This year we are a buzz with excitement at the musical line up which is steadily coming together.  While you’ll have to wait till 1st March 2012 before we spill the best part of this year’s beans, for now, to whet your appetite we have a few announcements to make…

The Egg, Sheelanagig and DragonsFly will be joining us on the Sunrise open air Carnival Stage

Performing on the new extended Solar Dance Stage, doubled in size with awesome visuals and immersive installations, we will have:

Gaudi, Joti Sidhu, Master Blasters, Shane Gobi, Hedflux 

We are also thrilled to announce that the amazing Small World Solar Stage will be joining us this year. A big feature of the Glastonbury Green Fields and renowned for their own magical Kent festivals, the Small World has a cult following and is part of the extended Sunrise Family.

The large crowds and great rootsy music floating out across the air will have drawn in anyone who has wandered around the Glastonbury Green Fields and happened upon it. Always a refined vibe and intimate friendly atmosphere, Sunrise are delighted to welcome in their Gypsy Jazz, Balkan, Ska and Funky flavours.

All this plus lots of mesmerising new content joining us for 2012, alongside old favourites, there are whispers of another bassy and down tempo Dance dome and of course the Astrologically Aligned Stone Circle in the new Serenity Field, and the Temple of Unity…

Reusable Bottle Water Project

Through the purchase of the Sunrise Reusable Bottles in 2011, water charity Drop4Drop have been able to fund the digging of a community bore-well in the SC Colony located in East Goddavari, Andhra Pradesh, India. The community is amongst the poorest communities in the country, situated in the rural area of eastern India. The previous water source of the 1200+ strong community was a river used for amongst other things, cleaning animals, and an uncovered well, both heavily prone to disease.

Both are also quite a distance away from the community. The new water source has freed up time from collecting water and given a safe, clean, drinking water source close to the their homes. The difference made is truly huge and we can’t thank you enough for your support : ) 

Bring The Sunshine

Love xXx

Those winter days are getting that wee bit longer, the light is creeping back and while thoughts are still dulled by grey February weather, a little spark of summer can cheer away the winter blues.

So why not get excited about the festival season and grab a hold of your Sunrise ticket! And if you’re suffering from all those little financial knocks of Christmas and the recession, Sunrise has a soothing balm of a ticket offer. Just divide the payment in two. Pay £55+£3bf now and then sit back and relax, as you will have up to 1^st April to pay the remaining £60+4bf balance.

Your ticket will be reserved in your name. Anyone who has not paid the second instalment by April 1st will be refunded automatically and the tickets put back on general sale (if you are refunded, you will lose the £3 booking fee as we need this to cover the charges made by the banks – It is never our wish to impose any kind of penalty but they charge for processing refunds as well as sales)

Please note, this ticket scheme is only available through Bristol Ticket Shop (and TicketSellers.co.uk from next week)

IMPORTANT: THIS OFFER IS ONLY OPEN TO THE FIRST 1000 APPLICANTS!!!

Now, in order to qualify for this extra night, you need to ensure you have first bought your ticket for the festival. For those who haven’t done so already, this can be done via:

• BRISTOL TICKET SHOP
• ACCESS ALL AREAS
• TICKETSELLERS (COMING SOON)
• SUNRISE OFFICE: http://www.sunrisecelebration.com

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Once you have taken this first and important step, you need to register for your Solstice Ticket.

Currently the way to do this is by going here.

This applies whether you purchased your ticket at Access All Areas, Bristol Ticket Shop or via the Sunrise Office. If you purchased via the latter, you will soon receive an email confirming this information and asking you whether you want to upgrade.

(However, new purchasers at Ticketsellers and Access All Areas will shortly be able to register for their ticket via the agents’ own websites. We will update this blog once we know full details of this)

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Once you have applied for your Solstice Ticket all you have to do is sit back and wait for your tickets to arrive, complete with additional Solstice Entry Tickets. These tickets will allow you access to the event on the night of Wednesday June 20th, rather than Thursday 21st, as would normally be the case. Details of arrival arrangements will be sent out with tickets.

 *** IMPORTANT: You will need to pay a charitable donation of £5 per (adult) head upon arrival at the festival site ***

This donation will go directly to the Natural Communities Foundation, our own charity, and the money will be spent on environmental and educational projects that we support. 

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And that’s it!

Once there, you will be able to benefit from and enjoy:

• Priority access to the campsite, allowing you first pick of available spots
• A night with friends and family in a specially built Solstice Stone Circle from 10pm until Dawn
• Sacred Ceremony to mark this important node in our earthly calendar
• Scheduled Performance including fire shows and puppetry
• Acoustic entertainment
• Fireside jams and soup circles
• Sauna
• A whole extra night and morning spent at Sunrise – Where better to see in the Summer Solstice 2012???

And plenty more still TBA

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Remember, only the first 1000 applicants will be able to attend and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see in the Solstice Dawn 2012 at the Sunrise Celebration. So get in there quick, whilst you can!

As you probably know, Sunrise Celebration is moving date to 21st-24th June 2012, the solstice weekend, where it began seven years ago and to which it owes its name.  

•  Tickets are selling at a record rate with only 50 of the last of the last earlybirds available.
•  Full price tickets will be launched on the 21st of December

Gathering in 2011 at Sunrise

2012, the year of the Olympics, end of the world predictions and a big hole left in the festival season by no Glastonbury! But none of these events should cause a glum face as our little Sunrise Celebration festival is taking those magickal dates for just one year.

“Anyone looking for a festival to fill the Glastonbury-shaped hole left by Michael Eavis’s decision to let his land lie fallow and lend his loos to London in 2012 need look no further than nearby Bruton, in Somerset”, said Steve Hawkes, BBC News Online.

And to top it all, Sunrise just got a little longer (!!) because in celebration of the date change the team have decided to have an extra day at the festival for the first 1000 of its festival ticket holders to apply, to see in the dawn on the longest day of the year.

For these lucky 1000 revelers the heavenly, Celtic gilded gates of Sunrise will be opening on the 20th June for a night of acoustic partying and ceremony, not to mention the chance to nab the best camping spots before the crowds descend. Anyone who has bought, or buys, an Early Bird Ticket (they finish on 21st December) will qualify automatically for the extra Solstice night, as it is you guys who help keep this show on the road! And, as a double positive, you don’t have to do anything until you get to site!

After that, its first come, first served.

The full details on how to apply will be announced soon and applications open on the 21st December, winter solstice. Only ticket holders are eligible to apply.

Tipis through the Sunrise Gate

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The 7th year of Sunrise looks set to wow with an awesome immersive experience. There is no more important time to show that you can party without holding back, in a way that doesn’t damage our environment.

“The festival is about experiencing another world as possible, connecting with others who know it too, having an awesome magical party, being inspired and being touched by possibility and the heart felt vibe,” said Dan Hurring, Festival organiser.

Anything is possible within the fantastical realm of Gilcombe Farm, Somerset. Just set the intention, grab the nearest form of eco transport, arrive with a tent and a smile, be prepared to dust off the grey and welcome in the golden light of summer.

The last few £105 Early bird tickets are on sale now, and full price adult £115 tickets will be launched on 21st Dec. Children £25, Teens £75 and student and family discounts available. To find out more about Sunrise and how to buy tickets visit the website: www.sunrisecelebration.com

Dragon @ Sunrise

For those regular visitors, you will experience a somewhat limited level of functionality with the site as we have taken the majority of our content offline, whilst we freshen it all up for you.

For ticket sales, please visit our section on: Bristol Ticket Shop

For ticket enquires, please call us on : 08450 090 246

The new design was done by a good friend of Sunrise, Alaric King. We’d love to hear what you think of the new look, so please place a comment at the end of this blog post.

With love,
The Sunrise Online Team

The Ethical Travel Award was presented to Dan Hurring, Sunrise’s Managing Director last week during the Guardian Travel Awards ceremony in Tenerife by Mariella Frostrup. Over 100 dignitaries attended from various national tourist boards, major airlines and travel companies.

“We are delighted to have received this recognition from the Guardian and Observer newspapers. It’s such an honor to be noticed for our ethos and efforts in terms of sustainability and positive social change. The Guardian share many of our ethics and have a commitment to truth and openness, two values we really care about, so to receive this from them is all the more special,” said Dan.

The award was chosen by Gemma Bowes, the Guardian travel editor, Richard Hammond, the Guardian eco travel correspondent and Andy Pietrasik, head of travel, GMG.

“Every year we ask our readers to vote for their favourite holiday companies and destinations in our annual Guardian and Observer Travel Awards. Thousands fill in questionnaires to vote. But a couple of the awards are chosen by the editorial team, which gives us the chance to highlight those companies and projects that have really impressed us.

After having a ball at Sunrise Celebration a couple of years ago, then continuing to read about its development, its background, its aims and philosophies; I was absolutely in no doubt it deserved to win our ethical award.

Its commitment to sustainability and an ethical, organic approach to partying is truly impressive. They don’t shove their ideals down your throat like a politician would; instead they demonstrate how the world could be a happier, greener, kinder place by demonstrating their ideas in a fun way, and putting on a magical, zany, wonderful show.

It may be small scale, but we believe mighty oaks from little acorns grow, and we hope other whopping, more commercial events will take inspiration from Sunrise and think about how they can ensure they have a solely positive affect on their environment and guests,” said Gemma Bowes.

Sunrise’s commitment to highlighting and showcasing alternative ways of living sustainably on the land and to the promotion of alternative transport solutions for their festival goers impressed the Guardian judges and helped Sunrise win the award.

It’s a festival known for walking its talk with the use of solar and wind power, stringent waste and litter management and free water refills to minimise plastic drinking bottles, along with many other ground breaking ideas developed over the last six years. Sunrise also has a wealth of talks and workshops with leading UK experts in alternative technologies and living and has become widely acclaimed for its authenticity and lack of green wash.

Pioneering creative out looks, prioritising the needs of people and planet alongside monetary profit, and not wavering from that integrity encapsulates its ethos, along with “living in harmony with the earth”, which is in tune with Permaculture Principles and commitment to challenging the status quo, by empowering people to actively create a positive impact on their communities.

Sunrise is run by a Community Interest Company, which enshrines their principles of meeting a triple bottom line of people, planet and profit in law.

Not one to take itself too seriously Sunrise is an amazing 4 day music extravaganza, proving that a great celebration, with over 13 stages, circus performance, light shows and site decor to leave audiences spell bound, can be obtained without damaging the planet.

With a relaxed family friendly atmosphere unrivalled by any other UK festival it manages to bring together people from all walks of life. From dedicated greenies to hardcore partygoers and from university students to families, young and old Sunrise is a festival where everyone can come together for four days of great entertainment and inspirational experiences.

This is the second prestigious award won by Sunrise this year. Back in April the Festival was awarded best Green Festival by The Green Parent Magazine, again for commitment to holistic, ethical living and for a kid friendly environment where children come to play, learn and have a great experience in festival life without parents being stressed and over stretched by a too hectic surrounding.

This year Sunrise is changing dates to take advantage of Glastonbury festival having a fallow year. It will move from the beginning of June to 21^st-24^th June 2012, the Solstice weekend, to which it owes its name and where it began six years ago during the last Glastonbury break.

“Anyone looking for a festival to fill the Glastonbury-shaped hole left by Michael Eavis’s decision to let his land lie fallow and lend his loos to London in 2012 need look no further than nearby Bruton, in Somerset”, said Steve Hawkes, BBC News Online.

There are still a number of discounted £95 Early bird tickets on offer. To find out more about Sunrise and how to buy tickets visit the website: www.sunrisecelebration.com

http://sunrisecelebration.com/sunrise-blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/OFF-GRID-2011-PROGRAM.pdf

A second run of 200 x £95 Early Bird tickets have now gone on sale via Bristol Ticket Shop and the Sunrise Office, with nearly a quarter selling within the first week. These discounted tickets are the best possible way to assure your attendance at Sunrise 2012 and at the best possible price. We encourage anybody serious about coming to make their purchase now and ensure they won’t be disappointed.

Sunrise 2012 is to be held from June 21st-24th at Gilcombe Farm in Bruton, the weekend normally held by Glastonbury Festival. BBC News recently wrote “Anyone looking for a festival to fill the Glastonbury-shaped hole left…in 2012 need look no further than nearby Bruton in Somerset.”

For ticket purchases go to http://www.sunrisecelebration.com/#tickets/index.php

Buy via credit/debit card at Bristol Ticket Shop or else download the form to buy via our office (cheque or bank transfer only). Buying through the Sunrise Office costs only a small £1.50 admin fee per order, rather than a booking fee on each ticket.

We will soon also be announcing news of a Summer Solstice special celebration available only to early buying ticket holders….

Thursday 18^th – Sunday 21^st August 2011

‘Turn Off & Switch On’ at the beautiful Fernhill Eco-Farm in Somerset

As we plunge further into this transition of the ages, as the Earth shudders beneath our feet and global society teeters on the brink of chaos and collapse, as we veer between visions of fear and positivity we have a choice as to what steps we take…  To step into a Brave New World as a committed participant or to stand aside and let others shape our futures?

We are the architects of our realities and we are responsible for shaping our worlds!

Sunrise: Off-Grid returns for its third year in the fields of sunny Somerset.  A participatory, family-focused gathering and a deep exploration of community living, creativity, and consciousness produced by the team behind the Sunrise Celebration festivals.  A networking camp for Community Activists, Off-Gridders, Transitioners, Earth-dwellers, Sustainable Lifers, Holistic Livers, Bushfolk, Pirates, Visionaries and Freemen.  A place to gather ourselves and each other and share our knowledge, skills, and wisdom.  A place to learn, expand, explore, and breathe a little.

Sunrise: Off-Grid is held at Fernhill Farm in the Mendip Hills, an award-winning centre for sustainable and natural farming.  Facilities include a WET system for disposal of all water and toilet waste naturally, solar thermal heating of water (funded by Off-Grid 2010), rainwater recycling, eco-build camping barns and much more.

Off-Grid is a unique crowd-sourced event, the gathering for all those seeking to build resilience in their lives and in those of their communities. Any profits go to the Natural Communities Foundation, a charity dedicated to building stronger, sustainable communities and land-based projects.

Event Features

The Conference Barn

From Friday 19^th to Sunday 21^st August, Sunrise Off-Grid will present three special conferences, each focused on a different aspect of our transition to a sustainable future:

Friday 19^th Sustainable Communities and Smallholdings – exploring low-impact,       sustainable, alternative, and intentional communities and land rights.

Saturday 20^th Resilient Farms Conference – examining the future of farming in the UK with contributions from Michael Eavis.

Sunday 21^st Big Ideas Forum – ideas that can change the world

The Off-Grid College: A 13 Module Course in Off-Grid Living

The Off-Grid college is a module-based taster course in all you need to know about the practical aspects of Off-Grid living.  Ranging through aspects as diverse as power-provision through to Off-Grid Medicine, Eco-Construction, and Bushcraft Skills.

The Learning Hubs

• The Avalon Rising University: Esoteric, Freemen and Sacred Teachings
• The Inner Sanctum: Personal Development and Community Classes
• Dynamix: Movement, Dance and Rhythm
• Wildcraft: Original Permaculture, Natural Environment and Bushcraft
• Tin Village: Transition, Building Community and Growing Food

The Main Stage

Featuring the very best World, Folk, and Roots music

Alternative Technology and Crafts Area

Showcasing appropriate technology, age-old skills, and new practices

Fernhill Bar and Shop

Enjoy organic food and drink, and ‘Pick Your Own Veg’ in the Fernhill Garden

Kids Tribal Village

A chance for the kids to explore tribal ritual, tradition, & dress, to make their own rules and found their own society – All overseen by skilled adults. Three days of discovery, adventure and celebration.

Information and Networking Area

Share your projects, skills and ideas!

Sunrise SOL Currency

The Sunrise SOL (Symbol of Life) was inspired by the Totnes and Lewes Pounds.  Back in 2009, Sunrise Off-Grid was the first festival in the world to launch its own ‘Transition’ currency

Plus

• Artisan Market Area – Flypitching Welcome*
• Buddhafield, Eartheart and Outer Regions Cafes
• Forest School
• Kids Play Area
• Permaculture Area
• Sauna
• Storytelling Canyon
• Transition Tin Village

& much, much more…

* Daily Fees Apply

As part of the Off-Grid College and the Learning Hubs, we are interested in finding presenters and teachers in the following subject areas:

• Practical Eco-Build Demonstrations
• Bush/Wildcraft
• Running 12v power systems
• A Guide to the various Micro-Renewables
• Rainwater Harvesting
• Building Regulations and Planning Legislation
• Storing and Preserving Food
• Waste/Energy from Waste/Reuse
• Low-Energy & DIY Technology Workshops
• Forest Gardening and Permaculture
• Making a Caravan Sauna
• Sweatlodge
• Hunter Gathering Skills
• Toolmaking
• Bicycle Power: Cycle-Powered Washing Machine
• Tree Identification
• Wild Living
• Seed Conservation
• Clothing and Shoe Making

Are you able to help with any of these subjects?

If so, please contact jon.cousins@sunrisecelebration.com cc’ing in dan@sunrisecelebration.com

Or call us at 0845 009 4463

Alternatively, do you have a Big Idea that can Change the World?  Do you have a technology you want to demonstrate?  Are you part of an existing eco-community?  If you have something to offer then let us know!

We are also looking for various materials, supplies, and infrastructure to make the event possible.  If you have any canvas, tarpaulins, large amounts of wood, paint or anything else you feel could be of us, then please let us know!

Similarly, there are opportunities for stalls and exhibition pitches, kid’s area coordinators, workshop leaders, stewards, litter pickers and other volunteers.

Please email off-grid@sunrisecelebration.com if you wish to get involved!

Tickets Available via Bristol Ticket Shop

£65/£85 (Low/Higher Earner), Kids ONLY £20 + Parking Fees

http://www.bristolticketshop.co.uk/offgridlink.htm

http://www.sunrise-offgrid.co.uk/#tickets.php

Ticketline: 0845 1080259

www.sunrise-offgrid.co.uk

off-grid@sunrisecelebration.com

Enquiries: 0845 009 4463