Visionary Hollywood June 7, 2008

California is famous for its diversity, its eccentricity, and its prophetic influence on popular culture. Since the 19th century, the Golden State has also been one of America’s most fertile climates for spiritual and religious movements. Visionary Hollywood is a new Esotouric bus adventure hosted by San Francisco-based writer Erik Davis and inspired by his acclaimed 2006 book The Visionary State. On this journey of exploration through the mystic realms of Los Angeles, you’ll join Erik on a guided tour of five extraordinary religious sites, meet followers of their respective faiths and explore the fascinating history of alternative religious practice in Southern California.

This tour departs from Skylight Books (MAP) in Los Feliz and includes the following destinations:

The Aetherius Society, a center for cosmic consciousness and healing founded in 1955 by UFO contactee Dr. George King, where we will hear actual recordings of an extraterrestrial voice conveying significant messages.

Krotona Apartments, a former Theosophical retreat founded in 1914, where we will have a rare opportunity to visit the central courtyard and view the Rosicrucian window of this now-private residence.

The Monastery of the Angels, a Dominican sanctuary in the Hollywood Hills, where we will listen to the Liturgy of the Hours singing of the sisters, then shop for homemade pumpkin bread, candy and crafts in their gift shop.

The Philosophical Research Society, founded in 1934 as a non-denominational repository for the wisdom of the world, where we will be greeted by librarian, lecturer and author Maja D’Aoust and given a guided tour of the Society’s remarkable library.

The Vedanta Society of Southern California, founded in 1930 to bring sacred Hindu philosophy to the West, where we will be given a presentation on the Society’s history and programming, and browse in its fine gift shop.

Tour cost includes a catered lunch served at The Aetherius Society and a seat on a luxury coach class bus equipped with monitors, air conditioning and restroom. Please note that on this special edition tour we cannot accept any discounts coupons, gift certificates or season passes.

ABOUT YOUR HOST: Erik Davis is a San Francisco-based writer, culture critic, and independent scholar. He is the author of TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information, as well as a short critical volume on Led Zeppelin IV. Davis contributes to scores of magazines, and his essays have been included in over a dozen books. He won a Maggie award for his San Francisco Magazine profile of the Internet entrepreneur and UFO contactee Joe Firmage, while The New Yorker has recognized his expertise in the works of the science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. He lectures frequently on topics ranging from electronic music to the evolution of consciousness.

RELATED EVENTS: On Sunday, June 8 at 11am, tour host Erik Davis invites the public to a brunch gathering entitled “The Visionary State: An Open Discussion on California Spirituality,” at Clifton’s Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles (MAP). The following Sunday, June 15 at 7pm Silent Movie Theatre in the Fairfax District presents “Occult L.A.,” a night of films and lectures on mysticism in the Southland, including presentations by Erik Davis, Brian Butler and Louis Sahagun.

Official Website: http://www.esotouric.com