Fall Equinox in Ogden
Fairies and Wood Nymphs
Photo Credit: Pixie Pics
Event Organizer Pamela S. Stevens writes:
"Once again fairies, wood nymphs, giggling children and magical music makers roamed wild under the trees and along the river of the historic Fort Buenaventura in Ogden. 2014 marks the third annual Fall Equinox Celebration and the ninth large Ogden FamDamily event since 2009. An estimated 1000 people attended the celebration to enjoy three live stages, a DJ stage, kid's camp, The Creation Station, good company and more.
The meadow stage, managed by Ryan Bassett, featured touring bands such as Candy's River House and Todo Mundo and local favorites such as Grits Green, Marinade and From the Sun. The Trader's Row stage, managed by Jon Turner, featured the lovely Michelle Moonshine, Barbaloot Suitz and Sugartown Alley. This year for the first time, Mojos, a local all-age venue, sponsored the River Stage showcasing eight bands and four acoustic musicians all under the age of 21, most playing their first festival. Matt Housley's (IN2GR8) DJ stage featured numerous popular DJs such as LOKI, DJ Evenflo, Lowpass and Morzfeen.
Over 20 E11 and BRC Rangers along with the medical crew and security staff proved themselves invaluable in helping keep safe the shenanigans of over 130 children, nearly 100 adult minors and nearly 750 adults. It is estimated that it took roughly 300 volunteers plus over 200 entertainers to make this event happen, proving the long-time Burn adage that everyone is a participant and everyone creates the event. Jim Carter with Weber County reported that EQ 2014 was one of the best run events he has seen all year. Zero problems were reported from Ogden City or Ogden Police. All-in-all the Fall Equinox Celebrations seem to be well-received within the greater Ogden area and beyond -some attendees even traveled from Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada to attend Fall EQ.
The Ogden Fall Equinox Celebrations have plenty of room for growth, considering that the park's 84 acres can host over 3000 and there is a second large parking lot we have never used. EQ might have to step up and give the music-loving festival lovers a joyful way to end the summer every year since two large Utah musical festivals no longer exist. After a few months respite, the organizers will put their heads together to start planning next year.
The Ogden FamDamily loves to show off its enchanted woodland venue and working with the local Burners to create a safe and renewing experience for families and friends. We'll be ready for 2000 next year!"
Utah At Burning Man!!
Mark of Hearts- Mark Bolyea- Fire Muse Circus
Photo Credit: David Sun Kong Photography
This year our Utah Community had a huge presence at Burning Man. It was so much fun to see friends there representing our tribes, our art, our family and our amazing Community!!
Some of the friends we saw at Burning Man this year were the Utah Fire Tribe, the Chatterbox, the Pilot Fish, the Cosmiquarium Village, the Fire Muse Circus, Burn'em and Baileys, the Black Rock Brewery, and the Scorpion!!
There are too many amazing contributions from our community to cover them all, but we have had many friends submit content to the Salt Shaker for everyone to enjoy and remember the great times we had in Black Rock City!!
Element 11 Temple Procession and the Heart of Compassion at Burning Man
Element 11 Burning Man Temple Procession
Photo Credit: Dave Trockman
On Wednesday August 27th, 2014 our Utah Family gathered at the Cosmiquarium Village on the Esplanade to begin a long and emotional Procession to the Temple of Grace at Burning Man. Awaiting us at the end of our destination was the E11 Heart of Compassion, a sculpture designed and made lovingly by Utah Artist Alice Toler, and gifted to the Community to help with the healing process after the tragedy witnessed by so many at this year's Element 11 Festival.
We have all been deeply affected by this event, and have grown even closer as a community in the days after. This Procession was beautiful in so many ways, and a deep and heart felt thank you goes out to everyone that helped organize and host the event, to all those that attended, and to those that couldn't attend but are always with us in spirit.
2014 Utah Core Souk Project at Burning Man
John Ward's Sound Sculpture
Photo Credit: Sarah Berry
The 2014 Utah Core Souk Project was a spectacular hit!! We had beautiful art and sculptures created by local Utah Artists including the 6ft Coontie Pod lamp created by Alice Toler, the Sonic Sculpture created by John Ward and live art by Aspen Moon. We also brought a Photo Booth with a backdrop photo from Salt Lake courtesy of Dave Trockman.
Thank you so much to the community that contributed to the Souk's success and to all the people that volunteered their time during Burning Man to help with staffing, and helped to make it a memorable experience for all of the world to come and spend some time in our Utah Souk.
Fire Muse Circus at Burning Man
Fire Muse Circus
Photo Credit: Sherry Stewart
Adriane Colvin, Director of the Fire Muse Circus Writes:
"Fire Muse Circus was fortunate enough to be involved with the Utah Core Project’s “Souk”, by providing two performances during the week of Burning Man.The project showcased the many talents of this Utah based performance troupe. The backdrop for our shows was just outside of the magical space created by the Core Project, and directly under the man.
Themed aerial silk and trapeze acts accompanied fire dancing for a visually packed performance. Thursday night Fire Muse Circus teamed up with the “Scorpion” art car for the musical and theatrical aspect of the show. The shows proved to be a once in a lifetime experience and fulfilled many dreams for our performers. Thank you Utah Core Project!
Fire Muse Circus also was present in “The Great Circle” for the second year performing along side other fire conclaves from around the world."
The Scorpion Art Car at Burning Man
The Scorpion Art Car
Photo Credit: Jahshua Grover
A picture says a thousand words! Thank you Kirk Jellum and Team for representing Utah again this year with the mind blowing Scorpion Art Car!!
The Cosmiquarian Village 3:45 and Esplanade
Cosmiquarian Village 3:45 and Esplanade
Photo Credit: Jared Gallardo
This year two of our largest Element 11 Theme Camps teamed up to create the Cosmiquarian Village at Burning Man. I had the privilege of interviewing both Stevie Turner of Cosmic Recess and Jared Gallardo of the Jelly Crew. Both Interviews can be found below:
Stevie Turner is the Founder of Cosmic Recess. He has been attending Burning Man since 1998. and he was gracious enough to answer a few questions for this edition of the Salt Shaker:
Sarah: How long has Cosmic Recess been at Burning Man?
Stevie: Cosmic Recess was founded in 2005 and was the evolution of a few camps including (coincidentally) JellyPort in 2002, House of HolyHoops in 2003 as part of the Sanctuary Village, and in 2004 the HolyHoop Cluster which was the beginning of the space theme. It wasn't until we joined Luster Village that we began the playground theme as Cosmic Recess.
Sarah: How Long has Cosmic Recess been on the Esplanade?
Stevie: Cosmic Recess has been on the esplanade for 8 straight years.
Sarah: What was different about this year for Cosmic?
Stevie: This year Cosmic Recess combined forces with the Jelly Crew to create the Cosmiquarium Village. Together we brought the Cosmic Recess Playground that has been a fixture of the esplanade since 2007 and the Pilot Fish art car, and the JellyCrew brought the Jelly artcars and the illuminated Jelly Parachute that became a gathering place for the Village and beacon for Utah Burners all over the playa.
Sarah: Tell us a little about Cosmic Recess working together with the Jelly Crew this year.
Stevie: The collaboration between the 2 camps was incredible and everyone that stepped into the camp felt the inclusive spirit of Cosmiquarium Village whether they were jumping on one of our art cars or coming in to our village from the Esplanade.
Sarah: Thank you Stevie! Is there anything you would like to say to the Utah Community before we wrap up?
Stevie: We have always been proud to be part of the Utah Burner Community and we have always felt the love and support for what we have tried to do. Thank you friends for always being there for us. We love being part of such a vibrant, creative community and we would not have been able to be so successful without our roots in the Utah Burner community. Also, thank you to the Jellies- Cosmic Recess appreciates the camaraderie and friendship of the Jelly Crew, and for their part in the outrageous success of this years Cosmiquarium Village! We are looking forward to next year with you!
Jared Gallardo has been attending Burning Man for 10 years and was one of the original founders of the JellyCrew in 2007 that formed as a result the Jellyfish 12000 Art Car Project. In this interview we talk about the Cosmiquarian Village, the collaboration with Cosmic Recess and the JellyCrew's first time on the Esplanade!
Click Here to Listen to Jared Gallardo interview with the Salt Shaker!
Thank You Utah Burning Man and Element 11 Community
Element 11 at Burning Man
Photo Credit: Jahshua Grover
Thank you for everything that you all do as individuals and groups to bring love, togetherness and support to our Community. We are growing and changing and looking forward to amazing times ahead of us in the coming years at Element 11 and Burning Man.
