OK, so I know it's a while from now, but I am starting to daydream about summer....
and I REALLY want to go to michigan this year. I've never been, was supposed to actually work for them last year on security, but just before then I was offered a real job, and had to take it. This year I am free again, but thinking that I don't want to work the whole time, as is required if I take a real job on the security crew (which is where I was placed last year)
But every one who goes does do some volunteer shifts right?
So I want you all to tell me about the different crews, how it all works, what to plan, what crew I want to shoot for...
As it stands right now I'll probably be heading out there on my own, not know anyone (well maybe one or two folks) and have to figure out how to get out there from New York too.
I've taken part in lots of events and festivals, camping is not new to me, but I am really excited about this one.
so make this tribe active, tell me stories, thoughts, whatever!
thanks
and I REALLY want to go to michigan this year. I've never been, was supposed to actually work for them last year on security, but just before then I was offered a real job, and had to take it. This year I am free again, but thinking that I don't want to work the whole time, as is required if I take a real job on the security crew (which is where I was placed last year)
But every one who goes does do some volunteer shifts right?
So I want you all to tell me about the different crews, how it all works, what to plan, what crew I want to shoot for...
As it stands right now I'll probably be heading out there on my own, not know anyone (well maybe one or two folks) and have to figure out how to get out there from New York too.
I've taken part in lots of events and festivals, camping is not new to me, but I am really excited about this one.
so make this tribe active, tell me stories, thoughts, whatever!
thanks
posted by:
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New York City
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Re: starting thinking
Sun, January 30, 2005 - 5:33 PMI'll give you my 411 perspective.
Been working about 10 years now and was a festie goer for about 3. So 13 years total.
working is the best because you are literally given people to meet and hang out with, as opposed to camping only where you have to mostly go out and seek people to hang with. Not hard to do, but you must be sociallly open to chatting with anyone to find who you dig.
Working has major perks. Being able to go into workerville, hanging with others who work, better meals, 24/7 snacks, watching the festival go from mostly empty to packed with the festival goers to watching it go back down again. So many more perks.
As far as what to do,
There are jobs that will work you to the bone, some that have you sitting doing mostly nothing, Some that are so fun, you cant believe how quickly the time flys...
It really depends on your interests.
For example,
I hear the main kitchen crew is a blast. So much fun. But you do work your tail off. But this is one of the crews where time will fly.
Workerville kitchen is really work. Fun of course but the shifts are early morn to afternoon of serious work or afternoon to midnight meals that are also serious work.
Security as you mentioned means being out in the booneys for the entire fest and doing overnights. your sleep schedule gets screwed up and it's hard to enjoy the fest. But that is a matter of opinion. Some really dig it.
There are so many jobs, i couldnt go into all of them and most of what I say is just from observation.
I am on traffic which consists of 3 main posts. Treeline, triangle and nightstage parking. I am posted at nightstage parking. Treeline is out by the parking lot, and triangle is in the middle of the fest. all posted along the roads. The job is handling the traffic that moves past the road your watching. Minding the cbs and ...
there is shuttle, where you drive the vehicles, fun if you like picking up womyn and driving them around.
performers support is tailing after performers.
childcare has many places, girls, toddlers and workers kids.
So many more jobs to do.
if you have a question on any, I'll give you my opinion.
To anyone, I would say work. It definetly takes away from the time you get to be a lazy fuck and do what you want, but the perks are worth it to me.
go to the fest either way. It's just about the greatest party you'll ever get to expereince outside of burning man.
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Re: starting thinking
Sun, January 30, 2005 - 8:23 PMThank you Cory, you got me even more excited!
and resold me on the value of actually working. I almost always work events, and burningman was the first event in a long time that I went to and didn't work, and when I'm not working I spend a lot of time wandering around uncertain of what I should do. feeling like I should be working anyhow. And I love working and feeling like a part of something. So really working it is.
Now, I seem to recall that the actual organization that I applied to was not in michigan year round and were based in the bay area? but now the only address on the website seems to be michigan?
In an ideal world I'd want to work a job where I will meet lots of people, and preferably be able to make it to at least some of the workshops or performances, and not have my sleep schedule be too crazy (then again, will I actually sleep?) I love baking in communal kitchens, I like driving golf carts around (for the first few hours)I can deal with box office issues pretty well. I like being perky and outgoing even if I'm secretly tired and cranky.I can wave a flashlight and monitor a radio with the best of 'em. I like playing dress up and being in parades.(but don't want to work childcare, kids make me nervous) I can read and write, but I can't do math in my head. I don't like driving forklifts through crowds of people. I don't like being on top of very tall ladders with my hands full (makes my palms sweat and I get dizzy)
I don't mind standing out in a field by myself watching the sky and twiddling my thumbs for a little while (but if I have to patrol some far away boundary I half keep my fingers crossed that someone will try to sneak in while I"m out there, just so something happens) But I prefer shifts that are fun but busy so the time goes quickly.
people people people .....
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Re: starting thinking
Mon, January 31, 2005 - 9:50 PMThe mich folks are in berkeley when not in Walhalla.
go here for the crew app. www.michfest.com/crew/download.htm
You sound like you would fit in at main kitchen. You will meet a slew of new womyn every 4 hours. Your managing these new workers for 4 hours, teaching them how to work the kitchen. Instant manager like job. Very social job.
Shuttle would be cool for you too. That is a really freindly crew but you wont work with your crew much, out driving around, meeting people for a few moments. Probably not yoru first choice.
Box office is hard to get into cause of the money aspect. You could always try if you have a history of working in that capacity.
Traffic is a cool crew, working triangle takes a lot of being able to deal with crisis. Also it will tweak your sleeping schedule.
If you wanted to stand out in a field and watch the sky, parking would be for you. That's most of what you do while directing people where to park.
You could do cuntry store, or saints by day or night if you like working sales. That is a fast paced time flying job.
I wouldnt do workerville kitchen. You wont get to meet many new people other than your crew and the few festies that sign up.
I would put down, main kitchen, shuttle, parking.
in that order.
Put your app in soon, good spots are taken quickly.
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Re: starting thinking
Tue, February 1, 2005 - 8:16 AMOK! I"m on it! printing stuff out now.
hmm, I think Kitchen, Is there a Greeter type spot?, parking, shuttle in that order. Does shuttle drive vans or golf carts? Driving vans stresses me out.
whoo hoooo!
what is saints by day or night? I don't like retail sales, but I like the name of the crew.
Do you know any of the main kitchen folks I could e-mail with?
You rock Cory! -
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Re: starting thinking
Tue, February 1, 2005 - 9:43 PMGreeter is orientation, i worked that crew for 2 years and it has it's perks. Great people on your crew, you get to see just about everybody as them come into the fest. You get shiftie workers so your actually work load is next to nil. It's a very kick back job, time doesnt fly but you do your time and your out.
Shuttle drives, either tractors and worker van (you switch off)
Large bus type vans or small white cargo vans. No golf carts anywhere on the land.
Saints by day is set up during the day at the day stage, saints by night is set up at night by the night stage, it's a matter of when do you want to be free. (it is sales of coffe, tea, donuts ...)
Sandy is the name of the head honcho of main kitchen, but no, i dont know her email. Or any of them actually.
My buddy who worked the kitchen last year graduated school and now her email is not working.
You can ask the office if you could contact sandy. Dont know how that will pan out for you, but stick it on your app.
Good luck girl.
Oh and there is one other place you might want to consider, community center. During the day, it has sections for people to hang, play games, have small meetings, make things, and at night, it's a part of the august night cafe which serves coffee tea and other drinks during the shows. Fast paced and you serve lots and lots of womyn, i did a 4 hour shift there once and it was a blast. The day shift is just hanging out and dealing with the different activities that go on in the tent. (there might be more, but I was never on the crew) -
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Re: starting thinking
Wed, September 19, 2007 - 5:17 PMGlad to see another person interested in Working..Kate hope you find the crew of your dreams..I am on traffic with Cory and gotta tell you our crew rocks the fuckin house! I wouldn't trade my experiences or being a worker at Michigan for anything. Rich, fulfilling and definitely a gig I hold dear..Whatever you end up doing there is this feeling of being a part of something big and I know I am a better person for working at Michigan..I also work other festivals and have to say the same..But Michfest is my home and is the place I renew and come alive every year..Hoping you can have the same experience..Please keep us up to date.
Peace,
Devin
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