The chemical romance that is Shambhala: three days of bliss
By Timothy Schafer
If you missed the five-day window in which to purchase tickets to Shambhala Music Festival when it opened in late spring (before it sold out), this story won’t do you any good.
And if you do have tickets to one of the biggest festivals in Western Canada, this story probably won’t do you any good either — you are already there.
The 12th annual music festival that has gained global attention and renown is officially started, although the gates opened for early camping on Wednesday morning and a sizable portion of the Shambhala tribe made the trek south.
Two of the festival’s six stages opened Thursday and by tonight all stages will be open, spreading the word of (largely) electronic music to a city of 12,000 on the Salmo River Ranch, located just south of Salmo.
Billed as an alcohol-free event, there is no shortage of other things to alter your sober state of existence. For anyone that has attended a music rave of any size, the quantity of chemical concoctions available is staggering.
Even so, a festival the size of Shambhala has relatively few problems, likely due to the increasingly strict controls and support systems in place at the festival, and the mellow Kootenay vibe evening out the energy.
Some of the groups on hand to deal with the results of the mayhem include:
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is a calm safe haven nestled in a grove of old growth trees right next door to First Aid.
It welcomes all people, 24 hours a day, who feel they need a safe quiet place to rest at any time during the festival. It provides non-judgmental service to people who find themselves unable to cope with the stimulation of the festival.
ANKORS
ANKORS has been at Shambhala for over 10 years. They provide free Harm Reduction supplies, services and information about STI prevention and safe partying.
OPTions for Sexual Health
OPTions is Canada’s largest non-profit provider of sexual health services. The primary purpose at Shambhala is to provide non-judgmental and accurate sexual education. Go there for all your safe sex supplies.
Outreach
These support workers roam the festival site. They’re happy to answer any questions you might have, and will be watching out to keep you safe during Shambhala. Look for the purple shirts.
Women’s Safe Space
Open 24 hours a day, staffed by women, for women. This is a place for any self-identified woman in need of non-judgmental support. It is a safe space away from other festival-goers. Crisis support and post-festival resources are also available here.
The family-owned and run business is supported by a core staff of friends. The festival claims it is free of corporate sponsorship and funded solely by ticket sales, with around 10,000 sold.
The festival grew organically by word of mouth – friends bringing friends – from a gathering of 500 or so in 1998 to the small city of 12,000 it is today.
A group of 2,000 volunteers keep the city operating, with six uniquely themed stages pumping straight for three days. There is also a healthy dose of local talent at the event, including Gemma Luna, Adham Shaikh, Erica Dee, Jay Wikid, Rich E Rich, DJ Rhapsody, Organic Mechanic, Bryx, Craig Mullin, Marty Carter, Robgoblin, Naasko and Wassabi Collective.
- For a list of the artists playing this year, click: http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/2011-artists/
- For a checklist of Shambhala essentials, courtesy of staff member Britney Gilchrist, click: http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/info/britzs-guide-to-shambhala-essentials/
