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)