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PreHeat is place where Burners from various
cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies gather to participate in a
temporary community filled with interactive art, music, and radical self
expression. It is a place that exists only because those that attend
choose to create it and is a direct expression of their collective and
diverse visions. PreHeat is an official Regional Burn
and as such the
10 Principles of
Burning Man act as the cornerstone of PreHeat, but our expression of
those principles extends far beyond the Playa.
There is no definition for Participation,
rather it is up to each individual to determine its meaning to him and
to appreciate the interpretations of others. Some choose to gift
handmade trinkets, some gift their art or talent, and some their time;
whatever form it takes the only common thread is that it is about
sharing of yourself with your community and having the freedom to do so
in whatever way you are comfortable.
Community, participation, self-expression,
self-reliance, and generosity of heart are the lifeblood of the Burning
Man community. Welcome to PreHeat!
PreHeat 2009 is scheduled for April 17 - 19, 2009.
If you have any further questions you can send them to
info@floridapreheat.com
PreHeat 2008 Wrap Up
From long before anyone ever stepped foot on Maddox Ranch, PreHeat 2008,
the inaugural official Florida Regional Burn, was infused with community
support and enthusiasm. This positive energy, coming from seasoned
Burner and Virgin alike, created a soul and a heartbeat for PreHeat that
filled the entire weekend. The PreHeat community created an environment
that fostered art, poetry, personal responsibility, healing, and most
importantly, fun.
As Participants made their way down the dirt road to the greeter station
they were urged to remove their peel by wonderful inspirational quotes
gifted by Charis. And once at the Greeter Station they were not only
welcomed with open arms and stiff paddles, they were asked to sign a
most unusual document, the “Porta Potty Pledge”. In an effort to
maintain the pleasantest potties for our participants the pledge was
used to educate participants on proper potty use. In addition to listing
do’s and don’ts the Pledge threatened time in the Porta Potty Stockades
(Leanna & Rob’s art project) for any violators. Between the Pledge, the
Stockades, and wall papering the potties with signed pledges (Peter’s
wonderful art project), Participants took to heart this new education
and the potties were kept nearly MOOP-free! Over the entire weekend,
with around 250 participants and nine potties there were only a handful
of violations and most of those consisted of MOOP left on the potty
floor rather than dumped into the potty. Equally impressive were
Participants’ dedication to keeping the overall site MOOP to a minimum
and volunteering - about 1 out of every 5 Participants volunteered to
help with greeters, Rangers, PiMPPs (PreHeat Medical & Pyro Posse), and
the effigy builds.
So with their potty oath on their mind, Participants happily turned down
Yellow Brick Road and entered the world of PreHeat. Fifteen theme camps
created a sprawling esplanade along Drunken Drive and the Boulevard of
Broken Dreams. Bubble Camp, Conscious Sound, Old Skool Rave, and OBE
filled the air with tunes and beats suitable to every frame of mind and
time of day while the Blazing Coffee Bean kept everyone perky and the
Pallet Bar kept everyone in good spirits. Mandela Camp encouraged
Participants to look deeper and Naked City encouraged them to dress
less.
Spin Camp provided lessons in poi, staff, and hoop and the Huka Louge
provided the most fabulous dinner for volunteers. Wine, cheese, and
poetry were enjoyed at East of Scrap Eden while plushy body parts were
mingled at Franken Babies. And the Purple Passion Palace hosted the
Wango Video Lounge and served a yummy Sunday Brunch.
Many Participants lounged at the pool, took turns grassboarding, and
volunteered as a canvas for Raoul’s tireless brush. Others exchanged
gifts with the Gifting Tree, took a ride on the Bed, and tasted the
edible art freshly cooked in an extraordinary show on a Teppanyaki
grill.
Participants enjoyed the view from atop The Oven as it preheated to 420
on Friday. And the Firey Bitches of Bitch Nation and Riz of the Fire
Keepers used their extraordinarily large fire canons to help the Shim
get its burn on Saturday night. The Paper Tree lit the early morning
hours on Sunday in an impromptu burn thanks to the help of a lone fire
canon.
Throughout the weekend drama was nearly nonexistent, MOOP was barely
visible, and the potties were kept in tip top shape, while the art,
creativity, and positive energy reached one peak after another thanks to
the Participants and my crew: Fjord - the infamous Ranger Wrangler, Tama
- the Ultimate Bitch’s Bitch, and the volunteers. And yes, I did take
time to have fun myself, the truth is that every moment was a blast from
the time I stepped foot on Maddox.
The Stats:
3 Days
270 Participants
50+ Volunteers
9 Porta Potties
15+ Theme Camps
2 Effigy Burns
2 Art Cars
Art, art, and more art
1 attempted entry without an invite (both he and his ego were denied
entry)
2 minor poi related burns injuries (treated by on site medical)
1 minor sprained ankle from grassboarding (treated by on site medical)
Reports of a white male making inappropriate repeated hand gestures in
public (this is under investigation and will be handled appropriately)
MOOP Report: 1 beer bottle had to be fished out of a potty, several
empty fuel cans were left behind by fire performers, 1 large black bag
full of garbage was left behind in the area where Conscious Sound was
camped.
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