every journey begins just before the first step. in the tarot's archetype system, the fool is number '0', and represents the intention and intuition of beginning. the first of april corresponds with the beginning of spring and our path for this season of growth and change.

in honour of the beginning of the fool's journey,
the beginning of all of our journeys,
and in the service of random displays of outragous aesthetic expression

parastra ninja arts society will be facilitating
one or two affinity groups with lanterns
and invites any other self-organizing entities to generate an affiliation and collection of lanterns
pods of 5-9 in size are reccomended,
multiple pods can co-navigate thru the deep dark wild of the river valley

tuesday, 1 april 2008,
dusk. various locations

more details to follow.

anyone interested in focalizing an affinity group can get in touch

dylan toymaker
780 235 4674
toymaker(at)parastra(dot)com

31 march 08 :: ...(s)of random lanterns... more details

welcome to all of good intent

timing points:

pre-game: roasting something over the firepit at sunset?

dusk; fire pit, mill creek ravine north of whyte ave.
-arrive with a pod or join one at the firepit. or play hide and seek untill you find us.

11.11pm; dreamspeak at the muttart conservatory pyramids
-(can you make it in time? what a fun challange). some sort of discussion, presentation, sharing... full group or breakout groups depending on size.

close: aurawash; clown or angle style. or both silly.

feel free to bring in additional timing points to your affinity pod, say you want to crash some random potluck or something. bring it on.

bring:
-lanterns if you have them (there will be some available)
-bells, chimes, shakers, plus silly noisemakers.
-documentation devices; cameras and video
-WARM CLOTHES! and a hat, mittens and scarf.
-warm people - bring your friends. don't post to facebook.
-wood for fire, warm beverage to share
-clowns, fools, and dreamers

so, details!

the parade(s) of random lanterns concept is all about small affinity group interactions. we have done several single pod parades over the last few years, and discovered that the desired fluid self-directing group action angle became less 'wieldy' in numbers larger than 15. 9 even.

there are bigger lantern parades around the world, and i've been to a few, and they are great, but they require a control group that is in the know and directing the rest of the parade.

multiplying the numbers of groups instead of the size of the group may perhaps be the way around this.

you are not comming to *my* event, we are creating a bunch of personal group experiences on april first, a day which traditionally one does silly things (with lanterns in a parade for example).

it's traditional

i support this tradition with a few sets worth of lanterns.
individual lanterns are *always* encouraged. themeatic and stylistic unities are also encouraged. so why not make three instead of just one? i

the visual effect of having affinities of lanterns travel about semi-randomly, interacting with other groups in a playfull way is the art of this exploration. watching symbolic higher-self-lanterns dance and play is the story.

next up, so you have plenty of warning, is :: MayDay! :: an affinity of lanterns :: (boom! a vigil and revel)

on my calander it reads
12feb:chinese lantern day;
13feb:full moon 4:44ut;
14feb:valentines day. (tuesday)

so in honour of the goddess of love,
the saints that serve,
and in random community group expression

i would like to propose a parade.
i'm making a bunch of lanterns for the mzd performance on friday/saturday,
and could host or facilitate some more on monday,

tuesday could be the day to parade
a little bit of whyte ave
a little bit of river valley,
a little bit of bonfire in the sacred mill creek grove temple*
a little bit of pixie dust
and all your favorite people known or unknown
and all of their creative lights and sounds
will make for a transdimensional night.

*you know, the one with the clearing and the fire pit and the magic lanterns?

expressions of interest will increase the likelihood of this event;)

love is life

dylan

parastra intergalactic taxi service
www.parastra.com
www.electronic-ouroborus.com