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‘Utopia’ Pioneers Welcome Santa Clarita To Event At Movie Ranch

A group of “Utopians” are inviting Santa Clarita Valley residents to take part in their event this weekend called The Utopian Experience at a Sand Canyon movie ranch, according to a member of the show. 


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The producers of “Utopia” — a show that airs weekly on Fox, or can be viewed constantly via a live online stream — places 15 Americans in an environment created on the 400-acre Sable Ranch facility created specifically for the show.The Utopia logo, courtesy of Fox's website

Related: Reality TV Show ‘Utopia’ In Santa Clarita To Premiere Tonight

The idea is to have the 15 people the show is calling “pioneers” shape their own world, and in order to do that, they need to raise funds, said Kristen, who’s been living in “Utopia” for almost two weeks.

“All the money we raise is being used to help us survive,” said Kristen, one of the show’s pioneers, adding the group hoped to put together three to four events per month. “This is not staged by any means. We don’t have an off-camera package of donuts that we can eat.

The recent string of 100-plus degree temperatures in the Santa Clarita Valley haven’t made things any easier, she added.

“This is real life,” she said. “We don’t have any outside help.”

Supporting their own survival is the goal behind this weekend’s event, she said, adding entry to the event is $20, it’s open to all ages and children 12 and under are free. The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m.

Kristen, as pictured on Fox's "Utopia" website“We’re offering a bunch of different classes based on different people’s skill set,” Kristen said. “We’re just kind of looking to spread the word — our communication abilities are pretty limited right now.”

One of the pioneers is hosting a wall-framing workshop for those interested in construction. Another, presumably, Dedeker, who’s occupation is listed as a belly dancer, is hosting a belly dancing class. There will also be archery instruction, Kristen said.

Red, who’s reportedly from Kentucky, is hosting a “hillbilly wine-making” course to demonstrate his homegrown skills.

Kristen wasn’t allowed to contact KHTS AM-1220 directly. Instead, one of two customers, Jeni Cowell, who showed up to a Yoga class hosted by the pioneers last weekend, contacted the station with a number to call.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP at the “Utopia” website, Kristen said. In order to attend a visitor must sign up for a “passport” to “Utopia” at visitUtopiaTV.com.

Cowell, of North Hollywood, said she enjoyed watching the show online, and that’s how she heard about the class.

“When the utopians arrive, they were given a certain amount of money they could start with,” Cowell said. “It was always in the plan they would start doing business, to bring money into their community.”

The utopians are hoping the event builds momentum and support for the community, which could make future events more successful.

In just 13 days, Kristen said, the show has taught her a lot about herself.

“It’s been a lot of ups and downs to be honest with you,” Kristen said of her thus-far brief stint at the ranch. “There’s been a lot of team-building and working together but there’s also been a lot of drama. The people who were put here have a lot of alpha personalities.”Dedeker, as pictured on Fox's "Utopia" website

Right now, the pioneers have been experimenting with several different types of forms of government, letting each person be responsible for a different form.

Wednesday is the last day of “anarchy,” Kristen said, and next will be a dictatorship, with Bri, a veterinary technician in charge.

“She’s also the tiniest girl here, so worst-case scenario we can all just overthrow her,” Kristen joked.

The experience is also one that’s been steadily strengthening her own resolve, Kristen said.

“It kind of breaks you down and lets you know what you can do with nothing,” she said, “and it’s a very empowering experience.”

Dedeker, as pictured on Fox's "Utopia" websiteThe address for Sable Ranch is listed as 25933 Sand Canyon Road in Santa Clarita


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‘Utopia’ Pioneers Welcome Santa Clarita To Event At Movie Ranch

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.