 Friday-Sunday, May 15-17, 2009
Joshua Tree, California
Story by Stephen Torres
Photos by Alicia Garcia
Joshua Tree Lake Campground was the site this past weekend of the Seventh Annual Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF) showcasing more than 25 musical acts on three stages during the course of three days, while also hosting a few thousand well-to-do campers, spiritualists and general peace-loving, consciousness-raising folks out to listen to some great live acts. Aside from pulse-pounding, dance-inducing acts like Materialized out of Oakland and The Nortec Collective from Tijuana, the festival was full of art installations, both large and small along with countless activities that were geared for the family.
 Billed as a festival where “the distinction between artist and audience is blurred,” JTMF encouraged attendees to “enjoy, celebrate, be kind and caring, elevate, recycle, dance, inspire, revel, radiate, get involved and be all you can be!” Certainly the festival’s general mood and vibe made doing all these things possible and organic. Starting with the activities and art being conducted all around the half-acre pond, there was Kidsville where children could ride the Love Train around the pond, or participate in Mural Mania, Kidz Yoga and even design and conduct their own puppet show.
 The art installations in and around the campground offered surreal experiences, especially in juxtaposition to the high desert and beautiful sunsets in the background. Some art exhibits were even interactive, such as Frau Fibers giant loom where people were encouraged to help weave old shredded garments into huge shade structures. For those seeking even more participation (and prizes), there were the Festival Olympics to help blend body, will and mind through contests such as My Third Leg, Hoop-La and Skip to my Lou.
Dotted along the festival’s borders were booths were vendors sold the latest in counter-culture fashion, spiritual remedies, herbal teas, crystals and other goods.
 But by far, the best action occurred after sunset when green lasers were shot through the air, resting on the mountains behind the campground, spelling out in large letters “JOSHUA TREE.” Inside the main stage area, lasers bounced off the canopies overhead in all directions while the music blared tribal beats. And since the camping sites were so close to the stage, taking off back to camp and grabbing a quick bite or beverage was simple, cheap and accommodating. If one didn’t want to walk, festival sponsor Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. dominated the beer garden, serving up its wonderful pale ale.
The Joshua Tree Music Festival offered an experience like no other festival that this reporter has attended.
 I personally want to thank festival coordinators Travis, Guy and Jon for all their help and support and offering all us festivalgoers a great time that isn't likely to ever be forgotten. Rather than wait until next year for the Eighth Annual JTMF, I encourage everyone to attend the Fourth Annual Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival here Oct. 10-11. Billed as, “A Rootsicana Newgrassy Folkadelic Experience,” The Roots festival is sure to be an awesome experience.
For more music festival information, click here.
For more about the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., click here.
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