Labor Day weekend is traditionally the Memorial Day of the fall — with barbeques, river floats, and camping trips all filling up that blessed three-day weekend, for many the last of the summer.
But this year, some Taosenos will instead take the long weekend to participate in the third annual Regeneration Festival: a non-commercial, drug-free festival honoring all young people as brilliant, beautiful, cherished beings on Earth.
The Regeneration Festival is an annual four-day ceremony and celebration that began in Taos in 2011. There are sister celebrations in nearly twenty other cities around the world, from Italy to Australia and back again.
The festival was founded in Taos in response to our extremely high suicide, homicide, and overdose rates among young people. The four-day festival schedule is impressive — you’re sure to bump into one of these events around town over Labor Day weekend. It’s described as a decentralized social movement — but they emphasize that their focus is more on celebration than protest, and encourage prayer in all forms (including art, dance, feasts, and more).
TAOS REGENERATION FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30th:
Four Day Fast Begins:
A group will be fasting in solidarity in the name of the youth for the four days. Breaking of the fast will be at 11 AM at Kit Carson Park, on the 4th day of the festival.
Opening Prayer:
Where: Filemon Sanchez park.
When: 6:00 A.M.
Why: To begin the festival on the right note. A time of prayer and togetherness.
Sk8 In Da Paint:
Where: Taos Youth Center Skate Park (407 Paseo Del Cañon)
When: 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.
What: Taos’ official skate jam to raise money for a new skate park, skate competition, live music, hosted by Home Product. Visit the facebook event page.
Community Sweat Lodge
Where: Call 575-741-1115 to Participate
When: 6 P.M.
Why: Every sweat has a purpose. Ours is to help heal the next generation.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
Morning Hike | Williams Lake
Where: Meet at Bavarian Lodge @ Taos Ski Valley
When: 9:00 A.M.
Why: Hike to Williams Lake and when we arrive, make a specific musical prayer that the young people of Taos and of the world can free themselves from addiction and live a life of freedom, along with an altar building ceremony. Feel free to bring any instruments.
High on the Fire Inside
Where: TCEDC (Corner of Berta and Salazar, call 575-779-4443 for info)
When: Doors open 6:30 P.M.
What: Free heavy metal concert with all musicians and organizers pledging sobriety!
Community Sweat Lodge
Where: Call 575-770-5190 to participate
When: 6 P.M.
Why: Every sweat has a purpose. Ours is to help heal the next generation.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1:
Town Wide Prayer for Young
Where: Various churches.
When: All day.
Why: To bring the community together with the world. To pray for the next seven generations.
Run For The Young
Where: Meet at Taos Pueblo Church
When: 8:30 A.M.
Why: Allows the community to come together and exert themselves for a purpose. Allows us to move our bodies and our community.
Group Prayer/ Intentional Meditation
Where: New Buffalo, Arroyo Hondo
When: 2 P.M.
Why: The world is not static. Human intention and perception can Affect reality in a great way. That is our purpose.
Community Sweat Lodge
Where: Call 575-779-4821 to Participate
When: 6 P.M.
Why: Every sweat has a purpose. Ours is to help heal the next generation.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd:
Young Performance Artists
Where: Kit Carson Stage
When: 12 P.M. – 4 P.M.
Why: To witness the brilliance, beauty and creativity of the next generation
Regeneration Fashion Show
Where: Kit Carson Park Stage
When: 2:30 P.M.
Why: Daaaaang, we look good!
Young Artstis Exhibition
Where: Kit Carson Park
When: All day
Why: To witness the sheer beauty and creativity of the next generation.
Art Workshop Tent
Where: Kit Carson Park
When: 12 A.M. – 4 P.M.
What: So far confirmed workshops are: silversmithing, hoop-dancing, feather hair piece/earring making, spoken word and silk screen t-shirt printing.
Regeneration Pow-Wow Exhibition
Where: Kit Carson Park
When: 4 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Why: To raise money for post-partum care for low-income mothers through Taos Home Birth and to honor the ancestors of the land.
Host Drum: Mixed Company, Gallup, NM.
SIHASIN | HEADLINER
Where: Kit Carson Park Stage
When: 5:30 P.M.
Who: Navajo Alternative Band, brother-and-sister duo, named after the Navajo concept of “Sihasin” or to act out of hope and positive thinking
Closing Ceremony
Where: Kit Carson Park
When: 6:30 P.M.
Why: We begin and end with a prayer that our young people will always remember how cherished they are and that we are here for them always.
Community Sweat Lodge
Where: Will occur separately from the festival, call 575-779-4821 to participate
When: 6 P.M.
Why: Every sweat has a purpose. Ours is to help heal the next generation.