Burning Man in Hawaii

What is Burning Man? It's almost easier to say what it isn't. Every September, tens of thousands of artists, musicians, free-thinkers, anarchists, exhibitionists, and other assorted humans create a temporary city in Navada's Black Rock Desert. It's the place to be for thinkers and creators the world over, including Hawaii.

Well, if you're drawn to the idea of a free-form, immersive, participatory artist community but can't make it to Nevada this fall, you can head over to Pahoa in April for "Rebirth 2007." It's an official Burning Man "Regional Event," based on the Burning Man 10 Principles, and spearheaded by the Ka Pilina Interactive Arts Society. The four-day interactive art festival in the jungles of Puna will dazzle the senses with music, installations, luau, fire spinners... and a "20-foot-tall phoenix."

"This event is a nonprofit gathering of artists, no one is making money, and vending is banned inside — you come to give and share," say Rebirth 2007 organizers. "Come prepared to camp for four days, express your creativity, and make connections." They concede it's not for everyone, and offer an online survival guide.

You can buy tickets online now, and only half the tickets available will be available online (the rest reserved for in-person sales on the Big Island). There are discounts for volunteers, artists, performers, and low-income attendees. For more information, visit the Rebirth 2007 website, or the Ka Pilina community at Tribe.net.