Steve Harkless
Last modified: June 14, 2003
Steve Harkless -- Taos
In August 2002, the Fusion Fest, near San Francisco, included an essential step for the liberation and focus of the dance movement. It is an annual festival that takes place in the forest, and is fueled by the sounds of nu school breaks and psychedelic trance.
This time, there were rumors in 'the city' that the Fusion Fest had been busted and cancelled. In determination, we journeyed out to the site. On the way there, we saw an electronic sign that the sheriff put on the road saying, "Fusion Fest Cancelled." When we arrived at the site, we learned that the sheriff had threatened to confiscate the sound system if the music was turned on. Apparently, the cultural events permit that Eyephunk distribution had obtained was not sufficient. It wasn't seen as a cultural event. They needed a permit for amplified sound, even though we were on Indian reservation land.
No music happened that night. On the following day we bathed in the creek, drank coconuts and chai, and teased ourselves with small stereos. That evening we gathered at the main sound system for an announcement.
One of the promoters, Adam, announced, "The Fusion Fest has been cancelled, a new event will take place and we'll explain that." Julia, from the Ulysses Project came to the microphone. She is an ordained minister for the "sacred dance society." She read to us the legal agreement that had been written up by Eyephunk's lawyer. It included that we would be dancing to amplified music, repetitive beats, shamanic type music, etc. After this, we all walked off of the land to end the Fusion Fest. Joining hands in a great circle, we gave a powerful OM and a cry to the universe. The unity and understanding was most alive. As we came back on the land, each one of us signed the legal document. In doing so, we were initiated into the sacred dance society by our minister Julia. The opening dance ritual was to begin at midnight. Had the sheriff returned, we would have argued our right to 'freedom of religion.'
This was not merely a legal maneuver, but the acknowledgement that the dance is sacred; dance is our religion, if you will. However, this religion requires no dogma and is simply the practice of free individual expression and collective unification. Lying in the unconscious, from the depths of human experience, are the rites of passage. Expansion of consciousness, visions, trance dancing, and ecstasy are the timeless tools of our current awakening. The music, dj's, and dancers, are ever evolving. We are co-creators in a sudden and spontaneous movement of energy. The love that extends to all individuals is itself the ecstasy. In certain moments, we catch a glimpse of one another, in the realization of the one collective being, the organism on the dance floor. WE are the ones we've been waiting for. In the attainment of ecstasy, beyond the chemical, buriers that create separation dissolve; the true peace of unification is revealed.
Initiation into the sacred dance society is perhaps an essential step, not only to liberate our selves from the oppression of laws that are born out of fear, but also to create an intention to why we gather, dance, and expand consciousness. This realization is the very reason, the threat that causes such creations as the 'Rave Act.' It is therefore more reason for us to dance and evolve. Also, to redefine what it is that we're doing, the 'raves' and their connotations may end, but the sacred dances will continue.
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Steve Harkless
Last modified: June 14, 2003
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