Burning Man, Black Rock City
& Coming Home

I’ll never forget the first time I learned about Burning Man. It was 2001, I had just moved West and was working in an Oakland warehouse at a furniture design company. There were people there building these enormous sculptures for the event, and when I asked what they were doing, they told me a little bit about the essence of Burning Man.

I remember watching the entire process and dreaming of the day I would make it out to this so-called Black Rock City. Fast forward to 2007, when I had finally saved enough money and was able to take the time off work to go. From there, I spent the almost-consecutive next five years immersing myself in this unique, creative and absolutely wild culture.

Returning to Burning Man After Twelve Years

Seems like everyone has a very strong opinion about what Burning Man is, the “types” that attend and what the whole thing has become. I have a lot to say about it, too.

What a treat it was to return “home” to the desert in 2023 for my first reentry after a twelve-year hiatus. Everyone told me, “Oh, it’s changed...it’s not the same.” I’m definitely someone who likes to form my own opinions and not judge a situation until I see it for myself, so I was glad I made the pilgrimage back.

And sure, it’s a LOT larger, but the essence, vibrancy and magic of the city were still there. Things change and evolve, and as humans, we do too. I was in a very different time and place in my own life, which made it extra special to experience Black Rock City again twelve years wiser.

I will say, “I’ve still got it.”

What Black Rock City Feels Like

In a nutshell, once you get to Black Rock City, you feel like you’ve left the planet and landed in an alternate universe. It’s massive. Art cars roam the playa, including El Pulpo Mechanico, one of my all-time favorites. Massive sculptures and some of the most creative humans on the planet populate the grid and open playa. There are wild lasers, drone shows at night, lots of fire, loads of dancing and radical self-expression everywhere you turn.

There are Ten Principles of Burning Man that the citizens of BRC are taught to honor and abide by. Imagine how extra beautiful the world would be if we all practiced these.

You can be whoever you want to be there. You can let down your guard and feel 100% free. In Black Rock City, you can’t simply spend money and there’s no merch available for purchase. It’s a gifting society where people bring art, experiences and offerings to share with their fellow neighbors. So many people seem to be there simply to delight one another, and it’s beautiful.

Most people also disconnect from their phones. I personally turned mine off for nearly ten days, except to let my mom know I was okay when the mud was all over the news. I didn’t take a single photo, so much of what you saw on my Instagram from the trip was borrowed from friends or taken during past Burns.

Yes, There Was Mud

Oh, and the mud. Ha...I almost forgot about that part! It seems so insignificant when I think about the entire week.

When the storm hit, we sheltered in place and kept having a blast. More importantly, I connected with old friends, built extra-strong bonds and met so many new pals that I couldn’t wait to spend time with on and off the playa.

Music, Art Cars & Playa Adventures

If you know me by now, I’m also a huge fan of all music and I have an exceptional love of electronic. The playa most certainly provided that year, per the usual.

Highlights included a magical sunrise set with Tycho, a random run-in with LP Giobbi on a Fluffy Cloud, and dancing my ass off to Carl Cox, Kruder and Dorfmeister, Polo & Pan and Charlotte de Witte, just to name a few.

What a treat it was to host an epic happy hour with Spicy Brown. I slung spicy margs while he played all the Latin tunes. Roshane was the best playa buddy for the week, and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to experience BRC with. It was extra silly and fun that it was Ro’s first Burning Man.

Giving Nat a big hug is always perfect. I was floored and my heart burst at the seams when I was completely surprised by my dear friend Daniel. And it’s always good to run into pals at the Duck Pond!

The People Who Made This Burn So Special

Thank you Sherice for the epic art car adventure on the Red Hot Beverly.

It also felt so necessary to spend time in the Temple to honor Kam, because BRC was one of his all-time favorite places. It felt like I was finally able to close the circle. Black Rock City will always be a place where I left just a little sliver of my heart.

An extra-special thank you to Alex Hudson for inviting me into such a beautiful camp. It was a complete honor, and I’m so grateful for all my new chums.

Proud to Be a Burner

I’m very proud to be a Burner. This was my sixth Burn, and I will most certainly go back someday.

If you have a strong opinion about Burning Man, I would invite you to make a visit to Black Rock City and then let me know what you think. Hard truth: there are very few people I know who I think would truly enjoy the experience. I can probably count them on one hand. The elements are grueling, it’s electronic music-heavy, it’s a ton of work, it’s not a cheap trip and maybe it’s not an adventure for all you control freaks out there.

But I will tell you this: it’s the best damn party on this planet, an extra-special universe and home to a list of wild experiences I will always hold safe in my heart.

What an adventure, Black Rock City. 2023 was one for the books.

With a little playa dust still in my heart,
Colleen

© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: September 11, 2023
Updated: August 24, 2026