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FAQ
Which forms of artistic expression are included in the
fire circle?
In addition to drumming and dancing around the
fire, Forestdance attendees add chants, spoken word,
light instrumentation, costumes, and ritual theater to
the circle. Because the event is improvised and
operates organically, participants allow space for the
faintest voice and most subtle movement to come
through during the course of the night.
Is Fire Spinning allowed in the fire circle?
Forestdance welcomes fire spinners and other fire
artists to bring their craft to the gathering. While
the fire circle container itself is not a safe place
for fire spinning, we provide designated areas outside
of the circle and include fire spinning in other
rituals during the event.
Which spiritual traditions are honored at Forestdance?
People from many different spritual and
philosophical backgrounds attend Forestdance and are
encouraged to bring their creative expression to the
fire circle. The fire circle is a highly intentional ritual space that we agree to hold as sacred, where we honor and celebrate our diversity, our similarities, and the threads that run
through many traditions.
Are children welcome at Forestdance?
Yes, all children are welcome to participate, and
if they are 11 and under they may come for the cost of a donation to cover their food. The Forestdance staff does not provide
childcare, but parents are encouraged to co-create
programs or events for their children during the
gathering. If there are a large number of children coming to a specific gathering, we may bring in someone to help organize a children's program.
What is the meal plan at Forestdance?
Everyone who attends the gathering is on a
well-balanced, mostly vegetarian meal plan. We are working toward offering a higher percentage of organic and native food. We serve
a large brunch each day around noon, a large dinner in the
evening, a breakfast on Sunday morning, and offer snacks 24 hours a day. We encourage folks to bring additional snacks to share for the food altar.
What opportunities are there for venders?
Vending is not a priority at this event, though it is welcome. Please contact us with your specific questions.
What kinds of volunteer responsibilities come with
attending Forestdance?
To help keep costs down and to encourage a community model where we create sustainability we ask each attendee to sign up for a service group during the gathering. Examples of the service groups are Fire Cirlce Prep team, Rangoli Team, Altar Team, Sherpa Team, Food Prep Team, Kitchen Clean Team, etc.
What is the lodging situation?
Forestdance is a camping event. We ask that attendees bring all of their own camping supplies, inculding their own plate, bowl, cup and eating utensils. In Massachusetts we provide limited cabin space. This is reserved for elders first, folks with special needs, and then to people that are attending for the entire event. We are charged a significant amount for each bed used in the lodge, so if you'd like to reserve a bed, you will have to pay an additional fee per night. If you are intersted in reserving a bed, please enquire in the additional info section or send us an email and we'll get back to you with rates and availability.
What is the pricing structure for the event?
Forestdance has three different designations: Regular attendees pay full-price, teachers and facilitators attend at a discounted (set food donation) price, and staff members attend for free. The money paid for the event is used to cover the costs of food, supplies, use of the site, and to pay for the rest of our operational costs. Any profit from the event will go towards future Forestdances or to help with other heARTbeat Collective community building, healing and expressive arts event.
Refund policy: Tickets are transferable to other folks. There is a $40 refund fee up to one week before the event. The rest of the admission price will be returned to you. Last minute emergency cancellations (less than one week before) will be dealt with on a one on one basis, with the decision being determined by if the event at hand is running in the black or red, and by how the combined events have done for the season up to the time of the cancellation.
Is it all right to arrive at any time?
There are absolutely no Thursday arrivals, and no one will be admitted after Friday evening.
How can I get involved and help make Forestdance a
success?
There are all kinds of ways you can help! You can
bring small percussion instruments to share, bring
extra snacks and clean water bottles for the fire
circle, bring sacred objects to help decorate the
altars and beautify the site. Bring your clearest and
highest intentions with you. Most importantly, spread
the word to people who might be interested in
attending, especially to people from other states who
might not otherwise hear about the event. There will also be a list at the gathering for ways you can tap into helping. Feel free to email us info@forestdance.net if you'd like to get involved before the gathering.
What is the drug and alcohol policy of Forestdance?
Forestdance does not support the use of illegal substances on the properties we lease from for our gatherings. Illegal usage is strictly prohibited. Very often, you will read a sentence like the two above in any festival's or gathering's guidelines that are written to protect the organizers. That said, many on the staff may have enjoyed partying at different times, and some may even be willing to get together with you and do so at some point in the future. However, we ask and highly suggest that everyone take this opportunity to explore magical space without the use of any drugs or alcohol. There are many reasons for this. We will be engaging in the process of fine-tuning ourselves, rather than doing anything that will remove us from one another or tune us out from our own greatest subtleties. In our experience, we have everything we need to attain incredible heightened states of consciousness without the aid of any altering substances.
Furthermore, the ability to retain the experience and integrate it into our daily lives is far more sustainable without altering ourselves. Our sacred circle model offers an opportunity to step into an environment that truly holds us in the highest vision of ourselves. For us this vision is a space that is free of addiction or habitual mind-altering substances. Also, others that have addiction problems or engage in habitual drug use are far more likely to partake if folks around
them are offering or are carrying a vibration in which they are partying.
Furthermore, Earthlands, and the H.O.M.E. Farm have very strict policies about not having any illegal drugs on site. During the all-night Fire Circle process it is often difficult to achieve a place of true openness. The sense of a barrier or a wall is a common result. However, with continued participation and service within the circle, breaking through to a place of empowered embodiment will happen. Thank you for respecting these boundaries.
What is Fans with Cans?
Forestdance is a Fans with Cans event. Fore more info check www.fanswithcans.org. There will be a place to leave any extra non-perishable food or snacks that you have left over, or that you can bring as a donation. The food will be donated to a local food shelter in your area. This is an organization in which performers and artists of all types can make a huge difference helping to feed the hungry.
What to bring
GENERAL NOTES: No matter where in the country we are, it may get quite cold late at night so please bring what you need to dress in layers. Bring a flashlight - the moon may not be visible. Consider bringing a battery operated alarm clock (best if covered and we suggest not bringing watches into the sacred circle), earplugs, and all natural bug repellent.
Please bring a tent (unless you have made other arrangements) and plenty of warm and comfy bedding, and please bring extra if you can - we need more for the "nesting areas." These are places outside the fire circle to rest during the night. Some people bring folding chairs to set up farther outside the circle and in the nesting areas.
Please bring your own cup, bowl, plate, utensils and water bottle clearly labeled! We will have some in case you forget. You will be responsible for cleaning your dishes, whether they are yours or ours.
Bring poems for the Poetry Circle and any musical instrument and a song or three for the Bardic Circle.
Consider contributing anything you would like to offer to the community or lending anything to an altar, such as sage, candles, something to burn sage in, seashells, feathers, crystals, etc.
Please bring food and snacks for the food/community altar. These we are offering to each other as sustenance for the all-night circles. Aim for healthy and nourishing items, though chocolate-covered espresso beans do tend to disappear quickly.
Please bring eco-friendly toiletries and your own towel.
There will be a Gifting Circle at the end of the gathering so please bring something to give away to the community if you feel so called. The Gifting Circle can be quite an amazing experience.
FOR INSIDE THE FIRE CIRCLE: Drums, RATTLES (so important), and other percussion such as cowbells. Instruments other than drums and percussion are welcome in the sacred circle, but their use must be discussed beforehand with a facilitator after Forestdance Orientation. Chants, songs, masks, costumes and elaborate clothing are welcome, as are body and face paint and your intentions. (What would you choose to manifest in your life and for your life?)
Here is a checklist:
Costumes, masks
Warm clothing, layers
Walking shoes
Tent, sleeping bag, comfy bedding
Battery-operated alarm clock
Flashlight
Earplugs
Natural bug repellant
Sunscreen
Rain cover
Bathing suit
Towel
Eco-conscious toiletries
Remember your medications if you need some
Water bottle
Your own cups and bowls labeled with your name, utensils
Nesting blankets and chairs, camp chairs (not around the fire)
Ground cover to sit on
Snacks for the food altar
Personal roll of tp (free of perfumes & bleaches)
Bring a solar shower if you have one
Ziplock bags to carry out your wet trash
Instruments
Drums
Shakers, rattles, extra ones too for the percussion altar
Decorations for the altars
Massage oils and tables
Clear intentions for shaping our reality
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