Introduction
Welcome to the Survival Guide for Heartburn Texas! We’ve put together this brief collection of information to help you prepare for the burn and give you a preview of what to expect.
Wait, What’s This Thing Again?
Heartburn Texas is a new, annual burn presented by Houston Art Collective that builds on the success of our Presidents’ Day Campout last year. It’s an intimate, family-style art and camping event designed to introduce people to burning and burner culture, particularly people thinking about going to Burning Man for the first time. We call it a “beginner burn” because it’s friendly to people who have never been to a burner event, or even camped before. That said, a lot of very experienced burners will be there too. After all, camping is fun!
One of the most important things we’re looking to introduce people to are the Burning Man Ten Principles. Particularly:
- Leaving No Trace – the event site has no trash cans. Please take all your trash home with you and leave your camping area better than you found it
- Radical Self-Reliance – there are no vendors at the event. Please bring everything you need to feel happy and comfortable for a weekend in the beautiful Texas woods. Don’t forget food, water, warm clothes, and shelter.
- Communal Effort – everyone you see working at the event is an unpaid volunteer. Please lend a hand!
- Decommodification – many of us burn to get away from materialism and consumerism. Please leave your brands at home, and let’s talk about something other than work.
When and Where?
Heartburn Texas takes place from noon on Friday, February 14th through noon on Monday, February 17th. If you’re available, we could use your help setting up on Thursday afternoon and cleaning up on Monday afternoon.
The event occurs on private property adjacent to the Sam Houston National Forest in Coldspring, Texas, about an hour north of Houston. While there’s not a traditional address for the burn’s location, here’s a link to a Google map showing the event location.
Please note, the town of Coldspring has several gas stations and a grocery store if you need any last minute supplies.
Arrival and Access
Upon arrival, please check in at the Houpla theme camp (see map below) by presenting your valid photo ID and getting a wristband. Only persons with pre-purchased tickets will be allowed to enter and remain on the property. Please keep your wristband on and visible throughout the weekend.
Additionally, each attendee must have a membership with Houston Art Collective at check-in. Our event liability waiver is included in the terms and conditions of the membership, allowing us to avoid bringing paperwork to the burn. Memberships are free and can be created by visiting Houston Art Collective’s Join page.
Parking is at the far end of the property (noted in green on the map below). Feel free to drive up to the check-in location at Houpla and to park briefly while loading and unloading. However, vehicles should be parked in green area as soon as possible.
We don’t have any policy on in’s and out’s. Come and go as you please, but remember that only ticket holders are allowed onto the event site.
Map
Thank you to Jason Adamson for our Heartburn Texas logo! Please note check-in is at the Houpla camp (in blue on the map).
What to Bring? What Are the Available Facilities?
We’ll have porto-potties available, as well as an outdoor shower available at Phillips Farm. Remember – radical self-reliance. So, bring your own food, water, shelter, and supplies. That said, we have a modest open kitchen located at Houpla that everyone’s welcome to use to prepare their meals on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please clean up after yourself.
We’re camping in the woods. So, don’t forget your sturdy boots, a headlamp, and a pair of work gloves. Bug spray is a good idea, as is a first aid kit.
It’s a burn! So costumes, blinking lights, and gifts for others are also most appropriate.
What About the Weather?
It’s February in Texas. So, please be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. According to the latest weather forecast as of this writing, the weather looks great for the weekend. However, it might get a bit cold Friday evening, especially. Don’t forget layers of clothes and extra blankets for your tent.
Things to Do and Schedule of Events
Besides visiting the theme camps and art pieces we have set up around the event, we also have some scheduled burns and skill-sharing sessions that will take place during the weekend. If you’d like to add something to this list or make any edits, please let us know!
- Thursday – early access setup for anyone who needs
- Friday (Noon) – gate opens at noon
- Friday (evening) – Bonfire, drum circle, and Valentine’s s’mores at the firepit
- Saturday (3PM) – Houpla Burning Man camp meeting at Houpla
- Saturday (4PM) – Fire spinning intro session with Eric at the firepit
- Saturday (5PM) – Beginner burlesque with Anabel at the firepit
- Saturday (6PM) – Tacos in a Bag with Adrienne and Brian at Houpla kitchen
- Saturday (7PM) – Fireworks with Capt Jerry and fire conclave at the Effigy
- Saturday (8PM) – Effigy burn
- Sunday (late morning) – Arepa-making with Deicy at Houpla kitchen
- Sunday (11AM) – Ecstatic Dance with Andy K at the firepit
- Sunday (2PM) – Beginner meditation with Mason at the firepit
- Sunday (8PM) – Temple burn
- Monday (noon) – Event ends. Please MOOP your camp and the common areas of the event and have a safe journey home!
What Shouldn’t I Do?
As always at our events, we ask to please be mindful of consent for everything from photos to more intimate interactions. No means no, and the absence of no doesn’t mean yes. Only a definitive yes from someone sober means yes.
The burn takes place in the Texas woods on uneven land and near water. So, please watch your step and keep an eye out for snakes, poison ivy, fire ants and scorpions. Also, don’t forget your mosquito spray.
It’s our first time holding an event on this piece of private property. So, let’s make a special effort to be kind and respectful to our hosts and their neighbors that are also out there, especially with noise late at night. Let’s be discrete about alcohol and any other adult substances and play it by ear on nudity. In general, let’s use common sense about how we conduct ourselves and make sure to leave the land cleaner than we find it.
Additional Questions?
Please feel free to reach out to us admin@houstonartcollective.org