Embracing the Absurd: Eccentric Highlights from Shambhala 2023
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Shambhala, British Columbia’s standout electronic music festival, never fails to deliver a surreal escapade where mundane reality is shelved, and the inner eccentric is let loose. After attending numerous times, you might think you’ve encountered all the oddities that Shambhala has to offer, but every return trip unveils new eccentricities nestled within the festival’s folds. Here are a few standouts from Shambhala 2023.
The Ketamine Cup: A Water Race with a Twist Imagine Mario Kart but in a river, with an added psychedelic edge. The annual Ketamine Cup is exactly that – an open-to-all floatie race down Shambhala’s river on Saturday morning. The prize for winning? A mystery, but undoubtedly, it will be intriguing.
The Whippet Stage: A Recycled Art Piece A nod to environmental responsibility, attendees repurposed spent nitrous canisters into a miniature stage complete with a DJ and party-goers, an amusing and artistic installation amongst the festival’s wonders
Ecstacheese: A Ground Score Surprise Ground scores, items accidentally dropped by attendees, can sometimes be exciting finds. One festival-goer thought they’d stumbled upon an MDMA capsule, but after a safety check at the ANKORS drug-testing tent, it turned out to be filled with parmesan cheese. A reminder to always verify before consuming!
Porta Puppies: A Bathroom Sanctuary Porta potties at Shambhala, reused from previous festivals, often display messages from past attendees. This year, a festival-goer filled the porta potties with pictures of adorable dogs, turning a brief bathroom retreat into a moment of pure joy.
Fractal For Chess: A Battle of Wits Festival stimulation isn’t limited to music and psychedelics. A chess game set up at the Fractal Forest stage demonstrated how festival-goers could engage their minds amidst the pulsating environment.
The Totems and Banners: Pop Culture Meets Festival Spirit Shambhala is teeming with creative totems and banners showcasing everything from celebrity shrines to meme-inspired messages. They’re a not-to-be-missed part of the festival’s lively backdrop.
Frick Frack Blackjack: An Unexpected Gathering Spot A pop-up blackjack table, Frick Frack Blackjack, became an unexpected hub of festival camaraderie. The gathering place, full of eccentric characters, added another layer to Shambhala’s kaleidoscopic charm.
This only scratches the surface of Shambhala 2023’s quirkiness, with other notable mentions including a Cookie Monster plushie in a urinal, impromptu pasta dance parties, and a man chasing the decorations on his own umbrella. It’s clear that no matter how many times you visit, Shambhala will always have a new surprise waiting.
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