The LA-based art collective The Do LaB is returning for a third straight year with “Lightning in a Bottle,” one of the most innovative, fastest growing, and (dare we say) socially responsible, eco-music and arts festivals around. Attendance has doubled every year, and over 6000 are expected to camp out in the Santa Barbara Mountains this Memorial Day weekend out for LIB ’08.
Born out of the California art underground, “Lightning in a Bottle” resembles the masquerade pomp and splendor of the court of Louis XIV and the musical innovation of the Monterrey Pop Festival dropped into an idyllic campground setting with some of the most (no pun intended) down-to-earth sustainability practices of the new eco-conscious.
It’s a whole weekend of not just talking about, but actually practicing community living out in the environment. With their independent philosophy, “Lightning in a Bottle” represents the perfect integration of irreverence and responsibility.
Probably best known for their stunning art installations at the Coachella Music Festival in California, Summer Sonic in Japan, Electric Picnic in Ireland, and Burning Man in Nevada, this year The Do LaB will be creating three original stages designed specifically for the event in collaboration with bamboo structural artist Gerard Minakawa and master junk artist Shrine. All three will be constructed using only natural, reused, and recycled materials.
Sponsorship comes from conscious businesses like New Belgium Brewing Company, Clif Bar, and Energy Efficiency Solar, who are building an onsite 20 kW solar panel installation that will provide on-demand power and solar battery-backup. Any energy shortfall will be handled with small biodiesel generators, and will be offset by purchasing renewable energy credits from Green Mountain Energy. The event also incorporates a recycling and composting program, solar and energy efficient LED lighting, and 100% biodegradable kitchenware for all food vending. All festival printing is done on recycled paper using soy inks. Local water will be filtered and made available to all for drinking and showering at no cost, and reusable containers will be sold instead of disposable plastic water bottles.
Food services are all organic, vegetarian, and locally/regionally sourced. This will compliment a striking marketplace of independent artisans and entrepreneurs offering a wide variety of products and services like artwork, clothing, textiles, green technologies, healing arts, and toys galore.
They believe in transparency and sharing their methodologies, so check out their detailed Green Report from last year’s festival.
“Our philosophy is simple. The more we turn this into a community process, the faster we can all grow,” says Environmental Director Shena Turlington.
In this beautiful place, where condors and eagles soar through ravines up the face of sheer cliff walls to circle high above, and the air is tinged with ocean salt and the ember scent of campfires, you feel a connection to the earth, each other, and to the future we can forge together. It’s like few other places. And it goes to prove that you can throw one hell of a party-with-a-purpose, and everyone will show up for it.
Check out this slick video clip by siouxenkang with music by the Glitch Mob.
Festival Fact Sheet
Renewable energy efforts in 2007 saved 2.5 MWh of electricity, about the equivalent CO2 from driving a car 6,500 miles
By changing all the lights on the festival grounds to compact fluorescents, almost as much energy was saved as was provided by the entire 10kW photovoltaic array.
53% of waste was diverted from landfill.
An estimated 99% of festival emissions came from attendee transportation, so this year DoLab is working to provide a transportation services this year, including buses from major cities and a carpool forum grouped by zip codes, as well as the opportunity for participants to offset their vehicle emissions.
LIB 08’s roster of 60+ acts features a range of world-class electronic artists, live bands, and unique performance troupes. Headliners include LA’s own Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque and West Indian Girl, Stanton Warriors from the UK, Bassnectar, Yard Dog’s Road Show, and J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science all from San Francisco; Tipper from Hawaii; and Pnuma Trio from Colorado.
A collection of hands-on workshops and speaker panels will be offered:
“The Future of Sustainable Travel”: Chris Paine, Nick Baggarly and Gadget Panel, Moderated by Dr. Ryan Wartena – Sunday 4pm-5pm
“2012: Evolutionary Future Coming Down Fast”: Daniel Pinchbeck, Sharron Rose and Jay Weidner, Moderated by Shena Turlington – Sunday 2pm-3:30pm
“Oceans of Trash, The Shocking Truth” (w/the Algalita Marine Research Foundation): Marcus Eriksen, Anna Cummins and Joel Paschal, Moderated by Jedi – Saturday 2:30pm-3:30pm
“Social Networking and (Cyber) Consciousness In Our Community”: Scott Badenoch, Ben Clayton and Jenn “1luv” Breckenridge, Moderated by Dr. Ryan Wartena – Monday 1pm-2pm
“Growing Architecture: Theory and adventure in assembling our realities”: Dr. Ryan Wartena and Elizabeth Marley, Moderated by 1luv – Monday 11am-12pm
“Personal Empowerment: Manifesting Your Own Inner Shaman”: Bianca Chavez, Ron Brizzie “Sage”, Jonathan Fisher “Witch Doctor”, Jessica Plancich, Moderated by Shena Turlington – Saturday 11am-12:30pm
Visit www.lightninginabottle.org
