lamplighting 09

[solipsistnation]

Okay, lamplighting during the windstorm was basically the most incredible experience I had all week.

How do I volunteer for lamplighting next year? I'm ready to do that every day, windstorm or no. Sign me up! Yeah!

[KitsuneCaligari]

I for one thank you and commend your efforts - lamplighting in the wind must have been a 24-carat pain in the arse....

[Arantele]

This year was my first year, and everyone said I should volunteer but I never got the chance... Lamplighting sounds like fun, but a lot of work at the same time.

[doppelGanger]

"Solipsist Nation": That's cute

[couglite]

I was hoping to volunteer for lamplighter too! I think we do it at the info centre...

[Timezone LaFontaine]

You just go to the Lamplighters and sign up on the white board at about five in the afternoon. This was my third year volunteering with them and it's always a pleasure. Yeah, it can be hard work, too ...but it's work that most everybody is capable of and you meet some cool folks.

[brcprincess]

I always wanted to do it, but never knew how! Definitely next year.

[jkisha]

I did lamplighters this year and loved it. It was the second year for my partner and we will both be doing it again next year.

We actually did a lot of volunteering this year and it really added to the BM experience for us. We'll be doing even more next year.

JK

[Teo del Fuego]

I was a Lamp Lighter this year during the Monday dust storm. It was very surreal and a memorable experience. Plan on spending about 3.5 to 4 hours.

With the wind, I wondered if solar-powered LEDs might be a good substitute for the kerosene lamps. I'm a romantic and the thought of losing the flickering flames doesnt sound too good, but most of our lamps we hung had been blown out by the wind before we could get them on the lamp posts

[Gietzen]

So Lamplighters huh? What flavor is the Kool-Aid?

[Gideon]

Kerosene. Kerosene flavoured Kool-Aid. YUM.

I don't speak officially for Lamplighters, but I camped there last year, and had an absolute blast.

To volunteer, just come by around when the sun is getting close to the western mountain ridge - I think about 4:30. We're located somewhere in Center Camp, usually behind the Cafe'. Look for Lamplighter Temple.

The first task each night is cleaning and prepping lamps. To do this, you don't need to sign up anywhere, just ask someone and join in at the prep tables. Lamps are washed, filled with Kerosene, lit and staged every night prior to the procession.

If you want to be in the actual procession, you'll need to sign up. Somewhere, on a wall, you'll find a white board with a list of jobs and routes. Talk to the person manning the board, pick a route and a job.

Jobs in the actual procession are as follows:

Carrier: You get to carry 12 lit lanterns from a pole across your shoulders. I like to call this one "moving meditation" Very calming, but a little draining, physically. It's my favorite. Good upper body strength helps.

Hanger: You get to hang the lanterns on the spires. This is more activity - You're taking lanterns off the carry poles with a special hook, and then placing them up on the spires. hand-eye coordination is a plus.

Support: Assist the other two roles, keep lamps lit, be prepared to jump into the role of a hanger or carrier if someone gets tired. Requires a good working lighter. :)

Luminary: Reserved for experienced Lamplighters. Luminaries are the leaders of the different routes. The rest of the procession takes orders from the route luminary.


The routes are subject to change every year, but this is what happened in 2008:

Center Camp: Light the lamps in the Center Camp circle, and the Spires at 3, 6, and 9 around Center Camp. Good run for newbies - it's the shortest, and you don't have far to walk at the end.

Main: Light from Center Camp to the Man. My favorite.

2 O'Clock Promenade - Light along the Promenade from Center Camp to 2 O'clock.

10 O'Clock Promenade - Center Camp to 10 o'clock. The Promenade runs usually have the most visibility, the most positive energy, but are also the longest runs to make.

Temple - Light from the Man to the Temple. Probably the least amount of spectators, but very spiritual.

3 O'Clock - Light from the Man to 3 O'Clock, plus the 3 keyhole.

9 O'Clock - Light from the Man to 9 O'Clock, plus the 9 Keyhole.

The Temple, 3 O'Clock and 9 O'Clock processions got a ride out to the Man last year on a big flatbed truck.

There are also people helping with robes - the robes are all provided by Lamplighters, and they even help you take them off at the end of the night. I think the robing volunteers come from the camp itself, but I was never too clear on that.

Yeah, I drank the kerosene last year. I think I'm in for life now. :) It's FUN!

[klondike_bar]

so the robes are provided/loaned for the night?

Im thinking of being a lamplighter for my virgin year.

[Shambala]

I think this year we should evolve and get solar powered, LED lanterns to hang all around the city. Karosene is so 2008!

[klondike_bar]

I think this year we should evolve and get solar powered, LED lanterns to hang all around the city. Karosene is so 2008!

pfft, as if.

this year, fuel costs half as much. all the more reason to play with (cheap) fire!

[jkisha]

so the robes are provided/loaned for the night?

Im thinking of being a lamplighter for my virgin year.

DO IT! You'll be glad you did.

JK

[Igneouss]

This one is still very high on my list of volunteer activities. Sharing top choice with Greeter. Damn I am gonna need to weeks of BM to work it all in

[capjbadger]

I DO speak for the lamplighters officially and you pretty much hit the nail of the head Gideon.

Yes Robes are provided/loaned for the route.
You can do prep and/or a route.
People that go out with us on a route get a charm.
On the longer routes now that the city is bigger, you either get a ride out, or a ride back.

Volunteers are always welcome every night. We couldn't do it without your help. Meet up at the "Lamplighter Chapel" at 5pm. You can't miss it.

If you wish to join the camp, please email Snotto: snotto@burningman.com
Feb 15th is the cutoff...

Be aware the we are a "working" camp, so we go out just about every evening. We had a bit of a problem with slackers last year, so we're capping the camp this year at 180 people. Everyone brings food donations for the kitchen. Nothing beats coming back to camp after lighting a route to find an awesome meal waiting for you.

Badger
Luminary

Kerosene. Kerosene flavoured Kool-Aid. YUM.

I don't speak officially for Lamplighters, but I camped there last year, and had an absolute blast.

To volunteer, just come by around when the sun is getting close to the western mountain ridge - I think about 4:30. We're located somewhere in Center Camp, usually behind the Cafe'. Look for Lamplighter Temple.

The first task each night is cleaning and prepping lamps. To do this, you don't need to sign up anywhere, just ask someone and join in at the prep tables. Lamps are washed, filled with Kerosene, lit and staged every night prior to the procession.

If you want to be in the actual procession, you'll need to sign up. Somewhere, on a wall, you'll find a white board with a list of jobs and routes. Talk to the person manning the board, pick a route and a job.

Jobs in the actual procession are as follows:

Carrier: You get to carry 12 lit lanterns from a pole across your shoulders. I like to call this one "moving meditation" Very calming, but a little draining, physically. It's my favorite. Good upper body strength helps.

Lifter: You get to hang the lanterns on the spires. This is more activity - You're taking lanterns off the carry poles with a special hook, and then placing them up on the spires. hand-eye coordination is a plus.

Support: Assist the other two roles, keep lamps lit, be prepared to jump into the role of a hanger or carrier if someone gets tired. Requires a good working lighter.

Luminary: Reserved for experienced Lamplighters. Luminaries are the leaders of the different routes. The rest of the procession takes orders from the route luminary.


The routes are subject to change every year, but this is what happened in 2008:

Center Camp: Light the lamps in the Center Camp circle, and the Spires at 3, 6, and 9 around Center Camp. Good run for newbies - it's the shortest, and you don't have far to walk at the end.

Main: Light from Center Camp to the Man. My favorite.

2 O'Clock Promenade - Light along the Promenade from Center Camp to 2 O'clock.

10 O'Clock Promenade - Center Camp to 10 o'clock. The Promenade runs usually have the most visibility, the most positive energy, but are also the longest runs to make.

Temple - Light from the Man to the Temple. Probably the least amount of spectators, but very spiritual.

3 O'Clock - Light from the Man to 3 O'Clock, plus the 3 keyhole.

9 O'Clock - Light from the Man to 9 O'Clock, plus the 9 Keyhole.

The Temple, 3 O'Clock and 9 O'Clock processions got a ride out to the Man last year on a big flatbed truck.

There are also people helping with robes (Robe Tenders) - the robes are all provided by Lamplighters, and they even help you take them off at the end of the night. I think the robing volunteers come from the camp itself, but I was never too clear on that.

Yeah, I drank the kerosene last year. I think I'm in for life now. It's FUN!

[snotto]

Feb 15th is the deadline for returning lamplighters to mark their spot in camp before we open the camp up to newbies. We're cutting off the camp at 180 people this year.

[capjbadger]

Whoops. Got little mixed on the dates there. Sorry 'bout that.

Badger

[Chiwa]

I loved being a Lamplighter. I will definitely do it again this year.

[klondike_bar]

well, unless some miraculously awesome(r) opportunity comes up, looks like im gonna join the lamplighters in '09!

also, will contribute FIREBALL whiskey to the bar.

[Igneouss]

I'm planning on doing a stint.
Might have to bring a bottle of REAL absinthe for the group.

Cheers

[jkisha]

I'm planning on doing a stint.
Might have to bring a bottle of REAL absinthe for the group.

Cheers

Yummy! (but it's a real big group!)

JK

[Igneouss]

You'll just have to plan on being around when I am there

I have the stuff couriered in from France which makes big groups kinda out of the question financially

Cheers!

Igneouss

[Homiesinheaven]

i'll be there this year guys. cant wait to help out!

[sattelite5812]

Man, I was all psyched up to do Lamplighting this year, and then earlier this week I went and fractured my toe and a vertebrae in my back After reading this thread though, it sounds like I could still help out with prepping the lamps at least. Thanks for the info, Gideon!

As far as being in the procession, I guess there's always next year

*edited for spelling

[Igneouss]

Man, I was all psyched up to do Lamplighting this year, and then earlier this week I went and fractured my toe and a vertebrae in my back After reading this thread though, it sounds like I could still help out with prepping the lamps at least. Thanks for the info, Gideon!

As far as being in the procession, I guess there's always next year

*edited for spelling

That'll teach you to kick yourself in the butt.

[lemur]

lamplighters kick ass!!