Dawning of a New Age: Burning Man Festival
Festival Essentials
Where: Black Rock Desert, Nevada, Southwest USA
When: End of August/September
Happenings: Temporary community where anything goes – free love, living ecology, art and music
Remember to Bring: Lots of water, food, sun protection, a bike – prepare for desert hardships. The only things available to buy on-site are ice and coffee. Clothing is optional. And of course there is the gifting economy which is a lovely way to participate with other people at the event (remember it’s not the same as bartering!).
Where’s The Party At?
Getting tickets has now become the most challenging part of this glorious extravaganza. With increased awareness and popularity, the festival has struggled to keep up with demand for tickets for long time burners and first timers wanting to get in on the action. Additionally, Burning Man is now top of the list for rich kids from around the globe who have the means to buy up tickets more easily than others. All this means! Register early! And sign up for all the opportunities to get tickets including STEP (The Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP) and be resourceful.
The fun begins in finding your way to the Burning Man. And in the process you might just come upon an official or unofficial pre-burn party in say, a hotel room in Reno.
The annual festival takes place in barren Black Rock desert of the western United States, in the state of Nevada. It’s 80 miles from the nearest town, in the middle of nowhere, so you need to come prepared with food, water, and a place to sleep at the very least.
The Date
The last week of August marks the start of the week long revelling.
What Happens at Burning Man (stays at Burning man;)
Burning Man is an ‘experiment in temporary community’; a mass gathering of people where absolutely anything goes. For many it’s an energising experience that draws on elements from new age spirituality, art, music, architecture, perma-culture, politics, identity and plenty more. You can learn about micro finance projects in India, build a geo-desic dome, monkey chant, dance in a bath of glitter…
No-one is a spectator at Burning Man, everyone takes part in their own peculiar way. The burning of the 40 foot high man which towers over the desert site symbolises the burning away of all the bad luck accumulated during the year.
What’s the History of the Festival?
Burning Man began in the 1980’s as a small beach party in San Francisco. It now attracts as many as 20,000 revelers from all over the world.
More Information
Official web site of the Burning man project, packed with information, including how to get there.
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/abinazir/2014/08/27/why-im-skipping-burning-man-in-2014/
This is a pretty right on blog post about the current state of Burning Man. Some of the views expressed are extreme (especially when it comes to music!) but on the whole he is on point.
http://regionals.burningman.org/
There are lots of other ‘Burns’ and festivals around the world – explore!
