Events & Attractions

Click here for map of festival grounds.

photos by Jennifer Walz

IN THE VILLAGES

Beneath the majestic live oak trees outside the Bath House are tent villages of vendors selling eclectic and hand-crafted wares. They feature places where people can relax and enjoy performers, games and other activities. Colorfully dressed performers serve as hosts. Produced by the village hosts.

Raconteur Ed Townley holds forth at the magical Somerset Village. It has a genteel fantasy village appeal with wandering buskers and characters, plus a storytellers' tent.

Magician Bryan Lankford hosts the playful Widdershins Village. It’s casual, fun and active, with lots of humor, and includes a performance stage and drum circle. Look here for late-night performance surprises.

Each village has a Busker’s Circle, featuring performances for tips, everything from tai chi and yoga to music and poetry. Sign up on site for a 30-minute slot.

Located on the lake edge of each village are aluminum kiosks with information about birdwatching at the lake. Sit a spell and enjoy the avian show.

In the shaded area of the parking lot next to Widdershins are outdoor restrooms, including handicapped accessible, plus a hand-washing station. Trash and recycling are in each village and against the Bath House building next to Widdershins.

AT THE STONE CIRCLE STAGE

Associated with the Widdershins Village is the Stone Circle Stage, the site of unique audience participation events and performances. The small stone amphitheater is an interactive sculpture by Linnea Glatt called “A Place to Perform.” Coordinator tba.

noon:
See “Seasonal Ceremonies,” below.

5 pm:
“Cirque de SolstiCelebration” Unique skills and special talents with a metaphorical twist, ending in an audience-participation hoop-a-thon. Hosted by Bryan Lankford.
sword dancing & more by Sultan’s Dreams
magic & juggling by Bryan Lankford
master juggling (by Logan Daffron, tentative)
hoop demonstration & audience hoop-a-long, by Julia McPherson of Sassy Hoops
more tba

6:30 pm:
“The Big Beat Show” Performance by Taikodelic, a Japanese taiko drum ensemble.

7 pm:
“Sunset Drum & Dance Circle for Peace” Join the drum fun or just watch. Dancing is encouraged. Jugglers and poi spinners sometimes drop by. This often goes late into the night. Hosted by Drums Not Guns.

SUMMER SOLSTICE CEREMONIES

The event begins and ends with free seasonal ceremonies held outside on the Bath House grounds.

At noon in the Stone Circle Stage near Widdershins Village, Summer SolstiCelebration officially begins with a contemporary re-creation of an ancient Egyptian temple ritual presented by the Denton Covenant of Unitarian Universalists Pagans. It will be preceded by a welcoming message and the burning of frankincense, a Summer Solstice tradition that dates to 5000 BCE, by Earth Rhythms executive director Amy Martin. Coordinated by Amy Martin.

Before sunset at 8 pm, on the Somerset Village’s Sunset Circle, a group from the Covenant of the Goddess will present a Summer Solstice service with song, movement and sharing. It ends in a large spiral dance that leads into the Living Peace Sun ceremony. Coordinated by Bryan Lankford.

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ON THE BACK LAWN

LABYRINTH

In the area directly behind the Bath House is a large labyrinth made from natural materials. Attendees walk the labyrinth for contemplation and renewal, connecting with the Sun as the source of life on Earth. Walkers receive a package of blessed sunflower seeds to plant. Presented by Tzivia Stein-Barrett and tba.

LIVING PEACE SUN

Watch from the Chill Zone of the Bath House as volunteers draw a giant work of art called a Living Peace Sun that biodegrades into natural fertilizer. A 60-foot Sun will be created with yellow cornmeal flames. Inside, will be a giant peace sign made of white powdered gypsum (like used on athletic fields).

Gather after the sunset seasonal ceremony and get a candle donated by the Peace Project. Stand upon the artwork as the candles are lighted, forming an inspirational statement for peace. Participants then disperse to bless the surrounding park. The next day, birds feast on the cornmeal. Coordinated by the Peace Project.

PEACE ZONE

Enjoy activities for children from the North Texas Peace Learning Center of the Robert Mueller School and the Peace Project, activism for adults from the Dallas Peace Center, Arlington Peace Center, Department of Peace, and other groups. Explore inner peace with the Peace Project and Oneness Blessings, and speak peace with Non-Violent Communications. You can also register to vote. Coordinated by Len Ellis.

DOG AGILITY COURSE

Bring the pooch and try their paws at the dog agility course with tunnels, seesaws, and obstacle course, plus lots of opportunities for leaping, climbing, jumping and more. Lots of fun for dogs and owners. Provided by Walk, Wag and Run 2009, held on Saturday, October 24th at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake. 5k and 10k run, 3k dog walk and dog agility course and kids fair. Go to: www.walkandwag.org for more details.

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AT THE BATH HOUSE BUILDING

CHILL ZONE

The sprawling back porch of the Bath House is a shaded Chill Zone where folks can get relief from the heat, while providing an excellent view of the lake and festival. Cold beverages, pastries and fruit for sale from Café Lago, plus cold confections from Smoothie Factory.

Pick up a free hand fan or some free purified water to drink from Rain Fresh. Spritz a mist of cold water on your face, or go all out with a hose down, and then set in front of an electric fan.

Metal sculpture and found-furniture art from the Creative Arts Center adorns the porch.

Even if the heat outside soars, inside attractions and shady porches provide a cool oasis in which to celebrate. Coordinated by Trish Daniel.

LOBBY / SOLSTICE CENTRAL

Coordinated by Torey Kirby.

Crosby Café dispenses moderately priced healthy, light vegetarian food and beverages.

Earth Rhythms’ tables provide a central information area. Buy Earth Rhythms’ t-shirts and tote bags. Jewelry sales also benefit Earth Rhythms. Buy tickets to shows in the theater. Coordinated by Julie Annalora-Steman.

Get a henna tattoo in the afternoon from Heidi. Or stop by in the evening for henna artistry and help Anusha Das fund a school in India.

ART GALLERY

From 4 to 8 pm, with the art gallery walls bare between exhibitions, ArtLoveMagic will gather artists and performers from multiple disciplines together to create a live art event. Activities may include painting, drawing, photography, poetry, music, sculpture, jewelry, fashion and dance. Produced and hosted by Jay Bookworm Eilers.

SOLSTICE SPIRIT

The shady and cool front porch of the Bath House serves as the heart center of the event.

In the north alcove is “Gaia’s Gifts,” an altar celebrating summer’s natural bounties and the Sun that makes them possible. Created by Totem Grove.

In the south alcove is the energy and radiance of summer captured in an art installation. Created by Inkflix Studio.

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IN THE THEATER

Experience the very best in inspired music and arts. Admission to each show is $5. Limited space, advance or early ticket purchase suggested. Tickets on sale at the web site or at the event. Produced by Rodney Steman.

1 pm – “Enchanted Dallas”

Audience participation chanting of ancient and modern call-and-response chants, presented by local spiritual centers and musicians, representing a world of traditions. Hosted by Rodney Steman.

Ananda Dallas & Awakening Heart Sangha
Bill Webb

3 pm – “Bohemia”

A variety show with eclectic acts that challenge perceptions. Hosted and directed by Amy Martin.

Kerri Arista, singer-songwriter
Fran Carris, performance poetry
Impending Bloom: Cornell Kinderknecht, Martin McCall, Craig Shropshire, world music
Kismet, mini Mid-East dance halfla
Ashlie Rhey, standup comedian: “Accidental Enlightment”
Urban Uke, ukelele band

6 pm – “Singing the Sun”

Tom Prasado Rao & Cary Cooper perform and host fellow songwriters and poets whose compositions elevate the human spirit and celebrate the Sun.

8 pm – “Spirit is Calling”

Inspirational music, song, photography and poetry by performers from New Thought churches and other spiritual centers. Hosted by Rev. Petra of Center for Spiritual Living. Directed by Cornell Kinderknecht.

Lainey Bernstein, vocalist/keyboardist – Center for Spiritual Living
Gary Floyd – vocalist/keyboardist
Charity, vocalist – Center for Spiritual Living
Robin Hackett, vocalist/guitarist
David Howard, vocalist - Unity of Arlington
J Kendell Johnson, vocalist/keyboardist – Unity of Arlington
Cornell Kinderknecht, flutist – Awakening Heart Sangha
Veronica Valles, poet & photographer – Center for Spiritual Living

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