Immerse Yourself – Lightning in a Bottle 2016 – Way out west, in the midst of the beautifully-crafted mischievousness of Do LaB’s Lightning in a Bottle music and arts festival lies a myriad of sanctuaries that play host to the curious and curiouser intricacies of the transformational gathering. Trailblazers who wander off the beaten festival path may find themselves transported into the many weird and wonderful realms nestled on the grounds of LIB, each micro-environment ripe with exciting expansions, new offerings, and scintillating music for 2016.
Step into the vintage portal between the Temple of Consciousness and The Village, and immerse yourself within the Grand Artique’s famed Frontierville – an ode to the boot kickin’, gallivantin’, rompin’ and ragin’ days of yore. The latest updates to Frontierville will include the renovation of the Grand Artique’s Live Music Stage, now dubbed The Mission Stage. The stage will play host to a multifarious selection of the finest entertainers around including VKCE (Vokab Company x Crush Effect), Whilk & Misky, Dirtwire, Pimps of Joytime, NoMBe, and Jeremy Sole who will take his audience on a sonic trip through the past, present and future of Roots music during a very special 11am Sunday Revival. The Mission Stage will be rockin’ all hours during the festival so stop in for an afternoon delight, or for the most amusing of after-hours (full lineup below). Also found with the Grand Artique are a tipsy Gypsy Encampment host to mischief and mayhem, Boss Whispers’ General Store & Trading Post, Skinny DeVille’s Bar (a rare blend of theatrics and deviant mixology), and The Poison Oak Hotel, a two-storied structure with an enormous fire and improvised melodies.
In and around the grounds of Lightning in a Bottle, other immersive environments range from the splendidly sensational to the mystically eccentric. Not far from the Grand Artique, inquisitive explorers may find themselves at the boomin’ Jive Joint an interactive art installation designed to exude French Quarter vibes. Groove out to the jazzy, funky, soulful tunes produced by Super Tall Paul’s legendary on the spot musical looping, and expect the unexpected as this spot is known for its comedic improv. Enjoy one of the many shows at Amori’s Casino & Burlesque, a sexy, sensual, experience featuring live burlesque and cabaret, gaming, wandering characters, live bands, DJs and all manner of shenanigans. Check into the Giggle Juice Cafe at the Lost Hotel, a unique oasis for the body and mind with a full-service restaurant, juice bar, and even an option for guests to become inhabitants of the hotel.
For an added flair to the LIB experience, attendees have the option to purchase tickets to delicious and entertaining pop-up dinners at one of three immersive locations! Amori’s Casino & Burlesque, Giggle Juice Cafe, and The Last Supper Club will all be serving multi-course meals from Italian to Vegan, and enjoy their special brand of entertainment on the side. These unique experiences do sell out — reserve a seat by purchasing tickets here.
Early Arrival Offerings:
This year Do LaB has opened the gates to LIB a day early for those looking to maximize all that the festival has to offer. The purchase of an Early Arrival Pass comes with a plethora of experiences centered around opportunities to explore connections within the community before turning the music on for the full festival adventure.
Cacao Ceremony – The Temple of Consciousness will kick off its “spiritual” opening on Wednesday May 25th at 9:30pm with a traditional Cacao Ceremony. Cacao is a traditional plant rich in nutrients, as well as serotonin, tryptophan and dopamine. As such, the Cacao Ceremony brings with it the intention to stoke the spiritual soul of early arrivers at Lightning in a Bottle with a ritualized one of a kind experience that projects positivity and connectedness to open hearts from beyond the boundaries of culture and time.
Temescal Lodge – Near the Arch at the Temple of Consciousness and Pineal Playground, a ritual will be presented by authentic Mayan teachers on Early Arrival day. The Temescal Lodge will host an experience founded in the medicine of Ancient Mayan sweat, which is a practice that’s spiritually revitalizing and steeped in tradition.
Action Day – Join LIB 2016 artist Polish Ambassador for an Action Day at the Village from 1pm to 7pm. Action Day activities include: planting a few trees, placing mulch around existing ones to strengthen their roots, building a cob oven and much more!
Village Life – A vast collection of educational and ceremonial offerings from 2pm to 2am at The Village, featuring spiritually inspired workshops and tribal ceremonies to connect the past, present and future.
Torn Between by Hoodie – When natural landscapes come alive, the accomplished artist Hoodie can’t be far. Known for his uncanny sculptures comprised completely from twigs and branches, this tremendous artist plans to unveil a symbolic piece titled “Torn Between” that will celebrate the dichotomy of important decisions that affect us all in our daily lives.
Meditation Mountain by Nature Dreamweaver – Nate “Nature Dreamweaver” Hogen is an internationally celebrated installation artist known for his natural nest-like sculptures and ceremonial transmutation circles developed entirely from nature.
Other Experiences to Take Advantage of While Roaming LIB Include:
The Traveling Spectacular – A surrealist vaudeville experience inspired by the dreams and dust of a bygone age, live music by the Oddjob Ensemble, grand illusions, a sword swallowing houdini extraordinaire, vaudevillian comedy, alluring dancers and the fire-breathing Devil himself!
Transformation Station – A Human Décor Zone staffed by professional face and body painters, headed up by Audette Sophia of Become the Art.
Black Rock Observatory (BRO) – Look up to the heavens in one of two 21-foot domes housing a 20″ telescope for nighttime viewing and white light and h-alpha solar telescopes.
Highlove Vitality Elixir Lounge – An intimate speakeasy lounge, serving up tasty elixirs alongside burlesque, vaudeville, and aerial shows. Settle in for musical interludes, live performance, discussion panels, and dance parties. The elixir lounge is open around the clock, serving you when you need it most.
Playing Card Station & Oasis Rejuvenation Station – Choose some cards and create some cards at this Catalyst Card Playing Station, a social playing card experiment designed to bring more playfulness, depth, and interactivity to your festival experience. Spritz yourself down from the essential oil spritzer tree or dip in the bird bath – just next door.
Archival Ink by Fine Art Direct – Curators of this year’s art exhibition will showcase three separate galleries – Pop Surrealism, Visionary, and Counterculture. This year’s featured artists are Hans Haveron, Alex Grey, Mear One, Mugwort, and Sequoia. Come by to watch live body painting, artist signings, and to win a valuable print of your own.
Now celebrating its eleventh year in production, Lightning in a Bottle Art and Music Festival, returns to San Antonio Recreation Area in Bradley, CA, Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-30, 2016) with music headliners including Chet Faker, Jamie XX, Cashmere Cat, Tokimonsta, Grimes, Four Tet and over 300 additional musicians and artists. Purchase tickets to Lightning in a Bottle here. RSVP on the LIB Facebook Event Page to connect early with your Lightning in a Bottle tribe and be sure to stay in the know with lineup announcement and other news by signing up for the LIB newsletter.
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2016 Grand Artique Full Music Lineup:
Pimps of Joytime – Whilk & Misky – Dirtwire – Jeremy Sole – VKCE (Vokab Kompany + Crush Effect – Diego’s Umbrella – Todo Mundo – NoMBe – W.C. Thornbrush & The Great American Show – Herbert Bail Orchestra – Lapa – Gene Evaro Jr. – Livingmore – Steven Roth – Bubble Gutter – Honey Larochelle – Moondog Matinee – Talia Keys – Miss Emmma & David Patrone – The Grand Artique Talent Show – Honeycomb – The Vibrometers – Francisco Fernandez & The Ferocious Few – Smoota – Carlo – Smoked Out Soul – Iconoclast Robot – Valley Queen – Father Bear – Love & The Zealous – Solar Sons – Blackwater Jukebox – Jazzy Fox – Iron Veil – Heart of Sound – DJ Ned Casual – Chris Brochu – Bootleg Sunshine – The Dank – The Kaygles – Well Well Well – Stagg – Spike McGuire – Those Folk