Desert Salon and Mojave Mallows annual fireside reading S’Mores and Stories will be taking place at 7PM this Sunday, June 9th at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center to raise funds for Joshua Tree National Park.
With readings including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, visiting writers include Joseph Bien-Kahn, Tiffany Kelly, Ann Gronowski, Jordan Gill, and Lexi Pandell. Local writers include Joshua Tree Voice Poetry Corner editor Angelus, Susan Rukerser, author of her upcoming novel The Worst Kind of Girl, and Jardine Libaire, who’s recent novel You Are an Animal will be released in paperback this August.
Since their first retreat in 2018, Joshua Tree’s Desert Salon is an annual writing retreat whose attendees have worked on novels, short stories, screenplays, essays, poetry, and more. Mojave Mallows handcrafts organic marshmallows using locally sourced organic agave and date syrup featuring a variety of flavors, including a vegan option.
The two local entities have collaborated on S’Mores and Stories since 2022, inspired by the beauty, wildness, and terrain of the area. Mojave Mallow’s Stephanie Chan said she wanted to create “an event that was centered around something other than commerce, and partnering with Desert Salon seemed a perfect match.” Lexi Pandell of Desert Salon said their S’Mores and Stories event’s “support of JT National Park Association’s mission of education and research is crucial to preserving this incredible place.”
It all takes place at 7 PM this Sunday (June 9th) at The Joshua Tree Retreat Center, with a $5-$10 sliding scale donation. Free marshmallows while supplies last.
