Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council Members Meeting Feb. 7

The Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council will have a general membership meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 5 to 7pm in the Friendship Hall (pictured) at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center.

The agenda includes the introduction of new and current Board members, 2012 Hwy 62 Art Tours dates and info, art show dates and times and other Arts Council updates.

Joshua Tree Retreat Center is located at at 59700 Hwy 62 in Joshua Tree. Turn right after entering the driveway to find the Friendship Hall. For directions or more info about the Retreat Center, visit www.jtrcc.org.

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Performance: Vice & Verse - Eric Burdon is Alive & Well

Performance: Vice & Verse is a regular column by Performing Arts Director Ted Quinn

Eric Burdon is Alive and Well

Saturday night at the SOLD OUT Desert Stories, a lucky audience will be privileged to enjoy a rare local appearance by Eric Burdon, along with a lot of other very interesting folks. Burdon, who has authored two published books and countless great songs, is a natural story teller.

Just this week, two completely unique recordings of his Bob Dylan cover, "Serve Somebody," were released. Click here to read the full story!

Astrologer Brian Evis Jan. 27 at Joshua Tree Retreat Center

The Joshua Tree Retreat Center will host astrologer Brian Evis for a discussion on astrological trends and patterns for the pivotal year of 2012, and show people how to work with these influences to achieve their own goals.

The discussion will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, from 7 to 9 PM in Friendship Hall, a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright designed meeting space, at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center (formerly Mentalphysics).  A suggested donation of $5 per participant will be appreciated and welcomed, but no one will be turned away.

"Don't plug into the end of the world hysteria," said Mr. Evis.  "People all over the world are looking for new freedoms.  And the astrological cycles of 2012 will support these freedoms in an upbeat, positive way."

For more info visit www.jtrcc.org.

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"Jake's Women" Continues at Theatre 29 Through Feb. 11

"Jake's Women" continues its very successful run at Theatre 29 through February 11. Director Butch Pelfrey and his talented cast are leaving audiences delighted and garnering rave reviews.

Catch regular performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm, as well as a Sunday matinee on Feb. 5 at 2:30pm.

Tickets for the regular performances and the Sunday matinee are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and military; and $8 for students. Tickets can be purchased from the box office during any performance, or by calling (760) 361-4151 or online at www.theatre29.org.

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Morongo Basin Life Drawing League Meets Thursdays

The Morongo Basin Life Drawing League is working for the next month with clothed and costumed models. The group meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30pm in the Friendship Hall at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center.

As the group enters its fifth year, the Morongo Basin Life Drawing League has become a respected and persistent opportunity for beginners and experienced artists to draw the human form in a professional atmosphere.

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Gosia Wlodarczak Frost Drawing for Joshua Tree

BoxoPROJECTS is proud to launch its residency and programming series in Joshua Tree, CA with Gosia Wlodarczak's "Frost Drawing for Joshua Tree" Feb. 3-5.

"Frost Drawing for Joshua Tree" will unfold over three days at BoxoHOUSE, the new local BoxoPROJECTS site. From 1-5pm daily between Friday, Feb. 3 between Sunday, Feb. 5, the public is invited to meet the artist, to witness the making of the work, and to be part of inaugurating BoxoHOUSE's activities locally.
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Couples Dance Classes Offered at Brilliant Dance

Brilliant Dance in Yucca Valley is offering Couples Dance - Fun Date Nights, learn a variety of slow dances just in time for Valentine's Day! Four one-hour classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 31, and Feb. 2, 7 and 9, from 7 to 8pm. Cost is $50 per couple, instructor is Keersten Ingersoll.

To sign up, or for more info, call 760-369-3399 or visit www.brilliantdance.com. Brilliant Dance is located at 58967 Business Center Dr. Suite G in Yucca Valley. Click here to enlarge the poster.

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JT Retreat Center's Full Moon Community Drum Circle on Feb. 7

The Joshua Tree Retreat Center at the Institute of Mentalphysics will host a community drum circle celebrating the Full Moon on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 7 to 9pm. Well-known Joshua Tree percussionist Sam Sloneker will facilitate the gathering, which will be held in the center's Sanctuary.

Participants are encouraged to bring drums, shakers, tambourines, etc.; a number of instruments will also be available at the event. There is no charge to attend, though a suggested donation of $5 per participant or $10 per family will be welcomed and appreciated.

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12 Artists New Season Exhibit at Joshua Tree Art Gallery

12 artists are on display for the New Season exhibit at Joshua Tree Art Gallery.

Featured artists include David Burnham, Kim Chasen, Karen Florek, Frederick Fulmer, Marcia Geiger, David MacKenzie, James O'Keefe, Naomi Parker, Drew Reese, Steve Rieman, Suzanne Ross and Tobi Taboada.

Joshua Tree Art Gallery is located at 61607 Hwy 62 Suite B, open 10am-3pm Saturday and noon-3pm Sunday, or by appointment at 760-366-3636. For more info visit www.joshuatreeartgallery.com.

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Sharon Costa, David McChesney at 29 Palms Art Gallery

The 29 Palms Art Gallery will exhibit paintings of Sharon Costa in the Main Gallery, and nature and wildlife photography by David McChesney in the West Gallery, on display through Jan. 29.  Member work is also on view in the Pickering Room.  There will be an opening reception on Sunday, Jan. 8, from noon to 3pm.

Sharon Costa graduated from San Bernardino High School and later taught art at Crestmore School in Bloomington, as well as taking classes at CMC from Spelman Downer and David Musser and Chuck Caplinger

Last chance to see! Click here to read the full story!

Hilary Sloane's "American Life in Photos" at Glass Outhouse Gallery

Photographer Hilary Sloane has her works on exhibit at the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery in 29 Palms through Jan. 29. Called "TAKE HEART: American Life in Photos", Sloane's collection of images is an intensely beautiful and heartfelt depiction sharing a deeper insight into what it means to exist, live and thrive in America.

Sloane's exhibit is part of an overall photo exploration, a journey she began in 2004 after working on location in Argentina. It was there that Sloane became inspired by shooting everyday scenes in extraordinary ways. Upon returning home, she took a road trip

Last chance to see! Click here to read the full story!

Desert Storms Exhibit at 29 Palms Visitor Center

Fifteen desert artists are showing work in the new "Desert Storms" show at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce.

The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 29 and is open seven days a week, sponsored by the Public Arts Advisory Committee of the City of Twentynine Palms.

Featured in the show are more than two dozen paintings representing various moods of desert storms in oil, acrylic, watercolor, encaustic and mixed media by artists Click here to read the full story!

Red Arrow Gallery Celebrates Five Year Anniversary

The Red Arrow Gallery will celebrate its Five Year Anniversary with an opening for '15 Years' Bret Philpot on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 10pm. At 8pm, there will be a special performance by Jesika and Todd of Gram Rabbit!

Bret Philpot is a desert treasure.  For his new show at The Red Arrow, Bret takes a look back at his last '15 Years' doing what he does and loves best. On this night we also celebrate 5 Years for The Red Arrow Gallery and the community that supports it! The weekend is capped off on Sunday with 'The House of Dolls' Hi-Desert Fashion Show at The Red Arrow!

For info please contact katie@theredarrowgallery.com.

Photo Contest Exhibit at Joshua Tree Visitor Center

The Joshua Tree National Park Association is currently exhibiting photographs that were featured in the Joshua Tree National Park 75th Anniversary Photo Contest.

The 75th Anniversary Photo Contest, sponsored by the Joshua Tree National Park Association, gave photographers the opportunity to share their passion and personal vision of Joshua Tree. Over 40 images are showcased in the exhibition.

The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is located at 6554 Park Blvd in the city of Joshua Tree.

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"Jackrabbit Homestead" Exhibit at Red Arrow Gallery

The Red Arrow Gallery Presents "Jackrabbit Homestead," an exhibit of new work by Kim Stringfellow.

The landscape of the Morongo Basin of Southern California's Mojave Desert is dotted with unusual buildings and parcels of land that developed as a result of the Small Tract Act of 1938. The structures, which are remnants of a mid-century homestead movement, have become a lightning rod for seemingly disparate communities wishing to claim and inhabit the desert landscape.

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Call for Artists: Upcoming Youth Art Month Exhibits in 29 Palms

Two upcoming shows in Twentynine Palms will give young artists and opportunity to exhibit, in celebration of Youth Art Month.

The first show in the Basin will be the 29 Palms Art Gallery's annual Young Artist show for 7 – 12 grade students. The second will be held at the Roadside Attraction Gallery for kindergarten through 8th grade students.

All public school, private school and home school students between the ages of 13 and 18 are invited to submit one 2D or 3D work of art at the 29 Palms Art Gallery on Saturday or Sunday, January 28-29, between noon and 3pm, or on Monday, January 30, between 9 and 11:30am.

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Acrylic/ Collage Painting Classes at Copper Mountain College

Darlene Morris will offer Acrylic/Collage Painting community education class at Copper Mountain College (Coms 103 AC01). The class meets Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and March 1, from 2:30 to 5pm in Room 401.

Working with transparent acrylic paint in a free and playful way, students will develop the resulting under-layers into a finished painting. Using various media, collage paper, and reference materials, students will have a unique art piece that reflects their own artistic vision.

Class is limited to 10 students. Fee $80, plus a material fee of $10 payable to the instructor in class. Students are encouraged to bring saved recycled items to use in their pieces.

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Art in Public Places Challenge: A Portable 29!

A unique challenge has been issued to local artists by the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) of the City of Twentynine Palms: Envision the surface decoration for a portable replica of the iconic "29!" sculpture.

The newly constructed portable "29!" sculpture, which is 96 inches wide and 72 inches high, will be mounted on a trailer and displayed at various community functions and public locations throughout the year, echoing the exuberance of the large steel sculpture at the base of Donnell Hill on the highway downtown.

Artists are invited to submit conceptual sketches to the PAAC by February 15, 2012, showing their proposed vision for the surface decoration in paint, mosaic, ceramic, or other mixed media application.

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Call for Art: "Desert Wildflowers" Show in 29 Palms

"Desert Wildflowers: Kaleidoscope of Color" is the spring exhibition at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center & Gallery and Chamber of Commerce from March 1 to May 31. Expectations of glorious blooms should bring visitors to the Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree National Park this year, and artists are encouraged to express their interpretation of this season of desert beauty.

Artists are encouraged to stretch the boundaries of expression and Click here to read the full story!

Call for Artists: 29 Palms Art Gallery Student Show

29 Palms Art Gallery is accepting works for the 2012 student show, open to all students enrolled in the Morongo School district junior high and high schools, including area home teaching and private schools.

A mat and framing workshop will be held on Jan. 14, from 9 to 11:30am, to help students present their work in a professional manner. Reservations required, and a small fee will be charged. Call 760-367-7819 for info.

Works will be accepted at the gallery on Jan. 28 and 29 from noon until 3pm, and Jan. 30 from 9-11:30am. Click here to read the full story!

Desert Institute Class - Introduction to Book Art

Spend a day learning to make books you can use to record your time in Joshua Tree National Park!  Join Artist-in-Residence MaryEllen Hackett as she teaches participants how to bind their own blank pages into folded, sewn, and glued books on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 am – 4 pm.

In the second part of the day there will be time for participants to experiment and combine different styles to make their own unique books. This class is designed for everyone. Each book form will be taught step by step at the participant's pace with time for individual instruction.

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