Category: News

Residents of the High Desert will have a chance to see some of the best Independent feature films and shorts, right here in local venues. There are also events, panel discussions, workshops and red carpet parties that will set the High Desert on fire.

The Joshua Tree International Film Festival (JTIFF) will begin Friday, September 18th and run through Sunday, September 20th. Festival venues will include the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce, Ricochet, the Starlight Courtyard behind Pie for the People, JT trading post, The Station, 29 Excursions, and the Art Queen. The JTIFF/Black Lotus Award in Filmmaking to commemorate outstanding work featured at the festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th at 6:00 PM at the Station. Check the website for a complete list of events and venues.

The idea for the festival began when resident Eric Quander (“Q”) had a casual conversation with local celebrity, Teddy Quinn. Quinn, the founder of Radio Free Joshua Tree and owner of the Beatnik Lounge, suggested to Quander that he show weekly films. After making a couple of phone calls, Q discovered he could get access to many independent feature films and shorts from all over the world. He also knew musicians and media trendsetters who were more than willing to come to Joshua Tree and send off the festival with just the right amount of pomp and ceremony.

“Film was my first love and calling,” said Quinn, “but I prefer the Joshua Tree aesthetic to the one favored by my hometown of Hollywood.  The fearless Eric Quander is an inspirational person. He thinks big, in a small town, communal way.”

The festival begins Friday with the Red Carpet Kickoff Party and the Haymarket Squares will perform their particular brand of Punk and Bluegrass known as “Punk Grass.” This feisty, foot-tapping group, known for ecstatic dancing, revolutionary lyrics, and quick picking mandolin playing, should get the blood running through the film-loving-High-Desert crowd.

Bruce Greenwood (actor in Wildlike), Jason Mamoa (actor in Road to Paloma), Dr. Chris Ryan (Author), Erin Aubrey Kaplan (writer and Journalist), Ian Edwards (Comic), Esther Potvitsky (Comic), Maya Taylor (actor in Tangerine) and numerous filmmakers are planning to attend the festival.

Quinn will be on hand to moderate a discussion by three multi-talented artists and filmmakers, Diane Best, Kate McCabe, and Eva Soltes.

The films chosen for the festival cross different genre’s and disciplines and include both experimental and the traditional representation.

Experimental filmmaker and Joshua Tree resident, Kate McCabe will be showing her film “You and I remain.”  McCabe’s work in 16mm film honors a medium she hopes to keep alive.

“I am a huge fan of celluloid,” said McCabe. The alchemical and tangible experience of film, is for me, the most rewarding. It has silver halides on it, it needs light to be exposed, it’s part of this magical process and projected.”

Mania, a Canadian drama, released in 2013 is another film being show at this festival. The film, directed by Michel Poulette is the story of the daughter of an Innu Chief, who embarks on a dangerous quest that takes her to an unexpected new life. Poulette, who spoke to me by phone, said he was sorry he would not be attending the festival because of a conflict with his shooting schedule, but he is delighted the film is part of the Joshua Tree International Film Festival.

Mania, a sensitive and cinematically beautiful and touching film was adapted from a book by the same name. Mania has been named Best Picture at the 2013 American Indian Film Festival, and Roseanne Supernault (the lead actress) was named Best Actress.The film also garnered six Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Picture, Best Art Direction/Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score and Best Make-Up.

Tangerine, a game changer, both by its choice of subject matter (transgender working girls) and its shooting style (shot with an I Phone 5) is an Indie film causing lots of buzz around the world. Its star Maya Taylor will represent the film.

“Now we have a film festival that is going to bring directors and filmmakers from around the world to Joshua Tree,” said Seth Shteir, a Joshua Tree resident. “This festival is a natural extension of our arts and music scene.”

Tangerine’s producer Darren Dean said, “I think a lot of filmmakers take film festivals for granted. My second feature was based on meeting someone at a film festival. It’s a great social event that helps the community, helps the audiences and makes the Arts number one.”

There are 40 highly acclaimed, artistic, inventive, and original films, documentaries and shorts, scheduled for the first Joshua Tree International Film Festival. McCabe is eager to share her work with the community as well as connect with artists, filmmakers, and cinema lovers from around the world. This festival is strengthening and expanding the community to reach way beyond the desert. The High Desert has become the little town “that could”.

Passes and tickets to screenings and events can be purchased online in advance at  http://jtiff.org. Tickets will be available for pickup at the Box Office, at the JT Trading Post (61716 29 Palms Hwy) beginning on Friday, September 18 at Noon and on Saturday, 8:00 AM.

Advance individual tickets (August 18-Sept. 14) – $5-$20

Festival Pass – $125 (All films and events)/$40 for Seniors, Military & Students

Day Pass (All films): Saturday – $85/Sunday – $75

Tickets purchased after September 14 and At-Door – $10-$25

Check the website – JTIFF.org for a list of events and venues.

 Unknown to many, they offer up pivotal knowledge about SBC history and far, far beyond. As an introduction to some of the most intriguing places that fly under the geographical radar, here are 10 museums in San Bernardino County you should visit:

1. Redland’s Kimberly Crest House and Gardens is a French chateau-style Victorian mansion that pulls you in with lavish landscaping and pristine Victorian architecture. If you are a lover of ambiance and and the rich culture of mid 1800s, you’ll want to head here.

2. The Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum honors one of the great landmarks running through San Bernardino County. Route 66 was one of the original full- fledged highways in the United States, dating back to 1926. The museum takes the best of the best memorabilia, placing it under one roof, offering it up to the nearby community and travelers looking to make their own mark on the historic road.

3. The Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art, located on Chaffey College’s Rancho Cucamonga Campus, is a one-stop-shop for must see art surrounding artists working and living now. The atmosphere of the museum is one that is carefully nurtured by the artists and curatorial staff that utilize the space several times a year to erect new and exciting installations. For a look at current and future exhibitions, click here.

4. The Yucaipa Valley Historical Society Museum is feast for historical, cultural and agricultural exploration. Also referred to as the Mousley Museum of Natural History, its landscape offers a glimpse into some of the early churches, homes and  businesses that laid foundation on the land.

5. The Yanks Air Museum, located in Chino, is ready to serve the aviation lover in you. The museum focuses on 20^th century America aviation equipment, even giving the audience an up close and personal look at the towering vehicles which opened up a completely new door for innovation and travel.

6. The Historical Glass Museums is one of Redlands best kept secrets, located on Orange St. in a stylish Victorian Era home built in 1903. The foundation purchased the house in 1977 and began filling it with glass relics from centuries of glass blowing innovation.

7. For the adventurous museum attendee captivated by archeology, the Calico Early Man Site, is a must see. Located in Barstow, the museum highlights are the excavation workshops and their quarry sites— highly hands on and interactive.

8. Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex is your go- to for all things astronomy. Here, you can learn about the equipment used to study the stars, and even catch a view of outer up through the professional specs.

9. For the in-the-know art connoisseur, Joshua Tree is an obvious goldmine full of scenic views and unique geographic quirks. Keys Desert Queen Ranch, one of the city’s most beloved historic houses, is a huge treat buried in the area’s rustic, natural landscape.

10. Nostalgia is a beautiful thing, that’s why the Original McDonald’s Restaurant Museum is such a huge treat to have. Opened in 1940, this location is the site of the very first McDonald’s. Now, it holds some of the most rare memorabilia from one of the world’s biggest companies, Mickey D’s.

Maestro Robertson, who plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season, is being honored with a special endowment fund which has already raised more than $760,000 toward its $1 million goal. He has conducted the Redlands Symphony for 34 years and has been praised by the Los Angeles Times as “a conductor who inspires confidence in a listener – his beat is utterly secure; his feeling for structure, unfailing; his overall manner, no-nonsense elegance.”

There are still two opportunities this season for music lovers to attend concerts by the Redlands Symphony:

April 11: 65 Years of Grandeur

The Redlands Symphony concludes its season with Ludwig van Beethoven’s epic Heroic Symphony (Symphony No. 3 Eroica, op. 55). The evening will include additional selections by Beethoven and by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The concert will be held at 8 p.m. in the University of Redlands’ Memorial Chapel.

May 17:The Toy BoxFamily Concert and Instrument Petting Zoo

The symphony presents a free afternoon performance of Claude Debussy’s The Toy Box, followed by an opportunity for children and adults to try out the different instruments of the orchestra. The concert will be held at 2 p.m. in the University of Redlands’ Memorial Chapel.

Until Aug. 4, all contributions made to the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign will be matched by the Quest Foundation at the rate of $1 for every $2 raised. “We are beginning to receive gifts from the community as part of the public phase of the campaign and expect that to grow over the next several months,” noted Paul Ideker, president and CEO of the Redlands Symphony.

The three finalists in the search for a new music director and conductor will be announced later this spring when the symphony unveils its 2015-2016 season, Ideker said.

For more information about donations or the symphony, visit http://redlandssymphony.com or call (909) 748-8018.