the bird on fire

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

Are the 80s coming back?

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

We all know the iconic 80s. Characterized by the fashion, decor, music, etc., the trends of the 80s are unmistakable. Blogger Hannah predicts that these trends will return in 2021.

By Hannah Hall

I have never been one to get especially into trends—mostly because of the EXTREMELY HIGH PRICE TAG of following them! I do, however, love to watch videos about them along with reading articles. (You see, I like to know the trends even when I’m not necessarily participating in them.) So, if you are one of those trend-viewers, read on because I will be dishing out my latest trend prediction for 2021: the 80s! And, I do actually have reasoning behind this.

I feel like the world in 2020 was full of such muck and gloom…the fires, the quakes, and most of all the pandemic. And, the 80s were just coming out of a decade full of the same sort of turmoil (i.e. the Vietnam War, Apollo 13, the Beatles split…). So, I feel like we can draw a comparison between the 70s and 2020, and the 80s to 2021. Even though I am comparing decades to years, I still feel like I can draw the conclusion that 2021 has the potential to shine as bright and bold as the stereotypical 80s aesthetic and lifestyle.

Clothing to Come

80s fashion was kind of wack. I am not going to lie; it isn’t my favorite. It was full of shoulder pads, monochromatic powersuits, neon everything, and dance wear—including legwarmers, and many other oddball items. I predict in this coming year we will see not a lot, but at least some of this. In fact, we have already seen it! Sorta. At President Biden’s inauguration, lots of attendees were seen sporting their one-color fits. (And, call me crazy, but don’t those shoulders look a tad padded????)

Decor for the New Year

I predict that we will see a wave of 80s decor entering the home. 80s decor can be identified through many things. For example, in certain homes you found interesting wallpaper—probably floral or geometric—and in others you saw many art-deco elements, such as color blocking, asymmetry, and pop art. It was pretty much all pizzaz in my opinion.

Music for a New Era

80s music was super bright, energetic, and electronic. This sound mainly came from synthesizers and drum machines. Some popular artists that you can think of from the time are Michael Jackson and Madonna. And, in the mainstream these days, we have actually already seen this 80s inspo in the very popular song “Blinding Lights” by the Weeknd and Dua Lipa’s album “Future Nostalgia.”

2020 is over, my friends, so are the 80s. Some elements should stay in the 80s–particularly the hairstyles. But, we have much to look forward to, and in our 2021 maybe we’ll recognize some of that 80s flash. After all, we don’t want another year to “Bite the Dust” (Queen). We want “Sweet Dreams” (Eurthymics) and no “Super Freaks” (Rick James).

Sources:

Trend Alert: Modern 80s Trend 2021 Is Coming Back

https://blog.retroplanet.com/1980s-decorating-style/

2021 Predictions Editor: Sara Habibipour

The 2020 Census and Texas Redistricting

January 22, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Jake Sonderman

2021 has already proven to be a year full of politics. Blogger Jake looks toward one state’s 2020 census in particular and what it means and “predicts” for our government in 2021.

I’m sure everybody reading the news knows that we have a census every ten years. What is the purpose of this census beyond just knowing our approximate population? One very important outcome is apportionment and redistricting.

Apportionment

We have 435 representatives in the House of Representatives. After each ten-year census, those 435 representatives are redistributed slightly to account for population changes. Texas is expected to get about three new representatives (that’s a lot) since their population has grown by about four million people in the last ten years.

Redistricting

States legislatures use the census data to draw new congressional districts (state and federal). Districts must be relatively equal in population (about 710,000) and not discriminate based on race or ethnicity. Unfortunately, the Constitution does not prevent partisan gerrymandering, which is where the party in power of the state legislature draws the districts to favor their party. In practice, this means cracking and packing: cracking some districts by giving your party a small majority, and packing some districts by giving the opposing party an extremely large majority. “Packing” will give one party significantly fewer districts they can win. Gerrymandering is used extensively by both parties.

Texas

As mentioned earlier, Texas is set to gain three representatives, the most of any state (Houston Public Media). Texas’s state legislature is controlled by the GOP and has a history of gerrymandering. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has allowed partisan gerrymandering in the last decade, saying that the federal court does not have jurisdiction on the subject (Oyez). In 2013, Texas approved new congressional districts that greatly favored Republicans by drawing very odd districts like their 2nd and 22nd districts (which are both Republican).

Though Texas was expected to be more blue this year, it really was not. Trump got over one million more votes in Texas than he did in 2016 and beat Biden by about 600,000 votes (pretty much the same as 2016) (AP). Texas also elected 23 Republicans out of a total 36 representatives allotted. My prediction for 2021 is that the Texas state legislature will further gerrymander their congressional districts, helping keep the GOP in charge of the state legislature and giving the GOP more say in the House in the coming decade.

Sources:

Texas Will Redraw Its Congressional Maps In 2021. Here’s How

NPR Articles

https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/12-96

https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-population-data-suggest-which-states-will-win-and-lose-seats-in-congress-11608677211

https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/texas

https://www.ap.org/media-center/understanding-the-election

2021 Predictions Editor: Sara Habibipour

Welcome to 2021~

January 20, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Direct from Shanghai, Quintus gives us a poetic prediction for 2021.

By Quintus Ni

I see

Your hand goes through your hair

Time starts
distance

The sun comes with the storm
The golden arrow becomes the winter straw

All over the earth

Your shadow is laughing
The shadow of the jungle flew across the sky
The desire of darkness breathed heavily
A conch tossed to the sand bank by a huge wave

Whine in the Atlantic wind

My hand reaches for your breath
To the unknown destiny
Fingers burning lonely
Make a crackling sound
The bow and arrow pointed to the sky
Ready to hit the thick clouds

be quiet
Time has lost its wings
Floating eyes
Anxious, quiet, angry, happy
The world begins
The sky is closed
Stop today
Everything is waiting

In 2021
Waiting for the dreams
Climb down from the moon or the sun
Into the hard ground
enter
This strong island
Make true, and be yourself
Welcome to 2021~

2021 Predictions Editor: Sara Habibipour

Is Your Home Ugly? Ask Hannah.

January 20, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 4 Comments

For the final “Aesthetic” post, Blogger Hannah Hall takes a page out of HGTV’s book and looks to the home. She describes her favorite (and not-so-favorite) household aesthetics in her iconic list format!

By Hannah Hall

There comes a time in one’s life when you get to have your own place. And, when it comes, it’s accompanied by the inevitable task and challenging decision of decoration. What to choose???? There are practically endless possibilities. But, fear not. It all starts with an aesthetic. In previous posts the word has been defined, so in short I will describe it as a theme of sorts. In this post, I will be ranking and discussing my top three household aesthetics—BUT, stay till the end to hear me absolutely roast my least favorite aesthetic.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern is not only functional but very pleasing to the eye. It consists of contrasting materials/textures, pops of color, and sleek design. The reason it is at the top of my list is because of its minimalism through its straightforward geometric designs and lack of clutter. It is also a design aesthetic very prevalent in the desert.

Industrial

An Industrial Design is full of raw and unfinished materials such as wood, brick, and metal. The color palette is usually on the darker side, but it is always neutral. Most of the color probably comes from the bricks. In a weird way I like this design because it makes me feel grounded. The natural elements involved give me a rough vibe of, frankly, dirt—in a good way of course!

Scandinavian

In Scandinavian Design everywhere you turn is extremely fresh and clean. It basically only consists of three elements: white, light wood, and plants. The simplicity of the design is very elegant and airy. I put this at #3 because of its crispness and sterile vibe. Makes me want to meditate or something.

*Nautical . . . ewww

And finally. My least favorite design, Nautical. Just something about it feels so inauthentic and fake. It consists of beachy, sailor-esque elements, and of course a lot of blue. But tell me this, why do you need a starfish on the wall? Tell me….I just don’t understand. I just think unless you live at the beach the Nautical Design has no place in the home. But, if I have to be lenient, it’s semi-acceptable in the bathroom.

Do you have any favorite design aesthetics? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to hear your opinions whether we agree or not.

Source:

Interior Design Styles: Guide to Top Decor Types in 2023

Aesthetic Editor: Elizabeth Shay

Long forgotten the beauty of the world

January 19, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Our international correspondent Quintus sends us aesthetic poetic images from Shanghai.

By Quintus Ni

Long forgotten the beauty of the world
A piece of emerald falling into the lake
The trembling lake was at a loss
On this rainy afternoon

You come, it stops
It’s green and there’s a little commotion
Feeling of summer, enjoying the cool in this emerald park
Raindrops falling into the lake, children playing with umbrellas in their hands

Clouds cover the green and astringent mountains in the distance
Making coffee, egrets beat the dusk sky
I can’t remember how many fish there are in the lake
How beautiful are the flowers in the four seasons? How fragrant are the water lilies
under the bridge.

Your neck is still a touch of verdant, is indifferent emerald, I skimmed the light and
shadow of the wall, quietly disappeared, no longer sorry. When the moonlight slowly
spread out the palm, the darkness is still so warm, the night is so soft.

If one day can remember, true still, can learn from the sun and the moon, just walk on
the street, is empty, do not look back on the past, also do not stay in the heart. Only a
curtain of bleak wind, and cover the heart of the slender hands.

Aesthetic Editor: Elizabeth Shay

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

Will The Simpsons Get it Right?

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

We all know the classic TV show The Simpsons. But did you know that The Simpsons can predict the future? Blogger Evan looks back on this show to see what’s coming in 2021. “D’oh!”

By Evan Spry

As 2020 came to an end, many of us found ourselves rushing as fast as possible to leave the year that none of us will forget. We all felt like somehow, just because the year would no longer be “2020,” that we would get a clean slate to start working on and we wouldn’t have to worry about the problems we faced so recently. The level of haste in the transition to the new year caused most of us to skip over necessary precautions that would prepare us for the future. One of these extremely important precautions that we must take before entering the new year is checking the forever-wise and accurate animated oracle, The Simpsons. Over the years, fans of the legendary animated series have spotted clues/hints in certain episodes that uncannily predict the future. This year was no exception.

Inauguration Day 2021

As recently as last year, The Simpsons made some pretty bold predictions about the beginning of 2021 that would remind any American about the current situation we’re in. Popbuzz.com describes, “In The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XXXI, it’s US election day in 2020 and Homer sleeps right through it. We’re then shown Inauguration Day, 20 January 2021, and full-on chaos has ensured[sp]. The series depicts a Doomsday apocalypse in which the US has turned to war.” Now, fortunately, none of these things have actually happened, but many similarities ring true. It’s pretty interesting seeing an episode from a year ago predict that we would be in some sort of political crisis that would lead to chaos and war by Inauguration Day, 2021. A year ago obviously doesn’t sound like that long ago, but we both know that it feels like it’s been half-a-decade since then. Below is a picture from last year’s Simpsons episode.

Animated Insurrection

Unsurprisingly, this is not the only instance of a prediction relating to our current situation. In The Simpsons’s 1996 episode, I’m an Amendment To Be, Bart and Lisa watch an episode which appears to be a parody of SchoolHouse Rock. Instead of a bill, the protagonist is a singing amendment that is trying to make it illegal to burn the American flag. If the amendment passes, “police can beat them [flag burners]” (The Simpsons). By the end of the amendment’s song, a politician opens the door to the Capitol Building for the amendment character, and the amendment yells out, “Door’s open boys!” This was followed by a crowd of gun-toting and bomb-throwing yokels in amendment/paper form storming up the Capitol steps. Even though the scene isn’t 100 percent parallel to what is happening today, it is still crazy to see these images, which were made in 1996.

As we all start to heal from the countless hardships 2020 threw at us and then the embarrassment that happened on the 6th of this year, we should look back at The Simpsons and try our hardest to take after them. Because, even though they may fight, argue, and even hate each other at some points, they always come back together in love because . . . they’re a family.

https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/news/simpsons-predictions-2021/

2021 Predictions Editor: Sara Habibipour