Before anyone gets excited, no, I did not go, nor have I ever been. One of my cousin’s daughters, who lives in Colorado goes every year, and it’s about this time in the Sunday of Labor Day weekend that stories start popping up on her Facebook as she reconnects to the outside world. Yes, she’s a ‘free-spirit’ kind of woman, but has an absolute heart of gold and full of genuine love.
The first time I ever read about it a few years ago, I though, “No way, no how.” But every year as the event concludes, I have to wonder what makes it so inviting and compelling (it’s a rhetorical question); but I know the answer is different for anyone. But it made me wonder if we have any participants here on CC, or any close friends or relatives of participants. If so, what kinds of stories do you hear? Is the event narrowly focused on art (whether that be performance or otherwise)? If you don’t consider yourself a creative person, would you remotely begin to fit in?
I know a documentary was released a couple of years ago and I haven’t seen it yet. I tend to forget about Burning Man every year until I read my cousin’s posts of getting ready for it. But the whole concept does have me curious.
I’d like to know the answers to your questions, too. Years ago I participated in a listserv (it was a listserv for alumae of a women’s college I’d attended) with a young woman member who went to Burning Man every year. It was the first time I’d ever heard of it. The person in question never posted much about it, though.
A woman on one of the Facebook groups to which I belong posted a few weeks ago looking for a trailer to borrow so she could stay in something other than a tent. We’re all in our 50’s or even 60’s, save a handful. No one offered and she never reported back on her trip. Everything I’ve ever read about it involves drugs and pretty much counter-culture craziness, but I don’t really know what goes on.
OK!!! never been, have always wanted to and now is on my bucket list.
And will rent an RV with self contained shower for at least a few nights–
But if this clothing optional–no promises, as I hate clothes!
I went one year with my cousin because she’s gone several times and she asked and I said yes. It wasn’t my scene and I didn’t have a good time.
I am not a creative person, I don’t do drugs, and it was just kind of a bust. She, on the other hand, had a blast and I know several people who go every year without fail. There is something about being with other “outcasts” that appeals to her.
I’d say that in order to have fun, you’d have to be a creative and extroverted person. However, that is coming from my introverted, completely not-artistic self who was pretty miserable so take it with a grain of salt.
Oh, and fwiw, I don’t think age is any kind of a hindrance (if anyone thinks that). My mom in her 50s would probably have the time of her life. But she’s a person who is still sad that she was too young for Woodstock and … hmm, how do I put this… still lives like she never quite left the 60s?
My nephew is there. Or at least was trying to get there. The last post from his girlfriend was from the line to get in which had been stopped because of the dust devils.
It looks like no fun to me, but I hate being hot and dirty, and I don’t like drunk or drugged people. My nephew likes it, but then he’s spent 10 years living on a beach in Mexico. At least at the beach there is water.
I’m very uncomfortable around drugged and/or drunk folks, so sounds like it would be unpleasant for me. The current heat and humidity in HI are tough enough–wouldn’t want to endure dessert heat.
My brother went with few guys in a very luxurious trailer. I didn’t hear anything about art or creativity, just a lot of liberation, whatever it meant.
I first heard about it in late 80’s or 90’s through my niece who went there every year until a few years ago. She is creative and built huge structures there. Preparation is intense.
I have a friend who has gone several times. I’ve seen some of his pictures and it. Looks interesting. I’m not sure I’d enjoy actually being there. If it were practical to drop in for a few hours I might enjoy that. But I think my introvert self would be exhausted and annoyed by it eventually.
I have a high school friend who goes every year without fail. I think he works as some kind of tech for concerts and venues – not sure if he is working at BM or is just a very enthusiastic attendee, though. This year he had a picture of a trailer they were pulling with a big wooden (?) alligator on it. I got the impression it would be burned?
As a somewhat introvert, I’d too, find it overwhelming no matter whether it is an artists’ version of Woodstock or not. So many people!
I’ve also read that it’s turned into somewhat of a networking event for high level execs in the tech industry. I suspect as it evolves, more and more people are attending who don’t quite fit in with the original mission of Burning Man.
So when you register, are you assigned a community? Or can you choose where you want to be so you can camp near friends?
I’ve kinda always secretly wanted to go since i first heard about but know it would make my kids’ eyeballs roll. I’m also guessing that “today” Burning Man is not anything like the earlier years.
I could definitely see my own kids there once out of college and not committed to an academic calendar during Burning Man dates. They are free spirits and I know the more creative one has it on a bucket list.
I know a lot of people in the art world and a lot of people who go to Burning Man and they are not the same people. It’s interesting that the art world hasn’t really embraced Burning Man.
My thinking is, if you are not going to raves in your own backyard, why go to Burning Man?
The people who I know who go every year are a pretty diverse bunch: physicians, music industry execs, carpenters, paralegals, musicians, a court reporter. But they do share a couple of common attributes: they are interested in psychedelic drugs and love electronic music. 'Enuf said, for me. They all have stories of how amazing the whole thing us but every single story involves either LSD or ecstasy. Yuck, yuck, yuck.
I have friends that continue to go every year. They went before it was in the desert, still a gathering in San Francisco on the beach. I always wanted to be one of those moms that was able to take a kid and have fun, but my own child disliked sun, desert, and feeling dirty/sandy. There is no way I was going to take him to party with my friends. Those with kids now tend to go less often.
I do have a friend on CC that has a spouse that never misses. He is more high on life so it isn’t all drugs.
Dang, Cannot do dust and dirt and desert.
It looks very interesting but the heat would do me in quickly.
CCer’s can do their own version–we will bring our books and classical music >:D<
Hot water, refreshing drinks (our own mixologist).
Top chefs and candlelight (instead of a bonfire).
Entry will be proof of tuition bills for college (paid or unpaid).