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My Favorite Places to Play Live

January 27, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

One of the things we all miss in these days of quarantine and social distancing is live music. Few miss it like Jake Sonderman. Jake tells us here what it’s like to be on stage at a few local venues.

By Jake Sonderman

Those who know me know what I do outside of school. I do music. I play live and in the studio. It was only recently that I started realizing how much I miss playing live, as of course I had many other things on my mind at the start of quarantine. Looking back, I’ve had quite a few odd experiences playing live, from being electrocuted at a show at the mall to nearly being sued for playing too loudly. Still, I’ve missed the live performance. Here are a few of the places I love to play. Most of them are completely or almost completely closed. Fingers crossed that they reopen soon.

Pappy and Harriet’s

Pioneer Town was built in 1946 by Hollywood investors. It was a classic western set for many iconic movies and shows including The Gene Autry Show (1950-55) and Buffalo Bill, Jr. (1955-1956). Pappy and Harriet’s was the “cantina” in Pioneer Town. In 1982, Harriet and her husband Claude “Pappy” Allen opened “Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneer Town Palace.” The restaurant featured live music and Tex-Mex food. Pappy and Harriet’s became an icon in the high desert and has hosted the likes of Robert Plant, Vampire Weekend, and Paul McCartney (pappyandharriets.com).

I have played there myself, and I have to say that there is nowhere else like it. There’s always a great crowd, great food (even though it takes 45 minutes to come), and great sound. The people who run the shows and open mic are incredibly friendly, and this cantina is really just a meeting place for people who love music.

Stagecoach

Technically, yes, I’ve played Stagecoach. That being said, it was probably for less than 30 people every time. Even still, some years the administration has been kind enough to give artist passes to my band, and I have to say the artist pass comes with quite the experience. The backstage part is cool for a while–until you realize that most of the backstage section is a maze of boxes and RV’s. Also most big artists have a special second pass that you need to get backstage during one of their shows. But, the artist and administration food is not only free, it’s amazing. With tons of options every meal, from fried steak to salmon, the food tent is definitely better than any concession stand in the festival.

But even without the artist pass, Stagecoach and Coachella are both incredible. There aren’t many other places where you can see multiple top-100 artists without paying north of $1,200. The sound is always good; the people are sorta nice; and the experience is unforgettable.

The Date Shed

The Date Shed is also on the polo grounds, but is (usually) operating all year. The Date Shed doesn’t necessarily have the swagger of Pappy and Harriet’s or the awe of Coachella, but as far as venues in the Coachella Valley go, the Date Shed is supreme. What I like about the Date Shed is that its one and only purpose is music. While there is a bar, most would not consider the Date Shed a bar; it’s a music venue. Besides maaaaaybe the Whiskey A Go Go, this is my favorite place to play. The sound is unbeatable, and the crowd, if there is a crowd, is roaring. This is definitely a much more formal venue, but the people are still quite friendly, and it is right across from the Tack Room Tavern (also on the polo grounds) if you’re looking for a bite to eat. The Date Shed has also been hosting many Facebook live events, which has been a good compromise for live music.

My prediction is that when we return to some form of normalcy, there will be an elevated appreciation of live music. I only hope that these wonderful venues and festivals can make it that long.

Links to these venues:

https://www.pappyandharriets.com/history/

https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=Pioneertown,+California,+USA

https://www.stagecoachfestival.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thedateshed

https://www.tackroomtavern.com/

Festivities (in a post-Coronavirus time) Editor: Hannah Hall

My Love for the Adventure of Comic-Con

January 25, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

When Hannah asked the Blog staffers what Festivities they would like to attend after quarantine, Erik talked about how he and a close friend plan (again) to go to Comic-Con.

Comic Con Palm Springs Coming Back Even Stronger On Its 2nd Year

In a post-COVID-19 world, one place I would LOVE to attend is Comic-Con, which is usually held locally at the Convention Center here in Palm Springs. If you don’t know what Comic-Con is or are unfamiliar with what transpires at Comic-Con, let me explain its history.

Comic-Con’s origins began over 50 years ago in San Diego. A group of mostly teenage comic-book fans wanted to connect with other fans but had no efficient way of doing so (it is important to remember that being a comic book geek wasn’t cool like it is today).

Shel Dorf was one of the only grown-ups in this group, along with Jacob Kurtzberg (aka Jack Kirby)–the co-creator of popular Marvel characters such as Captain America, Hulk, Thor, and the X-Men. Together they and the fan group formed the first national Comic-Con in San Diego. The convention would go on to grow and spread across the country–even all the way to Palm Springs!

I’ve gone to Palm Springs’s Comic-Con in the past but only with one of my moms. And, with all due respect, I’d really like to go with a close friend at least once. “Which friend?” you ask? Well, they’ve asked me to keep them anonymous, and I will respect their wishes.

We are both serious fans of pop-culture, so attending a convention where we can potentially meet our favorite writers, artists, and actors sounds like a promising experience. We’ve even discussed dressing up as our favorite characters. Though we are still debating which characters we’ll choose. At Comic-Con, you can purchase art and cool merchandise from your favorite shows and movies.

I Caught a GIANT PIKACHU at Comic-Con 2010 - YouTube — “Pika pika.”–Pikachu 2018

One of my favorite things about Comic-Con, apart from the friendly and encouraging community, is Pikachu. For those of you who don’t know the culture of Comic-Con, there’s this person dressed as a giant Pikachu who wanders around the convention taking pictures with Pokémon fans. I’ve taken pictures with Pikachu before, but I always want to add one more to my collection.

My friend and I had originally planned to attend Comic-Con last summer, back when we thought quarantine would only last a few months. But we now realize that we probably won’t get to attend Comic-Con together before we go our separate ways for college. Maybe . . . there’ll be a Zoom Comic-Con . . . .

Festivities (in a post-Coronavirus time) Editor: Hannah Hall

Future Festivities: Summer in Japan

January 15, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Elizabeth had planned a trip to Japan last summer. Covid cancelled her trip. So, here, virtually, she lives out her dream journey. Here’s Elizabeth’s “What I Would Do If I Could Get to Japan.”

By Elizabeth Shay

One of the top destinations on my travel bucket list is the beautiful East Asian country of Japan. My dad moved to Japan from Taiwan at the age of five and lived there for eleven years. I have always had an interest in Japanese culture, especially the food, and my family had planned a trip for this past summer. Needless to say, the trip never happened, but my research is proving useful for this article! Here are some of the things to look forward to when visiting Japan in the summer.

Matsuri

Traditionally, matsuri are ceremonies in which the Japanese people pray to deities and honor their ancestors. Today, the word matsuri refers to the popular festivals held all over the country. Natsu matsuri is the name for the social events that take place during the summer (Japan Experience). Most natsu matsuri include three main elements: processions, fireworks, and street food. People can be seen wearing yukata (traditional kimonos made of lightweight cotton), perfect for the summer heat and humidity.

Here are some of the most popular masturi:

Mitama Matsuri– This festival is four days long, from July 12 to 15. Held at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, this event is marked by the lighting of twenty thousand lanterns (Japan Rail Pass).

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival– The Sumidagawa is the oldest fireworks festival in the world, beginning in 1732. Attracting one million attendees annually, it celebrates hanabi (which means Japanese fireworks). The festival is based in Tokyo on the banks of the Sumida River and takes place on the last Saturday in July (Japan Rail Pass).

Sendai Tanabata Matsuri-– Tanabata, the “feast of the stars,” follows the Chinese lunar calendar and is held on August 7. The highlight of this festival is the giant sasatake decorations. The thousands of colorful streamers, each around four meters long, decorate the town center. Resembling bright forests, they are crafted by local shops, children, and members of the community (Japan Experience).

Gion Matsuri– Dating back to the ninth century, Gion Matsuri encompasses the entire month of July, with the most popular events occurring from the 14th to the 17th. It is famous for its floats, each representing a distinct neighborhood or corporation of Kyoto. The wheels that mobilize the floats are often as tall as a person, and traditional neighborhoods are decorated with flowers, banners, flags, and lanterns (Japan Rail Pass).

Food

Street food is not as typical in Japan as in many other countries in Asia. However, during matsuri, food stalls called yatai line the streets (Japan Rail Pass). Fried foods and foods on sticks are widely sold. The most common dishes include:

Tako-yaki (octopus dumplings)
Kara-age (fried chicken)
Yaki-soba (fried noodles)
Yaki-tori (grilled chicken skewers)
Okonomiyaki (fried savory “pancakes”)
Ika-yaki (grilled squid on skewers)

Popular desserts are kakigori (ice crushed with syrup), taiyaki (fish-shaped pancakes often filled with cream or red bean) and ringoame (Japanese version of a candy apple).

Other Activities

In addition to the traditional matsuri, Japan has several summer music festivals. The Fuji Rock Festival and Summer Sonic both occur in August. If festivals are not your cup of tea, you can head north to escape the heat and humidity. You can hike the milder climate of the Hokkaido region of Japan, visit the national parks, or even climb Mt. Fuji! (Lonely Planet)

Sources Referenced:

https://www.japan-experience.com/to-know/understanding-japan/the-matsuri-japanese-festivals

https://www.japan-experience.com/to-know/understanding-japan/summer-festivals-in-japan

https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/summer-festivals-japan

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-things-to-do-in-summer-in-japan

Festivities (in a post-Coronavirus time) Editor: Hannah Hall

The Beauty of Dance Festivals

January 13, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

While there’s light at the end of our Coronavirus tunnel, we are still under stay-at-home orders here in Riverside County. Editor Hannah heartily misses gatherings and festivals. She asks, “If you could get out and gather, what would be your festivity of choice?” What will our festivities look like in a post-Coronavirus time? Blogger Sara dreams of dance festivals.

By Sara Habibipour

Something that all performance artists have missed through these COVID times is not being able to perform on a stage. As artists, we come up with creative ways to continue sharing our gifts with the world, but there’s something about the adrenaline rush you get in the wings, the warmth of the lights, and the dressing room hustle that we can’t live without.

Palm Springs Dance Festival

A gathering that I will be excited to take part in once COVID-times are over is the Palm Springs Dance Festival. The last time I performed in a theater was during this festival, and it was memorable. Our studio had the opportunity to perform a couple pieces alongside other dance studios and even professionals from LA companies. I look forward to this festival because it allows a space for young dancers from all different schools to come together, share their talents, and watch dancers from other studios perform–which we don’t often do. We also had the opportunity to watch these professionals perform in their own showcase. I was fascinated that their energy was able to touch me even though I was sitting all the way in the back row of the theater.

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

I would also like to travel and visit more dance festivals, for example, the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Known as the “hub and mecca of dancing,” the Pillow is the longest running international dance festival. It’s held on a 220-acre farm in the middle of the Western Massachusetts woods, and as you can see in the image below, the view is quite stunning. I can’t even begin to imagine how powerful it must feel to be dancing in the woods.

What I love most about these festivals is that you don’t just get your classical ballet variations that we’ve all seen and performed five hundred times. There’s so much new and contemporary choreography and music you’ve never seen and heard before. There are so many innovative props and costumes. It’s art in its truest form. It has you leaving the theater like, “I want to watch that again! What was that music?! I want to learn that dance!”

Hopefully when Corona-times are over, I’ll be able to participate in and watch more dance festivals. Luckily, there’s plenty of virtual events to keep me satisfied for now.

Festivities (in-a-post-Coronavirus-time) Editor: Hannah Hall