2018 VISITORS GUIDE TO THE ANTELOPE VALLEY Northeast Normal Your trip to Southern California is likely filled with all the quintessential favorites—the beach, the amusement LANCASTER parks, the bustling city lights. But why not take a detour from the ordinary and add some cuttin g-edge culture to your itinerary? Just an hour northeast of Los Angeles lies Lancaster, an emerging locale oering unique high desert beauty, unrivaled recreational opportunities and a newly min ted California Cultural District brimming with arts, history, eats and entertainment. So in terrupt your normal and add us to the agenda. destinationlancasterca.org Lancaster’s downtown destination, The BLVD, was named one of 14 California Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council, joining the likes of Little Tokyo and Balboa Park. Come see why people are taking notice of this high desert hot spot. Connect and share #Onl yIn TheA V Features 4-17 CULTURAL LANCASTER Join in the celebration of The BLVD’s designation as a California Cultural District 4 POW! WOW! Antelope Valley 8 Museums & More 12 Lancaster Performing Arts Center 16 College & Community Theatre 18 The BLVD Check out this eclectic mix of shops and eateries 26 Hollywood AVentures Discover the star-quality of Spielberg’s connection to the AV 36 Aviation AVentures Marvel at the milestones of flight made here for 100 years 48 Unusual & Unique Experiences You must see these places only found in the AV Out and About 22 Hiking 24 The Sporting Life 28 Natural Wonders 32 Favorite Local Events 40 Restaurant Reviews 44 Wineries & Breweries 52 Accommodations 56 Map of Area Attractions A publication of destinationlancasterca.org 1 California’s high desert offers endless AVentures It may surprise some, but there’s a great getaway just an hour north of Los Angeles. Known for its jets and Joshua trees, Lancaster and the surrounding Antelope Valley (the AV to locals) offers countless ways to recreate, relax and unwind without a lengthy drive. Come discover what goodhousekeeping.com claims is one of California’s Most Underrated Attractions. ENJOY THE ARTISTRY One of just 14 cultural districts in California, Lancaster’s BLVD offers museums, galleries and theaters to explore. Murals adorn both avenues and alleys. Desert vistas and dramatic landscapes bring out the artist within everyone. EXPLORE THE PAST The area is steeped in history, dating back more than 10,000 years. A great place to start that exploration is the Antelope Valley Indian Museum, one of five California state parks in the AV. 2 AVENTURES MAGAZINE 2018 EXPERIENCE THE AVIATION PIONEERS Aerospace is an integral part of the AV. The region has had the “right stuff” for decades and continues to produce technological advancements in the industry. The BLVD’s Aerospace Walk of Honor highlights these achievements. EXHILARATING EXCITEMENT Whether you’re into rock climbing or hot air balloons, you’ll find active AVentures throughout the AV. From Willow Springs to the Devil’s Punchbowl adrenaline jockeys are finding loads of fun. EPICUREAN DELIGHTS The AV offers a broad range of restaurants with an international flair to satisfy any appetite or to celebrate any occasion. Wine bars and breweries add to the mix. HEAD ON OUT AND EXPLORE OUR AREA THIS WEEKEND. IT’S FULL OF ENDLESS AVentures . destinationlancasterca.org 3 Art istic BCy uKaltthyu Srtraonlg Lancaster! Who Knew? It seems there is much more “sprouting”in the high-desert city of Lancaster than its signature orange poppies. Better known for its aviation history than its artistry, Lancaster is earning a reputation as a progressive SoCal getaway full of surprises. The city’s milelong stretch of downtown, known as The BLVD, was recently proclaimed a California Cultural District. Along this nine-block area designed for strolling and street fairs you’ll find murals splashed on the sides of buildings, decorative pavers and plenty of seating areas—even pianos you can play. All of this is anchored by boutiques, impressive dining choices and unique art and performance venues which attract local, regional and international talent. Just steps from each other are the Lancaster Performing Arts Center (LPAC) and the Lancaster Museum of Art & History (MOAH). These two sleek, sophisticated structures that rival those in larger cities represent an impressive bounty of star power in both performers and artists. MOAH’s sister gallery, MOAH:CEDAR, is just down The BLVD and serves to highlight local artists. Across the street is the Western Hotel Museum, Lancaster’s oldest surviving building, filled with artifacts from the city’s pioneering days. Boeing Plaza, on the far side of The BLVD, marks the start of the Aerospace Walk of Honor where more than 100 aviation notables, including Chuck Yeager and Neil Armstrong, are recognized for their contributions to progress in the air. All in all, it’s a remarkable collection of cultural assets well worth your time to explore. Enjoy! Kathy Strong has been a travel journalist, editor, columnist and author for more than 30 years, having written many guide books and countless magazine features spanning the globe. Her online travel magazine, P.S. Wish You Were Here recently debuted. pswishyouwereheretravel.com 4 AVENTURES MAGAZINE 2018 Meet treet and S e Art Wher In recent years public art has become a signature element of many communities. Chicago has its Cloud Gate , Wall Street its Fearless Girl . These days Lancaster is becoming known for its many modern murals thanks in part to Andi Campognone , manager/curator of the Lancaster Museum of Art & History (MOAH). “ART CAN AND SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. POW! WOW! ALLOWS US TO BRING ART INTO THE COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN VIEW IT AND ENJOY IT.” – Andi Campognone Public art starts conversations and builds bridges between varied groups while helping to create community. It’s one of the many reasons the California Arts Council designated The BLVD as a California Cultural District. The weeklong event allows artist and viewer to interact as artists ply their craft. POW! WOW! Antelope Valley culminates in a festive street fair where artists and their works are celebrated. It’s fine art brought out into the open. POW! WOW! ANTELOPE VALLEY October 15-21, 2018 Invitational Reception: Saturday, October 20 Public Street Festival: Sunday, October 21 lancastermoah.org/powwow p Andrew Schoultz destinationlancasterca.org 5 p Mark Dean Veca POW! WOW! is a world-wide movement to unify, k beautify and build communities through street art. THE MISSION MURALS The creation of Jasper Wong, a Chinese-American artist from Hawaii, POW! WOW! has grown to embrace a “MURALISTS ARE THE NEW dozen separate festivals across the globe. ROCK STARS OF OUR ERA. “I wanted to create an environment which would bring THEY TOUR THE GLOBE, people together while opening up the creative process to CREATING ART IN CITY the public. POW! WOW! was the result,” offered Wong . AFTER CITY AND GAIN Throughout its history the mission of the movement has QUITE THE FOLLOWING.” remained constant—to gather people to celebrate the – Andrew Hosner, ThinkSpace arts and to help them better understand the creative process while beautifying the host community. qDavid Flores Wong’s cohort Andrew Hosner of ThinkSpace has been a key influence in expanding POW! WOW! His ability to encourage artists to take part has moved the festival to new levels. Each artist has a distinctive style, and they are critically recognized for their work. Visiting artists are encouraged to familiarize themselves with local culture so each work reflects the host city. Another vital ingredient of the festival is nurturing local talent. In 2016, local artist/teacher Kris Holladay involved her students in the project. They observed the techniques of master muralists and improved their own skills along the way. As communities embrace the arts, the arts improve the community through inspiration, education and beautification. It’s a virtuous cycle all appreciate. 6 AVENTURES MAGAZINE 2018 A Sampling of Local POW! WOW! Artists While POW! WOW! 2018 features more than 20 artists from across the globe, the focus here is on some of the extraordinary talents based in Southern California. Nuri Amanatullah , Quartz Hill Known for his whimsical portrayals of pop culture and retro posters of local landmarks, Nuri Amanatullah is p Nuri Amanatullah proof positive that art is alive and well in the Antelope Valley. You’ll find AV influences throughout his work. qTina Dille Tina Dille, Tehachapi Merging wildlife and contemporary art, Tina Dille is best known for her expressive watercolors in which creatures emerge from the canvas. Her recent Ravens exhibit was featured as part of MOAH’s MYTHS & LEGENDS exhibition. Julius Eastman, Lancaster A featured local artist in the earlier edition of POW! WOW! AV, Julius Eastman’s iconic Evolve antelope adorns The BLVD today. “I paint things from the heart,” says Eastman. “My inspiration comes both from the desert and urban Los Angeles.” Amir H. Fallah, Los Angeles Iranian-American artist Amir Fallah exhibits his Persian roots in many of his colorful works which often feature male and female forms draped in patterned fabric. Fallah’s paintings speak to universal issues confronting immigrants, such as trying to assimilate while still maintaining their own unique identity. p Amir H. Fallah p Julius Eastman destinationlancasterca.org 7 UPCOMING EXHIBITS pWyatt Kenneth Coleman qBetye Saar FEBRUARY 10 - APRIL 22, 2018 IT TAKES A VILLAGE Celebrate Black American history with the works of the Saar Family, Wyatt Kenneth Coleman, Richard S. Chow, Lisa Bartleson, Scott Yoell and Jane Szabo. MAY 12 - JULY 15, 2018 COMP ELL ING FOREST FOR THE TREES Alternative views following an arborist’s theme CONTEMPORARY of nature and nurture feature the talents of Since its opening on The BLVD, the Greg Rose, Sant Khalsa, Robert Dunahay, Lancaster Museum of Art & History Timothy Smith, Osceola Refetoff, Chris Langley (MOAH) has become the focal point and Constance Mallinson.