Starwood Festival

The Starwood Festival is a six-day Neo-Pagan, New Age and multi-cultural festival presented in mid- to late July, currently in Sherman, New York. Approximately 1,500 people attend including staff, speakers and entertainers. The Starwood Festival is a camping event which holds workshops on a variety of subjects. There are also live musical performances, rituals, bonfires, multimedia presentations and social activities.

History

The Starwood Festival was founded in 1981 by the Chameleon Club, a recognized student organization at Case Western Reserve University, which later founded the Association for Consciousness Exploration LLC (ACE). It has been operated by ACE since 1983. It featured entertainment, public ceremonies, and classes on subjects such as sensory isolation, Kirlian photography, Neopaganism, shamanism, Wicca, holistic health, tarot divination, Thelema, and past life regression. Among the first guest speakers and entertainers were Jim Alan and Selena Fox (founders of Circle Sanctuary), Raymond Buckland, Lee Bryan Grotte (Foundation for Research in Medical Botany), and music by Chameleon and The Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria. [http://rosencomet.com/changelingtimes/archives/changeling%20times%2000003.pdf]

The first Starwood was held July 24 - 26, 1981 at Coopers Lake Campground, the same site as the Society for Creative Anachronism's Pennsic War, in Slippery Rock, PA. From 1982 through 1985 it was held at Devil's Den Park in New Philadelphia, OH, a former state park run by Whispering Winds Nudist Camp. In 1986 and 1987 it was held at Bear Creek Amphitheatre (part of Bear Creek Resort Ranch KOA) in Canton, OH, and at Echo Hills Ski Resort in Logan, OH (on the Buckeye Trail) in 1988 and 1989. The event moved to Brushwood Folklore Center, a private campground in Sherman, New York in 1990, where it has remained to this day.

The event began as a weekend festival, and grew over the years to a six-day event. Attendance has grown from 185 in the first year to peak at around 1800 people in 2002, and has stayed between 1400 and 1600 since then. Since 1982, Starwood has been a clothing optional event, and skyclad attendance is common. Krassner, Paul (2005). " [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050829/krassner Life Among the Neopagans] " in "The Nation", August 24, 2005 (web only).]

Activities

Starwood offers approximately 150 workshops. Topics include alternative lifestyles, political & spiritual activism, spiritual traditions, consciousness-altering technologies and substances (such as biofeedback, sensory-isolation, mind machines, and entheogenic substances), martial arts & movement systems, history, magic, folklore, art & music, metaphysics and environmental issues. [http://murugabooker.com/ace.html] [http://www.freetimes.com/story/3493] [http://www.researchpubs.com/books/mpex_jrosenbaum.php]

There are classes on the drumming and dancing styles of Africa, South America, Ireland, the Middle East and elsewhere. All-night drummers’ bonfires are held each night of the event in two structures: one called the "Roundhouse", another for didgeridoo and smaller drum players called the "DidgeDome". There are concerts held every lunchtime and evening, and all-night parties in an inflatable structure called the "PufferDome". Starwood provides child care and children's classes and programs in a playground area called "Kids' Village", and a schedule of classes and activities for teenagers. There are several structures devoted to multi-cultural ceremonies and rituals including the "Nemeton" (a Neo-druidic temple) and a sweat lodge. Friday night features a multi-media presentation on "Brushfire Island" (often including fireworks, lasers, and synchronized music), and on the final night a torchlight procession leads to a huge fireworks-stuffed bonfire.

People

Starwood is attended by people of all ages. Followers of diverse beliefs attend Starwood, including Wiccans, Neo-Druids, Ifás, Sufis, Chaos Magickians, Ásatrúar, Ceremonial magicians, Yorubans, Buddhists, and those representing a variety of New Age spiritualities. According to the event organizers, the festival is designed for members of all spiritual paths to share their customs and beliefs. Some specific groups whose members regularly appear at and attend Starwood include the Church of All Worlds (CAW), the Church of the Subgenius, Ar nDraiocht Fein, and various Neopagan Covens and organizations.

Featured speakers

Some past featured speakers include:
* Gavin Bone
* Isaac Bonewits
* David Jay Brown
* Raymond Buckland
* Baba Raul Canizares
* Dagmar Braun Celeste
* Miriam Chamani
* Dennis Chernin
* Phyllis Curott
* Ian Corrigan
* Jim Donovan
* Lon Milo Duquette
* Janet Farrar
* Stewart Farrar
* LaSara Firefox
* Selena Fox
* Gavin Frost
* Yvonne Frost
* Stephen Gaskin
* Ina May Gaskin
* Jesse Wolf Hardin
* Ellen Evert Hopman
* Anodea Judith
* Amber K
* Donald Michael Kraig
* Paul Krassner
* Stanley Krippner
* Timothy Leary [Vale, V. and John Sulak (2001). "Modern Pagans: An Investigation of Contemporary Ritual". [http://www.researchpubs.com/books/mpex_jrosenbaum.php] (Interview with Jeff Rosenbaum). San Francisco: RE/Search Publications. ISBN 1-889307-10-6]
* Martin A. Lee
* Deborah Lipp
* Louis Martinie'
* Terence McKenna
* Ralph Metzner
* Patricia Monaghan
* Christopher Moore
* Nema
* M. Macha Nightmare
* Jonathan Ott
* Diana L. Paxson
* Christopher Penczak
* Lauren Raine
* Silver RavenWolf
* Nicki Scully
* Robert Shea
* R. U. Sirius
* Ivan Stang
* Jay Stevens
* Patricia Telesco
* Harvey Wasserman
* Robert Anton Wilson
* Fred Alan Wolf
* Oberon Zell Ravenheart
* Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart

Featured entertainers

Some past featured entertainers, many of whom also offered classes, include:
* Matthew Abelson
* Sikiru Adepoju
* Amampondo
* ArcheDream
* Babatunde Olatunji & Drums of Passion
* Baka Beyond
* John Bassette
* Big Brother & the Holding Company [ [http://www.bbhc.com/bbbase.html Big Brother and the Holding Company: BBBase] ]
* Muruga Booker
* Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
* Cyro Baptista & Beat the Donkey
* Yaya Diallo
* Halim El-Dabh
* Gaelic Storm
* Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
* Kenny & Tziporah Klein
* Lehto and Wright
* Jeff Magnus McBride
* Airto Moreira
* Owain Phyfe
* The Prodigals
* Perry Robinson
* Badal Roy
* Merl Saunders & the Rainforest Band
* Gilli Smyth (Gong}
* Stephen Kent & Trance Mission

Miscellanea

* The Starwood Festival is the largest annual Neo-pagan gathering and festival on the East Coast of the United States.
* Starwood's success inspired Rev. Ivan Stang (a regular Starwood participant and speaker) to found the annual Church of the SubGenius X-Day festival in 1996, which also takes place at Brushwood Folklore Center.
* On several occasions, the director of ACE Jeff Rosenbaum has organized performances of Firesign Theatre radio plays on stage at Starwood, performed by organizers and guest speakers of the event under the name "Firesign Clones". [http://www.firezine.net/faq/falafal/falafal26.html] [http://www.subgenius.com/bigfist/fun/devivals/xdaydrill/X0005_Starwood.html]
* The annual national meeting of Ar nDraiocht Fein, held at an event in late May called the Wellspring Gathering, originated as part of the Starwood Festival in 1988 at Bear Creek KOA in East Sparta, OH. It became a separate event at Brushwood Folklore Center in 1991.

Notes

References

* Adler, Margot (1979) "". Beacon Press, 1979; revised and updated 1997. Penguin (Non-Classics) ISBN 014019536X, ISBN 978-0140195361
* Aloi, Peg (2007) Witchvox article about Starwood 27 [http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usny&c=festivals&id=12023]
* Association for Consciousness Exploration. [http://www.rosencomet.com/starwood/starlist.html Starwood Speaker Roster] . Retrieved January 7, 2007.
* Blain, Jenny & Douglas Ezzy & Graham Harvey (2004) "Researching Paganisms (The Pagan Studies Series)". AltaMira Press ISBN 0759105235, ISBN 978-0759105232
* Bloch, Jon P. (1998) "New Spirituality, Self, and Belonging: How New Agers and Neo-Pagans Talk About Themselves". Praeger/Greenwood ISBN 0275959570
* Bond, Lawrence & Ellen Evert Hopman (1996) "People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out". (Reissued as "Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans & Witches Today" in 2002 Destiny Books ISBN 0-89281-904-9) Several interviews at and/or discussing Starwood.
*Bruce, Marlene (2005) " [http://digitizethis.com/travelogue/2005_starwood/index.html Travelogue: The Starwood Festival 2005 - Sherman, NY] ".
* Conrad, C. A. (2007) "Deviant Propulsion: Poems". Soft Skull Press ISBN 1932360875, ISBN 978-1932360875
* "Expanding the Frontiers of Your Consideration" article [http://murugabooker.com/ace.html]
* Furman, Donna "Beating Stress Through Meditation" (The News Herald Oct. 5th, 1986)
* Gilboa, Netta "Getting Gray With Reverend Ivan Stang" Gray Areas [http://www.grayarea.com/subgenius.htm]
* Gill, Michael (2005). "Circle of Ash" in "Cleveland Free Times", July 7th, 2005 (Feature Article) [http://www.freetimes.com/story/3493] .
* Gonce III, John Wisdom & Daniel Harms (2003) "The Necronomicon Files: The Truth Behind Lovecraft's Legend". Weiser Books ISBN 1578632692, ISBN 978-1578632695
* Gray, Edward R. & Scott Thumma (2004) "Gay Religion". AltaMira Press ISBN 0-7591-0325-9, ISBN 978-0-7591-0325-2
* Grimassi, Raven (2000) "Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft". Llewellyn Publications ISBN 1567182577, ISBN 978-1567182576
* Hayes, Charles (2000). "Tripping: An Anthology of True-Life Psychedelic Adventures". (Terence McKenna Interview) Penguin Compass/Penguin Putnam Inc. ISBN 0-14-019574-2
* Hoey, Steve (1996) " [http://www.noiselabs.com/starwood.html Thoughts on Starwood] ". Noise Laboratories.
* Hunter, Jennifer (2000) "21st Century Wicca: A Young Witch's Guide to Living the Magical Life". Citadel ISBN 0806518871, ISBN 978-0806518879
* Jung, Fritz (2001) "Starwood" Article about song by same name in Witchvox with Mp3 file [http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usfl&c=cfotd&id=3104]
* Kates, Bill (1997). "Best of the Fests: Starwood Festival" in "High Times".
* Krassner, Paul (2005). " [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-krassner/the-blame-game_b_6266.html The Blame Game] " article in "The Huffington Post", August 26, 2005.
* Lewis, James & Shelley Rabinovitch (2003) "The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft & Neo-Paganism". Citadel Press ISBN 0806524065, ISBN 978-0806524061
* Lewis, James R. (1996) "Magical Religion and Modern Witchcraft". State University of New York Press ISBN 0791428907, ISBN 978-0791428900
* Lingan, Edmund B. (2006). "Beyond the Occult Revival: Contemporary Forms of Occult Theatre" article in "PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art" - PAJ 84 (Volume 28, Number 3), September 2006, pp. 23-38. The MIT Press.
* McColman, Carl (2002) "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism". Alpha ISBN 002864266X, ISBN 978-0028642666
* McCoy, Edain (2004) "If You Want to Be a Witch: A Practical Introduction to the Craft". Llewellyn Publications ISBN 0738705144, ISBN 978-0738705149
* Monaghan, Patricia (1999) "Meditation, the Complete Guide". New World Library ISBN 1577310888, ISBN 978-1577310884
* Nema (1995) "Maat Magick: A Guide to Self-Initiation". Weiser Books ISBN 0-87728-827-5
* Paige, Anthony (2004) "American Witch: A Practitioner's Guide". Citadel ISBN 0806525118
* Pike, Sarah (2001). "Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves: Contemporary Pagans and the Search for Community". University of California Press [http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/8775/8775.ch01.html] . ISBN 0-520-22030-7
* Reed, Robert A. & Joy S. Miller-Upton & Donald W. Wallbaum "Local Festival Celebrates Pagan Rites" (August 3, 1989) "The Free Paper" Logan, OH.
* Seachrist, Denise (2003). "The Musical World of Halim El-Dabh". Kent State University Press: World Musics Series. ISBN 0-87338-752-X
* Singer, Maria (2005) "Dancing the Fire: The Ins and Outs of Neo-Pagan Festivals & Gatherings". Citadel ISBN 0806525347
* St. John, G. (2003) "Rave Culture and Religion". Routledge ISBN 0415314496, ISBN 978-0415314497
* Vale, V. and John Sulak (2001). "Modern Pagans: An Investigation of Contemporary Ritual". [http://www.researchpubs.com/books/mpex_jrosenbaum.php] (Interview with Jeff Rosenbaum). San Francisco: RE/Search Publications. ISBN 1-889307-10-6

External links

* [http://www.rosencomet.com/starwood/ The Starwood Festival web page]