MERCED COUNTY FAIR
Advance Savings:
Admission Pre-Sale Discount: Buy 4 – get the 5th ticket FREE!
5-pack of tickets is only $20 if purchased by June 11.
Carnival Pre-Sale Discount: Save $7.00 each
All-Day-Ride Carnival Coupon is $23 if purchased by June 11. Exchange for Unlimited Ride Wrist Wrap good any one day of the Fair (after June 11 price is $30 ea.).
June 12-16
WHERE TO BUY:
• Purchase at www.mercedcountyfair.com • Fairgrounds Office 8am-5pm • Rancho San Miguel Market pre-sale ticket outlet, 1930 Yosemite Pkwy, Merced from 10am-7pm
$5 General Admission Everyone 6 years & up (Children 5 & under FREE admission)
FREE Outdoor Theatre Concerts
Jason Micha Carro el ll
Rh et t Walke r Band
Presented by Table Mountain Casino & Budweiser
WEDNESDAY • MERCY MEDICAL CENTER SENIORS’ DAY Free admission Seniors 65 & better
Rhett Walker Band Auto Races $5 GRANDSTAND THURSDAY • EECU KIDS’ DAY 12 and under free admission
Pablo Cruise Tractor Pull $5 GRANDSTAND FRIDAY • MERCED SUN-STAR DAY
Jason Michael Carroll Demolition Derby $5 GRANDSTAND SATURDAY
Evolution: The Ultimate Tribute to Journey Bull Riding $5 GRANDSTAND
Korina Lop ez
Pablo Cruise
SUNDAY • RANCHO SAN MIGUEL MARKETS DAY presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts & Pepsi
Korina Lopez Gran Jaripeo Y Variedad
ADVANCE $15 • AT GRANDSTAND DOOR $20
Grandstand Entertainment
Presented by Table Mountain Casino, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Modelo Light & Rancho San Miguel Markets
Tickets & info at www.MercedCountyFair.com Fairgrounds: 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced, CA 95341 • Phone (209) 722-1507
Contents
The Players PUBLISHER: Tom Price tom@thedlm.com ASSOC. PUBLISHER: Janna Rodriguez janna@thedlm.com AD MANAGER: Samantha Yniguez samantha@thedlm.com CONTENT EDITOR: Nathan Quevedo nathan@thedlm.com
D t Noises
Utah rockers quit jobs and hit the road and will land in Merced. Page 12
The Social
One-time loner, now the brains behind The Social. Page 15
WEB GURU: Kenneth Nelson kenneth@thedlm.com DISTRIBUTION: Donna Nelson donna@thedlm.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & EDITORS: Nathan Quevedo, Jim Kocher, K Chico, Theresa Hong, Wesley Golangco and Kurt Winbigler CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Dan Hong, John Tipton, Skylar Francise, Justin Carter, Sou Saephanh
The Cover COVER: The Brogues (1964) from left, Eddie Rodrigues, Rick Campbell, Greg Elmore, Bill Whittington.
Fashion
Introducing the DLM’s new fashion spread. Featured: The Armory Page 18
PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo courtesy of Eddie Rodrigues.
The Mainzer
Merced’s other historic theater sits empty — but for how long? Page 22
Music History
Issue 45 Volume 3
Courthouse Museum showcases Merced’s great musical past. Page 26
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AR T
MUSIC
CULTURE
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Tip of the p Ca Congratulations to all of Merced County’s graduates and to the City of Merced for its successful Cap & Town event. Happy Anniversary to our friends over at Gottchalk Music. The business celebrated its 77th anniversary back in April. Do you know a person or an organization who deserves at Tip of the Cap? Send us your tips to tips@thedlm.com
S SHORTS
Venice Arts Local Grind Felipe Esparza Korina Lopez Parson Red Heads
Venice Arts
Photo by Sou Saephanh/Venice Arts Above: Tim Jara of Merced reflects on his life after turning his life around after years of substance abuse and imprisonment. Photo by Skylar Francise/Venice Arts RIGHT: Project Manager, Roger J. Wyan, works with student William Ageiular, 14, in the Venice Arts Documentary Photography Program.
The same group of young adults that tackled the homelessness subject with a photo documentary exhibit last year, have turned their lens and their voices toward another touchy subject —substance abuse. The Venice Arts Documentary Photography Program managed by local photographer Roger Wyan continues to highlight health issues facing our community. With an poignant video titled, “Breaking the Cycle,” the group hopes to facilitate a discussion on the cycle of drug abuse in families. The video contains photos and audio of real stories told by families.
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com for an expanded story and to see the video.
Local Grind
Coffee Bandits Presents The Local Grind at 7 p.m. on June 8. A dozen of your favorite acts from Coffee Bandits’ Open Mic night will be recording an album live on stage. The lineup includes local talent Kazoo, Alison Rush, Jeff Freitas, Scott Little and more. The evening is completely unscripted, with a number of genres of music represented. Admission is Free.
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com later this month to see video from the event.
Felipe Esparza Perico Productions brings a night full of laughter to the Merced Theatre with the Comedy Jam featuring Felipe Esparza and friends. A comedian and actor, Esparza won NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2010 and is widely known for his oftenimitated phrase, “what’s up, fool?” Esparza draws much of his material from growing up in East L.A. and the struggles of everyday life. Besides his stand-up comedy routine, Esparza appeared on Showtime’s “Diamonds in the Rough” segment and has appeared on several television shows, including ABC’s “Comics Unleashed,” Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend,” “Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up at the El Rey,” Showtime’s “Comics Without Borders,” BET’s “Comic View” and Galavisión’s “Que Locos” (where he holds the title of most appearances by any comedian). In 2009, he appeared in his first two feature-length films — “The Deported” with Nick Turturro, Talia Shire and Paul Rodriguez, and a feature-length film based on his stand-up comedy called, “I’m Not Like That No More,” where he starred opposite Paul Rodriguez. Esparza is joined by Butch Escobar, Chris Storin and Kenny Thomas at the Merced Theatre on June 7. Tickets range from $20-$25. For more information, visit www. mercedtheatre.org or call the box office at (209) 381-0500.
JUNE EVENTS 1-16 “West Side Story”
Playhosue Merced’s production of “West Side Story” directed by Rob Hypes. Playhouse Merced, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm/Sun 2 pm www.playhousemerced.com
12-15 County Fair
Live music, carnival rides, farm exhibits, auto racing, petting zoo, and more entertainment for families. MC Fairgrounds www.mercedcountyfair.com
13 Sleepwalking Home
Live concert featuring Sleepwalking Home, Renegade Conspiracy, 415, Mid October and The Skylights. O’Reilly’s Bar, 7 pm facebook event
15 Merced Civic Ballet
Merced Civic Ballet presents La Fille Mal Gardee “The Wayward Daughter.” Merced Theatre, 2 & 7 pm www.mercedtheatre.org
29 Mali Gosney
The soothing sounds of Mali Gosney returns to Coffee Bandits for a free concert. Coffee Bandits , 8 pm www.coffeebanditscafe.com
For a complete listing of events visit www.thedlm.com/events 10
Parson Red Heads Parson Red Heads, a four-piece indie rock band from Portland-by-way-of-Los-Angeles, will join Desert Noises at The Partisan on June 8 with precise arrangements and luscious three- and four-part harmonies. The band recently released its second fulllength album “Yearling” after recording for several months in a familiar setting — the band’s former home base of L.A. Most of the songs on the record were done later on unfamiliar terrain, at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium in North Carolina. “Yearling” celebrates appreciating friends, living thoughtfully and creating an intentional meaningful life, reflecting the heady maturity of a band whose members are in their mid to late 20s. Lead singer-songwriter Evan Way says, “I don’t know if the theme was totally intentional, but all the songs came out about learning the best way to live. There are love songs in there, but it’s more about growing up, your memories and taking everything you’ve learned to make your life better.” And the Parson Red Heads have literally grown up together, having formed while they were still tenns. Evan and Brette Marie Way went to high school together, then became bandmates and married in 2006. “We came up with the name Yearling as the title,” Evan adds, “which is a horse between one and two years old. That word captured the idea of something growing up. And the record took us a long time to make and we learned so much making it.” Check out the Parson Red Heads with Desert Noises and Said the Whale at The Partisan on June 8. The 21-and-older show costs $5 and starts at 9 p.m.
Korina Lopez Korina Lopez, “La Dama De La Banda,” The Lady of The Band, will wrap up five nights of free headline entertainment in the Outdoor Theatre, Sunday, June 16, Rancho San Miguel Markets Day, presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts and Pepsi, at the 2013 Merced County Fair. Lopez will perform instead of the previously announced act, Las Valenzuela. The group was unable to meet their contractual obligations. Lopez will perform the music of her native Sinaloa in Northern Mexico. Also performing in the fairgrounds’ Outdoor Theatre are: The Rhett Walker Band, a Christian alternative/ Southern rock group, Opening Day, June 12; Pablo Cruise, one of the top pop/rock bands of the 70s and 80s, June 13; Jason Michael Carroll, a rising star in country music, June 14 and Evolution: The Ultimate Tribute to Journey, will perform the music of Journey on June 15. Each night a headline entertainment act will appear at 8:30 p.m. in the Outdoor Theatre, where all concerts are free with admission. The artist’s latest single, “Hasta Aqui,” (Up to Here), also known as “The Facebook Song,” is getting a lot of airplay and fans are uploading the video on YouTube. The popular song was written by Ariel Barreras, who also is from Sinaloa. The song is from her fifth and latest album, “No Me Compares,” (Don’t Compare Me). The album was produced by Latin Grammy award nominee, Danny Ramos, who has worked with several regional Mexican music stars including the late Jenny Rivera, Graciela Beltran and Yolanda Perez. THEDLM.COM
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DESERT NOISES When: 9 p.m., June 8 Where: The Partisan Cost: $5 Info: Partisanmerced.com Contributed Photo Utah Valley natives Desert Noises will be performing at the Partisan on June 8.
Desert Noises Words by Nathan Quevedo nathan@thedlm.com
W
hile many people wouldn’t associate Utah with much more than good hiking and skiing, extremely weak beer and a huge Mormon population, Desert Noises makes this all sound pleasant.
sounds like The Osmonds, music definitely runs in the family. There is a strong maturity in their songwriting that conjures the majesty of the American landscape. The Partisan show on June 8 is toward the beginning of a months-long tour that will take the band across the entire U.S. With definite strains of blues and Americana embedded in the music, Desert The band hails from Utah Valley, UT, and Noises has an aggressive delivery and are heavily influenced by Tom Petty and lead guitars that give way to an almost Fleetwood Mac, among others. psychedelic rock sound. One of the member’s last names is a While busy recording preproduction familiar one to popular music in the ’60s and across the country, Desert Noises took some ’70s: Osmond. Yes, Tyler Osmond’s father time out to answer a few questions for the is in fact Alan Osmond who was frontman DLM about growing up in Utah, quitting for The Osmonds — and a devout Mormon. their day jobs to tour full-time and what the While it’s disingenuous to say Desert Noises future holds in store for the band. 12
DLM: Hailing from Utah, what is the local scene like? (I’ve heard it’s difficult to buy beer that’s over 3.2 percent in Utah) Desert Noises: It is a bit hard, yes, but the local scene is wonderful. Lots of awesome bands and great musicians. It’s a really great place to be to play. DLM: How did the band start and what kind of venues did you play at during the early years? Desert Noises: The band started in the basement of Kyle’s house with his brother and a friend and eventually evolved into what it is to today after a few different line up changes. Early on we only played the two local clubs in Provo -- the Muse and Velour. Eventually we needed to start doing other things though. DLM: How many tours (short runs and national) has Desert Noises been on and what were some of the best and worst experiences? Desert Noises: We decided to quit our jobs and start booking full national tours. We have been on the road show-to-show pretty much ever since. Our experiences have been amazing. We meet new people everyday and learn new ways of life.
DLM: I have to ask Tyler since I read this online: What was it like having family that was so integrated in the music business and pop culture at the time? And what does Alan think of Desert Noises? Desert Noises: He loves that we are keeping the rock ‘n’ roll alive! DLM: I also read the band had a live recording that was released on a record, when was the decision made to use the live take and why? Desert Noises: This is the “ I Won’t See You” 7”. These were live in the studio takes with vocals overdubbed. These were supposed to just be demos but sounded great and we wanted to release them to our fans on tour. DLM: What does the band have on the horizon? More recording? Festivals? Another tour? Desert Noises: We are working on a new fulllength record right now and this summer and fall are full of festivals and touring. We are really excited about playing ACL and Loufest this year.
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com for more on the Desert Noises, including video and audio. THEDLM.COM
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T he
SO C I A L Words by Tom Price tom@thedlm.com Photos by DJ Tiigra
Contributed Photo DJ Tiigra (Tonya Kinchen), creator of The Social, poses for a picture with one of 18 DJs she keeps on a rotating roster of local talent, Ernesto Mora.
T
alk about a role reversal. A self-proclaimed anti-social weirdo, Tonya Kinchen is the brain behind The Partisan’s wildly popular weekly dance party — The Social.
and I started to relate to the other people in the group,” she says. “They were trying to make this thing out of nothing. There was places like the Fatty Mocha and the Mainzer.” It was at the Mainzer that she took the leap. She was given an opportunity to book her first show and she wanted to do something truly memorable. How she went from a youngster who would “I felt like there was something missing. rather hang out with stray cats than humans There were these kids in Ceres doing these to a DJ and host of an event specifically house parties and they had crazy bands designed to bring humans together started in and the music was chaotic, but there was high school. something fun about it,” she says. “I wanted to “Growing up I was always that kid that bring a taste of that to Merced.” enjoyed playing alone,” says Kinchen, better So, she booked Explogasm, Clipped Beaks known as DJ Tiigra. and Captain Ahab. And as you would suspect In high school, she says, she was always by the names, the show and showcase of on the fringe, going to house parties and avant garde expressionism and the show was watching people she knew from school join packed. bands. She would pass out flyers for concerts “I was super proud,” says Kinchen. and hang around but never fully joined the Years later when The Partisan opened scene. another opportunity fell into her lap. She “I always felt connected to the music scene had proven she could book a concert, so the 16
owners offered her a new challenge — to DJ at the bar once a month. “My first thought was that it would be cool, but I really didn’t feel like I would fit into that community,” says Kinchen. “But I couldn’t turn it down, it was a chance for me to be a DJ and play the music that I like.” Her first night was on St. Patrick’s Day and even though she had nothing but a two-hour crash course and somebody else’s equipment she hit a home run. “I was playing music that nobody else was really playing in the bar scene,” says Kinchen. “I thought it would be interesting and probably a big failure. I was wrong.” Eventually, The Partisan would give her the keys to her very own weekly event, which then turned into a twice-weekly event every Thursday and Friday. The key to her success — being social. She reached out to DJs and built a rotation of 12-18 artists who bring their own unique sound. She listened to her audience to understand what they want and designed The Social around them. “I wanted to pay my respect to the people that have been doing it for a long time,” says Kinchen. “And here I am, totally undeserving of this awesome opportunity and I want to show how grateful I am by sharing it.” Some of the notable DJs on her roster include DJ Roy Boy, DJ Izze and Anti-Matter. She says her major influences in DJ circles are Ben Martinez, DJ Lady Nate, DJ P-Sol and Rob Zilla who ran Tacos N Turntables at Maria’s Mexican Kitchen. The Social has become a major draw of the college crowd and Kinchen says she’s reached them by listening. “It’s developed into a younger crowd, it’s a hip thing. We started out just wanting to book DJs that were playing something different,” she says. “A lot of people thought it would work with tech house DJs and electro. But it’s been trial and error and you learn what works for your community.”
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com and learn what it takes to be a successful DJ/promoter in Merced THEDLM.COM
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FASHION
The Armory
The Shirt
Short sleeve snap button-down black and charcoal plaid shirt. 7 Diamonds, $84
The Pants
Dark wash boot-cut “Rocker” denim jeans. Joe’s Jeans, $158
The Belt
Black and wide perforated leather belt. Bill Adler, $50
The items in these photos can be purchased at The Armory, 1806 Canal Street, Downtown Merced
F FOOD
Cinema Cafe
Breakfast Burrito
Red potatoes, bell peppers, onion, cheese, eggs and your choice of meat. $7.50
Rabbit Food Sandwich
Served on wheat bread with cream cheese, tomato, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, shredded carrots and red onions, $7.50
Gerardo’s Burger
Hamburger patty, sauteed mushrooms, onion and jalapenos, Joseph Farm’s pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomatoes served on sourdough bread, $7.95 The dishes in these photos can be purchased at Cinema Cafe, 661 W. Main Street, Downtown Merced
Waiting for the Mainzer
Words by Tom Price tom@thedlm.com
Why is this historic theater and music venue still vacant after all these years?
A
thin layer of dust has gathered along the handrails. Tables are knocked over, the paint has started to peel and there is a stale odor in the air. It’s the kind of smell that only occurs when the contents of a space have been abandoned, ignored and left untouched for years.
large venue space with a balcony. The project was partially funded using state redevelopment money. The building was renamed The Mainzer after Mainz. “The city and I sat together and they told me they wanted to turn the lights on on Main Street. They said ‘you do that end of Main Street and we will do the other end,’ ” says Mainz. “It took two years and my own million dollars to bring it back.” Mainz says the theater was an immediate success in the first year. However, he said soon the failing economy and the slowdown that followed made things very difficult. The Mainzer, Merced’s other iconic “Slowly but surely we just couldn’t theater, locked its doors and turned off maintain it,” says Mainz. “I hated to lose it, its marquee in 2006 when a bank seized I was sad, but it was just too much.” control of the foreclosed property and Asked how it affected him to drive past terminated its lease. The building that the building now and see it shuttered and brought bands like Band of Horses, dark, he was surprisingly unemotional. Neko Case, Grandaddy and Blackheart “You know, it’s my job to bring buildings Procession to Merced was shut down. Since back,” says Mainz. “I wanted to make then, the building has loomed over the 600 block of Main Street as a symbol of tough people smile and dance and I accomplished what I came for.” economic times and a reminder of what could have been. Please don’t go And what can still be. The final tenant at the Mainzer was RC Essig, who spent the better part of six The namesake years either as a tenant or employee at the Hanz Mainz and Brenda Farley purchased the shuttered old theater on the theater. In that final year, he was leasing the building and managing a diverse corner of N and Main streets in the early operation, serving coffee out of a small 2000s. Mainz, a contractor based out of Santa Barbara, had a vision for theater that café in the lobby, showing movies in the two 100-plus seat movie theaters and was born well before he took ownership. “My grandpa played the music to silent throwing live concerts in the building’s main hall. RC Essig says the business was movies back in Germany,” says Mainz. “I healthy when they were forced to close wanted to live my fantasy as a little boy
“I think it would definiteily be great having that anchor in downtown and a venue that will offer evening enteratinment and expand the arts and cultural district we want to create.” — Karen Baker, City of Merced with the smell of popcorn and classic movies.” The building was beautifully restored to its Western Art Deco origins and fitted with two theater spaces and a
the doors. In addition to the high profile concerts, the Mainzer became a home for local and regional bands. Mainz says he loved seeing all those kids that were playing music in their garage on his stage THEDLM.COM
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Contributed Photo Blackheart Procession playing at the Mainzer in 2006.
and he was proud that they had a place to play. They housed everything from metal and hip-hop performers to folk and country. Mainz and Farley had the property foreclosed on by the bank in 2006. The bank, in turn, opted to shut down the operation instead of accepting a purchase offer from Essig, who at that point was managing the theater himself. The venue’s final days were a long farewell. There was a Weezer tribute filled with local bands and then on the final day, a concert featuring local bands Kind of Like Spitting and Radioactive Cauliflower (RC Essig). Essig says he played his final song and then he marched off the stage and out the front door of the venue. The entire crowd followed him out and they stood underneath the marquee as it went dark, never to be lit again. “It was sad, there was a lot of hugs,” says Essig. Will Hoffknecht, promotions manager for the theater, detailed the final show on his Myspace page at the time. 24
“We also learned that next time we here in Merced are given a gift as amazing as The Mainzer Theater, we need to all do better about coming out to support the bands, the shows, and the venues so that this sort of thing never happens again . “ I feel nothing but love and affection for The Mainzer, her crew, and her stage . I feel lucky enough to have played on the stage during both of the last two shows, including RC’s final set .” What’s unfair, says Essig, is that he and his team were running a successful business. “We were doing well in there. The bank gave us a 30 day notice and terminated our lease,” says Essig, who imagines they would be going especially strong if the operation still existed today. “I think it would do spectacular. It kills me every time I drive by the theater. It’s just sitting there … waiting.”
What now? The bank eventually sold the building to Dr. Benny Newman in Los Angeles. Newman purchased the building in 2009 anticipating an increase in demand with the growth of UC Merced. So far, he’s only had two serious takers on the building — the ownership group that eventually opened up Chandeliers Night Club on the 300 block of Main Street and a failed bid by an ownership group headed by none other than Essig. “My beard is reaching the ground, I’ve been waiting four years for something to happen,” says Newman. “It’s such a beautiful downtown, unfortunately there are so many empty buildings.” Newman says he is baffled that nobody has seized the opportunity to build an entertainment center for the growing student population in Merced. “You know I envisioned a student hangout, you sit down, have a drink, some coffee, tea. It’s beautiful inside this building and it’s being wasted,” says Newman. “There are a lot of things that can be done here.” Mainz says anybody who does take the chance on the theater will be inheriting a structurally sound building. “The bones are good,” he says. “Whatever we put in … it’s solid. We had it all in there.” According to Karen Baker, development associate at the city of Merced, adding another downtown anchor on that block of Main Street would have a tremendous impact on the overall downtown community. “I think it would definitely be great having that anchor in downtown and a venue that will offer evening entertainment and expand the arts and cultural district we want to create,” says Baker.
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com and listen to interviews with the key players in the Mainzer’s past. THEDLM.COM
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MUSIC EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION When: 6 p.m., June 27 Where: Courthouse Museum, Courthouse Park (21st and N Streets) What: Event will feature live music from Crystal Syphon, Roddy Jackson and Sweet Adelines. Info: Mercedmuseum.org Photo courtesy of Aurora Barboza Barboza Brass, a popular 60s dance band, performs at the Atwater High School Prom in 1967.
Historic sound
Courthouse Museum celebrates Merced’s rich musical past with grand exhibit opening June 27 Words by Tom Price tom@thedlm.com
C
rystal Syphon’s successful reunion last summer, which featured the band’s first live performance in nearly four decades, opened a lot of eyes. Including those of Merced County Historical Society board member John Hoffman. The bands publicity and remarkable story unearthed amazing stories about Merced’s musical past. “He came into my office one day last year and showed me the new Crystal Syphon album, ‘Family Evil,’ ” says museum director Sarah Lim. “He suggested that I should do an exhibit about Merced County’s musical history.” On June 27, “On the Banks of the Old Merced: A Music History” will open at the 26
museum in Courthouse Park between N and 21st streets. The exhibit will feature artifacts, photos and stories ranging from 1855 through the 1980s. “The beauty of Merced’s music scene is that we have had many talented local musicians who have created wonderful music,” says Lim. “Unfortunately, their
stories have not been told or known outside of a limited circle. Hopefully the exhibit will help the public appreciate the creative talent of our local musicians.” The exhibit is arranged in chronological order in the following four themes: Early Musical Development - 1855-1920s (focusing on community bands), The Swing Era 1930s-1940s (about the big bands), Rock ‘n’ Roll Era - 1950s-1970s, and The Music Melting Pot – 1980s. Lim says the exhibit is nearly a year in the making and she says the bands and musicians participation in the research and collection was instrumental to creating what she calls a beautiful exhibit. “Meeting and talking to all the musicians and music lovers has been a wonderful opportunity to preserve and share this part of Merced history,” says Lim. “All the material for the exhibit will be beautifully done; the visitors will have a wonderful time and come away with a new appreciation for Merced County’s local music history.” Local music historian and creator of the blog Merced Music (www. mercedmusic.wordpress.com) Michael Kennedy says the Merced music scene during the ’60s with bands like Crystal Syphon and the Brogues was a groundbreaking time. “The ’60s in Merced Music represented both cultural freedom and a kind of youthful enthusiasm without limits,” he says. “I often think that the worldwide ’60s culture happened in Merced first but is that so crazy? It was a crossroads town halfway between L.A. and San Francisco but also halfway between the USA and the rest of the world thanks to the influence of Castle Air Force Base. It was as likely centered here as anywhere else.”
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com for more images from Merced’s past.
Merced’s Golden Era The 50s-60s in Merced saw the proliferation of new music during a time of great change in America
The Brogues
An early-60s rock band that only existed for a short while but created music that is still purchased and downloaded today.
Michael Kennedy, the founder of the blog Merced Music has created a virtual shrine to a generation of music in Merced that would leave a mark across the country and the world. “That era really started in 1956 when Roddy Jackson put together one of the first interracial rock bands in the country,” he says. “It was a really important first.” He credits Roddy Jackson and the Blue Notes with getting the entire community plugged into the music scene and learning how to play guitar. “Then the Brogues broke as an early 60s groups with a serious attitude problem and then a straight line into psychedellic music,” he says. The popularity of this emerging brand of music led to many famous acts stopping in Merced, including Jannis Jopplin and the Doors. You can learn more about all of these bands and more at Kennedy’s blog: www.mercedmusic.wordpress.com THEDLM.COM
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S STAGE
West Side Story “West Side Story” is live and on-stage at Playhouse Merced. Directed by Rob Hypes and musically directed by Brad Reed, choreographed by Noelle Chandler and Anthony Hughes, the show is set in 1950s New York and revolves around two street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. When Tony, a member of the Jets, meets and falls in love with Maria, whose brother is leader of the Sharks, all hell breaks loose on the streets. Young actors
Words by Jim Kocher jim@showbizjobs.com
Keegan McKenna and Rachel Pearre who play Tony and Maria in Playhouse Merced’s production are both new to the Playhouse Merced stage. Pearre, a native of Modesto, is a student at Modesto Junior College and has participated in shows and theater since kindergarten. McKenna, a senior at Atwater High School, makes not only his Playhouse Merced debut, but his on-stage debut; marking has very fist stage production ever.
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com to read a Q&A with the two young stars of the play. 28
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Good Chemistry Words by K Chico kchico@gmail.com
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rofessor Jason Hein is a tall man. This gives him the ability to look you in the eye, even if he is folded into a rolling desk chair. The DLM team managed to catch the chemist on one of the rare occasions when he was actually in his office, a small room dominated by stacks of papers and a quietly efficient laptop.
A tenure-track rising star, the Canadian native has been on the UC Merced campus less than two years, but hit the ground running. Hein started a unique solvent recycling program that is already saving the school thousands and has projects ranging from drug discovery and production to scientific investigation of meteorites. Building a lab from scratch isn’t easy. Arriving with 10 years of experience from the Scripps Institute working under a Nobel Prize winner, Hein was assigned a shared lab space with three other investigators. He was originally approached by two undergraduate students who wanted to work with him, and started carving out a name for himself. He describes the adjustment with a wry smile: “Running here is like converting from propeller plane to jet flight. While in the air.”
The Jump Read more and see how this UC Merced lab is working with NASA, visit www.thedlm.com. THEDLM.COM
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CAFE AT THE BUG Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
0Fresh comfor t foods with vegan & vegetarian options 0We source local, organic or sustainable when sensible 0Famil y style dining 0Folk/Bluegra ss live music abo ve a Health Spa 0Right ab 0Excel lent for special e vents
Worth the Trip
Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resor t 6979A Highway 140 Midpines, CA 95345 YosemiteBug.com/Cafe For dail y menu go to Facebook or 866.826.7108 x6
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Taking good care of our community for over 100 years. Taking care of businesses. Taking care of our community. We have a long history of providing peace of mind around town.
725 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340 Ph (209) 722-1541 • www.FandB1912.com Agency license #0358327
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The mind of Dob Words by Tom Price tom@thedlm.com Photo by Justin Carter
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D
ob Francis has always had the same mission in life — to have fun and to make art.
he was a nerd who loved books and was fascinated by things like Egyptology while other children were playing with their decoder rings. “I was born left handed, had a rough catholic upbringing and was dealt some tough hands. Sometimes when you can’t A simple philosophy for a complicated win, you can’t win,” says Francis. “Art was man. my escape, I could always just go and draw A third-generation paint contractor and in the sand or something.” the son of a square-chinned Hollywood Working for his father provided him a dreamer, Francis is as you would expect — place he could flourish. The business grew an incredibly hard working laborer with a quickly and he says by the time he was 12 he wild imagination and a knack for creating and his father were regularly doing work at art. Francis, 50, has worked as a balloon artist, the Playboy Mansion and they had projects in some of Los Angeles’ most famous florist and a set designer in his life, but it homes. was his first job that forever changed him. In high school Francis discovered another “I started working for my father at the outlet for his bounding creative energy — age of 8,” says Francis, whose grandfather theater. Although he wouldn’t be diagnosed opened the business Henson and Sons until much later in life, he says theater Painting and Decorating in Merced in trained him to deal with his struggles with 1929. “My dad was real old school and an Asperger’s Syndrome. incredible perfectionist. He moved the “Asperger’s is a type of autism. Theater business to LA because he wanted to be a taught me a lot of what autistic kids just movie star.” don’t get,” he says. “You don’t get body Francis says his father dated Jackie language, you don’t get tonal expression and Collins before marrying his mother and you don’t get facial expressions. Those three having five children in Venice, Ca. Francis languages are off your chart. I learned all was the “odd” one growing and he says 36
those things in theater, like learning the alphabet.” After graduating high school he stayed true to his life’s mission, making a living as what he calls a “professional ballonatic” and floral designer. His clients included Andy Williams, Don Rickles, Hugh Hefner, Goldie Hawn, Julio Iglesias, Bob Barker and Prince. “He would take his balloon show on the road, following the Grateful Dead in his bus and selling balloons out of the back of the bus to fund the trip. “My basic philosophy is
find his way to Merced, his father’s hometown and place of retirement. Francis went to work volunteering at numerous organizations, including Playhouse Merced where he would paint and build sets and even teach classes. He latched on with Merced Shakespearefest where he paints and creates sets and even performs in the occasional play. He says he’s worked or performed on every stage in the county and he’s done it with little to no fanfare. “I don’t sit around well,”
I just don’t like throwing myself in the spotlight.” It’s hard not to take notice when you see his art. In his living room he has a dozen or so canvases covered in wild and colorful paint. At first glance they are just beautiful images of angels or abstract expressions of color, but upon closer review there are hidden faces and images amazingly disguised in the paint. His process, he says, is much like his life, random and fun. Sometimes he will cover a canvas in paint then
“My basic philosophy is if your heart draws you in a direction make sure you are having fun,” says Francis. “So, no matter what the circumstances are that allow me to paint or make art … I get to play.” if your heart draws you in a direction make sure you are having fun,” says Francis. “So, no matter what the circumstances are that allow me to paint or make art … I get to play.” He says that philosophy has always saw him through tough times. One year, his bus broke down and what happened next was straight out of a Hollywood Script. “My bus broke down in Grass Valley and I ended up there for eight years,” he laughs. “I called a flower shop and got a job my first week there and stayed for 8 years.” Francis would eventually
says Francis. “I work in the background. I’ve been doing it for 20 years in theater making props painting sets doing things that people ask for.” But that’s about to change. Francis has been pouring himself into original works of art. He recently showcased his work at the Art Hop and he’s grappling with the thought of stepping out of the shadows. “For years basically all I would do is projects for other people,” he says. ”This is weird for me. The shameless self promotion, writing blurbs about myself,
let it dry and cover it again. This time he will take plastic and rub it over the canvas. What it leaves behind is lines and shapes that he uses as visual cues on what to paint. Other times he just lets his brain lead the way. “NC Wyatt, the famous illustrator had great words of advice,” says Francis. “He said to explode on the canvas, it will tell you where it’s going.” Fort the first time, Francis says he is exploring doing more with his art. Friends are looking to help him secure gallery shows and even hire him an agent. Sounds like fun.
The Jump visit www.thedlm.com for a photo gallery of Francis’ work. THEDLM.COM
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Saturday, September 28th, 2013
Night of
1000 Stars Save the date and join the Mercy Foundation as we celebrate our 2013 Gala For more information visit our website at www.supportmercymerced.org or call 209-564-4200
Visit our website at www.supportmercymerced.org for a link to our special YouTube video
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