Introduction Articles:
Magazine Team:
- Publisher, Director, Ad. Rep.: Way a.k.a. Papa Muse
- Contributing Writers: Steve Rokitka, Derek Schleelein, Erin Leidy, Rob Delphous, Papa Muse, Ron Filewich, Maco Rodriguez, Emily Koester, Anitra Douglas, Linda Stout, Victor Scott Tiffany, Jay Flanzbaum, Stu Fox, Will Fox, Zack Schoedel, Jay Flanzbaum, Sean Kobuk, Shannon Bush, Brad Baker, Nathan Maxwell Cann, Pete Lussier, Scott Nelson, Danny Speer, Thomas Hoebbel, Rich Kaske, Elizabeth Bauchner, Chris Mendelis, Bob Nape, Tycho Dan, Daria Finn, Danny Frisbie, Phil Auburn, Mike Barry, Steve Todd, Matthew Joslyn.
- Senior Editor: Papa Muse
- Contributing Editors: Josh Ribakove, George Sapio, Stuart Fleischer, Alan Rose, Steve Tyler, Danny Rappaport
- Layout and Art Direction: Maco Rodriguez
- Volunteer Ad Designers: Maco Rodriguez, Kelly Caruso, Brad Baker, Patti Witten, Dan Lipari, Darrek Kotas, Gene Ira Katz, Kathryn Coldren, Melissa Port, Mike Cook
- Contributing Photographers: Jeffrey Foote, Thomas Hoebbel, Trevor Yormick (KMS photography), Taz Cannon @ PCP, John 'Buzz' Ortiz (Unique Photography).
- Illustrator: Alberto Rodriguez (Cover art, 2006 illustration) albertising@mac.com All submissions to Muse Magazine are given freely for the express and sole use of herein, and are the property of Musefest Inc. ©2006.
Possibilities
by Papa Muse
I see the Muse standing inspired and in peaceful joy. She is holding the seed, the transport in materialism of all possibilities. Worlds upon worlds, spiraling simultaneously, all exist. Every choice leads to another possibility.
The choices we make create a world of effects even beyond our understanding. We may not understand how the future may look concretely, reality coming together, but who we are being moment by moment, is what authors our script. Every human has a story that they get to write. Endless stories in humanity that mesh together as fabric that we attempt to objectify and share.
Every point of view is just a point of view, no more valid than the next, and ultimately, utterly meaningless. Yet in most every relationship we often fight to be right, at the cost of love, affinity and empowerment. We often play in trappings that weigh us down. Racing like a track dog after a mechanical illusionary rabbit, blinders to the track and spectators. Being right about our story often outweighs all else. In the foreground, we try to convince ourselves and others that we are in control, yet it is in this need to look good, in this conditioning, that we are inauthentic. We often define ourselves within an image we deem respectable. This is how we often limit possibilities.
To surrender in acceptance, with strength and inspiration, and to stand with integrity, is a path of empowerment. With integrity and in our word we create the fabric of our world. The planet turns forever, as endless universes come and go beyond measurable speed. We are all in the drivers seat. Every choice a new possibility, limited only by our own restrictions.
The Musefest is and will be our possibilities realized. We invite and empower creativity and imagination. In every life there is a seed, a flower, and ultimately a fruit. Every life is beautiful and unique, an endless exploration.
The Musefest is an opportunity. The Muse will nourish every seed, and allow every world to grow.
We get to plant the seeds.
Enjoy what you create.
Monologue
by Papa Muse
Hello Musefest family. This is Papa Muse. I am grateful for every exchange and experience the Musefest and its community has offered me. The last seven years have seen an evolution of our event, friends made, memories held, trials, tribulations, a lot of hard work, growth, learning and a lot of inspiration. Meanwhile, the music has blossomed throughout. Bands have matured and evoked pleasure. Music is medicine. I have seen young children playing then turn into young adults. Seeing people once a year, change seems quite apparent. We have a community, a network and an opportunity. We have possibilities. We are all living separate lives but growing together.
I feel it is important not to be rigid or stuck in a set way of being around Musefest. Many people have different ideas on what it is and what it should be. As I look past myself, I attempt to lead this festival for the overall good. We have choices that have the potential to benefit us all. While this path may not always manifest as we might predict, our vision is alive and exciting. We can only put faith in our commitment to share and influence each other with our most magnificent creative selves.
For six years we have gathered in peace. The event has gone through many transformations and changes. Your feedback has been invaluable as it helps steer our course. Some changes work, some donÕt. But never shall we let fear dictate our actions and our desire to take risks and aim high. To create Musefest, we aim high. We take on more than ourselves so that we might grow into that.
We are moving in new directions, as people and as a community. I invite you to embrace these changes and have understanding and compassion as we go on this journey of discovery together, as we find new ways of being with each other, new heights of creativity, and new ways to support each other as we move toward our highest aspirations. The faces may change at Musefest, but this event is in the hearts and minds of us all. We all influence this experience.
Feel free. Have respect and be open. Get involved and share; learn and have a great time! This will be worthwhile.
My First Time at Musefest
by Ron Filewich
I am grateful for having attended Musefest for the first time last year. Living at the time in the Chicago area, I overheard a few brothers talking about Musefest at a gathering dedicated to meditation on inner light and ecstasy. A friend and I were looking to take a trip that would involve music, and this seemed a perfect answer to our wish. We were not disappointed. As we drove up and parked, we saw the outdoor camping venue Musefest is famous for, with its beautiful grounds and large pond. This immediately set a moodÑthe beautiful feeling of anticipation that comes before a great time.
Entering the Musefest grounds, we met people from all over the country and saw various music stages and various activity and vending areas, all comfortably laid out with friendly people attending them. A few areas I noticed right off were an incredibly creative and fascinating childrenÕs care area, a well-used and challenging set of skateboard ramps, and a large and friendly eating area.
What I most cherished were the friends I made and the exciting music I heard, on the three stages as well as around the pond where we gathered in small groups to share our own music with each other, all of which continued both day and night. The simultaneous three stage arrangementÑthe field stage, the pavilion stage, and the acoustic stageÑreally deserves another mention. I learned this has always been a very attractive highlight of MuseFest. This arrangement means everyone can enjoy the music they favor most, and when we want to expand our horizons, at any moment we can try something new.
I also enjoyed dancing with people who seemed always to be dancing, along with participating in the drumming circle which took place each night, all night, under a large dome with a central fire, set in a beautiful area of the woods. And we enjoyed the joking and the singing and the loving and volunteer efforts, and the moves of some super-talented skateboarders, and the delicious vegetarian foods, and the free body massages, and the beautiful beads, shirts, and artwork.
Also deserving a second mention is the atmosphere of community and volunteerism that is characteristic of Musefest. From the folks of the Rainbow gathering to the Cornell students attending, people seemed ready and willing to lend a hand and make it easier for everyone to have a great time. I had some wonderful experiences helping people who in turn expressed their deep gratitude for that help. I ended up sharing my time and talents in the kitchen, in cleanup, in security, in grounds maintenance and crowd assistance, and in many other activities.
And throughout all of this, the bands and the music kept on, it seemed, round the clock. When you are in love, who sleeps? Way, the principal organizer of Musefest, put it well, ÒMusic is medicine.Ó Music is medicine, and it is soul, and it is ecstasy, and it is divine. Great music can bring us to the door of complete spiritual intoxication, without any hangover, without any side-effects!
Finally, I felt a sense of immense possibility at Musefest. We gathered in peace, love and harmony. Let us again gather in peace, love and harmony, and let Musefest be the best itÕs ever been. See you there!
Children Belong with Us
by Papa Muse
As I have grown older, many of my friends and loved ones have expanded their families. Kids are all around and most welcome at Musefest. Every year we go to great lengths to have activities and play for our children. YouÕll find a bounce tent, arts and crafts, music and education, ping-pong, sports, a skateboarding event, face painting, children's performers, a kids parade, and anything else we can line up that seems valuable for our Musefest families.
Early in the day during Musefest, families awake together in our private ÒFamily Camping Area,Ó sharing those early special relaxed hours before the fast-paced action of the scheduled events that happen all throughout the days and nights of our festival. Families form clusters, like a little village, and their kids bond. The daytime is cohabited by kids and adults alike, with a lot to do for everyone. When the night comes and the children are put to sleep, the atmosphere becomes more adult.
I encourage you to include your children in the Musefest. We invite you, and them, to share creativity and participate. We also ask that parents tend to their kids. This responsibility can never be ignored. At Musefest we attempt to have a place for everyone. With your help, your respect, your generosity, and your support, we aim to have the Musefest be an event that your children can eagerly awaitÑuntil that time when they might bring their own children to this tradition that we now build.
