Transformus 2007 will be held deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains at a place called Deerfields. Just south of Asheville, NC, Deerfields is a 900+ acre slice of heaven adjacent to the Pisgah National Forest that includes open fields, apple orchards, two pristine lakes, and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. This verdant valley is where we will build the temporary city called Mysteria.
Mysteria is a more than just a city it is a gathering of like-minded artists, musicians, thinkers and general freaks; a Temporary Autonomous Zone; an experiment in temporary free society. Mysteria is truly unique! There is no commercial vending. No corporate sponsorship. For three days, we are a moneyless society. Everyone is equal here. Yet with no money, we are still a very wealthy city: Mysteria is rich in community. The city is built by and for its inhabitants, existing in its physical form for only a weekend. But this community does not cease to exist at the end of those three days. It lives on in its citizens throughout the year, until it can once again rise from its ashes. You are now part of this community. Read on and find out how to be the best citizen you can.
Please have everything you need for three days when you enter the gates. You will not be able to go out for more supplies. The only exception is a medical emergency. This is primitive camping. No electricity. No running water. No ice machines. You will need to bring about 2 gallons of water per person, per day. That's for drinking, washing dishes and scrubbing your stinky self! But please, do not use the lakes or creeks as wash basins. You will ruin our hosts' water supply. Please do not contaminate!
The Owl Gates of Mysteria open at 9am on Friday July 18th. They will close at 6pm on Saturday July 19th, so we can experience the Burn as a community. They will re-open Sunday morning for the exodus.
All participants must be off premises by 12 noon on Monday July 21st.
This is a rain or shine event! In addition to 3 days of food and water, bring gear suitable for the extremes of weather Deerfields experiences. The mountain temperatures are often very comfortable, but it may get hot during the day and pretty cool at night. The site is also known for its summer rains (actually, it is one of only two temperate rain-forests in the continental US). A dry Burner is a happy Burner. It's wise to bring tarps for tents, put dry clothes into plastic bags before packing them, use large zip lock bags to keep valuables dry like cameras, electronics and especially spare dry socks.
You are Transformus! It's the citizens of Mysteria that build and maintain the city. A minimal framework has been laid, the rest is up to you. There is no government, there is no distinction between citizens, we are all equal. You are what makes the community great! Check out our community page to see how and where you can best share your talents and skills. Our volunteer coordinator can direct you to a team who could benefit from your contributions. Or, once you have established your campsite, come by the TITS table located at Center Camp (Pavilion Stage), where there will also be a current Volunteer roster located.
Don't just spectate ... Participate!!
The beauty of Mysteria depends on each citizen giving their unique gifts and talents to the community. Be all that you ever wanted to be. The concept of participation lies at the very heart of Transformus' being. This festival is about everyday people like you and me celebrating the creative energies that lie dormant within each one of us, and about providing a place to put those gifts on public display! If you're looking to BE entertained, you must also be willing TO entertain.
You are responsible for your actions, and the consequences for those actions. Keep in mind the boundaries of your fellow citizens. Make sure if you are doing anything that involves someone else, that you have that person's permission.
THIS INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHY OF ANY KIND!!! BE IT STILL PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY, OR JUST SNAPPING A FEW SHOTS ON YOUR CAMERA PHONE...IF SOMEONE ASKS YOU NOT TO CAPTURE THEIR IMAGE, OR THAT YOU DELETE IT AFTER THE FACT, HONOR THAT REQUEST! MOREOVER, IF YOUR "GETTING THE SHOT" INTERFERES, IMPEDES, OR
INTRUDES UPON ANOTHER MYSTERIAN'S RADICAL SELF-EXPRESSION, YOU SHOULD RESPECT THAT AND NOT TAKE THE PICTURE!! ANY COMMERCIAL USE OF ANY IMAGES TAKEN AT TRANSFORMUS IS ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED!
Respect the wishes of your fellow citizens!
We are all about decommodification. Mysteria operates on a gift economy. There are no commercial sponsorships, advertising, or monetary transactions in Mysteria. There is nothing for sale here. A burn is about what creative and material gifts you bring to it, and the experience of giving to and receiving wonderful gifts from perfect strangers. We encourage all Mysteria citizens to give freely to the community. Gifting is unconditional, and does not mean an exchange of something for equal value. Bartering is discouraged.
Please follow one of our most important community ideals! Leave No Trace, or LNT for short. Pack your supplies in, pack your trash out. You are responsible for the trash you create. There will be no dumpsters, trash receptacles or maid service available at Transformus. All trash must be transported offsite. Keeping Deerfields as pristine as we found it ensures the survival of this event. Please, self police your camp and scout out for any and all MOOP.
MOOP: Matter Out Of Place.
1. Anything on the ground that nature didn't put there.
Here's a few ways to avoid MOOP: Plan ahead to minimize waste, clean as you go, and don't let any trash even hit the ground. Smokers - do not throw butts on the ground! Bring your own covered cigarette butt containers, Altoid tins are great (decorated of course).
After leaving the event, dispose of your trash properly. Either haul it home or use the local landfill. (Look on the side bar to the left for local landfill info)
There are port-a-potties located around the site for your use. Remember, if it didn't come out of your body, don't put it in the potty. The only exception is toilet paper. No trash, cigarette butts, tampons, beer bottles... SERIOUSLY, we will come get you out of your tent to unclog the cleaning truck if you violate this! Please don't take candles into the port-a-potties!
ADA all access toilets are available at all banks of toilets for the inclusion of those Mysterians with physical disabilities...while all that space is tempting, if we all use the ADA port-o-johns, well you see my point. While they will be services regularly, if you notice any port- o- lets in need of attention, let someone at Center Stage know that ASAP, so it can be dealt with in a timely manner.
Use existing fire pits only. Don't create new ones. If you're a fire performer, please use extreme caution with your fuel. We are concerned with safety as well as with fuel spin off and spillage - we want to avoid contamination of our hosts' groundwater. Contact the fire art team for details on fire performance at Transformus.
Though this event is held on private land, all participants are still subject to federal, state, and local laws. Please be aware and observe them at all times.
We will have both Deerfields Private Security and Mysteria Rangers in effect again this year. If you spot a problem that you can't resolve yourself, contact a Ranger immediately - they will be roaming the site all weekend. Or you can ask for help at Center Camp (the main stage). Medical services will also have their HQ there.
Mysteria is a very pedestrian friendly city. Bicycles are welcome but please be respectful of pedestrian traffic. Don't forget to decorate your bike and bring a lock. Small vehicles may be permitted to travel but must be inspected and licensed by the DEPARTMENT OF MUTANT TRANSIT. If you have a small motorized art vehicle (for instance: scooters, golf carts, lawn mowers, small tractors) please contact the DMA team before the event about licensing requirements and ideas on sharing your ride with the community.
Swim in the lakes at your own risk. There are no lifegaurds on duty. Please use extreme caution. Don't swim in the lakes after dark and do not swim in the lakes while intoxicated.
Most cell phones don't get reception in the valley. There are no public phones. But really, who would you want to talk to that's not already here?
Dogs are not allowed on the property at any time. The only exceptions are guide dogs or assist animals. (Look to the left side bar for info on local kennels).
Sorry, no fireworks are allowed on the site. They create MOOP and are a forest fire concern. i would add: "with the extreme drought conditions the Southeast has experienced thus far this summer, this will be crucial, and 0 tolerance of ban violations will be in effect! It is possible that a fire ban will be in place when we go to the mountain. If there is a fire ban, we will have that posted on site as you come up the driveway.
Ok. Still think you're up for this crazy event? Got everything you need? Three days of food, water and gifts? Open mind and heart? Great! We can't wait to see you there! Plug the address into an internet map site, or follow these directions.
The Gate Keepers is where they will take invites and check IDs. From there you will follow the road tot eh next open field where the Greeters are. There you'll be welcomed home to Mysteria in a very special way. The greeters will also give you lot of important information and news regarding the event. Finally, it's off to the parking area. You will be guiding to a parking spot where you must park and anchor your car for the duration of the event.
If you require daily off-site medical care or services due to a physical disability or medical need, please contact our Disabled Burners Liason: wordplay[at]transformus[dot]com by Wednesday, July 18th.
Also remember these are rural mountain roads you will be traveling on. They are curvy, narrow, and when it rains they can turn ito mush. So drive safely. Keep in mind as much as we value radical self-expression, some of the residents in the area may not quite get it. Normal people are weird... they just may not understand your form of radical expression. Treat them with respect. Smile and wave. Dont' dump your trash on their property. NOrmality extends right up to the owl's Gate at Deerfields! Just be courteous.
Supplies are easy to pick up in Asheville, about 20 miles from Deerfields. There's great shopping option, from big box supply stores to fully organic grocers. (Look at the left side bar for details)
A Food Lion grocery store is located on HWY 280W/64W about 2 blocks past where you turn off onto South Mills River Rd. Bear right at the light towards Brevard, NC. The Food Lion is on the right.)