Nothing like starting your morning tasting boxed wine before a long grueling day of getting packed for a 10 day trip–especially if that trip is to the Black Rocl Desert for the Burning Man Festival!
Hey, it’s a tough job and somebody has to do it! So here are my results–and my final post on Burning Man for Winos! Cheers! (and check in at Playa Info for tastings of these wines–we might be tasting them there or else you’ll find out where! Remember to bring your own glass for the tastings!)
via Wine Predator
I should be sleeping…but I had sample wines to taste and write about and people looking for information about what wine to bring to Burning Man so here is part 1 of 2 parts reviewing boxed wine for folks going camping or for BBQs or picnics–at Burning Man or elsewhere.
via Wine Predator
At first I was disappointed because I didn’t think I was going to be able to participate in Cabernet Day since I would be at Burning Man on Th. September 1. Then I realized–what a great place to do a Cabernet Day tasting!
So then when I learned that Tempranillo Day was also Sept 1, I thought bring it on! We’ll celebrate both out there! Read on to learn more!
via Wine Predator
Burning Man for Winos Part 1: BRC’s Cellar
It’s a tough job but someone has to do it: taste a bunch of boxed wine samples in order to recommend what YOU should bring to Burning Man instead of those heavy bottles that you have to bring back home!
And while you may not think of Black Rock City as home to wine snobs, well, think again: some people bring their best wines out there which they store at The Black Rock Wine Cellar which gifts temperature controlled wine storage on the playa!
And some of us will be celebrating #Cabernet Day as well as #Tempranillo Day on Sept. 1 out at Black Rock City–most likely in at the Barbie Death Camp and Wine Bar located at 3:30 and Engagement. And at Playa Info. And at Black Rock Cellar. And…and…where are you camping?
via Wine Predator
Ride of Passage: BRC’s Naked Bike Ride
Keep reading to learn
–how to join this year’s Naked Bike Ride Pub Crawl in Black Rock City
–which Black Rock City pubs the ride will go to and in which order
–how you can get this year’s Burning Man sticker of Lord Ganesh riding a bike by mail or by finding me at Black Rock City!
–how to subscribe so you don’t miss out!
via Bikergo Gal
Since I go to Burning Man mainly for the art and for the freedom of visual and literary expression, I am always surprised by how many people go mainly for the music. I mean I love to dance but unfortunately I find much of the dance music on the playa frankly boring.
Fortunately there’s plenty of art and music to go around. And art where there’s music and music where there’s art (see photo from 2009 by Phil Spitler for evidence). And there’s lots of people making both art and music of all kinds–you just have to find it! So that’s why…
Today’s post is about the music. Tomorrow I’ll be talking art.
First, music, because as of today, the 2011 Burning Man Music Guide by Rock Star Librarian Kate is available for download: https://s3.amazonaws.com/rockstarlib/Rockstar_Librarian_Music_Guide_Burning_Man_2011_v2.pdf And that is a cause for celebration because her Guide will help you source YOUR kind of music!
Because while the Who What Where When Guide is an invaluable resource for the playa, it is soooo full of soooo much that it’s overwhelming. And you don’t get it until you get to the Gate.
So for a little reading now as you prepare for the playa or while you’re on your way, “Like” the Rockstar Librarian Fan Page to get instant access to the guide:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rockstar-Librarian-Fan-Page/125145057538915
If you find her on the playa, she’ll have some hard copies out there too. Donate toward printing costs here http://tinyurl.com/4ydkpvn
The Guide also includes the password to the Rock Star Librarian’s secret underground rave at Burning Man. From the event’s facebook page:
On Thursday night, right after the C.O.R.E burn, you will know it is “TIME” to party.
How will you know?
You won’t need to walk “1 mile” to get to this checkpoint. And the checkpoint will have something coming out of it that will distinctly remind you of what every underground party needs to “LIGHT” up the dance floor.
If you can’t figure this out, we are sorry, you clearly are NOT ready for such a wicked party. We suggest you stay somewhere a little more tame.
But before you head out to the playa, we STRONGLY suggest downloading the Rockstar Librarian’s Burning Man Music Guide (where you can find all of the sound camp’s lineups) at rockstarlibrarian.com
In the guide, you will find the password that will get you past the checkpoint. (Hey, we got to make sure you are not the police) ;)
And if you have the stamina to make it to the end, once again, in true old school rave fashion, you will be rewarded with finding out the location to the secret after party where some bubbles (champagne) and bass will be waiting for you.
Who is the Rock Star Librarian? Just someone who is passionate about music at Burning Man! For the past few years, she’s been researching where she wants to be when and to see
who and she shares her research with YOU!
Listen Sunday, August 28th, starting at 6pm to the Rock Star Librarian on Burning Man Information Radio KBMIR 94.5. Says Kate, “Whether you’re waiting in traffic or home in your living room, listen to live interviews with camp gurus and DJs from Hookahdome, Rites of Zion, Opulent Temple, Distrikt, Nexus and Osiris as well as some surprises, too!”
My friend Helen says her music recommendation is one word and that word is: Distrikt.
Grant recommends Shpongle (DJ Set) – The Opulent Temple annual Sacred Dance ‘white party’ Late Night Set – 5:45am; unfortunately on further research I found out that Shpongle won’t be at Burning Man this year.
I attended the Sacred Dance “white party” in 2009 and it was one of my favorite events that year–so I remember to bring something white to wear that night! It was really cool to be surrounded by so many beautiful ethereal floating white attired creatures!
I’ve asked some friends for their recommendations and will pass them on as I hear about them.
Who do you recommend?
Can’t get to Burning Man this year? Wondering what the fuss is all about?
1. Put on your playa best.
2. Gather some freaky friends.
3. Make some cocktails.
4. Build a fire.
5. Put on the fan and kick up the dust.
6. Watch Beyond Black Rock, a 2002 documentary about Burning Man by Gone Off Deep now available on NetFlix instant. Watch the Beyond Black Rock trailer.
PS Got friends that just don’t get why you go to Burning Man every year? Make them watch it with you! Maybe they’ll finally have a clue or being ot understand what it is you do around Labor Day every year…
Here’s the website for more information http://www.beyondblackrock.com
Here’s more on how to recreate and enjoy the Burning Man experience from home–warning, it’s pretty funny (and true!)
via art predator
Yes Art Predator is going to Burning Man this year! And will be blogging about it from Black Rock City! How? Here’s the story!
This year we missed out on buying the less-expensive lower tier tickets and then all the low-income tickets were sold before we got our application in. So we didn’t think we’d be going–even though it was our “10 year anniversary”: 2001 was the first year my husband went to Burning Man and the experience transformed him and our friendship. (By Burning Man 2002 we were a couple and by 2003 we were married and I was pregnant. In 2005, 2007, and 2009 we returned with our son–he’s the red head in the picture; I’m wearing the cowboy hat. The image is from 2007.)
Then in late July friends of ours offered to sell us a pair of tickets. And we decided we just couldn’t afford it plus he wanted to use his limited vacation days going fishing and camping…
My son wondered why he and I couldn’t go. Hmmn, I thought, why not? At that point we’d traveled over 1500 miles together in our VW van during the previous three weeks; certainly the two of us going without the Big Monkey was in the realm of reality. The expense remained, however.
Then I remembered a Burning Mom who I know from a Burning Moms email list. She works as the art coordinator under Crimson Rose; she’s in charge of placement and all kinds of art related responsibilities. She has to be out there the month of August and during the event and her child care person didn’t want to work the event leaving her searching. The position came with tickets and food and an early arrival pass; naptime takes place where there’s wireless access. My son and I interviewed for the job, and we were “hired”!
That’s how it’s come to pass that my son and I will be at Burning Man this year; my husband also will be helping us when he arrives midweek. We’re just left with trying to get him out there! Anyone know anyone flying from Southern California to Burning Man on Weds August 31? Who could take a passenger who, with his gear, will likely weigh in under 250#?
So if you want to read blog posts written from the playa along with photos –subscribe! And you’ll get the latest from Black Rock City in your in box!
And read on to read more about this year’s Burning Man theme “Rites of Passage” and to see some art from last year as well as read a poem I wrote that fits the theme.
via art predator
3:15 Experiment Poetry 2011: because
August 14, 2011 3:15am
Napa, California
3:15 experiment
Because I lost my iPhone
I write by glow stick & full moon
Because Brett didn’t answer the phone
and Toni left town
I write in a vineyard
Because I have a sense of adventure
I write from the back of my Honda CRV
Because I don’t get the buttons
on the locking key on the car
a blue light has flashed all night
Because I am also a Girl Scout
I am prepared with a sleeping bag
the black down one I got when I
graduated from high school
Because I’m a dedicated poet
I am writing in the middle of the night
instead of sleeping
Because I am a dedicated blogger
in a few hours I will drive to SF
and go to WordCamp
Because this is an agricultural area
it is quiet and because it is
surely no one will be by
earlier than me
to go to work
Because it is the Perseids meteor shower
as I write if I get lucky
& I look out the windows
I just might see a shooting star
Because I am lucky already
I am surrounded by beauty
Because I am tired
I am going back to sleep now.
Matt’s WordCamp SF 2011 Closing Remarks
People came from all over the world, literally, to WordCamp SF 2011 including Nepal, Germany, Israel, Romania, and more. Couldn’t make it to WordCamp SF? Over the next few weeks, all the videos from this event will be on WordPress TV.
Tickets are $30, but it costs far far more to put on this conference–more like $300 a person! I’m grateful to all the sponsors who helped subsidize our amazing day here. The BBQ at lunch was fabulous! (I missed the bagels from previous years though–my bad for going without having breakfast!)
Now time for the party at Pedro’s Cantina!
art predator 