Fire Spinners
Amidst the myriad of music festival options, music lovers are left to separate the wheat from the chaff in regards to events. The Transformational festival, Envision, offers a holistic approach that’s a cut above the rest!
In late February, one of the most biodiverse places in the world, Uvita, Costa Rica, was infused with thousands of travelers as well as a kaleidoscope of music, yoga + dance acts for the eighth annual installment. At the junction of the jungle and the Pacific shore, a synergistic experience of spirituality, movement, art, music, health, and permaculture also flourished. For four days, a celebration of oneness, vitality, and potential was reveled in – leaving participants’ hearts and minds invigorated.
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- Luna Stage
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- Xavier Rudd
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- Salute to Sunset
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- Bob Moses
Music has the capability of affirming the human experience on a unified wavelength, but it can also illuminate regional characteristics and articulate heritage. The musical programming at Envision captures that very dichotomy! It served up four stages, arranged by varied genres, group dynamic goals and even contained performance embellishments like live-art on the outskirts, fire & aerial dancers or mapped projection visual stages.
Luna Stage
In a nutshell: an elaborate Dragon facade stage design, flanked by pillars erupting with flames and smoke plumes circling the large concourse. Appealing to the avid attendee, it featured a heavier leaning range of music from world-bass, glitch, and psybient.
Artists: Thriftworks, Clozee, Troyboi, Random Rab, White Bear
Anecdote: Belly + aerial + fire dancers also graced the stage. Finger Tutt tutorials took place and live artists painted on mini platforms along the outskirts.
Sol Stage
In a nutshell: Otherworldly and captivating projection-mapped visuals framed this large stage. It showcased organic instrumentation from both internationally renowned and homegrown musical acts.
Artists: Xavier Rudd (Australia), Bob Moses (Canada), Matanza (Chile), Patterns (Costa Rica)
Anecdote: Handpicked musicians from various festival acts coordinated to play as one band, forming the ensemble known as The Envision Orchestra. Directed by the magnetic Vir Mccoy, players were simply given a one-word cue to dial-in a new mood. Much like an improv performance, the candid synchronizations and playfulness found here created something truly unique.
Lapa Stage:
In a nutshell: This stage wore a wooden fractal crown and colorful shade structures encapsulated the brimming dance quarter. Focused on underground dance music, the feet on this dancefloor never stop moving to the deep, tribal, and tech house tunes.
Artists: DJ Tennis, Behrouz, Audiofly, Tara Brooks, Be Svendsen, Monolink, Dris Kali, Maria Wabe
Anecdote: Just outside of the bustling dancefloor, hoopers and poi balls were also in full swing. Two yogis engaged in a playful dance-off that was more like a capoeira vinyasa fusion and ecstatic dance styles guided the groovers.
Village Stage:
In a nutshell: Every inch of this intimate stage was garnished with jungle plants and palm leaves and listeners gathered around to hear songwriter sets and workshops.
Artists: Mike Love, Xavier Rudd
Workshop Topics: Permaculture, Intentional Communities, Ethnobotanical Journeys, Self-Actualization
Anecdote: Rows of reclined listeners basked in heartfelt performances or engaged with educational topics. An adjacent bonfire was perfect for further reflection and discussion, while others sprinkled aromatic copal resin into the flames along with intentions. Additionally, this area was furnished with a tea-house and elixir bar to satisfy a more conversational type of alchemy.
With a diverse offering of activities and music it’s easy to conjure up your own intentional experience! Immerse yourself in creativity & movement and connect with your tribe once again when Envision returns in 2019.
