Anyone go this year?

Supposed to be on the East Coast/Appalachians next year.

(there is another “Rainbow” Thread but it was in local news and this didnt seem to fit there…)

hey, how come this didnt appear on the front page?

Nope, I missed it this year. And it was in the Jemez, too. Some awesome hot springs in that area.

Did you go, Piffy?

Looks like for next year New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina or Kentucky.

Nope. PiffO hasnt been to a national in a decade!

holy crap! I just realized its been ten years!

I’m going to do my best to take Jason ‘Rock Th’underballs’ Bugg to next year’s, depending on where in the “Appalachians” it comes.

damn, ten years.  were you in pennsylvania in 99 tatu? Anyone? It was freaking great.

Nope, wasn’t at the PA gathering.

My last one was actually ‘06.

Thunderballs at a Gathering?

Actually, I bet he would dig it.

he would freaking love it. I can see him at one of the more punk kitchens, like “Shut up and Eat it” or maybe “Montana Mud”, screaming at people all night long. I can also see him spending a lot of time philosophizing with vietnam vet ex cons at A camp.

06, eh? colorado. i heard that was a very nice one.

i just remembered i went to West Virginia in 05 (breathes sigh of releif). One of my favorite parts of that gathering was when the Mayor of nearby-town Richwood came to the Gathering to invite all the hippies to come back to Richwood, buy homes, and generally help grow the community. Nice guy. Cool Town. cheap houses.  http://www.richwoodwv.com/

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I’ve never been to one of these, but have always been kind of curious. Maybe the next one on the East Coast, I’ll go. What’s the major appeal of them to you?

It will be on the East Coast next year.

Short Answer, Steve? I’d say “As an anarchist, it is the closest thing to Anarchy that I’ve ever experienced on such a large scale”. But that might alienate some.

So I will say it is the “freest” thing i have ever experienced. I love camping in the woods, and i love interacting with a lively, vibrant community—and a Rainbow Gathering gives me both. I can enjoy luxuries like fresh-baked bread and strong coffee while hanging out in the National Forrest with people playing music, cooking together, creating/building/playing, doing the kinds of things people do when they arent working a job for money to pay rent/mortgage. I can go with nothing at all and be well taken care of, or I can show up and be one of the people to establish major public works like water, sanitation, safety, parking , etc. Or anywhere in between.

In my experience a Gathering will be whatever you want it to be. So I recommend going with good intentions. To me, its a great primer for how groups of people can function outside of the standard regulations and whatnot we generally find ourselves constrained to, which can allow for some incredibly unique experiences, both personally and socially, that are rarely reproduced in any other setting. My experience every time has been to feel incredibly empowered.

Contrary to some perceptions, it is not just a ‘bunch of hippies’ by any real sense of the term. You are just as likely to meet local rural folks, traveling anarchist punk hobos, outdoorsy hiker-types, and salt-of-the-earth cowboys as you are to meet starry-eyed girls with beads and flowers. Depending on where you camp, your neighbors may be a family of four on vacation from the city to anti-capitalists who carried in an entire library of literature for people to peruse.

Picture your ideal day at Malaprops, Steve, multiplied by the thousands, recreated in the woods, with everything offered without the need for currency.

The middle video in my first post on this page gives a great glimpse into a gathering. At 4:14 you can see a typical kitchen feeding folks… just another few minutes in and there is actually an appearance from an Asheville fellow i know… (Warning/Incentive to view, the video has naked people NWS)

what sez you tatu? I’m sure your experience is different. what was your first gathering?

Actually, Piff, my experiences and views are quite similar to yours.

My first gathering was in ‘93.

I was just a kid and had met some Family at Dead shows and was intrigued by the fact that there was an entire underground society right here in this country who eschewed restraints, were born without social security numbers, and who claimed their public spaces as their right.

Growing up in a culture that promotes money as the lynchpin of society, I was fascinated by this radically different microcosm. I was fascinated by the abhorance of hierarchy, the freedom to be anyone and anything, and the unabashed middle finger being held up to the dominant paradigm.

This was my first experience seeing something beyond theoretical arguments questioning societal norms and constructs. This was a group of people actually showing that it could be done differently. And done well.

I’ve only been to a couple more over the years. The last one I went to, in CO, presented a shift in how I viewed them. I’ve always just kind of used them as a vacation to get away from the ‘real world’ and didn’t really ever become involved with the day-to-day nitty gritty. I always just enjoyed meeting new people, seeing a new part of the country, enjoying the shows, and the food…the glorious abundance of amazing food.

But at Routt I was with my girlfriend at the time who, as an herbalist, spent much of her time tending to people and connecting with other people in the medical field. My inherent desire to be useful and productive kicked in, I think, and I plan on being a certified EMT in the near future and hope to bring that particular skill set to next year’s gathering. To be a part of the infrastructure instead of just being a beneficiary.

And as a ‘chist of the individualistic variety and a misanthrope of sorts, by the time I’ve spent a week living in that communal way of life and hearing ‘Loving Youuuu’ for the millionth time, I’m ready to hop on a really fast motorcycle and listen to the loudest, heaviest rock & roll I kind find.

But I would say the Family represents the most free, truly free, people of this country. They represent the highest ideals and the purest intentions presented in a way that is truly all inclusive.

It is the best answer for anyone who claims that anarchy is dangerous, impractical, and unattainable.

And I think Piffy put it best. It’s whatever you make it.

Wow, you guys described the gatherings quite well.  It’s been a few years since I’ve been to one but I’d frequent them when I lived out West between ‘93-‘01. 
I was recently wondering if they’ve changed much over the last 8 years or so…from seeing the videos, not so much…that is a good thing.  I’ll definetly be going next year.

The (PFKaP) - 29 July 2009 01:10 PM

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I just realized I was just to the right, within 20 yards or so, of this photo.

Hahahaha.

Where do you usually camp, you guys? Do you have a kitchen you would consider your crew? Or do you just float around?

I’m fond of G-Funk, CALM, and those ####### hippies over at Warriors of Light. But mainly GFunk. Oh, and as close to Kikkapoo as I can be. Eggs and bacon, baby.

Honestly, I usually stay 1/4 mile outside of the hub-bub.

I’m a floater not a joiner.

CALM was where I spent a bunch of my time in ‘06.

Prolly next time, too.

regional shawnee gathering coming up…

2009 Shawnee Gathering

Directions to the 2009 Shawnee Gathering

From Nashville, TN (and points south/southeast): Take I-24W to Illinois Hwy 146. Get on Illinois Hwy 146 west and follow until you come to the town of Anna (5 miles past I-57 junction).

Once you get into the town of Anna follow 146w first going through 3 stoplights, then bearing to the left in the middle of town and going through 2 more lights for a total of about 3 miles. You then come to a little 4-way rotary type deal, go to the left jumping onto Illinois Rte 127S, follow this road for 2.2mi. Then take a right onto Old Cape Rd, follow this for .9mi. take a left onto Lingle creek Road, follow Lingle Creek for about 3.1mi. then take a right onto Silica Hill rd. Go up Silica Hill for about a mile or so….......welcome home.

Be aware that seed camp still doesen’t start for a couple days and the gathering itself doesn’t begin until 10/1. (its 9/22 as I write this).

just in case any of ya’ll wanna go…

How long do these things generally last? A weekend? A week?

Steve Shanafelt - 26 September 2009 04:41 PM

How long do these things generally last? A weekend? A week?

generally speaking, a Regional Gathering like the Shawnee Gathering i posted above, will last about a week to ten days. A National Gathering like the one in New Mexico this past summer, lasts closer to a month (unofficially) if you include set up and break down.

thanks for asking, steve.