Lightning In a Bottle, Contributing to the Net Happiness of the World.
“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
Lightning in a Bottle, a doLab production was held this year (and every year) over the Memorial Day weekend, in Bradley California. It’s four days of interconnected vibration, music, flow, education & passionate life altering experiences. For me, Lighting in a Bottle, began many, many months prior to this weekend. In fact the journey of LIB (Lightning in a Bottle) began back stage, during a deep discussion about life, ART and creative flow on the final night of Life is Beautiful, Las Vegas.
From the very beginning of this project, Love Being Here, we have been seeking to amplify connectedness and community along side searching individuals – sharing the vision, positive flow and hopefully inspiring and empowering those to go forth and do the same. In fact, it’s seems now looking back that of course we would end up touring festivals as connection is so heightened and good vibrations are paramount in this environment.
People seek connection… festivals breed a connected environment.
I once read a quote by Chip Conley, Co-Founder of Fest 300. It read; “The more digital we get the more ritual we need as humans.” I really could not agree with this more. Festivals provide a culture steeped in ritual.
Last year I had the profound pleasure of meeting an individual that embodied all that I had envisioned to share with the world. He was one of the truly bright lights, encapsulating all that is good and kind.
ON CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER AT FESTIVALS
Thank you to Tucker Gumber, “THE FESTIVAL GUY” & Founder of FestEVO for this video.
Photo Credit: Deanna Beaudoin
I met Art Gimbel in the pit while shooting Broken Bells, random synchronicity, followed by the experience of collective effervescence. How lovely is that experience having the good fortune to see and be seen? I felt like the young grasshopper being accompanied by the wise sage in the art of flow within the festival confines at Life Is Beautiful to begin but surely despite life’s brief plan for this encounter – I learned something magical about myself.
It was under Art’s tutelage that I was first introduced to Lightning In a Bottle, as having found out that I had never been before went on to describe it whimsically, declaring we needed to make that pilgrimage together. Art lived with an authenticity that was highly contagious and spectacularly divine; doing, being, creating and sharing undilutedly for the common good of humanity. His truth was in his passionate plea for connection, community and care. Goals we shared.
This is what I learned from Art; spreading joy and love in theory is intimidating to many people. Spreading joy and love in reality, is gratifying. As Art mentioned in the video, if we can use our time at festivals on this planet! to contribute to the net happiness of the world, we are indeed on the path. I like to think, this is his living legacy, at least it will be for me. Art helped to manifest a validation, Love Being Here is a consciousness a wakefulness in which we truly employ Joie de Vivre. Literally, committing to passionately embrace, LOVE BEING HERE.
Lighting In a Bottle, has been given the highest honour in translating that embodied realization.
RECAP
Twenty thousand people made the pilgrimage to Bradley, CA attend the sold out festival known for its world-class performers, mesmerizing stage designs, interactive art, yoga, and health-conscious workshops.
Coming off a game-changing year at Coachella with their namesake stage, Lighting in a Bottle’s powerhouse production crew, Do LaB, made vast improvements to the festival grounds including additional large-scale shade structures, bye, bye Bamboo stage & welcome THUNDER, which made it’s debut earlier this year at Coachella. Additionally there have been expanded camping areas, a cohesive layout, and much celebrated ravine bridges. High-fiving friends while strolling across the previously arduous ditches ravine, a much needed and welcomed improvement.
Structural open-air changes to LiB’s main attraction, the Lightning Stage, allowed participants to dance day and night to emerging artists such as Flume, Odesza, SBTRKT, Tycho, Active Child, Lucent Dossier Experience, plus much buzzed about performers like Bob Moses, Âme, Shiba San, Thomas Jack, and veteran John Digweed at the colorful “treehouse” stage, The Woogie.
Attendees could explore a plethora of interactive art installations, from high-rise, giant tea pots aptly named Lost Tea Party, to Andrew “Android” Jones’ 360-immersion MOVA Gallery dome, and theme camps like the Grand Artique and Amori’s Casino & Burlesque. The Lucent Temple of Consciousness hosted two stages of daily yoga classes, movement workshops, world class speakers and performers, a mystery school, plus The Village’s Learning Kitchen, with classes on essential oils, cooking, and more.
VISUAL JOURNEY
Photo Credit: Carolyn Crafty
KEEPING IT GREEN
LiB is the most environmentally conscious festival in America, having received the Outstanding Award four years running from A Greener Festival for its healthy food vendors, free water stations, composting and recycling infrastructure, pack-it-in/pack-it-out policy, and other green initiatives.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Lightning in a Bottle, has been talked about endlessly for it’s multi-experience. It’s more than music, it’s more than learning, yoga, community, art or adventure – but is I think decribed best as a festival that is greater than the sum of it’s parts. I hope as LIB continues to evolve and grow, more people will embrace the curious ritual of spreading joy and love and allow the experience to be transformational in whatever way is most necessary in growing into the next iteration of the best Self.
“We are visitors on this planet. We are here for one hundred years at the very most. During that period we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. if you contribute to other people’s happiness, you will find the true meaning of life.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
Review by | Deanna Beaudoin
Editor LBH: Festival Ambassador, Lover of Life and Transformational Moments.
This post is dedicated to the memory Art Gimbel, who truly taught me that indeed ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
m! Media & LBH Collective 