The moon smiled upon us as we danced, and we knew what it was to be whole again.
All of the bent were straightened, all of the broken were healed. The sinners came home and the doors were open. The grass swayed as it had always swayed and only now did we see it rightly for the first time. The musicians harmonized and their key unlocked all of our puzzles and pain.
Their colors swirled together as they bled upon the stage, flowed into the garden, and grew into feathered birds…
# # #
The Albino Skunk Bluegrass Festival is a melting pot for folk and mountain musicians from all over the country. Glynn & Susan Zeigler and their fabulous crew have been hosting this bi-annual music and camping weekend at The Skunk Farm just north of Greer for over 13 years.
More than just two full days of incredible stage performances, the festival (or “FES-TAA-VULL!” as the rallying cry goes) is a rich experience in temporary community. The farm, itself, is wonderfully conducive to play; with its rolling hills, tree forts, and labyrinthine campgrounds nestled in the forest. There are busses, boats, and playlands to inspire the creative exploration of kids and adults alike. A Snuggledome, complete with dozens of stuffed animals and hung with Christmas lights, beckoned the curious in.
Scientist, therapists, artists, and everyone 
sensible agrees that Play is essential to our health and vitality as fully-realized humans. Skunkfest not only provides a playground and a soundtrack, but after so many years of doing it, there now exists a tangible electricity and excitement that one feels immediately present when entering the grounds. Similar, I would imagine, to a temple or a sacred burial ground; the love and energy of thousands of people has coalesced into a magical atmosphere.
My favorite part, I would have to say, is what happens at night after the stage has closed down. The musicians from a dozen different bands converge into little groups around campfires and spin musical tapestries until dawn.
Joseph Campbell once told me “Ritual is the enactment of a myth. The function is to pitch you out of your domesticity.”
And so, without ever saying so or pretending to be anything so important, the Skunkfest, with it’s rural charm and silly name, has given us a ritual, sung to us beautiful mythology, and provided us an escape; not so much from our lives, but to them.
The moon smiled upon us as we danced, and we knew what it was to be whole again.
yours mercurially,
TimTv
GO! PLAY! DO!
- Thur. May 10 – Signs of Iris @ Wild Wings in Greenville 10:30pm – Battle of Bands against “Lionz of Zion”! Event details Here
- Sat. May 19 – BOVINOVA: the Mother of All Cookouts! – Greer – all day – Live music, circus entertainment, kids fun zone: all for charity!
- May 23-27 – Greenville Scottish Celebration – downtown Greenville & Furman University – Games, music, dancing, parade & more – Gallabrae.com
