BURNcast.TV

Oh, the Places You'll Go at Burning Man!

2012-01-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Based on Dr. Seuss's final book before his death, this is a story about life's ups and downs, told by the people of Burning Man 2011.

Directed by:

Teddy Saunders (www.tedshots.com)
Parker Howell (www.parkerhowell.com)
William Walsh (www.wbwalsh.com)
Produced and Edited by Teddy Saunders
Digital Effects and Color by Parker Howell
Original Score By Darius Holbert
Sound Mix by Tyler Payne

Brought to you by:

www.facebook.com/tedshots

Capt. Jim Peterson of Tuna Guys Lost at Sea

2011-12-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

More sad news posted by Bobzilla earlier today:

Long time burner, Captain Jim Peterson of Tuna Guys is lost at sea. On 12/12 his boat capsized. The 2 other deck hands were rescued and they will be OK. The search for Capt. Petersen has been suspended by the Coast Guard.

Below is an interview as recorded of Jim by Cowboyangel at Tuna Camp in 2004.

RIP Mike Aquino aka Skid

2011-12-16T20:35:00.000-08:00

This in from Bobzilla posted earlier today:

More sad news. Mike Aquino aka Skid has passed away. Mike was the man behind K-SVERT 106.5 FM on the playa and well as a former Burning Man Regional Rep for the South Bay. He was a huge part of the Burning Man community and a big part of the Burning Man Radio family. He was a friend and will be very much missed. Please keep him, his family and his girlfriend Wendy in your thoughts. The airwaves gracing BRC will not be the same without him.

Shrine On, Sweet Brother - News About a Los Angeles Burner

2011-10-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

Shrine On, a member of the Los Angeles burner community, was in a serious car accident earlier this week on Wednesday, October 5 while on his way to Joshua Tree. The details of the accident are still unclear but what we do know is that he is in the hospital and underwent surgery to repair a torn aorta which is the the main artery leading to the heart. Its a very serious operation that he made it through but he is still in critical condition in the intensive care unit. There are also fractures to his face and the extent of that damage is still unknown as the doctors are focusing on the issues with the heart.

Shrine's family is with him and they respectfully ask that they don't have any visitors at this time. Many people are reaching out right now looking for ways that they can help. There will be an account set up soon where people can make donations for medical costs but right now what Shrine needs most is our prayers and positive energy to get through this difficult time.

A Facebook page has as well as a blog has been set up to keep everyone informed as to his condition.Please keep Shrine and his family in your prayers.

Shrine is most well known for his the Basura Sagrada which served as one of Burning Man's most treasured traditions as the temple back in 2008.

Below is an interview BURNcast did with Shrine back in 2007.

BURNcast #079 - The Tasseograph Trash Tea House

& Satan's Calliope

In today’s episode we meet up with Shrine to discuss his project the "Tasseograph Trash Tea House". Then Lucy Hosking plays her incendiary art car called “Satan’s Calliope”. Recorded 31 August 2007 in Black Rock City. Music by Williamson available at Magnatune.com. Photos by Tristan Savieter available at Playa-Dust.com.

Subscribe in iTunes

Burning Man 2011 GeoEye Satellite Image

2011-09-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Click to embiggen

Check out GeoEye‘s annual high resolution picture of Burning Man from the sky, taken on Thursday, September 1st, 2011. The image is remarkably sharp, but it's over 12MB in size so it'll take a few seconds for it to load. See if you can find your camp!

The Google Earth team has turned into a KML image overlay.

Burning Man 2011 Home

2011-09-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

KJ and Stefan Spins present their HOMEage to Burning Man 2011. Enjoy along with us!

Burning Man 2011 - The Rites of Passage in Timelapse

2011-09-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

As viewership dropped in the days leading up to Burning Man we decided to take a break. But we'll continue our video series of Burning Man 1994-2011 here on this blog in the upcoming weeks. But for now, great content in the form of videos, photos and essays from the community (drink!) is being curated on our Tumblr blog daily (see below). Be sure to follow us there!

Live: Burning Man Webcast

2011-08-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Law Enforcement at Burning Man: Know Your Rights #aclu

2011-08-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

What should you do if you're pulled over by the police on the road to Burning Man? The above scene is an excerpt from "Busted: The Citizen’s Guide to Surviving Police Encounters" video created by FlexYourRights.org.

Flex Your Rights is dedicated to providing the general public with the finest educational media available for teaching people to understand, appreciate, and assert their constitutional rights during police encounters.

You can watch the entire video on YouTube below or download it via BitTorrent here.

Also handy is a this wallet "bust" card provided by the ACLU. It's an abbreviated manual of what every citizen should know in case they are stopped by the police for questioning, pulled over by the road, searched, or arrested.

ACLU Bust Card

UPDATE: How to Speak to Law Enforcement at Burning Man - Know Your Rights

Law Enforcement at Burning Man - Know Your Rights

The Flat Smiley Project for Burning Man 2011

2011-08-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

Flat Smiley Template Final

The Flat Smiley Project is collaborative new media project and community building activity for Burning Man 2011. Flat Smiley invites participants to befriend him and take him along on your travels to Black Rock City. Flat Smiley's message is: "No Burner left behind!" Using Flat Smiley is like sending a postcard from the playa for many burners who are not able to attend the event this year due to fact that Burning Man sold out. It's also a really fun project to get kids involved with, too.

To participate in the Flat Smiley project each participant is asked to download the Flat Smiley PDF file and then color and decorate it in an effort personalize it with their own creative flair. Then, very much like the "traveling gnome" prank in the movie Amelie, participants will take Flat Smiley to the playa and photograph and/or videotape him at various camps, art installations and famous city landmarks.

Finally, participants will upload the files to the Flat Smiley Flickr pool, Facebook Fan Page or YouTube playlist. Whatever method you use, be sure to tag them with the following tags: "flatsmiley" and/or "bm2011" (or hash tags "#flatsmiley" and/or "#bm2011" if you're using Twitter) to help us locate them in a search.

More at FlatSmileyProject.com

RIP Rod Garrett - Black Rock City Designer/Planner #)'(

2011-08-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

It is with a sad and heavy heart to announce the passing of Rod Garrett, Black Rock City's City Planner. Rod's duties included city planning and design, design of official structures, as well as production of illustrations and other graphics.

Rod first attended the event in ’95. He says he didn’t realize then that he'd go back to Burning Man again and again, much less end up designing a city for it.

"It started early in 1997, Burning Man had run smack into the stony face of bureaucracy. They had been holding their ever growing event on Federal land without issue, but this year they decided to use a site on private property, and County agencies had jurisdiction. The “book” was thrown, and I was asked to help, and so the odyssey began for me," said Garrett.

All we know about the situation at this time is from tweets by the Burning Man Earth Team including Ortelius who wrote "saddened by the passing of Rod Garrett :(" and by Nym who wrote "R.I.P. Rod Garrett, you were truly an inspirational figure. #burningman".

More updates as information becomes available.

Burning Man 1998 - A Video Retrospective Series: "The Apotheosis of Crimson Rose"

2011-08-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

This video requires QuickTime Plugin

"The Apotheosis of Crimson Rose," from producers Doug Jablin and Anthony Bondi, offers the sights and sounds of Burning Man 1998. Featured here are interviews with Maid Marian, Lady Bee, Fantuzzi, Flash, Dan Das Mann (talking about his installation "The One Tree"), Steve Heck, Waterboy, Wes Modes, Charles A. Gadeken and many more including Larry Harvey.

It's interesting to note that 10,000 pre-sale tickets were sold that year. Maid Marian estimated about 3,000 more attendees would make it to Black Rock City but the official headcount turned out to be 15,000.

This slow moving video is like an afternoon bike ride on the open playa. It's hard to describe but it really illustrates how much Burning Man has changed. More naked people, lots of original one of a kind costuming, moar drumming and MOAR FIRE! If you were there, this is a must see because it is an utter t-rip.

Factoids:

The Man is 52' tall.
Theme: Nebulous Entity
Numbered streets and street signs on each corner are introduced
Attendance: 15,000
Tickets: $80-90

BURNcast.TV #65 - Mountie Josh

2011-08-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

BURNcast interviews Mountie Josh, a first time burner from Canada at the bar at Camp Fandango. A few weeks after the burn he shared this essay about his experiences on the playa with us:

Playa

I just spent the last week waiting for the other shoe to drop. Every person I know who’s ever been to Burning Man has described a decompression state, where “returning to the default world” as difficult as birthing in reverse. They also describe some sort of epiphany that strikes them from on high, irrevocably changing their perspectives and making their lives weirder, wilder and richer.

But no such thing has happened to me. I was working at one of my day jobs 8 hours after getting back to Toronto, and I was having no issues adjusting-- and that blue lightning bolt from the gods never struck. The trip to Burning Man, the environment, the lack of sleep, the heat, the art.. all of these things were memorable but hardly life changing.

Did I get short-changed, somehow? Did I spend so much time focusing on the event that I missed the experience?

---

A combination of poor eating, hydration and altitude sickness had me in a very odd space early on in the event. The whole thing was just so damn huge. There were people on the Playa whom I loved and adored and hoped to use as my touchstone, but in the sea of 49,000 people, the tides of the event kept us apart.

It took a monumental effort to break the rut I was in and force myself back into the event without the safeguards I’d previously been depending upon. The best I could do is wander along the Esplanade and hope that I find something or someone to make me feel at home.

There’s a cliche that kept being repeated over and over again to me: “The Playa Provides.” It’s got a cult-like mantra to it. I thought it was a bit hackneyed up until I wandered into an bar that was playing 80’s music. There were a bunch of people from Boston who were driven, smart, crazy, welcoming and understanding of where I was in my head. Also, dancing amongst them, was a woman who would become my very first playa-crush, whose smile an intensity would set the stage for the rest of the event.

I’m not sure what they put in the Kool-Aid, but I’ll have another cup please.

---

Okay. It’s not entirely true that I didn’t have life-changing experiences. After spending a few days adjusting, I ended up bonding with my neighbours and actually breaking out of my shell to make (hopefully) lasting bonds with my fellow burners. Those people made all the difference for me.

Looking on it now, it seems like a no-brainer that it’s about the people. The art is at times wonderful, but it’s the people around me that changed this trip from being at some sort of art and culture festival into a unique event.

The people weren’t all great, however. I had a few encounters with the late-entry “tourists” that came to party, and frankly I wasn’t impressed. They tended to stand out from the crowd of Playa-Denizens, and I became intrigued at how viscerally I disliked this breed of burner. For someone like me who lacked experience, I had suddenly acquired a very firm opinion about the people out there with me. What made one person acceptable and another simply unwelcome?

---

I met a woman at Orgribbar near 4:00 and C who’d been a veteran burner of over a decade. This year, she said, would be her last. I asked her why and she responded:

“Look. I’ve done this thing for a long time. At first, it was an escape, but eventually I ended up living here all the time-- even when I was at home. All my friends are burners. I go to pre-and-post burn events. I changed my career to something creative. I’ve gone from living here on the Playa 1 week a year to expanding it to the other 51 weeks. I really don’t need to come here to experience the event any more.”

---

Going back to the differences between the thunder-struck who were changed by the crucible that is Black Rock City and myself, I concluded the reason why I was spared from experiencing something similar: I live in an extended state of play already. I’m an actor, a graphic designer, a clown and a writer. I play role-playing games, video games and board games whenever I have spare time. In fact, most of my personal and professional life involves a creative outlet and the interaction with other people.

In short, I’m playing almost every waking hour I can, feeling neither childish or foolish in the middle of it all. I’ve patently refused compromising my play-time as an adult in some sort of weird attempt to be “grown-up”.

But the same can’t be said of those I was camping with, nor many of my other friends who have experienced that epiphany. Is it possible that the “Magic” of Burning Man is not just in the art there, but in the constructed altered-state of being on the Playa, which allows people to play without fear of being derided by the banal expectations of “normal” society?

For the first time since they were kids, many people are empowered by being at Burning Man to actually play freely with each other on what ever terms that they deem acceptable without fear of reprisal or censure.

---

I spent the night before and of the burn hanging around another veteran burner who was experiencing her 15th year. I was taken around the Playa, shown the sights, rode a giant neon rooster-car that played thumpy techno as it made its loop around the Esplanade. I lent her my eyes, which were fresh for the entire event, and she showed me how easy it was to gracefully move from one creative setting to the next without worrying about direction or pace.

She knew this event like I know my own neighbourhood, and through her I witnessed the strange social framework that was built up behind the scenes like a rickety scaffold whose own historical weight was the basis of its tenuous strength.

---

I was initially troubled by how judgemental I was being as the week wore on. Friday night was very busy as loads of people came in just for the weekend, and I found so many of these late attendees wanting.

On stage, I’m used to a passive audience. The risk for most performance artists ends squarely on the shoulders of the performer, with the audience simply acting as (mostly) passive witnesses to the media.

On the Playa, however, my expectations changed. When things worked best was when the “audience” was also my co-conspirator. I stopped simply creating, and began to play with the people around me, emerging myself in a kind of amorphous creative gestalt that seemed to be the real secret sauce to this experience.

Until the tourists arrived.

As the Friday came around, I found that the mood and the energy of the crowds changed. Finding people to play with became harder (but not impossible) to do, as the audience shifted from being creators back to simply consumers. Instead of bartering energy and creativity in kind, these new people simply took in the sights without adding to the event themselves-- lessening the value experience for everyone.

I felt like to a certain degree the Burning Man experience was over before the match was struck on Saturday night.

---

Everyone comes to Burning Man looking for different things, and I can’t begrudge someone who’s simply looking for a good time. I went with no expectations and no plan outside of what I brought with me and had an experience that ranged from “isolating” to “wondrous”, sometimes within the same hour-- but all of those experiences were inspired by the people there.

I plan to go back. I just wouldn’t do it the same way. Clearly, the event I’m looking for takes place a few weeks before gate opens and ends the Thursday of the event. Energy and creativity is the only currency on the Playa, and when the place is being built is when that feeling is most fresh and vibrant.

I think the secret is to get in before those with little to offer devalue the communal creative coin.

---

SIDEBAR:

I’ve been accused that I can’t enjoy myself in a pastime unless I turn it into work. It’s a fair cop. Every hobby and passion I’ve been involved with ended up with me taking a more organizational hand in it.. Every vacation I’ve taken needed some sort of project to give the days some structure.

It’s the lack relative time. A vacation needs a goal for me to measure out time against my progress.

So I went down with a pretty simple plan: Be the Canadian ideal. I love my country (warts and all) with a deep seated passion, so I worked on a small personal project in mind: I’d be Mountie-Josh whenever I could.

Every morning, I sat in front of a custom-made backdrop of a very Canadian landscape in uniform, shaved, sang the Canadian National Anthem (bilingual form), saluted the Queen and the Flag, and then went on patrol.

As I biked and hiked through the Playa, I’d stop every time I saw a Canadian Flag and “Check Up” on my country-mates. If someone on the streets called me in to their camp, or if I was stopped on the street, I’d attempt to indoctrinate them into the Canadian way of life (Universal Health-care and Gay Marriages for all). Usually, I was greeted with laughter and hugs. Always, I was asked “Aren’t you hot?”.

On a couple of occasions, I had a few people convinced I was actually a member of the RCMP on cultural exchange in Black Rock City.

The lesson I learned from this experience: People love my country they love a naive younger sibling. Also: do it bigger and more ridiculous next time.

Burning Man 1997 - A Video Retrospective Series

2011-08-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Wow. This video really does take us back. Feather boas on the playa and Nambla the Clown???

1997 marked another major pivotal year Burning Man and the event almost didn't take place. Due to the accidents and deaths from the year before, it was considered too dangerous to continue in the same way. In order to manage the increased liability load, the organizers formed the Black Rock City, LLC. Also, new permit requirements were imposed with a ban on unrestricted driving implemented. Instead, the streets of Black Rock City were reconfigured into a grid and Burning Man was designed to be a pedestrian/bicycle/art car-only event.

For the first time that year Burning Man was held on private property. The location was Fly Ranch with the adjoining Hualapai mini dry lake-bed. This brought the event into the jurisdiction of Washoe County permitting, thereby circumventing issues with Pershing county and the BLM. An issue arose with the Washoe County Sheriff's department taking over the gate, and impounding all monies after the fire and protection fees are increased astronomically shortly before the event.

Factoids:

The Man is 50') tall.
Theme: Fertility
Attendance: 10,000
Theme camps 400+
Tickets: $65 (an increase of nearly double from the year before)

Above is a 360º view from a camp site at Burning Man 1997.

Click mouse within image to scroll around the image.

QuickTime required to view. Photo courtesy of SparkMedia.

Burning Man 1996 - A Video Retrospective Series

2011-08-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

The year was 1996 and the theme was Dante's Inferno/HeLLCo. A shit ton more happened that year. Where do we even begin? Do you want the short version (above) or the long version (below)?

The short version is from Chuck Cirino's WeirdTV. The long version is a playlist of 22 videos by PuzzlingEvidenceTV of which the 11 focus solely on HeLLCo including footage of events leading up to Burning Man that year.

"1996 was the year Burning Man went over the edge: too many people for the infrastructure, too many gawkers, too many cars, too many arrests, too many heartbreaks," said Stuart Mangrum, former director of communications for the Black Rock City LLC. "After years of beating the odds, we got our asses whipped, and we did it to ourselves."

Factoids:

Artist Michael Fury dies @ Burning Man '96

The Man is 48' (some say 50') tall. It is the first year it is elevated on a platform of hay bales.
Black Rock City's first fatality: four days before the event opens, artist Michael Fury is killed in a motorcycle accident.
Three critical injuries occur when a man high on multiple drugs ran his car over a tent in the middle of the night.
Injury claims forces liability coverage up by a factor of 6.
10 of 16 BLM stipulations violated, putting BM on probationary status for next year.
Burning Man is featured in Wired magazine.
Guns are banned in Center Camp.
Neon smiley appears in the Burning Man effigy for less than a minute.
Attendance: 8,000
Theme camps 130+
Tickets: $35

DJ Pope Rajulio: BurnerFreekDJGeekResidentTroublemaker

2011-08-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

Pope - Freakincense 20101010b by Pope Rajulio

Here's some beats from DJ Pope, who will be serving them up fresh on the playa this year. His schedule is as follows:

Tue 8/30 10pm @ Nexus (10 & E)
Wed 8/31 12am ...@ Enclave (9 & Esplanade)
Thu 9/1 1am @ Burntown (8:45 & Esplanade)
Fri 9/2 2pm @ Pink Carpet (3 & C)
Sat 9/3 3am @ Transmorpagon (3 & Esplanade)

And now a word from DJ Pope:

What started as a voracious appetite for interesting and underground breakbeat and house sounds to cause uncontrollable rhythmic undulations, evolved (with some prodding by a few G-men in the scene) into me picking up the decks Feb-08. I am most attracted to music with darker timbres, minor keys, syncopation, and psychedelic qualities. And the silly. As a general rule, there has to be the correct quantity of The Silly. Silly, Stupid, or downright ridiculous. But I digress... A mix should tell a story, and that's where I'm trying to take this crazy thing.

My setup consists of a pair of CDJ-2k', SL1210m5g, DJM-800, Mackie monitors, and 6kw of PRX PA. Styles Represented: Breakbeat, Tech-house, Minimal House, Techno, and Trance, with a dash of Drum & Bass, Dubstep, and Electro for taste

Burning Man in the News: 1995 / A Video Retrospective Series

2011-08-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

This news story out of KTVU from 1995. Dogs were still allowed on the playa.

Burning Man 1994/1995 - A Video Retrospective Series

2011-08-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Our series continues as we curate videos from each year of Burning Man over the next several blog posts leading up to this year's burn.

Today's video is logged from 1994-1995. It's from Chuck Cirino of WeirdTV who covered Burning Man in the early days when the event got to the Black Rock Desert. Noteworthy in this video are clips featuring not only Larry Harvey one of the co-founders of Burning Man, but also of his former business partner John Law, also a co-founder of the event. Also featured is Harley K. Dubois, a founding member of the Burning Man Board.

Factoids:

In 1995, Burning Man was 10 years old.
Theme: Good & Evil.
The man was 40' tall and raised directly on the playa with no burn platform to protect the desert surface.
Attendance was 4,000.
Tickets cost $35.

Burning Man 1994 - A Video Retrospective Series

2011-08-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

The Man 1994 - Photo: Malderor

Our series continues as we curate videos from each year of Burning Man over the next several blog posts leading up to this year's burn.

Yesterday we featured early footage of the early years of Burning Man leading up to its arrival on the Black Rock Desert. Today we begin with a video from 1994 by a British based production company called Journeyman Pictures that filed this report in October 1994 on behalf of ABC Australia.

Factoids:

In 1994, Burning Man was 9 years old.
It was the event's fifth year on the Black Rock Desert.
There was yet no theme (themes were introduced the following year).
Of note at the event was the Drive By Shooting Range, Chris De Monterey's Camera Obscura, Pepe Ozan's 30-foot lingam fire tower, Greg Schlanger's interactive shower, and Ric Louchard's musical installation, "Four Directions."
The man was 40' tall and raised directly on the playa with no burn platform to protect the desert surface.
Attendance was 2,000.

Burning Man 1992- A Video Retrospective Series

2011-08-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

Factoids:

The Man is 40' tall
Attendance: 600
Danger Ranger founds the Black Rock Rangers.
The first Donner Award is given to a pilot who manages to land his Cessna upside down just south of camp.

Burning Man 1990-2011 - A Video Retrospective Series

2011-08-09T10:05:00.001-07:00

Burning Man 1990. Source: Danger Ranger

BURNcast was delighted on how our collection of Burning Man tickets from 1995-2011 was shared with a wide audience of burners thanks in no small part to LaughingSquid deeming it worth a blog post.

It got us to thinking it also might be worthwhile to curate videos from each year of Burning Man as well so over the next posts leading up to this year's burn. So we're going to do just that: post a series of videos about Burning Man from 1990 to current day.

After culling the Internetz for footage we discovered that some of the earliest videos coming out from the event were dated 1994. But we found this gem produced by the Bay Area Video Coalition that features footage from one of the earliest beach burns as well as the first burn ever to take place on the playa.

Of this video, BVAC writes:

Jerry James, Larry Harvey, John Law
Burning Man 1990 Source: Kevin Evans

The Burning Man of today evolved originally from an annual art party hosted by Mary Grauberger. Taking place on or around the summer solstice on San Francisco's Baker Beach prior to 1986, the art parties had sculpture burning as a central theme. Then in 1986 Larry Harvey, inspired in part by Mary Grauberger's events, asked his friend Jerry James to help him build an 8' effigy to be burned on Baker beach. This event, unnamed at this point, continued annually until 1990 when, the effigy having grown to 40', the police pulled the plug on the parties climactic burn. Meanwhile, Kevin Evans and John Law, of the Cacophony Society, were planning a similar event called Zone Trip #4 - A Bad Day at Black Rock in Nevada's Black Rock Dessert. Harvey and friends, having nowhere to burn the 40' effigy, joined forces with the Zone Trip #4 group and this was the birth of what we now know as Burning Man.

2,000 Google Employees to Attend Burning Man This Year

2011-08-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Source: Google Maps

The first ever Google "doodle", 1998.

At $360 a ticket the cost of simply entering the gates of Burning Man this year ain't cheap and is only made more exorbitant when BMorg announced the event sold out two weeks ago. Since then scalpers have been gouging the market with tickets selling anywhere from $700 to $5,000. Which begs the burning question: who bought all the tickets and why?

Well here's the scoop: Google bought 2,000 Burning Man tickets to give to their employees this year.

Yup. Read that last sentence again and repeat after me: What. The. Fuck?

Pepe Ozan's "Ark of the Nereids"

Word on the street (the Google Street View Project that is) is that Google is determined to comprehensively map Black Rock City street by street for 2011 which requires a platoon of employees to execute the project. Ergo, they bought a block of 'em on-line (at the highest tier).

Previous attempts by the company to map the city back in 2009 were thwarted when the tricycle carrying the project's camera set-up collided with Pepe Ozan's art car early on Monday morning damaging 3 of the 9 lenses used to capture the panoramic imagery.

Available from Barnes & Noble

While that may be the official story, according to a confession by Google Employee #69 (who was also the lone camera operator for the map project) he came across a plastic shopping bag full of space cookies and ecstasy while photographing the city along the trash fence perimeter following a dust storm late Thursday afternoon.

"I'm feeling lucky," he said as he hippy-flipped his new found treasure and subsequently failed to complete the assignment.

Either story is plausible but it's worth noting that Burning Man and Google have a relationship that goes back since 1997 as we have frequently reported on this blog.

Furthermore, it wouldn't be the first time Google's benevolent extravagance has effected the playa. In 2007 it was rumored that the company was behind the 1,200 bikes gifted to Black Rock City for the "Yellow Bike Program" in an effort to further their mission "Don't be evil."

Wedgie Camp Burning Man 1998

Many burners including yours truly have valid concerns about privacy on the playa. Google's Black Rock City Street View has pretty much got our panties in a bunch and we'd hate for their camera crew to catch us with a high wedgie somewhere @ 3:30 and Esplanade for all the world to see.

On the other hand, if reports are true that Larry Harvey, Executive Director of the Black Rock City LLC, announced that 2011 will be the last Burning Man then capturing a street view for posterity’s sake as well as for future generations to see could very well be a worthwhile endeavor. Our 2 cents. YMMV.

The Cost of Going to Burning Man in 1997

2011-08-07T10:00:00.001-07:00

Back in 1997 tickets to Burning Man cost only $65. For one time (and one time only) the event was held on privately held land known as Hualapai Playa instead of the publicly owned land of the Black Rock Desert. According to reports that year about 10,000 people found their way to Black Rock City.

1997 was also the first year Burning Man hosted their official website after first starting out on the Well and then hanging out briefly on i-STORM.

Also that year, the Washoe County Sheriff's department overtook the gate and impounded all monies collected. It's a long, complicated story and this already is a long-ass blog post. However, it's an important part of the story of Burning Man and the reason behind this long-ass blog post. You can learn more about it in Brian Doherty's book "This Is Burning Man".

Anyway, after the event, visitors to the new Burning Man website were asked to tell how much attendees had spent in Washoe County on their way to Hualapai Playa.

Below are the responses from the Burning Man website.

__________________________________________________

What Did You Spend in Washoe County?

We'd like to let Washoe County (which includes Reno) know just how much money gets spent in their towns by Burning Man participants. Tell us about gas, groceries, RV rentals, etc.

Email Address:
Your Name:
Message:

In the past three years that I have attended Burning Man I have spent MUCH money.From airlines,hotel,casino,restaurant,gas,food,dry ice,water,liquor,kites,lightsticks,film,"impulse items" , bars in Reno and yes, even a bathhouse I'd have to say my annual investment to the welfare of the livelihood of commerce in Washoe county averages $800 to $1000. FOT THE PAST THREE YEARS ! ! AS ONE OF AT LEAST A PARTY OF 20! PART OF A PARTY OF 4 TO 10 THOUSAND ! ! ! DOES NO ONE IN WASHOE COUNTY KNOW MATH! ! i feel better now..................thank you...Billy V Vaughn -- Billy V., February 2, 1998 at 5:15p

Let's see...there was Hotel ($100), Dinner for two ($50), Supplies in Reno($250), and Car rental and Gas ($250). -- Carl H., January 29, 1998 at 3:06p

Groceries, gas, hotel, other -- $170 -- Sasha M., January 23, 1998 at 10:20a

I spent $200.00 on food & supplies in Reno, $40.00 on gas, $100.00 on my room, (two nights), $100.00 on the town, $280.00 on plane fare, and $20 her and $20 there on other odds and ends.

I was going to stop and spend money for the heck of it in Mustang, Nevada, but I ran short on time. It's funny. A house of prostitution is OK in Nevada, but they get all uptight about an event like Burningman. -- Wally G., January 19, 1998 at 3:22p

First let me tell you about us. I'm a former city commissioner in Key West FL, a town that hosts a number of big events every year and depends on the tourist economy.As a former commissioner, I was utterly amazed at the way the county attempted to gouge the Burning Man organization for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I understand how it's done , believe me.In my experience it was unfair, alarmist and arbitrary- nearly costing the county it's reputation and a wonderful event.That said, My spouse and I are both about 50 and last year was our first trip to Nevada.That said, we flew into Reno on American West, took a cab to the Reno RV rental place, had breakfast, and picked up the RV. We then hit a lot of stores: Gas station , grocery,camping, Sears,Target,Walmart,and bought everything we needed for a week( and lots of stuff we took back too).On the way to Gerlach we had lunch, bought more gas and ice.We spent the week in Gerlach , spending very little there unfortunately- the people there seemed to appreciate us. On the way back it was about the same except we spent a little more celebrating with a fancy dinner in a fine restaurant in Reno.Needless to say, we'll be back in '98, wherever Burning Man is held, and we'll be bringing friends along too.All in all we spent close to $2500 on the trip. Hey if Washoe County doesn't want us or our money, keep gouging a great bunch of people and the Goose that lays the Golden Egg will go elsewhere. -- Harry, January 17, 1998 at 6:22a

I spent about $100.00 on food in Reno, and about another $60.00 on diesel fuel. Black Rock City ought to apply for a zip code, and then establish residence for the inhabitants, and then let the politics work FOR Burning Man. It could work... -- C.S.Houck, January 15, 1998 at 6:12a

Between our flight from MA, car rental in Nevada, groceries/supplies in Reno, and gas, we spent about roughly $1000.00!!! Doesn't this state(NV) know a cashcow when they see one?!?! -- David & Kim, January 13, 1998 at 7:00p

As a long time resident of Reno I'm surprised that the Mormons(who run Pershing County Nv, and are strong in Reno) put up with pagan idolatry. They would much rather have nice quiet Ma & Pa bluehair come to town in a big RV, park it at the Hilton(for a price), play one arm bandits, lose moderately(they keep the RV), and leave.Remember possesion of the weed is a felony in Nevada! And the Jail in Washoe Co. holds over 1100 now-built for 450. I think you ought to talk to the Pyramid Lake(near Blackrock) Indian Tribe about holding BurningMan on a Reservation. -- billk, January 13, 1998 at 8:20a

I travelled with 3 other people... we spent $50 in gas, $30 in food, $150 in Reno for hotel before the festival started. (came from Milwaukee) and at least $30 in various things like chapstick and sunblock and paint and stuff. -- Andrew, January 13, 1998 at 8:20a

I spent about $150 dollars on supplies: Such as food and water ect,,,Thank you Washoe County Nevada for holding the Worlds most fasinating event..May Burning Man Burn into Eternity! -- Sonjia M. January 12, 1998 at 0:44a

Gas: 20.00 Grocery: 200.00 Camping@Pyramid Lake: 14.00 Nevada Atlas & Gazeteer: 17.00 Fly Hot Spring: 10.00 Hotel/Dinner in Reno: 120.00 ------ ~ 370.00 for ONE person! -- J. Abbott, January 11, 1998 at 11:17a

I have to say that we tried to spend money only on gas (about $20.00) because we knew that the cops and local gov't were ripping off the bman project. -- Ken Y., January 10, 1998 at 6:04p

I spent at least $100 on gas and supplies in the County. -- Shawn J., January 9, 1998 at 5:17p

'bout 40 on gas, 30 on beer and 85 on rolling papers. oh, and we probly got some chips, too. -- charlie, January 9, 1998 at 4:42p

we got most of food and liquor as well as some things we had forgotten in Reno and then later in Empire (that was about $150) and then after BM we stopped for a buffet which was more expensive this year ($65) oh, and then there was gas (maybe $60) and a little gambleing on the slot machines everywhere we stopped to shop or pee. So we spent about $300. I'm sure this is an average amount or maybe even less for a group of 4 people so I'd think Washoe County would be overjoyed when BM came around each year. Not to mention all of the money they got up front and such. -- Grrr!, January 9, 1998 at 11:37a

I forgot gambling losses in Reno... over $100! -- Robert, January 8, 1998 at 10:42p

Gas - $40+ Food, drinks, and ice - $90+ Totaling over $130 -- Robert, January 8, 1998 at 10:41p

Well I left with about $600 in cash and ended up borrowing $100 from a friend the last day to get home. We went with a party of about 6 and met up with 10 more friends that we had planned to get together with. We live only a couple hours away from Reno. We didn't drop more than $5 till we hit Nevada. Hit Dennys 3 times, the mini mart/ gas station off of the freeway and dropped $100 in supplies. Probably dropped $300 of it over the weekend in more food and water. I had a blast, and believe me, I would never have even heard of Washoe County if it wasn't for burning man. Ian Briggs President DeepWell Internet Services -- Ian B., January 7, 1998 at 2:30a

I have been going to Burning Man since 1991. I live in Nevada City, California and go to the Black Rock Desert at least 3 other times a year (besides B-Man). Each time I spend no less than $200 on gas and groceries in Reno before I even get there. And I ALWAYS eat at Bruno's at least twice (on the way in and the way out) and get gas as least once with my good pal Texaco Man. I also have been known to frequent the local watering holes on occasion. All the best, Michael P., Nevada City, California -- Michael P., January 7, 1998 at 0:03a

Flew to Reno on Reno Air from Vegas with my wife:$108. each.Rented car at airport for 4 days:$219. Food & water:$100. Gas & carwash:$30. Spent 2 nights at a motel in Reno:$97. Ate at several restaurants aprox:$50. -- Tibor, January 5, 1998 at 2:29p

I would accruately guess that I spent about $300.00 between Reno and Blackrock City, not including the motel somewhere south of Reno for $50.00. -- Pablo, January 3, 1998 at 6:40p

Motorhome fuel=~ $60 & Services=~ $12 Snacks & food=~ $50 -- David T. , January 3, 1998 at 1:39p

I live in Reno and look foreward to Burning Man each year. I don't camp a lot so each year just before the event I buy new camping equipment and get ris of it after. Tent, stove, lanterns, etc. Then there's the gas and food I buy to take along. Let's see, looking at what receipts I have found for last event alone, it's over $400.00 not including the $75.00 for the event itself. I can imagine what out-of-towners have spent. It, as always, is worth every penny spent. Looking foreward to spending more $$$ in '98. -- Craig P., January 1, 1998 at 9:34p

Two of us spent Tuesday night at the hotel, dinner, drinks, gas, water, supplies and more in Gerlach (about $500), and in Reno - 2 nights hotel, rent-a car, many meals, much to drink, gambling and almost all our supplies (about $2000). We are coming back next year!!! -- Adam M., January 1, 1998 at 6:41p

WE spent about $50 in gas, $15 in food in Gerlach on Monday, car wash $5, $30 for food in Reno on Monday. -- David R., January 1, 1998 at 1:11p

I have been to burning man the last 3 years. My party of 5 spends about 150 to 200 in groceries and supplies each year each. Every year we stay in reno one night on the way up. (who knows how much we spent there but it was alot). -- Douglas C., December 31, 1997 at 3:25p

I go to BM every year; buy food, ice, gas, meals in Reno going both ways; bring 3 to 5 people with me; altogether we spend about $500 in Reno each time. -- Ed B., December 31, 1997 at 11:56a

My friend Trace and I spent over $220.00 in Washoe County on gasoline, water, food and towing. -- Stephen, December 31, 1997 at 1:09a

Gas, lunch, beer $60 two people. We came up twice, so the total was 120. We love Girlach and will come back again and again! -- Rick and Isabel, December 30, 1997 at 4:07

spent approx $300 per person, group of eight. mostly spent on forgotten items and food. lots of temp internet fees for two notebooks (toll number) -- edruid, December 30, 1997 at 3:05p

$218 on a leather jacket, $60 for food and water, $45 for gas, $68 for lightweight shirts, $150 on a hand crafted leather drum. $120 for a large meal with 8 friends before i left -- Richard H., December 30, 1997 at 1:57p

All food, including beer, ice, forgotten sundry items like sunscreen, baby wipes etc, was purchased at a Reno grocery store. For two people our total was around $180. Plus, gas tank fill up, a casino buffet lunch, multiple payphone calls to coordinate meeting places with others who were arriving later. One friend we met up with spent several hundred dollars on a U-haul and a 500 gallon water tank (for his slip-n-slide), plus any money the Reno airport gets in destination fees from people flying in. In all, about $300 per person from our group (and that's just the NEvada expenditures.) -- Jennifer N., December 28, 1997 at 8:13p

We got a lot of stuff on the California side, but our group also spent a boatload in Nevada. Food, water, beer, ice, beer, costumes, a huge parachute for shade, a few nights in hotels, beer, gambling, sparkly jewelry in Reno, gas, beer, casino food. . .all in all, I'd say our tribe dropped $1,500 in the state for BM97 alone. . . -- Emily T. , December 28, 1997 at 6:56p

I and my wife spent $2500 in Rene on food, groceries, booze, gambling, gaboling, and RV rental in and about Reno. I will return. There were too many fireman and poolice, but they were not obtrusive. I am an old fart, 56 years old. Question Man -- William B., December 27, 1997 at 10:43

Odwalla, beer, orange juice, brownies, twix, sunscreen, trident, gas, cocktails, AA batteries, 2 soft tacos from taco bell, a new lighter, vodka. $179 -- Mike B., December 26, 1997 at 1:43p

5 vehicles with our group-- all refueling twice in the Washoe county area---. (15 gal/tank)(2)(5 tanks)($1.30 tank)=$195gas jerry cans of gas for generator $20 various sundries-- film, smokes, ice, treats, etc. $50. Call it $270 in Washoe for our group of 10 approx $30/person -- Patrick W., December 24, 1997 at 1:54p

Wow, after reading all these responses, it must be a divine gift that I have a friend who lives in Churchill County. But we still had to fill up the tank in Winnemucca (?). Not sure of the spelling or what county it's in but it cost about $$34. -- Gregg P., December 21, 1997 at 10:32p

I spent on gas, food and drink, in Washoe County, approximately $400.00. Also, I stayed in a hotel in Reno and ate in Reno restaurants, one day before traveling to BM. Robert Kohler -- Robert K., December 21, 1997 at 6:55p

THREE OF US SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN RENO ON CAMPING SUPPLIES AND FOOD, AND $300 IN WASHOE COUNTY ON FOOD, GAS AND MEALS OUT. -- BILL MAYBEN, December 20, 1997 at 0:32p

$200 car rental & gas; $150 on groceries and essentials. -- Sean P., December 19, 1997 at 3:34p

expenditures: $60 on gasoline $30 at Target in Reno for supplies $30 on dinner leaving Reno on way home -- Steve L., December 18, 1997 at 4:26p

$968.00 equipment rental Reno $350.00 food & consumables $ 57.00 gas & propane $150.00 misc $1,250.00 plane tickets $275.00 hotel rooms $ 75.00 meals in Reno -- Brad W., December 18, 1997 at 2:38p

Between the two of us that went we spent close to $500.oo dollars. We filled up the gas tank several times. We spent at least 100 hundred a piece in the casinos we went to a little place on the side of the road and bought several neccesities and that was just a few things on the way going there not to mention how much more we spent on the way back. {SCREAM MACHINE} -- JOE H., December 18, 1997 at 0:27p

I spent about $200 on hotel, food, gas, ice, and gambling. I feel that the revenue we genterated for the county merchants exceeds the mostly uneccesary excessive policing expenditures paid by the county. I'm sure the county made more money on us that they did on Hot August night, with a lot less crime and drunken violence and vandallism. -- kenneth s., December 17, 1997 at 5:10p

I left colfax, ca with $350 in cash and ended up tapping into my credit cards by the time I got back. -- Jim B., December 17, 1997 at 0:00p

There were four of us. Together we spent close to $4,000 We stopped at a home Depot and purchased a generator and some lumber and a few other odds annd ends for our camp. Toltalling about $1200 Then there was the hotal before and after. The casino the dinners. The supplies of water and Ice. Then Groceries totalling about $400.oo And of course we spent about $200.oo on Meat at the Slaughter House. Gas...Well we filled up 10 2 gallon containers for the show Filled the car and the truck went back into town in the middle of the week filled up all ten containers of gas again and filled up both vehicles on the way home. And lets not forget the Alcohol we bought. About $150.oo bucks worth. -- Jayj B., December 16, 1997 at 11:38a

tank of gas at Garlock.thank ishtar they were open.in wadsworth we bought topo book,ice and a few last more essentialsso...about 70 bucks -- Todd S., December 13, 1997 at 7:30a

This was my first year at BM with my friends James and Ernesto. We flew to Reno from LAX at $90 a pop on Reno Air, we rented a car at the airport for $195. Gasoline was not cheap, at about $40 for the weekend. We spent $80 on groceries in town. Hot steam baths were $7 a pop and our last night in Reno was spent in a motel for $40. The event was well worth the money and I look foward to our next trip. -- John S., December 11, 1997 at 2:30a

loved this (was our first time there)!! 1)We flew Reno Air into Reno... about $550 for 2 people 2)rented a car, about $300 to drive there, gas up and back 3)we ate at a couple restaurants @ $50 (plus, spent lots of money on drinks @ the Reno airport ($50) waiting for our delayed (by 4 hrs) flight back home... 4)@ the hamburger joint in desert.. we spent about $20 and another $10 or so on sunscreen (we ran out) 5)spent $100 bucks on water and groceries for our tribe -- Scarlet Babes from the Pacific NW, December 10, 1997 at 9:06p

This has been our 2nd of, hopefully, many years to come at the Burning Man Festival. Coming from the SF Bay area, we make at least 2 stops in NV to get our final supplies, gas, etc. and spend about $200 per year. Next year we are leaving a little time to stop in Reno on our way home and have some fun there, too! We have also recruited 4 friends this year who have committed to coming back to BM as long as it's there!! We love it!! -- Karen K., December 10, 1997 at 5:10p

Fifth year at B. Man. We always fill up both gas tanks (about 38 gals. @ $1.479/gal.) in Reno, and buy groceries, alcohol, sundries, and ice (lots) at Raley's. Can't give an exact total, but 5-year average is about $200/yr. -- Barry & Wendy, December 10, 1997 at 0:56p

gas: about $45.00 food: about $120.00 gambling in reno: $30.00 -- Joseph W., December 9, 1997 at 10:19p

I spent probably $150 on the way, including motel in Reno, groceries, restaurants etc -- AJ Nolley, December 9, 1997 at 0:24p

hi! our RV full of five people spent about $150 in Reno on the way in (food, gas, knick knacks, slot machines) and about $70 on the way out (food and gas). -- elizabeth m., December 8, 1997 at 10:37p

We had 5 people attending BM97 in 2 vehicles. We always stop in Reno for a meal, usually at our favorite sports-casino buffet. Then there's groceries: we like to get most of our food in Reno so it's fresher, usually at Albertson's. This year we also got 25 lbs of dry ice and several blocks of regular ice. In addition to filling up both vans, we got an additional 17 gallons of gas for the generator. That's just on the way *up*, you understand ... we also get more gas and stop for dinner on the way down, but that may or may not be in Reno depending on how full the tanks are and how late it is. We also would have bought fireworks if there were any for sale, but there weren't. My daughters love running around with sparklers. -- H. Landman, December 8, 1997 at 9:29p

I probably spent $400.00 altogether from Reno to Burning Man. I bought food, camping equipment, gas, and more food. I loed the trip so much that I am going back to Nevada to vacation when the weather gets better. It is a beautiful state, and thanks to Burning man, I now know about the beauty of Neveada. -- miles w., December 8, 1997 at 1:13a

Flew to Reno,rented Budget van, bought bicycles, food, water, booze, 5 days later, turned in the van,gave away the bicycles,spent the night in a hotel, flew home. Probally about a grand not counting the airline tickets. -- K L Smith, December 7, 1997 at 6:26p

i spent nearly $100 bucks; gas, food, booze, ice. I know the other 12 people in my camp spent that and more. look--white folks out looking for fun inevitably spend more than they plan. X. -- philip, December 7, 1997 at 5:56p

I drove with 2 friends from Minnesota to the Burning Man '97 festival in Washoe county. We spent over $1000 total on food, gas and lodging - probably about $400 in Nevada. We stocked up at Winnemucca. I still wonder if we could have made it down Jungo Road... -- Eric D., December 6, 1997 at 6:28p

Appx $250.00 - Food/film/booze. $25.00 Gas. -- Carl F., December 4, 1997 at 7:23p

Iam interested on your projects and new features for us . -- Meg C. , December 4, 1997 at 6:23p

R.V. Rental - approx. $350, Gas $75, Groceries & provisions $150 -- Peg, December 4, 1997 at 11:47a

Nevada expenses (approximate) for group: $120 hotel rooms (one night- Reno) $300 Wal-Mart and grocery store $150 gas for Winnebago $200 gambling -- tod w., December 3, 1997 at 3:54p

Three buffet lunches: ~$30 Two tanks of gas: ~$35 Munchies: ~$20 -- Zza, December 3, 1997 at 10:34a

Our crew spent over 150 dollars in gas, food, water, and doubtless a few souveniers as we wended my way from Reno. If stores were more obvious along the way, I suspect we would have spent more. I KNOW the grocery store near BM was nearly emptied by the time we got there. -- Deanne T., December 2, 1997 at 10:32p

I probably spent >$150 in Washoe, if you count the BM ticket, gasoline, food, etc. Next year I expect to spend more as I wasn't aware of the Kmart conveniently located along the way. (Of course if it moves to another county, which might not be a bad idea, such $ would be spent there instead.) -- Andrew, December 2, 1997 at 11:17a

God, what did we spend...two nights in a Reno motel (coming and going) plus about four hamburger-heavy meals after the Man...we also spent gas money coming in and out, filling a station wagon tank, and on our way in loaded up on extra duct tape, a six-pack of beer, some cheese, and about forty pounds of dry ice. Also twenty or so two-gallon bottles of water. And more gas! And my eighty-dollar speeding ticket on the way in (those seventy-mile-an-hour limits went to my head and I went ten miles over, but fair is fair) cost me eighty dollars straight in to the pockets of the Washoe County police department. Also bought toilet paper...juice...lots of stuff. I had a great time, and hope that this annual event can continue to be a part of our lives as well as the lives and livelihoods of the Washoe County merchants! -- Jennifer, December 1, 1997 at 3:49p

Our Reno expenditures. $600 for a scissor lift and fuel and supplies. $100 for liquor. -- Pat M., December 1, 1997 at 10:27a

Before I left my mother told to be a good boy-don't ever play with guns...but I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die. When I hear that train a comin' I hang my head and cry...... -- Low voice, November 30, 1997 at 10:36p

I spent $300 on the rental van. (I flew in from Florida.) Between food and gas, I easily spent another $100. -- Steve V., November 29, 1997 at 11:35p

I spent at least $400 on gas, food, and ice. -- tim b., November 29, 1997 at 5:16p

dropped about 50 in washoe, 200 in nevada total. -Chris -- chris c., November 29, 1997 at 0:01p

Hotels/Gambling/Restaurants $350 Souvenirs/Camping Gear/Clothes $1100 Food/Water/Alcohol $400 4WD rental $350 This plus our flights from New Zealand ($2400) meant a spend of around $4550 (3 ppl) for the week we were there and worth every penny! We'll be back for the next one wherever it is. -- Mark, November 28, 1997 at 7:02a

Sam I Am speaks again.... Is there any way to search for $, and add it all up real time? Well, I got $100 STOLEN (I'm sure some of that had to be spent in Nevada), and besides that probably $50 in GAS/Snacks! -- Sam I Am, November 28, 1997 at 0:20a

Between myself and my 4 friends, about $50 in food from restaurants, $120 on groceries and ice, $50-60 on gas, and of course $375 in tickets, which went to the hostile territory of Washoe county, whose residents acted rather like Parisians in despising their main source of income... -- Heidi L., November 27, 1997 at 10:22a

I try to avoid Nevada (the horrible video poker sounds don't leave my head for several weeks), but during bman the 2 of us spent $30 on a (terrible) dinner, $50 on groceries and TQ, $35 on gas. And of course $150 on bman tickets of which nearly all went directly to your county. -- Wes C., November 26, 1997 at 9:04p

My van filled with 6 people with no money to spend... and would otherwise NEVER visit Washoe County, still managed to drop an easy $300.50 on gambling, buffets, ice, groceries, gas, batteries etc... I will bring twice as many broke people next year. -- Paul H., November 26, 1997 at 6:31p

Bought all of our supplies in Reno; tents, army surplus, dry/reg ice, tons o stuff a toys r us, camping gear at super k mart, a lot from hardware stores, and spent our first night at silver legacy and gambled the night away = all totaling over $3,000 and worth every cent. -- Phil B., November 26, 1997 at 4:57p

60.00 Gas 100.00 Gaming 50.00 Misc Food/Supplies 50.00 Hotel 100.00 Reno Meals (Try the Ciapinno at The Silver Legacy). -- Mark F., November 25, 1997 at 7:51

We spent at least: $250 in groceries. $100 in restaurants. $100 in gas $65 the ticket (of which Washoe got part) $415 total from Minnesota to You. -- Jason H., November 23, 1997 at 10:27a

I would guss that Nevada is about $200 richer on me. well worth it. -- L. Kramer, November 21, 1997 at 3:07p

I really think this forum is missing the point. The event grows, it changes, and there is nothing wrong with that. Instead of trying to convince Washoe county that we should stay, we should just pull up roots and go. What could be more free spirited than moving on? -- Tom Rowe, November 21, 1997 at 2:57p

As part of that large 'Mo' contingent in "smart ass camp" my receipts seem to go like this: Gas=$45 Food/alchohol/other ingestables=$150 Additional film/batteries=$60 Reno gambling losses and hotel are about $80 and that bloody Tickle Me Elmo ran $30. (yes, we burned him) That's going to be nothing compared to next year. I hear that damn Bill Gates Barney thing is upwards of $100. All in all: about $370...brother...and I STILL have to get my soul back from those bastards at the Used Soul Emporium... -- kevin rolly, November 20, 1997 at 4:10a

RV = 1,300.00 Groceries etc = 600.00 Thrift Store = 300.00 Restaurant etc = 150.00 Gas etc = 200.00 All together for four people: $ 2,550.00 -- Uwe W., November 19, 1997 at 6:33p

Let me think... 6 people in my VW van spent a couple of hundred on groceries and general supplies, plus about $60 on gas. I also drove a Green Tortoise bus up from San Francisco with about 16 employees and friends... we spent lots in Gerlach on the way out as well as the cash we all spent in reno at one of the buffets in the casino. Gambling losses- who knows. The Green Tortoise also sent a bus with 38 paying passengers who all spent money in Gerlach and at the buffet. Diesel fuel in Reno both ways for two buses was about $300. Grand Total was about $1,400 -- Geoff, November 19, 1997 at 5:11p

There were four of us at BM this year. Two drove in from Vancouver and two flew down on Reno Air. We spent two nights at hotels in Reno, didn't gamble though, and we spent about $700 at Costco in Reno which included food, drink, a new tent and camping supplies. There was also gas in Gerlach and in Reno. I also bought $30.00 of souvenirs in Reno for friends at home. -- James K-M, November 19, 1997 at 2:37p

We spent a lot of money in Reno! We bought cold water and food in large quantities at Costco. We also made a second trip back to Reno for ice and some more food. We spent probably about $350 for gas food and water for 4 people. -- jolene m., November 18, 1997 at 3:13p

All total, our camp, Aliceum *easily* spent 200 dollars, which is a lot, considering we passed through, right? Oh, wait a minute. There were some personal expenses as well, which ammounted to another couple hundred - and then the trips back to clean up. So let's say - 600. -- Aliceum, November 18, 1997 at 11:14a

$150 for groceries, $50 on Gasoline, $150 on Tow Truck, $200 on engine repairs in Reno, $10 camping & am willing to spend it all again next year! -- Tom C., November 18, 1997 at 4:34a

Geralch Neveda gas fillup $25 Gerlach Neveda groceries 15 Reno Neveda dinner 20 Reno gambling 10 Reno Neveda hardward 10 Fly Ranch Hot Springs 10 Total $90 -- Robert B., November 17, 1997 at 2:31p

On the way from SF, probably stocked up on about $50 in groceries and sundries and a tank of gas. -- Seth G., November 17, 1997 at 0:32p

I and my fellow burn outs spent... at least $500 between 10 people in groceries, gas, ice, water, beer, etc. in mostly reno but we did fill up on gas($30) in the town of gerlach. got a couple of sodas in gerlach too. finally we had dinner at denny's (bleh) and spent about $50 for 5 people. total is just under 6 bills. so lighten up washoe!!!!!!!!!! -- Doug P., November 17, 1997 at 11:28a

my wife and I purchase our groceries in reno, includng meats/beer/wine/water and ice, about $150. We bought gas about $20. We bought lunch on the way there and a late breakfast on the way back, about $45. Stopped at Atlantis on the way home and lost $100 (not our lucky day - though we had thought it would be) -- roy c., November 16, 1997 at 5:56p

As part of a rather large group (Smart Ass Camp), I spent $162.22 at Raley's and $78.59 at Savon in Reno, personally. Plus gas (probably in Gerlach); about $10.00 -- Mo, November 15, 1997 at 3:25p

WE LIVE IN RENO AND EVEN THOUGH WE'RE LOCALS, WE BROKE THE BANK!!! WE SPENT OVER $600 IN GAS FOOD AND SUPPLIES AND IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!! WASHOE COUNTY DOESN'T DESERVE AN EVENT LIKE THIS!! -- kendra m., November 15, 1997 at 1:22a

Spent about $300 total in Reno and Gerlach. Gas, food, supplies -- mark, November 14, 1997 at 9:13p

Spent about $50 in gas and another $30 in food, in Reno. Plus about $20 at the taco stand on the Indian reservation. -- Paul M., November 14, 1997 at 5:46p

In groceries, we spent about $5 for water bottles. In gas, we spent about $35 (to and from). Hope this helps! -- Daphne, November 14, 1997 at 1:43p

We spent about $100 in gas for the bus, plus about $400 in food and supplies, for a total of $500. -- Fred, November 14, 1997 at 11:38a

I spent $150 on food and camping stuff. -- Bridget Hendrix, November 13, 1997 at 11:03p

I spent over $440.00 in supplies, gas and lodging. -- Chris McConnell, November 13, 1997 at 11:02p

Among the 6 passengers in our vehicle, I estimate we spent $650 ($300 on straw bales alone for my project). This only includes money spent in Washoe Co. towns. -- Heidi R., November 13, 1997 at 9:46p

My friend James, my girlfriend Victoria, and I drove from San Francisco to BurningMan '97. We bought gas, food, water, sunglasses, and two meals, plus dropped by Reno for a spell. I'm sure we spent $200. -- Mark L., November 13, 1997 at 7:44p

Well, we spent about $10 on Gas. Anticipating price hikes, that was the one thing we didn't have enough of as we came and left. -- Don C., November 13, 1997 at 0:30p

Gasoline in Reno and Garlich~ $60.00 Misc. Food in Reno~ $40.00 Misc. Food in Garlich~ $25.00 -- D. Timson, November 13, 1997 at 11:39a

My expenses for burningman `97: GAS- 7 FILLUPS(2 OUTSIDE WASHOE COUNTY) $280.00 FOOD- ENROUTE= $100.00 RENO SAFEWAY= $220.00 LODGING- SILVER LEGACY (1 NIGHT)= $250.00 GAMBLING/ENTERTAINMENT= $380.00 BURNINGMAN EXPENSES- $100.00 TOTAL = $1430.00 FOR AN INTENSE WEEK'S WORTH OF "CULTURE!!!" -- Michael L., November 13, 1997 at 11:18a

My igloo car got caught in a speeding trap set up by the law enforcement on the reservation. I tried to convince them that eskimos and Native Americans were all part of the same tribes, but I had to pay $50 anyway... Also bought seven cans of fake snow and ice for the igloo...I do have a complaint as the ice kept melting... -- Flemming N., November 12, 1997 at 8:37p

Gas-$30, Food-$20, Ice-$5 -- CapnShady, November 12, 1997 at 6:01p

Gas: $20 Food: $65 Rental car: $140 -- gilles b., November 11, 1997 at 4:12p

overnite stay for 2 80 bucks, Supplies for burning man 100 bucks, gambling, drinking, Snow gear bought, at least 400 bucks between 2 of us. -- ray, November 11, 1997 at 1:52p

I landed in Reno, Plane tix=$160. rode with a new-found freind, gas=$20 we then stopped at a Target chairs=$45 camp_accessories=$32 We then spopped at the grocery store..Natural_Lite=$20 Misc_groceries=$35 and proceeded to "The Event" while there, I spent $45 at the outpost (benfitting local school)On the way back spent nothing..(broke) However I spent several days in Reno recovering, and spent the following: Indian_restaurant=$12, Bead_shop=$20 Buffet_fude=$20, Gamblin'=$60, Sierra_Nevada_Pale_Ale_bottles=$14, Pitchers/SamAdams+MexFood=$15, Misc_sundry_items=$10.....for a grand total of.............................$408 (gonna price a few Rottweillers next year) -- Neil K., November 10, 1997 at 8:06p

We spent over 175 dollars from when we entered Reno to Burning Man and out again.... Also we would have spent more at the little store just before Burning man but they were all sold out of just about everything cold :) -- Ronni, November 10, 1997 at 5:59p

I spent $132 at the Gerlach grocery store. Mostly on Beer... which I ended up only drinking 1 bottle. I filled my gas a few times due to the trailer I was pulling and bought last minute supplies at a Target(?) in Reno. -- Paul C., November 10, 1997 at 9:53a

I purchased a large duffle type bag at a local sporting goods store($58). Bought plane tickets: SLC to Reno, Delta($87) & Reno to SLC, Southwest($62). In Reno: I rented a car,Advantage($242) they later charge me an extra ($24) becase they said the car was dusty. Rented a bike, Snowwind Sports($107). Bought groceries, Scolaris #11($209.). Bought bike lock & propane, Super Target($28). There is a little gas only station just before you hit Gerlach that I filled up, sorry I dont know the name($18). Ifell secure in knowing I helped strenghten the entire world economy. Total expenditures for BURNNING MAN '97=($835) -- Jeffery, November 10, 1997 at 8:42a

The ten or so of us spent between three and four hundred dollars in Washoe County. -- Vagabond Jim, November 8, 1997 at 10:52p

We came into Nevada from the north, so we didn't stop until Gerlach, but once there we filled both a car and a van with gas, probably about $35 worth, and we bought two fifths of Jack Daniels from the local bar for $50. -- Charles L., November 8, 1997 at 9:45p

three trips to the site from the east bay in 97... hotel rooms,food,meals,gambling,cigars,gas, etc.-1200 dollars american ! -- kaigan, November 8, 1997 at 8:22p

Oh, and I forgot the $75 at K-Mart for suntan lotion and lounge chairs. This was my 5th Burning Man and we have spent about each year. B. Man 96 probably another $500 for booze for our martini party (doesn't liquor charge a hefty state tax??) -- Nancy, November 8, 1997 at 8:25a

We had a group of 4 - rental van at airport we paid approx. $400, plus food (Sak n' Save), booze (Friends' Liquor), ice and dry-ice came to $225, some last-minute thrift shopping in Reno came to about $100, then there was gas of $24, lunch on the way out to the play - let's say $30 and dinner on the way back to the airport $80. Yeah, we spent some bucks. -- Nancy, November 8, 1997 at 8:20a

With a group of about 15, and 4 vehicles, we spent upwards of $20 per car on gas just in Washoe county alone, and over $200 for lunch in Sparks on the way home. Also bought ice for about $20 at Burningman itself.... that's at least $300 in the pockets of Washoe County and I know I'm forgetting stuff. People will surely pay more per ticket next year if that's what has to be done to pull it off in '98. Our group has grown exponentially over the last 3 years and will continue to do so. Thanks all. Lauren -- Lauren Fox, November 7, 1997 at 4:38p
Trish and I purchased gas and sushi (at Club Sushi - a great place!) We spent $75 in Washoe County. -- Peyton, November 7, 1997 at 4:30p

Well over $400 in gas for 3 RVs and 2 pickup trucks, and that's having left home w/ full tanks! -- Vangelis, November 7, 1997 at 4:10p

Our car spent about $300 on supplies and gas in Washoe County. -- Jeff B., November 7, 1997 at 11:00a

With the purchase of PVC pipe, Bamboo poles, Teak shades, liquid libation, more liquid libation, grimace proportions of edibles, crushed ice, cubed ice, dry ice, gas, propane and a myriad of assorted toys, our grand total came to around $600.00. Thats for only two people. Word to the Ice Boyz on 4th Street!!!!!! -- Kyle K., November 7, 1997 at 7:41a

2 vehicles (4 people): Gas in Reno (both ways) + munchies: approx $80. Had some really tasty Indian Tacos on the way out of Gerlach: approx $40 total (again, 4 people + beverages). -- ExplOkie Mike, November 7, 1997 at 0:16a

Hmmm. About $70 dollars in foodstuffs and campstuffs. $30 or so in gas. My friends ate at that crappy meat shack that curiously sold veggie burgers during and after BM. (Although I'll bet the patties were cooked on the regular flesh grill...) So about $12 there....During BM an aquaintence in our group didn't charge the "law enforcement" (or local townsfolk that myteriously got in) to gawk at her boobs so thats probably a $40 dollar value to them....(They are nice boobs).... -- Frog Gilmore, November 6, 1997 at 6:48p

A hotel room in Reno, $60. Dinner and breakfast on the way out, in Reno again, about $15. Gas, going and returning, about $30. Dinner for two at the Nugget on the way home, with drinks and dessert, about $30. Munchies for use in the car, maybe $10. -- The Elder Dan, November 6, 1997 at 3:38p

We filled up on gas twice $26x2 and bought a variety of munchies $10. -- kyle, November 6, 1997 at 2:29p

I spent about $20 at a gas station for gas and some food when I exited highway 80 and headed north to Gerlach. -- Paul., November 6, 1997 at 8:33

I spent $70.00 at Circus Circus ($60 for a room, $10 gambling) in Reno. $20 at a 7-11 type store. About $40 on gas. Probably another ten or 20 at a small grocery store. This only refers to what I spent in Washoe County, which was a small part of the total cost of the trip. -- Harold B,, November 5, 1997 at 10:49p

Third year in a row I have come to burning man. Granted I packed a lot of stuff before hand, but I also loaded up each year in Washoe county with food, lots of ice, gas, water, rebar, extra coolers and tarps and a place to stay the evening before I arrived in the desert. I guess I spent between 250.00 and 300.00 dollars. That doesn't count the gambeling done in Reno. -- Kevin, November 5, 1997 at 10:30p

I came to Washoe County last year to attend Burning Man. I spent: RV-$175.00 (my share) Food-$125.00 Hotel-$60.00 Other Stuff-$150.00 -- Rob K., November 5, 1997 at 10:11p

i thank the county of Washoe for hosting the Burning Man event. It was my first year going and it seemed like it securtiy was good and no one got hurt. I din't spend much going through your county, only 30 gallons of gas and dinner at Denny's in Reno. Not much for one but for 15,000 people it begins to add up. I plan to go next year and bring friends. I wouldn't mind spending up to $120 for attending the event. With camping for 3 to 6 day, plus live entertainment it is a reasonable price to pay. thank you -- Chad C., November 5, 1997 at 3:49p

Spent $80 total gas in Washoe for two vehicles. Spent $110 groceries + other supplies in Reno and $65 groceries+film in Gerlach. Also spent $5 on car wash and $30 food on the way back. -- Steven Raspa, November 5, 1997 at 3:18p

Our party spent about $105-125 total in Washoe. $60 on gas and supplies in Wadsworth, about $40 at the Empire Store (I really like those folks). We also got our car washed by the high school kids in Gerlach again this year ($5). I should have given them more -- they offer a great service for a good cause. The "folks" in Washoe (Empire/Gerlach) have been great both times I went. I wish the "authorities" would get a little perspective. Sheeesh! -- David W., November 5, 1997 at 1:10p

$30.00 for gas $60.00 for groceries $30.00 for meals -- rebecca s., November 5, 1997 at 11:23a

At least $5000 was spent at lumber yards in Reno/Sparks by the Project on lumber and construction supplies for the Cafe and other structures in Center Camp. That's probably a low estimate. I personally spent about $1000 in Washoe Co. on items such as construction and mechanical supplies ($250), gas ($250), supermarket food ($200), restaurant food ($100), camp supplies ($100), a new tire ($80), and tobacco ($20). Washoe, we love you ... but I curse your bureaucrats .. may all their children be born NAKED. -- BillyBob, November 5, 1997 at 9:27a

Coming from Toronto Canada, we spent tons. Before our departure: tent/freeze dried food/supplies/airfare-one week Vegas package ($1,100us). In Washoe County: flight to Reno ($220us), car rental ($120us), additional supplies/ booze/camera-film/coolers/water/ cooking fluid ($200us). I make note of the US currency as Canadians lose 40% on the dollar exchange. And guess what? It was worth it! -- Phil /Peter, November 4, 1997 at 4:43p

I probably spent about $75 in Washoe county, as follows: Gas - $20 Dinner in Reno - $40 Breakfast at Bruno's - $10 Ice - $5 -- Neil Robertson, November 4, 1997 at 4:05p

Since I live here, unfortunatly I spend most of my $30,000 per year here... If the county were more sympatheric towards my lifestyles then I could possible justify it... -- Joshua!!, November 4, 1997 at 8:04a

$200 suppies Reno $30 gas Reno 28$ gas Gurlack $225 Black Rock City Gate $3 Black Rock General Store $20 "misc" goods -- dave, November 4, 1997 at 7:40a

i spent $500 to fly in, about $20 on food stuffs in the Reno airport, $75 on groceries outside of Reno, and $200 on assorted supplies at hardware stores and two salvation armys. -- Dan F., November 3, 1997 at 9:11p

My brother-in-law flew in from Kansas City and spent over $600 on supplies, food, etc., in Reno/Washoe County alone. I will certainly spend more next year. Preferably not in Washoe, because they don't deserve it. -- James A., November 3, 1997 at 6:17p

Me and my pal flew in from New York and spent MUCHO DINERO in Reno. First we rented a car (without insurance) for about $250 bucks. Then we got a room for about $40 at the Golden Nugget something or other. Because we flew in from out of state we figured it would be best to by all of our supplies in Reno. So we went to the highly recommended SUPER K-MART where we bought everything. Food, beer, ice, not to mention ice-coolers(way to expensive if you ask me), camping gear, lounge chairs, a radio, and tiki torches, basically all the essentials. This all added up to about $250 big ones. We ate lunch at Taco Bell (Yo quiero Taco Bell) $10. Dinner at the Atlantis buffet (a superb choice)$20. $100 gambling (when in Rome...). $200 at the Bunny Ranch (uh- when in Rome...). Gas there $20 bucks. Donations on the way out $20 bucks. 7-11 on the way home 10 bucks. Denny's (where all of Black Rock seemed to be) $40 bucks (we were hungry), hotel $50. Refill gas $20. So roughly between two people we spent about $900 AMERICAN DOLLARS. And I'll do it again, and this time I'm taking more people with me, no matter where it is. It might as well be Washoe but if they don't appreciate us we can sure as hell take our business elsewhere. -- $900 BUCKS!!!, November 3, 1997 at 4:35p

I spent about $150 on supplies at Kmart in Reno, 2 tanks of gas in Wadsworth, and then dinners, gas etc in Carson City, where I have family. I have on numerous occasions throughout my life spent money in and around Washoe County. Not inclined to any more, but if Burning Man happens in Washoe Co. again, well, I guess there's no choice. -- Trey D., November 3, 1997 at 4:07p

Our group of five spent $600 on grocerices, liquor, cigarettes, and assorted toys(including Baywatch sticker book) for the Burn in Reno, $150 on gas for two vehicles, and $200 on food and gambling and a night's stay in Reno. It ain't chicken feed. -- Napboy, November 3, 1997 at 9:37a

I was traveling by myself and spent at least $200 in Reno: meals x3 = $25, lodging = $50, gas = $25, last minute supplies = $100. Won $50 playing BlackJack on my way in and donated it to BM on my way home. (Oh ya, another msg. reminded me about the $135 at the Old Bridge Ranch on the way up.. :') So make that over $335... -- Kev, November 3, 1997 at 1:14a

i spent $3.79 i bought a drink, a pack of gum, and the guy in front of the shop borrowed a $1 from me -- john, November 2, 1997 at 7:12p

$1,300.: r.v., gasoline, food, ice, groceries, and various sundries. I would be happy to spend this kind of money in washoe county again, though i have not a problem in paying this money in another more compassionate and support county.... -- aj, November 2, 1997 at 6:48p

I came to BM 97 in an rv with 6 other people, and between all of us, we spent about $70 on ice and dry ice (Sparks), close to $250 on groceries, liquor and cigarettes (Sparks), $120 on gas (Sparks, Empire and Wadsworth), a stop at Bruno's on the way out that totalled about $60 for food, drinks and gambling (Gerlach), and additionally had our rv washed in Gerlach by the kids from the local school, and gave the Pyramid Lake Reservation some money to use the lake to swim in on the way back. So there's another $500. As far as I'm concerned, I won't ever give Washoe County any of my money again... No more trips to Reno. If I want to gamble, I'll go out of my way to head to LV instead. -- Greg R., November 2, 1997 at 3:05a

Total spendings in Washoe = $450,- -- Stefan, November 1, 1997 at 8:36p

I spent roughly $85.00 personally, and my troupe spent a total of $283.82 -- Alexander J., November 1, 1997 at 8:34p

I spent $175 -- Dan E., October 31, 1997 at 8:38p

My wife and I came from Chicago, rented a car in Reno, $240. Bought supplies in Reno, $200 and donated $80 to the Washoe county sheriff because of speeding. That is not including the money we spent in the small town in the desert. I would like to comment on the ridiculous use of a helicopter at the Man. The presence of police was understandable. A little excessive, but understandable. The use of a Helicopter for no other reason than to get your pilot free air time and to harass the participants at the event is a serious breach of law enforcement trust and professionalism. I hope that the Washoe County sheriffs department understands that they perpetuate the distaste and contempt many people feel for police. The reason 15,000 people went to the middle of the desert is so no one would be affected who did not want to be affected. Regards, -- Dan O., October 31, 1997 at 2:35p

gas for 1 car, 2 vans, 2 trucks, all filled in Nevada.....at least $400 in food and alcohol.......various batteries, bungee cords, etc., at least $60...... -- lau***@dph.com, October 31, 1997 at 1:52p

Although our group was limited financially this year, the only money we spent on the entire trip was in Reno, which included a full tank of gas & a meal on the way there and back, totalling around $100 for all of us. -- Catherine, October 31, 1997 at 0:44p

Our group of three vehicles stopped for gasoline in Reno both going and coming with our fuel purchases adding up to $125.00. We also stopped to eat in Reno both times for a total of approximately $100.00. Last minute items were purchased at a local drug store for approximatley $100.00 more. We also picked up a person from the airport so I'm sure there are landing fees and taxes that go to the Reno area. Several of our group also visited the casino while waiting for the person arriving at the airport. I'm not sure how extensive thier losses were but I don't remember anyone bragging about winnings. I almost forgot the gasoline we purchased in Gerlach for an additional $40.00. -- Greg , October 31, 1997 at 0:22p

I Spent $60 in gas and $80 on a bicycle at K-Mart in Reno... -- Jamie, October 31, 1997 at 0:11p

spent $25 in gas, spent $20 in groceries -- Martin, October 31, 1997 at 10:22a

Spending in Reno - Ice for 3 for four days, food in same quatities, Case of beer, fifth of Jack (never opened), hand saw at Home depot, gasoline fill-up, Taco Bell meal. All told probably in the 'hood of $150 for the two hours we spent there. Gerlach spending - One inflated tank of gas at approx. $18. I'm from Seattle so if Oregon wants our business I'll gladly save on the drive time. -- Sean H., October 30, 1997 at 9:13p

As part of our plan: We reccomended that everyone in our group buy thier groceries in Reno. There were about 15 of us. I personally spent about $150 easy. Gas. Ice. Etc. So do the math. -- Todd S., October 30, 1997 at 4:20p

! night in a Reno motel,3 meals, food supplies, gas, gambling. About $120. Went up to clean up 3 weekends ago. Spent about $80 in Reno and $50 in Gerlach. Hope that Washoe County doesn't drive us away, but there are many desert counties who would welcome us. -- Bob G., October 30, 1997 at 3:43p

$200 on a rental car and gas...about the same for food and toys--way too much of both and gave away tons. IMHO other sites should be investigated ASAP: Washoe probably will not lighten up on the ridiculous demands. They don't Understand, and I doubt pointing out that they were wrong about our cash flow will change anything. Next year I am taking two weeks off to prepare and attend. See you there! John -- John Edwards, October 30, 1997 at 1:25p
As one individual, I may have only spent $300 in Washoe County for the weekend. It was my first year, however, and next year will be accompanied by new participation ideas that will undoubtedly require me to lean on the resources of Washoe County. My projected spending for next year will, without a doubt, be significantly higher. -- Glen, October 30, 1997 at 11:25a

We spent around $500 that week in Washoe. On the way there we stoppped for gas and at the nugget to eat and gamble.. Then to Susansville for a couple days to see a friend, eating out every meal, plus trips to wallmart. Groceries just outside Reno. Gas again in Gerlach. On the way back, big dinners and more gambling in Reno, where we dropped off a new friend at the airport, where he bought an airplane ticket back to new york. -- Lance & Lisa, October 30, 1997 at 7:43a

I was 1 of a 4 person party, including two clients from Hong Kong who came FOR Burning Man. We spent over $3500.00 in 3 days. Most of that, about $2500. to 3000. of that was in slots and prostitues. Washoe County really impressed my clients. If all goes well, they may bring 4 people in next year. The Atlantis serves a good dinner, but be sure to steer clear of their lunch buffet. Dennys, for what it's worth is more than hospitable. Over the last 3 years, I have have spent over $10,000. related to burning man. I even donated money VIA an unwarranted speeding ticket. This upcoming year I am planning on a 6 member party, the biggest to date. I anticipate that we will easily spend at leat $4500. this year, if not more. peace out -- Major Co. High Level Managment., October 30, 1997 at 3:40a

There were about 15 people in our group here is a rough break down of what we spent: $200.00 in gas $300.00 in food -- David F., October 29, 1997 at 8:31p

I'd just like to say that your policies, fire, poloice etc. were completely unnecessary! I live in Reno and talked to many Wa. County sheriffs and they thought it was overkill as well. You sent a strong message of not wanting The Burning Man county. It's a shame, not only did it help Northern Pershing and Wa. counties finicially, it brought a sense of culture to a region where gambling and prostitution are the only things worth writing home about. -- Ed C., October 29, 1997 at 1:37p

3 tanks of gas total 115.00-throughout Nevada. Supplies in Reno 95.00 Resturants in Reno 35.00 fly hot springs 20.00 Total: 265.00 Only was able to stay two days. I was an awesome experiance. -- james g., October 28, 1997 at 8:26p

2 tanks of gas @ about $30 each 2 lunches at a Denny's in Reno - $15.00 money into slot machines - $5.00 total: $50.00 I know it wasn't much, but I'm sure multiplied by 10,000 people it all adds up! And I would have gambled more, but we were in a hurry to get to the campsite by nightfall. -- Laura La Gassa, October 28, 1997 at 6:56p

I was part of a six-person group which travelled light. We flew in from Seattle via San Fran and bought literally all of our provisions in Reno (barring clothes). This included hundreds of dollars' worth of groceries, a rented SUV, fuel for same, and a night at the Reno Hilton. Not to mention a few dozen meals at various area restaraunts. Total expenses within the state (not considering air fare) were probably ~$2,000. -- Eric R., October 28, 1997 at 5:25p

We spent about $300 in reno, as well as $50 fr gas. -- Thomas G., October 28, 1997 at 1:40p

about $200 on food,supplies, and equipment in Reno, about $90 in gas, and $50 on restaurants coming and going through Reno. -- b. karr, October 28, 1997 at 11:40a

pre-event: Reno: gas, full tank, $25 groceries, water, $50 empire: food, water, film, etc: $45 post-event: gas, full tank, $25 loding & fun in reno: $80 next year, I plan on staying in reno both before and after the event, to reduce dangerously exhausted driving. Will likely drop $300+ in washoe county during that week. -- chris m., October 28, 1997 at 11:09a

We spent around $300 in Washoe county on gas, last minute provisions, etc. split between Gerlach and Empire. We spent another $200 in Reno. Also, like last year, we got our car washed on the way out. It was well worth it so we gave them $20 since it was going to the local school. -- John A., October 28, 1997 at 6:28a

$92.82 groceries in Reno. $41.50 gas at Bruno's in Gerlach $20 various items at Twin Cities Surplus $10 refreshments at bar in Reno One of our party rented a car and flew into the Reno airport. Probably another $200 in expenditures. -- David Z., October 27, 1997 at 7:12p

1500 bucks you assholes use the email to request receipts. -- joel w., October 27, 1997 at 4:54p

I spent about $20.00 at the gas stations for gas and snapple (lemon) etc.. I spent $100 in reno to win $60 (gag). we bought the bulk of our groceries before we got to Nevada, I think? I was wasted most of the time. -- Doug W., October 27, 1997 at 2:15p

I spent approx $200 in Washoe County. Broken down, it was something like: Gas in Reno, Gerlach, Reno: $50. Supplies in Reno: $50. Groceries in Reno: $50. Food in Sparks: $20. water/misc: ~$30. -JB -- Sizzle/Fri, October 27, 1997 at 0:45p

We live in Reno, and completely outfitted our camp at local stores to the tune of $600. That plus a tank of gas and dinner in Gerlach on the way home. -- amii aka this woman, October 27, 1997 at 10:44a

My wife and I flew into Reno, then rented an Isuzu trooper from Friday to Monday. We bought a full tank of gas, and about $100 of groceries. On the way out, we spent $40 on meal in a casino. Total reno cost, about $300 -- Robert K., October 27, 1997 at 10:04a

Thank you Washoe County! I spent about $50.00 on gasoline and supplies. I travelled alone. I hope you will continue allowing Burning Man events to take place in the Nevada desert. Thank you so much! Naiya Cominos San Jose (Silicon Valley) Professional and Musician, Artist, Burning Man Participant -- Naiya of the Playa, October 27, 1997 at 9:38a

We rented two cars, and food for ten people. All in all, the total Nevada spendings equaled approximately $700. -- Xaviera, October 26, 1997 at 9:05p

My roomate and I spent the following: hotel - $70 food - $250 misc. supplies - $125 new barbell (for tongue) $35 gas - $80 total: approx $550 Of course, it was all worth it... Keith -- Keith S., October 26, 1997 at 9:03p

Our family of 4 to 12 members has attended the past 3 burning man events. This year we spent at least $200.00 in Gerlach on food and drinks. Plus we gased up an RV in Gerlach and in Reno. $40.00 or so on ice from Gerlach plus $40.00 at the Empire store. At least $160.00 at the hot springs in the 4 days that we attended. Two of our family members flew in from New York and stayed at the Peppermill while waiting for their return home and knowing them I'm sure the ate, drank, and gambled to their hearts content but I don't know how much. We also bought a parachute from Twin City Surplus which was around $100.00 plus what ever else the New York boys picked up from there. PVC pipe and other supplies were purchased from Winnemucca Nevada as well as over $200.00 in groceries and water plus gas for 3 utility vehicles one of which was rented in Reno. This is just for this years visit and I'm sure there where a lot of other expenses that I don't know about as I'm just one of the 12 that were in our party. Last year we stayed longer in Reno before and after the man renting more rooms and consuming great amounts of everything!!!!! Thanks for asking Mona whatever the New York boys picked up. -- Mona, October 26, 1997 at 8:50p

Gas=$45...I get really poor gas mileage. Food=$120...I get really hungry in the desert. -- Michael P., October 26, 1997 at 7:31p

Me and my friend stopped and stayed in Reno for 3 days on our way to Burningman. Eventhough we stayed at his mother's house, we still went to many casinos and spent about $50. We did all of our food and water shopping in Reno and we spent about $200 dollars. We also gassed up two cars twice in Reno (there and on the way back) totaling about $100 dollars. -- Todd M., October 26, 1997 at 2:39p

I contributed at least $500 to Nevada's economy while attending Burning Man this year. This included a motel while in transit, car rental, and supplies. I thought it was great how all the communities on the road between I-80 and Gerlach offered services to the participants. On Monday, weary participants happily paid for Indian tacos and car washes. The locals really appreciated the business, and the travelers really appreciated the services being offered. If Burning Man were not to occur again next year, it would be very sad for all involved, including Washoe County's residents. -- John G., October 26, 1997 at 9:04a

We think, altogether the fifteen people in our camp spent about $350. If you think it is cool, we will buy more stuff locally -- if it makes us some s. -- Phoebe, October 26, 1997 at 8:20a

For me and my friend Airfare 1200 RV rental reno 1000 Food in Reno and groceries 300 Hotel 1 night $60 Gambling 150 Bruno's on the way 25 Gas & stuff 100 -- Carl M., October 25, 1997 at 8:41p

What did I spend? Well my friend and I spent quite a bit... Airfare in to Reno ($150 each) Car rental at Alamo ($200 or so) Lunch in Reno on the way out ($6 each) Groceries and supplies in Reno (about $50 each, included some camping supplies and some thrift store combustibles to have around camp/burn before we go) Breakfast on the way in ($5 each) A room for a night at the Atlantis. ($50) Lunch at the Atlantis buffett ($8 each, too much for the crappy food, the desserts were good though.) Bus fare to get downtown ($1.50 each) Money at the damn gamblin' machines! (about $10 each) Money at the damn card gamblin' tables (about $20 each) Dinner at Atlantis ($9 each) Keno at dinner ($5 each) Breakfast at the airport ($5 each) can't for get my admission to Burning Man, that money went to the county, didn't it.. ($65 each) I think it's safe to say that anyone who had to fly in and rent a car probably would have spent a similar amount. I can say that I spent more than I usually do on my labor day weekend. Another note, just to be clear all the gambling money was LOST! If you find it let me know and I might be able to pick it up next year. Viva La Burning Man! -- Chris D., October 25, 1997 at 0:12p

Ok, $90 reno rent a car, $200 at payless, $100 at local grocery store, $30 in Gurlack, $50 misc. $480 for one person, course they don't get the airfare, just the tax. Well worth it BM98 -- Cal, October 24, 1997 at 11:02p

Did We Ever Spend! (my best friend from college and myself) I'm especially fond of the Ace Hardware in Reno, which we bought wood, poles, brackets, fixtures galore to the tune of several hundred dollars to erect the Structures in our part of camp, including custom heavy-duty tent poles that were easier to buy than to truck across the country from Reading, PA--Also, Wal-Mart and Safeway got a couple hundred dollars each, as we bought supplies left and right with a "more is better" mentality...the Zeal started to get to me as I am not used to dropping cash so rapidly...but it was all worth it..this is money which would have been spent at the Philadelphia Folk Festival and lots of other places, but it was as if we were preparing for the Sabbath or Stocking our Fallout Shelter for the end of the World....Also Suzie's adult supertore, you are the best! (80dollars for me, and 200 for my buddy, who found some unique products sold in Nevada and unavailable in some other states) Not to mention film, lodging, meals for a stay of 24 hours in Reno prior to Bman...If the movement of Vehicles had not been an issue, we also would have had breakfast in Gerlach, as the Pork Chop breakfast at one locale came highly reccommended. I have been to many festivals, and not one other involves the kind of commerce that Burning Man does because of all the preparation involved and not wanting to be caught short...We bought so much Water, containers , food, supplies,etc that our van was heavily loaded down to the point of near Collapse of the suspension--which fortunately did not occur, but which would have been serviced by local mechanics if it had... I am quite sure that the estimation of 1.8 million dollars put into the local economy is a conservative one...Not only that, but I am already saving for Burning man 1998, and more friends from back home have set up savings accounts to make a cross country pilgrimage to burning man...If washoe county only knew the real cash cow it had, they would roll out the red carpet...Just my Opinion, which is free ... all the protests of the naysayers who tried to over-regulate and stop burning man did not put one red cent into the economy and took up a lot of public resources holding hearings to determine the suitability of the festival, which was on supposedly private land. -- Theo, Aka John, October 24, 1997 at 6:39p

My group spent close to $300 in Reno for food and $40.00 on gas and about $50.00 in the casinos. How about that. -- Keith M., October 24, 1997 at 6:05p

My group spent about $150 on Reno (mostly for food and gas) and another $25 or so for gas in Gerlach. -- Mike W., October 24, 1997 at 3:49p

My boyfriend and I spent at least $400 in Washoe County. Most was spent in Reno (food, gas, hotel, reckless gambling). -- Megan G., October 24, 1997 at 3:46p

I spent $2 on a hooker -- Ian C., October 24, 1997 at 2:11p

I spent $50 on condoms! -- Jake R., October 24, 1997 at 2:10p

I spent approximately $50.00 in Gerlach for gas and food supplies, and over $200.00 at the super K-Mart in Reno for just about all my camping equipment. It was much easier to buy items there than truck them all the way. Plus the prices were great. I also told a lot of other people to buy supplies at the super K-mart. Hope we'll be in Washoe so I can shop there next year! -- Jay B., October 24, 1997 at 2:07p

we filled up on gas on the way out, on the way in ($20 each), ate some killer mexican food at el miguel ($30), about 6 quarters in the slots, groceries and water and cigarettes for $100, plus lots of film frames taking shots of those guys with the animal heads/trophies on the way out.....thanks. -- rebecca z., October 22, 1997 at 3:17p

As I drove into BM on wednesday from Portland Or., my tire went over something sharp and pointy. By morning, it was completely dead flat, so I and one of my more sympathetic campmates drove about 75 miles on the spare (yeah, YOU try driving under 50 MPH without A/C in 105 degree heat next time)to the only truck station that we could find that had Honda tires that would fit my car. Apparently, Hondas ain't too popular 'round dem parts. As it also turned out, the other front tire was about ready to blow, attributable to driving on 100 degree pavement on a wheel put out of alignment by driving over something sharp and pointy. So I bought 2 new tires: total cost $130.00. While we waited for the shop to do its thing, we spent around 3 hours in the adjacent tuckstop, which consisted of grocery, restaurant, motel, and casino. One of the highlights was the rented shower at the motel... sheer luxury and a tremendous bargain at 5 bucks... but lunch, drinks, casino games, and picking up additional supplies (ice, beer, and cigs, mostly) added up to right around $150.00. On the way back, I filled my tank in Gerlach... another 20 bucks. Total round trip cost: about 300 bones. And that was just me, and just ONE day. My camp caravan consited of 2 vans, one truck hauling a trailer, and my car. We met up with 2 more vans from Portland to set up our camp there at BM, so I'd guess that our entire camp probably spent well over 500 bucks on gas alone driving through Nevada. I'd guess that I spent about another 100 bucks on groceries in some little town about 90 miles out from Gerlach... buying all the most perishable things at the last minute, and all those extra limes really came in handy for the chambord kamikazes on friday night. My friend who'd lost his tickets somewhere in Portland ended up buying 2 more at the gate... no way to trace his lost tickets, no way to prove he'd already paid. He wasn't real happy about it, but paying double ($300 for 2 tickets) made him feel better at least in contributing to the event. His name is Randall, and if anyone is listening, I think he should get at least one free ticket to next year's event for donating the extra $150. Contact me thru email and I'll send his address. I'm trying to organize a BM party, maybe I'll try to turn it into a fund-raiser. Anyone in the Portland/Vancouver/Seattle area, feel free to contact me at 503.274.2113. I despise the thought that my first BM experience may have well been the last. yers in burnin' luv, Bethany -- Bethany M., October 22, 1997 at 0:42a

I AM PAYING OFF A 11,500 DOLLAR BILL FROM CEDAR SIANIAA HOSPITAL L.A AND THE TRIP COSTED 2,000+ FUCK NEVADA HAVE IT IN THE DESERT OUTSIDE OF L.A. -- jason f., October 21, 1997 at 9:31p

Gas: $20 (in the first town we came to), Airliine ticket: $300 (I'm sure someone in Nevada made some money in that amount), etc. etc. etc. Oh yeah...and a speed trap isn't a speed trap if you're not speeding. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. -- Senor G., October 21, 1997 at 4:02p

Lemmee see...at least 12 bucks on lunch in Gerlach, fifty bucks on a speeding ticket (in what was a total speed-trap in Nixon), 13 bucks on gas in Reno, and 10 bucks on lunch at the El Dorado in Reno (which serves very tasty little waffles shaped like the symbols of suite of plaing cards), not to mention an indeterminate amount pissed away at the roullette table and the slot machines. This is a way conservative estimate just to be on the safe side. Let's say a grand total of $85.00. -- Gax the Whiskey Pixie, October 21, 1997 at 1:44p

I believe I spent $40 to fill my van's gas tank, plus another $10 on ice and last minute supplies. I also dropped about $50 in Reno, if that counts. -- Amy/Sheyna, October 21, 1997 at 0:26p

About $35 in gas & ice, and about $20 in sit-down meals, and $80 for a speeding ticket in Gerlach!!!! (but instead of paying the ticket, we donated money to BM!) -- Karen & Paul, October 21, 1997 at 9:54a

A loose but conservative estimate of what our extended group (30+ people) spent in the county (just in '97 -- most of us have been participating since '91 or '92): gas for three big ass motorhomes & 7 or 8 cars: ~$500. Food, beer & last-minute stuff @ Safeway: ~$300. Hotel for 2, sit-down dinners and gambling: ~$250. Tire change and towing services: ~$200. Keys made: ~$15. Approximate total: ~$1,265.00. Again, I think this is fairly conservative, and doesn't count similar Washoe county expenses every year for the last 5 or 6 years. (Nor does it count the weekends when some of us came up beforehand to help prepare the site.) -=Be=- -- Bill, October 20, 1997 at 5:10p

This was all spent in Reno Car rental - $148 Groceries/supplies - $110 Gambling - $50 Meals/drinks - $35 + I flew in and out on Southwest Airlines from Boise, Idaho $200+ dollars if that counts for anything as well. -- Kurt E., October 20, 1997 at 3:59p

I spent about $150 on ice, groceries, camping supplies, sit-down meals and gasoline and another $50 gambling. -- John B., October 20, 1997 at 9:09a

Food and ice about $200 A night at the Hilton $100,Dinner,Breakfast $100 Show$100Gambling about$200 not a bad night for Reno and gas another $30 -- Gary, October 19, 1997 at 7:00p

Last year in 96 we spent $80 for beer in a Reno supermarket 40$ for food and approximately $100 in replacement car parts in Reno so I could safely make it home -- Andrew, October 18, 1997 at 10:47a

spent one night in hotel in Reno prior to heading out-$50 filled gas tank twice on way in and out-$100 bought groceries in and out- $100 -- Ellen Q., October 18, 1997 at 10:28a

We spent around $30 in gas and about $10 for miscellaneous groceries. We also paid $5 for a permit for Pyramid Lake. -- Wayne, October 17, 1997 at 7:00p

My friends and I, by flying in on Reno Air and staying at a Reno Hotel and renting two Reno rental cars and drinking in Reno Bars and buying supplies in Reno stores and losing money in Reno casinos and eating in Renostaurants easily spent over $2000 in Washoe County. -- Patrick L., October 17, 1997 at 1:24p

Gas, Ice, Supplies--$40.00 -- Tom Price, October 17, 1997 at 11:57a

Our family favorite en route is the Alamo truck stop, east side of Reno. In each direction we gas-up and snack-up including a ritual milkshake, fresh banana thank you. @ the alamo: gas for 2 vehicles $30; milkshakes, road snacks, water, gambling $50 and a buck for a postcard but they were out of stamps. @ Wadsworth $3.20 for stamps at the Post Office, there would be hell to pay if I had missed that birthday. @ the festival: for ice and other goods of the desert economy $50. @ Gerlach a hot meal and cold beer $30 for 3. @ Alamo again $30 in gas and a hot lunch, milkshakes and snacks $40. travel advice: the food in Gerlach retaurnts is better than that at the Alamo retaurant. -- david and ranko, October 17, 1997 at 0:42a

My daughter and I spent approximately $180 on food and supplies in Reno and about another $50+ on gas, lunch and supplies in Washoe County. I have to admit that we were treated very well by everyone we met, and felt no hostility from the "natives." I'm sorry that so many people had such negative experiences with the locals. Sheila -- Sheila S., October 16, 1997 at 1:45p

Three of use spent around $350.00 in Reno, nothing in Washoe county. -- Paul, October 16, 1997 at 1:02p

For our car: Gas, munchies, ice, etc... Wadsworth...approx $100.00 Reno area.....approx $50.00 We were better prepaired this year.....spent much more last year on, hotel, camping supplies, food, etc.... Must admit, I pretty much only come to Washoe county for the yearly trek out to BM -- JEN, October 16, 1997 at 0:41p

My entire group spent probally around $75.00 to $100.00 on gas and supplies and all. -- Ramses M., October 15, 1997 at 4:59p

Groceries: $300.00 gas: $100.00 Supplies: $200.00 -- J Paris, October 15, 1997 at 2:14p

Well we purchased about 80.00 worth of supplies in Fallon but I don't think that is in Washoe Co.. We topped off the tanks in Gerlach and still need to send in 165.00 for a nice little speeding ticket just outside of Gerlach (only 11 mph over). When I asked the trooper what BM was like he said it was "just a bunch of drug dealers and bar tender types" wasting the counties resources and causing problems. Anyway total spent in Nevada 265.00. -- Dan, October 15, 1997 at 10:01a

$40 in the Motel 6 in Sparks, $40 in gas , $20 in ice, $30 at the IHOP, $20 more in gas. I never come to the Reno/Sparks area except for the annual Burning Man festival. Cheers, Mark -- mark g., October 14, 1997 at 5:33p

My three friends and myself did not spend much maybe about one hundred dollars a piece on gas and shopping but with the thousands of people who attended Burningman that adds up I just wish the county officials there in Washoe county get there heads out of there asses and give Burningman a little more hospitality and a lot less financial hassles And I whould suggest the possibilty of a couple of Burningman organizers to move to Reno and run for office aginst some the politicians that don`t want to welcome the Burningman crowds in their county -- Joe, October 14, 1997 at 3:13p

due to the insanely high price of gasoline in this county, my little 10 gallon honda ate up about $18 of fuel. food, drink, supplies, and even a cheesy "Visit scenic Gerlach, Nevada" shirt cost me another $100. Think this place could survive without us or government subsidies? -- derek a., October 14, 1997 at 1:02p

My party of three spent about $40 in Washoe County on supplies. -- Ray A,, October 14, 1997 at 11:32a

Besides the obviouse Gas I also purchased all of my food and water jugs and liquor in Washoe County, not to mention a plethora of ice, some film, I lost $80 in gambling, My bike broke down in Winnamucca cost $120. The grand total for Nevada/Washoe county $400-$500 -- Andy, October 14, 1997 at 10:11a

I purchased more than $200 worth of professional slide film, just under $150 of liquor (hey, I swear, some of it was to bring home), and about $50 in groceries in Reno. Not to mention filling the gas tank of the RV we were driving to the tune of approximately 70 gallons, and three ice chests of ice (I think it was 22 blocks, whatever that costs) -- Dale L., October 14, 1997 at 8:55a

$100 at Safeway $60 gas -- JoMoCo, October 14, 1997 at 6:42a
WE spent in Washoe County during Burning Man: Food $ 45.00 Gas 78.00 Gambling 110.00 -- Rick S., October 14, 1997 at 2:32a

Total spent in Washoe County: Driving to Burning Man: Gas at Boomtown $37.00 lunch at Boomtown (4 people) $17.00 After Burning Man: We stayed at Boomtown on 9/1 - 9/5. Hotel (4 days) $200.00 Food (5 days) $250.00 Casino Net loss (2 people) $300.00 (we did OK) Children's archade (2 people) $400.00 (they spent more than we did) Gas going home $32.00 Total spent in Washoe County $1236.00 -- Jim C., October 13, 1997 at 6:31p

That monday Night after Burningman 6 of us stayed in Reno overnite. Stayed at the Peppermill Hotel gambled a little. With meals and everthing we spent at least $800.00 just in Reno. -- Gus H., October 13, 1997 at 4:51p

My flight to Reno from Vancouver, Canada on Reno Air - Cost approx. $200 U.S. Purchase of food, water, gas, other supplies in Reno (me and three friends): approx $250 U.S. One night stay in Reno trailer park, with meals and, casino visit (me and three friends): approx $95. -- Robert B., October 13, 1997 at 3:59p

Kat (not the one who is so often impersonated) and I spent a total of around $75 for gas in Washoe County. Everything else we carted in. -- Phillip, October 13, 1997 at 3:44p

Washoe County Spendings 1997

$50 - Groceries
$30 - Gas
$120 - hotel before & after B.M.
$30 - restaurant food
--------------------------
TOTAL: $230.00 -- Suzanne, October 13, 1997 at 0:17p

$100.00 groceries in the crappy little town near blackrock city $60.00 groceries in Reno $50.00 in lunch in Reno $60.00 in gas in Reno Plus there was the emotional cost of having to endure going through Reno. -- SM, October 13, 1997 at 0:03a

For the past 3 years we've spent the following: about $60 for hotel room, $30 for gas, $50 for meals, $25 for last minute suplies. It's the only reason we have for going to Reno. -- Don H., October 12, 1997 at 10:20p

approx. $120 at twin city surplus, $30 at home depot, $30 for misc. things like bungee cords & umbrellas, plus food - which was about $100 for food and water. -- craig, October 12, 1997 at 5:50p

Over $750 last year with car rental and other provisions completely purchased in reno... Car rentals in Nevada carry a whopping 15% plus tax on them... Plus i got a ticket from those fucking gerlach pigs (went to warrant to the tune of an additional $350) -- Baba louie of the gerlach wazooie, October 12, 1997 at 4:04a

$50 camera filter $15 ice $25 gasoline $10 cigars $30 groceries $20 resturants $15 army surplus $10 thrift store $21 extra film $200 nearly all together for one person -- Jon A., October 12, 1997 at 3:53a

I went to Burning Man in '96. I wanted to go this year but my husband is a little up tight about me having a good time without him. Oh well, hopefully NEXT YEAR!!!!! It was so awesome I have to go back. I didn't spend alot of money but did alot of partying of course. -- nikki, October 11, 1997 at 4:45p

Sorry, but I need to know how to get to 98's Burning Man. I wasn't sure about anything else I saw, please help me out. I've got some art that no one else understands and will blow you away. I'd kill for the chance to show it off. If anyone can help... -- Don K., October 10, 1997 at 8:20p

We spent $20 for gas in Reno, $45 for water, groceries and batteries at Keystone shopping center, $10 for yogurt and snacks at cute little yogurt shop in Keystone Center, about $18 for buffet at Circus Circus on the way home and $5 in slots. -- Mary Beth, October 10, 1997 at 5:32p

Food for two, film, batteries etc about $140 Shade awning $130 Water Containers $18 Auto Fuel $40 Costume Misc $70 Folding camp table $45 Solar shower $15 Money spent at: Copeland's Sporting Goods, Twin Cities Surplus, Scolari's -- Matt R., October 10, 1997 at 10:24a

In preparing for Burning Man, I'd say I spent the following in Reno: $20 for gas, $50 @ Costco, $50 at Albertsons & Safeway (food, water, ice), another $50 in other stores (costume preparations, gas for stove, etc.)and another $5 at a car wash once back in town. About $175 total. -- Purple Princess, October 10, 1997 at 10:22a

Our purple phreak camp had 11 people, 2 non-enviro vans, and a car. In Empire we bought lots o'gas, food on the way in and out, cigarettes (too many)and ice. We bought camping gear and ate in Reno on the way in and out. We spent about $550 total. -- Purple Phreak, October 10, 1997 at 9:28a

My husband and I flew in from L.A. -- we bought all of our groceries and a few sundry items from a shopping center in Reno -- about $100; we rented a truck for the weekend -- about $200; gas -- about $30; eating in Reno & Gerlach -- about $40. -- Linda W., October 10, 1997 at 8:39a

My friends and I spent $55 on gas and probably $30 in food. We also left over $50 in the slot machines. $135 total. -- Bone Daddy, October 10, 1997 at 8:16a

Spent $20 on gas in Gerlach, another $40 or so at the grocery store in Empire. In Reno I dumped about $250 on a new battery for the truck, some camping supplies and food. All told, that's $310 spent in Washoe Co. -- Terry, October 10, 1997 at 4:30a

We spent about $30 ($20 in Gerlach) on gas, $6 getting car cleaned by the nice kids in Gerlach, $5.00 for stawberry rubarb pie and a drink, and another $20 on food and cigarettes in Reno. -- randi, October 9, 1997 at 6:45p

$145 car rental $116 supplies (tent, lamp, sleeping bag) $ 40 groceries $ 35 hotel $ 18 gas $ 30 restaurant -- yvette, October 9, 1997 at 1:55p

Two of us spent at least $50 in gas, $40 in groceries/water, $20 in meals in the Reno area, plus some ice at the Empire general store. -- briand***@aol.com, October 9, 1997 at 1:52p

All told, about $60 in food and gas going in and out of Hualupai Playa. -- John, October 9, 1997 at 0:16p

Sorry- I'd heard before I left how Washoe was trying to jerk BM around and overcharge us. So I spent $6 at the Site for the Ice from the General store. Managed to gas up in california. Maybe if I'd felt like we were welcome I wouldn't have made a point of not spending any money in Nevada. -- Steve B., October 9, 1997 at 7:48a

About $40 bucks in gas, $30 in meals, $20 in gambling, $30 in foodstuffs, and about $30 in beer. -- Rob the Wop, October 9, 1997 at 6:21a

$120 in gas, $40 for food and drink, $60 for liquor, $19 for cigarettes, $100 on blackjack. fuck the nugget... -- n***@sirius.com, October 9, 1997 at 2:50a

We spent $120 on groceries, $25 on gas (one tank coming and going), $55 on a motel, $20 at Denny's in Reno... -- Anon., October 9, 1997 at 0:25a

My Epic Adventures in Black Rock City

2011-08-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Today we're featuring an epic slideshow set from photographer Brian Erzen. In sharing with us he wrote:

I'm a freelance photographer, and filmmaker. This was my 8th year heading home, and the first time in man years I brought a camera. I was asked by some good burner friends to be there photographer for the inner circle's fire conclave group Poi's in the Hood based out of LA. Which was a huge honor too me, so I brought my real camera equipment with me.

*I want to get the pictures out there, it was a labor of love for my friends and fellow burners, theres lots of stuff going in the pictures. I capture people and experiences, and not so much static cool art. Although there's tons of that too.

For both the Temple Burn and Burn Night I was as close as you could possibly be kneeling on the ground 30ft in front of the crowd.

DJ Zach Moore - Breaks for Black Rock City: Volume II

2011-08-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

DJ Zach Moore - Breaks for Black Rock City: Volume II by The Space Cowboys

New from DJ Zach Moore who writes:

The second volume of my Breaks for Black Rock City series is my set *as recorded live* from Public Works in San Francisco on Saturday, July 23rd, 2011. The Space Cowboys and Brass Tax teamed up that night to throw an absolute barn burner to benefit Pete Hudson's CHARON Project which will be featured at Burning Man this year. For more information on CHARON and Pete Hudson visit http://www.hudzo.com.

After a one-year Burning Man hiatus, I am excited to be heading back to the playa this year with my good friends at DISTRIKT. All four of my previous Burning Man experiences took place at 9:00 and F when the camp was called The Deep End and many of my closest friends remain key members of the camp today. So it's only appropriate I return to that familiar spot, where I've had so many wonderful experiences, for my fifth Burn.

I'll be spending a lot of time with my beloved Space Cowboys too over at 4:45 and Esplanade. And I'm looking forward to playing for my friends at the Nutz Camp, Disorient, Pink Mammoth and the Dancetronauts. I'll be posting a complete list of my Burning Man gigs at djzachmoore.com in the coming weeks. Stayed tuned!

Finally, make sure you add this mix to your list of things to pack for the playa. It may prove usefulf for the long drive to Black Rock City and back! Enjoy Boys and Girls!

Track List

1. Cali Edit - Cut La Roc
2. Turn Up The Volume (Dublic Rerub) - Autoerotique
3. Rubberman (Digital Sounds Breaks Edit) - Popmuschi
4. System Addict (Elite Force Revamp) - Plump DJs
5. Bangin Machine (Beta Remix) - Kid Digital
6. I-tune (Dublic Edit) - Miles Dyson
7. Bing Chi Bang (Cut La Roc Re-Edit) - Fox 5
8. Angello Justice (Cut La-Roc Re-Edit) - Cut La Roc
9. Cal State Anthem (Cold Blank Remix - Dublic Rerub) - PeaceTreaty, Kissed With A Noise
10. Travellin' (Elite Force Remix) [2008 re-mash] - Black Twang
11. TheTime (Stanton Warriors Remix) - Black Eyed Peas
12. Every Body - Left/Right, Digital Pizza
13. Take It To The House - Cut & Run
14. Rockall (Krafty Kuts Remix) - The Young Punx
15. Escapism - Slyde

Photo courtesy of Rob Boal. To check out more of Rob's work visit http://redboal.smugmug.com

For more information on DISTRIKT visit www.distriktcamp.org.

For more information on The Space Cowboys visit www.spacecowboys.org.

www.djzachmoore.com

Black Rock Arts Foundation Sponsors Launch of the Burning Man Non-Profit

2011-08-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

Source: NBC

Today in San Francisco is the official launch of the Burning Man Project non-profit.

The change in operation from a private LLC to a nonprofit organization is tremendous as it requires Burning Man to be more transparent in their business operations with finances for the event to be documented and reported to the Internal Revenue Service.

The launch of is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. today at United Nations Plaza.

The Barber Ella Shop Kickstarter Project is 90% Funded - Help Them Get to Goal! #burningman

2011-08-04T22:46:00.000-07:00

It’s three days into Burning Man and you’re ready to abandon that tangled mess that used to be your hair. Great, because Barber Ella Shop wants to give you a mohawk -- and they want to do it while wearing silver spandex and enormous Jane Fonda wigs. But first they need a little help...

The folks at Barber Ella Shop were thrilled to learn recently that Burning Man has placed them in the bustling 9:00 plaza. Now they're hoping to expand their budget to fit their exciting location -- to turn their humble haircuttery into a shop that's shinier, sexier, and most importantly more accessible. Any support you can give will be returned ten fold in mohawks!

A deeper look into Burning Man

2011-08-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

This video by by Rich Van Every who writes "In anticipation of our gathering on the Black Rock City Playa...this is a gift to you."

UPDATE: It was pointed out to us on Facebook that Rich also did this video to a different song:

Burning Man in the News

2011-08-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

BURNcast is always interested to see how Burning Man is featured in mainstream media. This roundup of clips are from local news stations from last week. Not really new news, but worthwhile coverage even if it's old.

The first story is BMorg's very own manager of communications ActionGrl speaking on behalf of the Org from the NBC affiliate in the Bay Area.

Second up is a story from KOLO news out of Reno about tickets being sold out and how people are managing.

The final story is also out of Reno. KTVN features a story about the Temple of Transition.

Leave No Trace Public Service Announcements: Playa Restoration!

2011-08-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

This series of PSA's is made possible by the Black Rock City Department of Public Works.

Motion Video Presentation By:
patchesTheJew

Creative Supervision By:
DA — Playa Restoration Manager

Sound Editing By:
Jimmy Fontana

First seen on: http://moopmap.blogspot.com/

Giving In To Astonishment: Scenes From Burning Man's American Dream by Michael Garfield

2011-08-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

The following audio essay as read by author Michael Garfield is from his adventures to Burning Man 2008. He writes:

Wandering the streets of Burning Man this summer, my contemplation of sacred geography and comparative mythology lead me to explore the relationship between the outer and inner worlds, death and rebirth, synchronicity, symbolism, and ritual...

This is the author-read audio of my essay/trip report from my virgin burn in 2008 and the two weeks I spent vagabonding in San Francisco afterward. The original essay in written form can be found online here.

In the spirit of Burning Man's gift economy, I highly encourage you to share this with your friends, mix it into DJ sets, whatever. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get ahold of me; my contact information, as well as links to plenty of free music and artwork, can be found here:

Enjoy!

(Just like the experience itself, the scenes as listed are not in chronological order. I have, however, given their original chronology in roman numerals for those who want to reconstruct a some semblance of linearity.)

Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky's Adventures at Burning Man #)'(

2011-07-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

DJ Spooky @ BM 2001

Back in 2001 Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid sparked a tremendous brouhaha at Burning Man when it was announced he would be spinning at Camp Xara. The story goes that Rangers became perturbed because they believed that his presence might cause a gang incident or something. But the real issue was Spooky promoting himself at the event. How far we've come as a community when the cause for concern back then was the promotion of a deejay.

Today, nobody bats an eye when the likes of Tiesto, Christopher Lawrence, Adam Freeland, Daft Punk, Paul Oakenfold, the Crystal Method, Carl Cox, Perry Farrell, etc.) ascend upon Black Rock City with a fanfare and a fanbase. In fact, superstar deejays are a serious draw to many participants, and are nowadays heavily promoted by a variety of media and especially by the camps that host them.

It doesn't take a genius to realize that the community (drink!) at large benefits from the juicy phat beats served up free on the playa every night. What's more: the fine folks of BMorg profit from these gifts from said deejays in the result of increased ticket sales from fans.

Burning Man Ticket 1999. Cost $40

In this video, DJ Spooky brings us all the way back to when Burning Man was young and feral with only 4,000 attendees -- "the ancient mid-nineties." Of note: as I recall tickets were only $40 then. (See image right).

Burning Man Ticket 2001. Cost $165.

After a romantic break up, Paul leaves New York to relax and "deprogram." But his attempts are thwarted by Pippi Longstocking's playa-wide hunt to prevent him from playing "commercial music" at the festival.

On the on-line forum "Reality Sandwich" from which this video was produced, contributing editor ST Frequency had this to say:

"As Paul mentions at the end of his story, some of the biggest names in commercial dance music are now star performers at the Festival, playing 45-minute showcase sets to massive crowds at MTV-Beach-Party-style setups. Oakenfold, DJ Dan, and Rabbit in the Moon at Burning Man? These guys are some of the highest paid and most accessible names in DJ culture. No offense to the artists -- they've all earned their cred in one way or another -- but it's the Electric Dance Music equivalent of putting a Starbucks or H&M on the Esplanade."

Whatever you may feel about what DJ's bring (or don't bring) to the playa and how they may (or may not) enhance your Burning Man experience, the sad truth is that due to the Burning Man Ticket Debacle of 2011, many deejays will not be able to attend the event this year and the BMorg doesn't really give a hot damn. Actiongrl, the Manager of Communications for the Black Rock City LLC recently remarked on an online burner forum called 3Playa: "Bassnectar still can't have my ticket."

But Bassnectar is nonplussed. According to recent tweets, he has a ticket but isn't committed to going yet.

Burning Man's Dave X Interview on Fire Safety, April 2011

2011-07-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

Recorded at the 2011 Burning Man Summit in San Francisco, California, by Wisconsin Regional Contact Eric Griswold. Posted by Wisconsin Regional Contact Marilyn Besasie.

Burning Man: A Conversation with Larry Harvey (7/19/11)

2011-07-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

This interview was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco on July 19, 2011.

RIP JarJar aka Penfold

2011-07-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for being my family.

On to the next thing.

I'll always be around, all you have to do is look for me.

Peace.

Micheal R. Steffy

"JarJar"

06.19.58 - 07.18.11

Gone Home

BURNcast.TV #64 - Guillow's Kit: A Kickstarter Project by Mike Pettengill for Burning Man 2011 #)'(

2011-07-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Mike Pettengill's art project entitled "Guillow's Kit" is a comprehensive installation complete with plans, box and model of a WWII Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighter aircraft at a full scale. The box and the plans will be printed using the technology employed in the printing of billboards. The vinyl plans will be staked throughly to the surface of the dry lake bed at the Burning Man and the box artwork will be fixed to a frame that will be secured nearby.

Upon these plans the artist and participants will assemble the 'kit'. Over the course of the event the plane will take shape, be assembled and then covered. The coverings will be reproductions of WWII era Japanese newspapers. The 'decals' of the model will be reproduced using the colors and text of these newspapers in collage. There will be lighting at night that will illuminate the finished model from within and from the outside. The lighting elements, plans and box will be recovered for use on future builds of this sculpture.

Wanna support Mike? Back this project via Kickstarter!

Need a Burning Man Ticket? 2 Available on eBay!

2011-07-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

Click to embiggen image

No, this is not spam and it's not a joke.

If you really want these tickets, you're going to have to find the auction on eBay yerself.

And if you're interested, I have some prime real estate on Esplanade to sell ya. In the tony area of 6:01-6:03, right next to First Camp! Leave a comment or DM me!

UPDATE: This auction item is sold.

Burning Man: Time To Change Your Mind #)'(

2011-07-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

We're b-a-a-a-ck after an extended interruption to our Blogger service which prevented us from uploading anything since July 12. We're sorry about that. But we'll be back this Tutu-Tuesday with something new.

Until then, here's a video from 2007 by CelebrateBig who writes:

Travel to Burning Man, through theme camps, day sights, and night experiences. Art installations, performances, art cars, Crude Awakening, the Burning of the Man, and some good ol' alternate reality.

Eric Schwabel's "Human Light Suit" Project for Burning Man #)'(

2011-07-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

At Burning Man 2010, photographer Eric Schwabel suited up and showed up on the playa in what he calls the "Human Light Suit" and with his camera in hand photographed members of the community (drink!) as evidenced in this video.

This year, Schwabel wants to reprise his experience only he wants to go bigger. He figures $18,000 will be plenty enough to upgrade the Human Light Suit so he's launched a Kickstarter project in an effort to raise the funds in order to take him home.

Eric also promises more video and images from the project to follow as he moves forward with the project. Stay tuned.

BURN BABY BURN - A Burning Man film by Paynie #)'(

2011-07-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

BURNBABYBURN from Steve Payne on Vimeo.

A few weeks ago we featured a Kickstarter documentary project entitled "Unusual Perspectives" by Burner and Los Angeles filmmaker Paynie. More about the project here.

While "Unusual Perspectives" promises to be a worthwhile venture, a decade ago Paynie produced "Burn Baby Burn" another Burning Man documentary that earned him some pretty epic burn cred. Today BURNcast is pleased to present to you this film in its entirety.

More from Paynie:

Shot by me .... a crew of one, back in 2001, on a small Sony camcorder and just 12 one hour tapes, then editing in 5 days with FCP.

I still really like this little film and I'm glad it's finally up there for all to see.

It's just under an hour and sometimes it takes a moment so start. Be patient.

Please help it spread it's naughty little self around and feel free to comment.

And thanks to all the support from The Borg and others for helping me get this out there.

And .... I'm doing a new film. Please click here for more details.
kickstarter.com/projects/paynie/unusual-perspectives

Thanks,
Paynie.

Revolvr's Burning Man 2010 Experience - Metropolis #)'(

2011-06-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

This video features DJ/producer Revolvr's (Touvan Sughiarto) trip to Burning Man 2010 but it was his visit to the event in 2009 that really opened his mind and influenced his music. Upon his return, he became Revolvr, and even his close friends told him, “You’ve found yourself.”

Temple of Transition Scale Model - Burning Man 2011

2011-06-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

We're really excited about this year's temple and this video gives us a reason to be. It's called "The Temple of Transition for Burning Man 2011" and it's taking shape at the build site in Reno, Nevada. To give participants an idea of the scale and scope of the finished product, the artists and fabricators behind the 2011 Temple built a scale model. More at Temple2011.org.

Making the Fire of Fires by Ira Weinschel #)'(

2011-06-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

A film by Ira Weinschel who writes:

This video is assembled from hundreds of still photos I took during the building of "The Fire of Fires", the Temple at Burning Man 2009. It includes shots from fundraisers in Austin and Houston, our build in Austin, TX during one of the hottest summers on record and the month we spent putting it all together on-playa.

Special thanks to The Mermen for allowing the use of their music in this video. Please visit them at mermen.net.

For more info about the project: communityartmakers.com

For more info about the photographer: sevenstarphoto.com

Kickstarter: "Unusual Perspectives" ~ a burning man film by paynie #)'(

2011-06-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

Burner and Los Angeles filmmaker Paynie is heading up a new documentary. His last film, "Burn Baby Burn" was pretty epic. This one has the potential to be just as awesome with your help.

Paynie writes:

The clip above is a camera test. I love how it turned out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know, there's been loads of films about Burning Man, so good, some bad, some painful. Trust me, I know, having made one myself a few years ago. So why shoot another?

Good question ..... and I'm glad you've asked.

Pretty much nothing at Burning Man is "normal," so why make a "normal" film? "Unusual Perspectives" will be anything but normal." At no point will the camera be placed on a tripod and someone asked "what Burning Man means to them."

There will be no "History of Burning Man" or "What the DPW really does" moments. The camera will fly on kites and helicopters. It will skydive and burn. It will be under that art car and in that cocktail.

I need to purchase some crash cams, GoPro's and r/c helicopters, 360° cameras, r/c trucks, hovercraft (seriously) and gliders .... and some hard drives .... etc.

11 years ago I shot "Burn Baby Burn" and it's about time I shot something new. I've also included a couple other links showing other work I've done recently.

Burning Man is about "art" and "community" .... this will all come through in the film .... with and "unusual perspective" and more.

Please, please, please ... even if you can't donate right now, hit the "Share" button on Facebook, or post this link wherever you think it will help.

Wanna know what Burning Man really looks like? Then I guess you'll want to see this film.

paynie

Honoring the Temple by Psilly Psimon

2011-05-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

Check out this video submission from Psilly Psimon, a long time contributor to BURNcast who wrote in to say "I heard this song for the first time the other day, and had to come home and immediately put some Burning Man video footage I took from '09 of the Temple to it. This is a video I put together to honor the Temple at Burning Man. I hope you enjoy it~!"

New Burning Man Inspired Mix - Recompression 2 )'(

2011-05-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Check it: a new mix from Dave Decibel for all you beautiful people. He writes:

Hey friends - thought I would share my latest podcast, ReCompression 2. Another year, and yet more excitement for heading out to the playa to be with all of you, this mix is meant to get you excited for some of the amazing music you can experience in BRC.

Donut Freakout: Mark Pincus from Zynga (and formerly of Tribe) Revisited

2011-05-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Pincus and friend Tom Cole, Burning Man 2005

Back in the day we interviewed Mark Pincus, the founder of the beloved Burning Man social network known as Tribe.net. In its hey day Tribe was pretty damn awesome rivaling the likes of Friendster and MySpace. Its appeal was to those of alternative lifestyles and artists with the Burning Man tribe being the largest on the site.

Pincus told BURNcast in the old interview we dug up featured above, that his first burn was in 2003 and not long after his return from the playa Tribe launched. At the time he had great things to say about our beloved community (drink!) which you'll hear in the interview and also read in this blog post dated September 28, 2004:

"what i love most about BM is how 'present' it is. there is little sense of time other than guessing dayparts by sun position. there is no agenda as you have nothing you need to do or accomplish in a given day other than very basic requirements like water and shade. BM is a community and place that fosters creativity, where weird and random are celebrated, conformity and judgement non-existent." (sic)

The problem with Tribe is that it wasn't profitable and eventually Pincus sold the network to go on and spearhead Zynga, the hugely successful social gaming company that developed Facebook games such as Farmville. It was this venture that got him on Forbes Billionaires List this past March.

In a recent interview Pincus told Vanity Fair why -- at least to him -- Tribe was a total fail:

“On the Web, whenever you have an open-ended community, it will basically turn into porn, and with Tribe, the hard-core Burning Man crowd uploaded pictures of themselves naked. My girlfriend at the time was this blonde, preppy, granola Marina Girl, and she was frightened off so fast by hairy, freaky guys who were sending her pictures of their balls.”

Burning Man 1997. Balls courtesy of Paul Addis
(Source: Wanda Power/Laughing Squid)

While we've never personally had this issue on Tribe per se, it does bring a whole new meaning to the term "great balls of fire".

Ba-da-bump!

R.I.P. Charlie Russell, Mayor of East Jesus #)'(

2011-05-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

RIP Charlie Russell (1965-2011)

Charlie Stephen Russell aka "Chasterus", born January 6, 1965, passed away on May 12, 2011 in his amazing art installation/home in East Jesus, Slab City, California, from unknown causes. Charlie is probably best known for "Cinnabar Charm" (named after the Th. Metger poem) a VW Camper Bus art car.

Of the many things said of Charlie since his passing, friend and lover Tré Taylor, said it best: "Charles Stephen Russell made a huge contribution to the free art world as we know it. There is a new generation of people who are now creating wide open free range off the grid art compounds all over the world, because of Charlie Russell. He lived everyday the way he wanted and how he wanted it. He was a living legend and hero to us all."

A memorial service for Charlie is slated for Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Nimby in Oakland, California. More information is available on Facebook.

BURNcast raises a chocolate martini in a toast to Charlie: "To Charlie. Community. Drink!"

Charlie Russell as featured in
The End of The Road - Documentary Trailer

from The Drone on Vimeo.

Charlie Russell's "East Jesus" as featured on

Leave an Interesting Trace - Part One from Zebulon on Vimeo.

5X5 Burning Man Day by Mini Madness

2011-05-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

A "5x5" or "5 Vignettes" is simply 5 short, 5 second clips. This one by Mini Madness.

Charlie Goes to Burning Man

2011-04-26T11:19:00.001-07:00

Playa GIF Gifts

2011-04-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hey there burners. Even though we worked hard to make this website HTML 5 compliant there's gonna be times when FLASH media is offered. Like today's slideshow from Buff Sanitized featuring these awesome animated GIFs from Burning Man 2010.

Buff wrote in to say: "Hi. I have some coolio gif images from Metropolis. I still need to upload the ones I made from Evolution to my photobucket account. Never enough time in the day, you know. Perhaps they might be enjoyed by others? Stay good, Stay clean. Buff loves you! ♥

Well BURNcast loves Buff more than bacon! Thank you! And thanks for sharing these playa GIFs!

Just FYI to all you readers out there: for some weird reason we've had some problems with the ability to see all images in the album through the embedded slideshow above. Here's the direct link to the Photobucket album if you're also having problems viewing the images as well. You might have a better experience at directly on Photobucket.

Burning Man 2010 METROPOLIS: Home Sweet Playa

2011-04-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

This video was uploaded to YouTube by livetotry who writes:

"After my virgin trip in 2009, I knew I had to go back Home. The signs that always touch me as you drive slowly into Black Rock city were wonderful this year, and I interwove them into this video to give you a sense for not just the sights and sounds, but the philosophy and meaning behind Burning Man and all that the dusty playa can be."

More here.

Get Ready for Tutu Tuesday )'(

2011-04-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hellooooo e'erybody...we're baaaaack!

Well...almost!

BURNcast is getting ready for our new season and we're testing a few things to make sure it ain't broke.

Yeah, yeah, if it ain't broke don't fix it, right?

Well unfortunately the BURNcast website has been broke for awhile. A lot of readers kept telling us that clicking here would crash their browser. We think (but we're not sure) it had something to do with all the crazy FLASH elements we served up to enable visitors to view our media enclosures live on the site in addition to subscribing to them via RSS.

For the interim, we offered this humble work around solution. We sincerely hope it helped.

But new for 2011 we made some changes around here. What? Did you think we took over a month off and just slacked off? Au contraire! We were busy, busy, busy behind the scenes trying to figger out how to make you happy.

So now BURNcast is proud to offer this brand new solution: we've gone HTML5. Woo hoo! This means that many visitors using an iPhone or an iPad can see what's going on around here, too. Seeing as I have an iPhone, I was really sad I couldn't see a lot of the content here on my phone so now I'm a happy camper too.

But...but... (there's always a but, right?) in some instances we weren't entirely able to disable FLASH and if you're having issues, please let us know.

With all these changes unfortunately may also come some hiccups. If you find your subscription fails to update, please be sure to subscribe to BURNcast using this feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BurncastBlog. You can also subscribe via email if ya want. Of course, we have NOT abandoned the Blogger platform, so if you're subscribed to us on Blogger, make sure that you've got the right blog: http://burncast.blogspot.com

Now for us to roll out these changes, we're gonna need some help. If you see some strangeness in our RSS feed, whether through your reader or on Facebook please help us help you and let us know. Post a comment here on the blog or contact us here.

Here's hoping this transition to HTML5 and a new server will be smooth! Until then, stay tuned for Tutu Tuesday!

In Loving Memory: Rik Sharaj

2011-02-11T01:10:00.000-08:00

As we mentioned in a previous post, this blog is on hiatus until further notice. However, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the passing yesterday of Rik Sharaj, a longtime member of both the Burning Man and Moontribe communities.

Rik was a master sitarist that performed at many events including the Glastonbury Festival, Burning Man, Mountain Air, LearningParty, Zenfest and Moontribe. He's played and recorded alongside stars like Stuart Copeland, Micky Hart, George Clinton, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and Zakir Hussain. Rik has also worked with some of Southern California's best underground deejays such as Lorin, Solar Angel, and Odysseus.

BURNcast caught up with Rik just a month ago in Los Angeles at a party on 01/11/11. That brief reconnection was good but also sad that it would be our last time we would see him on this plane of existence.

Namaste, Rik. Thank you for the music.

BURNcast Wraps Up Another Season

2011-02-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

This video was submitted to us months ago and we thought it would be perfect for wrapping up this season of BURNcast. It's from Glenn Lym who says he shot it on his iPhone 4 and that most of the audio is live.

BURNcast still has more videos in our line-up thanks to all the submissions from readers like you. But the thing is, we're gonna go on hiatus until spring so those submissions will start our new season then. Those of you who have been with us from the beginning know that we usually take a break sometime after Christmas for a couple months but there was so much cool stuff to share this year that we decided to push our break until the beginning of February.

Now don't be bummed 'cause there are still many ways to stay connected with BURNcast while we're on hiatus. You can follow us on Twitter, join us on Facebook or become a contributor or even a guest blogger.

That's right!

If you have an essay to share (or a video, mixtape, or slideshow) about the art, culture and community (drink!) of Burning Man send it to us here and we'll take a look at it. Also, if you want to be a regular contributing blogger, pitch us your idea. We'd love more party-cipants! Finally, if you have any tips to share about breaking stories about people or projects within the community (drink!) shoot us an email. We love it when you dish us the dirt! :)

So f*ck yer day, everbody. We'll be back. And if there is any breaking news that absolutely can't wait until we return, you can be sure we'll post something here in the interim.

The People of Burning Man - a Kickstarter funding project

2011-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Back in 1999 before there even was a thing called BURNcast we had the supreme pleasure of camping near Julian Cash aka "Super Snail" as well as Dr. Megavolt at Burning Man. Oh, yes, those were the good old days when tickets were less than $60 and attendance was under 10k. Burning Man was better last century!

That year Julian would take photos -- sometimes even nekkid photos -- of people in his tent that he lit like a ginormous softbox. This year he's trying to Kickstart a book out of it. Here's his official word on the project:

This video was created to explain a Kickstarter funding project to publish a photography book entitled "The People of Burning Man" and give a sample of the other world than can be found inside. Currently the book is about 200 pages and includes many thousands of images. We will be doing an offset print run of several thousand copies of the book. By funding this project, you are helping us to create the world where a book like this can exist. For more information:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juliancash

We spent about a decade documenting the people and culture of Burning Man.

Many of the images celebrate joy and life. Others were created to confront social rules that need to be challenged. Many of the photographs grew from this simple conversation: "How do you want the world to be different?" which was followed with "Let's create an image which will help bring forth that change."

Any nudity shown is part of the artistic expression of Burning Man and not intended in any erotic context.

All photo subjects have signed a image release.

Google Hearts Burning Man

2011-01-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from Bloomberg's "Game Changers" series about Google. Burning Man reference at the 2:01 mark.

The documentary first aired 28 October 2010.

Eric Schmidt @ Burning Man
2007 (via Gawker)

Yesterday it was announced that Google's CEO Eric Schmidt was stepping down from his position within the company. What this has to do with Burning Man per se is absolutely nothing. Except that this blog is dedicated to the art, culture and community (drink!) of Burning Man. To that end, Schmidt and Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page are burners with both Page and Brin in attendance at the festival almost as long as they've been running their company.

The story goes that Schmidt got the job at Google because he was the only candidate for the position that had been to the event according to Silicon Valley journalists John Markoff and Gregg Zachary.

In 2003 Business Week reported that after Schmidt landed the job "one of the first orders of business was joining his new 20-something colleagues at Burning Man.... Sitting in his office shortly after his return, tanned and slightly weary, Eric Schmidt couldn't have been happier. "They're keeping me young," he declared."

There's an entire chapter devoted to Burning Man in the national bestseller book published in 2005 about Google: "The Google Story" by David Vise, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the Washington Post in which the author describes Burning Man as a "counterculture" commune event of about 18,000 people held yearly in a "desolate stretch of Nevada's Black Rock Desert" that attracts "a motley assortment of other technologists, artists, anarchists, intellectuals and free spirits" and where "nudity and drugs mingled easily," "buying and selling were forbidden" and "advertising is banned." That's not to say you couldn't buy "burning man" as a Google AdWord though. We're just sayin'.

The first "Google Doodle" circa 1998

Google loves Burning Man so much that in 1998 the Google logo on the website's landing page was altered during the week of the event to include an image of the Man to one of the "o's" in Google. This was the first of what would come to be known as a "Google doodle". The intent was to send a comical message to Google users that the founders were “out of the office.”

In his paper entitled "Burning Man at Google: a Cultural Infrastructure for New Media Production" Fred Turner, Associate Professor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Communication at Stanford University, believes that elements of the Burning Man — including the building of a sociotechnical commons, participation in project-based artistic labor and the fusion of social and professional interaction — helped to shape and legitimate the collaborative manufacturing processes driving the growth of Google.

While there now may be a job opening at Google the CEO position has already been filled by Larry Page. But if you're thinking it might be kinda cool to work there, according to Future Boy, a one-time guest on the BURNcast podcast, you not only need a "degree from a top-notch university and a stratospheric GPA. But Page and Brin also have a preference for hiring Burning Man attendees...."

BTW, we're told that Google enjoys camping within a stone's throw of First Camp, the playa compound of the Black Rock City LLC's senior staff. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and say "hi".

Burning Man 2011 Tickets Now On Sale!

2011-01-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Tickets for Burning Man are now on sale! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry and get yer ticket to ride!

My Playa Adventure - Burning Man 2010 [pt. 2] by Mastahnick

2011-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

In case it's not obvious, BURNcast is a h-ee-yuge fan of Mastahnick's Burning Man videos and this one is no exception. It's the second part of a two-parter from his 2010 video series -- the first one we posted here. But here's the one that started it all.

Anyway we were gonna post this video to follow the first one back in October when it was originally released but sorry to say that it got buried in the number of media submissions we've received since then and it's only now that we're getting around to posting it.

Now, have YOU got a video, music track, slideshow, essay, haiku, or article that you would like to share with BURNcast followers? Oh, by all means: BRING IT! It might take wee whiley to post but we will get to it ... eventually!

What I Did On My Summer Vacation - Burning Man 2010

2011-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

The above video is from albert speer. It's more of an essay set to a slideshow and music than it is a video, so be prepared to sit and actually read it to get the most of it. Once you get past the fact that some of the sub-titles are kinda hard to read I think you'll find the narrative told here pretty cool.

Here's the story:

Two Rochester NY Artists Eddie Davis III and Aydin Ture go participate in the Burning Man project, an Art Festival in the Middle of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.

Seeing with Virgin Eyes.

They Join the theme camp ROOT SOCIETY, a large scale "sound camp" on the playa.

They become part of a large crew.

This is their story.

and if you ever thought about going to Burning Man,

well, rumor has it that it's going to be Hot, Dusty and Noisy and that it's going to suck.

burn on.

Eternal Thanks to Jefr, the Root Society captains, and the entire camp, we love you.

In Loving Memory: Grant Fey

2011-01-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

Grant Martin Fey, born in Memphis, TN and resident of Ventura, CA died Tuesday December 21, 2010 at the age of 33. An informal memorial and hike in his honor took place yesterday in Ventura.

Co-worker Michael Destito remembers Grant: "I worked with Grant at The Good Bar in Ventura, CA. He was an awesome guy who worked hard and was my friend. He cracked me up with his crazy-colored pants he'd wear to work and when it was slow we kicked back on the patio with a coffee and watch Ventura's downtown Main St. go by on a Sunday afternoon. He was a GREAT cook and an even greater human being. He'll be missed by us all."

For those who knew Grant and missed an opportunity to attend the memorial, we apologize for the late notice of this announcement but we just heard about it this morning.

Rest in peace, Grant.

John McLaughlin's New Year's Resolution? Attend Burning Man!

2011-01-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend political commentator John McLaughlin announced his New Year's resolution for 2011 was to attend the Burning Man Festival.

McLaughlin is the creator, executive producer and host of two weekly public affairs programs: The McLaughlin Group and One On One.

It's worth noting that McLaughlin used to be a speech writer for Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Welcome home, John!

BURNcast.TV Home Videos: PEX (The Philadelphia Experiment) @ Burning Man 2007

2011-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

This video concludes our three part series of Burning Man 2007 videos from Hedy Sirico. It features footage from the theme camp called Philadelphia Experiment.

In Philadelphia
there is an experiment;
an examination of a life…
a community
beyond the false borders
of the homophobic, claustrophobic
caustically toxic
closed minded social order
that feeds us disunity.
The experiment
is an examination of rhythmic sound,
an observation of human creativity,
an exercise in social autonomy,
the rehearsal of a collective economy,
a measurement of participatory allegories,
and that of dreams becoming realities.
There is freedom
and liberation…
an emancipation from the socially toxic “me first” nation.
And there is dancing…
like no one’s watching
dreaming with your feet
getting into that higher trance type of dance.
Formed in the Black Rock City valley
this Philadelphia experiment
is a reflection
of radical self-expression,
a manifestation
of urban in-ergy
human synergy
mind-blowing
free-love showing
consciousness raising
acceptance of the beauty in asymmetry.
It is a mindset.
A realized concept…
the silhouette of a calumet
shared in peace.

In Philadelphia… there is an experiment… and it is we.

The Philadelphia Experiment -A Poem Inspired by the Decompression
by Oskar Castro aka Bohiti

The Best of Bootie 2010

2010-12-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

Best Of Bootie 2010 by bootie

Some of you may remember Adrian Roberts as the one responsible for bringing Black Rock City's most popular alternative newspaper the PISS CLEAR to Burning Man from 1995 to 2007.

But as DJs Adrian and his partner in crime the Mysterious D (together aka A plus D) the two are also widely hailed as the duo that helped bring mashup and bootleg culture to America. Since 2005 they've been bringing Bootie BRC to the playa.

Just in time for your New Year's bash A Plus D have compiled and mixed "The Best Mashups of 2010" from DJs all over the globe and pureed them all together to form the best accumulation of 2010 audio. This mix includes Lady Gaga with Daft Punk, tossing in a few old school faves from Will Smith and Bob Marley.

Download here and enjoy!

BURNcast.TV Home Videos: Putt Putt Playa, Burning Man 2007

2010-12-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

This video is part two of a three part series of Burning Man 2007 videos from Hedy Sirico. I think it's a great testament to how much work goes on inside theme camps before they even get to Burning Man.

In this video we go behind the scenes as the Putt Putt Playa theme camp prepares for the event. About 2/3's of the footage documents all the blood and sweat, spit and polish (not to mention elbow grease) it takes for the camp to make it happen.

Then they finally get to Black Rock City but not long after they get set-up, Putt Putt Playa gets totally pummeled by a nasty ass dust storm that completely obliterates their Thursday. If you've never endured one of these (or would like to relive the moments with the folks at Putt Putt Playa) you can see it all at around the 21:00 mark. But as any true burner, the Putt Putts prevail and make it through to see the double rainbow and enjoy another burn.

Note: This video file is over 25 minutes long and it's about 212 mb large. It was rendered for mobile devices and it's also the file that's available for download in iTunes. You can view a larger version that's 320 mb on Vimeo.

BURNcast.TV Home Videos: WDYDWYD Burning Man 2007

2010-12-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

We're going to wrap up the next few weeks of 2010 and roll into 2011 with a three part home video series of Burning Man 2007 from filmmaker Hedy Sirico. Sirico submitted another series of great home videos last year that you might enjoy including "Burning Man 2008: The Amer-I-Can Dream".

Today we're proud to present episode #1, which is just simply entitled "WDYDWYD". Here burners were asked the simple question "Why do you do what you do?"

This video is over 20 minutes long and it's about 158 mb large. It is the mobile version (meaning it was rendered for smaller screens such as those of mobile devices) and it is also the version that's available for download via iTunes. You can view a a larger, higher quality version that's 238 mb on Vimeo.

All Aboard the Airship Victoria

2010-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Airship Victoria is a steampunk dirigible and multi-year project conceived by Stacey Reineccius and designed by Trevor Tuttle. Above is an old episode of BURNcast when the AV was still in its planning stages back in 2009.

For Burning Man 2010 the AV was built on a matrix of seven 10 ft diameter balloons attached to a hand-made aluminum frame. Once airborne, the dirigible attempted to lift a 1 kilowatt Tesla coil above the ground. The coil and LED lighting system were controlled by a midi keyboard on the ground creating a music and light show unlike anything built before.

There's more videos plus photos of the Airship Victoria from this year's burn on their Facebook page and also on YouTube. Unfortunately, the admin has disallowed embedding and sharing otherwise I would have posted them here instead. So go on over and check'em out. They're gearing up for Burning Man 2011 and they're looking for volunteers. Tell'em I sent'cha!

Burning Man 2010 ADD Montage by Baraka )'(

2010-12-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

This video submission by Baraka who writes: "An internet Attention Deficit Disorder montage of my week at Burning man with seven other virgins. Sky diving and tons of ART ART ART!!!!"

Texas to Black Rock - Burning Man 2010 )'(

2010-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I got my video submissions along with their descriptions mixed up. Sorry for the confusion! In this video, as submitted by Lowe, six guys from East Texas travel half way across the country.

According to Lowe: "We hit a few bumps across the country to get there, but had the time of our lives. Made some great friends, thanks to Camp Titycaca for welcoming us with open arms. Till next year: peace."

Self As City, City As Self (Lecture from Entheon Village @ Burning Man 2010)

2010-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today's video is from Michael "aka Percival aka The Professor" Garfield who writes:

"As an evolutionary biologist and developmental psychologist by training, I typically gift Black Rock City by expounding on lofty philosophical topics pertinent to the year's art theme...like the construction of selfhood in relationship to the collective."

'I gave this lecture at Burning Man Festival's Entheon Village as part of their 2010 symposium on sustainability and community. Entheon's focus on visionary art and psychedelic conversation, and Burning Man's dedication to the city as collaborative creative play, made it obvious to me that the year's art theme, "Metropolis," called for a talk on the many ways that individual and collective are intertwined.."

'This is a whirlwind tour of concepts from evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, philosophy, architecture, and art that - taken together - point us toward a new understanding of the self as a multitude and our communities as living, sentient beings."

Lecture: clips from "Self As City, City As Self" given at Entheon Village, Burning Man 2010.
Visual Art: "Finally, Release" painted live at Whole Earth Festival, May 7 - 8, 2010.
Music: "Conglomerate" improvised live in Arcata, California 28 July 2010

Burning Man '09 Photo Montage )'(

2010-11-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Just when I think it's time to wrap up this season of BURNcast, in come several more video submissions (from readers like you!) to keep this blog going. This video comes from longtime BURNcast fan Psilly Psymon.

Psymon says, "Here is a little photo montage I did of Burning Man '09. I hope you enjoy it~!"

Burning Man 2010 - Living in the City

2010-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

This video is by David Fburn who wrote in to share the following:

Heya !!!

This my second burn and not the last !!! when i came last year , like many , i bring video cam and i realize with classic device you can't film and enjoy and interact with other that's why i bought a micro sport camcorder , and it's was almost perfect :))

I made my first rec on the playa and it's only when i came back in default world i have been able to see what i recorded ( and it's very special experiment because so many little things happens in the playa, you can't remember everything and when i watched 10days after BM i was like : "OMG, how could i forgot that , and that ... It's like my video memory of the many little moments i lived in the playa .
I didn't try to make a best of , it's more a virtual visit of 1% of burning man !

This is only my 3rd video montage , and i know there're many little thing to fix but i had hours and hours of video footage i made with my HATcamcorder, and i had to make a video clip .

The good thing with micro cam it's : you have both free hand and you can enjoy the event like everyone else . The Bad side : no visor or control screen , no zoom and wide angle !

My Hat was on the side , i try to correct the video angle but sometime i couldn't :( i'll fix that for next year .

Thanks for all , et vous me manquez beaucoup! can't wait to cyu @home next year .

And if someone have a video of the burn night and can share it for my night and day video, it would be awesome ( of course i'll put your name in credit and it's for no commercial use of course :)

Saturday night i was way to high and i enjoy the moment , i don't have a single pic or video of the all night ... i'm aslo interrest by the first explosion @7pm of friday night " Bleve"

cya
David Fburn

Music : Space cowbow - Dj Trav [Seismic] - lovely disco
and Dj Elite Force - Burning man 2010 RIPEcast Mix - for the night preview .

Go Vote!

2010-11-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Photo Jaime Carrero

Happy Tutu-Tuesday everybody. BURNcast will be dark this week but may resume next week at its usually scheduled blog postings.

Until then: go out there and VOTE!!!

Friday's Burning Man Music Post! )'(

2010-10-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Elite Force - Burning Man 2010 RIPEcast Mix

First posted on 22 August 2010:

This week The Space Cowboys are pleased to bring you a very special Burning Man edition of The RIPEcast courtesy of Tech Funk pioneer and good friend, Elite Force [U&A Recordings]. Featuring several unreleased Elite Force "revamps", this masterful RIPEcast exclusive mix is the perfect tune-up for the Playa, Boys and Girls. Don't forget to add it to your list of things to pack for Black Rock City.

For a complete schedule of Elite Force Burning Man gigs, including his Friday night set at the Black Rock Hoedown on the Unimog inside The Temple of Flux, visit: http://www.uaarecs.com/burningman.htm

And for a free download of the Elite Force vs. Prodigy "Smack the Force Up" MP3 visit: http://t.opsp.in/K9lB

Track List
1. Intro - LSD
2. Seductive - Take Control (Tom Stephan Mix)
3. Djedjetronic - Bit This Thin
4. Chemical Brothers - Horse Power (re-fueled)
5. Proxy - Vibrate (Noob Mix)
6. Lee Coombs - Italo Disco (Maelstrom Mix)
7. Dom G - Work (DJ Dan & Mike Balance Mix)
8. Chasing Shadows - Amirah (Elite Force Revamp)
9. Elite Force & Various - Hangover Deep (Revamp)
10. Chems Vs Dyson - Swoon (Elite Force Revamp)
10b. Elite Force - Psychotrope Jams (extract)
11. Zodiac Cartel Vs Elite Force - Devil's Mashup
12. Felix Luker - Mechanical
13. Paul Chambers - Yeah Techno! (BeatauCue Mix)
14. Bitrok - Closest Strangers (Loops of Fury Mix)
15. JDS - Blackout (Elite Force Re-fix)
16. Felix da Housecat - Oops
17. Don Diablo - Who's Your Daddy (Black Noise Mix)
18. Ed Rush & Plaza da Funk - Keep Your Pacman (a Revamp)
19. MJ Cole - Sincere (Nero Vs Elite Force Revamp)
20. New Originals - 1979
21. Excision - Subsonic (Elite Force Revamp)
22. Elite Force & Bar 9 - Shaolin Style
23. Outro - Now Generation

Simon Shackleton’s Elite Force project began way back in 1996, debuting on his own newly founded Fused and Bruised label with a series of peerless 12s and remixes. After a successful five years, he put Fused and Bruised on the backburner to concentrate on production work, and following several years with Whole9Yards and Moonshine he became a mainstay recording artist for AdriftRecordings (formally known as Kingsize Records) before moving on to set up hisown hugely successful U&A imprint.

Often credited for being a lynchpin in the developing the tech-funk genre (an amalgamation of breaks, house, techno and electro) he has released a series of highly successful singles in the past few years, finding broad support from DJs and musicians across the board, including the likes of James Zabiela, Sasha, Crystal Method, Laurent Garnier and Fatboy Slim to name but five. In 2008 released a semi-retrospective double album’s worth of remixes and re-workings of a 12-year back catalogue, with over 25 mixes coming from such luminaries as Miles Dyson, Rogue Element, Deepgroove, Dylan Rhymes & Calvertron.

In addition to these solo singles, Meat Katie has been a regular collaborator with Elite Force, a relationship that had begun in 2003 with the massive-selling 'Toba', and that will see their creative relationship come to fruition in 2009 with the launch of their new joint project under the name ‘Dustbowl’, as well as a series of singles under the ‘Meat Katie & Elite Force’ banner.

As a remixer, Elite Force has always been in huge demand, with re-workings for the likes of Grandmaster Flash, Crystal Method, Jungle Brothers, Stereo MCs, UNKLE, Infusion, Rennie Pilgrem, Shiloh and Dylan Rhymes all contributing to his reputation as one of the most creative and effective remixers around.

Elite Force's music has also been the soundtrack to many a movie, with a huge list of impressive A-list credits to his name, including the likes of the Matrix, Charlie's Angels, Arlington Road, Mortal Kombat, Crow, The Bone Collector, The Jackyll, Spiderman 2 and his music has appeared on a wide array of TV shows, from CSI to Top Gear, from Football Focus to LA Doctors. He's also soundtracked a number of computer games, including no fewer than 5 FIFA games, several of the Wipeout series, The Matrix and Motorstorm 1, and he is currently writing some bespoke music for forthcoming games for Ferrari and Motorstorm2.

On the decks, Elite Force has been a prime mover since 1990 when he cut his teeth playing huge student nights and self-promoted acid house nights in the South West of England, before moving up to ....London.... and ultimately gravitating towards his tech-funk style, with which he now has a full diary of global bookings. He has become known as one of the top technicians on a circuit that has included massive shows in Belarus, Hungary, Australia, Italy, USA, Czech Republic, India, Turkey, Spain, Japan, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and China, amongst others, as well as numerous festival slots including Glastonbury, Coachella, Bloom, Wickerman, the Glade and more recently Burning Man.

He was also responsible for the hugely influential Strongarm Sessions webcasts which became something of an institution since their inception back in 2001, receiving as they did around 20,000 downloads per show, but now put on the backburner to concentrate on other projects, such as his own blog (Techfunkmanifesto) and his other musical projects, such as Dustbowl (with Meat Katie).

For more information on Elite Force visit:
http://www.facebook.com/djeliteforce

For more information on The Space Cowboys visit:
http://www.spacecowboys.org

So Connected... ?

2010-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Saint Hollywood style at Burning Man 2010!

Friday's Burning Man Music Post! )'(

2010-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Burning Man Base Soundscape: Sounds From The Urban Innerground by Searchl1te

Today's particular music offering by Searchl1te is totally cool. It's really not so much music as it is an aural taste of the sounds of Burning Man. It reminds me of an old episode of the BURNcast podcast entitled "Hope, Not Fear - A Podcard from Burning Man 2006". Having cut my teeth on audio podcasts I prefer sound recordings from the playa if for the simple fact that the listener must use their imagination more so than watching videos of Burning Man and in so doing, enjoy nuances and remembrances of the event that are deeply personal.

Of these recordings, Searchl1te says:

"These are previews of the sound design that will be installed on the base of the Man at this year's Burning Man Festival.'

"Sounds From the Urban Innerground is a 24-hour sequence of recordings gathered by our team as we visited urban centers around the world.'

"The piece is structured in blocks of time that are archetypal in many urban environments: Early morning -> Morning transition -> Morning bustle -> Lunchtime shuffling -> Afternoon bustle -> Afternoon/Evening transition -> Dinnertime shuffling -> Nighttime revelry -> Overnight dreamscape.'

"We approached the project with the idea that the Man Base brings civic engagement into sharp relief. Like a visit to any central monument—from the Statue of Liberty to the Great Wall of China—people will be most connected to the event and its theme when they come to the Man. Generally, our environment will reinforce that experience by creating indelible memories of moments inspired by sounds and the feelings they conjure. Specifically...well...just visit the Man and hear for yourself."

Burning Mensch!

2010-10-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Jelvis the Jewish Elvis entertains on the playa.

Friday's Burning Man Music Post! )'(

2010-10-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Wolf + Lamb on Robot Heart - After Burn @ Burning Man 2010 by Robot Heart

Tarp Surfing Burning Man 2010

2010-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for tasty waves and sweet swells but the waves are flat? No problem. If you've got a tarp, you can surf the playa any time.

A Burning Man Timeline in Stick Figures by Surly Girl

2010-10-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Click on image to embiggen and be taken directly to Surly Girl's website.

Today @ Noon in Los Angeles: Burning Dan's Memorial Potluck

2010-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Above is a playlist of memorial videos uploaded to YouTube since the passing of Burning Dan. If you would like your video to be included please contact me on YT.

Also, today at straight up noon is Burning Dan's Memorial Potluck in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, at Western and Los Feliz.

Friday's Burning Man Music Post! )'(

2010-10-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

stadenco live at Burning Man 2010 by stadenco

Stadenco recorded live after the burning of the man, Saturday 9/4/10, in the dome at Camp Aluminaughty.

It's Been A Month Since Burning Man

2010-10-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since Burning Man 2010 ended and BURNcast has been all-Burning-Man-all-the-time since we got back from Black Rock City, serving up fresh videos, music and more every day, twice -- sometimes thrice -- a day, five days a week.

And like all good things, this too must end.

Well, maybe just power down just a teensy bit.

Starting next week we'll be scaling back our blog posts to one or two times a week. Of course, depending on the community's (drink!) activity with posting to our Facebook fan page, you could also check in there from time to time to see what's happenin'.

But don't be sad! We're not stopping this train completely. We'd love to keep posting well into these next few months and we can't do it without you!

So if you've got music, videos, photos, essays -- anything to share that has to do with art, culture and community (drink!) of Burning Man -- then by all means submit your work here.

Oh, and just think: the Man burns in 330 days!

"My Epic Adventure in Black Rock City 2010" by ErzenDesign

2010-10-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today's slide show comes to us from ErzenDesign who wrote in to say: "This was my 8th year in Black Rock City, and I was invited to be the photographer for the Fire Conclave group "Poi's in the Hood" on burn night. Being allowed into the great inner circle was such and honor to me, and since I had my camera gear, I figured I'd take pictures all week long. I'm a freelance photographer, and a long time burner. I feel that these images capture the vibe as well as tell the stories of the Epic Adventures in Black Rock City 2010. I mean starting off with a double rainbow was one hell of a good omen!"

Amazing New Video by 1ml Entitled "RIP BURNING DAN: in memoriam"

2010-10-07T00:50:00.000-07:00

This stunning video portrait of Burning Dan was lensed and edited by 1ml.

Note: this video is featured in HD. If you have a slow connection it is really worth the wait.

In Loving Memory: Burning Dan

2010-10-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

The RenFaire and Burning Man communities have suffered a great loss when Daniel Gordon-Levitt aka "Burning Dan" passed away ~~on Sunday, 3 October 2010~~ at 3:58 am on Monday, 4 October 2010. The details as to his demise are sketchy however according to Teafaerie: "It was a tragic accident. I was with him when he passed, and he was not in pain or afraid." The featured video above is an edited clip from a longer episode of BURNcast TV which posted last year. In this excerpt, Curious Josh introduces Burning Dan.

----------- )'( -----------

UPDATE 6 OCT 2010: Earlier this evening Teafaerie posted on Burning Dan's Facebook wall the following statement: "The media has been reporting that dan [sic] died of a drug overdose. This is not true. It was a drug-related accident, but he was always smart enough to check dosage. There will be no further comment on this topic. Please help us to focus on his life and not on his death. Thank you for your respect."

----------- )'( -----------

I met Dan for the very first time back in 2002 when he was a guest at my themed birthday party entitled "Kings & Queens". He showed up all decked out in an awful, fugly brides-maid's gown, a huge pink wig, long white gloves, a bouquet of roses and a tiara. The sash he wore said "Prom Queen". He was absolutely spectacular! I was introduced to him on the dance floor and together we caused a scene to Abba's "Dancing Queen".

Yup. That was my introduction to Dan and it was epic!

After Burning Man this year, Dan posted an essay that he had co-written with Teafaerie on Facebook entitled "Dangerous Art". It was so wonderful, I asked him to share it on BURNcast and we were working on making him an admin to the BURNcast blog in order to contribute before his untimely death. Below is their collaborative essay.

Dangerous Art

by Burning dan and The Teafaerie

"Come be reborn!"

I'm standing out on the Esplanade, watching two hot chicks working the crowd. Everybody at Burning Man is hot. It must be over 100 degrees out. These girls are also adorable though, and their fluorescent faux fur bikinis don't leave much to the imagination. I eye their installation warily. The hotties are wielding a pressurized tank of ice water, but in order to get hosed down I'd have to take off all of my clothes, climb up three stories of construction scaffolding, crawl out onto a big weblike hammock thing and wriggle face first down a long tight macrame tube. The guy who's stuck in there now forgot to remove his piercings and one of the girls climbs up on a ladder to help him out. She asks him what he wants his new playa name to be, but he demurs. Her partner solicits suggestions from the crowd. Someone shouts out "Puppycat!", and there is a general murmur of approval. Soon he's twisting and screaming in the icy spray, struggling gamely to free himself while the sweaty throng chants his new moniker and cheers him on. Eventually his head emerges from the bottom of the tube, and then the rest of him, rather suddenly. He hits the ground with a thud, but he's smiling. "Dangerous art right here in Black Rock City!" The scantily clad docent winks as she returns the nipple ring. "And you thought it was going out of style."

Dangerous art might be on the decline at Burning Man, but to suggest that it's passe is sort of a sacrilege. Sure there's a ban on firearms these days, and the Molotov cocktail throwing range has long since passed from memory into legend, but the back of every ticket still says "You voluntarily assume the risk of serious injury or death by attending," and the week long festival of community, creativity and excess still threatens to change its participants lives forever.

Most of the time the Black Rock Desert is, well, deserted. Way back in the Pleistocene the enormous Lake Lahontan covered much of Northwestern Nevada, but relentless climate change eventually dried it all up, leaving behind a desolate playa of whitish alkali salt flats. Nothing in nature is tenacious or foolhardy enough to call the hostile environment home, and humans use it only rarely. In fact, aside from occasional attempts to break the world land speed record and such, nothing much goes on out there.

Once a year, however, the playa shimmers like a mirage and transforms itself almost overnight into a sort of counterculture Brigadoon. On the week leading up to Labor Day, that most forsaken of wastelands becomes Black Rock City, the seventh largest community in Nevada. It's many things to many people, but even the most jaded of its critics agree that it's never boring. Burning Man is a social experiment, a networking opportunity, an outdoor art museum, a rite of passage, a great excuse to blow stuff up and the best damned party in the world. It's a confusing co-incidence of opposites to be sure: The land itself is entirely dead and yet the event positively teems with the essence of what it means to be alive. The constraints of camping in the desert make for a stark yet lush wholly human environment that is by turns austere and wildly hedonistic. Almost totally uncensored, the art itself is at once beautiful and irreverent, addressing both the sacred and the profane with the same frank and ironically self-aware panache. It is an exercise in radical self reliance and also an effective demonstration of our essential interdependence. It's an immersive experience, intended to shock the senses and stagger the mind. To compare it to any other festival would be specious. There is a truism amongst enthusiasts that Burning Man, like the psychedelic experience that informs a large subsection of it's culture, cannot be satisfactorily described to a non-initiate. That doesn't stop folks from going on and on about it about it, though, as many long suffering friends of devoted participants can attest. First year Burners are the worst. They sound exactly like zealous converts to some kinky new religion; except the only dogma seems to revolve around the decommodification of goods and services, radical self expression, total participation, low environmental impact, and the primacy of immediate experience.

Ever since 1986, when founder Larry Harvey first burned a wooden effigy on Baker Beach in San Fransisco, people have been asking what it all means. Larry himself has been intentionally vague on the topic. Like the homonymous event, the 70 foot tall sculpture of a man is not intended to mean anything in particular. What you take out of it depends on what you bring with you. The Burning of The Man, which occurs on Saturday night, is ritual for the sake of the ritual itself; signifying nothing and at the same time providing the framework around which to design and interpret one's own wholly personal experience. It's a ceremony perhaps uniquely appropriate to the largely cynical and secular citizenry of Black Rock City, many of whom would loosely define themselves as seekers after the human spirit but who are nevertheless keen to disassociate themselves from the vague fluffy newage (rhymes with sewage) that dominates the tone of many so-called "spiritual" events.

The old guard has been whining that Burning Man is dead for at least a decade. It used to be more chaotic and perhaps in a sense more free; a true temporary autonomous zone where road warrior types could toss back a few beers and bust out the old flame thrower without attracting the unwelcome attention of the local fuzz. Pot smokers didn't have to look over their shoulders in the bad old days. You could burn your art where it stood. You could bring the dog, drive fast and set off sketchy fireworks. You could leave a big mess behind you when you split. It was quite an experience, to be sure. You can find your camp easier now that there are well marked streets, though. The porta-potty situation has improved, and nobody gets run over by mutant vehicles in their sleep anymore. Still, there are those who complain that the event has been co-opted by artists (to say nothing of the masses of iPhone packing techno-hippies and blissed out candy ravers whom the hardcore survivalist types hold in only partially affected contempt). This year's art theme was Evolution, though, and even the crustiest of old-timers can see which way the wind is blowing when the dust is up. Nothing living stays the same. And who would want it any other way?

The environment can be pretty brutal, but that's part of the fun. On one level it's an ordeal ritual, intended to break participants down both physically and emotionally, leaving them more vulnerable to inspiration. The shared survival challenge is an unparalleled team building opportunity for camp mates and strangers alike. It can also test friendships and strain individual sanity. It challenges human endurance on a number of levels. Triple digit temperatures are common in the daytime, and it can get downright cold at night. A homogeneous desolation of superfine salty alkali powder that erodes whatever it touches, the playa itself is almost comically pernicious. It gets into absolutely everything. It sucks the moisture from exposed skin and twists hair into fantastic playa sculptures that are almost impossible to comb out. It rarely rains, but when the wind picks up it can raise whiteouts that limit visibility to a few feet, and it's not uncommon to see an improperly staked "tumbletent" roll by in a big playa storm. (Normal tent stakes aren't good enough as many campers find out the hard way. The standard method for keeping things from blowing away involves rebar pounded into the playa with a sledgehammer). Masks and goggles are de rigour, but they only do so much good. Walking or biking for miles every day takes its toll on the body, as does the chronic dehydration and sleep disruption that can occur when a Burner gets sloppy. Catchphrases like "piss clear" and "party like a pro" remind Black Rock citizens to take good care of their physical condition. Other popular slogans address mental health issues: "Don't sweat the petty things, just pet the sweaty things."

Black Rock has a right to call itself a City. Peaking at around 50,000 citizens, BRC boasts everything that a major metropolis needs to function. There is a working post office (with its own postmark!) where paper mail can be sent to address on the playa and exchanged with the world beyond. The freaks who work there are surly and they sometimes have to be bribed, but that's part of the art of course. There are theatres, schools, hospitals, and places of worship as well as entertainment establishments like bars, night clubs, bowling alleys and roller rinks. Extravagantly decorated art cars provide free public transportation. There is more than one daily newspaper, and several radio stations broadcast around the clock. The Department of Public Works keeps things running smoothly, as do the Black Rock Rangers: Burning Man's own internal volunteer participant police department. Rangers work with local law enforcement to solve problems, but they're not really cops and they're not out to bust participants. There is surprisingly little violence and not much crime to speak of except for the possession and consumption of scheduled substances. A typical call might involve a dispute between someone with ten foot tall speakers sitting directly on the rhythmically thumping playa and a sleepless sledgehammer wielding neighbor who has come to his wits end. When words fail to achieve a satisfactory resolution, Rangers have the authority to escort malefactors to the City's borders. Since nobody really wants to get kicked out of Burning Man, Rangers mostly get the respect and co-operation that they deserve.

It's late Friday night and I'm cruising for adventure. Laid out like a gigantic clock with the Man at its center, the basic map of Black Rock City has become as familiar to veteran Burners as the smell of their favorite sunscreen. I spent most of the evening wandering around in the residential zone, checking out Theme Camps. The street closest to The Man is called the Esplanade and the rest of the streets are named according to the annual art theme. The first street behind the Esplanade begins with the letter A, the second one starts with B and so forth. This year they stretched from Adapt all the way back to Lineage. That means it's almost impossible to walk through the whole city in a week while still stopping to appreciate your most compelling finds. Even on a bike it would be a challenge. It's like a post apocalyptic Disneyland for adults. I know there's no way to see it all. Even if one were to grid off the playa and go about exploring it systematically, new stuff keeps getting built all week as more and more Burners show up. The Esplanade is reserved for highly interactive Theme Camps, but far more projects fall into that category than can fit on the front row, and almost every camp in town has some sort of art set up. One of the coolest things I saw this year was way the heck out at 3:30 and Jurassic.

Right now I'm heading for open playa, though. There is no camping in the half a mile or so between the Man and the Esplanade, and the blank canvas extends beyond the circular mandala of the City proper for quite a distance before you come to the orange trash fence that defines the edge of the world. The open playa is reserved for art installations, and due to a persistent perceptual illusion created by the flat featureless environment, most of them turn out to be much larger and farther away than they initially appear. Sometimes the best pieces are way out in the middle of nowhere, hundreds of meters away from anything else. The best way to find the cool stuff is by talking to people. When a work of art gets buzz on the playa, it gets seen no matter where it's placed. If somebody mentions your art to a neighbor it's kind of like getting a blue ribbon. There is so much great art out there that if you hear about a piece three times, it must be something extra special.

Burning Man art transcends traditional aesthetic canons and spans the full range of quality and style. Much of it demonstrates astonishing technical ingenuity, often using eco-friendly sun, wind and human power in novel and inspiring ways. The most talked about pieces tend to have a few things in common every year. They are simple, elegant, beautiful, interactive and fun. I've been to posh museums all over the world, but most of the art that has ever stopped me awestruck in my tracks has been found on the playa. Burning Man art is largely experiential; which is to say that it is intended to be explored rather than passively taken in. In fact a lot of it doesn't really do what the creators intended it to do unless there are people playing with or on it. It's art of which one is a part, drawing in observers and transforming them into participants in the evolving scene. Without realizing it I've been tacking in the general direction of the Wedge, which is an excellent example of the genre. An inclined plane several stories tall and as wide as a semi trailer, the Wedge is essentially a gigantic slide. (I've also seen giant swings, teeter-totters and merry-go-rounds over the years, re-enforcing the impression that Burning Man is the perfect playground for our collective inner child) There is no ladder but you can run up the side of the thing if you use the handrails. The part that you slide on is covered with AstroTurf, and as I approach the base a bunch of dust covered hooligans come whizzing down on a plastic toboggan, laughing as they smash through a ziggurat of stuffed black cubes. Up at the top perhaps a dozen happy silhouettes can be seen against the sky, which has perceptibly begun to lighten. A big tattooed guy in a pink utili-tutu makes it almost all the way down standing on his feet and the crowd cheers as he rolls to a stop amongst the piles of playafied pillows. "I love this town!" he exclaims, pumping his fist in the air before racing to the top again with a broken skateboard under one arm.

I want to play on the slide but as I'm about to begin the ascent I spot the Dogfish on the move and quickly plot an intercept course. The Dogfish is a roving tiki bar that I had ridden on a couple of days before, and I knew they'd have a lively scene going on. The Department of Mutant Vehicles sets a high standard these days, which means that if you want to drive around on the playa you have to have a car that is also a cool work of art. I've seen everything from full-fledged pirate ships built on top of buses to golf carts that look like fire breathing dragons. Climbing onto a moving art car takes practice, but some helpful souls extend their hands and soon I'm sitting on a bouncing barstool, sipping a margarita and marveling at the carnival fantastic still going off all around me in the predawn glow. I didn't pay for the margarita. I didn't even trade for it. Nobody sells T shirts or tacos at Burning Man. It's a gift economy, built on the principle that when thousands of people get together and start giving things away, everybody ends up getting something. Even advertising for off-playa commerce is considered extremely tacky, to the point that people take pains to cover corporate logos on rented vehicles. Sound is funny on the playa, and never more so than on a moving art car. We pass through the large scale sound art area, where several raves and dance clubs are thumping to different rhythms. I can also hear the mingling strains of rock, reggae and disco - and way off in the distance, someone playing the blues really really well on a tenor saxophone.

I thank the Dogfish crew for the drink and hop off at The Temple. A couple of fire spinners are working their magic and I stop to watch. Fire spinning wasn't born at Burning Man, but it grew up there, and it spawned the blossoming Flow Arts movement. Part sexy performance art and part something like Yoga, spinning fire both hones and displays the state of relaxed responsive focus known as flow. Dancing with fire is beautiful and dangerous at the same time, which makes it perfect for the playa. A handsome fellow in watermelon colored leather pants is spinning poi, which is to say that he's got a fireball on a chain in each hand and he's dancing with them, gracefully twirling the flaming orbs in hypnotic patterns that leave spiraling traces on my transfixed retinae. Tomorrow night there will be hundreds of fire spinners performing in the Great Circle as part of the extravagant pyrotechnics display that kicks off the Burning of The Man, but this guy is particularly good and when I sit down to watch he moves close enough that I can feel the heat, closing his eyes and slipping into a beatific trance as whirling death swirls around his graceful flowing form.

The most moving installation on the playa, The Temple is the size of a large four story house. This year, intricate carvings representing dozens of religions and philosophies filigree almost every available surface in a stunning display of dedication and craftsmanship. There's also a large Plexiglas tube in its central core with a fire tornado inside, which lights the whole installation from within like a magical lantern. It's ridiculously ornate, almost defiantly so when you consider that it's only intended to exist for a few days. Literally thousands of working hours must have gone into its construction, and it's obvious from just glancing at it that it was a labor of passionate love. Burning Man is a festival of ephemera, and nowhere is the transience more deeply felt than here. The Temple is covered in inscriptions all over, stretching up as high as a tall person can reach by standing up on someone else's shoulders. Hundreds of small altars have been erected there by participants, many commemorating the recently deceased. Some represent things that Burners want to let go. Others are inspirational. I find the spot where a picture of my maternal grandmother flutters amongst other people's ribbons, tickets, trinkets and magical trash; each tiny sacrifice telling a secret story of release and redemption. "Please liberate me from heroin" one sharpie scrawled petition implores. "I'm sorry about my abortion," another admits. Tears roll down my playa streaked face as I pour over the prayers of a culture on the edge. A battered teddy bear with the word "forever" emblazoned on its chest shares its penultimate sunrise with me on the second story balcony. Someone has written a poem there about old friends they just met. Below me, people are preparing for a wedding.

I like the Temple Burn even more than the Burning of The Man. When the Man burns, it's all fireworks and frenetic energy with most of 50,000 people freaking out with excitement and screaming their heads off like Beatlemania. It's kind of the big build-up to the blow out party and the City is ready to pop. There's so much big fire surrounded by so much potentially-mob-like chaos that I sometimes feel poised between a panic attack and an orgasm. When the Temple Burns the mood is reflective, silent and reverent. People cry and hug strangers. Burning Man is pretty much over at that point and it's time for folks to wrap up their vision quests and start pulling up the rebar. There is a strong sense of having shared something profound amongst the whole supertribe. We've survived a week in the desert together. We've made new friends and gotten exited about new ideas. We've gotten hot and high and tired and frustrated and silly together. We've inspired one another to be good art. Some of us have even been reborn.

Soon the sun will drive most of us under cover. I decide to walk back to my camp before it gets too hot to fall asleep. A young man in a playafied business suit rides by on a fuzzy bike, playing a blue guitar. His hands are occupied with the instrument and bicycle seems to be steering itself. "Happy new day!" he calls out to me as he passes. I try to shout my agreement, but he has already disappeared into the haze, like characters do in a poorly rendered computer game. It makes me think about how virtual this all feels. It's perfect for people who grew up using massively multiplayer online games as a social outlet, because at Burning Man you can present yourself as your avatar. You can be a warrior princess if you want to, or a superhero, and the community will play along and support you recreating yourself. You can be who you've always wanted to be, and do what you've always dreamed about. Burning Man is not put on by some corporation for our consumption, it's made by Burners for Burners. It's alive. It evolves. It's whatever we make it. It's a trial answer to the question "what would people do if they could do anything that they want?" I'm encouraged to report that when most people are given almost total freedom, they tend to create beauty and make people happy.

I remember watching movies about the 60s when I was a kid and thinking that I'd missed all the good stuff. It seemed to me like there had been one great spasm of explosive freedom before I was born, and then it all slipped back to business as usual. Now ever increasing change has taken business as usual off the menu, but most people still feel like spectators. Unsure of how to turn the juggernaut of history, many of us bury our heads in the silicon confetti rendering ourselves too numb even to despair. Burning Man illustrates that we can do anything we put our minds to. Burning Man creates a context in which we feel free and inspired to be the change we want to see in the world. Burning Man makes me feel that this is the most exciting possible time to be alive and the best part is just beginning. Burning Man is the epicenter of a true cultural revolution that turns spectators into participants in the art of life, and there is nothing more dangerous and beautiful than that.

--
Teafaerie's column on Erowid.org
Burning dan's Burning Man photo gallery

The MEGATROPOLIS Burn at Burning Man 2010

2010-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

MEGATROPOLIS was an art project for Burning Man 2010 headed up by Chris "Kiwi" Hankins and Otto Von Danger. It was described as "a loose interpretation of the city skyline, ironically built in one of the least inhabited places in the entire world."

A total of five large buildings comprised the MEGATROPOLIS project including the Transamerica Pyramid, an iconic smokestack, an apartment building and the mega mall. A tower in the city's center was the largest building yet and featured a scissor-lift-cum-elevator that went up four stories.

The MEGATROPOLIS project burned on Friday and this video was submitted by Fburn from Paris, France who writes "My point of view of Megatropolis burn at Burning Man 2010 shot with an old Panasonic DMC-FZ18 (the Canon didn't survived the playa dust!) C U next year on the playa!"

"Living Working Burning Man" - Panorama Photography by Bradley Milton

2010-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

As part of Bradley Milton's participation at Burning Man, he produces a series of panoramic photographs entitled "Living Working Burning Man”. This slide show from 2010 provides an introduction to the project but you really ought to go and check them out in higher res here.

Of his work, Milton writes:

"There are so many photos that show the incredible public beauty and vitality of Burning Man. (Over 10,400,000 if you believe Google.) There are far fewer that capture the efforts of the thousands of volunteers and participants who make Black Rock City the event that it is. There are fewer still that capture both the environment and the activity of Black Rock City: the tents, domes, yurts, RVs, trailers and other structures and the burners that live, work and play in them.

'In 2010, the theme Metropolis: The Life of Cities begged for that effort and its result to be recognized, and so as an act of participation, I chose to photograph as many of the outstanding camps as I could, and to photograph them “in the round” – broad panoramas capturing all of the activity in a space, as well as the space itself, all in an instant. The resulting portfolio document begins to document the effort put forward by these campers and the incredible environments they create."

Friday's Burning Man Music Post!

2010-10-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

From Dave Decibel, this fun mash-up collection was put together for your road trip or the voyage to Black Rock City and back. This collection includes:

Intro - Billy "Fatback" Cornelius as Lt. Horatio Caine & Dave Decibel as Officer
The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
The Who Vs Bay City Rollers Vs The Doors - Saturday Night Fool at the Soul Kitchen
DJ Zebra - I'm a Fireman
DJ Fox - Come See About Down
DJ Schmolli - No Good Cockeyed Tiger
The Temptations Vs Deadmau5 - Papa Was a Ghost
Lazyellow - Blah Blah Blah Chillin Romance
Roxy Cottontail, Larry Tee & Afrojack Vs Major Lazer - Let's Make Nasty Vs Pon De Floor
Major Lazer Vs Harold Faltermeyer - Pon De Foley (Ludachrist Remix)
Faroff - You Ring Me Round (Like a Telephone)
DJ Zebra - Roxanne Should Be Dancing
The White Panda - Pop Bottles Baby
DJ M.I.F. - Smack My Hotstepper Up
Kanye West Ft Twista - Overnight Celebrity (Dave Wrangler Remix)
Go Home Productions - Temptaion of the Police
Mashup-Germany - Imagine One Day (So Far Away)
Massive Attack Vs Mariah Carey - Heat My Body
Clockwork - Office Musik
DJ BootOX pres Blaze Music - California Skank
S-Tone - Prolly Know Me from the Ran
Go Home Productions - Rock In Black
Mashup-Germany Hit and Drop All the Single Ladies
DJ Zebra - Come Closer
DJ Schmolli - Rude Boy Resort
DJ Morgoth - Stylo It's No Good
CJR Mix - You've Got the Sweet Harmony
Lady Gaga Vs Ace of Base Vs Kalomira - The Return of Alejandro
G3RSt - Dub of Fire
Westside Connection Vs Holy Fuck - Bow Down to Latin America (Dave Wrangler Remix)
Fissunix - Whole Lotta Sex Machine
Black Eyed Peas Vs Jim Croce - That's Not the Way I'm Feeling
Thanks to all the Mashup producers out there keeping us entertained and consistently producing quality fun in the realm of Bastard Pop!

Have an awesome weekend y'all! For those of you in Los Angeles, come find BURNcast at Los Angeles Deeeeecommmmmm tomorrow!

ANNOUNCING OUR 1ST ANNUAL MEGAPHONE CHAMPIONSHIP @ LOS ANGELES DECOM

2010-10-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

NOW HEAR THIS!

BURNCAST IS GOING TO BE @ LA DECOM AND WE WANT YOU TO STEP UP YOUR GAME!!! COME JOIN BURNCAST'S 1ST ANNUAL MEGAPHONE CHAMPEEEEEONNNNNSHIIIIPS!

WE HAZ MEGAPHONE BUT WE APPRECIATE COMPETITORS THAT BRING THEIR OWN!

WE WILL ALSO BE RECORDING A SING-A-LONG TO JOURNEY'S "DON'T STOP BELIEVING" IN RESPONSE TO MASTAHNICK'S AWESOME PLAYA VIDEO YOU CAN SEE HERE.

WE COULD TOTALLY USE A BOOMBOX FOR THIS SINGALONG. PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU CAN HELP!

SEE YOU AT DECOM!!!!

Burning Man 2010...What you dont see....

2010-09-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

While BURNcast is devoted to the art, culture and community of Burning Man, I feel it's important -- and only fair -- to give voice to the people of Nevada who live in the area of Black Rock City the other 51 weeks of the year.

This video submission doesn't paint a very pretty picture of Burning Man. It was shot by citizen journalist and YouTuber who goes by the handle desertlovernv as she describes the moop and trash she discovers on a five minute walk-about less than two weeks after the event.

desertlovernv writes:

"This event is supposed to be a "Leave No Trace" event. Pack it in, pack it out. However, this video shows you how little is actually packed out and what still remains. This video was shot on September 19th, thirteen days after the event, and numerous dust storms later. There was no-one else in this area of the playa, not even the supposed clean up team that is supposed to be picking up all the remnants of the event."

Metric, a long-time burner, volunteer of DPW, resident of Gerlach, and the Executive Director of the Friends of Black Rock/High Rock responded by leaving a comment that said:

"Nice. You made a film of areas set aside for detailed cleaning, looks like the Man Base and probably someone's art work burn site based on the pile of decomposed granite that's there. The CD with the pink thing? That's a marker to identify someone's art work, and so that the cleanup crew knows whose stuff they are cleaning. The day you filmed is a full 3 weeks before the end of clean-up activities. Nice work, super sleuth. Take your false indignation and shove it, poser."

Still, desertlovernv insists:

"Why does it take six weeks to clean up a "Leave No Trace Event?"

Obviously both people in this story care about the Black Rock Desert and the impact the Burning Man festival has on its fragile ecosystem.

Hopefully desertlovernv's concerns can be addressed respectfully and without any further insults or name calling and moreover, that she will return in three more weeks to document clean-up and come away with a brighter report.

UPDATE 19 DECEMBER 2010 - Metric has kindly shown us the new link to the updated video that desertlovernv uploaded a few days ago and here it is below:

desertlovernv writes:

"This film was taken on an iPhone on September 19th 2010 in the Black Rock Desert where the Burning Man event is held. This video was posted approximately two months ago but was removed by the maker because they received threats of physical harm from the members of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and other Burners.

It has become increasingly clear that the organizers of Burning Man do not care about the playa, and there is some question as to the BLM's commitment to our public lands, therefor this video lives again, to show the dirty side of Burning Man."

If desertlovernv has been receiving threats of violence this is a really serious matter. I hope that she is reporting them to the proper authorities as well as putting the Black Rock City LLC on notice. I mean, it would be TRAGIC if she ended up like Karen Silkwood. Just sayin'.

Halp! BURNcast's Website Crashes My Browser!

2010-09-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Today on the BURNcast Facebook fan page I received a comment from Alex (remember him? he can be heard in the BURNcast audio podcast episode number 83 entitled "The Green Shoes Installation") who said "Your website crashes my browser and doesn't load properly. Dunno if I'm the only one but it's worth checking out."

Checking out indeed. Below are two solutions. The first one is if you're viewing BURNcast on a Mac using Safari. The second one is if you're viewing this site with FireFox (either PC or Mac).

I'm going to start by saying because BURNcast is a video blog, it relies heavily on Flash. I'm not going to get into why Flash is evil here. But I will say that much like rule #34: if there's a crash, it's because of Flash. Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to Web pages.

I can testify to this because I had the same issue in viewing BURNcast in Safari. Crash! Crash! Crash! And worse: I sometimes would even have a kernel panic.

For Safari Users

When I asked Lecter about this, he told me to install ClickToFlash.

ClickToFlash is awesome. It resolved my issues immediately. It blocks all Flash content from loading. It then leaves placeholders on the webpage that enable you to view the content when you click on it.

With ClickToFlash, Flash won't load until specifically requested. This means your CPU usage will stay at normal levels when browsing the web, surfing will be snappy, battery life will improve, your laptop won't get as hot, and your fan won't kick in as frequently.

My most favorite feature of ClickToFlash is when you do click on a video in YouTube it will most likely play back in the high quality QuickTime format, not Flash, depending on its original encoding. And that alone makes viewing a video in ClickToFlash much nicer to view!

It's because YouTube also offers H.264 videos, which are used when viewing YouTube on the iPhone. With ClickToFlash, you get access to those same, higher quality videos.

For FireFox, Chrome and Flock Users

According to my stats, most of you folks are on a PC and along with that, theeeee number one browser used by my audience is Firefox. So here again is another workaround solution: Flashblock!

Flashblock does the same thing as ClickToFlash. Flashblock version 1.5.13 is designed to work only with Firefox 1.5 and newer, Netscape Navigator 9 and with Flock. You can even get Flashblock for Chrome.

For other browsers such as Seamonkey 2.0, and Netscape 9, go here.

For older browsers such as Firefox 1.0.7, Mozilla Suite 1.7, Seamonkey 1.x, and Netscape 7/8, go here.

And if you're trying to view BURNcast in IE, I really have to ask: WHY???

Venice Beach -> Black Rock City: Burning Man 2010

2010-09-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

From veniceBeachhobo: Our Burning Man Metropolis adventures. Much love to everyone who has gone or will go! Special thanks to mastahnick...your video inspired me to make my own.

Happy Tu-tu Tuesday! Don't Stop Believing, Playa Style @ Burning Man 2010

2010-09-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Another epic video from Mastahnick who writes: "Can't stop believing how every minute on the playa is sooo unpredictable. First you're watching someone getting reborn as they fall through a life-size rebirthing tube (hilarious!), and next thing you know it... you're singing and dancing along to GLEE songs! Awesome!"

Burning Man 2010 from Benjamin Taft )'(

2010-09-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

This beautifully lensed video from Burning Man 2010 was shot with a GoPro HD camera. This totally beats my Flip HD and at a very comparable price.

Burning Man 2010 from Benjamin Taft on Vimeo.
Editing: Benjamin Taft
Video by Benjamin Taft and Adam Bognar

BURNING MAN 2010 by tripakcentralcinema

2010-09-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Friday's Burning Man Music Post

2010-09-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Wrapping up this week's blog postings is some music from Burning Man 2010. These tracks are from ConRit Live at MalMart featuring J Naykid and Dr. Bud Green by JNaykid

If you're a deejay and you've got embedable tracks recorded from this year's burn please share it!

Have a great weekend!

Burning Man 2010 - Destination Unknown

2010-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

This series of videos is from railaybay aka Michael Murphy. It's from "Destination Unknown" which is a series of travel videos he's been working on for the last two years.

The first featured video is also the first in his Burning Man 2010 series.
The second one, entitled "A Ride on the Playa - Burning Man 2010" is a bike ride.
The third and final video is called "Camp Shit Beer" which is also the name of his camp.

BURNcast.TV

Oh, the Places You'll Go at Burning Man!

Capt. Jim Peterson of Tuna Guys Lost at Sea

RIP Mike Aquino aka Skid

Shrine On, Sweet Brother - News About a Los Angeles Burner

Burning Man 2011 GeoEye Satellite Image

Burning Man 2011 Home

Burning Man 2011 - The Rites of Passage in Timelapse

Live: Burning Man Webcast

Law Enforcement at Burning Man: Know Your Rights #aclu

The Flat Smiley Project for Burning Man 2011

RIP Rod Garrett - Black Rock City Designer/Planner #)'(

Burning Man 1998 - A Video Retrospective Series: "The Apotheosis of Crimson Rose"

BURNcast.TV #65 - Mountie Josh

Burning Man 1997 - A Video Retrospective Series

Burning Man 1996 - A Video Retrospective Series

DJ Pope Rajulio: BurnerFreekDJGeekResidentTroublemaker

Burning Man in the News: 1995 / A Video Retrospective Series

Burning Man 1994/1995 - A Video Retrospective Series

Burning Man 1994 - A Video Retrospective Series

Burning Man 1992- A Video Retrospective Series

Burning Man 1990-2011 - A Video Retrospective Series

2,000 Google Employees to Attend Burning Man This Year

The Cost of Going to Burning Man in 1997

What Did You Spend in Washoe County?

My Epic Adventures in Black Rock City

DJ Zach Moore - Breaks for Black Rock City: Volume II

Black Rock Arts Foundation Sponsors Launch of the Burning Man Non-Profit

The Barber Ella Shop Kickstarter Project is 90% Funded - Help Them Get to Goal! #burningman

A deeper look into Burning Man

Burning Man in the News

Leave No Trace Public Service Announcements: Playa Restoration!

Giving In To Astonishment: Scenes From Burning Man's American Dream by Michael Garfield

Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky's Adventures at Burning Man #)'(

Burning Man's Dave X Interview on Fire Safety, April 2011

Burning Man: A Conversation with Larry Harvey (7/19/11)

RIP JarJar aka Penfold

BURNcast.TV #64 - Guillow's Kit: A Kickstarter Project by Mike Pettengill for Burning Man 2011 #)'(

Need a Burning Man Ticket? 2 Available on eBay!

Burning Man: Time To Change Your Mind #)'(

Eric Schwabel's "Human Light Suit" Project for Burning Man #)'(

BURN BABY BURN - A Burning Man film by Paynie #)'(

Revolvr's Burning Man 2010 Experience - Metropolis #)'(

Temple of Transition Scale Model - Burning Man 2011

Making the Fire of Fires by Ira Weinschel #)'(

Kickstarter: "Unusual Perspectives" ~ a burning man film by paynie #)'(

Honoring the Temple by Psilly Psimon

New Burning Man Inspired Mix - Recompression 2 )'(

Donut Freakout: Mark Pincus from Zynga (and formerly of Tribe) Revisited

R.I.P. Charlie Russell, Mayor of East Jesus #)'(

5X5 Burning Man Day by Mini Madness

Charlie Goes to Burning Man

Playa GIF Gifts

Burning Man 2010 METROPOLIS: Home Sweet Playa

Get Ready for Tutu Tuesday )'(

In Loving Memory: Rik Sharaj

BURNcast Wraps Up Another Season

The People of Burning Man - a Kickstarter funding project

Google *Hearts* Burning Man

Burning Man 2011 Tickets Now On Sale!

My Playa Adventure - Burning Man 2010 [pt. 2] by Mastahnick

What I Did On My Summer Vacation - Burning Man 2010

In Loving Memory: Grant Fey

John McLaughlin's New Year's Resolution? Attend Burning Man!

BURNcast.TV Home Videos: PEX (The Philadelphia Experiment) @ Burning Man 2007

The Best of Bootie 2010

BURNcast.TV Home Videos: Putt Putt Playa, Burning Man 2007

BURNcast.TV Home Videos: WDYDWYD Burning Man 2007

All Aboard the Airship Victoria

Burning Man 2010 ADD Montage by Baraka )'(

Texas to Black Rock - Burning Man 2010 )'(

Self As City, City As Self (Lecture from Entheon Village @ Burning Man 2010)

Burning Man '09 Photo Montage )'(

Burning Man 2010 - Living in the City

Go Vote!

Friday's Burning Man Music Post! )'(

So Connected... ?

Friday's Burning Man Music Post! )'(

Burning Mensch!

Friday's Burning Man Music Post! )'(

Google Hearts Burning Man