PRESCOTT PULSE: BAND SPOTLIGHT

Palomino

Prescott Now: How long have you guys been playing together?

Palomino: Mike and Ann Marie were in another band (Cadillac Ranch) for a while in 2016-2017 and also played together for several months pre-pandemic with Travis Crow at The Windsock.

When things started opening up in fall 2020, Mike and Ann Marie got together with Darin Mahoney for a few jam sessions that were the sparked Palomino. Ann Marie and Darin played some gigs in early 2021 as a duo, but the trio came to fruition in spring and into the summer of ‘21.

We added John Regalado on upright bass to round out the lineup in early ‘22. John had played in a bluegrass band called Peaceful Outlaws with Darin previously.

Prescott Now: What genre or genres of music do you play? What about them inspires you?

Palomino: We are an unabashedly country band, leaning heavily into the cowboy and western flavor of the genre. But we also love to play the fun and crowd-pleasing ‘80s and ‘90s country hits. We’ve also been known to reimagine a few noncountry hits to fit the Palomino style.

Country music is simple, accessible, and at its very essence, true to the human spirit and experience.

Prescott Now: What is the key to being a successful musical act in Prescott and Northern Arizona?

Palomino: You have to define for yourselves how you measure your success. When we set off making music as a group and talked about what we wanted from this, we luckily all seemed to be very much on the same page. We wanted to play regularly without it eating too much into our home lives and family time.

But most of all, we wanted to have fun playing music with people we enjoyed hanging out with; we bring the audience along for the ride.

Prescott Now: What’s the smallest audience you’ve played for; the biggest?

Palomino: Darin and Ann Marie played a duo gig for a comic book convention in Chino Valley, and while there were a decent number of people in attendance, never was there a less interested or attentive group.

Mike and darin have had some serious successes in their own musical careers playing for some really big crowds. (Darin recently played his instrumental guitar compositions to a sold-out house at the MIM in Scottsdale.) But our biggest show would probably be when we played recently at Whiskey River Tavern for an event with Forrie Smith from the Yellowstone TV show. The place was jam-packed and lively!

Prescott Now: What brought you to Prescott?

Palomino: Ann Marie is a native Arizonan who moved to Prescott from Chandler at 9 in 1988. Her family moved to the area looking for a more slow-paced life. She married another longtime Prescottonian. Together they’ve raised and are raising five of their own!

Darin had been coming to Prescott since his rodeo days (starting in ‘81). He first moved to Chino Valley in 1995 training horses, but cancer took him down to the Phoenix area.

He and his wife Amy moved back to Chino in 2017.

Mike used to hunt the area with his dad, and his dad always said he wanted to move to the area someday. His dream came true in the early ‘80s, and not long after, Mike finished school and followed his parents to Prescott. He met his wife Darby here, and they have raised their family here.

John came through Prescott on his motorcycle on his way back from Sturgis in 1994. He fell in love with the mountains and the small-town western feeling. He moved to the area upon his retirement in 2019 with his wife, his dog and his horse.

July 7th

Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Prescott

The Prescott Chamber of Commerce offers 90-minute walking tours of historic downtown Prescott. Stroll through history and learn about Prescott's storied past. Tours are offered most Friday and Saturday mornings. Call the Prescott Chamber office at 928.445.2000 to confirm. Special tours are available upon request for groups of 5 of more at a cost of $5.00 per person.

928.445.2000 www.prescott.org

July 8th

Blackberry Festival

Mortimer Farms - 7:00 AM-7:00 PM

Takes place over two weekends - July 8/9 and July 15/16. Enjoy the farm animal encounter and farm-inspired rides, games, and activities. Pickyour-own blackberry experience and special entertainment. See website for festival details. Tickets available online or at Mortimer Farms. 928.830.1116 www.mortimerfarmsaz.com

July 8th

Prescott Farmers Market

YRMC Miller Valley Parking Lot

7:30 AM-12:00 PM

The market hosts local farmers, ranchers, food vendors and craft vendors each week. Find fresh specialty produce, meat, eggs, bread, baked goods, delicious ready-to-eat foods and more. Accepts cash, credit, debit and double EBT/SNAP benefits! Pets are not allowed at the market but service animals are always welcome. 928.713.1227 www.prescottfarmersmarket.org

Breakfast with the Animals:

Tortoise & Friends

Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary

9:00 AM-10:30 AM

Includes a light breakfast in front of the spotlight animal, a special animal feeding and keeper talk, and an animal activity for the kids. The spotlight this month is on the tortoise. It is the best way to learn more and feel closer to your favorite sanctuary residents! Breakfasts run from 9:00 to 10:30 AM on Saturday mornings. After breakfast, you're welcome to roam the park at your leisure. RSVP. 928.778.4242 www.heritageparkzoo.org

MATFORCE:

Parenting the Love and Logic Way

Juvenile Justice Center

9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Help for the challenging times in parenting. See website for class details. Free class. There will be three classes held on July 8, 15, and 22. Facilitated by Sandi Cheney. These in-person classes will be held at the Juvenile Justice Center in Prescott. For more information and to reserve your space call Sandi at 928.420.0427. Seating is limited to 20. 928.708.0100 www.matforce.org/Events

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Pure Imagination Festival Brings

Pure Joy

The Pure Imagination Festival returned to Watson Lake Park for its second edition on May 20, 2023 and took some big steps toward establishing itself as a new Prescott musical tradition. Approximately 7,000 concertgoers watched more than a dozen performances throughout the sonic spectrum. Their positive spirit reverberated from two stages as the audience enjoyed great food, drink and merchandise from a league of happy vendors.

The musical highlights were too numerous to list all, but included Ziggy Marley’s timeless reggae, Los Lobos’ Latino roots-rock, Lucinda Williams’ hard-driving folk and Nappy Roots’ vintage hip-hop. They were bolstered by stellar sets from local favorites Ponderosa Grove with its rock and soul-driven songs, Johan Glidden’s folk rock and Rachael Plays Guitar’s intriguing blend of genres. Other performers included Dirtwire, the Brummies, Jared James Nichols, Capital Cities, and Alison Russell.

The littles had a world of their own to explore on the Tiny Tunes Stage with a parade, kids’ talent show, kazoo-making and puppetry. People of all ages had a great time reveling in sunshine that held off an unusual late-May string of monsoon-like storms and an aura of peace embraced by the musicians and the ecofriendly festival. It also featured art installations and live painters, aerialists, stilt walkers, lounge spaces and dance exhibitions including one from the Hopi Water Clan Dance Troupe. An expanded two-day Pure Imagination Festival is reportedly in the works for May 2024.

July 8th

Garden Class: Gardening for Newcomers at Watters Garden Center

9:30 AM

Free garden class at Watters Garden Center, located at 1815 Iron Springs Rd. in Prescott. Gardening for Newcomers - Learn all the mountain secrets to local garden success. This is an information-packed class guaranteed to increase garden blooms and fruit this year. Learn about growing zones, frost dates, soils and more; you'll know exactly what to do in the gardens after this class.

928.445.4159 www.wattersgardencenter.com/classes

July 8th

Discover Native History & Culture Museum of Indigenous People

10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Exhibits include prehistoric and contemporary examples of indigenous cultural and artistic materials from the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. The museum has special exhibits, art auctions and other special events throughout the year. Located at 147 N. Arizona Ave. in Prescott. 928.445.1230 www.museumofindigenouspeople.org

Prescott Computer Society Meeting: Touring the Web Online Event

1:00 PM

Prescott Computer Society is a group of PC users who meet three times a month on Saturdays at 1:00 PM via Zoom. Participants must register to receive Zoom connection information at www.PCS4ME.com www.pcs4me.com

July 8th

Living History Adventure: Home for the Harvest Sharlot Hall Museum

10:00 AM

From dawn to dusk, hard work drove the day in frontier Prescott— homesteading, among other livings and lifestyles, took effort! Don't dawdle and put your ranch hands to work at July’s Living History Adventure. Explore the Museum’s campus and meet Living History interpreters on the grounds and in historic buildings as they go about their day at the Living History Adventure. See the blacksmith work in a real forge, print something in the Print Shop, try your hand at crafts and activities and more!

Event is included in the price of admission. Free admission for members and children 12-under.

928.445.3122 www.sharlothallmuseum.org

July 8th

Nature NiñosFree Family Nature Program

Highlands Center for Natural History

10:00 AM-12:00 PM

See Facebook page for details. The park rangers and community partners lead child-centered nature play events. Includes take-home freebies, creative nature activities, story time, scavenger hunts, guided walks, lessons, imaginary play, and more. A free City of Prescott event for families with children up to 8 years old in the Greater Prescott area. 928.777.1122 www.facebook.com/ natureninosprescott

Yavapai Native American Style Flute Circle

Touchmark at the Ranch (Lobby)

10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Our group is made up of flute players from all skill levels. We share teaching tips and information the first half hour followed by individual and group playing. You may bring along percussion and other instruments, backing tracks, etc. to enhance our playing experience. RSVP requested for setup. Free event. Takes place on the first Saturday of each month.

(July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9) 928.710.2383 www.facebook.com/ groups/3659359764287554

Independence Veteran Author Extravaganza

Prescott Valley VFW

11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Hosted by Writers Publishing HouseThe Pen Club. Come see local authors and celebrate our veterans. Includes book signings, speakers, and live podcasts. Vendor tables available. Location is 2375 N. 5th St. in Prescott Valley. Free to the public! 928.487.5551 www.writerspublishinghouse. com/independence-veteranauthor-extravaganza/

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Back Alley Wine Bar

July Events

July 1

Whiskey Pistols 6:30 PM-9:30 PM

July 2

Sunday Funday with The Back Alley Cats 3:00 PM-6:00 PM

July 4

Open Mic with Andrew Deering 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

July 6

STEFnROCK 5:00 PM-8:00 PM

July 7

IsometricK 6:30 PM-9:30 PM

July 8

Drew & Anton 6:30 PM-9:30 PM

July 9

Sunday Funday with The Back Alley Cats 3:00 PM-6:00 PM

July 10

Open Mic with Andrew Deering 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

July 13

STEFnROCK

PM-8:00 PM

July 14

Palomino

PM-9:30 PM

July 15

Austin Sweeney

July 16

Sunday Funday with The Back Alley Cats

July 17

Open Mic with Andrew Deering

July 20

July 27 STEFnROCK

PM-8:00 PM

July 28

Cheektones Trio

PM-9:30 PM

July 29

July 21

Wheelhouse Trio

July 22

Kaileena Martin

July 23

Sunday Funday with The Back Alley Cats

July 24

Open Mic with Andrew Deering

July 29 - TBA

July 30

Sunday Funday with The Back Alley Cats

PM-6:00 PM

July 31

Open Mic with Andrew Deering

PM-9:00 PM

Band Schedule Subject to Change

Prescott Now: What brought you to Prescott?

Jason Perkins: We were living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, working at La Fonda Hotel. And the same group of owners at La Fonda also owned the Hassayampa Inn here in Prescott.

In 2011, the ownership offered me the Executive Chef position at the Hassayampa Inn (Peacock Dining Room). It was a two-week notice, and I was going to have to pick up and leave. Within that two-week period we got married. I was just overwhelmed with the opportunity but excited about moving to Prescott.

Prescott Now: How did you get into the hospitality industry?

Jason Perkins: I started doing catering right out of high school and started taking culinary arts