Headstash

Headstash's Manifestation Celebration Review Guide

May 5 – Dallas Museum of Science  Fair Park Pand Shell Farm 
1st year – Estimated attendance: 3,000

Festival Website: http://www.manifestationcelebration.com/

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Five Highlights

Random Rab. My favorite performance of the evening, the downtempo electronica producer played a beautiful set in the museum's IMAX Theater. Visual alchemist Android Jones created trippy digital art on the IMAX screen as Rab sang and entranced listeners with his soulful vocals and inspiring melodies. It was a truly transcendent experience.

Photo Credit: Taylin Draper

Alex and Allyson Grey. These two visionary artists have the power to change the countenance of a room by merely entering. Throughout the day, the Grey's shared their hearts, talents and insights with eager attendees. Whether it be in the form of panel discussions on art as spiritual practice or through their amazing live paintings that seem to channel the spirit of each performance, the soft-spoken Alex and the bubbly Allyson proved to be the quintessential masters of ceremony for an event of this magnitude and intention.

Flying Lotus. FlyLo, the world-renowned West Coast experimental electronic producer did not disappoint. The energy and sheer joy he exudes while masterfully twisting knobs and tripping switches in folks’ brains is great to see – especially for someone who's been in the game as long as he has. If it were not for the sub-par stage set-up, his set would have been the highlight of the festival.

EOTO. The live improvisational dubstep duo threw down in proper End of Time Observatory style, accompanied by the twisted visuals of VJ Zebbler – architect of the Lotus flower stage design and an amazing VJ in his own right. Aside from the typical build and release that is an EOTO show, a quasi-cover of "Every Breath You Take," proved to be particularly entertaining.

Thievery Corporation's set choice. While Thievery Corporation played what appeared to be an enjoyable set for the 2,000 or so fans not watching Flying Lotus, the song selection left something to be desired.

After an evening that featured psychedelic performances from The Nadis Warriors (including a cover of the Beastie Boys’ "Root Down," an homage to the late Adam Yauch) and EOTO, Thievery played a set that was described by one less-than-satisfied attendee as "children's Kumbia music," rather than keeping the vibe rolling.

Photo Credit: Taylin Draper

Spankalicious. I'd previously heard about Spankalicious, but never had the opportunity to catch him live until his set at the Body Stage on Saturday evening, and I was definitely impressed. The Midwest producer combines elements of psychedelia into live dance music like few I have seen. Mixing in Grateful Dead classics amongst current bangers, Spankalicious will make you bounce, wobble and weave as he himself rocks out, complete with tie-dye Dead shirt and an enthusiasm to match.

No ins and outs. It was somewhat understandable given that it was taking place in a museum with valuable (and breakable) artifacts, but the security was, at times, stifling. Smoking areas were provided and most made ample use of them, but the lack of ability to wander the museum grounds was unfortunate. Still, most people remained upbeat and did not mind hanging out in the grassy areas around the museum as security guards looked on, trying to figure out what the hell these kids did when they were not seeing live music or figuring out how to raise their vibrational frequency.

The atmosphere could not have been better. One of the few events I've attended in recent memory where I didn't have to see someone carried out or weirding other attendees out, Manifestation Celebration really set itself apart with the intention they put behind the event. You could really tell that everyone was there for a purpose other than partying. It was really refreshing.

Best Pictures

Photo Credit: ATX 512

Photo Credit: ATX 512

Photo Credit: ATX 512

Photo Credit: Taylin Draper

Photo Credit: ATX 512

Photo Credit: Taylin Draper

Photo Credit: ATX 512

Photo Credit: ATX 512

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Check out our coverage of all your favorite summer festivals in our 2012 Festival Guide.

What did you think of Manifestation Celebration? Highlights, lowlights and surprises. Let us know in the comments below.