Breaking The 4 th Wall - Rita Gonzales

from Coachella Valley Weekly - August 27 to September 2, 2020 Vol. 9 No. 24

Cannabis Corner

continued from page 3

CVW: The last two events have been hugely successful. Has the pandemic presented any new problems for those in need and what do you expect the outcome to be after this year’s festival?

Parnell: “Luckily when we put the word out for people in need from COVID-19 the response wasn’t overwhelming and it didn’t deplete all the funds from last year. We are hoping to build on that and have a good amount in the till for when we’re gonna need it and then figure out how to be more proactive rather than reactive, doing things to prevent the next disaster other than just help people after it.”

De Jarnette: “The main thing is it all goes back into the community. It’s not like we’re able to spend money on lavish dinners haha. The people who need it the most are going to be able to have access to it.”

CVW: I’m sure it’s disappointing for you and your team in not being able to present a live event this year. What has been the response of residents in Idyllwild?

Parnell: “Everyone is looking forward to next year. Unfortunately, I’ve heard from more people express their disappointment it not being a giant live event, it’s something they were looking forward to this year. People are pleased when they hear there’s going to be an online version to see local bands other bands they haven’t heard of before. For them, it’s about appreciating need, stay for a period of time and then move on or they become ingrained in our lives over the years and remain an integral part of our world. Rita Gonzales, has always been a lifetime friend in the Los Angeles Theatre and LGBTQ communities, and now she’s become a full-time resident of Palm Springs. With her sense of humor and never one to shy away from a challenge, Rita decided to move to Palm Springs… during the summer… and in the middle of a global Pandemic.

She began her involvement in Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos, (GLLU) the oldest LGBT Latino organization in Southern California, where she served as President of this organization in 1986. She has since served on several boards of directors, including Connexxus, an organization for women, the Los Angeles Stonewall Democratic Club, as the co-chair of the people of color committee, the One National Gay and Lesbian Archives, where she was on the board of directors. She was also on the advisory board for Women On A Roll, an organization for women seeking alternative recreational activities. She now chairs the board of directors for Bienestar, a Latino health education agency that she has been affiliated with since its inception in 1989.

Rita began her affiliation with radio as a local music.”

DeJarnette: “One of the major complaints in the last two years is that there was too much music going on at the same time and they couldn’t see all the artists that they wanted to see. So this year we won’t miss anything”.

CVW: Will there be any interactive features during the festival?

Parnell: “We want to bring in a chat element so that we can respond to people in real time. People can comment while we’re playing a video. We can say something live on-air recognizing individual sponsors and people who are donating”.

CVW: You two will be the event hosts, how long have you known each other?

De Jarnette: “Brian and I met at a Halloween party where Throw the Goat was performing. Plus, I have a production company called Deej Productions and we specialize in live shows, music videos, studio sessions, and beat making so we have similar interests. We bonded when Young Idyllwild came together.”

Parnell: “Now Nathan is VP and I’m President. We’re calling all the shots on Idyllwild Strong which was a knee-jerk response to the Cranston Fire that’s turned into something that’s way bigger than we ever thought it would be.”

CVW: I remember some initial trepidation before the first Idyllwild Strong

host for "Radio GLLU" in 1986, where she was co-host and editor for 11 years. In 1995, she became co-host of the newly formatted show IMRU, one of the longest running gay and lesbian radio programs in Southern California. Since that time, she has worked as a segment producer, technical engineer, board operator and editor and the executive producer of IMRU.

She is currently co-producing a new LGBT radio webcast program on KPFK called “The Out Agenda.” Through interviews, debates, and special feature stories, this show examines today’s issues from the LGBT perspective. Each week, listeners are invited to be active participants in the show with call ins, by posting comments on Facebook, or with emails and tweets. The OUT Agenda is truly the voice of the LBGT community in action.

I met Rita, when she worked as the Sound Engineer on the production of my first play over twenty years ago. And what started as a friend for a reason soon became a friend for a season and eventually a life time as she went on to work on just about every play I wrote, directed or produced. When Songwriter Michele Weiss, and I founded The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project in 2007, Rita Gonzales, became one of the first board members, bringing her lifetime of experience and skills to the organization.

“Another one of my passions is live theatre.” Rita states, “I love working behind the stage. I fall in love with every play that I have done. This is where I met Dee Jae Cox, I was the sound engineer on several of her productions. I loved working with the LA Women’s Theatre Project. I look forward to working with this organization here in Palm Springs and other theatre companies. I swept a mean floor and I am a good ticket taker.”

Now a new permanent resident of Palm Springs, she continues to record and broadcast her show, “The Out Agenda,”

and help. We appreciate the donations but people coming up and spending money is good enough. The Brew Pub had the best night they’ve ever had during Idyllwild Strong. We’re going to do everything we can to keep it flowing and keep the vibe alive.”

Parnell: “Seeing businesses packed to the gills with people is the most rewarding, Nathan is right.”

CVW: The silver lining to an online only event is the global appeal.

Parnell: “Every year we expand the awareness of Idyllwild and the festival around the world. As it grows, we have the opportunity to bring in bigger artists for future festivals so people are talking about it through word of mouth.”

For more information, go to: www.idyllwildstrong.com

RITA GONZALES – BY DEE JAE COX A FRIEND FOR A REASON, A SEASON, OR A LIFETIME