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Volume 20, Issue #31 | August 22, 2016 
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ROUND-UP OF BURNING MAN WRITINGS:
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GET ME OFF THIS CRAZY RIDE!
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Okay, weirdos, this is it. The last JRS before Black Rock City 2016. In a couple more days, email starts to lose its effect. The world of inboxes and unread messages and reply-all starts to dissolve into a chaotic cloud of unknowability, and then suddenly it's time to go.
So we're gonna get you while we still can. This issue is packed with unbelievable things. Russian bathhouse in the desert? Check. Fantastical RPG spanning all of Burning Man? Check. A 747 arriving on playa? Check. It's even got artists' renderings of imaginary future Black Rock Cities that look like they're from the year 3016.
There's also last-minute critical info, such as don't steal BRC street signs, you doofus. Plus all the goodies you could possibly need to get you in the mood for the Burn. You know, the Burn? It's next week.
The Preparation Editions of the JRS are all done. Here are the links:
That's a wrap on Volume 20 of the Jackrabbit Speaks. Thanks to YOU, dear readers and contributors, for keeping this thing on the rails as we switched Rabbits mid-cycle.
Okay, enough with the mushy stuff. Go pack!
The Man burns in 12 days.
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Fair Warning About Sending Mail to Gerlach for Delivery to BRC
Due to the high volume of mail sent to Gerlach for delivery to Black Rock City, there is a significant likelihood your package will not be processed in time of the event and will be returned to you undelivered.
Also, United Postal Service (UPS) and FedEx do not deliver to the playa. Do not send anything to BRC via UPS or FedEx.
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Street Signs Are Not Souvenirs
Ranger Claymore writes:
"Don’t steal BRC street signs. Stealing street signs is stealing, and thieves are hung from the highest yardarm. Make your own souvenirs.
Not only are they used to find where the hell you are, they are used by Rangers, ESD and Fire crews to find and help you as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency. Delays for fires and medical care can be beaucoup bad.
Street signs are also Burning Man art, and it is not okay to steal someone’s art. Or steal anything. Ever. The Sign Shop people work very hard on those beautiful signs. It is their gift to the community as a whole, not you in particular."
(Photo by John Mosbaugh)
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Got Extra Vehicles in Your Camp? Park ’Em on the Periphery of BRC
To open up more room for actual tents ’n stuff, we’re adding space in the back of Black Rock City for extra vehicle parking.
We’ve had vehicle parking for walk-in campers outside L Street from 2:00 to 5:00 for several years. For 2016 we’re adding parking outside L Street from 7:15 to 10:00. (FYI, we also allow parking at porta-potty banks so long as you leave 25 feet between your Pontiac and the potty, so the pumper trucks can do their thing.)
Three things to remember: 1. Park nose out. 2. Put your name and camp address on a piece of paper on the dashboard. And 3. Except for walk-in camping, there’s no camping outside the flagged fence line.
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Feel the Burn: Our Blind Burning Man Maps are Back
What an amazing service to our community! LightHouse staff write:
"Imagine wandering the Nevada desert, amid the dust storms, all-night parties, and mind-boggling art of Black Rock City; now imagine doing it on your own and with no eyesight at all. Here at the LightHouse for the Blind, we proud to make that dream entirely possible.
Last year, motivated by some of our very own adventurers here at LightHouse, we took it upon ourselves to design something brand new: a Burning Man map for blind people. A year later, we’re proud to announce that we’ve updated and improved the hybrid tactile-visual map for Burning Man 2016, and will make them available not only in Black Rock City, but also here at the LightHouse in downtown San Francisco starting August 22. To get one in advance of the event, email adaptations@lighthouse-sf.org."
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Beyond the Fence
Margie Reynolds writes:
"The Friends of Black Rock High Rock welcome you to the Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon - Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area! (NCA)
What’s the NCA? It’s where Black Rock City makes its home once a year, plus another 1.2 million acres on top of that. It’s the stunning landscape that makes Burning Man so unique and it’s chock full of history, flora, fauna, a few rocket carcasses and more.
What’s Friends? We’re conservation-minded citizens who (among other things) work year-round to preserve the unique character of this amazing landscape. We’ll be at Earth Guardians on Wednesday at 6 pm, so come on by and say hi!
Visit the LAST CHANCE OUTPOST at the Friends of Black Rock High Rock Visitor Center in Gerlach. We’ve got playa supplies, gear, toiletries, affordable upcycled burner-wear, costumes, goggles, snacks, maps, coffee and a lovely restroom for members and customers. This is a fundraiser for our organization, so we appreciate your support.
320 Main Street, across from the Vendor Bazaar."
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2016 Unofficial Map of Black Rock City
Crockett! writes:
"The Unofficial Map of BRC is back for 2016! This time we have a vanity URL for easy access (unofficialbrcmap.com) and a Facebook page to follow updates. With nearly 400 camp submissions in just a few days this year and 800 total in 2015, this is truly a communal effort.
The submission forms are found here:
Camps
Art [really needs more art!]"
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Radical Inclusion: Listen Up Before Dressing Up
Yelena Filipchuk, Dio Ganhdih and Allegra Lucas of HYBYCOZO write:
"As Burning Man has grown, we the authors have been shocked to see how many people donning war bonnets and feather headdresses to party in. Those of us who are Native feel hurt and disrespected by this behavior. Just like the Burning Man community would not tolerate people walking around in blackface or perpetuating other racist stereotypes, we think it’s important to address the issue of appropriation from indigenous cultures.
We hope that sharing how this affects us will allow everyone to feel safe enough to share their own experiences and to fully hear the experiences of others. And we really hope that dialogue will lead Burners to question this practice and make more inclusive, more beautiful art together."
Read more in the Burning Man Journal
(Photo by Rick Egan)
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What Are Your Intentions for the Burn This Year? We Asked, You Told Us
Mia Quagliarello writes:
"Not to make your Burn all, like, high-achieving or something, we sought stories about goal setting on the playa this year, and present 10 here that touch on relatable themes like self-discovery, life transitions, healing, relationships, and more.
Maybe some of these mini-outlines will inspire you to think differently about your Burn in 2016 — or not! Blowing these off and hopping on the nearest dragon is a perfectly fine goal, too.
The beauty of this is that it’s up to you. All of it."
Read more in the Burning Man Journal
(Photo by Mario Covic)
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There’s Nothing More Burning Man Than a Great Story
Josh “Freefall” Lease writes:
“Coyote first came to Burning Man in the mid ’90s, a pivotal point in its evolution. His stories about those days are rich with detail. They’re invaluable records of Burning Man history, and there are relatively few stories out there from that time. Lately, Coyote has decided to write his stories down and share them with the world, and everyone at the Burning Man Project is thrilled. This year, we awarded him a fellowship to support his effort to publish these tales.”
Read more in the Burning Man Journal
(Photo by Josh Lease)
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Planning Arrival After The Gates Open 2016
Trilobyte writes:
“This post is intended as a resource guide for new Burners, camp leaders, and campmates alike — basically anybody who is planning to arrive after the Burning Man gates open and/or arriving in multiple vehicles. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a camp that completed a questionnaire who was not able to be placed, you missed a registration deadline, had a big camp shakeup and are starting over, or don’t even have any kind of theme. You’re coming to Burning Man and it’s going to be awesome!”
Read more on ePlaya
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How Do You Know When to Give a Playa Gift? You Just Know!
Stephanie Kohler writes:
"I never randomly give things away to complete strangers; that seems to risk the recipient not actually wanting the gift, but perhaps feeling obligated to be polite and accept it.
But Black Rock City citizenship taught me, unexpectedly, that re-gifting to a stranger can be wonderful, so long as I know the recipient and the gift are right for each other."
Read more in the Burning Man Journal
(Photo by Walter Sedriks)
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The Big Book of Ideas: Burners Reimagine the City Plan
Cap’n McConzies writes:
"If you could design Black Rock City, what would you build? The Big Book of Ideas is a compilation of the concepts submitted to the unofficial city plan design competition organized by the BRC Ministry of Urban Planning. The designs ranged from straightforward adaptations to radically new and science fictional cityscapes. This is a free ebook and a great read for the road trip to the playa."
Get your copy on our website
(Image: Mother — by Sergio Bianchi, Simone Fracasso and Chiara Pellegrin)
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How To Do Your Burn Right: Accuracy Third’s Unofficial Audio Survival Guide
Accuracy Third writes:
"Presenting for your reference, Accuracy Third’s completely unsanctioned advice on the best ways to prepare for, acculturate for, survive, and enjoy Black Rock City. Whether you’ve been before or not, there’s a lot to learn — or at least disagree with — about the Accuracy Third crew’s opinions on how to do it right.
We broke the Burning Man experience down into three parts: How Not to Fuck Up Going to Burning Man, How Not to Fuck Up Burning Man, and How to Un-fuck Your Burn. Absolutely all the things you need to know as far as we’re concerned!"
Find your preferred listening method via the Burning Man Journal
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Aural Pleasures for the Ride to BRC
Do you like listening to things? If so, it'll please you to know that various aural pleasures are now available as a podcast for your enjoyment and edification while you're packing, driving, or waiting in D Lot.
You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, RSS, or on SoundCloud.
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Las Fallas: The World's Biggest, Oldest, Craziest Fire Festival
As we head out to the desert to burn stuff, we could learn a thing or two from Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain.
Burning Man is involved in an artist exchange with this venerable fire festival, so there will be Valencian artists on playa, and several Burning Man people went over to Las Fallas this year.
This is a teaser for an upcoming documentary by Lisa Ferguson about the artist exchange and what will come of it.
Check out the video on YouTube
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Masters and Makers Meet in La Bottega
Khaleesi writes:
"La Bottega is a hub at the Man Base which will serve as a welcoming and information center for the Guild artists, Man Watch, and Rangers assigned to the Man. To get more deeply involved in this year’s theme and to help us host this fabulous experience, we gratefully invite you to sign up for a few volunteer shifts!
Part artist, part engineer, you’ll escort visitors playfully to the various booths and let them run with it.
Contact labottega@burningman.org if you’re interested."
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Recycle Camp Wants You to Show Us Your Cans
Spanky writes:
"Making plans for your camp that include lots and lots of cans? Want to unload those empty cans on playa while also helping the city of Gerlach? Well come on down to Recycle Camp and show us your cans!
At Recycle Camp, we want your aluminum cans. We are located at 6 and Center Circle behind the Center Camp Café and will be open every day until 5 pm. No drop-offs allowed. When you get there, you will help us separate your cans before riding the Crushinator, our magical bicycle-powered can-crushing apparatus.
We only accept aluminum cans, so please keep all of your soup or heavy metal cans. Rule of thumb: If you can’t crush it, then we don’t want it. Also, some stout beers like Guinness have a plastic widget that cannot be recycled with the aluminum. Please remove it before bringing them to us.
All of the money we generate from can recycling is donated to the Gerlach school system."
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Add Yourself to Circulation at Black Rock Public Library
Heavyweight writes:
"Remember how libraries used to work? If you wanted to learn about beekeeping, you’d just go to the card catalog and look up where to find dusty books on the subject. But wouldn’t you rather check out a dusty beekeeper instead?
This year, the Black Rock Public Library will let you go straight to the source. In the brand new Human Card Catalog, you’ll get instructions on how to find someone who knows about whatever you want to learn. Add yourself to the catalog in advance to hit the ground teaching!
For more information, email brplib@gmail.com.
NOTE: Cards will be arranged in strict accordance with the Screwey Decimal System. People are not subject to the same strict one-year checkout period as books. Human checkout periods may vary."
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Take Part in a Giant Roleplaying Game Across the Playa
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Lauren writes:
"We’re looking for camps and individuals to collaborate with on the second ever PlayaRPG, a fun, interactive, playa-wide, week-long role playing game! In it, players (heroes!) choose their class and receive quests at the Playanauts camp. The goal of the game is for them to complete and turn in five quests without losing all of their HP over the course of the week.
Last year’s trial run was a huge success, and we would love to make this year’s game bigger and better, connecting more camps, and more people, but we need your help. One of our goals for the game is to connect camps and people all across the playa. Last year, we had 15 or so camps serve as quest locations and over 150 participants start the game, Many followed up saying it was the most fun they had at Burning Man that year. This year I hope to expand our network!
If you’re interested in helping out or serving as a quest location, please shoot a message to the PlayaRPG Facebook page."
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Turn Off Your Lights Wednesday for One Hour, So We Can See the Stars
Good luck with this one, buddy. Alaric writes:
"What: Turn off your lights (or otherwise reduce obtrusive lighting)
Where: Black Rock City, NV
When: Wednesday night of event week, 11 pm-Midnight (8.31.2016)
Why: So we can see the stars!
Who: All of Black Rock City, that means you too!
The goal of Black Out Black Rock is pretty straight forward, we wish to share the view of the night sky that many of us involved in this project have enjoyed in the Black Rock desert with other participants. We aim to educate Burners about light pollution and what they can do to prevent it here, and at home. So you know, shut your blinks off, switch to your red lights and take a moment to look up."
(Photo by Ross Barringer, BLM Nevada [CC license])
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TEDxBlackRockCity Is Moving to a New Time and Location
Izzy writes:
"This year, TEDxBlackRockCity will be held @ Distrikt (9&F)
Wednesday Aug 31 at 8:30pm
A total of 12 speakers will share their passion on cutting-edge topics ranging from sex to psychology and technology. We’re very happy to let you know that Chip Conley and Charles Eisenstein will be two of our speakers.
Check the TEDxBlackRockCity website regularly or follow us on FB for updates on speakers and other details."
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Greatest Mutant Arts Parade Seeks Art Cars
Doug writes:
"Join us for the 4th annual Greatest Mutant Arts Parade as we form our single line of solidarity and drive throughout the city and playa on our uncharted parade route of mystery and surprise. This year, the Greatest Mutant Arts Parade will meet on Wednesday, August 31 at 11:30 am at Reverbia (3:45 and Esplanade) and begin our route at noon.
To make this Parade a reality, we need all Mutant Vehicles available to join our processional cause. Mutant Art Vehicles interested in joining our Parade, please email Doug or come by 3:45 and Esplanade and pick up your parade application."
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The Black Rock Beacon Wants You
Ali Baba writes:
"The Black Rock Beacon returns to Center Camp for our twelfth year of on-playa publication! We’re happy as bacon in grease to continue serving you with crispy morsels of BRC news, views, and totally tangential references to pork-related products. Yes, even turkey bacon.
The paper is produced onsite, using grit, sweat, determination and decade-old computers. Beacon Burnalists have already begun to gather information for this year’s papers, but we are hungry for more. We have a long list of stories. There are also openings for editors, production people, illustrators, and schwag-starved delivery folks. We especially need designers with their own equipment.
If you know us and love us from past years, please consider making a donation to support our work. We would like to increase our press run; paper and ink are among our largest expenses, and the population keeps growing.
If you want to join us or donate, see our website for information, shoot an email to questions@blackrockbeacon.org, or come by for our daily team meeting at 10:30 a.m. on-playa."
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Koi Pond Needs Nighttime Guardians
HoneyBear writes:
"JoeJoe Martin and the Koi crew have been working super hard to bring the Koi Pond to Burning Man this year. The Koi Pond is a large-scale interactive light sculpture that combines technology and traditional craftsmanship. We invite you to help guard this beautiful digital sculpture with us.
Guardians are there to let folks know that the pond isn’t safe for walking on, swimming in, or otherwise. It’s durable enough to withstand the desert elements — but not to hold human bodies.
Each shift for the duration of the event is only two hours and at night:"
Shift times:
8 - 10 PM (Sunset)
10 PM - Midnight
Midnight- 2 AM
2 - 4 AM
4 AM - 6 AM (Sunrise)
Sign up here
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Volunteer as a "Rah Nama" for Catacomb of Veils
Michael Sollazzo writes:
"Catacomb of Veils is a remarkable offering to the people of Black Rock City. Participants will be invited to climb up a mountainous ruin and descend into a Catacomb through a Sanctum of Veils. We seek on-playa volunteers to quietly tend the Catacomb of Veils and all those who arrive there.
Shifts will be four hours, scheduled 24 hours per day from Saturday 8/27 until the structure burns sunrise Friday 9/2. Pre-playa information along with on-playa training and support will be provided.
Why offer this service? As people engage and interact with the Catacomb of Veils you will observe the broad experience and expression of the human heart and spirit. To do so is an honor, a joy, a privilege, and a profound journey of your own.
If you feel drawn to this service, email us at volunteercov@gmail.com or sign up here."
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What Would You Say to the Virgin Burner You Once Were?
Awkwurd writes:
"What were you thinking the first time you drove down Gate Road?
What event or experience in BRC changed you? The Virgin Letter Project is collecting letters from veteran burners to be delivered to this year’s virgins on playa. For the last four years, VLP has collected letters online from veteran burners. These letters are printed and delivered in Black Rock City to the current year’s virgins."
Visit the Virgin Letters Project website
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How Do I Support a Burning Man Art Project?
So you'd like to help out with an art project, but you're not sure how. Well, you can gift your services, skills, time, resources, or funding. There are plenty of projects in need of assistance. Here's how to find them:
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Give Buddha's Hand a Hand: Mazu Needs You
The Mazu Crew writes:
“This year the ”Zulai" art car will embody the Legendary Buddha’s Palm. Our theme camp will be anchored by a Guardian Ghost Gate with the goddess of Mazu centered by 6 I’Ching octagonal panels. We have been training diligently in Asia for performances on playa and like last year have constructed elaborate costumes.
We are quite literally 90% of the way there. The art car is done, the gate, the panels… everything is set to go. But a very unfortunate event has cut our funding short. We have already invested over $65,000 in bringing our artists here, feeding them, constructing, and getting things ready. This last little bit is all we need now that our funding source has gone away."
Support Mazu on Giving Trail
(Photo by Bing Hsuan Wu)
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VibrajWhat?
Mama Squirrel writes:
"Vibraj debuted at Burning Man 2015 as a baby. This year it’s returning as a teenager and has doubled in size. From the soft cuddly harp like baby to an angsty teenager with additional steel percussive parts and chime additions.
We are currently in pre-build mode and need funds starting immediately and for the next few weeks as we prepare for the trek to Black Rock City.
It would mean a great deal to me and make me very happy to receive your contributions!"
Support Vibraj on GoFundMe
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Draw Like the Old Masters
Sonya writes:
“Observer at Point X is a sacred space and exploration of Renaissance-era optics used for divinatory/astronomical, photographic and scientific/alchemical purposes. Participants draw the scenes from the cameras obscura, contemplate with the magic mirror and play with optics in the workspace/observatory. Come to the workshop and draw like an old-ass master.”
Support Observer at Point X on Indiegogo
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Visit the Pinhole Project at the Reno Airport
Cynthia writes:
"While on your way through the Reno Airport be sure to check out the DepARTure Gallery’s exhibit: ‘Pinhole Project - A Collaborative Photography Project from Burning Man’ It will be up from August 8, through October 18, 2016. The exhibit highlights Pinhole Project’s unique perspective on the people, art, and events from previous Burning Man festivals. Many of the reproductions in the exhibit are from Burning Man 2015 with a few scattered memories from previous years.
Then, when you get to the playa, come play with Pinhole Project. Learn the science of our process and help to create art. Anyone can go out with us to take photos or come to our camp and help develop the paper in our Desert Darkroom.
Pinhole Project is a proud part of Illumination Village, this year at 3:30 and A."
Visit the Pinhole Project website
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From Russia With Love: Traditional Banya on Playa
Mini writes:
"We are Steamology team, an experienced crew of banya masters, mostly from Russia. ‘Banya’ is the traditional art of steam and sound healing using oak and birch branches. We bring our 15’ felt-covered geodome banya, herbs, branches, and our hearts and knowledge for the 3–9 pm banya experience every day. And there will be much more — mountain tea and special healing ceremonies included. And the Siberian/Northern European/Russian shamans’ ways, too!
Steamology is a lab and teaching facility, too. So we’re looking for healing enthusiasts to share our knowledge and skills with. We will be happy to explain the tradition and how we learned to integrate it into the city routines.
Our playa address is Italic/7:45, the camp name is ‘Stories of MIR/Steamology’."
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Da Vinci Dust Run
Wreck writes:
“Come explore the perimeter of BRC and join us in a 9+-mile run around the pentagon we call home. This epic trash fence run will be held on 8/31. Pick up a bib between 6:30–7:00 (am) then we’re off. Water supplied out at furthest point, and da Vinci Screw Drivers to quench your thirst at the finish! Size Doesn’t Matter Camp, 3:45 and B.”
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Send a Playa Video Postcard
Eugenia writes:
“Got some loved ones who can’t make it to Burning Man? Tell them to tune in to the Burning Man Webcast Wednesday, Aug 31 at 10:15 am to see your playa video postcard! Meet at 6 and Esplanade at 10 am, and we’ll march toward the webcam to shake your tail feathers at 10:15 sharp. Bring your solo dance moves, synchronized number, signs and costumes and anything that will bring a smile to your pals back in the default world.”
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Boom Boom Womb Trash Fence Clean-up Party
Black Beauty writes:
"Camp BOOM BOOM WOMB is hosting a trash fence clean-up on Saturday, 9/3 from 4–6 pm. Come enjoy wonderful company, great tunes, and picklebacks after a week of fire storms and dust burning (or is it dust storms and fire burning?)
ATTENTION: If your camp has a mobile sound car or you know someone who does, please reach out to me by email or through our FB event page."
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