~ SIXTH ANNUAL BURNING LIFE FESTIVAL COMES TO A COMPUTER NEAR YOU!

"Both Burning Man and the Internet make it possible to re-gather the tribe of mankind.... We must use technology to create space stations here on planet Earth, islands of intense and living contact."
- Larry Harvey, January 1997

"[Burning Man] reinforced the idea that what we believe in or what we make of things is all that is real ... I was just blown away by the fact that ... it had this mystical quality that demolished the barriers between people. And I thought about it ... "What magical quality makes that happen?"
- Philip Rosedale, founder of Second Life, after his 1999 burn

Burning Life 2008

If you didn't get enough of the playa this year, or weren't able to make the journey to be with us, you can still get your burn on, without leaving home, at Burning Life '08, in the virtual world of Second Life.

This is the sixth year that Burning Life will be celebrated in Second Life, and this year, since many real-world burners are long-time participants in the Burning Life community, Danger Ranger has organized the first Burning Man Regional group in a virtual world.

We'd like to invite you to join us "inworld" for this one-week event, from September 27th to October 5th. You can visit the art installations, attend live events, and participate in the experience.

Burning Life is an online event inspired by Burning Man. It follows the same ten principles (see: http://tinyurl.com/d3unc ), including immediacy and participation. Burning Life takes place in Second Life, a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents, inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe. Philip Rosedale, the founder of Second Life, was at Burning Man this year, but he first attended Burning Man in 1999 and came away inspired by the community experience and art. In Second Life, he has created an online community where people can build their own world and be whatever they want to be, in a shared, immersive experience.

Second Life's salute to the radical experiment in community that is Burning Man started in 2003, when a small group of Burners and Linden Lab created an ephemeral art installation in the weeks following Burning Man. Named Burning Life, it included virtual art installations and live inworld events.

This year, Burning Life 2008 offers us an opportunity to experience all the usual fixtures of the real life playa-- DPW, Greeters, Rangers, Lamplighters, large scale art, bicycles and even a virtual dust storm. Shouting Fire/BMIR will be streaming radio into this virtual festival. Nearly 400 Second Life Residents have signed up to create unique art and performances for the event, including large works of art, interactive theme camps, a fashion show and of course, the burning of the Man amid a fireworks display.

To learn more about the event visit the Burning Life website:

http://burninglife.secondlife.com

Here is how you can participate: Download the free software here: http://secondlife.com/join/ and install it-- this is similar to a web browser but you are in a 3-D environment. When you first launch Second Life, you will be "born" with a new name as an "avatar", which can be customized whenever and however you like. Just like at Burning Man, how you present yourself is completely up to you. When you first arrive, you'll see a short tutorial to orient you on how to get around Second Life. Then, take yourself up gate road, thru the Greeters, and remember how great it is to be a playa virgin again!

Preparations for Burning Life have been ongoing for months, and the "camping" (building) space is already full for this year. But there are still plenty of ways to participate. Playafy your avatar, and enter the fashion show. Grab a public art car or green bike and start exploring. Offer to help a camp throw an event. Join the Lamplighters. Haunt the stage at the Center Camp Cafe, where live music and performance will be happening 24 hours a day! If you already have Second Life building skills, you can sign up for a porta-potty art project.

If you would like to join the discussion list for this new Regional event, you need to attend Burning Life and visit the Regional Information Booth located across from the Center Camp Cafe.

If you would like to be on the announce list for the Burning Life Regional group, send a blank email to secondlife-announce-subscribe@burningman.com

~ BBQ A Noobie Volunteer Pic-i-nic, June 14, Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate Park
Bring your virgins, your newbies, your dust-free friends...And introduce
them to the Burners in their backyard. This as an event FOR and BY Burning Man volunteers and their NOOBIE friends...(yes, bring your kids too!)...

"If you are a Burning Man volunteer, or are a virgin burner "NOOBIE" who wants to meet burners and learn more about the event, this picnic is for YOU!"

Lindley Meadow
Golden Gate Park
June 14,
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

This here is a Potluck BBQ... Bring something for the grill, or a dish to share, or drinks to share. It's self-reliant, Burner do-ocracy, gift economy-style! After all, we're out to ed-ju-ma-cate them virgins on how we 'do it'.

BBQ-A-NOOBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE...
"You must bring everything with you to survive the pic-i-nic"
* At least 12 oz beer per adult, per hour. (But no kegs, park rules).
* Enough grillable food for you and your group.
* Layered clothing that preferably sparkles.
* A good folding camp chair or picnic blanket.
* 'Leave No Trace' garbage bags.
* Sunscreen.
* Common sense, an open mind, and a positive, playful attitude.
* Coleslaw/Frito Pie/Potato Salad/Baked Beans/Ambrosia.
* Goggles and face masks in case of dust storms or bear attack.
* Virgins! Newbies! More Virgins!

Somewhat like a BRC theme camp, a certain level of stuff will be provided: such as charcoal, plates, utensils, and condiments. You know, the basics... yes, condiments!

~ Soulstance 2008, June 20-22, Lupin Lodge, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz Mountains!
The South Bay, Santa Cruz and Monterey burner communities are uniting for the biggest precom the area has ever seen! Gear up for three days of community, dance, art, performances, fire dancing, drummers, musicians, theme camps, random acts of radical self-expression, and more!

Gear up for the playa, do some practice CAMPING (shake the dust out of your tent, test your air mattress, see how warm your playa coat really is!), PARTICIPATE in the creation of a playa-rific experience for everyone who attends. Want to DJ? Practice your FIRE SPINNING performance? Have a new ART project or EL WIRE creation you’d like to show off? Come to give to your community and BE DELIGHTED by your fellow participants!

Go to www.soulstanceinfo.com for ALL the info you need to be a part of this wonderful event.

To chat with your fellow burners about the event, join the tribe at http://tribes.tribe.net/soulstance .

Homouroboros Dedication Ceremony May 17
[posted 4.30.08]



Please join burners, press and public for the Black Rock Arts Foundation ribbon-cutting ceremony for Peter Hudson's Homouroboros installation! This will be the official kick-off for the Zero1 festival, and the beginning of an entire month of monkey business in downtown San Jose.

The dedication will take place at 6pm on Saturday, May 17 at the Children's Discovery Museum - Discovery Meadow (directions here). Once the ribbon is cut by Melissa Alexander, Executive Director of BRAF, and Peter Hudson, the artist and creator of Homouroboros, the drums will start to pound and the zeotrope will start to spin. Get ready for what Wired Magazine called the winner of the "WOW, did you see that?" survey at Burning Man 2007.

Reception follows the ceremony, and the end of civil twilight is at 8:39 p.m. Be sure to see this incredible zoetrope at its best ... in full dark ... to appreciate the effects under the strobe lights of what scientists call "the persistence of vision". And don't forget, this piece will be in Discovery Meadow from May 15 - June 15. Come by during the day, too (we'll have special daytime viewers available). Bring friends, family, kids, neighbors and co-workers! It's free to the public and a perfect fulfillment of BRAF's mission to place experimental, highly interactive art in public settings.

Burn on the Bayou premieres at the Santa Cruz Film Festival at the Riverfront Twin Theaters Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m.
The Burn on the Bayou documentary follows the trials and tribulations of a rag-tag group of Burning Man attendees who, hearing about the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, took off their costumes and left the Burning Man event to see how they could help the victims of this natural disaster. Starting with a Buddhist Temple in Biloxi and ending up in the tiny town of Pearlington, Mississippi the crew of people, soon to be known as Burners Without Borders (BWB), provided disaster relief with flair. Bringing the precepts of the Burning Man Project to their work, BWB invited the communities they were helping to become part, not only of the revitalization of their neighborhood, but also to find art and personal expression in the midst of disaster.

Watch the teaser here.

Bring your friends, bring your neighbors, buy someone a ticket who you don't even know and spread the love!

For more information visit: http://www.santacruzfilmfestival.com/
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note: When the events were posted, the links worked.

~ STILL TIME TO CATCH THE BURNING MAN EXHIBIT AT SC MAH
Moving, tender, tough and rough, this exhibition features cutting edge, right-up-to-the-nanosecond, contemporary works. Indeed, the art created at and for Burning Man is among the most important contemporary art being created today. As an open door to creative activities and to experimentation, it is democratic, often ephemeral, and built on the principle of risk taking. This mindset allows for a distilled, elemental experience that is the visual and emotional manifestation of art, soul and spirit..

Check out to the museum website description here.

The Museum is located at the McPherson Center 705 Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz (corner of Front and Cooper Streets). Phone: (831) 429-1964.

Museum Hours:
Tuesdays - Sundays 11am - 5pm. Closed Mondays.
First Friday of every month 11am - 6pm

Admission Fees:
$5 General Admission
$3 Adult Students (18 and older) and Seniors (62 and older)
$2 Children 12-17
Free for Museum members and children under 12

FREE admission days are the first Friday of each month.

: events

Volunteers needed for Thursday beach light art project
[posted 9.19.06]
This isn't burner-related, though I'm aware that a number of burners will be volunteering with the event. 500 15 million candlepower lights along the Santa Cruz Beach. Info is below. Hope to see you there.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
For  "Night-Light" a community art project for peace.
We are in need of 500 volunteers for
3 miles of Santa Cruz coastline
Thursday, September 21 @ 9pm

On Thursday, Sept. 21 five hundred, 15,000,000 candle power spotlights will light the night along three miles of the Santa Cruz, CA coastline. "Night-Light" will bring together community to illuminate the message of peace. Artist and SCICA Co-Director Kirby Scudder along with hundreds of volunteers from the community will turn on the 500 lights at 9 p.m. for one hour in the communal celebration of peace.

These brilliant spotlights weighing 14 lbs each and totaling 7,000 pounds will be placed every 30 feet winding their way down West Cliff drive ending at Pacific Avenue. The project will involve 500 volunteers staffing the lights.

Each light will be numbered and signed. The lights will be sold for $80 each to support the project as well as to raise money for future projects that will lead to making "Night-Light" an annual event.

For more information about the "Night-Light" project contact info@scica.org or check out the website.

~ "BEYOND BLACK ROCK" SHOWING SATURDAY, MAY 6 AT DEL MAR THEATER
[posted 5.2.06]
Want to get a jumpstart on Burning Man 2006? Catch the showing of "Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock" this Saturday at 9:15 p.m. at the Del Mar Theater as part of the Santa Cruz Film Festival. Here's the blurb from the press release:

Burning Man has been called a festival, a cult, a phenomenon, and a celebration of life. Beyond Black Rock reveals how the Burning Man event has evolved from a counterculture gathering to a global community of artists and social revolutionaries, despite efforts by the government and media to marginalize the festival. Amazing imagery and entertaining ineterviews explain the intrigue of the Burning Man phenomenon. Spectators welcomed. Just this once.

~ PYROCUSSION AT FELIX CULPA GALLERY FRIDAY, FEB. 3
[posted 1.20.06]
The musical flame cannons of Pyrocussion can be seen, felt and heard for free at the Felix Kulpa Gallery on the first Friday of each month. We start heating up the sky just after dark with one set and another set an hour later. This is a chance to mingle with the performers and other pyro-enthused people.

The Kulpa Gallery is located at 107 Elm St. just behind Streetlight Records. Visit www.pyrocussion.com to see photos and video of Pyrocussion in action. Check out our artist's profile on Bonefire Bob, who created Pyrocussion, below.

~ Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-In Presents "Who Is Bozo Texino? The Epic Account Of The Near Discovery Of The World's Most Mysterious Boxcar Artist"
[posted 8.10.05]
The long awaited, twelve-plus years-in-the-making epic by Bill Daniel is finally finished. This spectacular travel adventure faithfully photographed in realistic black and white film at considerable risk from speeding freight trains and in secret hobo jungles in the dogged pursuit of the impossibly convoluted story of the heretofore untold history of the century-old folkloric practice of hobo and railworker graffiti and the absurd quest for the true identity of railroading's greatest artist will likely amuse and confound you in its sincere attempt to understand and preserve this artform. A gorgeous film that captures the tremendous beauty of seeing America from the back of a freight train.

Plus additional short features: "WALDO POINT" by Saul Rouda. A mindblowing timetrip. The long haired punks of the water. And the short film "BRITTON, SOUTH DAKOTA" by Vanessa Renwick. 1938 archival footage of kids standing in front of the movie camera to have their "portrait" made. Eerie, and with an equally haunting score.

PLUS thrilling and funny short films, an intermission, and great company.

Friday August 12, 8 p.m.
Railroad Tracks at Fair Ave, Santa Cruz
(the usual spot)

BRING lawn chairs, blankets, pillows, friends, wine, & food to share for intermission. Donations are greatly appreciated and directly support the filmmaker Bill Daniels and his projects.

SANTA CRUZ GUERILLA DRIVE-IN is an outdoor movie theatre under the stars that springs up unexpectedly in the fields and industrial wastelands. Beyond showing great movies and bringing a broad community together, part of our mission is helping reclaim public space and transforming our urban environment into the joyful playground it should be.

SUBURBAN WASTELAND LOCATION: S on Hwy 17 to Hwy 1, Hwy 1 north to Mission St, L on Fair Ave after Feral Donuts, walk a short way along the RR tracks to the right.

BREAKING NEWS, updated summer schedule, discussion, do-it-yourself, email list, the works:www.thespoon.com/drivein

~ The 48 Hour Film Project Comes to Black Rock City August 30-Sept. 1
[posted 8.4.05]
For the first time ever, the 48 Hour Film Project is coming to Black Rock City! Teams of filmmakers will make films on the playa between August 30th and September 1st, and we will screen them at Automatic Subconscious (6:30 and Esplanade) the evening they are complete, on September 1st at 9pm. Come on out and make a movie! For more info, check out http://www.48hourfilm.com/brc/ or email burner Ben Guaraldi at ben@48hourfilm.com .

~ Guerilla Drive In Theater/Reverend Billy Thursday, June 2, 8 p.m.
[posted 5.26.05]
This is a Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-In Special Event: "The Night of the Iguana" with Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir.

"Night of the Iguana" is John Houston's masterpiece adaption of the Tennessee Williams play. A defrocked priest who's lost his faith, a lascivious widow, a lonely middle aged woman, a beautiful 17 year old nymphomaniac, a poet on the verge of death, and a gorgeous Mexican coastal paradise.They are united in that they are divided, in that they are all tortured souls seeking beauty, life, meaning and engaged in battles to stand tall, to live with integrity and love. On a hot, cloying night, a night of the iguana, when all their ropes snap taut, they meet. In glorious black and white.

Plus we'll be joined by Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir who will bring their own special entertaining blend of spirituality and activism. Throughout its seven year existence the Church of Stop Shopping has fought Starbucks, Disney, Walmart (to name a few) promoting independent businesses and gift, thrift and barter economies; encouraging the survival of our neighborhoods; and giving a voice to countless sweatshop workers worldwide.

PLUS selected shorts, community goings-on, good company, and an intermission.

Thursday June 2, 8 p.m.
Under the Soquel Ave Bridge, Santa Cruz

BRING lawn chairs, blankets, pillows, friends, wine, & food to share for intermission. Donations are greatly appreciated and directly support the project and the Revolutionary Garden Society who sponsors Guerilla Drive-In. (We are currently saving to get a spare projector bulb and a backup projection system.)

SANTA CRUZ GUERILLA DRIVE-IN is exactly what it sounds like -- an outdoor movie theatre under the stars that springs up unexpectedly in the fields and industrial wastelands. Guerilla Drive-In is helping reclaim public space and transform our urban environment into the joyful playground it should be.

SUBURBAN WASTELAND LOCATION: S on Hwy 17 to Hwy 1, Hwy 1 north to Mission St, L on Fair Ave after Feral Donuts, walk a short way along the RR tracks to the right.

MORE INFO: summer schedule & do-it-yourself: www.thespoon.com/drivein

Join our low-volume Guerilla Drive-In announcement list:
guerilla-drive-in-subscribe@lists.riseup.net.

~ K-SVERT 106.5 FM Radio and Performance Stage fundraiser June 1 in S.F.
[posted 5.12.05]
K-SVERT will hold a fundraiser for it's Burning Man 2005 camp on Wednesday, June 1 at MIGHTY in San Francisco.

Featured performers include the Mermen, Gooferman and CatFive, plus special guest appearances. Tickets are $12 in advance, and $15 at the door!

For more info visit www.k-svert.com/tickets or email skid@k-svert.com .

~ Guerilla Drive In Theater showing "12 Monkeys" Friday, May 27, 8 p.m.
[posted 5.26.05]
We are back outside by the tracks and will be for the rest of the summer. Let's make our first summer feature a blow-out. Bring friends! Bring the kids! Bring yummy snackies and wine! Come enjoy a fabulous movie and a night under the stars!

Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-In Presents: 12 Monkeys

Terry Gilliam directs 12 Monkeys, a densely plotted, visually dynamic post-apocalyptic thriller. It is a movie that is as bleak as it is mind-bending, a dystopian nightmare that seems uncomfortably plausible. Bruce Willis is a brutalized, misunderstood time-traveler sent to the present from 2035 where the scattered remains of humanity live deep underground. An intoxicating blend of existential science fiction and unrequited romance. Wild and beautiful and deeply disturbing all at once.

Friday May 27th, 8:00pm

BRING lawn chairs, blankets, pillows, friends, wine, & food to share for intermission. Donations are greatly appreciated and directly support the project and the Revolutionary Garden Society who sponsors Guerilla Drive-In. (We are currently saving to get a spare projector bulb and a backup projection system.)

SANTA CRUZ GUERILLA DRIVE-IN is exactly what it sounds like -- an outdoor movie theatre under the stars that springs up unexpectedly in the fields and industrial wastelands. Guerilla Drive-In is helping reclaim public space and transform our urban environment into the joyful playground it should be.

SUBURBAN WASTELAND LOCATION: S on Hwy 17 to Hwy 1, Hwy 1 north to Mission St, L on Fair Ave after Feral Donuts, walk a short way along the RR tracks to the right.

MORE INFO: summer schedule & do-it-yourself: www.thespoon.com/drivein

Join our low-volume Guerilla Drive-In announcement list:
guerilla-drive-in-subscribe@lists.riseup.net.

~ "Wet Spot" camp fundraiser May 21 in Los Gatos Mountains
[posted 5.12.05]
The Wet Spot consists of Santa Cruz mountain residents who will be bringin a 53-foot refrigerated trailer to the playa that will serve as a bar in the afternoon. This event will include:

Fire Dancer Performaces
Belly Dancing Performances
Art Cars
Glowsticks for everyone
Slideshow with Pictures of Burning Man 2002 - 2004
Movies of Burning Man (various years)
Huge Bonfire with colored flames
A Chill Space Dome
Mini Burning Man to be Burned at Midnight
Live Bands Playing Throught the Night
Several Kegs of Beer & Bar drinks (21+ only)
Munchies

Time/Location: 7 p.m. until around 3 a.m. 24700 San Jose-Soquel Road, Los Gatos (Mountains)

What you need to know:
Dress in Burning Man/Black Rock Attire to get a FREE Drink Token! Of Course!
Bring warm clothing & dress casual
Wear Tennis shoes, boots or other sturdy shoes
You are welcome to spend the night if you bring camping gear and pitch your tent - there is plenty of space. PARKING IS TIGHT! PLEASE CARPOOL IF POSSIBLE!

Costs:
$15 ahead of time, includes 2 drink tokens (use paypal or send Robin an email & a check (35 Ocean View Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033) and we will email you a confirmation and put your name on the guest list and give you drink tokens at the door) or $20 at the door. Drink tokens are $10 for 5 tokens (alcoholic & non-alcoholic).

For more info email Robin .

~ Burning Beach Film Festival and Afterburn Gathering, Saturday, Oct. 9 in Santa Cruz
[updated 10.1.04]
Ever wonder why 35,664 people trek to the Nevada desert each year and brave heat, cold, hurricane-force winds and dust storms to participate in the arts event known as Burning Man? Enlightenment will be yours if you attend the third annual Burning Beach Film Festival, which drew more than 400 participants last year.

Our lineup includes Chuck Cirino's "Burning Man '97", filmmakers Dadara and Jesse Limmen's 2004 piece "Fall and Rise of the Fools Ark", "Beyond Black Rock", a new piece on BM04 by perennial favorite Bill Breithaupt ("Aqua Burn", "Burning Karma"), and the premier of "Firefall: Road to Burning Man."

For compleat details, click here for the film festival page.

The event, hosted at Santa Cruz's historic Rio Theatre, also includes art and performance from local burners, and we'll see whether we can get Burning Man executive director Larry Harvey to make it down to give a talk. The festival is a benefit for Burning Beach, the Santa Cruz Burning Man region.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the first film airs at 2 p.m. If you'd like to join us for a post-event outdoor gathering across the street at The Crepe Place, please RSVP so we can give the restaurant a head count and they can staff accordingly.

Tickets: $15 at the door, $12 if you bring three cans of food, which will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. $3 of any full price ticket will be donated to the Family Shelter Project in the name of local burners. Children under 12 are free. Playawear is always encouraged. For more info call (831) 335-9643, email santacruz (at) burningbeach (dot) com, or join the Santa Cruz burner announce list. (Photo courtesy Richard "Wee Gee" Jones).

~ Guerilla Drive-In Theatre, Oct. 8: "American Beauty"
[updated 9.14.04]
Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-In Theatre is exactly what it sounds like - an outdoor movie theatre under the stars that springs up unexpectedly in the fields and industrial wastelands. Guerilla Drive-In is helping reclaim public space and transform our urban environment into the joyful playground it should be. Programs start at 8 p.m. every other Friday through the summer.

Upcoming films:
Oct. 8 - American Beauty
Oct. 22 - Night of the Living Dead

Current location is the railroad tracks at Fair Ave, near Ferrell's Donuts.

~ Nocturnal Sunshine performing in downtown Santa Cruz on Saturday
[posted 3.12.04]
Members of Nocturnal Sunshine will be performing Saturday night on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. The performances are for the grand opening of Kianti's. Performances will be at approximately 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

~ Beginning poi class starting Feb 26 at the Vets Hall
[updated 1.30.04]
Kara Snider, one of the organizers of Nocturnal Sunshine and coordinator of the Santa Cruz Fire Conclave at Burning Man, will start one of her six-week poi spinning classes on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall. Snyder has trained dozens of poi spinners, most of whom go on to perform with fire. The class runs from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The cost is $80. For more information, contact Kara at karaflame@hotmail.com.

~ Spend Valentine's Day with the Man you love
[posted 2.12.04]
Burning Beach is hosting a free showing of a brand new Burning Man film, "One Minute to Burn", on Saturday, February 14 at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Cultural Center in Santa Cruz. OMTB is a film by Paul Andresen and Mo Stoebe of Los Angeles. It is a compilation of 51 one-minute-long Burning Man "moments". They just got the green light from Burning Man organizers to produce and sell it and this is the first public showing of it in its entirely. We'll kick off the evening with a rarely-seen video short by Jimmy Lolovic called "In This World" and a presentation by two Santa Cruz burners planning a new theme camp for BM04. Compleat details are here.

~ Field trip to the Mystery Spot, 1 p.m. Saturday Dec. 6 (after the parade)
[posted 11.26.03]
What better time than the depths of winter to take a Burning Beach trip to the Mystery Spot? It's the same day as the Santa Cruz parade, which starts at 10 a.m., so we figure we'd all meet up at 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the Mystery Spot for hot apple cider to fortify us before heading in. If you're interested, email santacruz (at) burningbeach.com . If you've not been to the Mystery Spot before, it is truly an underappreciated treasure of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Bring a camera.

Plan B: If it rains, we'll meet at Mr. Toots Coffeehouse, 221 The Esplanade in Capitola above Margaritaville, for coffee and confabulation. The balcony is above the beach for a lovely view even on a stormy day. Call us if you're not sure where to go ("Is it raining hard enough to cancel the Field Trip?") -- 335.9643

Burning Silicon After Burn Bash in Willow Glen, Saturday, Nov. 8 in Willow Glen
[posted 10.21.03]
Burning Silicon is hosting a dusk-to-dawn party on Saturday, Nov. 8 in Willow Glen. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a potluck dinner, after which everyone settles in for a night of music, dancing, fire spinning and hot tubbing. For more information, check out their Clubhouse page or email them at info@burningsilicon.com .

~ Poi spinning class begins Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Vets Hall
[posted 10.14.04]
Nocturnal Sunshine organizer Kara Snider begins a six-week poi spinning class on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall. This beginning class will cover basic theory and moves, transitions, incorporating poi with dance and developing a unique style. This class does not involve fire spinning, but is considered a precursor for those interested in doing so.

Snider has performed as part of First Night Santa Cruz, the Otter Opry, Freakers Ball and other local functions.

The classes run from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Wednesday nights from October 16 through November 20 at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall. The cost is $75. For more information, contact Kara Snider at 831.325.0469 or at karaflame@hotmail.com.

~ Official Burning Man Decompression set for Sunday, Oct. 12 in S.F.
[posted 9.11.03]
Before the playa dust has completely settled and our heads have stopped spinning, many of us gather in the months after Burning Man to "decompress" by taking one more communal plunge into the depths of what we found so affirming and memorable at Burning Man. The event goes from noon to midnight on Indiana Street and in Club Cocomo, between Mariposa and 21st Street. The cost is $10 in Black Rock Attire, $20 in street wear. Kids under 12 get in free. All ages welcome outside on Indiana Street, 21+ yrs in Cocomo. For more info, check out the website.

~ Burning Man art show and decompression - Oct. 11 in Sacramento
[posted 9.6.03]
For anyone up for a drive, the Sacramento regional coordinator is hosting a Burning Man art show and decompression on Saturday, Oct. 11 in Sacramento. The art show is from 5-11 p.m. at the Gallery Horse Cow, 1409 Del Paso Blvd. in Sacramento. The decompression starts at 10 and goes til 1 a.m. It will be outside, so there's plenty of room for art cars and fire performance. For more info, email Allen Denault at sacramento(at)burningman.com .

~ Burning Beach Film Festival and Afterburn Gathering, Saturday, Oct. 4 in Santa Cruz
[updated 9.11.03]
Ever wonder why 30,000 people trek to the Nevada desert each year and brave heat, cold, hurricane-force winds and dust storms to participate in the arts event known as Burning Man? Enlightenment will be yours if you attend the second annual Burning Beach Film Festival, which drew more than 300 participants last year.

We've lined up films by French filmmaker Laurent LeGall ("Sensation"), Irish filmmakers Aprile Blake and Dearbhla Glynn ("Dust Devils"), Canadian filmmaker Aleece Germano ("Black Rock Burning"), a 20-minute preview from the Gone Off Deep folks and a film of BM03 by Bill Breithaupt, who got a standing ovation last year for "Aqua Burn".

The event, hosted at Santa Cruz's historic Rio Theatre, also includes art and performance from local burners, and Burning Man executive director Larry Harvey is going to try to make it down and give a talk. The festival is a benefit for Burning Beach, the Santa Cruz Burning Man region. Organizers will also be making a cash donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank in the name of local burners. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the first film airs at 2 p.m. If you'd like to join us for a post-event outdoor gathering across the street at The Crepe Place, please RSVP so we can give the restaurant a head count and they can staff accordingly. Thanks.

Tickets: $15 at the door, $12 if you bring three cans of food, which will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Children under 12 are free. Playawear is always encouraged. For more info call 831-335-9643, email santacruz@burningman.com, or join the Santa Cruz burner announce list. (Photo courtesy Richard "Wee Gee" Jones).

Reminder: The Rio does not allow food or drinks in the theater.

DnalanD: A fundraiser/party in Santa Cruz, Friday, Aug. 8
[posted 8.4.03]
Camp OgononogO, Colors and 13 Moontribe present: This Friday, August 8 at a virgin, 7,000 square foot, multi-level venue in downtown Santa Cruz. This is the one and only time an event will be held at this truly phenomenal location. Two sound systems pumping breaks, house and drum & bass. Exotic fire performance by Nocturnal Sunshine. Art and decor by local burners, Junkyard Jesus, and Sunrise Station. Sound reinforcement by Magnetic Sound.

Time: 9p.m. to late
Price: $5 before 10 p.m., $10 after
Location: 504 Front Street

For more information visit http://www.redarmyaudio.com/dnaland or contact: dnaland@redarmyaudio.com. Come support your talented local artists and musicians. Half of the proceeds will be donated to the Santa Cruz Youth Coalition. The remaining proceeds will support Camp OgononogO and 13 Moontribe in their preparations for the Playa.

~ Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive In Theater presents Repo Man on Friday, July 25
[posted 7.22.03]
A punk fable with Harry Dean Stanton and Emelio Estevez set in a stranger & grimy Los Angeles complete with repossessors, drugs, sex, G-men, nuclear physicists, televangelists, junk food and aliens.

SCGDIT will show "Repo Man", Estevez's breakout role, on Friday, July 25 at 8:30 p.m. on Dubois Street in Santa Cruz. Organizers recommend that you bring blankets, lawn chairs, friends, wine, "snackies" for the intermission and, if you can spare some change, a donation to Streetlamp, who is providing the projector.

This may be the last Guerilla Drive-In of the summer, so we hope you can join us this
Friday. We usually make yummy popcorn if that will entice you. Oh yeah, and we'll have several shorts before the main feature. Ride a bike if you can. If you have to drive, park a ways away, please. For more info, contact guerillas@thespoon.net.

~ Burning Silicon hosts Pre-Compression Party Saturday, July 26 in San Jose
[posted 7.4.03]
Burning Silicon is hosting a pre-compression party Saturday, July 26 at Gallery AD in San Jose. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the event includes sounds by Cat 5, showings of Bill Breithaupt's 2002 film "Aqua Burn", fire performance by the San Jose Fire Play Spinners, the Ark of the Nautilus and Wizzard's Orb. The suggested donation is $10 in advance, $10 at the door in playa wear and $15 at the door in street clothes. Profits will be donated to the Black Rock Arts Foundation. For more information email Sandy or check the Burning Silicon website.

~ Burners rallying for midnight showing of Boondock Saints on Saturday, July 26
[posted 7.22.03]
Several Santa Cruz burners will descend en masse on the Del Mar theatre for Saturday night's midnight movie - the Boondock Saints, and they're looking for recruits. According to Digger, who's organizing this, there are several reasons to come:

• You can do/have a great Boston accent.
  
• Your friends tell you you look like the quintessential Mobster/Old Irish Bartender/Boston Detective/brilliant, out of the closet, FBI agent (circle all applicable).
  
• You want to wear a bathrobe, combat boots and a pair of handcuffs while carrying a 70 lb. toilet.
  
• You've ever worked in a meat packing plant.
  
• You enjoyed "the cat scene".
  
• You're up for more Catholic imagery and metaphors than a Martin Scorsese movie.
  
• You *LUV* donning the costume and playing the part.
  
• You wanna hang out on Pacific with fellow burners waiting in line.

• Il Duce - someone who can look like a psychotic, paroled, Billy Connolly in Black
  
• Agent Smecker - Willem Dafoe look-alikes or fans who can look smashing in a grey suit
  
• Rocco - someone with long dark hair, a beard and an overcoat to do "Rocco"
  
• Detective Greenly and anyone willing to play a Boston detective.
  
• "Huuuuuge freakin' goiys"
  
• Chekov and two cohorts - huge, bald Russian mobsters in tacky pastel suits
  
• Mobsters and more mobsters - Anyone who can put on slacks and a shirt and curse in Italian (or at least sound like it).
  
• Anyone willing to look like Ron Jeremy dressed up as a mobster.
  
• An older, ruddy faced, Irish bartender with Turrets syndrome (keep it relatively clean, stick to the mixed up proverbs - this is Pacific Ave.)
  
• Someone who looks like Willem Dafoe in drag (black dress, bad red wig)

~ Burning Man Community BBQ July 12 in S.F.
[posted 5.26.03]
Burning Man organizers will host a community BBQ in Golden Gate Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 12. Folks will be encouraged to bring their grill-able eats, kids, dogs, park toys and playful selves. The event will take place at Speedway Meadow, Picnic Tables 13-18.

~ Bay Area artists planning Burnin' Bush gathering July 4 weekend in Gerlach
[posted 5.21.03]
Lissa Nigro of Draka the Dragon fame is announcing a gathering out near the Black Rock Desert for the weekend of July 4 aptly named Burnin' Bush.

"An Art Car Parade through Gerlach, NV will start our festivities the afternoon of the 4th, then Art Car Madness will lead a caravan of heat seekers out to Burnin'Bush for a weekend of Fun with Fire! We hope to have a small foundry operating on site with a forge & kiln, cool art, flamethrowers, a spectacular fireworks display, plus, a few other surprises!

For more details or if you'd like to help then create this free spirited desert gathering, please visit their website at http://www.burninbush.org.

~ Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive In Theater presents: Fight Club on June 27
[posted 6.14.03]
How much can you really know about yourself if you’ve never been in a fight? Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-In is exactly what it sounds like, an outdoor movie theatre that springs up unexpectedly in the middle of fields and industrial wastelands. You're helping transform our urban environment into the joyful playground it should be.

SCGDIT will show "Fight Club", one of Brad Pitt's most memorable roles, on Friday, June 27 on Dubois Street in Santa Cruz. Organizers recommend that you bring blankets, lawn chairs, friends, wine, "snackies" for the intermission and, if you can spare some change, a donation to Streetlamp, who is providing the projector.

The event will also include some shorts, previous of upcoming SCGDIT films, and other stuff. Ride a bike if you can. If you have to drive, park a ways away, please. For more info, contact guerillas@thespoon.net.

~ Only Flambe Lounge of the year set for June 28 in S.F.
[posted 5.17.03]
The only Flambe Lounge of the year will be held Saturday, June 28 at The Crucible in San Francisco. It will be an evening of transcendent play, interactive rites and rituals, processions, performance, shrines, labyrinths, otherworldly art and icons, temples and visions that occupy the ambiguous territory that lies between reverence and ridicule, faith and belief, the absurd and the stunningly sublime.

To volunteer, create a procession or otherworldly experience, perform, bring Beyond Belief theme-oriented art, a theme camp or videos and imagery, email flambelounge@burningman.com. For fire sculpture contributions, email davex@burningman.com.

~ Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive In Theater presents: Cool Hand Luke on May 30
[posted 5.21.03]
Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-In is exactly what it sounds like, an outdoor movie theatre that springs up unexpectedly in the middle of fields and industrial wastelands. You're helping transform our urban environment into the joyful playground it should be.

SCGDIT will show "Cool Hand Luke", one of Paul Newman's greatest films, on Friday, May 30 on Dubois Street in Santa Cruz. Organizers recommend that you bring blankets, lawn chairs, friends, wine, "snackies" for the intermission and, if you can spare some change, a donation to Streetlamp, who is providing the projector.

The event will also include some shorts, previous of upcoming SCGDIT films, and other stuff. Ride a bike if you can. If you have to drive, park a ways away, please. For more info, contact guerillas@thespoon.net.

~ Local burners teaching six-week poi class beginning May 7
[posted 4.3.03]
Kara Snider and Tisina Parker, members of the local Nocturnal Sunshine fire performance troupe, will teach a six-week poi spinning class that covers basic poi skills, developing your own style and incorporating other types of movement and dance.

The classes will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays from May 7 through June 9 and will be held at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall. The cost is $75. For more information or to register, contact Kara at 831.325.0469.

~ Burning Man Town Hall meeting set for Sunday, April 6
[posted 1.15.03]
The Burning Man organization has scheduled the Spring Town Hall meeting for Sunday, April 6 from noon to 3 p.m. at SOMARTS in SF. Organizers give an update on the theme, any changes planned for the coming year and other neat stuff.

~ Final beach burn at Seabright draws 80+
[posted 3.2.03]
The final monthly beach burn at Seabright Beach drew 80+ for an evening of exceptional fire spinning, music and the requisite s'mores. We've posted a few photos of a few of the lovely folks and art.

~ Local burners teaching six week poi class beginning March 5
[posted 3.3.03]
Kara Snider and Sarah Medlicott, members of the local Nocturnal Sunshine fire performance troupe, will teach a six week poi spinning class that covers basic poi skills, developing your own style and incorporating other types of movement and dance.

The classes will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays from March 5 through April 9 and will be held at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall. For more information or to register, contact Kara at 831.325.0469 or Sarah at 831.419.6161.

~ Local burner exhibiting at Felix Kulpa Gallery
[posted 1.2.03]
Felton burner Wes Modes is displaying seven of his assemblage art pieces, including "Blah Blah Blah" pictured here, as part of a five artist exhibit titled "Mixed Messages" at the Felix Kulpa Gallery in Santa Cruz.

At a time when Santa Cruz art galleries are on the endangered species list, the Felix Kulpa Gallery believes the key to success is accessibility and humor. The gallery is at 107 Elm Street, behind Streetlight Records. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

~ Case of the Immolated Elephant - Next on Judge Joe Brown
[posted 1.31.03]
I wish I was joking, but this is for real. Two burners, Phat Mann Dee and Tony Amoeba, married on a pink elephant float in a Pittsburgh, PA parade, take two other burners to the courtroom of Judge Joe Brown on Friday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. The issue involves the transport and eventual immolation of the elephant at Burning Man. It's better to let the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explain it. You can see it locally on KION-TV (Channel 46, CBS).

~ Monthly Beach Burn set for Sunday, Feb. 2
[posted 1.24.03]
The monthly beach burn has been set for Sunday, Feb. 2 beginning around 5 p.m. at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz. For more information, check out the Santa Cruz Beach Burn website. A map to the beach is here. For more information, contact Rodent at rodent@circus.com.

Photo courtesy Alexandra and Francis.

~ Nocturnal Sunshine fire performance troupe performing at UCSC on Jan. 23
[posted 1.6.03]
The fire performance troupe Nocturnal Sunshine will be performing a 45 minute show at the Cowell College Courtyard at UCSC on Thursday, Jan. 23 beginning at 6:45 p.m. Troupe member Kara Snider says "11 of our dancers will be performing so it should be a really good show!" There is no admission. We'll post a map to the university as soon as we find one online. Members of Nocturnal Sunshine were among the 400+ fire performers inside the circle the night of the burn at Burning Man 2002.

~ Poi, staff, juggling & dance Wednesday, Jan. 8 at the Vets Hall
[posted 1.5.03]
Jill Maglio, a member of the Santa Cruz fire performance group Nocturnal Sunshine, is hosting a "spin jam" at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 8, from 8-10 p.m. Maglio, who has taught two poi-spinning classes at the Vets Hall earlier this year, is now hosting a more informal Wednesday evening weekly gathering for students and anyone interested in learning more about poi, staff, juggling and performance in general. A $5 fee helps cover the cost of renting the space for the evening, music and equipment for anyone to use. For more information, contact Jill at jilmags@yahoo.com.

~ First beach burn of 2003 draws 50 to Seabright Beach
[posted 1.5.03]
The first beach burn of '03 brought out 50 to the driftwood strewn Seabright Beach on Jan. 5. Fire spinners, rope lights, Francis and his burning Christmas tree and presents, lasers, spinning LEDs on a ceiling fan, Rodent's 10' effigy. We even had a had a guy with an electic sitar. Ali and Francis came through with some photos which you can view here. The next burn is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 2. Rodent's beach burn website is here.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
: past events: 2002

Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | July | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec

~ Thanksgiving leftovers lure 40 to December beach burn
[posted 12.3.02]
More than 40 burners travelled from as far away as Berkeley and Monterey to take part in the post-Thanksgiving beach burn at Seabright Beach on Sunday, Dec. 1. This month's burn included fire spinners, a laser, beach art, music by Mick, Bob's Bonefire flamethrower (see right), Francis' "beeromid" and the burn of Rodent's largest effigy yet. And did we mention Thanksgiving leftovers?

The Herberts have shots online here, and we've got a few here. The next burn is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 5. For more info on the beach burn or to get involved, check out Rodent's website.

~ Poi, staff, juggling & dance Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Vets Hall
[posted 12.6.02]
Jill Maglio, a member of the Santa Cruz fire performance group Nocturnal Sunshine, is hosting a "spin jam" at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 8-10 p.m.

Maglio, who has taught two poi-spinning classes at the Vets Hall earlier this year, is now hosting a more informal Wednesday evening weekly gathering for students and anyone interested in learning more about poi, staff, juggling and performance in general.

A $5 fee helps cover the cost of renting the space for the evening, music and equipment for anyone to use. For more information, contact Jill at jilmags@yahoo.com.

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~ 40+ turn out for November beach burn
[posted 11,06.02]
More than 40 turned out for the third monthly beach burn on Sunday, Nov. 3. Probably due to the time change, we largely had the beach to ourselves. Three art pieces were burned, including Francis' surrealist structure, a wonderful interactive moon and stars structure and the third incarnation of Rodent's Man.

And it wouldn't have been a beach burn without live music, fire performers and s'mores. Some shots from the gathering are online.

The next burn will be Sunday, Dec. 1 and it will most likely start at 5 p.m.

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~ Official Decompression and Street Faire set for Oct. 20 in S.F.
[posted 9.18.02]
Set your charts for our third annual Street FaIRE with a twist on Sunday, Oct. 20 from noon to midnight. Instead of pricey food and product stalls, we'll have Floating World theme camps, processions, playa art and all manner of Burning Man 2002 flotsam and jetsam. This year we are expanding the festivities to include Esprit Park for more PARKticipation! Bring your art, theme camps and Burning Man videos/imagery. Express yourself and dress your playa best! Inside Cocomo will be full bar service and a seascape of new Burning Man imagery. Outside, we will be creating "Black Top City" all over again--but this time in keeping with the Floating World!

FEATURING: A multitude of category-defying interactive performers and live music, Black Rock City DJs, art cars, all manner of Floating World aquatica and--did we mention the best part - YOU!

All this on three city blocks, a park, and indoor club with patio, three stages, and multimedia wall of imagery. Want to volunteer? Bring your theme camp, playa art, imagery or performance. Email flambelounge@burningman.com . To share your playa imagery, bring VHS tapes, slides in trays and CD-ROMs to the Visuals Check Point in Cocomo or contact us in advance.

MORE INFO: Call 415-TO-FLAME. Indiana Street between Mariposa and 20th. $10 Blackrock Attire; $15 Street Wear. All ages outdoors (kids under 12 free); 21+ inside Cocomo. This is a NO VENDING, NON-COMMERCIAL event.

~ Nocturnal Sunshine member offers poi spinning class starting Oct. 16
[posted 9.29.02]
Jill Maglio of the fire performance troupe Nocturnal Sunshine, is offering a six-week class teaching the fundamentals of poi spinning. The class includes a history of Poi, skills, developing a personal style and incorporating poi skills with other body movement and dance. No experience is necessary.

The class is from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays from Oct.16 through Nov. 20 at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall. The cost is $75. For more information or to register, contact Jill at 831.419.0367.

~ Drama in the Desert release party Oct. 16 in S.F.
[posted 9.29.02]
Celebrate the launch of the new Burning Man book "Drama in the Desert" on Oct. 16 at Studio Z in San Francisco. A piece from the DVD was featured at the Burning Man film festival. The release party will include the 90 contributors and collaborators, plus representatives from the Raised Barn Press publishing company.

If you liked the Drama in the Desert video clip at the Burning Man film festival, you might be interested in joining the creators at their official launch party from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Studio Z in San Francisco. DJs, food, drink and dance punctuated by readings and book signings.

Studio Z is at 314 11th Street in S.F. 21 and older with ID. $5 in playa attire, $10 otherwise, and $5 will be credited toward the on-site purchase of Drama in the Desert: The Sights and Sounds of Burning Man.

~ Beach burn planning meeting set for Oct. 13
[posted 10.9.02]
Rodent, organizer of the monthly beach burns, has scheduled a meeting for Sunday, Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. at Cafe Pergolesi in Santa Cruz to discuss what can be done to improve the beach burns.

~ Beach Burn Oct. 6 at Seabright Beach
[posted 9.22.02]
Some local burners are planning the second of the planned monthly beach burns at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, Sunday, Oct. 6 from 6-10 p.m. Heads up: This beach burn coincides with the Santa Cruz 211th birthday celebration, which culminates with a fireworks display at 8 p.m. The beach will be crowded and parking will be difficult to find.

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~ Burning Man Film Festival - Santa Cruz - Sept. 28
[updated 9.26.02]
Ever wonder why 29,000 people trek to the Nevada desert each year and brave heat, cold, hurricane-force winds and dust storms to participate in the arts event known as Burning Man? This the the first Burning Man film festival in five years. Films include Nosolomusica's "Burning Man 2001", the first ever documentary done in Spanish; Chuck Cirino's "Burning Man 1994", a glimpse of the early days of the event; and the official film festival premiere of San Francisco filmmaker Renea Roberts' "Gifting It - A Burning Embrace of Gift Economy." The event, hosted at Santa Cruz's historic Rio Theatre, will also include some rarely seen video shorts and a speech by Burning Man Executive Director Larry Harvey. The festival is a benefit for Burning Beach, the Santa Cruz Burning Man region. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the first film airs at 2 p.m.

Check out the story by Rebecca Patt in Metro Santa Cruz.

For a schedule and descriptions of each piece, check the film festival page. If you have a film or short that you would like considered for what will become a travelling film festival, email santacruz@burningman.com.

Directions: If you're coming in from San Francisco or Silicon Valley, take Highway 17 over the Santa Cruz mountains. Highway 17 turns into Ocean Street (don't take the Highway 1 offramp - stay to the left). Go to the fourth stoplight and turn left onto Soquel Avenue. Go to the second stoplight and you will see the Rio Theatre on the left. The address is 1205 Soquel Avenue. Here's a map.

Tickets: $15 at the door, $12 if you're in playa garb. Children under 12 are free. For more info call 831-335-9643, email santacruz@burningman.com or join the Santa Cruz burner announce list.

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~ Local burner Wes Modes exhibiting at Felix Kulpa Gallery
[posted 7.13.02]
Felton burner Wes Modes is displaying some of his interactive art pieces, including Prayer Machines I, II and III, as part of "ARS FELIX EXTERNUS" at the Felix Kulpa Gallery in Santa Cruz July 19 through September 30.

At a time when Santa Cruz art galleries are on the endangered species list, the Felix Kulpa Gallery believes the key to success is accessibility and humor. The gallery is at 107 Elm Street, behind Streetlight Records. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

~ Camp Biscuit fundraiser party Saturday, July 27 at 418 Front Street
[posted 7.20.02]
Santa Cruz's Camp Biscuit will be holding a fundraising party on Saturday, July 27 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at 418 Front Street in Santa Cruz. $10 at the door. Featuring: Charlotte the Baroness, Tracy, Brother and Little John with downtempo, DnB, jungle, and grooves by Adam and Obodeyo. Visuals by Dax.

Camp Biscuit offers a relaxing and entertaining port for the weary, wind-swept, and weathered playa traveller to beat the heat. During the day, lawn game tournaments include bocci ball and horseshoes, while other activities include mask making, body casting, face and body painting, board games, cards, and cetera. The Biscuit Caberet features live acts and performances from around the globe, as well as the Biscuit Gong Show, poetry slams, dramatic performances, full-contact kareoke and the occasional open mic session. In the evening, the Camp Biscuit heats it up with DJs, dancing, drumming and more live acts. Late night you can warm your bones by our camp fire and trade stories of your high seas adventures with other burners.

Contact: Melissa Manning at 831.464.7252 or Little John at 831.425.3316 for more information.

~ Local burner taking play to Scotland - and doing a fundraiser at the Rio on July 25
[posted 7.12.02]
Ragesties, a movement theatre company originating from UC Santa Cruz, will be performing BODIES IN CRISIS at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, July 25 at 8 p.m. The production, which uses ritual dance to examine the repercussions of September 11th, is headed to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, the largest arts festival in the world.This company of 10 young performers has worked for over nine months to craft BODIES IN CRISIS which premiered as the self-titled "Ragesties" at the UC Santa Cruz Experimental Theater last winter.

Using Butoh, an avant-garde Japanese dance form, BODIES IN CRISIS offers a stream of movement-based poetry compiled from original writing, media images, and interviews conducted with artists living in New York City. This special one-night performance marks the final fundraising effort of the troupe, which has already raised more than $10,000 to fund their trip. Both a benefit and a celebration, the event will conclude with a send-off party as the cast prepares to depart for Europe the following day. Tickets: $15 general admission/$10 students and seniors. To make reservations call (831) 239-2979.

~ Last Flambe before the desert - July 21, San Francisco
[posted 7.13.02]
The final Flambe Lounge before the exodus happens Sunday, July 21 at Esprit Park and at the Cocomo. This one's called No Spectators Day and the S.S. Black Rock Launch Party. All the details are here.

~ Siskiyou burners with "El Circo" camp planning big event for July
[posted 4.14.02]
Members of El Circo camp in Siskiyou (southern Oregon) have scheduled their annual gathering for either the second or third weekend in July. The event drew about 300 people last year. If you're interested in participating, check out the Siskiyou regional website.

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~ Nautilus planning meeting Thursday night at Neptune's Kingdom
[posted 5.27.02]
Scottie, aka PT Nemo, has scheduled a planning meeting for the Nautilus project for Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. at Neptune's Kingdom on the Boardwalk. For more information, contact Scottie at 831-419-2000. Everyone's gathering at the diving bell.

~ Night Ride - Foreign Travel - Sunday morning May 12 from 2-5 a.m. [posted 5.11.02] Join burners Wes Modes and Bonnie Jean on a Night Ride. Night Ride is all about the narrative voice. A dreamy collage of story and music. A journey with many voices on a long late night drive. Each week, Night Ride explores a different theme. You can catch it locally at 88.9 FM. You are in for Volume 37: "Foreign Travel", a whirlwind journey around the globe, from the point of view of a dozen world travelers. Interviews include Jen, John, Rachel, Wes, and Joseph Wallace. Call while we're on the air 831.476-2800, email us at live@kusp.org or, heck, listen live.

~ "The Poor Players" - one act play directed by burner Shakina Nayfack - through May 12
[posted 5.08.02]
"The Poor Players" play follows the misadventures of three African-American women (Angela Farr, Niketa Calame, Shanta Wilson) who are trying to make sense of different elements of our culture that have mysteriously arrived in the "void" of the theater. The play is very funny and thought provoking, and if you ever want to see women of color doing absurdism, this may be your only chance! Also, after every performance there is a post-show discussion where audience members are invited to speak with the cast and the director about the themes of the show.

Tickets cost $10. You can (and should) order them in advance by calling 460-9606. Otherwise, the box office opens a half hour before the performance. The theater is located at 1001 Center Street, at the intersection of Center and Cedar, in the Santa Cruz Arts Center. The theater is small, and the show will probably sell out, so call in advance or show up early!

8 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, May 9-12. A matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Santa Cruz Arts Center. 1001 Center Street.

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~ Collage workshop this Friday at the Big Yellow House
[posted 4.23.02]
Feel like a klutz with a pencil or paintbrush? Couldn't take a good snapshot to save your soul? Wouldn't know the difference between Manets and mayonnaise? Good, this class is for you. Collage is one of those rare art forms that require no special tools or previous artistic training. Plus its fun. Create yer very own collage and maybe learn a little about the variety and history of the medium as well.

There is no cost and materials will be provided, but feel free to bring any or all of the following: old magazines, any two-dimensional image, scissors, and glue. This is an early evening class so bring munchies to share. Instructors: Lee and Wes. In association with Free School Santa Cruz.

7-9 p.m., Friday, April 26. The Big Yellow House. 742 N. Branciforte. For more info, contact Lee at 831.515.4483 x1217.

~ Nautilus X project team meeting Saturday April 13
[posted 4.12.02]
Folks interested in volunteering to help build the Nautilus, can meet the project leader PT Nemo (aka Scottie) at 1 p.m. this Saturday at Neptune's Kingdom at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.

~ Night Ride: "Security" - 2-5 a.m. Sunday on KUSP
[posted 4.13.02]
Rico Thunder, organizer of the Costco Soulmate Outlet hosts Night Ride, 2-5 a.m. Sunday on KUSP. This week's subject is Security. Hear Tom Ridge's innermost secrets. John Ashcroft's fears. And a host of people's views about personal, physical, and emotional security. Listen live here. Coming next week: Bonnie Jean's "Open House."

~ Proving that burners never sleep, Night Ride radio broadcast airs way early Sunday morning
[posted 3.16.02]
Join burners Wes Modes and Bonnie Jean on a Night Ride. Night Ride is all about the narrative voice. A dreamy collage of story and music. A journey with many voices on a long late night drive. Each week, Night Ride explores a different theme. Sunday March 17th is Night Ride: Volume 32: "Right Now," an exploration of this very moment, from the perspective of a variety of people. Their¤everyday lives in their own voices, and where they stand right now. 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. KUSP - 88.9 FM or listen via the Web.

~ Taking time to say thanks
[posted 2.17.02]
Just wanted to post a note to say thanks to everyone who helped put on the house party Saturday night, and in particular to Chris who opened up his home for the gathering. We had a few folks from over the hill brave Highway 17's rain and pea soup fog to attend. Great meeting you all. It's just the start.

~ Free School Santa Cruz Collage Workshop/Party
Sponsored by Big Yellow House (a Costco Soulmate Trading Outlet affiliate)
January 25 and February 22
Feel like a klutz with a pencil or paintbrush? Couldn't take a good snapshot to save your soul? Wouldn't know the difference between Manets and mayonnaise? Good, this class is for you. Collage is one of those rare art forms that requires no special tools or previous artistic training, plus it's fun! Create your very own collage and maybe learn a little about the variety and history of the medium as well. There is no cost and materials will be provided but feel free to bring any or all of the following: old magazines, any 2 dimensional images, scissors, and glue. This is an early evening class so bring munchies to share. Instructors, Lee and Wes.
  Fridays, March 29 and April 26, 7-9pm
  Location: The Big Yellow House

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: past events: 2001

~ 100 turn out for Santa Cruz showing of "BURNBABYBURN" Thank you to everyone who turned out for the local showing of BurnBabyBurn, a documentary on Burning Man 2001. We had just about 100 folks in attendance, including some who came from as far away as San Francisco, Sacramento and Gilroy. Thanks to everyone who helped get the word out and make this happen.

~ BurningBeach Hosts Local Showing of "BurnBabyBurn" "BurnBabyBurn" is Los Angeles filmmaker Stephen Payne's take on Burning Man 2001. The 16-year-old arts event draws 25,000 people to the Nevada desert for the week leading up to Labor Day, culminating with the burning of a 70-foot-tall effigy. Artists and participants take center stage in the film, showing off what the event's mantra, "Participate!", means to them. A portion of the profits of this showing go to the Black Rock Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes community-based interactive art. Showing Friday, December 14, 7:30 p.m., Pacific Cultural Center, 1307 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the door. Folks are welcome to join Paynie and Burning Beach organizers for a post-showing gathering at the Poet & Patriot Irish Pub at 320 Cedar Street (next to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center).

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