Notes for BORG
- See the PlugDesign page for sketches, renderings, and some structural elements
- More detailed blueprints will be posted soon
- Camp layout is shown inline on this page
camp layout: click for larger image
General Application Vibe
- Not a large-scale sound camp
- No fire or pyro
- No public showers, public kitchen, etc.
- Asked for 50' x 100'
- Placement in 3:00 keyhole area, 4:30 avenue, or 9:00 keyhole area
- Asked to be near Charlie Smith, as Zach is camping there during DPW aux crane support
- 20-29 people (could be slightly more, but that's what was checked on the app)
- 6-8 vehicles, one flatbed truck, one 28' semi-truck, 2 RVs, mentioned
Application Excerpts
Physical Description
The Plug is a building that resembles a giant extension cord with prongs pointing towards the sky. This year we are putting a slant on the project by giving it the appearance of tilting it 15-degrees and really playing up the architectural curves and lines of a traditional 3-prong plug.
Its footprint is 30'x20'x15' tall, with three 8' prongs on the top. It is built with 16-on-center stick-frame construction and scissor-truss/rafters for a live-load roof. Note that we do not plan on opening the rooftop to the general public, but it is structurally sound to have 30+ people on top.
Behind the plug is one of our 28' semi-truck trailers from the ranch, with a 20'x40' shade/scrim (50% wind shed) anchored to the top of the trailer. Camping takes place on the other side of the trailer opposite from the Plug. Vehicles are parked to provide a wind-break and giant U-shape for under our shade.
Generator is parked at the head of the trailer. Evap pond, pumps, and grey water barrels are on hand for shower and kitchen water.
Interactivity Details (most important part of the application)
In 1998, six friends from San Francisco and LA built a "giant" ghetto blaster on wheels to bring soulful music to the playa with the hopes that we would fill a void at Burning Man. We pushed our ghetto blaster from bonfire to bonfire, playing mix tapes on cassette that we made earlier in the day with turntables back at camp.
Overwhelmed with the positive responses and thanks for funky good times, in 1999 the Plug-forefathers had a vision of a giant orange shrine to the all-important extension cord. Built of modular wooden panels, we built the Plug to weather the rainstorms and duststorms as a sanctuary from the nonstop electronic music. We showed films during the day and shook our butts by night.
Amazing friendships and adventures have been born through the Plug that span coasts and countries. We are open to all DJs who have funky beats and wish to pay homage to the originators of hip hop and breaks. Before the CDJ or Serato, we honored the tradition of digging endlessly through crates for the records that have produced the samples we all hear today.
While we could be called a "dance camp", we never tried to blast out our soundsystem and disturb our neighbors. Our structure has always been solid and enclosed, providing a night-club environment for people to come socialize, enjoy a cocktail, and dance away their cares to lyrical music that preaches hope, positivity, change, and unity through human experience.
The name Plug4 is a tip-of-the-hat to the legendary hip hop group De La Soul, who go by Plug 1, 2, and 3... like the inputs on a mixer. In some of our recent professional lives, our paths have crossed with De La Soul and this urban trio was tickled pink (or orange in this case!) to hear about a camp at the most remote of parties that pays tribute to their legacy and to all those that came before them musically.
Over the years, it has been incredible and surprising to meet people in the strangest of places that have been touched by Plug4 and its music. Our lives have all changed drastically since our last appearance in 2004 and we have all moved to different cities and countries. This will be the 10 year anniversary of the Plug and we look forward to getting back together one last time and celebrating this year with the funky citizens of Black Rock City.
Sound Amplification Details
We will have a modest, indoor soundsystem. The Plug is a place to dance to funk and soul, but also a place to socialize and enjoy a cocktail. We do not crank the volume to try to blast out our brains or our camping community.
In our past incarnations over the 10 years, we have never been in large-scale sound, nor have we ever had any complaints from our neighbors. Placement has traditionally be at 3:30 or 8:30 on the esplanade.
Clean Up Plan
Our 28' semi truck trailers are stocked with garbage cans and recycling bins that we regularly sort and bag as we go. We always pack out what we bring in with no exceptions, taking it to a transfer/recycling station in Alturus or Reno. A look at the Moop Map from the years-past (as Plug4 or Broken N' Dirty or Colossus) will show us as clean and green on the map. With a decade under our belt and countless friends in DPW, we don't mess around. We fully embrace and respect Leave No Trace, down to the last grain of rice.
