Do you still do any regional shenanigans? Or is it a new chapter with other communities now?
Not yet? I'd like to do Critical Northwest again - the weeklong summertime campout - at some point, but this year was too close to COVID and Monkeypox... and it turns out there was a significant COVID outbreak amongst attendees this year. So at least another year before I do that type of event again. In the meanwhile, a bunch of seriously old school burners like myself are getting together for a birthday party on Saturday. It will be the first time most of us have seen each other face-to-face in about 3 years. So it should be a lovely time. There will also be espresso martinis. So yay!
Have you heard of/considered Love Burn in Florida? I'm intrigued to go this February
We’ve driven down to love burn with a crew of friend to do midnight poutine right before pandemic hit. It felt like a vacation burn on a beach, plugged into the power grid, free propane and showers kind of deal. You can order Uber eats to the gate and re-entry is either free or dirt cheap. For us is was an awesome bonding experience with a group of buddies, in what was the equivalent of an all inclusive sunny escape from Quebec winters. Making poutine is hard work and driving down was a pain - so it still felt like effort. But being there was comfy as shit. There a was good art and good people, but I would not go again. I feel I like gong to regionals only once to gage their org setups and compare and contrast to improve our own. It’s also an excuse to travel somewhere else. I’d like to visit the Detroit crowd next.
Nah. Florida is not on any of my destination lists. Ever. I've been to Burn In The Forest, Soak, Critical Northwest, and do intend to visit my Tucson friends for Toast someday, but regionals are for locals. It's a way for them to build and nurture their local community, rather than host a buncha tourists. So I like to connect with the people who go, learn from the producers of these events, etc., but I don't have much interest in traveling for a regional event, honestly. When I travel overseas I like to meet local Burners, and hang out with them and learn how they live Burningman in their area. They always know the best places to go, too! :-)