Electronic dance communities aren't just dancing -- we are music, we are art, we are production. And in all of these things, we are communicating.

CFCA's inaugural Storm Session this February will consist of a series of discussions and workshops about communication inside our communities, between our communities, and with the larger local, national, and global communities that surround and include us.

As an attendee, you will be able to ask questions, join in the open discussions, network with other attendees and with the speakers, and then continue to communicate and think about these topics with each other and with other members of your communities. We don't purport to have all the answers, but together -- with your participation -- we'll find the right questions.

Schedule & Speakers

jump to morning / afternoon / afterparty

Registration
9:00 am

Those who pre-register online can pick up their name badge and enjoy free bagels and Nub Chai. If space permits, we'll also accept new registrants at the door before the conference starts.

Opening/Keynote - intro mp3 - New Humor Group mp3
10:00 am, room A

Cloud Factory Collective for the Arts co-founder and president Scott Nelson will welcome us to the first Storm Sessions, and explain how the day is going to work. If you miss this, you'll be hella confused.

The Trip So Far - mp3
10:30 am, room A -- panel & open discussion

History and stories of some of the communities which have influenced the entire Bay Area scene. With Ethan Miller (Friends & Family), Scott Nelson (Cloud Factory), Bob Jesse (Rhythm Society), Rob Rayle (Koinonea), and more -- including you.

Community Dynamics of Dynamic Communities - mp3
11:40 am, room A -- panel w/Q&A

In this international panel discussion, Ethan Miller (Friends & Family) will speak on what brings us together, and how communities such as ours are formed and grow; Adam "Goolie" Gould (Cloud Factory, Friends & Family, Radiant Atmospheres) will introduce two golden principles of sustainable communities: transparency and meritocracy, and how they effect tribal culture; and Theo Rosenfeld (Pala Community Development, Gathering of the Tribes) will continue the discussion of decision-making processes, conflict resolution, and growth.

Lunch
1:00 pm

A full vegetarian/vegan lunch will be provided for $5, or bring your own (there aren't many restaraunts close by.) During lunch we will also be screening Deviant Rhythms, a documentary by PLEBIAN Productions.

Feed Your Head - mp3
2:00 pm, room B -- presentations

A series of short presentations describing projects and artistic endeavors which have grown out of electronic dance communities, but do not fall into the standard "rave" description. Speakers include Melissa Larsen (Cloud Factory Design Collective), Brandon Blomquist (New Humor Group), Leah Roderman (Non-Chalance), and Joel Fuller (PLEBIAN Productions).

Plug In, Turn On - mp3
2:00 pm, room A -- presentations, Q&A

Brian Behlendorf (hyperreal.org, Friends & Family) will present "Two Communities That Create Something Real," comparing the open source software community and electronic dance communities, and Cliff Skolnick (bianca, freenetworks.org) will tell us about a project bringing free wireless Internet access to communities around the world. Finally, Scott Nelson (Cloud Factory) and our panel of experts will attempt to answer your questions about community organizing online.

Presenting Spirituality to a Mixed Crowd - mp3
3:10 pm, room B -- panel & workshop

Many electronic dance gatherings include a ceremony or ritual intended to bring everyone together, and introduce positive spiritual concepts for the night or weekend ahead. However, not all party attendees are equally comfortable with spiritual ideas -- some actively resist any such notions. Derek Capito (Nature), Julia Carter (Sacred Dance Society), Vanessa (Radiant Atmospheres), Liz Tilley (Cloud Factory), Peyton (Love Projectors), Sam Shirley (Rhythm Society), J.D. Falk (Koinonea), and others will discuss these issues in an open panel format.

Meet the Press - mp3
3:10 pm, room A -- panel w/Q&A

Like it or not, electronic dance gatherings are newsworthy -- sometimes because we're doing amazing things, but often because somebody somewhere got hurt. Our panel of journalists, burners, and ravers will examine ways to interface with the press and express our ideas in a positive manner. This session will not, however, cover TV news -- there's only so much we can bitch and moan about in one day.

Paul Boutin is a freelance writer, editor, and DJ. Joyce Slaton's work appears regularly in SF Gate. Jim Graham is a PR professional and Media Team Operations Manager for the Burning Man organization.

Think Global, Act Local: Strategies of Resistance to the War on Electronic Dance Culture - mp3
4:25 pm -- presentation w/Q&A

John Wood (San Francisco Late Night Coalition) will give us an update on the fight to preserve and promote night life in San Francisco and the world.

Beyond the Party - mp3
5:00 pm -- presentations & open discussion

Rounding out the day will be an intensive discussion of what we, as communities, can do to direct our collective energies towards the future. Panelists will include Fred Huette (Friends & Family) and Kerry Levenberg (Global Justice Project, Heads Up Collective, War Times) speaking on political activism, Jolayne Marsh (Pala Community Development) on engaging youth, and Dustianne North (Gathering of the Tribes) on networking and inter-community interaction.

Conference Closing
6:00 pm

Communication Lounge
8:00 pm to 2:00 am

Offering an opportunity to put communication to work, this all ages afterparty will feature live stand-up comedy by the New Humor Group and the musical stylings of Joe Rice (Justice League Sound System), Tha Roman (Moontribe, You Good Missy), Lil Mishka (You Good Missy), and Megan Hug (Cloud Factory) in a comfortable loungey environment. Free with a valid Storm Sessions badge, or $5 at the door. Go to the parking lot gate on the left side of The Otherworld for entrance.