Burning Man LIVE

Jesse Houck, also known as The Scumfrog, shares his 13 years of DJing at Burning Man, discussing how the festival reshapes DJ culture into something extraordinary. Neil Kelly, The Professor and camp lead at Playa Jazz Cafe, recounts the improvisational magic of jazz in the desert. They dive into the eclectic musical landscape of Black Rock City, from thumping EDM to soulful jazz, illustrating the vibrant community spirit. Their anecdotes highlight the transformative power of music, capturing the unique blend of spontaneity and collaborative expression that defines the Playa.

Leo is a pioneering light artist, bringing teams and tech together to activate buildings, bridges, and bastions. He started Burning in 1994, founded Disorient camp, and is part of Black Rock City every year.Here he shares his journey from crafting a single beacon at his tent to leading monumental art projects that reshaped skylines. He illuminated the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, the historic bridges of London, and projects everywhere from NYC to Tokyo.Join Leo and Stuart on how the open-source innovation of BRC impacts the default world. Leo shares his process for conjuring tech, from customizing LED fixtures to coding sequences. He describes how artists can engage with their communities outside of their comfort zones. He tells stories of the convening power of photons as an artistic medium, as a digital campfire for all.Hear him flip the switch, and stay until the brilliant end.villareal.net/biovillareal.net/urban-scale-artworksburningman.org/about/board-of-directors/#LeoVillarealdisorient.info LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Marisa Winter, a seasoned leader of Thunderdome in Black Rock City, shares over two decades of insights from her experiences in the iconic theme camp. She discusses the art of letting people learn from non-permanent mistakes and emphasizes the importance of community involvement. The dynamics of leadership come alive as she talks about making tough decisions quickly to attract the right individuals. With humorous tales of chaotic interactions and the concept of 'gentile violence,' Marisa offers a captivating glimpse into the world of Thunderdome, combining showmanship with invaluable life lessons.

Harley K Dubois, Founder & Chief Cultural Officer at Burning Man, dives into the enchanting world of theme camps. She shares insights into their history and legacy, emphasizing the blend of communal effort and self-expression that makes them unique. Through personal anecdotes and discussions on the creative dynamics of camp placements, the importance of collaboration shines. The conversation also touches on maintaining environmental responsibility and the joy of interactive experiences that deepen connections at Black Rock City.

Solar power is simple now, thanks in part to Burners who gift the power of the sun. The Burners in this episode also gift steamed rolls with savory fillings, called bao — so much delicious bao.The theme camp “Bao Chicka Wow Wow” has been a part of Black Rock City for a decade. Its campmates share the prosperity of bao with artist groups, volunteer teams, and participants lucky enough to find their camp or their pop-up “restaurant row,” all powered by custom solar kits.David Hau (Chairman Bao), Marcus De Paula (Next Level), and their campmates also refined their solar systems to power a charging station for EVs and e-Mutant Vehicles. They share their learnings with neighboring camps, the Temple Builders Guild, and us right here in this episode.This is how to wean off gas generators, or bring more power to your offerings at BRC, your Regional event, your home, or even the collapse of civilized civilization. This conversation is lively and informative. It’s a feel-good story set for foodies and those of us growing into gifting and solar energy.BaoChickaWowWow.comGoGridSystems.comBurning Man 2025: Tomorrow TodayBurning Man Inspires Sustainable Solutions Worldwide (Burning Man Journal)Net Zero Black Rock City 2022 LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Explore the magic monuments of Black Rock City 2025.Katie Hazard, Director of Art, leads the selection, placement, and installation of artwork,  and she leads Burning Man's art grant selection committees. The ARTery is in the center of Black Rock City, slightly offset like the human heart. It’s the epicenter of art support for nearly 400 art pieces, from towering sculptures to immersive environments.Before these art projects are sourced, crafted, and assembled with everything from hot glue to heavy equipment, they are first conceptualized by artists and engineers. Burning Man’s Honoraria project grants 76 of these art projects about half of the funding they need, a total of $1.3 million.  Katie and Stuart explore how to foster accessibility and agency in artist groups. They describe some of the installations coming this summer, from interactive Sphinxes to a sphere of sinks, from a lost troll of sustainability to a fire-spinning pigeon. Some of the experiences include:an inflatable black cloud from Ukrainean Indigenous deer destined for ceremonial landan Afrofuturist pillar with an ancient modern secreta screaming booth that displays visual reactions to sounda woman with a merry-go-round crown, jump rope dreadlocks, and swing earringsListen in on this sonic journey of how Burner art is co-created and curated, and how BRC’s surreal skyline is taking shape.Introducing 2025 BRC Honoraria Art (Burning Man Journal)Black Rock City Honoraria ProgramARTery (Art Services)The ARTery Volunteer TeamsKatie Hazard (Burning Man Journal)2025 Art Theme: Tomorrow TodayBurning Man Art Installation Archive LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Join Louder Charlie, Operations Director at Burning Man Project, and Chef Juke from the DMV Council as they tackle the challenge of streamlining bureaucracy at Burning Man. They reminisce about its anarchic roots while discussing how growth requires structure for safety and creativity. Emotional hurdles post-pandemic are addressed, alongside strategies to simplify mutant vehicle licensing. Can the heart of Burner culture thrive amidst necessary regulations? Tune in for insights on maintaining magic while fostering a welcoming community.

Mutant vehicles! Theme camps! Art experiences! It all emanates from the community… overlapping circles of people who are everywhere between being newcomers and seasoned, local and global, young and old.Andie Grace talks with next-gen Burners Taylor Andrews, Kat Ebert, Mani Senthil, and Whitney Wilhelmy about how to find your crew like you never thought possible.They break down barriers and clear pathways through an initiative called “Rising Sparks” which demystifies BRC and Regional events, and guides Burners to get more from the magic.They explore the art of participation: seeing the sweet spot between being unmoored and overdoing itbalancing of survival and self-expressionfinding fresh takes on mentorshipHear how they claim their place and shape the future. "Rising Sparks is a grassroots collective fostering intergenerational collaboration, connection, and cultural continuity within Burning Man.We cultivate community-driven spaces where emerging leaders, newcomers, and seasoned Burners can connect, dream big, and contribute to the future of Burning Man—both within Black Rock City and globally.Our mission is to inspire participation, address barriers to entry, and cultivate leadership across generations by providing mentorship, community-driven tools, and creative collaboration opportunities.We are igniting the next generation of artists, leaders, and changemakers by stewarding an accessible, culturally diverse, and evolving Burning Man culture." https://linktr.ee/therisingsparks LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Miguel Arraiz García, a Valencia-based architect and lead artist for Burning Man's 'Temple of the Deep', shares the emotional journey of creating a sacred space for healing. He discusses the importance of the temple as a community hub for grief and expression, highlighting the intricate process of design and collaboration. Miguel contrasts financial dynamics in art funding between Europe and the U.S., while emphasizing the need for community-centric spaces that foster shared spirituality. His insights reveal how impermanence in art shapes deeper connections among participants.

Disasters happen. Communities come together to recover and rebuild. Governments and NGOs help however they know how.  Will Heegaard sees every disaster as a chance to build back greener. His non-profit provides power and water from nature.· power from the sun – instead of gas generators· water from the air – instead of plastic water bottlesHe helped with disaster relief from hurricanes in Florida, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico.He helped in West Africa, in the Philippines, and with the Maui Fires.He helped with the LA Fires.And he taught himself to create power and water from nature while serving as a paramedic in Black Rock City.These adventure stories include laughter and levity in learning.FootprintProject.orgBurnersWithoutBorders.orgBurning Man Project: Philosophical Center LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG