A few weeks ago I jumped on the Starlight train down to Eugene to attend the rather other-worldly Oregon Country Fair. I met up with my friend Matthew Rowe who was writing and reciting poetry all weekend, and threw my things in his tawny Volkswagon van, our small sanctuary throughout the festival. People dawned outrageous costumes, or often hardly any clothing at all. Music streamed from each of the many stages, and performance art filled the empty spaces along the figure eight path that lined the fair. When I wasn’t photographing I had the pleasure of spending my time with two lovely ladies who called themselves Peep and Tom. As a Fair virgin, they made sure I was aware of and involved in the best parts of the weekend, from the sunrise baseball game to the wedding in the Labyrinth that I couldn’t quite stay awake for. 
Tag: Music
Whistler Nights
Amazing performers all around. From DJ’s to Acro Yoga, so slack liners, I was repeatedly blown away by the inspiring artists of Wanderlust Whistler. We danced our nights away. Photographing the experience was a pleasure and a privilege.
Train Songs
A few weeks ago I, and my wonderful travel partners Katie and Marina set forth on a 2 week adventure around Northern India. Our rambling began with a sunrise train from Rishikesh to Agra. We booked the sleeper class which is far more affordable than the AC trains, but is known to be somewhat uncomfortable. Luckily, we didn’t mind it and I’d say I preferred it thanks to Katie’s ukulele. We played it for a moment then an elderly man in our compartment asked to try the small instrument. He completely retuned the uke, which would take us about a week to reverse, but it was worth it. Our compartment became the life of the sleeper. Four older men sang and danced and the women below my bunk clapped to the tune of the Indianized ukulele. Even the busy chai carriers stopped beside our bunks to partake in the enjoyment.
Saul
This is Saul, just playing guitar on his gorgeous rooftop in Bushwick, NYC. He is a very talented musician and a became a great friend of mine while I was in New York. Here are a few of my favorites from our short shoot – he may not look like it – but it was extremely cold on this lovely winter evening.
The Tea Tent
This past August I volunteered at the Wanderlust Yoga and Music festival in Squaw Valley, CA. I wasn’t going to post these, but I’ve been attending more yoga and meditation classes than I did in CA, and a few people have asked to see pictures of Wanderlust. The festival was nestled in thick Tahoe forest, near the numbing but beautiful Tahoe River winding amidst tall, piny mountains.
This is the Tea Tent where Cadence and I met some amazing people, listened to and played rare and arresting music, and watched bewitching belly dancers. The House Band, a friendly duo from San Francisco invited me to bring my sleeping mat up and just stay there for the weekend instead of trekking 4 miles to my camp site. It was a place of uninhibited and inspiring vibes and I will never forget it. Till Next year!
Viola Jean Photography 