The Maypole Stands, and So Do We
Come, gather beneath the sky, where the earth is waking, the fires are kindling, and the Maypole stands tall—a beacon of joy, a pillar of strength, and a dance of renewal.
We call you to Beltane, a celebration of passion and growth to dance around the Maypole and weave our lives and our dreams together.
Beltane: A Pillar of Hope Standing Strong
The Beltane Maypole is more than a dance—it is a pillar we create of our hopes, a living axis of connection between earth and sky. It is a tree reaching for the universe, a tree with roots, and we are those roots. When we wrap the ribbons, we do not dance alone. We dance in chaotic unison, as a family of queers, dreamers, builders, and lovers of the world. We move as a living counter-narrative to fear and separation—proving that altruism is a survival strategy, that joy is an act of resistance, and that play is a sacred rebellion.
When: Thursday, May 1 - Sunday, May 4 (+ Work Party 4/29-30)
Where: Shimmerback Ranch, located 15 minutes north of Willits CA
A Gathering that Nourishes Each Other
Here at Shimmerback we’re inspired to create something real—something that lasts. Community is not just about gathering; it is about holding each other, about being the support that keep the structure standing. It is about doing the work together—the work of celebration, the work of tending to the fire and each other. It is the work of joy.
This is a call to labor—but the kind of labor that nourishes. The labor of building, of feeding each other, of singing songs of resistance and renewal, of strengthening ourselves through relaxation and play so we can move through the world with more grace, more happiness, more compassion. Because survival is not enough—we are here to thrive.
At this gathering we will:
Dance the Maypole: Experience the communal weaving of the Maypole, a physical and symbolic merging of our paths and potentials.
Gathering in Heart Circle: We come together in shared presence, opening our hearts to connection, reflection, and the wisdom of the moment.
Beltain’t Got Talent Show: Share your creativity with your friends! No actual talent required!
Hike to see Persephone’s Return: Join us in processing Persephone back from her long slumber in the underworld.
Soak in the Spa: Bath in the healing magical waters and treat yourself to a massage or foot rub from one of the faeries.
Moonraft Cuddles: Marvel at the constellations on our giant heated stargazing bed.
Community Offerings: Share what inspires you and what fun you want to create with each other.
Beat the Drum and Sing: Songs are the heartbeat of our community. More drumming, more songs, more connection—let's make music the medium of our shared experience.
A Space to be Free
This is a space where you can practice being free. Where you can dance, be naked, be of service, share food, laughter, touch and who knows?—maybe even get your toes sucked for the first time. This is a space where we gather, not just for ourselves, but to create a space for those who are soon to come. We gather to light the Beltane fire now, so that when the world feels dark, we remember how to find the warmth again.
So come. Bring your hands, your heart, your joy, and your grief. Bring your body and your spirit. Bring your drag and your trinkets of hope. Bring what you need, and take what is freely given.
Shimmerback’s artist-in-residence DJ Stefan Ways will be spinning Saturday night after Maypole festivities. A regular in SF, Portland and Denver, Stefan’s sure to get the dance floor hot and sweaty.
Just added! DJ Furtrap of Studio 5’4” (SF) will spin a fun funky set Friday night after the Beltain’t Got Talent Show. Fur trap mixes the perfect blend of house, disco, dance and electronica and his sets have sparkled across dance floors in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Seattle, Boston, Philly, Mexico City, Sicily, Coachella Valley, and of course San Francisco.✨✨ (Furtrap’s Soundcloud)
Gatherings are a balancing act of fun and frivolity with spirituality and intention. If you’ve never been to Shimmerback before—and even more especially if you HAVE—please read these important principles and guidelines:
1. Intention
Why are you coming to Beltane? What is calling you and what do you hope to learn or receive? How will you be present with and mindful of others at the gathering? Who do you hope to connect with? Setting a clear intention will ground your experience and help you get the most out of the gathering.
2. Participation
Gatherings are co-creations. There is no audience! Participation is not just expected, it’s essential. From dishwashing to fire tending, everything happens because YOU and people just like you make it happen. See a glass lying around? Pick it up! Hot tub’s cold? Light the fire! Have a talent? Show it off! (Yes lewks count.) Know something quirky? Lead a workshop! What will your offering be?
3. Ritual
Gatherings are sacred energetic containers that enable us to let down our walls and give us ultimate freedom to safely explore and connect with the truest versions of ourselves and each other. Ritual helps build and protect this container, and creates a structure and rhythm for the gathering. Ritual takes many forms, from opening and closing circles to drumming and dancing around the fire. Ritual is optional but highly encouraged. It may sound scary but it’s usually pretty fun! (And most faeries approach ritual with healthy irreverence.) If you’d like to help with ritual planning, reach out to Ritual Qween Araila.
4. Consent & Boundaries
Unfettered freedom is fabulous as long as we respect each other’s need for physical and energetic safety. This encompasses many things, including consent related to sex and intimacy, and consent to be around drugs and alcohol. Wherever you find yourself please read the room and use your words to communicate with others who may be impacted by your behavior. We have invited a wide range of queer, AMAB, AFAB people that we love and want everyone to be free to express themselves in all areas of the gathering.
5. Substances
We support substance exploration, provided it's done responsibly, based on knowledge and experience of what works best for you, and in a way that facilitates a positive connection to the community. In consideration of the many ways we hold ourselves in relation to alcohol and other substances, please honor these boundaries:
Libations Night will be Friday night starting with dinner. Outside of Libations Night and the welcome cocktail hour, we request that open use of alcohol and other substances be kept to tents or the barn & parking lot.
Persephone’s Lair, aka the Party Barn, will be the go-to spot for imbibing and recreating. Downstairs there will be ice storage and room for coolers (due to space limitations personal alcohol will not be stored in the Carport/Kitchen). Upstairs will be a lavish love lounge catering to your every naughty impulse.
Prohibited substances: Please do not bring meth, cocaine or GHB. Because of the historical and current harm these substances have caused our community and due to our remote location and distance from emergency services we ask that you refrain from bringing these substances. We do have Narcan and Dance Safe testing supplies on hand.
6. Sound
We love a good dance party and recognize amplified music as an important ritual element. As such we welcome the use of amplified music brought with care and intention. After 1AM amplified music will be kept to the barn or yurt and at a volume that’s not disruptive in the camping areas. We also ask folks to be mindful of fellow campers when socializing after hours. There will be designated festive and quiet camping areas.
What are the facilities like?
Shimmerback Ranch is 150 acres of quintessential California woodlands along a gorgeous year-round creek. You’ll be spending most of your time outside under the canopy of trees and stars. Accommodations are camping only; no indoor sleeping spaces available. We have a full kitchen, potable water, hot showers, and a flush toilet. There's a fantastic swimming hole, a wood-fired hot tub, and heated spaces for chilling and cuddling. Wifi is available and cell signal is decent depending on your provider. We're grid-connected and there are plugs to charge devices. Carpooling encouraged or use our ride board; AWD recommended but not required. No pets allowed during gatherings.
What to bring:
Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag/pad, bedding/pillow, headlamp)
Extra layers and rain gear
Toiletries & towel (for showers, hot tub and creek)
Sunscreen & bug spray
Water bottle
Snacks and drinks (cans are preferable to glass bottles)
Drums and musical instruments
Lewks/drag/wigs and extra drag for the drag closet
Offerings for the Maypole and Beltane fire
Most importantly, an open heart and mind <3
Cost:
This gathering is run by volunteers. The suggested contribution for the gathering is $200-250 per person, sliding scale, meals included. Your contributions go back into the community and allow us to step up the quality and reliability of food; buy necessary kitchen, decoration, and art supplies; and defray costs such as propane and porta potties. This range has been selected to cover costs associated with running the gathering while allowing for people to join regardless of economic status. If this gathering calls to your spirit we really want you to attend! As with all our events, please Give As You're Able But Always Give Something (GAYABAGS). Limited scholarships are available to make this event accessible for everyone; for more info please reach out.
Help needed! The gathering committee can always use more hands to manifest the gathering. Ritual queens, land fluffers, vibe tenders, we need you! If you feel called to help please email blimblam@shimmerbackranch.org
Work party! Come early, help prepare the land for Beltane, hang with friends, hike and swim and eat delicious free meals! Tue 4/29 - Wed 4/30. Please indicate on the registration form if you plan to come for the work party.