What do you want in your gatherings/conventions

[Dale Ivarie]

I'm curious as to what folks look for when deciding on what event to attend

and for those who have not attened a pagan gathering/convention what kind of things would lure you to one?


Dale

[SilverSeraphim]

Reasonably priced, easy to get to, and family friendly.

I've never been to one, but those are my top 3 qualifiers. :hahugh:

[Seshata]

A good range of speakers. Talks that are not just for beginners but intermediate and advanced.

BB

Seshata

[cheddarsox]

lots of cool stuff to buy, or at least browse

workshops where we can really talk (not just listen) and make stuff

variety of trads represented, I hate when it turns out to be just Wicca lite fest

opportunities to get involved

a couple of good concerts to get me up and singing and dancing

cheddar

[Cain]

LSD in the drinks.
Kyuss on loud speakers.
Pig on a spit
A nice open area.
Lots of hot chicks and guys.


Thats how you hold a gathering!

[Malcolm]

LSD in the drinks.
Kyuss on loud speakers.
Pig on a spit
A nice open area.
Lots of hot chicks and guys.

Agreed...although I could do without the hot guys.

[Cain]

Agreed...although I could do without the hot guys.

True, not my thing either, but it can never be said I wont cater to most tastes.
:cheers:

[Malcolm]

True, not my thing either, but it can never be said I wont cater to most tastes.


Well, in that case...they can come to. :drinking:

[Dale Ivarie]

Definately need a drum jam and or a band...

speakers...panels...workshops....

What types of speakers....panel disccussions and or workshops...

and how about "merchants" ?
and or an art show/auction....

other contests....

anyone have anything they encountered at a pagan gathering they thought worked especially well...

also what is a reasonable price....

would you prefer an event that was outdoors/camping or a hotel/convention center..?

always looking for input

[nik]

Indoor bathrooms, please. Nature is lovely, but there are times I REALLY don't wanna be up close and personal with her.
Otherwise, I mainly go for the vendors, to be honest. I prefer buying herbs, oils, tools and such things in person, and metaphysical suppliers are few and far around my area. Lots-o-vendors where I can stock up will earn my admission price.
Beer tent? Yah!

[KylalaKitty]

lots of cool stuff to buy [at decent prices], or at least browse
workshops where we can really talk (not just listen) and make stuff
variety of trads represented, I hate when it turns out to be just Wicca lite fest
opportunities to get involved
a couple of good concerts to get me up and singing and dancing
cheddar



A good range of speakers. Talks that are not just for beginners but intermediate and advanced.



Thats what I look for.

[Dale Ivarie]

or any events you've attended with examples of what you liked about them or what you didn't...


Thanks Dale

[Tanya]

warm weather and less pick up lines.

Just because I don't buy into Chritian morality and have a pleasent body.. DOES NOT mean I will sleep with anyone who asks....

[Amythyst]

I'm curious as to what folks look for when deciding on what event to attend

and for those who have not attened a pagan gathering/convention what kind of things would lure you to one?


Dale

I have never attended an event and the one reason is, well-- two actually--first, I haven't been aware of any events in my area, and second, if I did know of an event I would like to find another pagan or group of pagans to go with me. I wouldn't want to have to go alone... I tend to be shy at joining groups of people. (Maybe that's one reason I'm a solitary witch.)

[Windsmith]

If it's going to have "everything," it has to be long enough for me to get to everything. Pagan Pride in our area has a vendor room, a music room, a film room, a room of people doing divination, workshops, open rituals, AND bardic contests. And it only runs from 10 'til 6! I go every year, and I love it, but I would love an extra couple of hours to do the experience justice.

[Nitefalle]

A gathering that is NOT clothing-optional. It's hard to get to know people when you have to avert your eyes, not to mention it skeeves me out. If it is outside with camping involved, that there at least be porta-johns or facilities of some sort other than some toilet paper and a tree to duck behind. Workshops of a good variety, too - fifteen workshops on tarot won't do it for me, or fifteen workshops all about the Egyptian pantheon, etc. If there is to be a public ritual, for pete's sake please be organized. Also, a little flavor is always nice. They don't have to be so generic as to be totally boring.

I think that's about it for me.

[Rudas Starblaze]

booze, a bonfire out in the middle of nowhere, and..... oh wait, your talking about modern crap arent ya?

[Dale Ivarie]

A gathering that is NOT clothing-optional. It's hard to get to know people when you have to avert your eyes, not to mention it skeeves me out. If it is outside with camping involved, that there at least be porta-johns or facilities of some sort other than some toilet paper and a tree to duck behind. Workshops of a good variety, too - fifteen workshops on tarot won't do it for me, or fifteen workshops all about the Egyptian pantheon, etc. If there is to be a public ritual, for pete's sake please be organized. Also, a little flavor is always nice. They don't have to be so generic as to be totally boring.

I think that's about it for me.

I'm with you on the sky-clad thing....alot of pagan folks talk about "perfect love and perfect trust" in rituals and at gatherings...I CAN"T HAVE EITHER until i've known you for years...so don't hug me until you know me and don't run around naked until i've known you for years....

but I know some folks disagree with me on that..alot of folks actually...

so for me the clothing optional/skyclad thing should be restricted to a certain section of a campsite or certain floors of a hotel convention....bingo everyon happy..go there if you want don't if you don't...

and I am much more about the convention center type gatherings..can't bring myself to pay over 100.00 $ to camp...plus I think if the ancient peoples who's dieties and rituals we use were around...they'd choose the hotel too...

Dale

[Windsmith]

I'm with you on the sky-clad thing....alot of pagan folks talk about "perfect love and perfect trust" in rituals and at gatherings...I CAN"T HAVE EITHER until i've known you for years...so don't hug me until you know me and don't run around naked until i've known you for years....I understand what you're saying, Dale, but if I might play devil's advocate for a second: for those who work skyclad, "perfect love and perfect trust" might well mean perfect trust that they can work in the condition that works best for them (that is, unclothed) in a safe, nonjudgemental atmosphere. Perfect trust that no one is going to say to them, "Gosh, I know that skyclad working is part of your belief and your practice, but you can't be naked because I don't know you."

Just something to think about.

[Dale Ivarie]

warm weather and less pick up lines.

Just because I don't buy into Chritian morality and have a pleasent body.. DOES NOT mean I will sleep with anyone who asks....

Many gatherings and conventions have badges folks wear...how about adding a background color that means..."partnered up and not polyamorous so don't bother" that way the pick up lines are avoided for people you get annoyed by them?


Dale

[Dale Ivarie]

I understand what you're saying, Dale, but if I might play devil's advocate for a second: for those who work skyclad, "perfect love and perfect trust" might well mean perfect trust that they can work in the condition that works best for them (that is, unclothed) in a safe, nonjudgemental atmosphere. Perfect trust that no one is going to say to them, "Gosh, I know that skyclad working is part of your belief and your practice, but you can't be naked because I don't know you."

Just something to think about.

Yup I know what you mean...personally I can't have "perfect love and perfect trust" with people I just met at a gathering...I would be intellectually and emotionally dishonest if I was pretending too...

How about "gosh being skyclad is part of your beliefs but not mine so you can be over in that section and I will be over here" you can add "I've got respect for that aspect of your beliefs but I don't share them so, lets respectfully be at the same gathering but keep from stepping on each others beleifs....go have fun I will do the same"

I think if there are folks that want to put their beliefs (about being skyclad or anything really) up in the face of others I think you've got a reciepe for discord and fights...So if people want to be skyclad anytime and anywhere they want in a gathering...I think that gathering will exclude alot of people who are not into the skyclad aspect...

I'm looking for "the most fun for all with the least discord"


Dale

[Windsmith]

Yup I know what you mean...personally I can't have "perfect love and perfect trust" with people I just met at a gathering...I would be intellectually and emotionally dishonest if I was pretending too...

How about "gosh being skyclad is part of your beliefs but not mine so you can be over in that section and I will be over here" you can add "I've got respect for that aspect of your beliefs but I don't share them so, lets respectfully be at the same gathering but keep from stepping on each others beleifs....go have fun I will do the same"

I think if there are folks that want to put their beliefs (about being skyclad or anything really) up in the face of others I think you've got a reciepe for discord and fights...So if people want to be skyclad anytime and anywhere they want in a gathering...I think that gathering will exclude alot of people who are not into the skyclad aspect...

I'm looking for "the most fun for all with the least discord"


Dale Very good points, Dale. In theory I agree with all of them. In practice, as a member of an ecstatic tradition, I have been in many situations where suddenly the energy just seemed right for the removal of clothes. I don't think you could do it in any generic convention or gathering; in the instances I'm thinking of we were all of the same tradition or at least understood that this was an event of a specific tradition where such things happen, and we were all OK with it beforehand. But I know from those experiences that the energy would've disrupted far more, and people - even those who weren't thrilled about the nakedness - would've been far less comfortable if everyone who'd removed any part of their clothing would suddenly have been herded off to some corner where they couldn't be seen.

And, um...oh dear. I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but I just cannot stop giggling about this: "I think if there are folks that want to put their beliefs (about being skyclad or anything really) up in the face of others..."

I can't stop picturing someone puting their, um, beliefs about being skyclad in someone's face. "Yes, that's a lovely...belief you have there. Now go put on some pants, please." _inabox_

[Dale Ivarie]

Very good points, Dale. In theory I agree with all of them. In practice, as a member of an ecstatic tradition, I have been in many situations where suddenly the energy just seemed right for the removal of clothes. I don't think you could do it in any generic convention or gathering; in the instances I'm thinking of we were all of the same tradition or at least understood that this was an event of a specific tradition where such things happen, and we were all OK with it beforehand. But I know from those experiences that the energy would've disrupted far more, and people - even those who weren't thrilled about the nakedness - would've been far less comfortable if everyone who'd removed any part of their clothing would suddenly have been herded off to some corner where they couldn't be seen.

And, um...oh dear. I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but I just cannot stop giggling about this: "I think if there are folks that want to put their beliefs (about being skyclad or anything really) up in the face of others..."

I can't stop picturing someone puting their, um, beliefs about being skyclad in someone's face. "Yes, that's a lovely...belief you have there. Now go put on some pants, please." _inabox_


kinda said purposefully but you took it to a higher and much more humerous level:cheers:

Dale