How To (Safely) Host a Decentralized MicroFestival During A Pandemic
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please refer to local policies and guidelines in your region for the most up to date advice and policies!
In a world where full-scale festivals are no longer possible, we must find new, innovative ways to safely connect and elevate Global Party Culture!
Using relatively simple tech hacks, it’s now possible to create a Decentralized network of Party nodes with send-and-receive video connectivity to turn the entire world into a virtual dance floor!
We view this movement as an Essential Service, as many are suffering due to lack of connection and these events enable a huge boost to mental wellbeing, especially for those who are currently isolated in quarantine!
This is intended to serve as an Open-Source strategy guide and the inaugural test-run will be for IMPACT Festival, a Global Transformative Charity Festival.
STEP 1: COVID SAFETY (KEEP IT OUTDOORS)
Though some regions are currently permitting indoor gatherings, it has been demonstrated that spending time indoors with unrelated people is FAR riskier than outdoors. This video demonstrates why:
And this news piece further details why outdoor gatherings are MUCH safer.
Accordingly, we do not endorse or support indoor gatherings involving people who aren’t part of an existing “Quaranteam”.
Any time unrelated people meet, there’s a chance of COVID-19 spread, but smiles, sunlight and oxytocin are all powerful immune boosters, and if done responsibly, the reward can certainly outweigh the risk.
Before making any moves, assess the legal group size in your location by Googling (or Presearching): “How many people can safely gather in (your location)” or similar. DO NOT PROCEED until you have determined the current permissible number.
Once maximum group size is determined, either invite a lower number of people, or tell everyone invited that THEY CANNOT BRING ANYONE ELSE.
Also definitely let everyone know that if they are displaying Covid symptoms then they must stay home (but can still join virtually) :)
Other essential precautions:
- Social distancing guidelines MUST be followed, except in situations where both people have been isolated from others for two weeks.
- It may be wise for people to bring masks and wear them if going indoors or being close to others for extended periods of time.
- Hand sanitizer or an outdoor handwashing station MUST be available.
- The bathroom should be aired out for a good amount of time between uses and the toilet seat, handle, doorknob, faucets and other surfaces should all be sanitized between uses.
- If food is to be shared, kitchenware should be sterilized between uses and cups should have people’s names written on them, to prevent sharing.
- How to deal with a person who is really drunk or high during a pandemic without putting yourself and others at risk? DDP doesn’t encourage substance use. We’re all about creating environments that naturally liberate people from their inhibitions. If you’re allowing people to consume at YOUR event, definitely make a plan for the potential eventualities and have everyone at the Party aware and in agreement of the protocol.
- Every Micro Fest should also definitely incorporate harm reduction practices.
None of this stuff is fun, but in our opinion, extremely important. Even if you’re willing to take these risks yourself, putting others unnecessarily at risk by not taking these small steps is Not Very Dogely.
Gary (who wrote this whole thing) says: “Based on many hours of research and many conversations with friends in the medical profession, I am 99.9% convinced that Covid is very real and potentially very deadly. I personally know multiple healthy people who have gotten it and become gravely ill.”
STEP 2: INVITE YOUR FRIENDS
As the Party host, YOU are responsible for everyone who shows up to your Microfest. If certain individuals are known to be irresponsible and may not respect your local social distancing guidelines and/or the wishes of the other guests, they should not be invited.
Everyone who attends should be made aware of your specific guidelines, agree to them in advance, and confirm that they will be asked to leave if they aren’t respecting them.
STEP 3: THE PARTY MANIFESTO
Partying is all about dissolving the ego in order to fully express and get silly and have the best time ever without any inhibitions. It is serious business and surely the most powerful force for global unification.
Our Party Manifesto AKA “The Seven Commandments Of Successful Partying” details everything required to catalyze the most transcendent Party experiences possible. These Commandments include:
1. CLOTHING:
Partying is all about letting go of your inhibitions. Kickstart the process by throwing on a ridiculous costume. If the Party has a theme, go to the extreme. Lead the charge and maximize the fun for everyone.
Do not attempt to Party in normal clothing or look cool, because nothing is cool except having fun and feeling good and sharing that with others.
2. PROPS:
In order to take the Party to the next level, you must drag out the trampolines, pogo sticks, rollerblades, hula hoops, jump ropes, beach balls, shake weights, musical instruments and etc. Anything you can hoist, bounce off, or roll on!
3. MUSIC:
Next-level Partying requires the infectious, high-energy stuff that will force everyone to sing and dance. Booty Bass, Eurodance, Party Metal, Jock Jams and Choice Hard Rock. The songs people know and love.
4. DANCING:
You might think dancing is hard and requires practice. Not so. Just stop thinking, let go and allow the music to be your master.
You will instantly be having fun and feeling good and others will be impressed and inspired to dance also.
The one secret to dancing is just bend your knees, one leg at a time. Try it. Right now!
5. BEHAVIOR:
As children, we constantly climb on, jump off, and explore everything. We want to run, scream, sing, dance, and play as hard as our bodies will allow.
We are fearlessly responding to nature’s Divine Programming, which Terminal Consumer Culture works very hard to subvert and destroy by training us to sit still and be quiet and follow the rules and dress and act identically so that we can join the labour force and reproduce another batch who will do the same.
It destroys our natural fun-seeking, creative impulses and is the reason so many are depressed and afraid to sing or dance or deviate from the norm. Overcoming this conditioning is a formidable challenge. Partying can get us there!
6. LOCATION / ATMOSPHERE:
Dark locations lower everyone’s inhibitions and are ideal, although sunglasses can be a viable alternative. Party lights and fog machines are also necessary. The atmosphere must be as crazy and high-energy as possible.
Partying in a club means you have to be of age and spend a ton of money and the atmosphere is controlled and there’s a curfew and you can’t bring props in there.
That’s why it is better to Party outdoors DDP-style. Once outdoors, the Party is liberated from these restrictions and can be shared with an unlimited number of new friends and everyone is free to get as wild as possible.
7. ALCOHOL:
People drink a lot at most Parties because most Parties are boring and drinking is therefore necessary to loosen up and have fun.
This is due to poor music, dull clothing, lack of props and lame atmosphere; all of which inhibit singing and dancing and living free.
But if the Party is really good, the atmosphere alone will inspire people to lose their inhibitions and freak out and drive the energy to ridiculous heights and make it an incredible experience for everyone.
Creating a Party like that is very difficult to do, but should be the goal every time. This is “Capital-P” Partying AKA “Forgetting Who you are while remembering What you are”
IMPACT Festival is an outer space-themed event, so plan accordingly! It’s simple to create robot suits, rockets, planets and etc. out of cardboard, or the most basic and hilarious approach is to just wrap your body in tinfoil and/or duct tape. Here’s a video with some great tips!
STEP 4: SET UP THE TECH
THE MOST BASIC (AND BORING) SETUP:
The most basic setup is just a TV, projector or computer playing a stream of the festival. The bigger the screen and the louder the sound system, the better. We always recommend at least one Soundboks!
THE FULLY-INTERACTIVE DECENTRALIZED DANCE FLOOR SETUP!
Same as above, BUT with a webcam or good smartphone recording everyone dancing and beaming you to the Decentralized Dance Floor (on Zoom).
And a second TV, projector or computer dedicated to displaying the Decentralized Dance Floor. This is how we connect an unlimited number of groups Partying globally, make a fully interactive two-way connection grid, forever eliminate time and space and Elevate Global Consciousness. For reals.
PRO TIPS:
Be sure you TEST ALL YOUR GEAR and have the best internet connection possible. Definitely choose ethernet cables over WiFi whenever possible!
STEP 5: SET UP YOUR SPACE
Let your neighbours know your plans, get their blessing if you’ll be going late and ideally enlist them all as Party Nodes as well!
Every normal backyard can be the Ultimate Festival Setup. Go wild with christmas lights, mannequins, props, etc.
STEP 6: DOCUMENT AND SHARE
Take lots of photos and videos showcasing this novel concept and share them using the hashtags #MicroFestival #TheDDP #Decentralize
