RR Old Timer's Guide
Even if you've participated in Recycled Rainbow in the past, you're in for something quite different this time. The outdoor venue alone creates many new opportunities and challenges. First of all you are required to read the required reading section. The required reading section outlines the policies and requirements you must meet to participate- these are mostly related to safety, campground policies and the law. Next, even though you're a veteran, you should read the first-timer's guide if you haven't already. There's a ton of new things like tents and fires and rain and dogs and bikes...
Are There Showers/Toilets/Electricity/Water/Backrubs?
There are showers this year- and electricity available to about 15 campsites. There is drinkable water at each electricity location. There are public flush toilets- and there will also be one or two porta-potties so you dont have to walk all the way to the restrooms. The porta-potties will be serviced during the event to keep them sanitary.You will have to provide the back-rubs.
I Wasn't A Boy Or Girl Scout... What's With The Camping?
If you've never camped out before, you're really in for a treat. Outdoor festivals offer a space and environment unlike any experience you've had in a warehouse or street-fair. You'll need a few things, though. We have provided a guide of things to bring and things to think about in our preparation guide.
The best advice I got from anyone in regards to these events is to make yourself comfortable- think about the little things that make you feel at home. It might mean buying an air mattress, or having a chair in your tent to sit on when you change clothes. Maybe there's a tea you love in the morning, or your routine meditation. All of these little things that you surround yourself with make you who you are and make you comfortable where you are. Don't discount them! I used to hate camping until I remembered to bring a pillow with me- it changed everything.
Remember, making yourself comfortable is an art of its own. You are encouraged to bring whatever you want to Recycled Rainbow- couches, a bar, televisions, ping-pong tables, wall-to-wall carpeting, a giant habitrail, 1000 kickballs... whatever will make your stay comfortable, bring you joy and provide something for others (if you want to). Don't just make yourself at home, make yourself A HOME.
There are a few things you'll absolutely need like a tent, sleeping gear, and a few necessities. Check out The First Timer's Guide . It's a growing list of resources and tips to make your weekend spectacular!
Welcome To Recycled Rainbow! Give Me Your Money.
In the past, Recycled Rainbow has been a "donations accepted" event, where the bucket gets passed and you can donate what you like. This was necessary to pay for utilities, art supplies, non-alcoholic beverages, etc... Now that RR is moving beyond the house and into the world, there are fees to pay for land rental, insurance and a few necessary services that add up to too much money for the core group of 4-6 people to fork out. A small fee is required from all participants. Saturday, ticket prices will increase if you buy them at the gate. For details on ticket prices read the ticket section. Also, to control traffic and enhance the immediacy and experience of the event, a re-entry fee of $5 will be required for participants wishing to leave the grounds and return. This fee is a per person, per re-entry fee. Every person who leaves and re-enters must pay the fee. Every time you wish to re-enter, you must pay the $5 fee.
Where Did The House Go?
Many of the resources that you were used to at past Recycled Rainbows- (the chill room, art supplies, flat surfaces to project things on, electricity, water, light) just aren't available in the woods. While to posh Park Avenue types this is deplorable, to you and I this just means more creativity and resourcefulness will be required on your part! Want to project movies on a screen? Bring a screen, or better yet, BUILD ONE! Do you miss the chill-out room? BUILD IT! Looking for art supplies and realizing the art room is gone? Make your own art room in your camp!. See what we mean? Once you start thinking about what you can do (which is anything you can do), you'll quickly ease into your new diggs!
Where's The Basement?
There isn't a basement in the woods, silly!
Recycled Rainbow veterans will remember the basement area where most if not all musical and sound performances were held. This was done to reduce the noise outside of the house and because of space restrictions one performance space was most efficient. Well, that's all changed now too! You can pretty much be as loud as you want in our new home- and because space is no longer an issue, you can play wherever and whenever you want!. This creates interesting challenges- like building a stage, or getting participants to come see your set. For information on how to schedule your performance see how to book your performance. The short and skinny of it is- there is no central booking at RR. Make your own stage or schedule a performance with someone who has built a stage!
Decentralization
Recycled Rainbow will not have a "center stage" where scheduled performances will be held. The idea of a decentralized performance environment is extremely attractive to us as it gives the participant a slew of choices at any given time. Picture hearing a dance club on one side of the grounds and seeing a noise band playing on the other side- now add a puppet show in "puppet camp" and a presentation on the history of bark on the other side. Get the picture?
While you may think that spreading out the art so thin will mean everyone will be playing and nobody watching, we've actually found this not to be the case. Events tend to modulate themselves as far as things like performance go. True, you won't have the entire event standing in front of you while you eat a bag of raw potatoes on stage, but you'll have someone there watching- and chances are, they'll be much more into it than a room of people waiting for you to finish so they can see the next act.
Your Gear And Mother Nature
Many, many Recycled Rainbow participants bring oodles of gear with them already; samplers, projectors, microphones, keyboards, amplifiers, computers... All these things are going to work out great in our new home- but we will be outdoors and it more than likely will rain. This shouldn't keep you from bringing your gear, it should give you cause to think of ways to protect your gear from the elements. Late September can particularily be a challenge when considering the effects of condensation on electrical equipment.
NOTE: last year RR was held on a campground with two large ponds. The water from these ponds turns into mist at night, floats up above your camp then falls all over your gear, getting everywhere. Last year, a participant arriving straight from the playa at Burning Man watched as all the playa dust inside his equipment turned quickly into corrosive mud and kill his sound gear. Don't bring your best gear, protect your gear from foggy mists that will drench your equipments just as much as rain and keep reading this website. As we learn more ways to deal with our own special environment we will post tips and guidelines to help you make the most out of RR.
- Find a reliable rain shelter- or build one.
- Learn about condensation, how it happens and how to keep it from damaging your equipment.
- Dont bring your most valuable gear.
- Learn how to do more with less
- Research, research, research.
Food and Drink
Bring plenty of supplies. To cut down on traffic leaving and arriving to RR, there will be a re-entry fee to return to RR if you have to leave. There will be ice available for sale, so bring your own coolers and stock up! Plan ahead on how much you're going to eat and drink for three days and buy it all before you arrive. You can always give it away if you have leftovers, and you'll find it makes for a much better experience when you don't have to worry about making supply runs on saturday night when you don't want to miss anything.
What's With All The Weirdos?
One thing you'll probably notice too is that (hopefully) there will be a lot of new faces. Due to space restrictions in the house RRs of the past had to be a kind of carefully guarded secret. No More! One of our most cherished principles is radical inclusion, that means we're looking for anyone and everyone wishing to participate in creating this festival to bring their game. Don't worry though, your familiar friends and family will still be here, just more spread out. Take a deep breath, enjoy the outdoors and meet some new friends!