Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with festival

Help me celebrate Eid and make it fun

tavegyl — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:42:11 -0800

Help a misanthropic lapsed Muslim celebrate Eid in London! Looking for ideas from all cultures and none, on manufacturing a better holiday than the traditional one I usually dread. Back in Pakistan, my family celebrated both Eids in much the same way: waking up early for the Eid prayer, followed by sheer khurma for breakfast. New clothes, a day spent visiting family and friends, with us kids hoping we'd get cash presents. Family lunch at my grandmother's. Then more visiting. That was the plan; actually we usually spent the entire day quarrelling and hating our extended families.

Now I live in London married to an Englishman and we can celebrate Eid as we wish. And I would like to insist on a fun twice-yearly celebration, full of new traditions, partly so that I can hold on to some of my own culture in a sea of British celebrations.

However, I'm stumped for what to do. All I can come up with is an Eid dinner for myself, my boy and a few close friends. This makes it basically a glorified dinner party, with resonance only for me. Metafilter, help me with your suggestions!

- If you celebrate or know people who celebrate Eid, how do you do it? What are the fun parts? Any special traditions, like cracking eggs on Greek Easter? If you don't celebrate Eid, any fun little customs I could steal, which wouldn't have other resonances for my English partner?

- No prayer/ mosque related suggestions please, it's not my style.

- Minimal sentimentality, maximum fun is my goal. So Thanksgiving style counting of blessings would not work here.

- In lieu of killing a goat, I've decided to make it a custom to decide as a family which charity we're going to support, and then making an equivalent donation on Eid. Still open to other charity-related suggestions, though.

- In Pakistan we get three days off to celebrate Eid. In the UK, not so much. Bonus points for suggestions on how to celebrate when it's still an ordinary working day, without postponing it to the nearest weekend.

For those unfamiliar with Eid, these are two important Muslim holidays. One Eid comes at the end of the month of fasting, Ramazan. The second, which is this weekend, commemorates Abraham's non-sacrifice of his son, Ismail in Muslim tradition. This Eid is the one where you slaughter animals and donate their meat to charity. Because the Islamic calender is lunar, the two Eids occur at different times of the year, about two months apart

Festival Management 101

divabat — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:08:41 -0800

I'd like to start a festival. This time I actually have a plan and possibly some people. Where do I start? After being mildly frustrated at the local alt-arts scene, I made a plan for a fringe/indie/alt arts festival that showcases minority and culturally diverse performers. I've been inspired by the upcoming Shades of Burlesque festival and the Kaleidoscope Cabaret festival (both for burlesque performers of colour; Kaleidoscope has a more queer focus) and basically want to do something similar in Australia. It would be the first of its sort in my area, if not the country. (Kaleidoscope has a pretty good outline of how I want my festival to run)

I made up a quick plan outlining how the festival will run, a wishlist of people and resources, and further questions. I've got a few people interested, and just had a chat this afternoon with someone whose job is to help young people with their creative projects. I've also been collecting advice here and there.

Where do I start? My contact this arvo suggested I write a 1-2 page brief to the organisations whose involvement I'm after outlining the festival idea and what I need. Who should I go after first - venues, presenters, sponsors, all at once? It seems a bit chicken and egg.

I figure the earliest this festival will take place will be mid-late 2010. Right now people are finishing up year-end projects before going on holidays, so any major meetings will only really take place in January. What can I do between now and then that won't take up people's time? I anticipate that some of my presenters and brains will likely be from outside Australia - how do I plan for travel expenses and that sort of thing?

What resources have you found useful in festival planning? Any software, reading material, guides, people that are handy? Any grants or funding bodies that make good contacts? (I'm not a permanent resident yet so 99% of Aussie grants are off-limits to me; however, if I'm auspiced, the auspicing org could apply on my behalf) Any creative methods that have worked well for others?

(The plan is in a public Google document; MefiMail me if you'd like to take a look.)

Who would you see at The Fest 8? (Punk/Ska music festival)

DumbPoet — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:11:16 -0800

I'm going to be in Gainesville, Fl, this weekend for The Fest 8 and I'm wondering which bands I should see. With 200+ bands, there has to hidden gems here. The Schedule:
http://thefestfl.com/fest8/schedule.html

The List:
http://www.thefestfl.com/fest8/schedule/

Flier:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gato-ranch/3796224712/in/photostream/

Whether you're going or not, who would you pick to see out of the +150 bands playing in the capital of beard punk?

What hidden gems are buried in the list?

Which headliners are better skipped for fresher acts?

What to do when in the presence of your personal heroes (and how to avoid the cost and wait)?

notcomputersavvy06 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:14:05 -0800

Book festivals? National Book Festival? What to expect? I'm attending the National Book Festival in DC tomorrow. I've never been to a book festival before. For those who have, can you tell me whether I'm permitted to bring my own older copies of the books I'd like the authors to sign or do I have to buy the books new at the festival? Also, how do I stay on the right side of faithful reader/scary stalker reader? There is one author in particular whose books I greatly admire but I don't want to annoy him through effusive gushing. For those who have been to this particular festival, will I have to stand in line for each author whose signature I want or is it just one big line, and, of course, how long can I plan on waiting in said line(s)? Thanks much!

Salt peanuts and animal crackers?

Emilyisnow — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:52:42 -0800

What food should I take to a music festival? I'm going to a weekend-long music festival and would rather not spend a fortune on food when I get there. I don't think there will be any cooking or heating facilities (i.e., I can't take a camping stove due to a total fire ban), and it's a 9 hour train ride to get there so fresh food in a cooler will not get me very far.

Complications: one of us is a vegetarian, the other has gluten and lactose intolerances. We don't have to eat the same thing, obviously, but being able to share food would be helpful.

So far I've come up with fresh fruit, avocadoes, tuna, crackers/biscuits, granoli/muesli bars, dried fruit. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Candy As Black As Coal

wholebroad — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:46:17 -0800

Is there any way to (cheaply) make black cotton candy for a festival? I am planning a booth at a festival for a non-profit organization working on energy issues. We want to have black cotton candy to give away at our booth (it's supposed to represent air pollution).

We would rent a cotton candy machine from a vendor. These vendors seem to offer many colors/flavors of sugarfloss to feed into the machine, but, not surprisingly, none of these come in black. I've never made cotton candy before, so I don't really know what the process is - could we somehow dye the sugarfloss black? Or is there a company that makes black cotton candy?

What's on at the fringe

chickaboo — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:41:03 -0800

What did you enjoy at the Edinburgh fringe, and in Edinburgh in general, this month? Heading there next week and was hoping to get some word of mouth recommendation for the fringe and or the book festival. Have done the tattoo and climbed arthur's seat before, and taken a day trip to St Andrews, and walked to Leath... so keep that in mind if you are recommending other activities.
Thanks much! If there are any new places to eat that I should know about please feel free to send that along as well.

I want to play Lollapalooza but I'm not on the bill

defmute — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:26:48 -0800

I want to play at the front gates of Lollapalooza. Will this work? I wan't to rap in front of Lollapalooza as a publicity stunt for my dance/rap group. I plan to take a Pignose Hog 20 amp with my laptop and consenser mic. My first and foremost concern is: will I be stopped? At Pitchfork Music Festival two years ago there was an abstract dance group performing outside of the entrance gates. I just don't want to get arrested (or at least not for 20 minutes or so that I plan to play). What do y'all think?

Food Festivals and Competitions in Southern LA

matthelm — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:32:50 -0800

I am looking for any and all food festival / competitions that happen in southern LA that are open to the public. I think it would be great to be able to go to such events and would love some help on getting in the know... I am living in Culver City area and don't mind driving a bit to get to such events....

Where oh where is that bloomin' car?

freston — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:55:37 -0800

How do I find my black car by moonlight in a field of 1000 irregularly parked cars? Lo-tech solutions preferred. So I went to a festival last year for just a day and parked my car, as directed, in a nearby field. I *thought* I had a reasonable idea where it was in relation to the gate. On leaving the festival, gone midnight, that same field looked totally different -- more cars, only moonlight to see by, a handful of trees as landmarks. Took me about an hour to track it down. I'm going to the same festival this weekend and would appreciate any & all suggestions, thanks.

Portuguese Festival Paper Game

kensch — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:52:28 -0800

When I was young, I went to a Portuguese festival in New Jersey (USA), and played a curious game. In a fishbowl would be hundreds of pieces of tissue paper, rolled very thinly and bent. You would pay for 10 pieces, and then unroll them. If your piece had a mark, you would win a prize. I'm searching for what that game is called, does anyone know? I haven't had much luck searching through traditional Portuguese games, or even general carnival games. I'd like to run something similar, and was hoping to know the cultural name and background of the game (assuming that it is a Portuguese cultural game, it very well may not be). Does anyone remember this? Possibly, even from their own youth?

I know I won't need the kitchen sink, but what do I need?

theraflu — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:31:04 -0800

Visiting London on a budget and confused about logistics. How do I plan and pack? My spouse and I, who have never been out of the US before and have never attended a music festival that's not close to home, want to visit England for a week this summer and attend one while there.

The plan is to fly cheap, hole up in hostels for a few days and purchase an Oyster card, with which we can get around London and see the sights on a budget. This alone wouldn't require too much packing (I plan on utilizing the one bag idea for this, so that I'm not keeping too much stuff on me at any one time--especially in an unlocked tent). To get to the concert grounds, we'll just hop a train/bus/whatever the day it begins and pitch a tent for the weekend.

We already own a tent, a two-person sleeping bag and an air mattress, but I know that this will be way too much to pack for an overseas flight and a couple of days staying in a hostel. So this question is multifaceted:

How do I pack light to accommodate for both halves of the trip (hostel living in the city, and tent-dwelling in the country)? This will be in late July heat and I don't want to haul around a ton of stuff all week.

Should I bother bringing outdoor gear for one weekend, or should I buy gear while there? They say "don't bother bringing x because the odds you'll need it are very low", but surely this is a special situation. Where can I buy this stuff in London, and on a budget?

Any other relevant advice/tips for a first-timer at both overseas travel and slumming it in a tent for the weekend? I want to maximize the fun and awesome stuff I'll get to do and see, while not spending too much (damn exchange rate!)

Best way to approach working 7 festivals in a row??

johnwayne — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:06:29 -0800

Festival Filter:I am working all summer at 7+ festivals around the UK.(details inside) What tent? What sleeping bag? Do's and Donts? General advice? I am working with a cafe.
The festivals I will be working at are...
Glastonbury.
Shambala.
Tolpuddle martyrs.
The Big Green Gathering.
Camp Bestival

aand with Oxfam (anyone stewarded for oxfam before?)

Bestival and Summer Sundae.

Some of these (glasto, shambala, I am on site for over 8 days.)

Basically, should I travel light, or go with a sack truck/trolley setup.
Anything to avoid? Recommended experiences at said festivals?

Budget for the equipment is approx 200 pounds. Im not a big person, and have the ability to stow my things in "the van".

Ive got a couple of months spare, but any help would be great.

Stay in Takayama for April 14-15

olya — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:34:17 -0800

Need a room in or around Takayama, Japan for April 14-15 - everything looks booked. Mefi, help! Are there any nearby cities? My parents are going to Japan in April, and they are trying to book a room in (or around) Takayama for the night of April 14-15 (2009). There is a festival in the town, and everything looks booked up. Can any one familiar with Japan or the area recommend either a place to go sleep, or a near-by hotel/hostel/anything that would allow them to catch the festival?

Price is not a strong limit - obviously nothing crazy, but all suggestions will go at the moment.

Thank you!! Mefi mail that's preferable, or olya@olya.org if that's easier.

We don't speak Japanese, so it is tricky to check anything that doesn't have an online form.

Accomodations In Pikeville KY

madmamasmith — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:31:28 -0800

Does anyone know about places to stay in Pikeville Kentucky??? I want to take my fiance to Hillbilly Days in Pikeville Kentucky for his b-day. I want to stay in a secluded cabin or cottage near Pikeville. I have only been able to find cabins in Lexington, which is like 2 hours away. Does anyone know of any neato places to stay that's between Lexington and Pikeville? I will take a cool hotel or B&B as a last resort, but I would prefer a nice remote cabin, where we can relax and have some real privacy. Any ideas?

I could just wait but I want to know now

Bageena — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:35:35 -0800

Impatient filter - does anyone know where I could get some valid information regarding music lineups at this years Coachella? A friend of mine said last night that he'd heard that the Gorillaz were going to be there, but after playing around on the net for an hour or two this morning, I can't seem to find anything concrete.

Learning more about Harikuyo

bitter-girl.com — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:17:50 -0800

Can anyone provide deeper insight into the Japanese Harikuyo festival, where broken sewing needles from throughout the year are ritually buried and given thanks? I'm searching for insight into the festival, how commonly it is celebrated (and by who? needlearts professionals only?), and for personal photos about it for an upcoming article. Have you ever been to a celebration? Are there similar festivals for any other needle arts such as knitting? Thanks!

What to do and where to stay in Gainesville, Florida?

stackhaus23 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:48:26 -0800

What to do and where to stay in Gainesville, Florida? I'm traveling over to Gainesville, FL from the UK for The Fest over the last weekend of October. I'm arriving there a few days early so I was seeing firstly if there is anything I have to do while I'm there and secondly if anyone could recommend me somewhere dirt cheap, like a hostel where I can get a private room or a reasonable hotel. Thanks guys!

Any other travel advice is also welcome, don't put hands in Alligator's mouths etc...

gas explosion in apartmen short film - name?

dabitch — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:46:07 -0800

Trying to find a Japanese short film "Tension" that I saw at the Rotterdam Film Festival 1999 or 2000. I saw this film at the Pathé Schouwburgplein either 1999 or 2000. The director was there and ready to answer questions after the screening.

The story: in a grey apartment block, inside a cramped apartment someone leaves the gas on while cooking. Each family member is doing something that theoretically could spark the gas to explode - sister is blow drying her hair, little brother is playing with a toy that sparks, someone is lighting matches - etcetera and so on. Tension builds, the edits get faster, matches are lit (gas does not explode), toy guns are shot (gas does not explode) and all sorts of other things go on until finally, the whole apartment blows up in the most amazing slow-mo explosion you've ever seen (and as I recall set off by an item you didn't suspect would be the one to set it off). We even get a nice shot from outside the apartment building watching the whole floor go kabloom.

Now, I can't for the life of me find out what this film is called or who directed it. Ring any bells?

Which PHP CMS?

hatmandu — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:56:11 -0800

I'm involved with an arts festival, and want to use a CMS. I think one (possibly any) of the following would be suitable, to varying degrees: Joomla, Drupal, Textpattern, Expression Engine, Wordpress. (I've deliberately gone for PHP.) Which would you recommend and why? Here are the functions that are vital:
- managing several mailing lists, with customisable fields to gather data on subscribers
- a discussion forum
- facility to upload files such as PDFs and Word Docs
- events programme (with dates, times, venues, ideally with option of pictures)
- picture gallery
(I'm aware that some of these things will need plug-ins.)

Design doesn't matter so much - probably an out-of-the-box template will be fine with minor tweaking. One crucial thing is that the users of the site are very non-techie, so will need to have something easy to use (this is to save me having to do it for them all the time!).

Sorry - I know there have been a lot of CMS questions at AskMe already, but I wanted to narrow down the question more precisely. Each package seems to attract love and venom in equal measures. Thanks for your ideas!

I Can Haz Pierogies?

mrhaydel — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:46:52 -0800

Is anyone going to the Pierogi Fest this year? Has anyone ever been? The SO and I are considering making the trip up to the Chicago, IL/Whiting, IN area for the Pierogi Fest this year.

Airfare will certainly be our biggest expense, but I'm wondering if anyone is going this year, and has any ideas on how to save on all of the other expenses - that is, transportation, lodging, etc. We're willing to talk about sharing in any of these expenses if there are people wanting to.

We're in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area FWIW.

I'm also curious if anyone has gone to this particular festival before and has any tips - did you find that all 3 days were worth attending? What were the food prices like? Any must-sees/dos?

Thanks HiveMind!

What else to do at Cannes?

crookedneighbor — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:37:45 -0800

Where to eat, who to do and what to see in Cannes during the film festival? I'm going to the Cannes Film Festival this week. It's awesome, but because it's a last minute trip, I may not be able to get accreditation. I've been to Nice before but never this town--what do I have to do? How do I decide what screenings to go to, assuming I get the badge? And if not, what do I do in Cannes that doesn't involve a red carpet?

I like eating, alternative culture, sight-seeing, ancient ruins, eating, the sun, and books. I speak French and Gay.

Travel tips for Edinburgh

chickaboo — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:05:26 -0800

I'm going to the Edinburgh Festival in August - what is a realistic budget for what it will cost to attend the festival and feed myself, and where am I likely to find the cheapest method to get there? Luckily my lodging will be paid for during my stay -- but I have no sense of how much the food and admission fees etc are likely to cost? Any help -- and any recommendations of can't-miss things at the festival and in edinburgh are welcome! thank you

A Harley is a motorcycle, right?

pitseleh — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:47:11 -0800

Please help me enjoy the Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary tickets I just bought! My partner is a big Bruce Springsteen fan, so even though we're not Harley types, I just bought tickets to the Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary festival in Milwaukee at the end of August, where Bruce and the E Street band are headlining. Unfortunately, I've now found that every hotel within 50 miles of the city is booked solid. I live only 1.5 hours away in Chicago, so we could drive into Milwaukee just for the day (or just for the Bruce concert), but even then, I'm worried about finding parking and navigating the city in general. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

How do I best submit my short film to as many festivals as possible?

Elle Vator — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:45:27 -0800

A comprehensive short-film festival submission calender: Does such a thing exist? I am in post production on a non-verbal short film. It could be considered a dance film (it involves dancers), an experimental film (in involves a woman going through a series of effect-driven physical transformations, breaking apart into many people and then coming back, whole and powerful) or a music video (it is the length of a song and the song is amazing) but I consider it to be a non-verbal dramatic narrative short about becoming who you are. It could be considered to be the story of any immigrant, anyone who has gone through adolescence or experienced a spiritual/physical transformation.

It is the best thing I have ever made in terms of production values and I want to submit it to all the festivals I can. It is the type of film that may garner awards in the right forums. Is there a resource - a website, perhaps - that lists all the festivals looking for short content and their deadlines?

I would also be interested if anyone has any tips as to how I could seek out international distribution. The lyrics of the song are not in English or French (Portuguese, in fact), though the production is based in Canada. You don't need to understand the words in order to get the meaning of the piece. What that means to me is that this film has global distribution potential.

Thoughts?