The Conflux festival is an exercise in community building, an exploration of the meaning of family in the modern day, and a celebration of the creativity found in every one of us. The intent of Conflux is to create a temporary community with renewed principles based on respect, inclusion and freedom of expression. Through various workshops, interactive arts activities and by putting our philosphy into action, we will explore a new paradigm for community. Conflux will provide a venue to explore the challenges of new parents steeped in the credo of this bold new society as they try to raise their children in an open, non-violent manner, surrounded by like-minded people. Indeed, family takes on all new meaning when our chosen family may have as much significance as our own blood, as we forge a path of new values.
Conflux is part of an emergent school of thought, which espouses such principles as: radical inclusion, radical self reliance and self expression, decomodification, communal effort, civic responsibility, participation, immediacy, gifting, leave no trace, green living, and community education.
Conflux will center around a communal gathering on saturday evening that includes a central art installation. This process will be participatory for eveyone who wants to get involved. Participants in Conflux will have the opportunity to build small art pieces ahead of the event, or at workshops during the event. Their pieces will be added in special pre-built nooks, and attached to the central piece throughout the weekend until a ceremonial-style artistic performance takes place on saturday night. Our intent is to make this a contemplative ritual, where everyone present can come together and reflect on the achievements and challenges of our mini-society. After the culmination of the performance, our community will erupt in spontaneous celebration, music and dance in a grand show of personal expression.
Conflux will be working with leaders in our community to host compelling talks, workshops and inspirational activities for families and individuals. The lecture series, Mindshare, will host speakers to address the topics of community and family. The progressive parenting group, Family Love Village (FLV), will host speakers to explore the realities and challenges of bringing up children with different values than those held by today's world. Special for families, FLV will host crafts, singing and the kindermix family dance party. Conflux will host significant arts installations from prominent members of the Southern California arts community, and we'll invite accomplished musicians, dj's, producers and dancers to perform.
When word of this event began to circulate, a couple from our community asked if they could plan their wedding to take place during the Conflux festival. They explained that they wanted to be married in a place where they were surrounded by their brethren who share their values. We were honored to accept and took it as a validation of our mission to foster a loving and supportive community for a renewed society.