The Most Chic Camps at Burning Man 2016




After pedaling around massive art sculptures rising out of the desert silt or partying to techno music, 65,000 burners retreat their camps in Black Rock City to recharge for the next adventure.

Most burners pitch nylon tents in the dry lakebed, affectionately known as the Playa. 
But a steady trend toward Playa glamping has bred elaborate setups, with an eye toward design style, comfort, and fun.
Ali Bar Bar offers drinks at night in a Bedouin tent

Dome On The Range provides cold beer on tap in their saloon
Didn't get enough soccer at the Olympics? 
AwesomeSauce Camp invites burners to become a human soccer ball

So what is Playa-Chic 2016? 
Forget must haves of the “Default World” such as copper bathtubs, barely-there kitchens, reclaimed wood, massive flat screens, or “important” artwork.
Barbie Death Camp serves "fine wine in cheap paper cups,"
while burners admire the art
Even in an RV, burners show domestic high style…

...more so in a bus without amenities.

The hottest camps find a way to beat the heat. Their soft (if dusty) seating, vivid use of color, and over-the-top art offer all-around respite from the blistering, two-tone landscape. 
A water mister is glorious; a slushie machine, the holy grail.
Frozen Oasis is the top of my list for style, hospitality, and music.
This camp not only is artfully decorated, has water misters (!)
  and multiple slushie machines (!!),
it also gifts classical music concerts by the 80 piece Playa Pops Orchestra
to the burner community


White Bronco camp has killer decor
and the hippest DJ dance tunes at night
These White Bronco burners don't really mind the heat
Each Theme Camp, planned and run by 15-40 burners, offers a special gift to the larger community: a classical symphony performance, free handmade food on Taco Tuesday, a pictorial museum of "The Man," group showers, a steady supply of bacon. 
Mansonian Institute (think Smithsonian but MAN-sonian) presents
a pictorial history and museum of The Man
Tubatron entertains visitors to the Museum with his flaming tuba

Comfort and Joy is a gay community camp offering a full gym
and yoga classes to all, in great colors against the dust
The best camps, welcoming in their decor and atmosphere, embody the inclusive spirit of Burning Man itself. There’s nothing sweeter than a fellow burner’s ready offer of a slushie when you stumble back into camp after a hot day on the Playa. Nestling into a dusty beanbag, you sip a frozen brew and drink in the artful décor all around you.



7 comments:

  1. Fantastic photos, and love the commentary that gives me a taste of the flavor of various camps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mama Kangaroo. I had a lot of fun putting this one together. Hope to do again for 2017.

      Delete
  2. Simply astounding, you really take me there with the photos and videos. Fascinating and incredible creativity. Love your prose that truly shares bur
    ning man with those of us almost burners

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Timi! I had so many (took over 2,000 pics) but these were irresistible. I'm looking forward to doing again next year...

      Delete
  3. Many thanks Fanny! The Frozen Oasis crew is so happy you included our camp in this. Hope you will come back for more slushies next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frozen Oasis really does have it ALL! Especially the welcoming hospitality. I will definitely be back, the Playa Pops Concert is one of the my favorite highlights.

      Delete
  4. shhh dont tell ANYONE about frozen oasis. Its out little secret...

    ReplyDelete