Tickets for the 2011 Shambhala Music Festival have sold out in record time. Online tickets sold out on May 12^th, with authorized ticket stores selling out over the course of the following fifteen days. The last store with tickets available was Salmo’s Skyway Hardware, which sold out on Thursday, May 26^th.

“Events selling tickets in record time has been quite a trend this year,” said Sara Victor, Shambhala’s Ticket Administrator, “Coachella sold out in less than a week, Sasquatch in 4 days, Ultra Music Festival a month in advance, Burning Man sold 27,000 tickets in their first twenty four hours of sales. It’s an exciting time to be in events, and to see everyone doing so well.”

Shambhala, which was named Best Large Event at the Breakspoll Awards (UK) earlier this year, and is among the top 40 most visible music festivals in the world via Google search, is no exception.

10,000 tickets are available for Shambhala annually. The first tier (of 1000) tickets went on sale in late October and sold out in less than a minute, blowing the previous record of two and half hours out of the water. The second “Early Bird” tier, sold out in late January – as opposed to a mid-May sell out of that tier in 2010. And the final tier, which was available until a mere three days prior the festival’s opening day in 2010, has sold out a full two months in advance.

“Tickets were selling online at a rate of over 200 a day for a few days leading up to selling out online,” Victor recalled. “We sold 850 in the last day of online sales. After that, we heard some pretty interesting stories from ticket stores. Line-ups out their doors and down the street, people from all over North America travelling to these stores to purchase tickets. The story that surprised me most was someone from Japan who put a friend on a plane to Vancouver to buy tickets. Beatstreet (our Vancouver store) had already sold out, so he rented a car and drove to Salmo to buy them!”

This year’s event features such world-class talent as Surismo (Germany), Bassnectar (USA), Zed’s Dead (CAN), Bonobo (UK), Flux Pavillion (UK), Dub FX w/ Flower Fairy & Cade (AU), David Starfire (USA), Skrillex (USA), Psudaform (South Africa), Trotter (Brazil); to name just a few of over 240 artists that are set to entertain the crowds over the course of four days and nights.

Shambhala began in Salmo as a riverside party of 500 people back in 1998.  Coupled with the rise of the Internet and the immense popularity of electronic music, Shambhala positioned itself for a ground swell of popularity.  “We see more than half of our guests now coming from out of province,” Corrine continues.  “An entire generation of hip and tech savvy youth are flocking to one of the best electronic parties on the planet.  Our talent lineup is exceptional and pulls in some of the biggest names in the business.”   At its’ peak show time, Shambhala Music Festival will create the largest city in the West Kootenays with a population of over 15,000.  That includes guests, talent, volunteers and staff.

Add to this the big win of “Best Large Event” by Breakspoll in London England earlier this year, and we have a local super success story.  Mix in the fact that Shambhala ranks number 35 of the top 100 most visible music festivals on Google and the engine is full steam ahead.   This is a tremendous moment that promises to deliver economic and social benefits to our Kootenay landscape for years to come.  For more info on the festival visit shambhalamusicfestival.com

WHAT IS A DRUM CIRCLE?
A DRUM CIRCLE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO CREATE IN THE MOMENT MUSIC USING HAND DRUMS AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS. A DRUM CIRCLE IS NOT A PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE PERFORMING A PREPARED PIECE OF MUSIC, OR A DRUMMING CLASS LED BY A TEACHER, NOR ANY GROUP RE-CREATING MUSIC IT HAS PLAYED BEFORE. DRUM CIRCLES ARE A FORM OF RECREATIONAL MUSIC MAKING WHICH MEANS THAT THE FOCUS IS NOT ON PERFORMANCE BUT RATHER ON PERSONAL OR GROUP DEVELOPMENT AND WELLNESS OR JUST PLAIN FUN.

“The party is over! Please leave and come back next year!” a voice booms over a bullhorn from a golf cart rolling through the festival camping area. The festival has been over for twenty-four hours and yet I can still see camps set up in the festival camping area. There is one food vendor still serving food, mostly to the remaining staff but clearly some very sleepy party die hards are in the line up. I was told a man came out of the woods without his clothes and staff members were looking for something for him to wear. This is not all that unusual considering the size and scope of the festival, however something that some people might find surprising is the piles of garbage that was left behind.

I was informed that it would take a month to clean up after this festival. In past years, a more nature conscious crowd clean-up after themselves better, but as the demographic changed, the garbage increased. Looking around the camping area I saw whole campsites simply abandoned. I also saw many broken folding camp chairs lying about. In one area someone had tipped a dumpster over, which could have been used to mitigate some of the mess. It is a consequence of our disposable society and a demographic of young adults who are used to having their every need catered to. Luckily there are still many volunteers ready to step up and help with the clean up, it is just unfortunate that a few more guests could not have appreciated the efforts needed to put on a festival of this magnitude and done a very simple thing and packed out what they packed in.

On a more positive note, all the food that was not used at the end of the festival, at least one refrigerated truck load, was donated to local food banks. Festival organizers felt it was the right thing to do and is part of their efforts to contribute to the community.

Daniel

I woke to the sound of heavy rain and thunder. Luckily my tarps and rain fly held up well. The rain left a chill in the air and the ground damp, which was a blessing in disguise as it would keep the dust down through the day. The clouds broke around mid morning, the sun came out and so did the crowds. On this, the very first official day of the festival the stages were relatively quiet since 6 am and so there was time to plan. I found while planning my day that there was so much going on over an extended period that it is impossible to see everything, a short article can not adequately describe all that is happening.

I had a walkabout and found it is interesting to see all the different “camps” representing different perspectives on the idea of Shambhala. Different musical styles and views of what a weekend of freedom and dance means, creates an array of subgroups within the culture. I spoke with one person who while moving about the site stumbled upon an entire colony of nudists. There are groups dedicated to the dance, while others are here to party. Diversity is a trademark of the human condition and is not lost on the spirit of Shambhala.

I marveled at the unique and creative costumes that people were wearing. Some costumes were risqué; lots of short leather skirts and revealing leather tops. The leather pouch belt is a very popular and sexy accessory at the festival. The craft vendors on site have taken full advantage of this unique need and most are catering to the dance community in general. I noticed softer looks that included angel or fairy wings. Others took on alternate identities; for instance, Sponge Bob showed up. I saw a gorilla, which was unbelievable in the heat of midday, and I saw more than a few elvish folk who looked like they had just arrived from Middle Earth. There were more than a few women walking about topless, but it seemed perfectly natural in this environment; much respect and maturity was shown to those exercising such freedoms. Despite what you would think would be a distraction, the music and the stage shows dominated everyone’s attention.

I saw a number of artists today but as I mentioned, I don’t have room to discuss them all so here are a few highlights:

Shamik, who performed on the Living Room Stage was very impressive with the microphone, had the boisterous crowd enthralled and entertained. He received many cheers, particularly at one point when Crystal Precious performed with him. Shamik is a beatboxer/ vocalist from Vancouver and is known for “crushing basslines, crisp rhythms, and a’cappella DJ sets.” Check out his Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/teamshamik

Nixie, an all female band based out of Kelowna B.C., performed at the Rock Pit. I think that those who did not take advantage of the opportunity to see this talented group really missed out. These four young ladies were very enthusiastic, had lots of energy and I very much enjoyed their unique style and rhythm. Their performance at Shambhala was certainly noteworthy. Their Myspace page can be found at http://www.myspace.com/nixiemix

DJ Hoola Hoop, a local artist, performed at the Pagoda Stage, he is actually the mind behind the ambient soundscapes found at the Living Room stage, but his performance at the more technologically dominated Pagota was most impressive to say the least. There was a solid boisterous, high energy crowd enjoying the intensity of his sounds. The Pagota stage is a marvel to behold; an incredible laser, light, and fog show that dominates the entire festival site. The silhouetted dancers and background images are super entertaining. Hoola certainly used the stage to his advantage.

DJ Vadim from the Russian Federation, performed at The Village. The Village is a feast of sound and light. The music is literally injected into your entire body and the need to dance is overwhelming. The floor and the surrounding catwalks were all packed and absolutely everyone was moving to the strong rhythms and intense sounds. The rhythmic percussion was well suited to The Village stage; I could totally imagine Ewoks dancing to this music. To learn more see his website at www.djvadim.com/

Saturday

It was another warm festival day and while I had every intention of taking in some specific performances, I find it is very easy to loose track of time listening to the music and dancing at the various stages. Memorable highlights included:

The Mighty Panda Band out of the Vortex Studio in Nelson B.C., who were playing on The Labyrinth Stage. They were allot of fun to watch and dance to. They had the crowd cheering and begging for more, a testament to their local popularity.

Adham Shaikh, another Nelson B.C. Local artist, was playing on The Livingroom Stage. He had a big crowd dancing to his mixes and he even left the stage at one point to dance with the crowd on the beach while running his equipment with a remote unit. He was allot of fun and obviously was having as much fun delivering the music as those who were dancing to it. Check out his Myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/sonicturtle44

The biggest treat of the day was a walking media tour of the Festival Site where I was given allot of information about the festivals inner workings. We visited all the stages, but one of the highlights was a backstage glimpse from the towering Pagota stage where I got a unique view of the festival site and the dancers below.

It was very impressive to learn more about the fresh water system which is filtered twice and blasted with UV to destroy any microbes. The water is kept in a huge container which could be transported at a moments notice, the idea being that should any of the local communities have a sudden need for fresh clean water a supply could be transported to that location very quickly and there would be enough water to last five day for over 12,000 people. It is part of the Shambhala Music Festival’s desire to be community conscious.

Power is provided by an independent contractor who brings in a portable diesel powered generator, the very same type used by movie studios to power equipment while on location. The generator can provide power for all six stages, all the vendors, and all production needs with plenty to spare. Should the main generator fail, a back up generator starts up in 10 seconds. To date there have been no power issues at any Shambhala since the generator has been employed.

Shambhala Music Festival has taken steps to reach out to the community more than ever this year. Months before the festival, they sat down with local police and local communities to discuss the effects of the festival as well as address community concerns. Seeing as how the festival takes place in a remote forested location the issue of fire, the festivals most obvious environmental threat was addressed. Kilometers of fire hose and connection outlets are deployed at all stages and through out the festival area. A trained fire fighting team is on call at all times during the festival. Open fires are strictly forbidden on the festival site, regardless of the fire hazard level, only camp stoves are permitted. In regard to security, Shambhala Music Festival hired a highly recognized security contractor, who were involved with security during the recent Vancouver Winter Olympics. Security is in communication with local police and are alerted to individuals of interest, who maybe in the area.

One important aspect to mention as well is the desire for Shambhala Music Festival to get away from the image that it is a “Drug” festival. The fact is, the sale of illegal substances will get you kicked off the property. They have gone to great lengths to educate people coming to the festival about drugs and safe sex, by employing the Harm Reduction center, where guests can receive information about drugs and can even have drugs tested in an effort to reduce “harm”. ANKORS ( www.ankors.bc.ca) out of Nelson spearhead the effort to educate Shambhala guests. The statement, “just say Know to drugs”, was suggested and speaks volumes to their realistic approach to drugs. The use of drugs can not be policed in an environment such as this but their efforts are aimed at reducing the harm, that can happen when drugs are mixed or used in a harmful manner. The message is that Shambhala is all about the music and dancing, but the underlying drug use is addressed through knowledge and education. A team of medical personnel, including nurses and a doctor are on site during the entire festival. Dehydration is the most common ailment at the festival, but organizers have left nothing to chance and their skilled medical team is ready for anything.

All the stages were in top form Saturday night and I enjoyed a sampling of music and dance from each. It was hard not to notice the Pagota Stage’s intense laser show and I found myself lingering there for a large part of the evening. From what I could see everyone was enjoying an incredible time. One thing I have noted throughout my whole experience is that I have not received any negative vibe from anyone I have talked to. Everyone has a smile and greet each other with “hello” or “hala hala!”. Strangers will come to me and ask how my Shambhala is going this year and then wish me a good time. I also saw people giving out water bottles, making sure everyone was well hydrated. While there are allot of misconceptions about what happens at Shambhala, the one thing I can tell that happens for certain and most of the time is dancing and music.

Sunday

A downpour again roused me from my sleeping bag and this one was very significant. While my campsite was none the worse for wear, other areas received minor flooding, most notable an area of the food court, however the problem was dealt with rather quickly and the inconvenience mitigated with sand. Through out the day there were large puddles of standing water, but they were dealt with also with loads of sand and it wasn’t long before you could move about without having to maneuver around puddles. The water, puddles and occasional rain had no effect on the guests of Shambhala who moved about in costume and continued to enjoy the music and dance.

In these early morning hours I was drawn to the Living Room stage by the wonderfully melodic and mystical voice of Gemma Luna, another talented local artist with a large following. Despite the cold and dampness I found her entertaining a large appreciative crowd.  www.gemmaluna.com

I took some time to explore a lesser known region of the festival. It is attached to the Labyrinth Stage. Following the trails that wind through the trees I discovered some interesting artwork. At night, some of the art is lit with black lights which produces both a dazzling and at times eerie effect while walking through the forest. By daylight there is more to see as spiritually conscious individuals have set up areas of interest. I came across a Syncroncity Shrine where guests have been leaving items in offering. A Wanneeshee Prayer Lodge was set up in a quiet corner of the forest with a beautiful path leading to it. I felt very at peace in this area of the forest and felt it was a very good location for spiritually minded people to visit. I entered an area call the “Inna Sanc Dom”, where I found a large dome structure. Inside new age music was playing and people were dancing rhythmically. I came back at night and the scene was even more surreal. They had beautiful lights projected onto the ceiling while belly dancers put on a beautiful performance bathed in blue. Nearby I found the Multi-Dimensional Star Chamber where a large group was deep in meditation, directed by a thin friendly gentleman who was obviously well versed in energy work, healing meditation and crystal magic judging by the array of crystals arranged in a circle in the center of his tent. The diversity of Shambhala again reveals itself.

Evening came quickly again and the crowd at Shambhala seemed mellower on this the last evening of the Festival. I was informed that in previous years, because often guests would leave on Sunday, “one night only” tickets were sold at the gate, but this year it was decided that only 200 additional patrons would be allowed through the gate in order to mitigate the impact of the large crowd who, this year, were sticking around to enjoy the full length of the festival.

The highlight of the evening for me was outstanding and high-energy performance by the band, Five Alarm Funk, out of Vancouver. These guys put on an amazing show to say the least. The music and stage performance had everyone cheering and dancing. Their stage antics were so much fun and very entertaining. Be sure to check these guys out when you get the chance. www.fivealarmfunk.com

Monday

As the sun rose in the sky intense beats continued to shake the earth beneath my feet. While walking around the festival site I was amazed to find so many people up and about, still in costume. Despite not being scheduled, at least four of the stages were still delivering high energy dance music and guests were dancing in the cool morning air that was filled with a soft damp mist. I found some had decided to crash at the beach;more than a few guests were curled up and sleeping deeply despite the music from the Living Room stage where die hard dancers continued to enjoy the last remaining hours of Shambhala. At the food court, people lined up for breakfast at the various vendors. You would never know that the festival had come to a close.

I took a stroll around the camping area, which is so very vast. A tent city of over ten thousand people is an amazing sight to behold. Many had chosen to personalize their campsites and groups of people had obviously gathered to give themselves unique names to distinguish themselves. I was expecting to see people breaking camp, however those that were not sleeping were casually socializing while enjoying a meal. Those that were not doing this were dancing, intensely, at the four remaining stages that continued to keep Shambhala alive, just a little longer.

Overall my experience at the Shambhala Music Festival was fantastic and fun. It is such a unique experience it is very difficult to describe everything that happens here in such a small article, nor is it possible to fully appreciate everything that happens without having the ability to be in six places at once. No matter what, you will miss something while you are here, which is probably why people come to the festival year after year.

As the day wound down, camps started break up and vendors began to break down their tents. I was reminded of something said on our media tour; the Shambhala Music Festival, while not able to expand in size, ten thousand being the absolute limit the land can possible sustain as more would require an infrastructure which does not exist, increasing the quality of the experience is the first priority. Every year, improvements are made. Shambhala began as a party for a small group of friends and has grown into something very unique and special. The intimacy of the festival is part of it’s appeal and spirit. After thirteen years the organization is now developing a business plan and mission statement. Simply put, “it’s all about the people on the dance floor”. Shambhala is seeking to provide a unique and high energy experience that rivals any experience in the world. Shambhala is about music and dancing and with that comes community and ultimately fun.

Daniel

With breakfast out of the way I have an opportunity to take care of some house keeping concerns and gathering water is probably the most important. Shambhala organizers have provided clean filtered water for everyone and so I head for the water station which sits near the Rock Pit Stage and behind the ATM vestibule. At this early hour the line is short, but that will change as the day heats up. One person comments, “This is a vast improvement from how they did this before.”

“How do you mean?” I ask

“Well, are you completely soaked in water right now?” he asks with a laugh.

The improvement of services is of great importance to Shambhala organizers and the return guests notice and appreciate their efforts.

My chores out of the way it is time to plan my day. Thursday is actually not the official start of Shambhala, but those who come early are rewarded. Two stages, the Rock Pit and The Living Room warm-up the crowd at mid-day.

ROCK PIT

The Rock Pit opened with the tantalizing “Sweet Soul Burlesque” featuring burlesque dancers from all over North America. The crowd was appreciative of this very entertaining act which can be best described as clean sexy fun.

The crowd went wild with the first opening music act, Timothy Wisdom, a “powerhouse” from Vancouver’s intentional dance community. His energy and style had the crowd dancing and cheering immediately. No doubt they were inspired by his own energy, enthusiasm and solid base-heavy sound. It was an impressive show.

The Rock Pit was full of energy for the majority of the day with artists like Delhi2Dublin, Science of Defiance and Youth Attack keeping the crowd engaged, entertained, and most importantly dancing and cheering.

LIVING ROOM

The Living Room Stage was hosting Rus2Fari when I dropped by for a visit. The majority of the crowd could be found cooling in the river. There were more chairs parked right in the water and many were enjoying a break from the heat. In front of the stage, people were entranced and their dance was concerted and flowed with the music effortlessly. I was most impressed with the hula dancers whose practiced skill was most evident.

Into the evening and the night, clear sound and rhythmic beats drew many to both stages; however this was just a taste of Shambhala as many had mentioned through out the day that as much fun as people were having, the Festival was yet to begin. Tomorrow, would be the big day, when all six stages would fire up and the Festival would go into full swing. Guests were still coming through the “Mill Gate” well after sundown and while the crowd was much larger today, it had not yet reached it’s peak; much like the magic and energy of Shambhala.

Daniel

My driver was not going to the Festival but she knew all about it. I doubt anyone who lives in the Kootenays isn’t aware that a grand Music Festival is happening this weekend bringing an influx of thousands of welcome visitors into the region. While my driver was not a fan of electronic music she positively spoke of the influence the festival had for the local business community. She dropped me off at the Salmo River Bridge and wished me a “Good Time.”

A line had formed down the highway and into the Salmo River Ranch Road. I was greeted by a gentleman with a radio, a yellow vest and a smile who promised he could easily get me a ride to the festival site, 8 KM away. True to his word I was soon climbing into the back of an SUV, stacked full of supplies, some of which had to be moved to make room for me. Two young gentlemen from Calgary, who had been driving since 4 am, were more than happy to offer me a ride. They had made very good time on their own pilgrimage to their very first Shambhala and their excitement and anticipation was very palatable in their presence. Electronic music, the very same they would enjoy this weekend, blared from their sound system. The remaining kilometers were slow and dusty along a rocky narrow road and added to the effect of being on a journey to a unique and special destination.

Arriving at the “Mill Gate”, called such because for the rest of the year the building is a working lumber mill, we are greeted by more volunteers in yellow vests and despite the heat, offered warm smiles. Tickets are scanned for authenticity, part of the well renown professionalism that guests to Shambhala are accustomed to. I thank my chauffeurs for the ride and I am warmly invited to party with them if we are so privileged to cross paths again. Community being a big part of the festival, I can tell their offer is genuine and wish them both a great experience. As I make my way down the hot dusty road I see the lines of cars and RVs forming up in the pasture. Tents are being erected and from time to time someone will cry out or howl. This begins a cascade of cries and howls that move through the crowd, like a wave, moving farther away and touching every and any place the sound is heard. It has become a trade mark for the festival, the sharing of the excitement and anticipation for what is to be the ultimate weekend of fun and dance.

I make my way through a tent village, seeing license plates from Ontario, Washington, Oregon, Alberta and of course British Columbia. Truly, many have made this pilgrimage and many have traveled for far longer and farther than I. Everywhere I look, I see smiles and am greeted warmly and I am given the sense that we are family.

At midday the heat has lowered itself onto the site, yet the smiles persist as do laughs and warm greetings from complete strangers. It is truly a feeling of community that surrounds every inch of the site which is buzzing with anticipation. Many are wearing unique and flattering costumes and when music is played, dance often accompanies it. The trademark wave of cheers continues periodically moving through the camp; up and down the valley. It is awesome to experience first hand.

The artisans are putting the finishing touches on their shops while eager shoppers peruse their many, unique and finely crafted wares. Many local artists are showcased among the craft vendors and I look forward to visiting and talking with them in depth as the festival goes forward. It is also hard not to notice the delicious aromas coming from the various food vendors, many of whom are local businesses also. While I am merely observing at this point, I am looking forward to sampling their unique and tasty offerings.

Late afternoon and those who haven’t yet are surely now drawn to the beach and the cool waters of the Salmo River. Some have even set up chairs right in the water. It is a relaxing moment for people to reacquaint with old friend, make new ones and talk about the excitement coming in the next few days. It is a good opportunity to strategically plan as there is so much to partake in something exciting could easily be missed.

Sound Check

Night comes to Shambhala but the sounds of excitement and merriment persist. In the sky there are occasional flashes of laser lights and a excited roar rises from the crowd and camps when one of the stages unexpectedly comes to life. As the stage crews test their equipment, we are treated to crystal clear music, which even at a distance inspires dance and fun. Many are walking around wearing their dance regalia or shopping at the vendors for something new to wear or perhaps getting a tight flashy haircut. People are still arriving into the night; in past years the gates closed at midnight but this year guests will be welcomed into the morning hours with warm smiles and cheers from a happy crowd filled with anticipation.

Daniel

8 KM to go

The big news at Shambhala today is that for the first time in the history of the Festival, tickets are completely sold out prior to the opening. This means no ticket sales at the gate. So if you don’t have a ticket and you want to attend the Festival, best check the classified ads, where I noticed seeing some Shambhala tickets for sale.

The Festival site is buzzing with activity today. Finishing touches were being placed on all six stages and the first of the vendors have begun to arrive. Organizers and volunteers are working tirelessly to prepare the site for the arrival of 10,000 guests, many of whom have already begun their pilgrimage to the Festival. Early arrivals are expected early Wednesday morning.

I am very excited to have the opportunity to attend the festival and will be providing daily updates from the Festival Site.

Cheers,

Daniel

Volunteers take a much deserved break.