Burning Man Decompression Parties 2016: Feel The Magic Again at SF 10/9, LA 11/5

On Friday, my son’s assistant principal pulled him aside to ask: “Have you really been to Burning Man? What’s it like?”

My 12-year-old son might as well as said it’s “MAGIC” because that’s the closest explanation there is: it’s almost like opening your eyes and finding out that you’re really a wizard and that you’re attending Hogwarts and not the middle school across the street.

Because it really is that hard to explain what Burning Man is like.

All I know is that when we arrived on the playa this year, our hearts beat faster, and our breathing accelerated, and we knew we were once again at the most special, most amazing place on earth, and that we were ready to experience more in the next few days than we could imagine.

Even though this was my 17th burn in 25 years, and this was my son’s 8th burn in 12 years. Even though we sounded like jaded Burners at Gate: just give us our book and map and let us be on our way, we are ready to play in Black Rock City, we know where we are going and what we are doing, now get out of our way!

And while Burning Man is filled with amazing art and experiences you can have no where else, doing the mundane in Black Rock City is infused with specialness. Something as simple as watching your kid ride a skateboard at sunset..

while drinking a glass of a beautiful Washington Cabernet Sauvignon that someone had gift to the bar that has the skateboard ramp and spare skateboards and a pirate radio station that is cheering your kid on…

and when you mention to the youthful host that your feet are injured and you need to sit down, you’re welcomed behind the bar and offered cbd oil that you massage into your feet and they feel better than any drugs. See photos and read more about this Burning Man here.

This is just one moment among many. Burning Man is filled with many such moments, so many that afterwards, life in the default or mundane world feels empty, feels less than– less full, less art, less life.. fewer hugs, fewer fevered deep conversations with strangers who become lifelong friends (here’s looking at you Tony Fletcher!)

And that’s what spurs many to become more artistic, to bring more art into their lives, and to get involved with Burning Man regional events and Decompressions like the one today in San Francisco, San Diego’s Youtopia next weekend,   and the one Nov. 5 in Los Angeles.

But it’s not Burning Man. And it’s not even really like Burning Man. It’s just a slice of Black Rock City in your city, of the people who populate Black Rock City, a gathering of people who share an ethos, share a spirit for life, for art, and want to share it, people who bring their art and activities from the playa to the default world.

And it’s not the same. And it’s not even close.

But it’s the best we’ve got — because the best we’ve got is each other.

And we’ll be there together.

So go out and find your community, find your regional burns, and support them with your art, your spirit, your energy, your fire. Learn about Decoms and Regional Events around the world here: http://regionals.burningman.org/

Now is the time to commit to the 12th Annual L.A. Burning Man Decompression Art and Music Festival on Saturday, November 5, 2016 which will be held in a downtown warehouse location. Sign up now to bring your theme camp, your mutant vehicle, your art car, your art. Do it now and do it here before the following deadlines:

• Volunteer registration – November 2 midnight
• Theme Camp registration – October 29 midnight
• Performer registration – October 22 midnight
• Flow Arts Stage registration – October 22 midnight
• Art/Art Car registration – October 22 midnight

The LA League of Arts presents LA Decompression. They encourage creative attire so wear your playa best!  Tickets are $25 at the gate; children 12 and under are free. LA Decom is an ALL AGES event where parents can have a good time with their kids just like they do on the playa, so, adults, please be responsible and aware of children around you, because we can all have a safe and fun time together! Note that while you may come and go as you need during the day, after 6 p.m. no re-entry is allowed unless you buy another ticket at the gate to get back in (should they be available).

Security will search bags for: Illegal Drugs, Alcohol, Weapons, Explosives, Markers, Paint, and GLOW STICKS. Please avoid bringing anything that leaves a lot of MOOP (Matter Out Of Place). No Pets.