. With their book and Compound YV exhibition ‘The Onion Fields’ finally coming to a close, they have many series in their sights — the ones in progress focus on anxiety in everyday life and their Chihuahuan heritage. This series depicts only a small narrative of their grandparents’ lives, indigenous to Nuevo Leon, Mexico, otherwise known as Regiomontanos

Photo: “The Onion Fields” by Amber Maalouf and Ashlie Chavez

Hi Desert Artists (HDA)

Show Title: Collective Show - Featuring over 90 Hwy 62 Art Tours Artists

Dates: September 28th – October 27th

Information: Collective Show opening, September 28 at 5 pm

The Center is open Thursday - Monday, 12 - 6, 12 - 3 on Sunday.

Space Truckin’ Gallery

Now on View: ONE STOP FOLK-POP ART SHOP! A POP-UP featuring works by Rik Verlin Livingston and Julianne Elliott

Dates: The artists will also be at the gallery on weekends, 12 to 4 pm, on October 5th & 6th, and 12th.

Information: Julianne Elliott is an assemblage and fiber artist. Her whimsical, one-of-a-kind dolls are not to be believed and her found-object creations take sharp aim at organized religion, politics, and other hypocrisies. (She also revives and decorates old chairs left by the side of the road!) Rik Verlin Livingston, better known as ZONO, uses found objects and popular culture imagery to create the some really wild works he calls Folk Pop Art. He’ll be exhibiting paintings, archival prints, as well as necklaces, magnutz, and even Zono comikz and Tees!

Upcoming Show Title:

Space Truckin Gallery X Sun Spot & Friends

Dates: Opening October 19, 6-9pm

Information: Celebrate all things spooky at the Haunted House & Art Show on a collaboration between Space Truckin Gallery and Sun Spot. If you dare, creep your way through a monster (mish)mash of ghosts, ghouls, goblins & more. Peep the spinechilling artwork of local artist-zombies and wear a Halloween costume for a screaming good time! Sun Spot is an arts co-op that lives at the shack in the Sky Village Swap Meet, Yucca Valley – a shop for artistmade goods and public events. Come and see us on Saturdays!

Photo: Julianne Elliott, Textile Figure

La Matadora

Show Titles: Beneditos, altered art, & Goddess drawings by Colleena Hake

Precieux Metal Clay Jewelry by Shahasp Valentine Toga Art Party honoring NYX, the Greek Goddess of Night

Dates: Opening Saturday October 12, 6-9 PM Information: (Studio 52) 61857 Highway 62 Joshua Tree

Photo: Red Heart Coffee-grinder by Coleena Hake

JOSHUA TREE:

Hey There Projects

Show Title: Melissa Lakey “Sun Songs”

Dates: Thru October 11th

Artist Spotlight interview with Melissa Lakey: See below

SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL ARTIST MELISSA LAKEY:

By Katie Nartonis

Joshua Tree Voice Arts Writer, Katie Nartonis, interviewed artist Melissa Lakey in advance of her one-woman show opening this month at Hey There Gallery in Joshua Tree. Melissa is a contemporary visual artist and illustrator based in Yucca Valley, California. Her colorful figurative and landscapebased art is inspired by the desert where she lives and a childhood of watching westerns and dreaming of becoming a cowboy. 10% of all original artwork sales from the show will go to the Mojave Desert Land Trust, which works to protect the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems and their natural, cultural, and scenic resource values.

Katie Nartonis: Let’s start our conversation by asking a bit about your background and upbringing.

Melissa Lakey: “I have been drawing and painting since I was a kid. I grew up in Idyllwild, California, a small town in the mountains where I spent most of my time reading books and playing outside in our yard. My mom is an artist and she always had art supplies and crafts and things like that around for us to do. I started taking art classes around age 10 when I discovered I liked drawing. When I was a teen I thought I’d pursue art as a career. But in my early 20s, when I started focusing on trying to make art I thought people would want to buy, I lost a lot of my enthusiasm for art and eventually gave it up.”

KN: Oh, I’m so glad you didn’t give up Melissa! Tell us how the desert effects your work?

ML: Moving to Joshua Tree in 2015 brought me back to art after a long hiatus. The wide-open spaces, the expanse of the sky, the sunrises and sunsets—it felt like there was space in my life to explore art again. Our home is up on Yucca Mesa, and from our house, we get a view across the valley and into Joshua Tree National Park. Looking out the window of my studio, I often see animals passing by — quail, jackrabbits, roadrunners, coyotes, and even bobcats. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of drawing the plants and animals that live here.

I don’t paint in realistic colors of the desert but the sun-gold colors of sunset. Tangerine, vermillion, blush—I love warm colors that feel like the sun on my skin, gentle in the morning, burning by afternoon. I use any and every type of art material, ink, gouache, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, and oil pastel. I paint quickly and try to leave room in each painting for surprises, experiments, and play. The desert I paint is a desert made of dreams, the colors of the sun, and the songs of the moon.

My artwork is a celebration of everything I love about the desert; the long purple dusk of summer nights, the way the air comes alive with the anticipation of rain, the starry skies, and all the hardy, magical plants and animals that thrive here. Night here has a special magic to it and that’s something I try to capture in my night scenes. I hope my paintings will remind people of their own happy memories of the desert, and help them fall in love with it the same way that I have.”

TWENTYNINE PALMS:

29 Palms Art Gallery

Show Titles: Joanna Fodczuk-Garcia, Paintings on Canvas & Paper + Tim Warren, Mixed Media

Dates: Runs from October 5 – 27. Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 5 (4-6 pm) Hours: 11am-3pm (Friday-Sunday) Information: 74055 Cottonwood Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Katie Nartonis is an art + design specialist, writer, curator and documentary film maker. Her latest book, “California Desert Artists” will be featured at the upcoming 29PBF: TwentyNine Palms Book Festival on November 8 + 9. Her upcoming curated exhibit “Garry Knox Bennett: Crafting the Counter Culture” opens at the Maloof Foundation during Palm Springs Modernism Week, 2025.

Discover the Orchid Extravaganza at the 28th Annual Morongo Basin Orchid Festival

Landers, CA – Get ready for a botanical wonderland at the 28th Annual Morongo Basin Orchid Festival, taking place on October 5th (10 AM - 5 PM) and October 6th (10 AM - 3 PM) at Gubler Orchids, 2200 Belfield Blvd., Landers, CA. With free admission and parking, this year’s festival is set to captivate visitors with its breathtaking displays and vibrant community atmosphere.

Festival Highlights:

• Orchid Wonderland: Immerse yourself in a dazzling display of thousands of blooming orchids and explore self-guided tours through our lush greenhouses. Witness the intricate process of orchid cultivation and global distribution. Plus, marvel at over 30,000 Venus Fly Traps and other intriguing carnivorous plants.

• Community Impact: Support local causes as the festival partners with over 15 non-profits. Proceeds from orchid and orchid-themed beer sales will directly benefit these organizations. Attendees can use “Rotary Bucks” to direct their orchid sales to their favorite charities.

• Orchid Show: Showcase your prized orchid at the American Orchid Society Judged Show, sponsored by the Riverside/San Bernardino Orchid Society. Register your orchids on October 4th (2-4 PM) or October 5th (9-10 AM), with judging commencing at 10:05 AM and awards presented at noon. Detailed judging rules are available at www.sunsetrotary.org

• Educational Classes: Dive deeper into orchid care with hands-on classes at the Banc of California Learning Center, offered by the Orchid Society of Arizona and Riverside/San Bernardino Orchid Society. Classes include:

o Cultivation and Care of Phalaenopsis Orchids

o Caring for Oncidium Intergeneric Orchids

o Creating Stunning Orchid Arrangements

o Unveiling the Secrets of Venus Fly Traps

Reserve your spot early at https://www.gublers.com/ class-registration.

• Culinary Delights: Enjoy a feast of wine tastings and Joshua Tree Brewery famous orchid-themed beers like the Phalee Golden Pixie IPA and Shari Baby Orchid Beer, with all proceeds supporting festival non-profits. Treat yourself to gourmet hamburgers and hotdogs from the Joshua Tree No Kill Shelter, and savor tacos and nachos provided by Sunset Rotary.

• Entertainment and More: Groove to live music from the Jann Browne Band and explore the variety of local vendors and non-profit booths. All nonprofits receiving proceeds will be in attendance with an educational booth with activities.

Supporters: This vibrant event is made possible by the generous support of Gubler Orchids Inc., Joshua Tree Brewery, Yucca Valley Sunset Rotary, Banc of California, Joshua Tree Voice Magazine, Z107.7 FM, Hi-Desert Star, Telemundo, and Eye on the Desert CBS Local 2.

Join Us: Celebrate the enchanting world of orchids and support local causes. For more details, visit www. sunsetrotary.org or https://www.gublers.com/.

Mark your calendar and experience the beauty and community spirit of the Morongo Basin Orchid Festival!

Contact:

Festival Coordinator

Email: Festival@Gublers.com Website: www.sunsetrotary.org

Hi-Desert Artists Center Hosts Collective Show for the Annual Art Tours

By Katie Nartonis

“Art Tours a celebration of the incredible synergy between our natural environment and our creative community.” - John Henson, Artist and HWY 62 Art Tours Coordinator

Now in its 24th year, October’s HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours features over 180 local high desert artists. Southern California’s largest open studio event takes place over three weekends: October 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20 and spotlights over 130 separate art studios. The Art Tours allow visitors and locals alike to engage directly with high desert artists and purchase work directly from our talented artist community. Added to the fun is engaging directly with an artist in their own studio environment as it adds another layer of meaning to the artwork on view.

The new Hi-Desert Artists Center (HDA) will host the annual Collective Show featuring works from over 100 participating Art Tours artists. The exhibition runs from September 28 through October 27 with an artist reception on September 28 at 5 pm, an excellent opportunity to preview the art and artists featured on this year’s tour. Artist and HDA Board Member Marcia Geiger notes, “With 133 studios on the Tour, it is not humanly possible to visit each one. The show gives visitors an opportunity to preview artists’ work and helps them plan which studios interest them most. They may see a piece from a studio they hadn’t yet considered visiting, and will add that artist to their itinerary.”

The Hi-Desert Art Center (HDA) is in the heart of Yucca

Valley and showcases 5,000 square feet of exhibition, classroom, performance, and gallery shop space that highlights the artists living and working in the Morongo Basin. The HDA Center is open Thursday - Monday, 126, 12 - 3 on Sunday. Docents will be on hand to answer questions, and the Art Tour’s catalogs are free and will be made available during gallery hours.

A new addition this year, “Art Tours After Dark” includes performances by local bands and musicians during the evening hours. Art Tours Coordinator John Henson notes that this year, “we’re thrilled to enhance this experience with live music, deepening the connection between art and the rich cultural tapestry of the high desert.” As part of this year’s expanded offerings, “Art Tours After Dark” will feature live music performances from the thriving local music scene. Over 15 venues will host more than 70 showcases of bands and musicians throughout the three weekends. This allows visitors to visit art studios by day and enjoy live music by night, with all events being free of charge. Given the event’s size and scope, visitors are encouraged to plan their itinerary in advance. For information on the free event app, locations to pick up a tour catalog, or to request a mailed catalog, visit hwy62arttours.org.

The Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is presented by the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the artists of the hi-desert communities of Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Landers, Pioneertown, Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley. Learn more at www.mbcac.org.

Katie Nartonis is an art + design specialist, writer, curator and documentary film maker. Her latest book, “California Desert Artists” will be featured at the upcoming 29PBF: TwentyNine Palms Book Festival on November 8 + 9. Her upcoming curated exhibit “Garry Knox Bennett: Crafting the Counter Culture” opens at the Maloof Foundation during Palm Springs Modernism Week, 2025.

was needed. “(The building) used to be a restaurant. It had the hood vent system and everything. … It was pretty much ready.”

Food for the Heart & Soul

They’re not just “Wing-N-It”

By John Turner

The SoCal desert generally isn’t known as a place to get great soul food, but now, local fried chicken and collard greens lovers can rejoice - Wing-In-It in 29 Palms serves some of the tastiest soul food to be found anywhere. The family run restaurant is located in the former Carousel of Treasures building on 29 Palms Highway. According to owner and chef, Angie Flournoy, their business relies on family in more ways than one.

“I’m not going to make something and sell it to you if I wouldn’t feed it to my own kids,” Flournoy said recently from her restaurant. “You have to like what you do. … I cook by sight, and by love. My own motto is, ‘One Love,’ so I try to use that feeling in my cooking.”

Flournoy, who is Louisiana-born, also has family experience as part of her culinary expertise. “My mom was a traveling chef, so I learned a lot of what I know from her,” she said. “She used to use us as her tasters: ‘Here, taste this.’ She knew it was good, but she wanted to know what we thought about it.” That skill – thinking about how food tastes, and how it came to taste that way – is part of what made Flournoy want to become a chef herself.

Flournoy said she and her family moved from Shreveport, LA, to California when she was 10, living first in the Bay Area before eventually settling in Compton. There she stayed until adulthood. It was when she had her first child, Darryl, that she decided to relocate. “I didn’t want to raise my son in Compton, so I bought a house in Moreno Valley,” she said. Five years ago, she moved to Yucca Valley, where she resides today.

“I was going to restaurants out here, and I was like –and I’m going to keep it real – I was like, ‘This food is just imitation stuff,’” she said. “I love chicken wings, and I couldn’t get no good wings! I said to myself, I’m going to open my own restaurant. But I had to find the right location.”

In 2021, Flournoy explained, she was at Stater Brothers in Twentynine Palms when she saw that the corner space in that plaza was unoccupied. Flournoy purchased it – and in August 2022, Wing-In-It opened its doors there. The restaurant operated in that location for about a year before it outgrew the space, so WingIn-It moved to its current location in the Carousel Building. Luckily, Flournoy said, not much remodeling

On a recent Friday morning, the restaurant opened at 11 a.m. for lunch. Customers were greeted with smells of fried chicken and fish as they entered the circular dining room. The room’s walls were decorated with Mardi Gras beads, along with artwork donated to the establishment by local artists.

The extensive Wing-In-It menu consists of appetizers like fried okra and hush puppies, po-boys, chicken strips in numerous flavors, fish and seafood plates, scrumptious desserts (the banana pudding is stuff of legend), and more. Many of the menu items are named after Flournoy family members. The “Eddie’s Double Up” combo plate, which has eight pieces of chicken and two sides, was named for Flournoy’s son, Eddie. “He has three sets of twins. He doubled up – more than once,” she said with a cackle! And of course there’s “D’s Snack,” named after her firstborn (3 pieces of fried chicken and one side).

Wing-In-It also serves breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. On Wednesday and Saturday evenings, live music is provided by local multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Mike Lowe.

For Angie Flournoy, her sense of family extends to the community. The restaurant serves an annual Thanksgiving feast free of charge, for example, to those in need the day before the Thursday holiday. “Then I go home and start cooking for my own family for the next day,” she said.

But nearest and dearest to Flournoy’s heart, she said, are the community’s children. Children deserve to smile,” she said quietly. The third Saturday of every month, Wing-In-It serves free breakfast for disabled kids. The restaurant also provides needy families with Christmas gifts during the holidays, and it has an Easter egg hunt each spring. Flournoy explained all this from her heart, through tears.

“I don’t do all this to make people want to come to my restaurant,” she said. “I do it because children deserve to have a nice life, and I try to give that to them if I can.”

Flournoy’s daughter-in-law, Ebony, who has worked at Wing-In-It since it opened, echoes that sense of generosity. “Angie is an amazing person,” Ebony said. “She loves seeing people who come in looking all full and content. … She loves the fact that when they walk in here, they feel like they’re home.”

So, plug this address into your GPS and treat yourself to a Louisiana style flavortown stay-cation, and try and get there before the fried chicken sells out. Wing-In-It is located at 71747 29 Palms Highway just east of Joshua Tree. Follow them on Facebook: Wingnit Wingnit, IG: @WingNit or online at Wing-n-It.com. Call (442) 3548661 to order ahead or for pickup.