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~ AT40 ~ |
Notes 2007  2006 Centerfold
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AT40: The 40th Anniversary of the Acid Tests
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Photo by Pixie |
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| It was the morning after the fortieth anniversary party of the Acid Tests. People stumbled into the breaking sunlight; light as bright as the energy that was inside the building we stepped away from. There, out in the parking lot was reality...something we remembered from the previous day. The Further Bus (second incarnate to the original), was in the lot all night, entertaining and inspiring both young and old. | ||
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Photo by Pixie |
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| The space was a typical Las Vegas sports bar transformed into the perfect space for the test (except maybe for a dash of gonzo absurdism with the inclusion of some overzealous staff who never got the memo that This Was A Test and remained in sports bar mode). With two stories, a private prankster room, and wrap-around balcony to view the stage, it had over 80 tv screens broadcasting psychedelic visuals. Lasers, colored lights and video projectors danced across the stage and a series of geometrically cut white tapestries that hung above the crowd, including a giant white ball above the performers. Smoke and Mirrors and Optical Delusion (nyc) orchestrated the space’s eye candy, which was as in-depth, inspired and improvisional as the musical compositions that lasted throughout the night. maps, the Multidiciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies had a booth on the upper level, right near the door to the ‘backstage’ area...but for those who knew or were willing to try, the old saying “never trust a prankster” held true—this area was open to all who stepped through the door! Blacklights glowed off of costumes and tapestries as visitors chilled at tables and in comfy chairs in near-darkness, some of whom thought they had gotten away with something sneaky by being there. The evening begun in that same closed-off area (brightly-lit at that point) as visitors tuned in to a seminar of Luminaries discussing their original intentions and sharing favorite stories. George Walker relayed his thoughts with charisma and excitement as onlookers, reporters, and historians listened to the trail blazing pioneer of inner space and outer space, as the Pranksters put it. Rick Doblin of maps, Bruce Eisner, author of MDMA: The Ecstasy Story, and John Perry Barlow, who turned the talks to discussion of Cassady, also were on the panel. Ken Babbs declined the invitation, but sent “Blessings from afar” in an e-mail. “I am passing the torch on to the next generation and sending them on their way to Las Vegas. I went to Woodstock, but none of the anniversaries. I was one of the people who put on the Acid Tests and this is someone else’s doings. More power to them.” The panel lasted into the first and second musical acts, while people with peeled back eyes and ears intently listened on. When it came to a close, Trusty (NY) had completed the opening set, and Flowmotion from Seattle was already on. They got the crowd moving from that intellectual zone and into dance mode, as you could feel the crowd’s energy build with anticipation. The Old School Acid Tests were represented musically by the New Riders of the Purple Sage reunion. The crowd danced with excitement, while the nervous energy from the questions of what was about to come, eased. New Riders were followed by the Merry Pranksters themselves who lit up the room with a commotion. Voluminous, weaving in and out of chanting slogans, lessons, and music, moving us into that part of the evening that was ‘the test’, where the crowd and inhabitants of the evening are just as much a part of the show as the performers on stage. Night evolved into morning with the Everyone Orchestra, Bassnectar with Michael Kang of the String Cheese Incident, the Mutaytor, and dj Haj (Freek Factory) who closed out the night. Notes artist-in-residence Mikio (Freek Factory) put on his dj hat and played in-between acts, (and also during a performance by Vegas stage magicians and ritualists Jeff and Abbi McBride), keeping the night flowing perfectly. A dual wedding was officiated on stage after the Mutaytor set by Pope Shady (making a total of three AT40 weddings—the first happened on top of the Further bus in the Vegoose parking lot). The Mutaytor was the highlight of the night’s invoked mystery, enticed magic and wonderlust; a circus-like performance of oddities, intrigue and electrifying sounds. All the while, spunn from Chicago—a dance, drum and fire spinning tribe—amazed, entertained and excited fellow test participants. The combination of performers brought a dynamic and spectacular mix of Burning Man and jam band fans, hippies, and ravers. The atmosphere and vibrations did the rest to completely brake the thin barrier between us all. The very core of the test; consciousness expansion and connection, was felt in the crowd’s melting energy. George Walker commented afterward that “It felt genuine and authentic.” When asked about his highlight of the night, Zane complimented the crowd itself. “It was fun to see what was going on in the evolution of the tests. The people were great, and it was great that it was on Halloween because you got to see all these strange and unusual things that you weren’t quite sure what you were looking at and second guess. The mix of rave dj’s and drums—it was raw and primal energy, reflecting a strength that the crowd had. The crowd itself was very knowledgeable, and really knew where the line was, the line not to cross where it isn’t fun anymore... very humble and intelligent...in shape, and in tune; the crowd pulled off things that we may not have been able to in our very best days.” We need to get back on the bus. Being tested every once in a while is a necessity to ensure the perpetual existence of our culture. Our notion of togetherness is loosly defined by our similairites. Tests are an expression of feeling that togetherness; of reaching higher levels of consciousness—together...Furthur... |
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