Here is an image from last year. All that fire to the right is our stage.
James there are tons of pictures at
http://www.burningman.com. And since my band is very involved year round with burner events there are a bunch of pictures in our gallery at
http://www.mutaytor.com/gallery/
Darkcobra, it is more of a meeting of Minds. As here there is a very strong sense of community and sharing. The event takes place in the middle of the Black Rock desert the week before and through labor day weekend. There is no infrastructure provided except porta potties and roads are mapped out. There is no commerce allowed except for ice sales and the Cafe where they sell coffee and all proceeds go to the local school district. Once you arrive and set up your camp you are not allowed to move your car until you leave. The only vehicles allowed are art cars and they must be licensed by the Department of Mutant Vehicles. So everybody walks or rides bicycles around the city. Saturday night at the end of the event the Man is torched in a big ceremony.
The media likes to portray it as a modern day Woodstock. That is only part of the story though.Woodstock was a spectator event for most that went. Burning Man is an event to participate in. It is very surreal with all the different artwork, costumes, and theme camps. If you can imagine it it is likely that someone will have created it. There are many camps with stages for all kinds of different performances and types of music and there are two areas of the city specifically for large scale sound systems.
Despite the size (last year there were 30,000 people and the city is close to a couple of miles across) it is very much like a small town. People you don't even know come up to you and say hello or bring you a cold beer and are socialable and nice. There are barter bars where you can trade for a drink or maybe do an impromtu story or act, or they may even just give you a drink. If you need help setting up you will be almost overwhelmed with volunteers. People have potlucks and give away food. There are places that will help you make costumes and some that will give them to you. There is little or no litter. In fact you will have 30 people all over your case if you do. People are respectful and ask if they can take your picture. There is no advertising or corporate sponsorship of any kind allowed. Well you could be sponsored but you sure couldn't advertise it so it doesn't exist as it does out in the real world.
At the end of the event you clean up your camp and take away everthing you brought and all your trash too.
For many it is a life changing experience. Afterall 30,000 freaks in the middle of the desert during the height of summer can't be wrong.
Mutie