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In this episode, we wrap up our three-part Death Valley series by diving into the 2000 documentary Amargosa—and let's just say… we had thoughts.We get into Megan's slow burn experience with the film (it took about an hour to click… but when it did, it really did), while Amy was immediately charmed by its very specific “1970s educational film” vibe—grainy footage, questionable cinematography, and all. Somehow, this thing both feels amateur and also won an Emmy, which… we're still processing.But what really pulled us in wasn't the filmmaking—it was MartaWe talk about her resilience, her wildly difficult upbringing, her complicated relationships, and how she somehow came out the other side as this deeply optimistic, slightly woo-woo, fully committed artist who just… did whatever the hell brought her joy. Whether that was painting murals she didn't own, performing for empty rooms, or building an entire life in the middle of nowhere, Marta didn't wait for permission.So, grab your wildflower seeds and join us where… The Activity Continues.Content Warning:We didn't find anything we thought deserved a content warning, but we did swear.Chapter Markers 00:00:00 Hello/Intro00:17:00 Side Quest: School Movies from Our Youth00:28:15 Marta and the Animals00:29:00 Back to Wilget00:32:54 Marta Looking Toward the Future00:35:52 Question for Everyone00:38:36 Other Shows Featuring Amargosa00: 47:19 End creditsEpisode links:Amargosa: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229976/ - you can watch on Amazon Prime ($) or Tubi (free)Weird Tales 4: The Ghosts of Death Valley Junction: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1783417/ (Tubi free)Ghost Adventures Season 2 episode 11: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1789274/Central California Paranormal Investigators: https://www.facebook.com/ccpifresno/Blog about films shown in school. Might bring back some memories! https://www.jenx67.com/2020/01/old-classroom-films.htmlCipher in the Snow (1973): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cipher_in_the_SnowMcGee and Me (1989): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McGee_and_Me!Books:Amazon links could generate a small commission to us at no cost to you. If you don't want to buy it on Amazon ask at your local bookseller. I've included the publishers' names here too.“To Dance on Sands: The Life and Art of Death Valley's Marta Becket” by Marta Becket (2015 - Page Publishing):Paperback https://amzn.to/4cHXIjkKindle https://amzn.to/4cCe3pLHardcover: https://amzn.to/42av4mp(not on Audible)Marta Becket, a Theatrical Portrait: The Artist, the Performer, and Her Amargosa Opera House 4th Edition (2003 – Creel): https://amzn.to/4tm7jn8 (newer, more complete and less $$ edition of the below edition)Marta Becket: A Theatrical Portrait: The Artist, the Performer, and Her Amargosa Opera House (2000 - Creel) https://amzn.to/4tundfq (this is a very expensive different edition of the previous listed one)The Activity Continues is a paranormal podcast where soul friends Amy and Megan chat about true crime, ghost stories, hauntings, dreams, and other paranormal stuff including the TV show, The Dead Files. Our recaps are full of recurring jokes about recurring tropes.This episode was recorded on April 6, 2026, and released on May 14, 2026.Credits:Hosted by: Amy Lotsberg and Megan SimmonsProduction, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. https://www.collectedsounds.com/Theme song. “Ghost Story” and segment music by Melissa WestOverview music: “Beyond the Stars” by Chris Collins Engage!Our website, https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/ Leave us a Voicemail: https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/voicemail/ (might be read on the show)Newsletter sign-up: https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/newsletter Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinuesWe're on (almost) all the socials too @theactivitycontinuesAffiliates/SponsorsPlease see our Store page for all the links for all our current affiliates. https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/store/ Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We'll see you next time!If you want to hear us early and ad-free EVERY week, become a Patron, join our Ghosty Fam and get bonus exclusive episodes! https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinuesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Research and Rabbit Holes for The Dead Files “Death Valley” (Season 2 Episode 19) which aired May 17, 2013.This week we're back in Death Valley Junction—but this time, we're going deeper. Like… five days of rabbit holes deeper.In part two of this three-part series, we leave the recap behind and dive headfirst into the history of the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel… and things get complicated fast.We uncover the origins of the property as a 1920s mining hub built to impress investors (for a booming industry that lasted… about three years), complete with dormitories, a cafe, a general store, and—yes—an infirmary that the show barely touched on.From there, we follow the story of how the place sat abandoned for decades before ballerina Marta Becket arrived in 1967 and quite literally adopted it—painting her own audience on the walls and performing for them when no one else showed up. (We love her. We would die for her.)But then… things take a turn.We dig into what may have really happened with Rich and Mary Lee—because despite what the show implies, it doesn't seem like ghosts are the only reason they left. There are power struggles, conflicting stories, a very suspicious letter that may or may not have actually been written by Marta, and just enough missing information to make everything feel a little… off.So, grab your refrigerator yogurt (labeled it so Terry from accounting doesn't take it) and join us where… The Activity Continues.This episode was recorded on March 29, 2026 and released on April 30, 2026.Chapter Markers 00:00:00 Hello!00:00:56 How We Ended Last Time00:01:41 The Property00:15:18 The Clients00:21: 30 Marta Becket00:25:08 Shotgun Kitty00:27:39 Next weekEpisode links:Property's Official Page: https://www.amargosaoperahouse.org/Amargosa at Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amargosa_Opera_House_and_HotelMarta Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_BecketArticle about the Marta: https://www.jeffreysward.com/tributes/amargosa.htm - the links within that article are dead....for the rest of the links please see our Blog: https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/blog/extended-show-notes-for-tac-168 Credits:Hosted by: Amy Lotsberg and Megan SimmonsProduction, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. https://www.collectedsounds.com/Theme song “Ghost Story” and segment music by Melissa WestOverview music: “Beyond the Stars” by Chris CollinsIf you want to hear us early and ad-free EVERY week, become a Patron, join our Ghosty Fam and get bonus exclusive episodes! https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinuesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Recapping The Dead Files “Death Valley” (Season 2 Episode 19) which aired May 17, 2013.This is the first episode in our three-part series based on this episode of The Dead Files.In this episode, we switch things up and go back to our roots—Amy watches the episode and recaps it for Megan, who comes in completely blind (and highly caffeinated). What starts as a simple desert haunting quickly turns into a “wait… what is this place?” situation. We talk about the bizarre reality of Death Valley Junction—a “town” that is basically just one property, an opera house, and a hotel sitting in the middle of nowhere. Amy Allan is immediately overwhelmed, Steve asks the important questions (and misses a few obvious ones… looking at you, Dracula nails), and we spiral into discussions about scratches, ghostly bed-sitters, and whether older skin is just out here betraying us. There are tangents (of course), including our old recording habits, late-night exhaustion, and the realization that we've always been like this… we're just better at editing it now.Also: ring shots, reservoirs, and the very real possibility that this entire place is just… off. So, grab your coffee (before we have to take another break to refill it) and join us where… The Activity Continues. Content Warning: In this episode we mention suicide so trigger warning for those who need it. Also, we swear.Crisis Text Line is a global nonprofit organization founded in 2013 that provides mental-health support through text messaging.In the U.S., people can text “HOME” to 741741 to connect with a live trained crisis counselor.The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.They support people dealing with things like anxiety, loneliness, bullying, substance use, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.Also, while Amy and Steve's swears are bleeped on TV, ours are not.Chapter Markers 00:04:23 Hello!00:07:38 Content Warning & Housekeeping00:10:31 Segment One – The Set Up00:27:02 Side Quest: Knitting00:30:01 Segment Two – Diggin' Tru00:30:23 Side Quest: Bongos is Bahrain00:42:17 Segment Three – The Reveal00: 47:06 Next week00:47:06 Outro/DisclaimerrEpisode links:Property's Official Page: https://www.amargosaoperahouse.org/Amargosa at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amargosa_Opera_House_and_HotelMarta Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_BecketSome nice photos of the opera house inside. https://www.theyellowdesk.com/single-post/2017/06/13/the-dark-beauty-of-the-amargosa-opera-house-hotel-part-iiAmargosa (2000) the movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229976/ You can watch it on Tubi for free.TAC Woodpecker Ts: https://www.zazzle.com/woodpecker_headache_remedy_t_shirt-256058499501832692Or https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/176270054The Activity Continues is a paranormal podcast where soul friends Amy and Megan chat about true crime, ghost stories, hauntings, dreams, and other paranormal stuff including the TV show, The Dead Files. Our recaps are full of recurring jokes about recurring tropes. This episode was recorded on March 29, 2026 and released on April 16, 2026Disclaimer:The Activity Continues is not affiliated with Warner Bros., Max, Travel Channel, Painless Productions, or The Dead Files, nor are we connected to the cast or crew. We are simply fans who recap and discuss past episodes for entertainment and community-building purposes. We are not investigators, mediums, or paranormal professionals, and we do not accept or investigate case submissions.The Dead Files is no longer in production, though it continues to stream on various platforms.If you are seeking assistance for activity in your home or business, we recommend researching reputable investigators or professionals in your local area. Some people choose to begin by asking for recommendations at local metaphysical shops or spiritual community centers.Credits:Hosted by: Amy Lotsberg and Megan SimmonsProduction, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. https://www.collectedsounds.com/Theme song. “Ghost Story” and segment music by Melissa WestOverview music: “Beyond the Stars” by Chris Collins Affiliates/SponsorsPlease see our Store page for all the links for all our current affiliates. https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/store/ Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We'll see you next time!If you want to hear us early and ad-free EVERY week, become a Patron, join our Ghosty Fam and get bonus exclusive episodes! https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinuesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Marta Becket was an artist from New York City. Then in 1967, when she was on a road trip with her husband, she discovered an abandoned social hall in the California desert town of Death Valley Junction. She left New York and moved there to transform this hall into the Amargosa Opera House to live out her dream as an artist. To read more about Marta Becket, you can check out her autobiography To Dance On Sands, or watch the documentary that was made about her life, called Amargosa. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
A forgotten town. A derelict theater. A woman destined to bring it back to life. In 1967, Broadway dancer Marta Becket found herself stranded in Death Valley Junction, a near-ghost town on the Nevada-California border. What she discovered there would change her life—and perhaps, extend it beyond death. She poured her soul into the Armagosa Opera House, bringing art and life to the abandoned stage. But does she still dance there in spirit? Join Anne & Renata as they uncover the spectral echoes of Marta Becket and the lingering ghosts of the Armagosa Opera House. Armagosa Opera House Spirits – A True Hauntings Podcast SUPPORT THE ADVERTISERS THAT SUPPORT THIS SHOW Factor Meals - Get 50% off your first order & Free Shipping at www.FactorMeals.com/factorpodcast and use code: FactorPodcast at checkout Mint Mobile - To get your new wireless plan for just $15 bucks a month, and get the plan shipped to your door for FREE, go to www.MintMobile.com/P60 Shadow Zine - https://shadowzine.com/ Tarot Readings with Winnie Schrader - http://lovelotustarot.com/ Follow Anne and Renata: Facebook: @AnneAndRenata Instagram: @AnneAndRenata YouTube: @AnneAndRenata TikTok: @AnneAndRenata Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you were thinking about creating a movie situated in a remote, dusty, one horse town complete a really freaky story, you couldn't do better than what led to the creation of the Amaragosa Opera House in Death Valley Junction, situated along the Nevada-California border in the USA.In 1967, Marta Becket, a former Broadway dancer, headed out West with her husband on a one-woman tour. In Death Valley, their aptly-named Covered Wagon travel trailer blew a tire. The nearest settlement was thirty miles away.They limped into Death Valley Junction, population 20. It looked like a ghost town. The square was dominated by an rundown hotel and the abandoned workers' flats of a defunct borax mining company. But it had a gas station, thank goodness. With a hand crank telephone. In 1967.It also had a derelict community theater. While her husband Tom repaired the tire, Marta wandered over to the theater. She peered through a tiny hole in the back door.“As I peered through that tiny hole,” Marta Becket later wrote, “I had the distinct feeling that I was looking at the other half of my life. The building seemed to be saying, ‘Take me. Do something with me. I offer you life.'”Marta Becket created something so unique that it brings hundreds of tourists from all over the world to this dust out of the way ghost town.One ghost we know for sure MUST haunt this place is Marta herself.She poured she soul into this place and we are sure that she still dances on the small stage at the Armagosa Opera House.We would ask that you leave us a review and if you haven't done so yet please SUBSCRIBE.Send us a message as we would love to hear from you.Leave us feedback or a message with what you think is going on here on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TrueHauntingsPodcastIf you have enjoyed this episode please leave us a review and subscribe and share.We would love to hear from you too!Join us on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TrueHauntingsPodcastP.S. If you want more Anne and Renata - catch our NEW PODCAST - Diary of a Ghost Hunter on all the best streaming platforms to find out what our life as female ghost hunters is really like (no Bullsh*t).Also Follow Anne and Renata:Facebook: @AnneAndRenataInstagram: @AnneAndRenataYouTube: @AnneAndRenataTikTok: @AnneAndRenata#anneandrenata #ghostgrannies #ghosts #paranormalstories #frightfullygood #anneandrenatafrightfullygood #paranormal #ghoststories #hauntedoperahouse #armagosa #deathvalley #armagosaoperahouse #martabecket #hauntedusa #hauntings #hauntedwildwest #paranormalpodcasts #poltergeists #ghostlystories #truehauntungs #hauntedsites #paranormalinvestigations #paranormalhauntings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ghost stories and urban legends in Nevada kept referring me to Little Choo Choo Daycare, in Las Vegas. Along with that, we explore other ghost stories that surround the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel, in Death Valley Junction, Nevada.Have an idea? https://ADarkMemory.comJoin Scary Plus over at https://ScaryPlus.comFind me at https://edwin.fm
Bobbi Fabian's first experience with desert was with the Warner Brothers Roadrunner cartoon. Growing up in Melbourne Australia, Bobbi made her way to America looking for more opportunities as a photographer, finding she felt more at home in the U.S. than in her home country. Bobbi moved to the U.S. in 2003, settling in Los Angeles. With an MA in Photography Bobbi was a freelance photographer and educator for most of her working life – commissioned by brands like Timex, Penguin Books, Audi and other household names. On a road trip through America, while working on a project, she and a friend made a point to go through Death Valley and Joshua Tree. Staying at the Amargosa Hotel, they felt so at home, they decided to meet there every Christmas following that visit. Bobbi's friend was unable to make it to their annual holiday in 2014 and Bobbi decided to go anyway . There she met a women and her friend who had moved to Death Valley Junction to perform Mara Becket’s original (dance) pieces. During that trip, Bobbi sensed good things would be happening in Death Valley Junction and decided to make another trip back sooner than her annual holiday visit. It was February 2015 and the Opera House was having a special event dinner and performance celebrating Valentines Day. The Dancer and her friend, charged with making dinner for the patrons, had gotten into an argument. Bobbi stepped in to help the friend finish the dinner preparations. The following morning, he told her the Cafe was in need of management and Bobbi should consider taking the job. Bobbi dismissed the idea, but couldn't let go of the thought the entire ride back to Los Angeles. A month later, Bobbi was back in Death Valley Junction sharing her ideas for the Cafe with Marta Becket, who said yes to all of them. On June 10, 2020, Bobbi celebrated five years in Death Valley Junction. In this episode Bobbi also shares some of the history of Death Valley Junction, how dancer Marta Becket came to be the caretaker of the town and how this place with 268 acres, population 3, survives today. Now, as the general manager of the Cafe, Hotel and Opera House, with the support of the non-profit's Board of Directors, Bobbi describes her day to day: working in and hiring for the cafe, overseeing the maintenance for all three buildings as well as sharing the history of the Junction with it's curious visitors. We also talk about Death Valley National Park, what drew her in so closely to that part of the desert and her disappointment with folks who treat the desert as a wasteland. There are a number of videos available on YouTube telling a deeper story about Marta, her journey to Death Valley and her revitalization of the Amargosa Opera House. Just google 'Amargosa YouTube' or check out the documentary 'Amargosa' available online. It was such a documentary that inspired Desert Lady Diaries guest, Shana Rhodes, to make her own move to the desert. Take a look at Bobbi's photography here: www.bobbifabian.com Visit the Amargosa website: http://www.amargosaoperahouse.org/ And, if you can and are so moved, please donate to the go fund me campaign to help the non-profit maintain the property during this time of Covid-19 closures: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/amargosaoperahouse
"If you like it, you shoulda put a town on it. The listener poll on our Instagram page has led to yet another interesting name. Last week it's "Brought To You By Friends Who Don't Listen," and this week it's "Flat Earth Math." Hosts and New York City comedians, Maxim Allen and Connor Kwiecien, are learning a lot about you all. With the Super Bowl the day of our recording, we decided to make up some football team names for small towns in California and Missouri. Our towns, and gracious hosts of imaginary football teams, are Death Valley Junction, CA; Nicasio, CA; Zzyzx, CA; Tightwad, MO; Chillicothe, MO; and Plato, MO. You can send suggestions for towns to smalltownradiopodcast@gmail.com and follow the show @stradiopod on Instagram and Twitter. If you give us a shout out and give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, we'll send you a sticker. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/small-town-radio/message
Don't forget to bring sunscreen, Oddballs! This week we're talking about California's infamous Death Valley. Sarah weaves the story of Death Valley Junction and a haunted opera house. Next, Raygun gets nerdy with the mystery of the sailing stones. Pop a bottle (or box) of wine and hang with us. Stay Weird. Website: http://oddballspodcast.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OddballsPodcast/ Instagram: @TheOddballsPodcast Twitter: @TheOddballsPod Patreon/Episode Blogs: https://www.patreon.com/theoddballs
Recorded out and about on a phone, I head out to Death Valley Junction to make a time-lapse, ignore a celebrity, and try to find my purpose. Again.
We do some hard traveling over the Mojave looking for that sweet shortcut to the Land of Milk & Honey. There may be some hardscrabble miners chasing little space aliens from a crashed UFO, knowing the way things go out here. Support the show.
We take a weird road trip to Death Valley Junction, meeting astronauts, film crews, a Czech composer & other odd characters along the desert highway. Support the show.
Tonight our guest is Maury Mootz. He will be talking about his taping of Ghost Adventures at Amargosa Opera House at Death Valley Junction.
Tonight our guest is Maury Mootz. He will be talking about his taping of Ghost Adventures at Amargosa Opera House at Death Valley Junction.