The initial plan was simple: since I am close enough, find a way to get to Bonnaroo, the four-day annual art and music festival in Manchester, Tennessee. While there perform, see some incredible artists, and spend some quality time with one of my oldest friends who now lives in Chattanooga while camping (my first time) in “guest camping”, the bourgeois and better-than-VIP lodging on-site. I packed my costumes, insect repellent, SPF 30 and, as usual, far too many clothes than needed and made my way to Tennessee.
Chatanooga has the footwork for popular dances installed throughout the city. When is the last time you did the Hokey Pokey?
The trip was easy, even though the car I was riding in needed to stop at Wal Mart to get something. I have, to this day, proudly never spent a dime at a Wal Mart, however upon investigating the corporation in Connecticut a few summers ago was surprised when an employee in the photo department of Wal Mart told me I could buy marijuana from him anytime I wanted to. (“You really CAN get everything at Wal Mart!”) While waiting in the parking lot I thought the peat moss/compost toilet in the bed of a friend’s truck might make a good statement about my thoughts on Wal Mart.
When I finally arrived in Manchester, I was brimming with excitement. I had vowed to myself early in 2008 to travel more, and after the fire I still managed to make it to Louisville, even though the first week here was emotionally and psychologically draining and it seems that since I am still here, to many, it’s highly unusual for a “city girl” like me to want to stay out of the Big Apple for such an extended period of time.
I had never been to Bonnaroo before (although I was very excited to discover all of the “green” aspects and causes supported by the festival which you can learn more about by clicking here), so I really was taking in the experience with a fresh perspective and was certain that, by the end of the trip, I would have more than a few stories to share. After setting up camp I set out to my first gig and to find Aaron Goldsmith, one of my roommates from New York whom I had not seen since two days after the fire. We had spoken a couple of times in the weeks following the disaster, both still reeling and filled with conflicted feelings about many, many issues, so facing the opportunity to see him outside of New York and nearly two months after the fire, I couldn’t get to him fast enough. Below is Aaron dressed as a soothsayer, telling fortunes using a “Magic 8 Ball”, complete with a smoke machine.
He had gotten a ride with a group of circus people from Vermont’s Unbearable Light Cabaret, all of whom were very talented and friendly.
Back at the camp, we had met our neighbors and a community was beginning to establish. The neighbors to our left were from Queens, so right away I knew we would get along. The other two men were from Nashville. This group social psychology, in addition to sharing and demonstrating kindness, was probably the most incredible part of the experience for me. Our neighbors across the way included Heather Byrd, writer for The Tennessean, with the most adorable camp site I have ever seen complete with chinese lanterns, carpet, A/C and a pink feather boa.
Of course, I knew before heading to Bonnaroo that there would be a lot, and I mean a LOT of people there who were on drugs. My tolerance for people on drugs had diminished to almost nothing before leaving New York and is currently at an all-time low. Luckily the space is so big and there is so much to do that one can easily avoid people on, well, whatever they’re taking. That is, unless you’re trying to walk anywhere.
When I found out I was going to Bonnaroo, I took a look at the festival’s website and found a ton of warnings and information about the danger of recreational nitrous oxide use. From Bonnaroo.com:
“The use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at Bonnaroo. All laws pertaining to drug use should be respected. We encourage you to participate in the festival in a lawful and healthy manner. Various clean and sober groups will be onsite should you or any of your friends need their assistance.
The sale of nitrous oxide is strictly prohibited. Consider these facts: Nitrous Oxide cuts off the flow of oxygen to the brain; numerous emergencies have occurred due to its ingestion, ranging from concussions (falling down after passing out) to, in extreme cases, death; and some confiscated “nitrous” tanks actually contain other toxic gases such as argon or automotive nitrous (which contains petroleum). If you purchase nitrous oxide you are likely to be supporting people who care nothing about, and contribute nothing to, the Bonnaroo community.”
When a guy with a tank came by our camp site, I excused myself. I did not want to impose my beliefs about the use of Nitrous Oxide to those around me. However when the guy selling it sat down and explained that the tank he had came from Boston, and that he was studying medicine in Michigan, I had to ask him if he thought it was contradictory that he was selling my friends $5 balloons to cut off the oxygen supply to their brain. He just looked at me. I got up and walked away. Later that day I saw the same guy selling balloons near the entrance to Guest Camping. When a golf cart with two Bonnaroo staffers approached someone holding a balloon, I thought for sure that the death-peddler, just a few paces away, would get ratted (and kicked) out. I fumbled with my camera trying to discreetly record his capture and ejection, however the Bonnaroo staffers did nothing and carried on, driving off as he inflated balloons for a new batch of campers. Here they are walking away from me. There is something very sad to me about this picture.
Some of the shows I caught included MGMT, MIA, Metallica (I wanted to feel the energy of 80,000 people at a concert and although I am not a fan of the group, the experience was amazing), Les Claypool jamming with Gogol Bordello, The Raconteurs and of course, the main reason I was so excited about Bonnaroo, Willie Nelson. Willie turned 75 in April of this year and is a living legend.
I will be posting more photos as I receive them. This was my first time camping!
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