Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Lightning in a Bottle Brings a Touch of Music & Magic to Orange County
The Lightning in a Bottle festival returned Memorial Day weekend after a one-year hiatus bigger -- and better -- than before.
We've come to expect The Do Lab to only go big, bold, and beautiful in their multi-platform, lifestyle-agnostic, installations and event productions. We've been dazzled by The Do Lab-produced Lucent Dossier Experience, the Do Lab Tent at Coachella and Lucent L'Amour Valentine's love-fest. But Lightning in a Bottle - in it's ninth iteration - is the sum of all parts and yes, the sensory overload can be thrilling.
What began as a small family affair in the early 2000's came of age during 3 years (2006-2008) at Live Oak in Santa Barbara County (see our photos and posts from past LIBs). This year the 3-day festival, at its new home at Oak Canyon Ranch near Irvine, featured a wider scope of programming -- adding speakers, workshops, yoga and more in a zen-like "temple of consciousness" forested area adjacent to the campground.
Two DJ stages were offset by the main Lightning in a Bottle stage, which featured an eclectic mix of performers and musicians, from March Fourth Marching Band to the lo-fi post-rock stylings of The Album Leaf to the Eastern European-inspired acoustic sounds of Fishtank Ensemble to the booming beats of The Glitch Mob. All to be outdone by the sideshow shenanigans of Lucent Dossier and Vau de Vire on an adjacent stage between sets and the sight and sound of William Close and his monstrous Earth Harp.
Support for LAist comes from
True to The Do Lab's roots as a radical arts collective, the grounds were transformed into a wonderland of installations and dozens of live art stations at which paintings were created for a silent auction benefiting Sonic Muze, a non-profit that helps provide art and music supplies for local schools in need. Most notable was the lack of trash visible throughout (a lack of meat as well). By providing multiple water stations (basically consisting of a hose with a filter and multiple spigots) and not allowing sales of bottled water, the festival avoided the oft-criticized wasteland of plastic bottles that is standard at most events. LIB chartered a new motto at its new location: "Leave it Better, Leave it Beautiful" a policy which included the planting of 32 native trees at the outset of the festival.
Video by Matthew F. Smith.
Video by Sander van Dijk.
All photos by Andy Sternberg for LAist.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist