Flipside Flame 2009, Issue 8

The Burning Issue

Good citizens of Pyropolis, I bring you important tidings regarding fire at Flipside 2009!

A group of fire-interested individuals met recently with the Flipside Leads on fire policy to discuss the precarious position we find ourselves in this year: the extremely high likelihood that a burn ban will be in effect during the event. While certainly it makes a good deal of sense to work closely with the Johnson City Fire Department to make sure we’re obeying the law, the much more important reason to follow burn ban rules turns out to be the unprecedented danger we’re in this year because of how dry it is. You may not be aware of it, but Texas is currently experiencing the worst drought we’ve had in over a CENTURY with records indicating we’ve had less rain over a longer period than anytime in the last hundred years.

Already this year, a number of devastating fires have started in our part of the state; for example, one burned for a week in Bastrop after a downed power line caught dry grass on fire, and another day long fire in Hays county started with a piece of broken glass acting as a lens and starting vegetation on fire! If you don’t pay attention to anything else in this announcement, please absorb this one thing thoroughly: the conditions this year are extremely, unusually, incredibly dangerous for grass fires, and all of us are just about to go out and plop our belongings down in a bunch of extra dry grass! Because of the high level of risk, it’s essential that each and every one of us use extreme caution with any sort of flame at Flipside and wouldn’t this be a great year to finally make sure you bring a fire extinguisher for your camp?

There are three possible fire conditions we could be under during Flipside:

1) Burn Ban Lifted

It’s highly unlikely that the burn ban will be lifted during the event, but if that were to happen, you could begin observing the usual guidelines on fires and burning at the event. Don’t hold your breath, though. Unfortunately, it’s going to take more than a few good soaking rains to make up for the prolonged drought we’re experiencing. Even if the ban is lifted for a few days, extreme caution will be required.

2) Burn Ban in Place

Blanco county and Flat Creek Ranch are currently under a burn ban and as such, Flipside will continue to be under a burn ban until further notice. That sounds ominous and discouraging, but don’t let a burn ban scare you—there are still plenty of ways for us to have fiery fun (and function). Here are the guidelines you should follow for fires and burning during a burn ban condition:

Cooking/Ground Fires—Ground fires are not allowed in any way, shape, or form…period. Fires for cooking must be elevated at least 12” off the ground and those that generate embers must be completely contained within an enclosure and covered with a grate. Propane grills are just peachy as long as they are elevated 12” or more and are attended at all times. The fire department seems to perceive the possibility of blowing embers from cooking fires as the single biggest risk for fire at the event. Please plan your cooking area accordingly.

Propane appliances—Permissible as long as flame is at least 12” above the ground and completely clear of any adjacent or overhead vegetation. If your appliance creates a large noticeable mass of fire when it’s being operated (for example, a large sculpture or flame cannon), be SURE to notify the Rangers that you’ll be setting it off before you crank it up. That way they can let the fire department know it was an intentional fire when a call comes in from startled neighbors. No kidding here…the firefighters in our group stressed the extreme importance of staying in communication with our Rangers/fire officials about what we’re doing so they can deal with city/county officials when questions come up. Last but not least, appliances should never be left burning unattended, and it’s not a bad idea to disable the mechanism when it’s not in use.

Fire spinning/performance—Permissible as long as you are able to retain physical control over the implement you’re using to perform (i.e., it doesn’t leave your hand). Tossing, for example, is frowned upon. Spinning off excess fuel prior to performing will be essential, not optional. New this year (and hopefully ONLY this year!), fire performances will be limited to authorized fire performance venues ONLY. These venues will be set up to comply with even more stringent safety standards, such as having all vegetation cleared from a wide area. Certainly restricting venues for fire performance isn’t anyone’s preference, rather it’s seen as necessary and intelligent because of the extraordinary fire risk we’re facing this year. Currently, only Circle of Fire has been identified as an authorized fire performance venue, but we’re searching for other camps who might be willing to step up and sponsor a performance site (requiring that they have the area reviewed/approved by the fire-safety team and city planning). Please contact me at the e-mail address below if you’d be interested. If we aren’t able to get volunteers to sponsor alternate venues, however, Circle of Fire will be the sole venue for fire performance at Flipside (and a mighty, mighty fine one at that).

Art and effigy burns—If a burn ban is in place, the effigy (and other art pieces) will NOT be burned. This does not preclude, however, there being a procession (including fire performers!) And talk is afoot about some sort of super secret fabulousness that DAFT is cooking up for Sunday evening in lieu of a burn, so stay tuned.

3) Red Flag Warning Issued

If conditions deteriorate significantly (i.e., humidity drops and winds increase), a Red Flag Warning will be issued and all fires will be prohibited at the event. If the warning is issued, red flags will be flown all over Pyropolis to alert folks to the change in condition. During a red flag warning, only attended propane cooking fires, elevated a minimum of 12” off the ground and shielded from the wind will be allowed. All other forms of fire are prohibited while the warning is in effect.

So, what does all this mean for you, my little doe-eyed Flipside newbies and my sophisticated long-adoring Pyropolis freaks?

• Bring a fire extinguisher for your tent and camping area.
• Be very, very careful with any kind of sparks or flame you create at Flat Creek. It’s way easier to start a fire in the grass right now than you think.
• If you see someone acting foolish, do your best to help alleviate the situation. If you see something like an empty camp with tiki torches burning away, extinguish them!
• Keep the Rangers in the loop when you plan to produce a large visible flame in your vicinity.
• Come up with some creative alternatives to your sordid fuel addiction—for example, perhaps join Spin Camp Friday evening after dark for the Critical Glow Power Hour! We’re trying to round up as many people as we can to join us for a massive LED/EL/blinkie/glow spin to celebrate luminous diversity. Come join us and be part of a happy confusion of colored light—pertinent details will follow in a future Flipside Flame.

Alright—time to bring it home: Bottom line, my friends, we need to use extra super mega turbo caution this year while we’re off camping in the dry, dry weeds, playing with fire. Remember, it’s not like we can’t have fire, we just have to be extra responsible with what we do, whether a burn ban is in place or no.

Fire or fire art questions? Shoot them to shiree@spaceship.com and I’ll do my best to forward them on to the people that can give you an answer.

Grove

This is Systah Rabbit, your Grove Host for 2009. Tonight at the warehouse, we’ll be building some PlayaTech furniture for the Grove, so that we’ll have some awesome seating in the Grove’s lovely shade this year. We’ll be tracing out measurements on the plywood, and cutting pieces out, so it’ll be a power tools and mini skirts kind of evening.

What: PlayaTech furniture Building (bring yer jigsaw!)

Where: The Warehouse

When: Tuesday May 5 @ 7 pm-ish

Who: YOU!

Why: Sexy Seating!

systah rabbit

Ticket talk

Yes, Dorothy, your TICKET dreams can still come true.

The Postal service has scored a big fat ZERO with the Ticket Team this year. As you know, we mailed out tickets on April 1st (no kidding), some folks are just now getting them in the mail. Think you got it bad, We received one Flipizen’s money order from North Carolina, 3 months late. WTF?

If you requested to have your tickets mailed to you and got your money order in on time and still have not received your tickets, send an email to tickets@burningflipside.com with the information you registered with (legal name, phone number, request id, etc) we will void and re-issue tickets for you. If we do re-issue your tickets, they will be at the gate as will call under your legal name.

Bob’s List

If you are still looking for a ticket, don’t forget about Bob’s List http://www.plasmator.net/bobslist09/

:::::: REMEMBER ::::::

Everyone will need to show your state issued photo id at the gate.

Minors!

If you bring minors to the event you will be required to sign an event waiver of liability for the minor child, including a statement in the waiver that you have authority to act for such child. Therefore, you will need to bring proper documentation to be able to prove that you have authority to make decisions for the minor child, as well as to sign the event waiver. Such documentation may include a birth certificate, passport, or other official document for the minor and a photo id for the parent.

Your Burningflipside 2009 Ticket Team

Treg, Rachelle, Winnie

And hugs and kisses to all the other volunteers that helped make ticketing go smoothly. You guys were fantastic, thanks.

With the greatest of ease

What type of freakalicious safari can there be without awe-inspiring flying creatures? A less awesome one. To keep our Flipside MORE awesome, there will be aerial artists performing at Flipside.

Calling All Aerial Artists!

We currently have two rigs OasIsh and Circle of Fire. Both will have aerial silks and static trapeze. We would love to have more aerial apparatuses around the city. Interested aerialists, please contact flipsideflyers@googlegroups.com to connect up and fly.

Scalpers Suck. Really.

Hey folks, just a friendly reminder that everyone pays the same price for their Flipside tickets. This year’s tickets were sold for $80.00. We pride ourselves on being a community that doesn’t take advantage of that, and scalping is one of those things that really chaps our hide and makes us invoke terms like profiteering, exploitation, and Ghost’s personal favorite: “douchebag”.

Selling tickets at prices greater than eighty bucks is not cool, man. We know that you’re really excited about coming to the event, but if you’re looking for tickets, please don’t encourage the douchebags and pay more than 80.00. And if you’re selling your tickets because you can’t go and want to recoup all that extra cash you spent for special certified delivery...don’t. Please. Just take the hit and sell your tickets for 80.00. Keep the faith of the community, please. Thanks!

Parking at Flipside

Parking at Burning Flipside is limited. With more people this year, carpooling is encouraged. After dropping off any gear (if necessary) proceed to the parking areas on the south-side of Pyropolis where you will find a helpful parking volunteer to assist you in finding a spot to leave your vehicle.

Parking Wants You!!!

How are we going to get glimpses of the wildlife on this Safari with all the pesky cars in the way? Come out and help the Parking teams make sure those metal monsters end up in the right place, the designated parking areas. Shifts happen from gates open until gates close every day. Bring yourself, bring a friend, bring your theme camp; all are welcome! Sign ups are available on the Parking Wiki at http://www.burningflipside.com/wiki/Parking

STARR FEST a benefitacular

When: THIS Friday, May 8th, GATES at 6:00 pm, Music starts at 7:00 pm

Where: Komie Kompound: 5700 Blue Bluff Rd.

• $10-20 Suggested Donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)
• A PACKED NIGHT OF LIVE MUSIC
• DRINK A TOAST to her full recovery, fill her STARR JARS with tips
• SILENT AUCTION - bid on great prizes!
• SWIMMING POOL/HOT TUB - bring a suit and towel
• overflow parking shuttle til 2:30 am. (Carpool if you can.)
• AND MORE - henna tattoos, hair wraps, fire performers…

Full details: http://welovestarr.wikidot.com/

Ticket design art by Cate Mulherin

~GYPSY EUPHORIA~

Not long ago, somewhere in the midst of dreaming and the default world, two beautiful gypsies began an adventure of discovery. It was a time for a playful, communal approach to life on the road…

After finalizing the construction of a Tumbleweed Wagon, crafted out of recycled materials and possessing 100yr. old artifacts, they began collecting fantasy trunks, filling them with fun treasures, costumes, exotic musical instruments, and an assortment of interesting oddities.

Throughout their voyage, they have joined with other gypsies, vagabonds, nomads, and roamers in building an eclectic tribe of art, music, and wonder…

The Gypsy Euphoria experience features performances from the Sock Puppet Poet Society including a sock puppet workshop for you to create your own character, Sundown Jam Sessions, giant Hula Hoops, the AuraLounge, pedicabs with FM transmitters, and a rolling DJ system…

So, come worship at the Altar of Tiki, gift to the Giving Tree, indulge yourself at the Bohemian Bar, and rejoice in the rebirth of the Flipside experience!

Where ya at?

The theme camp placement map is now up on the burning flipside website!!! Chose Placement Map under Theme Camps. Or check it out here.

Time slips away

There are only two issues left of the Flipside Flame.

You got somethin’ to say? Better hurry. Deadlines are this Friday and next Friday. (Then GO time!)

Send stuff to flipsideflame@gmail.com

Shaven Apes

Have a big art project to set-up?

Need to know how to set up your tent?

Need a swift Kick In the Sound System?

The Shaven Apes are here to help!

So go here! ---->

http://www.burningflipside.com/wiki/Shaven_Apes

----> main Shaven Apes wiki, links to the other two pages and explains Ape philosophy

http://www.burningflipside.com/wiki/Shaven_Apes/HelpMe ----> where you request Ape assistance

Or see, chat-up, email Miss Whiskey Belle, @ apes09 at burningflipside dot com

Also, Let it Be Known Amongst Yous!

The Apes will be doing Ice Runs to the Creek!
Noonish, Friday through Sunday!

Bring your Monies and your Coolers to the creek!
And be replenished!

You pay us, we give you an ICE Pog, we pay Ice, You get Ice!

Listen for the Ape with the Bullhorn!

Where does the party start?

There’s a famous tagline in the Flipside Survival Guide...“Greeters: Where the Party Starts!”

That’s true. It does start at Greeters...Not on FM 3232, not as you’re turning into Flat Creek Crossing Ranch, not while you’re in line waiting to have your ticket checked, not even once you get past Gate...

Why?

Well, there’s this really nice family whose driveway is the same road that we’re using to get into Flipside, and though they don’t necessarily share the same...*ahem*... enthusiasm for certain...*ahem*...aspects of our community.

They are a part of the larger Blanco County community who are hosting us: we are their guests and their temporary neighbors. And the last thing any of us want are angry neighbors, especially when we pride ourselves on the principles of civic responsibility and inclusivity.

So please, do us all a favor and don’t start your party or take off those pesky clothes that’re so darned hot in the Texas sun until you’ve left that nice family’s driveway. For those of you who’re super-curious, the driveway “ends” at the ninety-degree right turn you take after you’ve had your tickets processed, past the white steel pipe gate. Thanks!