All Of Us Event

All Of Us was fucking awesome

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So, it’s been a week now since All Of Us ended. Many of the people involved in the magic are off doing the ALC (AIDS Life Cycle) ride from San Francisco to L.A.. So, as I write the official report on the event about money and critical things I await the details to fill in those pieces on the other web site. (www.lgbtproduction.org)

The event opened on Thursday noon and went through Monday noon after Memorial Day. It was the longest weekend we attempted before. It worked out well for so many! The space at www.saratogasprings.com was absolutely perfect. We have just under 150 people come out and thank goodness we managed to just break even on expenses versus income.

A Great Week

While these lovely people at the jacuzzi do not represent the diversity we had, we are proud that All Of Us brought a lot of new faces to the event. It was glorious…

There was a pop-up Jacuzzi party hosted by thee (in spirit) Whitney Houston on Thursday evening. It was a naked soirée in the hot water and it was fabulous. There were all kinds of wonderful human in the mix and the music was fantastic. The Jacuzzi was the most popular spot on the land at the end of any day – no wonder it was turning green by Sunday afternoon.

Each day progressed with a new layer of loveliness and unimaginable brilliance among all those who came out. There was so much love, uninhibited embrace, with no matter who was there or gender. We were blessed that our demographic did change on some level with a lot more women and gender non-conforming people that fit together and celebrated.

On a couple notes, there was a detailed waiver everyone signed when coming in and part of it talked about respecting other people and their boundaries. We did have a moment when someone was talking about trans-people openly with real trans persons just a few feet away and it was wrong and hurtful. We also talked about boundaries for consent and as it turned out someone did not heed that either. Someone was violated and we simply cannot allow those things to happen in our community. All Of Us is about unity and inclusiveness.

DJ Jason Godfrey on Decks at the back of the BAAAHS bus and next to The Journey
DJ Jason Godfrey on Decks at the back of the BAAAHS bus and next to The Journey

The Journey

The crown jewel of the event was the 30 foot long piece of this art piece going to Burning Man in 2017. Dan Reeves was the original visionary and his team of amazing humans who came out and set this up. It was celebrated every night!

It was part of the Art Garden that we had set up in front of the Heart Lodge along with Squares by Steve Dudek and Frames by www.visualsby3.com that was a great collection of installation pieces.

Friday night was a party at the art piece and the DJ’s sis an amazing job. The art was outstanding. The energy was awe-inspiring.

Saturday saw the majority of the workshops in all three tracks of the weekend while The Journey folks did live screen printing in front of the main Lodge. The Journey folks even set up a bar and served drinks as they did their magic.

  • Mental / Physical Health and Self Care
  • Acculturation and the 10 Principles
  • Leadership

The workshops were amazing and well orchestrated. The information was invaluable. We shared some amazing ideas and performed some exercises that made our participation and community stronger.

Meal Time

The food was amazing as well. Thank you to Jose for another year of delicious offerings. While we may have fell down on some of the vegetarian options we will do even better next year. But happily everyone got fed and our food and beverage team did a great job in the end. We are grateful that Jose came up from Mexico once again to help us!

We did daily Brunch and Dinner with snacks in between. The kitchen team seemed to be able to take it more easy this year which I was very glad for.

They even served hot dogs and snacks at the Sunday Pool Party (SPF) with bacon wrapped around them and on buns. Event the veggie dogs had a veggie bacon on them. Someone was heard saying: “They are really committed to bacon.” Well, this is a burner event, right?

Thank you to everyone who helped with volunteering.  The weekend could not happen without you. While we had some paid positions, many gave their time and energy to make this event happen. Who profited from it? Well, no one did. All the money that was left over is being folded back into the community.

The Gate ran flawlessly thanks to an amazing team there. Exodus was went just as smoothly. It with a sincere and deeply held feeling of appreciation to everyone to helped in making the magic either by being there or getting us there.

May Bi Monthly News Letter P2

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It’s mid may and we are heading deep into Festival Season and Gay Pride. The year passes at such a high velocity some times it is hard to keep up with the latest and the greatest. Here is our quick and dirty attempt.

In this issue of the monthly news letter:

  • All Of Us Update
  • 2017 Queer Camps List
  • Events
  • The Mechanics: How this email works

All Of Us

Many thanks to the many people who bought the many tickets to the most amazing event we have ever produced. Literally, we have a catalog of things for the weekend that are beyond the anything we could have imagined over the last couple years. We will miss Groundswell for sure, but this new area is larger and wider with more amenities. Not quite surviving in the desert, but why not treat yourself before that happens… right?

 

What was formerly the Queer Burner Retreat is now All Of Us event. It is the only regional style event in the world focused on LGBTQ++ participants in the Burning Man culture. It is a 10 Principles based event with a mission of fostering Community & Leadership. We also seek to see others rise into their own in whatever forms they take that goes to the next level of participation and doing.

  • ALL PARTICIPANTS must have legal identification when checking in at the gate showing they are at least 18 years or older.
  • Everyone will have to complete a waiver agreement when coming in. It would be really helpful if you had it printed and filled out before you came – LINKED HERE
  • Need a ride or can offer one? Sign-up on the Carpool – LINKED HERE
  • Sign up early for your volunteer role – LINKED HERE
  • Sign up for workshops – LINKED HERE
  • Housing / Food Needs – LINKED HERE

The waiver has some language in it that is very important. Please look it over carefully. And yes, in order to come into the event it must be completed with your identification. All participants will have to wear a colored bracelet upon check in:

  • 1 color if under 21
  • another color if 21 plus
  • and/or another if you do not want to appear in photos or video

We want everyone to feel safe and welcome.

Some quick facts:

  • IF you are in a bed you MUST have bedding. There is a place to order it on the Eventbrite. Or, you may be required to buy it when you arrive unless you have your own.
  • Bring your own towels, toiletries, cup … just like going to Burning Man
  • SCREEN PRINTING at ALL OF US!!! Bring a t-shirt or garment for large screen prints
    “The Journey” is printing art logo prints and the All Of Us Official Logo
    You can bring t-shirts, coats, anything that can take screen printing
  • There are 2 meals a day : 10 am Brunch & 6:30 Dinner : & snacks
  • There is a lot of activities from amazing hiking to pool and jacuzzi space
  • This is a clothing optional event (except in dining room and kitchen)
  • NO GLASS is allowed in the pool area at any time
  • SMOKING IN DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY
  • Bring your favorite bottle(s) for you and to share with your fellow campers along with any desired mixers. There is no open bar… but I bet someone will share. But… radical self reliance… BRING A CUP makes it a lot easier
    *anyone giving persons under 21 alcohol will be asked to leave *

2017 Queer Burners Camp List

The list is taking shape and camps are seriously gearing up to get ready for “Radical Ritual” Burning Man 2017. Do not be one of those people who wait til the last minute to commit because you WILL be left out. Check out the 2017 Queer Burners Page on our web site. 

Events

This is a list of events we know about:

Submit your events for the news letter in the link below.

The Mechanics

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and helped keep this network thriving. As we get closer to event season there is room for more people to play in this garden. If you sign up on the Queer Burners web site and are verified, then you too can write posts and continue conversations relevant to the community at large. Thank you to so many of you.

ALL OF US IMPORTANT EMAIL

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So this list of important things went out on 5/16 for All Of Us and only got 63% opens. While that is good for 1 day everyone must have this information for when they arrive. It is extremely helpful if the clicks are there before you arrive for classes, volunteering and the other stuff… all very important. Please take a looksie:

All Of Us event 2017

UPPER LAKE, CALIFORNIA

This email has links and information about many important factors when preparing for the event. This includes ride share and getting involved through the week. This is a 10 principle event which means everyone is expected to help out a little each day for:
1. Community Engagement
2. Immediacy
3. LNT – Leave No Trace
4. Radical Self Reliance
5. Radical Inclusion
So help us out by being prepared mentally and physically so we can present an amazing event designed with you in mind.

In just a matter of days it all happens once again. What was formerly the Queer Burner Retreat is now All Of Us event. It is the only regional style event in the world focused on LGBTQ++ participants in the Burning Man culture. It is a 10 Principles based event with a mission of fostering Community & Leadership. We also seek to see others rise into their own in whatever forms they take that goes to the next level of participation and doing.

  • ALL PARTICIPANTS must have legal identification when checking in at the gate showing they are at least 18 years or older.
  • Everyone will have to complete a waiver agreement when coming in. It would be really helpful if you had it printed and filled out before you came – LINKED HERE
  • Need a ride or can offer one? Sign-up on the Carpool – LINKED HERE
  • Sign up early for your volunteer role – LINKED HERE
  • Sign up for workshops – LINKED HERE
  • Housing / Food Needs – LINKED HERE

The waiver has some language in it that is very important. Please look it over carefully. And yes, in order to come into the event it must be completed with your identification. All participants will have to wear a colored bracelet upon check in:

  • 1 color if under 21
  • another color if 21 plus
  • and/or another if you do not want to appear in photos or video

We want everyone to feel safe and welcome.

Some quick facts:

  • IF you are in a bed you MUST have bedding. There is a place to order it on the Eventbrite. Or, you may be required to buy it when you arrive unless you have your own.
  • Bring your own towels, toiletries, cup … just like going to Burning Man
  • SCREEN PRINTING at ALL OF US!!! Bring a t-shirt or garment for large screen prints
    “The Journey” is printing art logo prints and the All Of Us Official Logo
    You can bring t-shirts, coats, anything that can take screen printing
  • There are 2 meals a day : 10 am Brunch & 6:30 Dinner : & snacks
  • There is a lot of activities from amazing hiking to pool and jacuzzi space
  • This is a clothing optional event (except in dining room and kitchen)
  • NO GLASS is allowed in the pool area at any time
  • SMOKING IN DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY
  • Bring your favorite bottle(s) for you and to share with your fellow campers along with any desired mixers. There is no open bar… but I bet someone will share. But… radical self reliance… BRING A CUP makes it a lot easier
    *anyone giving persons under 21 alcohol will be asked to leave *

April 2017 Part 2 News Letter

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There is a new voice to the posts on Queer Burners and soon some new looks. Check out some of the latests posts and be sure to consider one of your own. Just let the admin know you are posting so we can make sure it gets out there. Posts only, please.

In this issue of the monthly news letter:

  • All Of Us Update
  • Burning Man Global Leadership Event in Oakland
  • 2017 Queer Camps List
  • Events
  • The Mechanics: How this email works

All Of Us

Full steam ahead. Don’t wait too long to get your tickets. And, stay in touch to see all the super mazing things that are happening [click] with all our banners for all the cool stuff!

Burning Man Global Leadership Event in Oakland

Want to know a wee bit more about the GLC and the Gayborhood. How are we responsible for our own future? Here is a nice follow up from the previous post [click].

2017 Queer Burners Camp List

The list is taking shape and camps are seriously gearing up to get ready for “Radical Ritual” Burning Man 2017. Do not be one of those people who wait til the last minute to commit because you WILL be left out. Check out the 2017 Queer Burners Page on our web site. 

Events

This is a list of events we know about:

Submit your events for the news letter in the link below.

The Mechanics

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and helped keep this network thriving. As we get closer to event season there is room for more people to play in this garden. If you sign up on the Queer Burners web site and are verified, then you too can write posts and continue conversations relevant to the community at large. Thank you to so many of you.

April News Letter

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Queer Burners has been around since 2008 and is meant to be a platform for LGBTQ Burners who are Burning Man participants who want to ground and do things together. It was done for you. It can only last and thrive as long as it is a value to the community. Later this year, before Summer, a couple of us are going to revamp the site. Pretzel from Glamcocks has volunteered to help me work on the site and anyone who has something to offer can join in the project when that comes to light.

Also, any member of the site can write for the site. Any one of you can write a post for the site and have it published. For some there is moderation until you have been approved just to avoid calamity. It would be helpful if you filled out the contact form after writing to let us know we can publish.

Right now, Scott K / Toaster does most of the day to day writings and posts on Queer Burners. The impression has been crafted as to give people the idea that there are more people involved then what there are. While there is the odd occasion where he (I) gets help it is mostly me unless someone else writes something and has their name on it.

Queer Burner is being folded into a business entity called Life Grand Brilliant Triumphant Production that includes All Of Us event and anything else Queer Burner does not and in the future. Any and all proceeds will be funneled through that org as it is designed to protect all of us working on said projects for tax and legal purposes. No one is getting rich off this structure. The money goes back into the organization except to pay bills and people whose work gets stuff done. (www.lgbtproduction.org coming soon)

In this issue of the monthly news letter:

  • All Of Us Update
  • The future of the Gayborhood / Rainbow Road
  • Burning Man Global Leadership Event in Oakland
  • 2017 Queer Camps List
  • Events
  • The Mechanics: How this email works

All Of Us Update

omg… there is so much energy and stuff going on it is hard to know where to begin. Galaxy from Beaverton is starting to work on the Volunteer lists and get that published in the near future. Our PR team is working hard to keep you updated on all the cool things. There is a list of fliers so far on this page [link]. Then there is the Food & Bev team working on the menu to get everyone fed!!!

The future of the Gayborhood / Rainbow Road

The future of the Gayborhood or Rainbow Road …or the Queer Neighborhood or whatever it is now is not clear. It has existed in some form since the mid 1990’s. Maybe once it was called Avalon Village? It evolved over time as camps asked to be put together.

Officially Burning Man has said they cannot officially recognize it. There is a post about it briefly on the web site by Toaster [link].

Burning Man Global Leadership Event in Oakland

As it turns out there are still a lot of Queer Burners that do not know about this project or about the many resources out there to help the community. There will be a trip report on the web site before the next news letter.

2017 Queer Burners Camp List

The list is taking shape and camps are seriously gearing up to get ready for “Radical Ritual” Burning Man 2017. Do not be one of those people who wait til the last minute to commit because you WILL be left out. Check out the 2017 Queer Burners Page on our web site. 

Events

This is a list of events we know about:

Submit your events for the news letter in the link below.

The Mechanics

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and helped keep this network thriving. As we get closer to event season there is room for more people to play in this garden. If you sign up on the Queer Burners web site and are verified, then you too can write posts and continue conversations relevant to the community at large. Thank you to so many of you.

Update Banner for All Of Us Event 2017

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An updated version of the All Of Us event banner for 2017. This has become so exciting I can hardly believe it. With good people involved the whole things is evolving into a major thing. We have great artists, performers and makers of music all making magic.

I write this in awe of what people can do together as a team and when it is the RIGHT people. As many projects I have done in the burnerverse this one hits home the hardest because it has born the most fruit. Why? Because this mission I have always put out there for Queer Burners is community and networking in the community. Because LGBTQ people (that is ALL the letters in the acronym and beyond) are not willing to be marginalized and simply sewn into the background. We flourish and demand to be seen.

There is so much we can learn from each other. I joined Burning Man and stayed in the community to better my relationship with women. That was actually something that I set as a goal for myself about a decade ago. It was a woman friend of mine who turned me on to this whole community.

Since then, having moved to San Francisco, I have grown a lot. I have fucked up a lot. But I have developed very special relationships with people who in the “real” world I might never have got to know, tried to know, or seen. I have a lot of gender queer, non-confirming and trans people in my life that are … (I just cannot say how much those people have touched my soul).

There are no words or actions I can make to prove how much I am blessed because of you. I write it here… but I hope I can show it better in my actions every day. If I fuck up give me a chance to make it right.

To those amazing supportive makers who have helped along the way… thank you with all my heart. To those who have been there and are still there but have taken a back seat, thank you too.

Thank you… now let’s all make some more magic!

March 2917 News Letter P2

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Queer Burners News Letter

Thank you to all of you who have subscribed and been subscribed to this news letter through joining the web site (www.queerburners.com). Our list is an important channel to the LGBTQ++ community. Help keep this list alive and keep up to date with our event announcements that go out every 2 weeks! Thank you again.

In this issue of the monthly news letter:

  • All Of Us Update
    • The Art Garden
    • Artist coming to All Of Us
  • Burning Man Ticket Sales
    • it’s time to get ready!!!
  • Burning Man Global Leadership Event in Oakland
  • 2017 Queer Camps List
  • Events
  • The Mechanics: How this email works

Next Week

 

All Of Us Update

Tom Seago, aka DJ Traaven, aka Wizard of BAAAHS, aka one of the sweetest humans we know has been working on the Art Garden for “All Of Us event” and it is coming together. You heard us talk about in the last issue a little but since then we had some new amazing additions:

All of Us is excited to announce an artist discussion featuring renowned Burning Man artists Rebekah Waites (The Church Trap), Dan Sullivan (Catacomb of Veils), and Dan Reeves (The Journey). Tickets for All of Us on sale now: www.tinyurl.com/AllOfUsArtPanel

So excited to have Steve Dudek back and bringing an amazing piece that was at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. It is one of the highest traffic technology and art showcases in the city. Steve has also contributed to the Burner community and art for many years.

And 3 (visualby3.com) will also be there in a few roles. He will have an amazing project light piece in the garden and will also be engaged as our lighting/graphics artist for the Afterworld Party and will be performing on the Sunday showcase. Yay!!

Burning Man Ticket Sales

In just a few weeks, TICKETS for the event go on sale, and Ye need to do some things to PREPARE

  • You must create or update your “burner profile” to register for the 2017 ticket sale. https://profiles.burningman.org/
  • You should also create or update a “ticketfly” account http://www.ticketfly.com/
  • MARCH 22nd Wednesday 12:00 noon PST
  • Main sale REGISTRATION begins – No need to rush on this one, all you’re doing is registering for the MAIN sale.
  • MARCH 24th Friday 12:00 noon PST
  • Main sale REGISTRATION closes
  • MARCH 29th Wednesday 12:00 noon PST
  • MAIN SALE starts – Be ready to click at NOON or you will NOT get a ticket!!!

Burning Man Global Leadership Event in Oakland

An annual conference of Burning Man community leadership that happens each spring. From humble beginnings in 2007, where 70 Regional Contacts joined us at Burning Man HQ, the GLC has since grown to include over 400 participants from around the world.

These highly-energized folks are Burning Man’s global representatives and community leaders, ambassadors of Burning Man culture in their regions who throw any of 65 Regional events in 20 countries. They participate in the GLC to share ideas, best practices and inspiration, and to make the invaluable face-to-face connections that may just lead to the next big thing. – burningman.org

There is a chance for leaders on almost all levels to go in 2017 and that deadline to apply is Friday (tomorrow). Email glc@burningman.ord to request access to the event. It does cost between $200 and $695, so be prepared to buy a ticket if one is afforded to you.

2017 Queer Burners Camp List

The list is taking shape and camps are seriously gearing up to get ready for “Radical Ritual” Burning Man 2017. Do not be one of those people who wait til the last minute to commit because you WILL be left out. Check out the 2017 Queer Burners Page on our web site. 

Events

This is a list of events we know about:

Submit your events for the news letter in the link below.

The Mechanics

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and helped keep this network thriving. As we get closer to event season there is room for more people to play in this garden. If you sign up on the Queer Burners web site and are verified, then you too can write posts and continue conversations relevant to the community at large. Thank you to so many of you.

March 2017 News Letter

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March 2017 – Happy Burnal Equinox

It’s a time when the season has really began heating up and the foundation for the 2017 Burning Man event themed “Radical Ritual” is taking root. The DGS ticket sale for theme camps and the participation forms are open are all happening right now. Shit is happening people!

In this issue of the monthly news letter:

  • All Of Us Update
    • The Journey joins All Of Us
    • BAAAHS bus Pearl will be there
    • 2 planned parties announced
    • A complete list of our scheduled DJ’s
  • Burning Man Ticket Sales
    • it’s time to get ready!!!
  • 2017 Queer Camps List
  • Events
  • The Mechanics: How this email works

Next Week

All Of Us Update

Ticket sales are still flowing strong and if all continues to go well we can see a point where we can sell out another year. This is our 3rd year and since it is the ONLY LGBTQ event of its kind we offer something truly special. We are blessed with some amazing talent joining us.

The Journey – a 2017 major art piece headed to Burning Man is coming to All Of Us as a preview!

The Journey is sponsored by Fractured Atlas where you can learn more! [click me] to donate and learn more about this amazing project. For All Of Us attendees this is a great photo op for pictures with the art piece that syncs with the BAAAHS bus with lighting and sound making it a real 360 degree experience!!!

How do you imagine the After World: will it be bright and fun, or dark and dirty, or peaceful and relaxing? Come share your vision with us at After World our Saturday-night event at All Of Us Event 2017! Costumes encouraged, but not required. Get your tickets to All of Us here: https://tinyurl.com/AllOfUsAfterWorld

Here are the 3 banners circulating about the event.

Sunday @ All Of Us Event 
On Sunday afternoon, it’s time to lather on the sunscreen and gather at the pool. Drinks, music and hot wet fun! It’s supposed to be 80°, so grab an itty bitty bikini or your favorite victorian bathing costume and let’s all splash around. We’ll miss Groundswell’s beautiful pond, but this year there will be fewer fish biting you. Plus the 20-person hot tub is just the place to get cozy and meet new friends.

The pool and all the grounds are clothing optional, but please remember to always respect your fellow burners. Everyone is entitled to feel safe and accepted at all times. Treat fellow guests with dignity regardless of sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, body type, culture, etc. and we’ll all get along swimmingly. See you by the pool!

Stay tuned and follow the event on Facebook at All Of Us Event and Twitter @allofus

Burning Man Ticket Sales

Well, they are starting really soon! THE ONLY SOURCE of information for ticket sales is the ticket sales web site. Period. Go to tickets.burningman.org … why, because something really fucking important is happening now:

Make sure your Burner Profile is up to date and has your real information on it (name and address stuff) and that you TicketFly.Com is also up to date. Have at least $1200 of room on your credit card if buying 2 tickets. Just FYI…

2017 Queer Burners Camp List

The list is taking shape and camps are seriously gearing up to get ready for “Radical Ritual” Burning Man 2017. Do not be one of those people who wait til the last minute to commit because you WILL be left out. Check out the 2017 Queer Burners Page on our web site. 

Events

This is a list of events we know about:

Submit your events for the news letter in the link below.

The Mechanics

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and helped keep this network thriving. As we get closer to event season there is room for more people to play in this garden. If you sign up on the Queer Burners web site and are verified, then you too can write posts and continue conversations relevant to the community at large. Thank you to so many of you.

In Conclusion

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There is a said about the 2015 Spring Retreat and the general consensus is that it was a success. It was a success for the right reasons. It was a success because every single soul that went help make it what it was. This was a true community effort. We will wait and see what next year brings because people asked for it again. Groundswell was an excellent host and the perfect space for us.

Financially we did not bring in as much as we hoped, but it was not about making money. The funds from the event will go back to you: the community anyway. No one was expected to make money though we ended up paying some people for their volunteer work.

  • $8345.00 Revenue from Ticket Sales
  • $7211.00 Expenses*
  • $1133.00 For Queer Burner PR / Projects / Community Efforts*
    (*final numbers as of 6/3/2015 – updated)

Will be meeting with Kyle on 6/4 from Groundswell to talk a little about the past and future. Updates to come.