God On The Rocks

The Dark Genius of Apocalypse Now: Season 1, Episode 18

The City By The Bay continues celebrating Movies and Music! Tonight's visitor to the City By The Bay and dropping into God On The Rocks for a few glasses of Pinot Noir and conversation is the amazing talent of Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria [https://www.michaeldemaria.com ].  Pull up a stool and enjoy the magic of this man whose music has had more than 250 Million downloads worldwide, earning him four Grammy® nominations, eight ZMR awards, six #1 albums, and a Native American Music Award. His work is also featured on the Grammy® winning album All About Bullies Big and Small. Michael's music has been featured in projects with Eckhart Tolle, Mark Nepo, Peter Kater, and Noah Levine. How he got here? The journey . . .  Dr. DeMaria's life took a profound turn 30 years ago. Experiencing compassion fatigue, burn out and suicidal thoughts from working with over 2000 cases of severe child abuse and neglect as a child protection team psychologist, he embarked on a life-transforming vision quest guided by a native elder. This journey, which involved going without food or water alone in the wilderness, led to profound heart opening and a reawakening of his first loves of nature and creativity, while instilling in him a sense of the deep mystery of living and dying as far beyond anything we are taught in modern culture.   Thank you for continuing to visit God On The Rocks and bringing along friends to spend time with us. This bartender greatly appreciates your company! You can find out more about the bartender and travelers to the City by the Bay at https://www.godontherocks.com

Bladerunner and Bourbon: Season 1, Episode 17

The  City By The Bay kicks off our Summer Series celebrating Movies and Music and Tonight's Traveler helps us do just that in style!  Michael Farris Smith pulls up a stool at God On The Rocks to talk all things Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049 and to share a few of his excellent Bourbon discoveries.  There's nothing better for this Bartender than hanging out in conversation with one of my favorite Southern Authors and discussing a favorite movie and bourbon makes the evening go down smooth.  It was particularly wonderful to listen to Michael share stories from behind the scenes and on the set of his recent movies, Desperation Road, and Rumble Through the Dark based on his best-selling novels.  Michael Farris Smith is an award-winning writer whose novels have appeared on Best of the Year lists with Esquire, NPR, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Oprah Magazine, Book Riot, and numerous other outlets, and have been named Indie Next, Barnes & Noble Discover, and Amazon Best of the Month selections. He has also written the feature-film adaptations of his novels Desperation Road [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14633464/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1] and The Fighter, titled for the screen as Rumble Through the Dark. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10950320/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1] He lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife and daughters. You can find out more about the bartender and travelers to the City by the Bay at https://www.godontherocks.com

A Story-Healer Walks Into A Bar: Season 1, Episode 16

The City By The Bay has been hosting a week long Storytelling Festival so imagine our delighted surprise when Dr. Rick Diamond, Story-Healer in the Wild came wandering into God On The Rocks lured by the scent of Alchemy Espresso! Pull up a  stool and join the conversation as we talk about the stories we were told, the ones we tell ourselves, and the journey of discovering our true Story! And, as always, thank you for bringing a friend along with you to God On The Rocks! “Getting to know Dr. Diamond over a couple of Alchemy Espresso’s was such a warm, enlightening experience. It renewed my awareness of how everyone’s story is a part of this tapestry we call life.”  Dr. Rick Diamond is a Story Healer. He helps people see what patterns and beliefs have led them to their present moment, and he helps them discover the story their deepest self wants to live. Rick was an award-wining college English teacher for a decade. He then had a series of spiritual experiences, attended seminary, and worked as a minister, before leading an innovative faith community in Austin, Texas, for 17 years. Rick has led thousands of classes in seminaries, universities, and churches. He’s created and led scores of retreats and events about open- heartedness, accessing our sacred masculine and feminine, personal formation, and more. He works with nonprofits, companies, and organizations to help them create strategies to realize their goals. His worldview embraces both Western and Eastern religious traditions, myth and archetypes, and Indigenous and shamanic practices. He participates in therapy, recovery, men’s work, and in energy medicine and breathwork. Rick is the author of 2 books and hundreds of articles. He created the Story Healing process by bringing together spirituality, myth, art, literary theory, systems analysis, and the joy of awakening. You can find out more about the bartender and travelers to the City by the Bay at https://www.godontherocks.com

Alabama in the Rearview: Season 1; Episode 15

God On The Rocks is OPEN! Our Remodeling project is finally finished and just in time for author, Charles McNair to wind his way up from Columbia, South America and visit with the bartender about his days of discovery on the open road. It's the things that happen when a choirboy puts Alabama in the rearview and sets out on a one of a kind adventure hitching his way to Mexico and get's a ride in a big, gold Cadillac with Kool and the Gang and meets many, strange and wonderful traveling companions along the way.  Charles McNair, a native of the Yellowhammer State of Alabama, released his first novel, Land O’ Goshen, to critical acclaim. Land O’ Goshen was a nominee for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1994. Charles currently lives in Columbia, South America where he writes full-time, combining freelance literary duties with assignments for corporations and businesses, including “Power of Storytelling” workshops.  He has served as Books Editor for Paste magazine and shared his reviews on Atlanta radio station WMLB 1690. He is currently at work on his forth novel, The Epicureans. Visit Charles online at charlesmcnairauthor.com [https://www.charlesmcnairauthor.com]  Thank you for visiting God On The Rocks and bringing along a friend, spreading the word, and sharing the news. Upcoming events in the City by the Bay include a City wide Celebration of Yoga, a new Storytelling Festival, and a Summer long celebration of Movies and Music with some of your favorite authors sharing their passion about their favorite movies and musicians. Stay with us!  You can find out more about the bartender and travelers to the City by the Bay at https://www.godontherocks.com

Under Constructon: Season 1, Bonus

God On The Rocks is currently closed for a remodeling project. Coming soon - Open Rafters, a little loft hideaway complete with woodstove, Clearstories and stained glass. Check in for the update on what's ahead for the City by the Bay!  Reopening with a party and a visit from Pulitzer finalist, Charles McNair on May 3rd.  Sending you love for spreading the word about the bar. Keep those postcards coming! See You Soon!  The Bartender You can find out more about the bartender and travelers to the City by the Bay at https://www.godontherocks.com