Regional Contacts
Chicago
Burners in the "City that Works" have been hard at work unifying what were once a set of separated tribes. Now, after several challenging and inspiring years, relationships have developed a deeply connected and ever growing family, forged from big fires and strange chaos.
In May 2009, we founded a Non-For-Profit organization: the Bold Urban Renaissance Network NFP (aka B.U.R.N.) that sponsors the urban Decompression event (last Saturday in September), Town Hall (Spring), Pow Wow (Late Fall), a wide range of monthly Meet and Greets activities, and a Newbie Night (July 26 in 2011) - where those going to Black Rock City for the first time can get advice and answers from veterans. It also sponsors an arts grant program with a budget of $5,600 for 2011 and supports the Chicago chapter of Burners Without Borders.
B.U.R.N. is managed by a steering committee of experienced burners from different groups and is building subcommittees that allow direct participation to match a volunteer’s interest and expertise.
Members of our community also produce and support a variety of other events including Chiditarod food drive/shopping cart race (March), Resonate (March/April), Bunny Con (April), Lakes of Fire (late June), Halsted Halloween Parade (in October), Santa Kong (in December), SynchroniCity’s Christmas Tree Burn (in January), the monthly Full Moon Fire Jam (April-October), and the weekly Sew-op.
Chicago's Burners Without Borders have joined forces with city and civic agencies, neighborhood associations, and residents to help people help themselves in cases where traditional infrastructures have failed. Together, we can make a difference. Projects have included: downspout disconnections, Loyola University at Chicago’s annual Earth Night celebration, Green Festival performances, recycled art projects at Looptopia, and the Green Office Challenge.
Chicago welcomes all other Illinois burners and frequently partners with neighboring areas. This has blossomed into the Lakes of Fire, an official Burning Man regional event, organized by burners from Chicago, Detroit, Wisconsin, and Western Michigan. These regions, along with Indiana and Minnesota are partners in the Great Lakes project for the Circle of Regional Effigies project on the playa in 2011
Details of upcoming events are found in The Lantern, our monthly electronic newsletter posted to the both mailing lists described below and archives are available at this link.
| Names/Playa Names: | Downtown Dave, Flipit, Mr. Breedlove, Ninjalina, and Heyu |
| Burning Since: | 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 |
| Personal Quote: | “You’re doing the right thing the wrong way” - Chicago Police Officer to a Chiditarod participant. |
| Email: | Chicago Regional |
| Discussion List: | Our discussion and announce lists are open to any and all discussion related to Burning Man and the many events members of our Chicago community are supporting. Join both for all the information. Chicago-list-subscribe@burningman.com |
| Announce List: | Subscribers to the announce list will receive updates about related events within their local community; announce lists are not open discussion lists, therefore all posts are routed through the Regional Contact. To subscribe to the announce list for this region, send a blank email tochicago-announce-subscribe@burningman.com |
| Related URLs: |
Burning Man Chicago social network site Burning Man Chicago Facebook Group Bold Urban Renaissance Network NFP (including Art Grants) B.U.R.N. NFP on Facebook Lakes of Fire Regional event Lakes Of Fire Facebook Group Burners Without Borders Chicago Facebook Group |
| Regional Event Calendar: | Don't forget to check the Calendar for year around events in your area. |
| Photos: | Burning Man Chicago on ning.com |
Recent Events:
Spring 2011 has been busy with the BURN NFP-produced gallery art show We Burn II, the fundraising Burlesque Bake Sale, the privately produced Chiditarod and Resonate, and theme camp fundraisers.
One of the things we prize is transparency in both our organization and our finances. On March 9 our local leadership team presented Town Hall. The 2 hour meeting with over 70 of you in attendance covered important local community information, art grant awards, a BURN NFP budget update, and upcoming events. We also had several community-generated discussion topics and ended the evening with a Burning Man 2011 ticket drawing. A lovely lady named Cynthia won a ticket to her virgin burn. Quite the Rite of Passage.
A complete update on Town Hall is available at:
2011 Burning Man Chicago Town Hall Meeting Notes here
Also:
2010 Burning Man Chicago Pow Wow Meeting Notes here
Please check back for even more information about the Burning Man community
in your area. We're gathering more details — coming soon! 
