Happy Vernal Equinox: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring at Burning Man’s Tree of Ténéré 2017

In the northern hemisphere, today is the Vernal Equinox when days are FINALLY longer than nights. Or, as explained below, when the sun passes over the equator.

Above is a different interpretation of the Vernal Equinox: Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring as performed by Art Haus’ Playa Players at the Tree of Ténéré installation at Burning Man 2017 in this video by Vincent Rommelaere with footage by Walter Patrick Smith; details of dancers and musicians etc below.

Burning Man is an annual pilgrimage to the desert where people build fantastic art installations like the Tree of Ténéré  above and below. In addition to this performance, which I unfortunately missed, the tree was a stage for people to dance, do yoga, climb, share stories, and more. Here are a few of my photos from one of my visits to the Tree of Ténéré  in 2017 where the party was provided by this Portland based bicycle powered tiki bar where the DJ played global inspired house music.

So you want to go to Burning Man? Here’s a post about that “dream” with videos and details about 2018’s theme “I, Robot.”

If you want to go, main sale ticket registration opens tomorrow, and that’s just the first step. Tickets will sell out in minutes the following week March 28 at noon Pacific time.

Registration: March 21, 2018 at 12pm (noon) – March 23, 2018 at 12pm (noon)

Sale starts: March 28, 2018 at 12pm (noon)

• Approximately 26,000 tickets at $425 each, and approximately 10,000 vehicle passes available at $80 each, plus applicable fees and taxes.
• You can buy a maximum of two (2) $425 tickets and one (1) $80 vehicle pass.
• You can only register to buy tickets in the Main Sale if you have not previously bought tickets through the Directed Group Sale.

• All sales require registration through Burner Profiles.
• Make sure your Profile is set up, complete, current, and that you know your log-in details.
• Each sale has its own dedicated registration period.
• Registering for a sale does not guarantee you access to a ticket or vehicle pass.
• Buying a $425 ticket in any sale precludes you from buying additional $425 tickets in a later sale.
• Only one order per person and per credit card is allowed.
• All sales of Burning Man tickets and vehicle passes are final but they are fully transferrable and eligible for name changes.
• Tickets and vehicle passes may only be resold for face value. Any tickets or vehicle passes being sold for above face-value may be canceled without notice or refund.

Read about all 2018 ticket sale dates here. Good luck!

• Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring at Burning Man’s Tree of Ténéré 2017.
• Director of Choreography: Robert Dekkers
• Musical Director: Brad Hogarth
• Creative Director & Producer: Courtney Wise
• Orchestral arrangement of Rite of Spring by Thomas Crespo
• Costume design by Christian Squires
• Makeup by Cassandra C-Love Lambert, Larissa Sands, and Kelsea Rae
• Sound engineering by Mark Divine,
• Robot Heart Light design by Mark Slee
• The Tree of Ténéré by Zach Smith, Mark Slee, Alex Green, Patrick Deegan
• Robot Heart Light Design by Keisuke Shingu Production assistance by Brandon Roberts
• Opening solo by Marko Bajzer (bassoon) & Micah Walters (contortion)
• Dancers: The Chosen One: Christian Squires; Dryad/Earth: Jackie McConnell; Naiad/Water: Rachel Coats; Matron Divine: Jan Berletti; Her Lady: Martha York; Bender: Micah Walters; Pan: Alan Littlehales
• Firebird: Jocelyn Rudig Rebecca Rich Alivia Schaffer Emily Kerr Tegan Schwab Logan Scharadin Nadège Liaud Amy Lamboley Kate Keleher Jeni Mayorskaya Irene Shao Andy Saunders Tyler Benari Chris Turner Kobi Salinas Cody Enicke John Pacheco Colin Stack-Troost Michael Marcel Joe Folino Shelby Clark
• Fire Spinners: Kelsey Solomon Olga Kvitova Robin Drysdale Greg Axe Meredith Ashby Tim Johnson Anastasia Dubenko Hannah Elizabeth
• Pre-Show Actors: Daniel Akre, Ashley Wright, Tia Huston, Megan Holcomb, Chung Huynh
• Orchestra: Led by Conductor Brad Hogarth Flute: Laura Chambers, Courtney Wise
• Oboe: Nick Boland
• English Horn: Juliette Antony
• Clarinet: Juan Leon, Jeannie Psomas, Becky Johnson, Rob Cheifetz
• Bassoon: Marko Bajzer, Emily Bergmann
• Saxophone: Chris Clover
• Trumpet: Matt Depasquale, Nicole Tostevin, Stefan Schermerhorn
• French Horn: Monika Warchol, Audra Loveland
• Tuba: Vasos Lee
• Trombone: Nick Platoff
• Violin: Ronit Resier, Paul Bremen, Elyah Gordon, Sara Chazin, David Chernyavsky, Gloria Justen
• Viola: Gloria Justen, Erin Rafferty, Sally Weir, Matthew Witmer, Emilie Grimes
• Cello: Philip Mease, Charles Taggart, Ari Gorman
• Bass: Michel Taddei, Justin Sandling, Will Clark
• Percussion: Dan Morphy, Andy Meyerson, Jon Drews, Matthew Edick, Justin Houchin
• Special thanks to: Pascal Pincosy, Know Audio, Zach Miley, Tom Lattanand, Scott Theakston, Justin Shaffer, and Joshua Penman for sound assistance, SF State University for rehearsal space, StarStar Roadhouse for providing on-playa rehearsal space, SF State University & Camp PlayaTune for help with procuring instruments, Robot Heart for providing sound and logistical support, BAAAHS for transporting our artists to and from the performance, Glamcocks for making us sparkle by supporting our costume design.