OMG! I’m LOL at EDC!
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Barenaked Ladies is not just a band; it’s a description of what many party goers are (almost) wearing at the Electric Daisy Carnival: The world’s biggest explosion of mind-altering, sensory warping, tribal-bonding, flesh-pressing, head-bobbing, dayglow-painted, fuzzy-booted electronic dance music on the planet. Or maybe the Universe.
It’s hard to describe EDC to someone who hasn’t ever experienced it. Remember that old anti-drug TV commercial with the frying pan and fried eggs that said: “This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs.” Well, EDC is like a Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast for your head. That’s why it was the inspiration for our own Destination Fabulous Las Vegas’ “Fabapalooza” special couture event. It’s like a mini-version of EDC with a healthy dose of Cirque de Soleil-styled entertainment all rolled up into one zany, crazy, offbeat, and psychedelic party that will give your attendees an unforgettable Las Vegas special event experience unlike any other.
But I digress. Back to the “main event.”
From June 19 – 21 over Father’s Day Weekend, the gargantuan Las Vegas Motor Speedway north of the Strip (way north of the Strip, actually) near Nellis AFB, will be transformed into a phantasmagorical fantasyland of fantastic fabrications, cosmic contraptions, and neon dreamscapes that defy description. Welcome to the Owl Community, a sacred place where The Beat is worshipped upon the altar of Sound and Motion in a Cathedral of Consciousness that brings together thousands of rhythmic swaying bodies tuning in to the celestial ether of ecstatic electronica.
But that’s just the kineticFIELD main stage; which happens to be the largest scenic stage in North America. There’s also the cosmicMeadow, an oasis of calm and renewal in the lush grass of the Speedway’s infield; circuitGROUNDS, a supercomputer of color and light; neonGARDEN, a hothouse of techno; bassPOD, where it’s all about that…well, you know; wasteLAND, an apocalyptic tribute to more aggressive styles of dance music; and funkHOUSE, where you’ll find a sanctuary devoted to Old School funk, soul, hip-hop, and classic R&B.
This year’s lineup of performers includes some of the biggest names in music, including Calvin Harris, Avicii, Flosstradamus, Kaskade, Krewella, Martin Garrix, Tiesto, Alison Wonderland, Carnage and Afrojack, among dozens more
Good golly, Miss Molly.
But wait, there’s Oh. So. Much. More.
There was a time back in the day when Andy, Opie, Aunt Bea, and Barney Fife from the TV show Mayberry RFD would wander the sprawling grounds of the county fair, taking in all the sights, sounds, and excitement of carnival rides, cotton candy, and the midway. One can only imagine what they would think if they were magically transported to this pulsating Neverland of sound, light, and color.
The fact is, we ain’t in black-and-white Mayberry any more. Nevertheless, like the County Fair of Andy Griffith’s bygone era, EDC’s free carnival features all sorts of traditional and not-so-traditional rides and attractions, but that’s where the similarity ends. There’s also extraordinary larger-than-life, neon drenched, electroluminescent works of art scattered throughout the massive venue. It’s a brave new world of fire-breathing metallic creatures, a garden of pulsating LED plant life, and dazzling contrivances fusing nature and technicolor technology in bold, exotic, and extraordinary new ways.
Not only does EDC bring together some of the biggest names in electronic dance music, it’s also an incredible expression of imaginative creativity where everyone is part of the show. Outrageously costumed dancers, stilt walkers, aerialists, circus performers, and other amazing characters make every nook and cranny of the festival a unique entertainment experience.
EDC by the numbers: If last year’s attendance is any judge, then this year’s event should bring in some equally staggering figures. Think about it, more than 134,000 people attended the event each night, bringing the total number of attendees to more than 400,000. However, while it might be easy to assume that EDC is a haven for misbehavior on a grand scale, the fact is that an event of this magnitude is remarkably restrained. Here’s the breakdown of last year’s criminal activities from Las Vegas Metro P.D.:
Misdemeanor citations – 27
Traffic citations – 8
Misdemeanor arrests – 21
Felony arrests, all narcotics-related – 73
DUI, alcohol arrests – 5
Traffic accidents -12
Medical calls – 794
Transports to hospital – 25
Ejections – 136
EDC is the brainchild of founding father Pasquale Rotella, head of Insomniac Events, who’s married to former Playmate and Vegas headliner Holly Madison. He’s currently embroiled in a legal battle with fellow promoter Gary Richards, head of Hard Events, who’s suing Rotella over the right to the name “Electric Daisy Carnival.” While Richards coined the EDC name back in 1991, Rotella claims that he was given verbal permission to use the name. Ironically, both Richards’ and Rotella’s companies are owned by the umbrella company Live Nation, which is sure to make things interesting when it comes to untangling the legal ramifications of this simmering feud between two of the world’s biggest musical impresarios.
Getting to and from the EDC is always a challenge. Of course, we here at Destination Fabulous, your premier Las Vegas destination management and Las Vegas special event company, will be delighted to arrange all of your EDC transportation needs; from executive limos to VIP party busses. It’s all part of our exclusive “TransportePlus™” Las Vegas transportation services, providing you with the widest range of extensive Las Vegas group transportation options, customized to suit your budget requirements and Las Vegas event needs.
How about skipping ground transportation altogether? You can indulge in the most extravagant method of arrival: Via helicopter. In conjunction with Maverick Helicopters, we can help arrange preferred pricing on both one-way and round-trips to EDC with the added bonus of enjoying a spectacular aerial view of the Strip and the venue itself. We even can book a private chartered chopper for you and six of your pals. Hey, what’s a few grand among friends, anyway?
And now, back to our regularly scheduled program.
EDC is also involved in giving back to the community with a 10-day online charitable auction in partnership with eBay benefitting the local non-profit Culture Shock Las Vegas helping children steer away from substance abuse. People can bid on backstage passes, VIP DJ meetups, helicopter tours, and the ultimate prize: a Golden Ticket that grants entry to all Insomniac festivals during the next year.
Other EDC goodies include a VIP café terrace overlooking the festival where you can consume a three-course seated dinner for $140. Or partiers can purchase a three-day VIP café’ meal for $88. There’s also the exclusive Marquee SkyDeck which offers premier parking, private VIP check-in with champagne greeting, luxury van transportation, private restrooms, amazing view, and other luxury amenities for up to 10 people. The most expensive Platinum front row tickets will set you and your group back almost $50,000 for all three nights.
And speaking of cold, hard, cash, the economic impact to Las Vegas is equally staggering. Last year, the event generated an impressive $323.3 million; and it’s expected to beat that total this year.
The Electric Daisy Carnival pushes the boundaries of art, music, entertainment, and imagination to unheard-of levels of mind-bending pyrotechnic spectacle. And this over-the-top event is certainly being held in the right place, the world’s entertainment capital where the Neon Gods illuminate Lady Luck’s sensual silhouette 24 hours a day.
I’ll be seeing you in the VIP area during this year’s EDC, as soon as I can find my fuzzy boots, tutu, and can of silly string.
Or not.
Regardless of my attire, you can bet that attending this year’s EDC will be nothing less than…fabulous.
And if you happen to run into Andy, Opie, Aunt Bea, and Barney wandering wide-eyed among the revelers, just tell them it was all a dream. Because in fact, that’s exactly what it is.
And you may never want to wake up.
Be Fabulous,
Belinda
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