07/04/2024
The Bird's Nest has finally closed this chapter - 7 years after its inception - and what a truly beautiful way to celebrate our Swansong, at Neon Caravan, Blazing Swan 2024.
The thing is with Blazing Swan; you start out to create a party and accidentally create a community. That is and will always be our greatest achievement. So if you see the Birdie's having a catch up down in Freo - don't be a stranger, pull up a stool and join in. Whether someone has needed an individual shoulder or a group hug, needed bringing down a peg or lifting to the greatest of human heights - the Birds Nest family has provided it. So to each and every flocker (over 60 in total over the years), thank you for creating something truly special.
We started out (after much badgering from Ada Rosè - O.G. Koasis crew) with Mamma and Papa Bird hoping to create a little slice of soul and disco on the playa, where birds from every migration can flock together safely. An enthusiastic small crew, some loosely thrown together poly pipe, fairy lights and the ever present disco ball and The Bird Nest Theme Camp at Blazing Swan was born.
We quickly escalated to the big dome and had a realisation of the huge undertaking required to provide a large sound camp at Blazing Swan. So much energy, creativity and childlike passion; mixed with hours of thankless hard work and financial loss. That is why camps will come and go but the show will go on.
Look around the playa - it should blow your mind to think that every single thing you see, is simply created for the joy of another human being. Reaffirming and enriching isn't it!
To the other camps.
Big love to our neighbours through the years: KaMp Koasis, God Said No; originally Fire Tribe : Blazing Swan and this year and Funkazba (big love to you all) and to Treetops theme camp for all the support. Unfortunately, we are unable to list and name all of the other camps we hold true and dear, but you know who you are.
Special mention - Dixon from the Lab, for guiding us like a child through their first steps, in 2018 and 2019.
So to our last hurrah....
Blaze 2024 was truly exceptional. So many great camps, art cars, installations and so so so much energy. A true reflection of all that is right in our community.
Thank you to DPW for being so patient with the frame and giant condom over the years, never questioning, just getting it done. The unsung heroes of the event.
Thank you to the event management and committee this year for running such a smooth event.
To all the guests and resident DJ's who provided the bounce through the week :)
The 115pm chugging 5 hour takeover at Treetops theme camp was a particular highlight, as was of course the closing party on Sunday where love was truly in the air.
To the Birds Nest crew who worked tirelessly in the bush - some for 11 days - we raise our tailfeather. Special note to all the leads and 2IC over the years and particularly to watts and Melissa Verdouw for representing at every Birds Nest event since inception.
###xx to Mama Bird for being so patient and supportive, I have no idea how you do it ###xx
And finally....
To each and every blazer who has supported us both at Blaze and through our fundraisers. You helped us create a space where people could truly just be.
Its likely not end of The Bird's Nest Crew entirely. We will be back in some form or another. But in the meantime...
love and dust...it was absolutely beautiful.
Papa Bird x
