Orphan Burn 2009: photo by Erich Boyer

Orphan Burn 2010: Art Attack!

Come out to the island for the 4th Annual Orphan Burn!

This year we’re taking our inspiration from Toronto’s BEEEG FIRE art project “The Heart Machine”. The Heart Machine is an ambitious playa-bound art piece which requires participants to make a human chain to create a circuit which then sparks a huge flame effect. At its center is an anatomical heart, the literal and figurative “heart” of the piece. Our Orphan Burn effigy this year will echo the Heart Machine in both form and somewhat in function.

Drawing from all this awesome art, we have decided that the overall event theme will be “Art Attack!” — we are inviting everyone to make art, bring it to (or create it on) the beach, burn it, gift it, share it, BE IT! So, ponder art and what it means to you, create a costume (become your favorite painting, embody your favorite artist, make wearable art!), and then come on down on Sept 4th and embody it!

What To Bring: ART!, food (bring something to share! great way to meet awesome new people!), water/drinks, fireplace logs, camp saw/axe to help cut fire wood for the bonfire, playa gifts, your fine self in your playa-style finery, LED/glow stuff for nighttime fun, fire tools (incl. safety gear and *fuel*) if you spin fire, blankets/mats, layers and jacket (it gets chilly at night!), sunscreen for day, bug spray for night, lighting (lanterns, tiki torches, solar, flashlights, headlamps etc.), garbage bags and, if you are a smoker, butt tins (LEAVE NO TRACE!).

Final Ferry Departures:
Centre Island (closest, by a bit, and better for those on foot): 11:45pm
Hanlan’s (a hair further but better for those biking): 11:15pm

We often do *not* make the final ferries home and instead take water taxis back to the mainland. These cost usually about $8 or so a person & run until quite late at night. A few people have opted in the past to sleep on the beach — or were forced to when they found themselves still out there when the final water taxis stopped running. (It is technically illegal to do so, though; so, beware of that, if you decide you wish to go that route. Bring a tent if you think you might get stuck.)

Full Summer Ferry Schedules:http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/summerschedule.htm#sched

Water Taxi Services:
416-203-1773
416-203-8294

Note: be prepared to get yourself to and from the event. We will not call the water taxis in advance for you. If you do not want to sleep on the beach, then don’t get stuck on the island. Radical Self-Reliance!

Directions to Gibralter Point:

- from Centre Islands Ferry (best for those walking): from the ferry, head towards the pier on the far side of the island. When you reach the pier, hang a right and follow the path until you see the City of Toronto works site on your right and a small boardwalk leading through a woven, wicker-look gate going to a beach. That beach is where you want to be. (If you reach Artscape Gibralter Point, you have gone a wee bit too far.)
- from Hanlan’s Ferry (best for bikers): from ferry, follow main path towards lighthouse and Artscape Gibralter Point. When you reach turn-off for Lighthouse, stay on main path. Pass Artscape and look for a small boardwalk and woven, wicker-look gate on your right, leading to a beach. This is where you want to be. (City of Toronto works site entrance will be close by on your left.)

Rain plan TBD if weather turns against us. This event is, as always, free to all. To help cover the costs involved, we will accept donations on the beach — or contact one of the organizers if you wish to volunteer or make a donation to the cause!