Day 46: I Know What You Did Next Summer

[anarchist_nomad]

Two days ago, the Brushwood Folklore Center announced that, after twenty years, it would not be hosting the Starwood Festival -- run by the Association for Consciousness Exploration next year.

Hurm.

That is somewhat unexpected... especially since next year is Starwood XXX!

Hurm.

I first attended Starwood at Brushwood in 1998[*]. Since then, I have not returned every single Summer[**], but I have gone back most years. In light of this breaking news, I am not certain what I will do about a Summer Pagan festival in 2010:

• Should I follow ACE and Starwood to their new -- and not yet determined -- home for Starwood XXX?
  
  
• Should I return to Brushwood for the inaugural year of their new "Summerfest" that they will host instead of Starwood?
  
  
• Shall I go to Sirius Rising at Brushwood the week before instead?
  
  
• Shall I bid farewell to both Starwood and Brushwood and return to the Free Spirit Gathering for the first time in many years??
  
  
• Should I scrap the idea of a Stateside festival entirely and try to find something equivalent in the UK? Does something equivalent even exist in the UK??

Ultimately, the decision will be quite influenced by what other people decide to do. Generally, I do not like to be a conformist... but if a majority of my Starwood peeps return to Brushwood for their Summerfest, then we have the same people in the same place. The only thing missing would be ACE... and I have no reason to feel a particular loyalty to their organization. If there are Starwood people at the Starwood place, then it may not matter what it is called -- it may still feel just like the Starwood I have known and loved through the years.

What do y'all think, fellow Starwoodians? What are your Summer plans for 2010?

---

[*] My beloved cheshcat goes back even further -- I think that she first went in 1993.

[**] The way that I have never missed the October Super Sekrit Pagan Festival since I first attended in 1997.

Comments

[sweetcyanide.livejournal.com]

Ooh, if you end up finding something nice to go to in the UK I'd probably be up for coming along- it's been far too long since I've done any kind of proper festival x

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

I will definitely let you know, Sweetie! For that matter, if I find something suitable in the UK, I may just go to that and one of the Stateside festivals! I'm greedy, dontcha know? *grin*

xxx

[autumnquest.livejournal.com]

I was unsure whether I was going to be able to make it to Brushwood next year because of my busy festival schedule. But I will say that some of the same people who attend Starwood also attend FSG. And now there are people trying to get ACE to look at Ramblewood for a site for Starwood XXX.

This split is sad, but change is important at times.

Still not sure whether I will attend Starwood next year or Sirius. It might be one or the other or neither.

I will be at 3 festivals at Ramblewood next year. Beltane, FSG and Fires of Venus.

It's sad that many people will feel split in their decisions on this.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Speaking of greedy (see my above comment), you're really loading up the festivals, aren't you? Wowza... FS Beltane, FSG, Fires of Venus... and maybe Sirius or Starwood? I have festival envy, my dear Autumn! :-D

It is going to be interesting to see how the community splits on this. How many will stay with Brushwood and how many will follow ACE? Time will tell, I suppose...

[tawneypup.livejournal.com]

There is no question for me - Brushwood is my home away from home, and ACE just happens to be part of it for a week. I'll definitely return there instead of going where ACE goes* but I'd like to see the Summerfest schedule before I decide between that and Sirius Rising.

*Especially if ACE/Starwood goes to Ramblewood. I was fairly unimpressed with that place - it doesn't have nearly the charm or personality of Brushwood IMHO. *shrugs*

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Well that makes sense, Sweetheart, seeing as you go to Brushwood at other times during the year, not just for the Sirius/Starwood block in July. Heck, you ADF folk now have your own buildings there! *smile*

I will say that, if I am looking to be swayed in my decision by the people I care about, your decision has quite considerable influence, my Love. Strolling around the Nemeton with you was one of the high points of Starwood for me this year. Just because it was you. Definitely let me know as your own plans evolve, as they are highly likely to impact on my own.

(Of course, whichever festival decides to build the bigger final night bonfire will also win points in my eyes! *grin*)

[tawneypup.livejournal.com]

It will be interesting to see where ADF falls out in this mess, actually. I'm hoping that there will be some ADF presence at Brushwood but with Ian Corrigan being a big part of ACE and ADF, if there's big drama behind this change then ADF may not attend. I hope I'm not the sole druid to stay behind but even if I am it doesn't matter - I love Brushwood and it sounds like the majority if people I care about will be there, so that's where you'll find me.

I hope that you'll be there with me but you too have your own "Starwood Family" that I'm only part of and I wouldn't begrudge you going elsewhere, even if I'd miss you bunches. Of course, this opens up the possibility of a trip to Cedar Point at some time, depending on whether it's Sirius or Summerfest...

*smiles* And yes, our lovely walk and talk in the Nemeton was a most wonderful way to spend the afternoon. *kiss*

[autumnquest.livejournal.com]

ADF has put so much love into Brushwood though with the Nemeton and has so much energy invested in it. I cannot imagine there not being some presence at Brushwood through the summer. And it doesn't sound yet like Wellspring gathering has changed.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Good points all around, really!

It will be interesting to see where some people, like Ian, fall out in all this. I would be surprised to see ADF abandon their new buildings and the Nemeton... but time will tell. I hope that I am not wrong here!

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Definitely want to hit Cedar Point with you next Summer if it is at all possible, Cutie!

As for the rest... well, I know lots of awesome people at Starwood but the two main "families" that I feel part of are Pagan Heights and yours -- the Lansing Pagan Village. Obviously, I've known some of the people on the heights for a lot longer -- some back to 1997 -- but both are important groups to me.

At the moment, I'm tentatively leaning towards trying out the Brushwood Summerfest, to see what it is like in its first year. But all is still open to change and largely influenced by the people who are dear to me.

*kisses back happily*

[xmakina.livejournal.com]

I'm not overly sure what happens at these festivals but I am aware of a pagan gathering in the UK, namely the Pagan Picnic in Derby. Even if it's not what you're after, it could be a good place to scout out any potential festivals...

Of course, Google could also be a good start for locating festivals in the UK.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, I could tell you stories, my new friend! Indeed, I shall if you like... though not here. I follow a strict "What happens at Starwood stays at Starwood (http://anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com/157598.html)" policy when it comes to LiveJournal.

When is this Pagan Picnic of which you speak? It sounds interesting and I would like to go... regardless of what I decide to do on the other side of the pond! Thanks for the recommendation!!

[xmakina.livejournal.com]

It seems to be run at different points through spring and summer. There were 3 last year, from what I can tell.

http://www.greatoakmoot.com/apps/calendar/showEvent?calID=594800&eventID=16110387&next=showMonth%3FcalID%3D594800%26month%3D8%26year%3D2009 has some details, including a contact number.

[blaisepascal]

While Brushwood is a good place for Starwood, it isn't the first "perfect" place for it. I've been to Starwood in at least 4 locations. There was a time when people said Starwood would never be able to replace Devil's Den.

Of course, Starwood has changed drastically over the years at Brushwood. It has grown well past the point where it feels like you could get to meet everyone and would want to. When I go to Starwood, I tend to hang out with the same small group of people I'd hang out with in October. The last time I was at Starwood, I didn't find out until the end of the weekend that the people camped adjacent to our encampment (invited by a member of our encampment) were people I had wanted to meet from before going to Starwood (in a different context). And yet, I didn't really meet them.

If I don't get to go to Starwood in the future, I think I'm OK with that. If I do, I'm OK with that as well.

I don't have Summer 2010 plans yet.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

While Brushwood is a good place for Starwood, it isn't the first "perfect" place for it. I've been to Starwood in at least 4 locations.

Well, that's a fair point. I know Starwood has been at Brushwood for about twenty years... and I have never known it to be anywhere else. But it may well be able to find a new home that is just as good.

Ultimately, though, I'm not sure I would want to follow it. It depends on a number of things, like where the new home is and what the Brushwood Summerfest turns out to be like. More than anything else, we shall see where the people I know and love decide to go. If they tend to move on, I will probably do so, too. If they stay at Brushwood, then I am likely to.

I hope you can come to one of the Summer 2010 festivals, old friend! It would be great to see you more than once a year!!

[blaisepascal]

If you're following the friends-only portion of my LJ, you'll see that things are somewhat up in the air right now. I don't know what's going on.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

I am, indeed! I wish that I could tempt you to this side of the pond... but I suspect that wasn't what you had in mind! :-)

[cjtremlett.livejournal.com]

We're not sure yet, of course. Partially depends on where all the people we want to hang out with wind up going. Partially depends on what ACE does and where Starwood winds up and all.

Personally, I'm partial to Brushwood. They've always impressed me more than ACE ever has. I'm not sure if we'll do Sirius or Summerfest. We don't have the time and the money to do both. I'm inclined to say Sirius, but it might be cool to get in at the new festival in its first year. And then again, last year I sort of wished I'd gone to Sirius instead of Starwood after hearing about some of the events from Sirius.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

I tend to agree with you here. I have a tangible connection with Brushwood -- the land, the structures, the energy of the place. ACE is just an organization. I have nothing against them... but I have no particular loyalty to them, either.

We shall see what happens and where Starwood XXX is. But if the same people are going to the same place, then I'm inclined to follow... whether it is called Starwood XXX or Summerfest I.

And, yes, checking out a new festival in its very first year would also be cool!

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Oh my.

I had to read this to J; we hadn't really discussed attendance at Sirius Rising next summer, but now that we're back in the US it wasn't out of the question. So, Brushwood is hosting Sirius Rising but not Starwood? Huh.

I really had to chuckle because I haven't been to the Free Spirit Gathering since something like 2005ish (went for Beltaine). I'd love to go again. It would totally be closer to us. And since FPG (http://www.flapagan.org/) seems to have imploded post Samhain (DRAAAAMMMAAA) I wonder if maybe I should be looking for a new Beltaine home.

Looking forward to hearing your plans; you're being there would be a good motivation for me to consider it...

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yup, that's about right. Brushwood runs Sirius Rising and will continue to do so. Brushwood hosted Starwood, which is run by ACE, and those two are parting ways. In its place, Brushwood will be hosting a "Summerfest" at the same time that used to be Starwood -- and ACE will be moving Starwood to..... well, we don't know when or where yet!

Whew! That sure leaves a lot of choices for a Summer festival, doesn't it? I'm pretty sure that I will pick one in the States, regardless of what I find in the UK. The question then is which one! At the moment, I am leaning towards the new "Summerfest" in late July to see what the new gathering is like.

If you could make it there, it would be absolutely lovely to see you again and frolic in the woods for a week! *big hugs*

[perspicacious.livejournal.com]

Well, you know I'm going to vote for FSG... selfishly... since that's where I'll be. *big grin*

I totally owe you an email. I hope all is well.

xoxoxo

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

All is indeed pretty good here. How 'bout with you, hon?

FSG is definitely a contender for next Summer! I have not been there in a great many years! We shall see how it all plays out!

xx o xx o xx o xx

Summer Festivals

[squeektoy42.livejournal.com]

Seeing as how we just learned of this news from me reading your journal, our plans are very up in the air! A great deal of my summer will, once again, be determined by work schedule, but even more will be determined by where my health is at that time. Seeing as how right now even the NYC public transit system is proving difficult, my entire life is very up in the air right now.

I may very well decide to attend whatever YOU attend since truthfully, like you...who I see is really much more important to me than where I am when it comes to the summer festivals.

:-)

Re: Summer Festivals

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

You! You don't know how much I missed you at Starwood this year! *massive hugs*

See my above comments to my darling tawneypup. Same goes for you! If your schedule is known sufficiently far in advance, it will also impact what I choose to do. I'm currently leaning towards sampling the new Brushwood Summerfest next year... but if you are not able to make that and can do Sirius Rising, then that deserves ample consideration!

Really really really looking forward to seeing you again in just a few weeks, my dear!

*squishes you tightly*

P.S. I miss gazing at your lovely mangoes! ;-D

Re: Summer Festivals

[squeektoy42.livejournal.com]

I will definitely try to get my schedule figured out ahead of time!! :-D

Also...in just a few weeks...which day are we thinking? Alex and I are planning on being in Rochester from the 23rd to the 28th, but I can always come back a day early if necessary in order to see you!! I just need to know so I can let work know when I will be off that week!

SOOO looking forward to seeing you! My mangoes are terribly excited as well! ;-D

*squishes back as tightly as she can*

Re: Summer Festivals

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

December 29th could work quite well for our usual romp in Manhattan, Sweetie! I'm heading West on the morning of the 30th to visit livetbd[*]. If we had out fun the day before, I could crash at yours and take off in the morning! Would that work?

Your mangoes rock! Tis great to see them again... and I am even more excited about seeing Y-O-U!!!

*huge enormous gigantic hugs*

---

[*] You know who this is, even if you don't recognise the little-used LJ name. She and I got together in Starwood 2007.

Re: Summer Festivals

[squeektoy42.livejournal.com]

That sounds excellent. I can even guarantee to help get you up early the next morning, as I have to go to work on the 30th, lol. So that sounds good, I can't WAIT to see YOU!

And my mangoes are *shivering* in anticipation of you staring at them in person! ;-D

*huge enormous hugs back!*

PS: I do indeed know who you are speaking of now!

Re: Summer Festivals

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan! I can't wait, hon!

*bounces happily*

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

I have never been to Starwood, largely because I canNOT deal with camping, especially in midsummer heat (you can't air-condition a tent). If it, and all the people associated with it, move their operations to someplace with a few more creature comforts(*), I might attend, although finances also have a lot do to with it.

(*)I am very eager to enjoy the planned improvements at the October location!

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Well, it's been awhile since I went to FSG... but last time I was there, they did have bunk houses. Might be worth giving a try?

As for the planned improvements for the October gathering? I am ambivalent. There should be many new things of awesomeness -- and much more disability accessible. So that is good. And the land will, of course, be the same. But I do have so many strong memories attached to thirteen years of the current structures... so I will still be sad to see them lost underwater.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

I was given to understand that the old buildings were to be dismantled, not simply drowned (that's NYC drinking water, you know!) - and that the sauna and the famous footbridge were probably going to remain intact and usable. Imagine the culinary masterpieces Chef Michael is going to be able to create when he has a bigger, more modern kitchen, and fresh produce grown right there on the site! (Imagine an indoor space where a Circle can actually be round... imagine not having to climb up the struts of a metal bedframe... )

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

It's true -- the old buildings are going to be dismantled. The land that they are on is what will be lost underwater. Also, it will be interesting to see how they flood that part of the land whilst keeping the sauna and a certain bridge intact. I presume some barriers will need to be erected.

I'm excited to see what the new layout of the site will be... but that doesn't mean that I won't miss the current setup, which has been my home away from home for most of my adult life!

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

Oddly, I won't really miss the buildings, because the site is still the same - the beautiful fields and wooded hillsides that inspired Jay Unger to write "Ashokan Farewell". I'm excited about the solar power array and the heating plant that will use renewable resources; I'm excited about larger and more flexible meeting spaces; and I'm excited about the prospect of more creature comforts in the accommodations. But I've been a neophile all my life ;-D

[theentwife.livejournal.com]

The Starwood thing is moot for me, having never been. Did want to say that like you, I've never missed the October gathering since I started going in 1997. (So far at least.)


Persephone

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! I love Starwood and all... but the Sooper Sekrit October Festival is my favourite, and the site it is based on is truly my spiritual home. I'm sure you know what I mean, sweetie!

By the way, what's up with the UnCoven of the Solitaries these days?

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

As has been our wont for the past ten years or so, we'll be heading off to the Orkney Folk Festival at the end of May/beginning of June. This is one I can heartily recommend and the scenery is stunning :o)

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

I will definitely keep this in mind! It sounds like a very different event from the clothing-optional neo-Pagan super-high bonfire[*] spectacle that is Starwood... but just because it isn't a suitable replacement doesn't mean I'm not interested in attending!

---

[*] Six stories!!

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

I've got a feeling Broomcon might be starting up again next year. Shall investigate later, and let you know.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

*giggles* I like the name!

And, yes, please do keep me informed! Thanks muchly! *hugs*

[lunarbitch.livejournal.com]

Sorry I was the bearer of bad news. Dave and I plan to try to do both Sirius and Summerfest. Failing that, we will go to Summerfest. It's really Brushwood we love to be at. I hope we see you!

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

No worries about being the bearer, my dear! It's not like you caused ACE and Brushwood to split! (Or did you??)

I'm leaning towards Summerfest, to give the new festival a fair shot. But it still depends on many other things, like the summer schedule, when and where Starwood will be, who is going where...

Looks like we're living in some interesting times! :-D