Freestyle: Bringing Burning Man to Hawaii

Ka Pilina Interactive Arts Society's Decompression party on Saturday will re-create some of the magic of Burning Man, where creative people start their own parties and light up the night. (Star-Advertiser photo by Elizabeth Kieszkowski)

BY ELIZABETH KIESZKOWSKI / ekieszkowski@staradvertiser.com

Happy almost Thanksgiving, and aren’t you glad we survived the election season?

I think all the excitement and tension of waiting to find out how this repeat referendum (well, sort of) on rail and the Obama-Romney race would come out — not to mention the excitement of anticipating thirtyninehotel’s big eighth anniversary party — took something out of me.

Now I’m fighting off a sore throat (from all that argument?), limping from spending Saturday night in leopard-print pumps (and all that dancing!) and trying to build up the energy to plan next week’s family dinner.

So let’s keep this week’s blog short and sweet. I have two things on my agenda.

FIRST, let me encourage you to mingle with Burning Man types at “Decompression.”

“Decompression” is an afterparty for the sensational, surreal playa gathering and tribute to independence and creativity that takes place in the Nevada high desert each year. It’s a sanctioned Burning Man event, presented in Hawaii by the Ka Pilina Interactive Arts Society, a nonprofit group made up of avid burners.

If you’ve been wondering about Burning Man, this will give you a taste, with some of the outrageous clothing, music and dance inspired by the annual event’s code of “radical self-expression.”

The Burning Man experience comes to Honolulu this weekend. (Star-Advertiser photo by Elizabeth Kieszkowski)

I’ve been pining away for the Burning Man experience ever since I left the playa. Wandering Black Rock City, I had many uplifting experiences and sweet encounters, and it boosted my sense of competence and resilience to cope with the desert’s harsh conditions.

“Decompression” won’t be harsh, but it promises to bring some of that exuberance and creativity to Chinatown. I’m looking forward to it!

Check it out beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at SoHo Mixed Media Bar, 80 South Pauahi St.. There’s a $5 cover before 10 p.m., $10 after. Come dressed in your finest burner gear and get half-price entry. Follow Ka Pilina on Facebook to keep up with upcoming events.

LAST WEEK, I blogged about “Showdown in Chinatown.” Tomorrow, Nov. 17, I’ve been invited to judge its special year-end event. Filmmakers were given one month to put together a short film, and it has to be funny — but you know, there’s all kinds of funny.

The event starts at 7 p.m. at Nextdoor, 43 N. Hotel St. Come on down and we can all migrate over to “Decompression” later.

And note: If you are a slam poet, emcee or lyricist, you can sign up to take part in the “Showdown in Chinatown” special showcase for performers at thirtyninehotel on Saturday. Get ready to present original, funny work with the line, “That’s one way to do it.” (Four minutes or less, please — otherwise, no rules.) “SIC” will have your props — a package and a teapot. Sign up at Nextdoor.
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Elizabeth Kieszkowski is editor of TGIF, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s weekly arts and entertainment section. Reach her via email at ekieszkowski@staradvertiser.com or follow her on Twitter.