Gumboot Nation: Tell the skeletons I said hi

One difficult part of writing this column –– and staying tuned into local events –– is the recurring “oh shoot, I’ll be gone for that,” moment when I see some very cool things that I will regrettably be missing due to adventures ahead on planes, trains, and ferry rides. Perhaps it would be easier to just float around in blissful ignorance, never knowing these fantastic events existed in the first place. While I contemplate that, you can check out what’s coming up.

The first of my FOMO events appeared in the form of a digital event poster on my Facebook feed. To the talented creator who made this poster, I applaud you. I didn’t even need to know what this event was advertising –– its beauty was so hypnotizing, I would have done anything it said. Vivid blues, gold, and coral, psychedelic sunset dropping at the pier as two of the happiest skeletons I’ve ever seen dance (correction: shake it down) on a glowing mandala. I’ve changed my goals. I want to be a joyous skeleton with a flower crown grooving in the sunshine. Fortunately for us, the event sounds as cool as the poster. The 3rd annual Sunshine Shakedown takes place on June 6 and June 7 at Roberts Creek Hall and features multiple Grateful Dead tribute bands, our own Monty Montego and the Rocksteady Crew, and psychedelic country blues band, Buddy and the Scarecrow.

As if that wasn’t enough good music in one weekend, the Roberts Creek Legion will be hosting Zappostrophe’ on June 7 –– a Vancouver-based eight-piece band that dares to recreate the music of Frank Zappa and take on his weird and wonderful world. I got into Frank Zappa a few years ago when I started collecting records. Not safe for driving though, his music so hysterical I nearly crashed my car laughing. I will say, I do find it fun sometimes to listen to Frank Zappa while on the ferry, watching the world look so normal while I conceal my weirdness behind a set of headphones. To anyone else who curates their weird privately in public: I see you. I’ve been telling myself ALL YEAR I wouldn’t miss this one. Lies.

Rounding third on my list is the Summer Solstice Cacao Ceremony at Yoga by the Sea on June 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. I fell in love with ceremonial cacao on a trip to Kauai. Rather than allow it to be a fleeting memory from a wonderful trip, I obsessed and special ordered it from the Garden Isle to Not an Isle, paying more in duty than I care to admit. I then found a new supply on a trip to Mexico, and as if that sentence itself doesn’t sound fishy, you should have seen the pounds of it bagged up as it rolled through the security line. Fortunately I distracted the security team with a giant seashell and the chocolate powdered heart opener made it home safe and sound — and ran out quickly. As it turns out, sometimes the love of your life has been right next door all along — Cassidy keeps an incredible locally-made ceremonial cacao stocked at Roberts Creek Wellbeing. Stocked, that is, until I come in and buy it all like it’s toilet paper in 2020. I’d love to go — people ask about the benefits when they learn I’m a daily drinker. I’d tell you  —but I’ve got a word limit. Better to discover them for yourself — at the ceremony.

Although there’s a sad sigh in missing things you would have adored, maybe that’s just what summer is–too many beautiful things to catch them all. I won’t be there, but I’ll picture it: flower crowns, weirdos, and that sweet June light. Tell the skeletons I said hi.