prAna: Sustainable Clothing

When we first arrived at the Palace theatre in LA it was a buzz with people taking care of last minute details for the Lucent Dossier Experience. Being new to working with a film crew, behind the scenes access was exhilarating. The first person I saw was seated at a huge mirror in the midst of transformation from normal guy to wild character. Half his face painted white, he chatted with me about the new design he was trying that night. Not sure how it was going to turn out he kept adding layers until his look was similar to a clown yet edgier. I instantly felt inspired to create and wanted to play in the makeup too. It’s so cool how something as simple as a face painted with wild colors changes everything. I wandered onto the stage where sound check was happening and soaked in the many layers of the set design. Silk fabrics and gorgeous metal hoops were hanging up high, drums and guitar players were in the far corner, and there were several layers and heights and secret entrances built into the design. An hour before the show, some were already in makeup and costume, yet everyone there was just like me juggling the technical details of life, racing the clock and focused on getting their work done. Feeling like a kid in a Halloween castle I wandered around discovering several elaborate interactive stations outside the theatre doors. Down in the dressing rooms, a fuzzy white chicken named Penelope greeted me. She was watching intently as the wild and vibrant characters of Lucent Dossier come to life. Colorful costumes, wigs, makeup and sparkles transformed the hustle bustle into magic and play… but I am getting ahead of myself in my excitement…

I recently started working with Rich Van Every and Lightworks Creative on some exciting video and film production projects. One of the projects is a short film we shot mostly at Burning Man that is focused on creativity, imagination , and design. We are following up with some of our favorite stories from the playa getting more background footage for the film. Lucent Dossier is one of those stories. On October 21st & 22nd, Lucent created a special experience of their previously sold out Palace Theatre show as a fundraiser for their friend Shrine. So, we headed to LA to interview and shoot footage of this revolutionary circus of clowns, ariel artists, dancers, singers, musicians, stilt walkers, acrobats, fire dancers, interactive stations, imaginative costume design, a fuzzy white chicken named Penelope and more. Focused on raising funds for a friend’s medical care, this troop was on fire!

In the midst of all the excitement we found a special spot in the Palace Theatre seats and set it up with lights for our interview with Dream Rockwell, the woman behind this elaborate vision. A multi-tasking queen she was in makeup but no costume handling an array of last minute details. With the crowd gathering outside the theatre doors, she sat with us to chat about how this dream of hers had come to life. She playfully shared how the little moments of inspired dreaming with friends had shaped the reality she lives in now. She is a believer in creativity and has a passion for connecting people to their innate creative nature. She is a team player and surrounded by brilliant talented people who have become family. This particular weekend was dedicated to raising funds for the medical care for Shrine who is one of the founders of this circus.

Dream and the troop are helping this dear friend in a creative way and hope to inspire others to the same for loved ones in need. Her producers Dayna and Lisa joined us as we were chatting about how they make this renaissance circus a success. I loved asking all the burning questions on my mind, smiling from ear to ear as I witnessed how these women are productive, creative, and playful in the way they relate with each other. In their world old school structure plays an important role, but their secret recipe is creative collaboration. According to these ladies, bringing dreams to life isn’t about feeling or being ready. Simply put their advice is to “keep a book of lessons learned, believe in your dreams, and GO FOR IT!”. This being my first Lucent Experience I had to ask, “What can I expect to see tonight?” Laughing, they said the only thing one can expect is the unexpected! The audience is the key as the performers invite the crowd into the magic creating a tactile and memorable experience. Their hope is to draw out a true organic human response from the crowd that is so powerful that they feel inspired to show the world more of their real selves resulting in more compassion, love, and their art.

We finished the interview as the doors opened and a crowd full of people in costume filled the theatre. We quickly followed Dream downstairs where she transformed into a doll like character for the night. With music thumping and people cheering Dream arrived onto a stage full of wild characters and artists spinning fire. Back stage was hopping….characters passionately practicing moves in front of large mirrors and performers running on and off stage at their cues. Perfectly in synch and full of life the performance spilled out into the crowd turning the whole theatre into a wild and playful experience. These avant guard artists passion and creativity is infectious. The Lucent Dossier Experience is a tactile participatory event inspiring more vibrant creativity in our world every day. I say check them out as soon as you can!

~Heather Keely

For more about the Lucent Dossier Experience visit www.lucentdossier.com

Join Us On Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo & YouTube

Functional Apparel for the Unconventional Spirit

Sign up to receive our email updates, sales and new releases

There was an incredible Anusara event that concluded this weekend in Los Angeles. Our very own Dave Kennedy was on hand and kind enough to give an update and drop off some images…

Here is a insightful and personal look at the events from Laura Blakeman aka Shakti Sunfire …

I’m at my Aunt and Uncle’s in Los Angeles, two days have passed since the Anusara weekend workshop that capped John’s Advanced Intensive in Hollywood. I’m enjoying what seems to be my first opportunity for R&R in weeks – perhaps months.

Which is all well and good, don’t get me wrong. The frenzy of my lifestyle, the admittedly reckless pursuit of my dreams and my art is a conscious choice I’ve agreed to and the rewards (and difficulties) for such behavior abound. John Friend said ‘every time you explore your art you get a revelation – a window into your true nature, your talent. To make art all we’re really trying to do is align with Nature, then the magic happens.‘

These last few weeks between Anusara events have been particularly difficult for me. Overwhelmed by my sudden and complete dedication to learn from John, compounded by firehoop orders, summer booking negotiations, hoop workshop plans, choreography opportunities, training schedules, Tantra studies, social events and performances, I was beginning to think I bit off more than I could chew. In retrospect is wasn’t my full and fast-paced schedule that had me in tears more than once, but my fumbling along in a body/mind that had been rewired in the week prior.

‘The more you love the more you’re going to cry,’ he said.

Well, that’s true. The opening and unfolding of my heart at this moment is active – and palpable. Layer by layer peeling back to reveal a greater source of light and with it a raw vulnerability that leaves me breathless. Simultaneously weakened in its magnitude and full of robust, unwavering joy. To be able to *feel life* so profoundly is a gift that’s called ‘meaningfulness.’

That’s it really. I have people in my life that I love with such force it could only be called ferocity, opportunities that resonate and reflect my inner being, chosen responsibilities that make my heart beat faster in recognition that the edge is just one step to either side. I’m scared, I’m thrilled, I’m excited, I’m alive.

And of course, I’m human just like everyone else and in creeps doubts and darkness, challenging my chosen course, poking at my vulnerabilities. It’s taken everything I’ve had to not succumb to what overwhelms me, and yet, at times that’s exactly what I’ve needed to do. John said; ‘you have to always be student to the Grand Artist, don’t think that you’re in control.’ Trust.

Friday night the Mystic Mirrors and members of the Anusara community gathered at an art space in LA this side of hip. In between aerial performance sets, John’s poetry, Tiffany, Will and Justin’s dance, hoop sets with Anah Hoopalicious, Nayeli and Erin, fire spinning, light shows and schmoozing yogi-like, I took inventory of this new territory in reverence for its next-level undercurrent. As we pass from one threshold to another – one diksha to another, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and confused…lost in the mire that is the mud to your lotus flower. The key John taught, is to trust in the Absolute and to pray. Not for challenges to be removed but to cultivate the strength to pass to the next level effectively, safely and skillfully. To grow and move on, is the best way we can say thanks – to honor the past and ride the Tiger into innovation, onto the next level of our Life’s Art.

Ask for Grace, and dance.

* All photography taken by Mario Covic

Fantastic sequence of annotated “instructional” clips from Vertical Limit.

Cross-Posted from The Mountain World