The Garden of Earthly Delights

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Camping at Vlad's Pleasure Pavilion has to be one of the more unique experiences I've enjoyed. This year was their 30th anniversary as a themed camping group. Their device was a stylized "XXX" with their bat symbol emblazoned above. (It figures I'd camp under the sign of the Bat!) Now if you have ever camped at Pennsic you'll have heard of Vlad's late night "shenanigans." (I can't speak to any of that. I kept me eyes closed.) All during the first week of the two week event the camp operates as the defacto place to stop by while out and about. For me, on the couple of nights I was actually on site that first week, this meant I never had to go looking for my friends as most of them would likely walk through the "front of the house." What I mean by FOH is in the way it's used in the entertainment/club sector. Basically Vlad's is set up as an "open camp" out front, with living quarters to the rear and cut off from the front. There's a giant "U" shaped space which is anchored at one end by a beer tent/bar, a stage complete with wings, carefully arraigned pavilions with open seating under awnings, all of which are meticulously decorated, and wraps around the open area. There's a giant fire-pit that languid dancers take advantage of while rhythmic drumming charges the pulsing energy of the night. For me though the true treat as an artist is that I am camped with many other artists. This year they culminated the fun of the first week with a three part performance playing out their interpretation of the famous 15th Century triptych, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" painted by Hieronymus Bosch. It was a three stage, multi act performance that was a blend of burlesque, tribal fusion, burner rave, traditional belly dance, all accompanied by a talented group of live musicians. I'd watched them plan out the acts, choreograph the dances and figure out the timing. Being around such a pool of talent and artistic vision was truly something I'll always treasure. So, not only do I not have to go anywhere in order to see my friends, I don't have to go anywhere to find artistic inspiration. @mercurial_creation @rosalieash88 @dj_cosmo @hakandances @reverandmother @Bagoasdances

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