August 17, 2003
SUNDANCE 2003 - Guerneville, CA
Last weekend Jay and I drove up to the Russian River. The occasion was a circuit party called Sundance, which is held annually in the tiny town of Guerneville, pop. 1,040. This usually quiet, rural town in Sonoma County was transformed as thousands of fun-seeking queers made it their homes for the weekend.
I always have a good time up there. During high school, Robyn, Ash, Dave, Eric, Erin and I stayed in a cabin near Geurneville several times. The most notable was New Year's Eve Y2K, when we were joined by Katie and Tino, who--during an intense card game--were forced to hold mustard in their hands and wear coffee filters on their heads. Against all the hopes of our apocalypse-loving crew, the world didn't end, but we did find out how fragile friendships can be when we learned that our friend Dan was running away to Greece.
My latest visit was much less dramatic. Jay and I drove up, spent a couple nights, drank and laughed with friends, and then returned to civilization. No apocalypse, no vanishings.
After a week-long delay I've posted pictures on Eloise. Sundance 2003 photos
How is this for a teaser?
this party looks hell of fun! but why was there only one girl? are girls not allowed? and who PAYS for all that? sweet jesus. so many decorations and music equipment.
Posted by: michele at August 18, 2003 01:24 PMgirls are, of course, allowed. but they are less than relevant at this type of event. only the die-hard fun loving girls are willing to wade through that much flaming testosterone for an entire weekend.
on the last day we ate dinner and sat next to some dykes with cool tatoo magazines. they were hip and die-hard.
the guests pay out their asses for all the decorations, sound equipment, security, EMTs...etc. A (small) part of the allure for portion of the attendees is to show that you *can* pay. and it ain't cheap.
Posted by: cody at August 19, 2003 10:52 AMheh! i wish! who doesn't want scrumptious EMTs to take home with them?
sadly, the EMTs were very lady-like, because they were actual ladies and because they refused all invitations. i think they were there to make sure any "bad trips" didn't attract the notice of the Sonoma County officers of the peace, who (unfortunately) declined to attend the event.
Posted by: cody at August 19, 2003 12:59 PMThat does seem like an amazingly fun party. It sounds just like a party that I would really, really enjoy being at... I'd like to think I'm a "die-hard fun loving girl[]", and I'm definitely "willing to wade through that much flaming testosterone for an entire weekend", especially if it involves huge inflatable party toys and enough fun and debauchery to require the constant presence of sober EMT's. Not since our raving days have I had the chance to see a dumbass party-goer airlifted from a remote location because of a bad trip or an OD. Ah, memories... I'm glad you had a such a great time and got such awesome pics. Hooray for flagging!
Posted by: Kristina at August 19, 2003 06:44 PM