Twan's List

My friends,

I’ve been doing a bit of traveling lately… seeing bits and pieces of this blue/green planet of ours in all its glory…. hence my sparse posting over the past couple of months… I know, I know, that’s no excuse. Therefore I’ve been hunting high and low for some kind of system that can be put into place to ensure that this list can continue with its free-flow of information, regardless of where I personally might be, or how much time I may or may not have on my hands… more on that later. I may need your help. Yeah, for sure, I’ll need your help…

It was this traveling that kept me away from the Playa this year. After 10 consecutive years at Burning Man, and always either being involved with a huge art project such as the Burning Man Opera, or just being the L.A. regional director (as I had been from 1999 – 2006), this year, being without a major Playa project for the first time ever, I caught the travel bug… I’ll post more on that later, as well. In the meantime, enjoy this little image of me enjoying myself on September 1st, the day the Man Burned. I was half a world away:

Additionally, it is this travel bug that will be keeping me away from yet another fantastic function, as today Saturday October 13th is the day for the

5th Annual L.A. Burning Man Decompression!

It was in 2003 that this exceptional festival was born. I’m proud to say that I was the L.A. Regional director that made it so. No, I can’t and won’t take credit for the creation of the event, as the team that came together had been an exceptional group of proactive super-cool something-or-others with whom I’d been hanging with for some time. For the most part, it is this team that continue to put the event together. The work is hard and for the most part, thankless… but it must be done… and so it is…

And when you and the rest of the community show up… well, as you know, that’s where the magic is. The juice. Alchemy. You know!

Now, without further ado, Ladies and gentlemen… freaks and misfits, spectators and participants…

Los Angeles Burning Man Decom Sreet Faire!

Says Marsi, (one of L.A.’s Regional directors):

Howdy LA…

Long time no speak, eh? We have been busy busy planning decompression and boy do we have treats for you! I have full info on Decompression, which is this Saturday October 13 listed below plus some special volunteer requests on top, and all other postings to the list below.

Hope to see you Saturday.

Smoooch,

Marsi

SPECIAL VOLUNTEER REQUESTS:

• EMT’s – Are you an EMT or MEDIC? If so, we would LOVE to have you join forces with our EMT team so that the folks we do have get some play time. If this describes you, please email laburners@gmail.com.
• We are blessed to have Peter Hudson, the creator of homouroboros, the amazing monkey/snake installation from the playa coming down from San Francisco. They have special volunteer needs as follows (should know how to use tools, but don’t have to be particularly masterful at building):
• We need 12 people on Friday morning (7am?) to help unload the truck and start building the base and about 6 people for the afternoon of building the top of the tree. Then we need 12+ people to help with tear down on Sunday morning after Decom. Everyone will get free passes into the event and get to work on on of the coolest piece of art on the playa and at Decom.
• If this is you, please email monica(at)thedolab(dot)com

Any other folks who would like to volunteer please email: monica(@)thedolab(dot)com

ART FROM THE PLAYA GALLERY (curated by Dale Youngman, our Decom Art Curator):

Opening Thursday Oct. 13th

“Fire in the Desert – Art from the Playa “

Featuring artwork from and about Burning Man 2007
At the Dale Youngman Gallery at the Regent
446 South main Street

View Larger Map
Part of the Downtown LA Artwalk from noon – 9 pm.

Please join us at this very special event as we celebrate the creative community that is Burning Man.

Featuring art by :

• Jim Bunkelman
• Christian the Blacksmith
• Stephen Gary
• Ryan Jessena
• Trish Keefer
• David Knudson
• Franklin Londin
• Linka Odom
• Jason Skinner
• Sean Sobczak
• Josh Weiss
• Zach Wasserman

Projections on Main Street by Bart Kresa
Documentary films in the adjacent Regent Theatre , including Burn Baby Burn by Steve Payne, Journey to the Flames by Doug Jacobson, and Nothing Without You by Ted Mattison. Coverage of this years festival by Current TV , including footage shot live of the Burn 2- 11 pm

Music by Dub Pscience 7-9 pm

The gallery and theatre event is also a kick-off for the annual Burning Man Decompression Street Fair, to be held Saturday Oct. 13 from noon until 11 pm. , at Santa Fe Ave. between 4th and 6th in the Artist District, downtown Los Angeles. Experience the art and culture of Burning Man at the biggest participatory celebration of Burning Man art and community without leaving the city ! Eleven hours of art, performance, live bands, DJs, fire, steam, dance, theme camps, art cars, green technologies, puppetry, circus, marching bands and Burning Man 2007 imagery. Tickets are $10 in creative wear/ $15 in street clothes. LaDecom is an annual fundraiser for the Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF); the granting entity of Burning Man. A portion of proceeds from all sales will go to the Black Rock Arts Foundation.

The Burning Man Festival, the internationally recognized festival known as part radical experiment in community and self expression that annually takes place in the Nevada desert, grants over $300,000 a year for art projects at the festival. This exhibit will focus on the magnitude and creativity of some of those projects.

Show runs through Nov. 2. with a closing reception that night from 6-10 pm. 446 South Main Street, Downtown LA. Open Wed. and Fridays 2-6:30, Thursdays 2-8, weekends by appointment . Contact Dale Youngman – dale@dddecor.com / 213-458-3735

A percentage of sales proceeds will go to the Black Rock Arts Foundation, which contributes over $300,000 annually to fund special large scale projects. This show will feature photographs of some of those projects.

FULL DECOM DETAILS:

5th ANNUAL L.A. DECOMPRESSION STREET FESTIVAL

NEW LOCATION: Sante Fe between 4th and 6th St Bridge, Artist District Downtown LA
(see below for map and directions)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13th, Noon until 11 PM
$10 in Playa wear/$15 in non-Playa street wear
Children under 12 are FREE
www.LA-BURNINGMAN.com
rain or shine, it’s PLAYATIME!

It’s that time again! Time to grab those dusty boots you just don’t have the heart to clean off and experience the art, the culture and the thrill of Burning Man, brought to life on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. This is an annual event to bring the spirit of Burning Man alive in our community.

PARTICIPATE! Just like Burning Man, this event is put on through volunteer efforts. We are currently looking for volunteers the day of the event. If you are interested, please contact: monica@thedolab.com

This is an art event. Come, immerse yourself in eleven hours of art and performance with theme camps, art cars, art installations, street performers and 2007 imagery.

ARTISTS (in alphabetical order):

• ADAM MOSTOW
• APPELUSA
• ARMEN ZEITOUNIAN
• BILL GILMAN
• CHARLIE CURRY
• DAVID KNUDSON
• DAVID SHIELDS
• DON NORRIS
• JAMIE WEDOW
• JON JUSKIN
• LINKA ODOM
• MATTEO
• MEGAN DEAINZA
• MICHAEL ALLEN
• MICHAEL WISNIEUX
• MIGUEL CABALLERO
• NICK BOSWELL
• NICOLAS BAUTA
• RAY CIRINO
• RYAN JESENA
• SARAH
• SEAN SOBCZAK
• STEPHEN GARY
• STEPHEN NORRINGTON
• SUZETTE
• VAL

THEME CAMPS (in alphabetical order):

• BLACK ROCK YEARBOOK
• BOUNCY BOUNCE CAMP
• CAMELTOPIA
• CLUB BABY SEAL PLUSH LOUNGE
• DISORIENT LOUNGE
• D’MAN’S LAIR
• FLATTERY CAMP
• GREEN TEAM ECO ZONE
• KRISHNA CAMP
• LA DREAM TEAM
• LA MUDPEOPLE
• ORAL MOISTENING CAMP
• PLAYA SURFERS
• PROMETHEATRICS
• SAGRADA BY DRAGON DEBRIS
• SPIRIT WIND CAF??
• SUN VALLEY CAMP
• TABULA RASA BEADING CAMP

8 stages featuring DJs, live bands, performance art, spoken word poetry, fire troupes, aerialists, workshops and lectures on sustainability, new green technology and the Earth friendly movement.

STAGES (in alphabetical order):

• BBC
• CLOWNARCHY
• FIRE STAGE
• GREEN LECTURE STAGE
• GREEN SECTOR
• LIVE DUMPSTER DIVE
• RUFF AND RA
• VENICE VIBE TRIBE

FEATURING THE MUSICAL TALENTS OF (in alphabetical order):

20 MEAT 6 FRY, 40 FT. JESUS, ALBINO, ANTON TUMAS, ARLAN’S ORGANISMS, AUDIO VOID, BONNIE DELIGHT DELIGHT, BRAIN GARDEN, BRASSWORK, BRIAN RAY, BROOKLYN, CARLY D/TAMO, CHAPLIN MXR, CHRIS RYAN, CONNIE JEAN, COOKIMON, COUSIN LOVERS, DAT GIRL (WITH HEAVENLY FATHER), DAVE SWEETEN, DAVID HUGHES, DIRT RYTHYMS, DISINTEGRATE, DJ ASTRAL, DJ CORY SAGE, DJ GUTI, DJ MYCHO PAN COCOA, DJ SEAMLESS, DMT, FANTUZI, FATFINGER, FLOW, FUXEDOS, THE GEOMETRIST, GODESS VIBE TRIBE, GOOFERMAN, HENRY STRANGE, HOWARD AMB, IMAGIKA, INTERACTIC GODDESS THEATER, JUSTIN PAUL, KIVA, LA MUD PEOPLE, LAZY SLAVE, LEE MAYJAHS, MANNY, MARQUES WYATT, MEE MU, MOJO W & VIBRATION ARMY, NICK THE NECK, NICOLA, NIELS MAYER, NIGEL RICHARDS, NOVATRON, ORIGINAL BOOTY BURGLARS, PETER JOBS, RENFEY, ROOTABREAKA, ROVER’S PINKY, RUFF HAUSER, RYANART, SAMANTHA GIRON DANCE PROJECT, SEDA/SQUARE ONE, SHADOW PORN THEATER, SPYROS, STEVE BOYETT, STILT CIRCUS, SUN BYTE, SWITCH MISTRESS, SYRENA, THE, LUMINARIES, THE MAGICAL HARP/HIGH PRIESTESS, THOMAS LANN, TIKO DRUMS, TODD SPERO, TOSHI, TREVOR, UCLA BATU, ULKULADY, UNITED BY SOUND, VENICE VIBE TRIBE/SATCHI OM, VIDEO MONTAGE, WARDEN AND JUNE, WARLORDS, YEH-BE-DE

Decompression is an opportunity to come together and share the art, performances, theme camps, photos, videos and stories from the playa; to re-connect with family and friends; and collaborate to create something new. It is, at its simplest, a reunion. But more significantly, it is a thoroughly participatory celebration of Burning Man art and community within our larger communities…

Park on 1st, 2nd or 3rd and walk down to gate.

View Larger Map
WWW.LA-BURNINGMAN.COM
WWW.BURNINGMAN.COM

A BRC Fire Performance Competition

“Fire Idol”

Fire by Trick Concepts has teamed up with Los Angeles Fire Effects to bring you “Fire Idol” – a Burning Man Event. A parody of the T.V. show “American Idol”, Fire Performers will compete for Fire Trophies by surviving their elimination round, only to come face-to-face with our three Fire Idol Judges in round two.

When: Thursday, August 30th, 2007 @ 10:30 pm – 12:30 am right after Oceans of Fire.

Where: The Shiva Vista Project Stage on the Playa at Burning Man.

To Enter: to sign up or for more information visit: www.fire.trickconcepts.com

Space is limited, so sign up early!

A Note to Performers:

All participants are required to check in. At that time you will be assigned a performance group number, and be given fueling/safety instructions. Check-In will begin at 10:00pm. Participants who arrive at check-in after 10:30pm cannot be guaranteed a spot.

The first round will consist of 2 to 4 people performing for 1-1/2 minutes on stage simultaneously. One person from each round will advance to round two. Round two is the judging round where each performer will perform alone on stage for approximately 2 minutes, then come face-to-face with our Fire Idol Judges!!!!

Fuel (white gas only) will be provided by Fire Idol, unless you are fire breathing, in which case you will need to provide your own fuel.

Propane fueled fire trophies will be gifted to first, second and third place winners, and will resemble ???the man??? fire breathing, spinning poi, and spinning fans.

The Fire Idol Judges:

Our “Simon” ??? Vlad Marinkovic

Vlad is an engineer specializing in high temperature materials. He is an experienced fire breather, and an expert in slow motion poi. He is a Director at “Los Angeles Fire Effects”, a fire based theatrical production firm. Best known for his sharp tongue!

Our “Paula Abdul” ??? Anna Maltese

Anna balances being an animator and a student of Wushu / Kung Fu, with running ???Phoenix Projekt???, a Los Angeles based fire troupe. She is best known for her ability to blend martial arts and fire performance on stage. Her quick wit is by far her deadliest weapon!

Our “Randy Jackson” ??? Roger Lai

Roger is a poi spinner whose DVD has taught numerous spinners to do the behind-the-back waistwrap. He helped start Fire Drums and the Hookahdome spin jams. Don???t let his sense of humor fool you. He has high standards when it comes to fire performances!

Our MC for the Evening – Chirs ???Poon??? Ory from Dance, Dance, Immolation!

Let the mayhem begin!!!

Attend a screening and DVD release party for

Journey to the Flames – 8 years of Burning Man

Saturday July 28th at 7:30 pm

Fine Arts Theatre at Wilshire and La Cienega Blvds.
www.journeytotheflames.com

A full screening of the film, a panel including the director and cast. See the acclaimed documentary which chronicles the unique event including 8 years of art, music, people, volunteerism, philosophy and special moments of burning man.

The documentary chronicles a group of friends as they head off to one of the largest and mysterious social experiments in the world. Every year for one week 40,000 people meet in northern Nevada to create a city out of empty desert.

After that week, Black Rock City (or “the playa”) disappears without a trace including its zip code, newspaper(s), radio stations, and airport. The rules are simple: No commerce, bring what you need to survive, leave no trace, participants only, and no spectators. Take a journey into a world of art, music, sexuality and fire. Lots of fire…

Damien Hirst’s Diamond Skull – “For the Love of God”

Artist Damien Hirst’s platinum cast of a human skull, titled “For the Love of God”, is covered with 8,601 “ethically sourced” diamonds. Its estimated worth is said to be over $98 million.

I’ve heard that the this piece will be displayed on the Playa this year, but that it will have machine gun armed guards nearby and snipers at the fence line within scope-sight with night-vision goggles. They have been given orders to shoot to kill. So don’t be getting any big ideas! I’ve also heard that there are some moles working the inside, trying to find out if this directive has come from the higher-ups within the Org, or from an outside source… Stay tuned… Bring kevlar.

In anticipation of The Green Man

Livewireneon.com is proud to announce it’s…:

• 7-color changing solar lights
• 102 LED Solar strands
• and 50 Led Solar tube lighting (Solar Rope Lights).

And don’t forget:

• 2.3 and 3.2 Lytec El Wire!
• Technostrobes
• Technoflashes
• five channel sequencers and custom lengths

Faux Fur Fun Garb

Order your Faux Fur clothing now! Orders may take up to 4 weeks to process since all Faux Fur products are custom made.

• Fire and rechargeable light Poi, etc.
• Playa goggles galore
• Glow in the dark body paint, hair gel
• ALL YOUR ILLUMINATION NEEDS!

Drivable Electric Ice Chest

Our new product — A 300 and 500 watt drivable electric ice chest that you ride on … www.coolercruz.com

**** mention code TWAN for 10% off all coolers! ****

LA BURNERS: Call 818 521-8250 or 818 621-8747 if you want to shop live at our STORE !

Dates: August 1- August 24th at a location in LA, CA

We are giving free El Badges to all who order!

HELLO all YOU yummie BM Proactive Tribe family of delightful creativity beyond belief…

Summer is here…

Feel the heat a rising…

Are you feeling the burn a coming….

COME support the most beautiful ArT car that will debut at BM this year, check out all the art and info:

LETS all Support BM and our Tribe!!!!!!!!!!!

See you on the 1st,

Aloha with kisses,
Onamare

Launching Sunday, YAH!!!!!!!!!

The 2nd annual southwestern Burning Man regional event is underway as of today Thursday May 17. The arts and music festival runs through Sunday night May 20th.

At last year’s Dark Skies Singularity event, somewhere in the vicinity of 700 participants showed up for the four day festival. I was one of the producers, being at that time the L.A. Burning Man regional director. I had hooked up with Cameron Grant the Las Vegas BM regional director and his team, and the rest is, as they say, history.

Though I’ve retired my role as a BM regional head and am not involved with the production and organization of this event any longer, I can attest to the amazing hard work of all involved, in particular the Las Vegas crew. It’s their baby. Everyone really puts their asses on the line. It’s a labor of love, and it shows. It became a multi regional effort last year, as Cameron and I had been talking about “connecting the dots” in regards to pooling our resources as heads of the regions. Once our alliance was set, the Las Vegas crew picked up the ball and ran with it. That’s not to diminish the efforts of the L.A. contingent, without whose influence and committed efforts and immeasurable passion the event could not have become what it is!

Here are some shots from last year’s event: The Boogie Man doing what he does best! Just to entice you. I hope it helps!

Directions with photos on the DarkSkies Website.

This event is exceptional in its diversity. Come on out. It’s high time for a road trip! Last year we had participants from Salt Lake City, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, NYC, Vancouver… and probably a few others

It’s about a 3 hour drive to the Roach dry lake-bed from Los Angeles. With some friends and/or satellite radio to keep you company, that’ll fly by. You’ll be on the mini-Playa in no time!

There are hotel accommodations nearby if camping isn’t on your agenda this time around! Showers, rooms, casinos, restaurants… Brush up on your poker! Check the Primm Valley Resorts Website for accommodation information (though turn off your speakers to avoid the stupidly horrible music that begins playing immediately).

You can be a proactive communicator by joining the Dark Skies Tribe on Tribe.net

Creative Vandalism : Burning Man Art in the City

This might be old news to some, but it’s new news to me: Have a look at what an enterprising vandal (with big balls!) did to the large scale sculpture made by married artists Dan das Mann and Karen Cusolito.

Dan and Karen had constructed the large sculpture to be displayed at the Burning Man Festival in 2005, where it was very well received, as their excellent works of art always are.

Through the efforts of the non-profit arm of Black Rock City, LLC (the corporation that produces Burning Man), The Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF), this work of art, known as “Passage”, has found a home within the city, which is one of the functions of BRAF:

The mission of the Black Rock Arts Foundation is to support and promote community-based interactive art. For our purposes, interactive art means art that generates social participation. The process whereby this art is created, the means by which it is displayed and the character of the work itself should inspire immediate actions that connect people to one another in a larger communal context.

BRAF Mission Statement

So, last year while the many thousands of Burning Man participants were out at Black Rock City enjoying themselves in whatever manner they saw fit, some folks stayed behind and welded some additions to Passage in the city. Here’s an image to give you a little idea of what went down:

Please go to the San Francisco Metroblog, which is where I found this story, for more images and some very enlightening and hilarious commentary by the person who posted it, Violet Blue.

In particular, the comments are insightful as they are hilarious:

“Knowing Dan and Karen, who have a pretty good sense of humor, they would probably not be too upset about this, since it appears that there was no major damage done to the sculpture and the alterations can be easily removed.”

Scott Beale from Laughing Squid

“the bong has been stolen.
THE BONG HAS BEEN STOLEN!”

Violet Blue

“What’s a bong?”

James Barff

Artist Dan das Mann left a comment in very good spirits, as can be expected. The prank was a good one, in this prankster’s opinion…

“Thanks for the interesting addition to the sculpture. Karen and I found it humorous. We appreciate the careful fabrication work required to create and install mom’s pipe and are touched that someone felt so compelled to be a part of the sculpture making process in our absence. We could definitely use your fabrication skills on future projects. Give us a call and keep up the good work!”

Dan das Mann

Southwestern Burning Man Regional Event

Dark Skies / Singularity Calling for Art

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!!!

Art Curator Dale Youngman says:

Yes, it’s time for the art wrangling to begin!

Dark Skies / The Singularity Event is taking place near Primm, Nevada on Roach Lake May 17-20. This is the second annual South West Regional Burning Man event jointly organized by two regional teams in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. This year is shaping up to be spectacular, but we need your participation for it to be all that it can be!

This year, in addition to mutant vehicles, art sculptures and large scale installations, we are also featuring a real gallery-style fine art and photography show inside an amazing structure called “Innermind”, by Gary Stadler. Some of you may remember the beautiful 85′ x 40′ conical structure from Burning Man a couple of years ago – it has a beacon of light that shoots out of the top, and is a very impressive art piece all on its own. This year it will function as the center camp, and will house white flats upon which we will hang artwork from both regions, as well as smaller sculptures and installations.

As our hanging space inside is somewhat limited, the space will be curated, and regrettably not every submission can be hung (but there is room for plenty!). We are asking for jpegs and sizes of all art submissions to be sent to

art@la-burningman.com

where they will be reviewed and coordinated by myself and other team members. (Since I also have a gallery I run downtown, I am always looking for new art anyway -so please send me your info!) Decisions regarding content will not be made until the first of May, when we know the actual sq. footage of interior space and see the quantity of art work submitted.

This year, in order to facilitate the many sculptural artists living here, we will have transportation for larger pieces leaving from L.A. We are hopeful that this will allow many more of you wonderful LA artists to be represented out on the near-playa . If requesting transport of large installations (or any artwork for that matter ), please include size, weight, and any special info necessary for us to assist you in your art’s appearance at the event. Let’s show Vegas what we can do!

Any questions, please write me:

I am daleydale, and I am here to serve !

Link to project online: http://www.heartmagic.com/inner_mind.html

Singularity Tickets

Dale Youngman

daleydale100@yahoo.com

New Orleans Photos by Paynie

Have a look at Paynie’s excellent photographs from his visits to New Orleans, documenting the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Any purchase will result in a donation being made to the Burners Without Borders organization.

Sez Paynie:

As you fly into New Orleans, it looks normal.

As you drive away from the airport, it looks strange.

When you stop and get out of your car, it???s devastating.

50% of any funds will be donated to Burners Without Borders.

Please help by passing this link around.

Paynie