So it's technically the middle of May, and right around the corner is Summer. Aaaahhh, Summer! With Summer comes my favorite thing: Music Festivals! Outdoor venues that turn into an amazing, sunshine-filled, Hula Hooper's paradise(or any other dancers paradise) for that matter.

My first Festival this year is Bonnaroo. I have gone 3 times(or is it 4)? I am needeing to find a ride still.... I am having quite the time this year. I am heading there from Oregon, and I need to be there a few days ahead of time. I am meeting up with some friends and I also have to get my "credentials" to be able to get in as a vendor. Man that is one thing that is not fun about Bonnaroo, the line for Vendor's, Volunteer's and any one "involved" in any way with the Festival is THE most unorganized thing EVER! I hope they read this, maybe between me and all the others that complain...

Anyway, I am still excited and I am ready to work and play too! I love going to Bonnaroo, it's the first BIG shindig of the Summer and you see everybody there. People come from all over and it's such a family vibe. It's really great waiting in line, it's HOT, but everyone is smiling and telling stories of past "Roo's and of other shows,planning their weekend, and telling each other what they "think" will happen at this years fest. All the Volunteers that stand out in the sun, helping the line run smoothly and checking cars, and just doing their jobs are awesome! Thank you, with out volunteers the Festival wouldn't make it. I know the perks of workin' a fest, but still, YOU are a huge help and make it run more smoothly!

I don't LOVE the Tennessee heat but it's like at Burning Man, you DEAL with it to be able to have the amazing experience! This year I probably won't be working as much,(I say that now!), but I made a vow to myself to go DO more things. I always go to the Fire Show because I know some of the people in it, I go to ALL the DJ'S I possibly can because I love the "womp,WomP, ThuMp, Bass,wOmP" but I want NEW experiences, I want to go WAY out in the campgrounds and see the crazy people. That WILL happen this Bonnaroo, for sure!

I am going to be at David Byrne, I know that for sure. I am a huge fan, and haven't seen him. So that is my one and only "plan". I decided to go and experience new things by making no plans(minus Mr. Byrne), I will be open to whatever and I can imagine how great of a time I will have!

I always try to get to the Super Jam. The Super Jam is really SUPER! They don't tell you who's in the Jam, but you know to just GO, no matter what you will be in for a treat. They surprise and amaze every time. But you have to be willing to stay up late, be crammed into a place and enjoy it, all for the LOVE of music! I say Hell Yes!!! Sign me up!

I imagine the Beastie Boys show will bw pretty good. They haven't done much lately so that one will fill up quick. I was lucky enough to see them a few years ago at a SMALL show they did here in Oregon. I was "working" a Corporate gathering and the music guests happened to be The Beasties! You could say I was beyond stoked! A show for around 300 people by the Beasties was a highlight of all the live music I have seen. I am lucky! And very fortunate.

Last year after Bonnaroo, we stayed and cleaned up and tore down the booth. As we looked around at all that was left behind, I became very upset at everything that was being thrown away and NOT recycled, not being hauled home to used again or even how pwople DIDN'T even clean up their campsite at all, they left everything and got in their cars and drove away. What are they thinking? The stuff does not just clen itself up. It all has to be hauled away, sorted through by the recycling teams and moved by the volunteers and groundskeepers of that land. They don't get paid. They do it because it HAS to be done, it needs to be done!  After Bonnaroo the land has to be back the way it was before the show. The owners rent out the land for other things and we at Bonnaroo have a responsibility to learn to clean up after ourselves! I was surprised to see full blown camp set ups left behind (tents, camping chairs, coolers,tables,etc). Some of the the campers' garbage was also in a heap, sometimes in bags, sometimes literally just laying everywhere. They provide everyone with bags for garbage AND for recycling when you come in and you can request more while you are there,so please USE THEM!!!! The festival has been trying more and more over the years to become more environmentally sound, and from the very first Bonnaroo till last years, they have come a long way!  But, they need our help, plus it's just common sense to pick up after ones self. I mean, I know I learned that in Kindergarten...

I went to Rothbury last year, the first one! And I want to go so very badly to this years Festival as well. The garbage situation there was completely different from Bonnaroo's. They also promoted "greening" any and all Music Festivals on their website from the beginning. I think that made a huge difference. The serenity of the place too may have had an effect on all the patrons, I know it did for me. Rothbury, Michigan, who would want to do anything to this spectacular little piece of Heaven? The rolling hills, the people, and the thunderstorms...I could go on and on.... They were fairly organized as well which helps on all levels of any Festival. There was a bit of chaos at the beginning of the Festival though, not for patrons, but for Vendors. Man oh man I don't ever wanna deal with that kinda mess again. At l.east this time around they will know what works and what doesn't, so all the vendors will be spared that grief!

Look on You Tube for Rothbury stuff, you will want to come after you see what kind of fun was had! The magical Sherwood Forest was THE place to be, it had everything. Fairy's, lights in the trees, Fire Dancer's, LED Hula Hoopers, Goblins and a million other creature that came out of no where all painted up in light reactive make up and Glow in the dark paint! It was so spectacular! And the music...wow, what a treat! Sound Tribe Sector Nine(STS9) played and I think the whole forest was jumpin', yes, including the trees! Widespread Panic threw a party in the early evening and I laughed and danced so hard! I felt so free, I will never forget it! I made friends with a fun character a little while after seeing Panic going into and cruising all around Sherwood Forest, he helped me with the merchandise cart I had loaded down with EL wire, his name was Omar. Thank You Omar for helping me and my cart, you were a rock star! We talked forever and he saw that I was pulling a large load and jumped right in to help out, that is why I love going to Festivals, everyone is like family, and most people are truly great human BEings that want to help out a fellow Sistar or Brother!

Now a bit about Earth Dance. This Festival changed the way I think about festivals, period. It's not about the crowd, or the look of the place, but it's about our Earth, Our Mother and us as Human BEings and Sister's and Brother's working together to create positive change in our World. Don't get me wrong, the music was off the hook! But over all it was the messages you got from the speakers and the workshops and the vibe that made you want to come back again, and again!  Have you heard of The Goddess Alchemy Project? Go check them out! Go NOW! These positive, wonderful, beautiful ladies have some of the best lyrics I have heard in a while. They are very grounded, spiritual BEings who obviously love their creater and the Family that we all are on this Planet. I think about that show often and remember how amazed I was at their performance. They can dance, they can sing, and they are all beautiful Fashionistas who wear their sort of fashions oh so well. There is nothing out there quite like them that I have seen! If you can, log onto Earthdance.org and see what is going on in our worlld! There is positive change happening and we all can be a part of it! This Party takes place in Laytonville, Ca at the end of Summer. It's warm, not TOO hot and the drive in is scenic. The hills and trees all seem to speak to you....

There are so many amazing, creative events that happen and there is NO way anyone can go to all of them! For a list of festivals that my friends and loved ones go to log on to their website, thespinsterz.com to see where other like minded folks go to see and be apart of this "other" world.

I want to go to  England, and all over Europe some day to check out their Festival scene. For  the past few years it has really started to blow up and I'd love to be apart of that as well!!

Have a wonderful day, and may Festival Season be Upon You as well!!

Melissa Magic