Strange Timing, Japan Joy, and a Decade of "Rusty"
Rusty's Electric Dreams :: Issue #365
Thank you to everyone who’s reached out.
I’m safe, and so is Willis Wonderland.
It’s strange timing. I had just left my beloved new city of Los Angeles and arrived in Japan when the fires started. I watched it all from across the world.
I’m filled with so much joy for Japan, but I can’t help but feel a sense of survivor’s guilt for not being in L.A. during this time.
I’ll be sharing my joy of Japan (real) soon. In the meantime, I hope all my L.A. readers are safe and that any losses are minimal.
— Rusty Blazenhoff
P.S. Two important anniversaries flew by. Back in October, this inbox zine turned 10! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me all these years. And just recently, on January 23, “Rusty Blazenhoff” legally hit the 10-year mark too. That’s the day in 2015 when I stood before a judge and went all in on my alter ego. “Blazenday” is what the kids call it.
Where in the world
Making a Splash: Black Rock City is downright quaint compared to the massive Hindu festival, Maha Kumbh Mela, which kicked off this week in India. While the regular Kumbh Mela happens every few years at rotating locations, this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela—meaning “grand”—only happens once every 144 years due to a rare celestial alignment of the sun, moon, and Jupiter. An estimated 400 million people are expected to attend, making it the largest human gathering on Earth! (How wild is that?)
My friend and longtime reader, Marcia Wiley, is one of the few Westerners who made the pilgrimage. She took a dip in the sacred spot where millions of others have or will. It’s where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers meet, along with the mythical Saraswati river, which is believed to have once flowed through the area but is now invisible. All three rivers converge at Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh Mela takes place. Devotees believe that bathing in these sacred waters during this special time will wash away their sins and bring them spiritual peace.
Marcia, who is a Seattle-based Burner, has been report to me from the festival every evening on WhatsApp with stories, photos and videos. She tells me that this massive event actually does have some things in common with Black Rock City, including the dust, the temporary nature of the city, a culture of gifting, and the abundance of sharing and happiness. She also shares, “The scale of this is breathtaking. It’s a temporary city with 500,000 army personnel enlisted to build, maintain, and take down the city.” Take that, DPW!
🚀🌍: See what Maha Kumbh Mela looks like from space. International Space Station Astronaut Don Pettit just shared this incredible photo.
As seen on the Internets
For your consideration:
:: These screen-free digital cameras are clever and fun (read the About)
:: I love rubber stamps but I really love these rubber stamps
:: “Life’s too short for boring keys.”
:: Boo!
Real Things That Actually Exist: Ashtray!
Butt, butt—what IS it about cigarettes as art? It's ridiculous how much I’m in love with this bedroom set by Seattle artist Mary Anne Carter. It was part of an art exhibit that parodied IKEA, called STÖR, which she co-created with Lilia Deering. I'm totally obsessed with it all—the bedroom, the packaged meatball pillows, all of it. I’m only bummed I missed seeing the show in person.
Featured Events
[Los Angeles :: 3/1 + 3/2] This looks cool: “So-Cal zinesters converge on the outdoor plaza at The Broad for L.A. Zine Fest, celebrating D.I.Y. ethos and the many facets of independent publishing.”
BAY AREA, CA+
[Bay Area :: ongoing] Go join an Explorers Guild event. Be part of the Raining Chainsaws art collective, or just go to one of their shows or art-making events. If it’s lowtide, head to TEPCO Beach. For more fantastic and affordable Bay Area happenings, check out Richie Rhombus’ Cool Happenings list (beautifully described as an “in-the-know guide for intimate, quirky, thoughtful events as well as ridiculous parties and larger gatherings outside the mainstream”). Also, keep an eye on the calendars for Flora and Fungi Adventures, Artists Television Access, City Arts & Events and The Marsh.
[San Francisco :: 1/31] Fake TED Talks with Rob Cordry, Adam Savage, and more fun/ny folks looks hilarious. Part of SF Sketchfest.
[Oakland :: 7/19 +7/20] Mosswood Meltdown 2025. DEVO/John Waters/etc.
LOS ANGELES, CA+
[L.A. :: ongoing] There’s always something going on in L.A. and, not surprisingly, many of the events revolve around pop culture and entertainment. In no particular order, here are a few I’ve learned of:
Electric Dusk Drive-In, Vidiots, 1iota.com, Groundlings, Cosm, Puppet Up!, Largo at the Coronet, Dynasty Typewriter, Cinespia, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Freak Nature, Lodge Room, Lucky Tiki Speakeasy, Magic Castle, Black Rabbit Rose, coffee shops, “Unique and Unusual” museums, Philosophical Research Society and my personal favorite: The Los Angeles Breakfast Club.
❤️ [WeHo :: 2/9] Pamela Des Barres, "the world's most famous groupie," is back at her old stomping grounds. Catch her at Whisky A Go Go for her one-woman show Take Another Little Piece of My Heart. [Also, Tucson :: 1/14].
[Los Angeles :: 2/19] “Why The Beatles Went to India” An illustrated talk by Paul Saltzman at Philosophical Research Society
[San Diego :: 8/6-8/10] 25th (!) anniversary of Tiki Oasis
ELSEWHERE
❤️ [U.S. :: Now-2/22] Found Footage Festival: “a celebration of the videos that time forgot, dredged up in dusty thrift stores and estate sales throughout North America.”
[Columbia, MO :: Starts 2/27] True/False Film Fest Thx, Marcia!
[NYC :: Now] Luna Luna is now in New York City
[London :: Now] The Tate has an Electric Dreams exhibit) and, strangely, it has nothing to do with my zine 🤔)
[New York :: Ongoing] Shadow Traffic
[Worldwide :: 6/14] Game of Shrooms: “a once a year worldwide art-N-seek event created by Attaboy.” (One of my favorite events of all time!)
❤️= I plan on attending!
Hey, I need help solving a mystery: There’s a part of Curtis Mayfield’s “Make Me Believe in You” that gets sampled, starting around 2:20. I’m trying to figure out what other song uses that sample. I checked WhoSampled.com, but none of the tracks listed are the one I’m thinking of. It might be from a TV show or a movie, but I’m not sure. It’s been bugging me for a while, and I just want to scratch this itch. Anyone know? Thanks!