Transformational trips to the fests of 2012 Are you primed for travel and transformation? Distinct from our regular festival listings, these events create a summertime circuit for performers and festival-goers alike, a modern-day road trip lifestyle featuring ceremony, ritual, and collective creativity. As a rule, these fests offer camping and electronic music and are showcases for cutting-edge consciousness and technology. Dive right in! Envision Festival
Beloved Sacred Art & Music Festival
March 1–4 • Uvita, Bahia Ballena, Costa Rica A spectacular setting between the Pacific ocean and the rain forest is half the draw for this fest. The talent and international community gathered here is the other. www.envisionfestival.com
August 10–13 • Tidewater Falls, OR This intimate gathering features a 3000 sq.ft. padded dance floor courtesy of the Yum Sessions at the main stage, and beauty at every turn. www.belovedfestival.com
Bali Spirit Festival
Tribal Vision
March 20–24 • Bali, Indonesia The international destination and gathering spot for the world’s most revered yogis, dancers, and spiritual seekers, held each year in paradise. www.balispiritfestival.com April 25–30 • Tankwa Karoo, South Africa One of the most epic and far flung Burning Man regional events. The creative melting pot culminates with the burning of the San Clan figure. w ww.afrikaburn.com
Symbiosis May 17–21 • Pyramid Lake, NV This year Symbiosis was held on sacred land and timed to coincide with the solar eclipse. w ww.pyramideclipse.com
Entheos Gathering June 22–25 • British Columbia, Canada Visionary art, technology, intellectual exchange, cooperation, consciousness, and an optimistic view of the future. “Entheos” is Greek for “the divine within.” www.entheosgathering.com
Enchanted Forest June 29–July 2 • Mendocino County, CA We celebrate our tribal culture through dance, art, nature, and the unyielding gift of the human spirit. Together we set the container to nurture the seed of our infinite potential as individuals and as community. www.enchantedforestmendo.com
Dreamtime Festival July 16–20 • Paonia, CO Weaving themes of sustainability, personal development, creativity, health, and holistic healing together in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. www.dreamthefuture.org
Mystic Garden Gathering July 18–23 • Lake Selmac, OR Putting out the call for a gathering of the tribes, One of the most beautiful and mystical festivals. w ww.mysticgardengathering.com
Shiva Rea responding to the call of kirtan at Bhakti Fest. pg 52
Wanderlust Festival Photosynthesis Festival July 20–22 • Neah Bay, WA Cultivating unconditional love, compassion, acceptance, and creativity through the co-creation of a sustainable community fueled by intimacy and ingenuity. w ww.photosynthesisfestival.com
Faerieworlds July 27–29 • Eugene, OR The premiere mythic music and arts festival on the West Coast, featuring internationally acclaimed bands, musicians, artists, and authors, Faerieworlds annually attracts thousands of fans and families from around the globe. w ww.faerieworlds.com
Boom Festival July 28–Aug 4 • Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal Pinnacle of global transformational culture. Boom sets the standard for high-vibration consciousness-raising art, music, culture, and community. www.boomfestival.org
Gaia Festival August 3–5 • Laytonville, CA Dedicated to serve a growing community of people who are seeking sustainable ways to embrace the emerging paradigm. w ww.thegaiafestival.com
Shambhala Music Festival August 8–13 • Salmo, Canada Morning yoga by giant cedar trees, daytime beats hugging the refreshing Salmo river, and good grooves to move you until the early morning mists wrap around your dancing feet. This is living! w ww.shambhalamusicfestival.com
August 23–26 • Whistler, BC One-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s best yoga and wellness teachers and top musical acts and DJs, in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. www.wanderlustfestival.com
Burning Man August 27–September 3 • Black Rock Desert, NV Leave the default world behind and step into the heart of contributor culture. Find out why fire plus art equals community at the festival that changed everything. www.burningman.com
Water Woman Festival August 30, Ecuador • South America An international gathering of the tribes to honor the creative force of the feminine, activate a hub of light and awareness, and join hands in consciousness, beauty, and celebration. www.facebook.com
Bhakti Fest West September 6–9 • Joshua Tree, CA Express love and devotion as a single community through an enchanting selection of activities including kirtan concerts, meditation, yoga classes, vegetarian cuisine, and midnight fire ceremonies. w ww.bhaktifest.com
Ecstatic Dance & Movement Retreat November 12–18 • Big Island, HI Come to enjoy dance, music, movement, yoga, kirtan, nature, and community at the place where it all began—Kalani Retreat on the wild side of the Big Island. www.ecstaticdance.org
YOUR FAVORITE HAPPENINGS ARE ON THE WORLD’S BEST DANCE MAP AT
W W W.CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM
Photos: TOP: monique ferris / Bottom: Elena Ray
AfrikaBurn
Bali Spirit Fest
August 17–19 • Taos, NM An evolutionary gathering of music, ceremony, prayer, and dance in the sacred mountains of New Mexico. www.tribalvisionfestival.com