Fort Mojave Tribal Band, Photo Cathleen O'Connell

The Fort Mojave Tribal Band of Needles, CA is featured in a 30-minute documentary film, Sousa on the Rez: Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum, to be released sometime in 2012.  The film is the creation of Boston-based independent documentary filmmaker Cathleen O’Connell.  It is produced in association with Native American Public Communications and the Center for Independent Documentary.

“The film challenges viewers to expand their definition of Native American music and broadens their understanding of contemporary Indian life,” O’Connell said.

To watch a trailer for Sousa on the Rez, go to http://vimeo.com/36230529. 

Another John Philip Sousa style Indian band–the Iroquois Indian Band from upstate New York–is featured along with the Fort Mojave Tribal Band.  Also in the film are bands from the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo Indians. 

“The phrase ‘Native American music’ may not suggest tubas and trumpets, but march music…has been a part of Native culture for over a century,” says O’Connell.

Commenting in the film, Neil Patterson Jr, President of the Iroquois Indian Band says, “The Iroquois Indian Band playing their instruments just lets other people know that there’s more to an Indian than feathers and furs, and things like that.”

According to a Los Angeles Times article, A Sousa Band of Indians, Dec. 23, 2006, “A century ago, dozens of Indian tribes nationwide had bands that played the music of John Philips Sousa and other patriotic anthems.  The bands were an outgrowth of government-run boarding schools that sought…to erase Indian cultures, religious and languages…in the name of assimilation.”

Today, after over 100 years, the Fort Mojave Tribal Band and Iroquois Indian Band are proudly presenting Sousa-style music–a bridge linking American Indian and present-day cultures.

Presently, O’Connell is seeking to raise $5,000 by March 17, 2012, 9:34 PM EDT, through public and private pledges, via the web site Kickstarter.  The money will be used to finish the final phases, for release of the documentary film.  At this writing, Kickstarter has raised $3,015, from 19 pledged supporters.  To participate in the pledge to help with the film’s release, go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1836272756/sousa-on-the-rez-marching-to-the-beat-of-a-differe?ref=liv.  Here, you will find an informative introduction by O’Connell, a window to view the Sousa on the Rez trailer, and a green box “Back This Project,” to click on, should you feel like making a pledge, and becoming a part of the film’s successful release. 

Sousa on the Rez also has a Facebook link at http://facebook.com/sousaontherez.

The Fort Mojave Tribal Band represents the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe (Pipa Aha Macave–the People by the River) of the Mojave Desert. 

Cathleen O’Connell’s broadcast credits include non-fiction programming for PBS, Animal Panet, the History Channel and Discovery Channel.  Some of O’Connell’s projects were the PBS series American Experience, and We Shall Remain.  Other music projects O’Connell was a part of were the PBS series Rock and Roll, and Welcome to the Club: The Women of Rockabilly.

Orion's Belt & Sword, Photo Richard Elliott

The clear and uncanny winter weather may have city people enjoying the starry night skies, usually seen by those in the Mojave Desert.  Star gazers may notice some “extra” bright stars in the sky.  This vast array of stellar objects has been putting on a starry display throughout February and lasting into March.  In viewing these stars each night, you will notice their celestial waltz across the dark backdrop of the night sky, realizing these extra stars are planets!  The best viewing of the planets begins just after sunset and between 7-9 PM.

Shortly after sunset, look to the western horizon for the dimly-lit planet Mercury.  With the aid of powerful binoculars, such as 10×50s, Mercury may be easier to find in the soft glow of evening sunset.  Each night it will appear a little higher in the sky, until March 5.  Then, Mercury will be at its greatest elongation, and begin its downward journey, until it fades from view in the sunlight and below the horizon.  While looking for Mercury, don’t forget to seek out the other bright planets.

Still facing west, take your gaze slightly upward to the next very bright object–Venus.  Continue the upward search to the next brilliant body–Jupiter.   Although these two planets may be seen just after sunset, while looking for Mercury, they will appear even more impressive between 7-9 PM.  Equally splendid will be the night of March 4, when Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will form a vertical “line” in the night sky.

Those owning powerful binoculars may watch the hourly movement of Jupiter’s moons.  Hour-to-hour, the position of the moons  will change.  Up to four moons may be seen at once.  When less than four moons appear, that is because the “missing” moon is behind or in front of the planet.  Still, there is more to be seen between 7-9 PM.

Twinkling brilliantly in the southern sky is the beautiful star Sirius, to the left of and slightly below the constellation of Orion.  Sirius is the brightest star in the western hemisphere.  In Greek mythology, Orion is the great hunter, with his sword hanging from his belt of three equally spaced stars (see photo).  Within the sword is the Great Orion Nebulae, a great binocular viewing object, filled with thousands of stars.

Turning your gaze northeast, the Big Dipper (Ursa Major), standing on its “handle” end, will appear like a huge question mark. 

Later in the evening, brilliant Mars will appear rising in the eastern horizon, taking the night to cross the sky.   On March 5 it will be at its greatest elongation.  Nightly, watch its movement among the stars, near the constellation Leo the Lion.

To learn more about the night sky and its wonders, check out the following web sites;

http://stardate.org/,     http://www.thenightskyguy.com/?page_id=24,   http://dennismammana.com/skyinfo/calendar.htm, and http://spaceweather.com/

Date Palm-- Photo, China Ranch Date Farm

Queen Scheherazade (Jordana Totam) and her court, Princess Dunyazade (Alysha Woodson) and Princess Jasmine (Francesca Parker) will be greeting Fair goers at the 66th annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival.  The Fair runs February 16-26, at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, CA.  The first date festival was in 1921, to honor Coachella Valley’s cash crop of dates.

“Indio’s date industry began in the late 19th century, accompanied by a marketing campaign that promoted the desert as a kind of “Arabian Nights” fantasy place,” says Fielding Buck in his February 16, 2012 article (www.Inlandsocal.com), “Indio!  Date Festival carries on decades of history.”  

The Fair has something for everyone and is good family fun.  There is a petting zoo and carnival rides for the kids.  There will be music, entertainment, and loads of food especially related to dates, as well as the traditional carnival food.

During the 10-day event, big name performers will be on stage, such as Uncle Kracker, LeAnn Rimes, Hot Chelle Rae, and Banda Las Recoditos.  Also, a Battle of the Bands will feature local groups, Feb. 20, 12 pm.

Other shows and exhibitions include camel and ostrich races, Bull-O-Rama, monster trucks, freestyle motor-cross and a demolition derby.  Every night at 6:15 pm will be a musical pageant.

“This musical extravaganza continues to keep the Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights alive and vibrant, with all of the exhilarating twists and edge-of-the-seat suspense…that kept Queen Scheherazade herself alive,” says Fair organizers at http://www.datefest.org.

A musical tribute, “Salute to America,” will honor our country’s Armed Services, 6 PM nightly.  It incorporates service men and women and local school color gurards.

The Queen and her court were chosen November 19, 2011 at the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival’s “Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant”.

According to Wikipedia, “…the Chamber of Commerce deemed Indio’s official nickname to be “The City of Festivals,” since Indio hosts numerous events.

“The Fair started as a festival to celebrate the end of the annual date harvest in the region,” says Wikipedia.

There are more than 7,000 exhibits and competitions related to the date.  Be sure to sample a date milkshake!

For more information visit www.datefest.orgor call 1-800-811-3247.  The Fair is located in Indio at the Riverside County Fairgrounds, 82-503 Hwy 111.