Raven Jake Dawes

More Chuntaro Boots

This just in from Marcello at Guanabee: (sensitive readers, there's some language involved but it's impossible not to get excited about chuntaro boots)

 

Supply and demand, bitches; you covet awesome chuntaro boots, and now a manufacturer by the name of Rancho Hipster is here to take care of you.

Dude, these guys ARE NOT fucking around. You want a pair of pointy boots so long and pointy that they'll practically poke your own eyes out? They can make those. Wanna bedazzle your name on some cowhide with LEDs, gold or diamonds? That can be done. Or what about stitching religious artifacts -- Virgen Marias, rosaries, Santa Muertes -- anything so that you may ward off evil chuntaros? Not a problem. How determined is Rancho Hipster to please its customers? "We'll can do anything that's humanly possible," is what they've written on their Mercado Libre (an ebay or sorts) ordering page:

What? You think your loved ones would rather get a box of chocolates as a bday present instead of an awesome set of chuntaro boots? Rancho Hipster doesn't think so:

And you know what? They are 100% right.

Fela! at the Ahmanson Theatre

Remember my New Year's Resolution for 2011? It was that I'd start tellin' y'all about stuff I was going to do BEFORE it happened, instead of just tellin' you that you missed a great party. Now obviously a lot of stuff happens in my life that's just spontaneous - I can't rightly say "meet me over at the Revivals in Cat City and we'll see if any of my old furniture has come back to haunt me. Maybe pick out a nice string tie for you..." but if I know I'm goin' to some official sort of event, then I'm making a better effort to get the word out.  

Case in point: I'm going to see Fela! on Jan. 6. at the Ahmanson Theatre. It's a musical about Fela Kuti, his life, political activism and music. Get yourself a ticket, come on down. You can bet I'll have plenty to say afterward (and I actually am a huge fan of Nigerian drumming) but since the show only runs through Jan. 22, you might want to make your move now.

http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=15491

Redlands Masquerade Ball Oct. 22

I haven't committed to any Hallowe'en plans as yet, but I will say that the bellydancers of the inland empire really know how to throw a party:

 

When:  Saturday, Oct 22, 2011

Where:  Redlands, CA (map)

Description:  Masquerade Ball Sat EVENING!! 7-11pm

131 Cajon St Redlands Ca 92374

Food and drinks will be provided. Costume contest! 50/50 raffle! dancing! lessons on Victorian ballroom dancing! entertainment! Join us in IE's first Masquerade Ball! you must have a costume and mask to add to the fun!

Bat Boy at the Alex Theater

Here's one I hope they repeat. Now you might not know this, but I've been a big fan of the Bat Boy ever since the Weekly World News discovered him in a deep cave or coal mine or somethin' in the early '90s. So of course I was delighted when Laurence O’Keefe, Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming worked up a musical based on his adventures. I defy anyone to not tear up a little bit during "A Home for You." I practically have to get Jane a towel every time that number comes up.

So far we've seen it performed at La Canada High School (the best), Glendale Community College, and now by the Musical Theater Guild at the historic Alex Theater in Glendale. This was a special "musical in a weekend" sorts of things where the actors have a very limited amount of time for rehearsal, and the "set" is basically a few chairs.

It was fantastic. 

Unfortunately, it was a one-off event on June 13, but I hope they add it to next year's season - one of my favorite musicals sung by some very, very talented people. Great tunes, great message.

The entire cast was wonderful so I can't pick out a favorite, but I'll keep watching Scott Harlan and Kevin Symons was outstanding in what can be a thankless role - the evil veterinarian, Dr. Parker. Boo! All the principals were well chosen and brought something fresh to the performance. And truly, a mountain's no place to raise cows.

Ron Taylor, Maggie, Clem		Dina Bennett
Shelley Parker		Melissa Lyons Caldretti
Meredith Parker		Cynthia Ferrer
Rick Taylor, Lorraine, Mr. Dillon		Chris Warren Gilbert
Mrs. Taylor, Roy, Reverend Billy Hightower, Institute Man		Scott Harlan
Sheriff Reynolds		Roy Leake, Jr.
Ruthie Taylor, Ned		Shauna Markey
Daisy, Bud, Pan, Doctor		Erik McEwen
Dr. Thomas Parker		Kevin Symons
Bat Boy		Jeffrey Christopher Todd

 

Will the Circle be Unbroken?

Dr Bernice Johnson Reagon has been on my mind lately. Don't know why, but man - what a voice! It was a wrench to pick "Will the Circle be Unbroken" over "Oh, Mary Don't You Weep" especially since Pharaoh's Army better get drownded if they can't make corporations pay taxes like the rest of us. I believe this clip is from Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest television show in 1965. It also looks like Rainbow Quest, an awesomely forward-thinking racially integrated folk music extravaganza, might be having another day in the sun too, based on a little light research. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Quest 

This Machine Kills Fascists

Folks, I'm on a Woody Guthrie kick lately, you'll just have to bear with me.  Woody was singin' about "Hard Traveling" way back in the mid-'40s, but it's just as true now. Plus, I gotta give Mr. Guthrie major points for style. The simple guitar remains as good a machine for killing fascists as an AK-47, and it's a whole lot cleaner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raven Jake at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire

On Saturday, we took a little trip on over to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire which,  unfortunately, ended today. I'll make it a point to get over there earlier next season, which generally translates to April - May.

Over to the right, I'm in the stocks. Someone else got "naughty" as their crime description - I got the second best, Pig Thief. Know what? I didn't see your name on it, friend.

I haven't actually been to the Faire in years, and I'm pleased to see that it's grown a bunch. And ladies, there's nothing wrong with being a healthy mammal, so go ahead and flaunt it. I will be offering my quiet support.

Over here on the left, we have the Poxy Boggards, one of my favorite "specialty bands" - actually, they self-describe as a "drinking band with a singing problem," and that sums it up pretty neatly. Just in case you're not hearing all the innuendo and off- color references, there is a sign language interpreter to the left of the stage to illustrate all the lyrics in vivid detail. Yes, they have a PG-rated act as well, but we were short of time and ended up in the NC-17 area. Just in case you were under the impression that life was boring in the 1500s - it wasn't. Read Chaucer.

Also on my exciting firsts list - jousting.

That stunt crew surely earns it, what ever "it" is. Knights in full armor knock each other off their mounts, then have at it with a variety of medieval weapons. The fact that no one has been brained with a morningstar is rather amazing, all things considered.

Of course, there's the shopping and the beer, the leering and the educational displays and the Queen and the historical reenactors.

So there's something for everybody. The dress code is pretty darned eclectic too. Got your hard-core Renaissance realists, the steampunks, the retro-goths, the pirates, the faeries, the barbarians, and some looks that just defy genre. So come as you are or want to be, and have a good time.

 

Gram Rabbit and Spindrift in Pioneertown

While I was recording my newest song "Gasoline" this weekend, Jane was off with Adam Gorightly and friends at Salvation Mountain. More on all of that later, I just wanted to send a shout out to Pappy and Harriet's for being one of the finest honky-tonks around. Great place for barbecue, and an even better place for live music. Case in point - the featured bands were Gram Rabbit and Spindrift - both cutting-edge cowpunk - if you like that kinda thing, which I do, especially live. So if you find yourself in Pioneertown of a weekend, go check it out.  Down below is Gram Rabbit, singing California Christmas. It's just a goofy little song to illustrate what Christmas is like here in Southern California (and those of you who're stringing up lights on the Joshua Tree on Saturday know what I'm talkin' about.)

 

 

 

David Chamber's Song

I've got a shout out to our friends in the Tongva and Tataviam Nations - we need some help id-ing a lullaby. David Chambers, one of Eulalia's descendants, learned this one from his grandfather on his mother's side, Alexander Howison Murray, Jr., (1907-1993). He initially thought that it was Tongva, because of Eulalia Perez de Guillen's long involvement with the San Gabriel Mission, but it may actually be Tataviam, if the origin was through her daughter Rita de la Osa. Do we have any Native speakers who can get to the bottom of this mystery? What do the words mean, and is this one of your family songs too?

 

Yoko’s Wish Trees, Two Years Later

Yoko picked up on my blog about her Wish Tree installment in Pasadena. (You can read about it, along with her comment, by clicking the link) John Lennon's 70th birthday would have been on Oct 9, if his life had not been cut short by an assassin 30 years ago. Please join me in a collective wish for world peace to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of this musician, activist and visionary.  Yoko’s Wish Trees, Two Years Later.