P-Con: Pombagira Experiences to Share?

[qos]

Last year, my first at Pantheacon, I'd heard a lot about Pombagira. I even bought some red clothing to wear -- and then found out about the "locked door" policy and the late starting time, and realized my outfit was probably entirely wrong for the vibe of the evening.

I still am intrigued by it, but here's my issue: I tend to be an early to bed person, and I also tend to be easily overwhelmed by large groups of strangers and by loud music. I'm afraid that if I attended, I would get pushed into the exact wrong headspace and then have to endure to the end of the event or argue hard to be let out early.

Can anyone who has attended Pomba in the past give me a bit more info about what the experience is like, and whether or not it's actually okay for someone who ends up not enjoying it to leave early?

Thanks. . .

ETA: Just did a bit of googling. . . I really didn't know who/what Pomba Gira was before. . . Methinks I am simply going to have to gear up (mentally, spiritually, and garb-wise) and push my comfort zone a bit. . .

Comments

[alfrecht.livejournal.com]

I had never gone before, but did last year, and it was apparently "different" than years before. My impression was that you could leave early last year--it wasn't as if they were keeping tabs on everyone, though they did make sure you "weren't carrying anyone else with you" when you left.

It didn't do much for me, personally, but I felt it would be rude to leave, and I had nowhere else to be, so I stayed for the whole thing, though my dancing was done after the first number. If you look at my entry from last year on the event, you'll see a bit more...there was a bit of "woo-overwhelming" going on, but nothing truly disastrous occurred...

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the pointer. I just looked it up. You were very discreet about what elements of the event weren't comfortable for you. Don't know if you'd be willing to share more in a private message or not. . .

Can you elaborate a bit on what you mean by "woo-overwhelming"? Since virtually all of my experience is solitary, I have a very, very small frame of reference for group effects.

[alfrecht.livejournal.com]

Apologies for the delay...have not looked at e-mail since Friday, alas...

In any case, what happened at the end was that the energy in the room built to a huge climax. I'm normally quite crap at grounding, but after having been at this, I think I can say that I'm much better than I thought. If I had not been sitting down, I would have fallen down with the level of energy that was being raised. Not only was I sitting down in a chair, but I was slouched over, with both of my hands palm-flat on the floor, trying not to get carried away by the wave of energy. I've never been in any event with that palpable and inescapable an amount of energy.

From what I understand, last year was different in that they didn't want/really allow anyone to actually get ridden during the proceedings--if you're someone who wanted to go to it expecting something to happen, then you were severely disappointed. I talked afterwards with several people who were getting close to being at that point, but then were brought back down by the various handlers, warders, etc. who were present and checking up on everyone. While, on the one hand, I can understand this, on the other, people who wanted that experience and went there for it should not have basically had a ninety minute cock tease and no pay-off...or, at least that's how I viewed it. I was just curious myself, and when I found it wasn't really my thing, I stayed on out of courtesy, just because I would hope others would do the same if I were the one running an event, etc. (And the way they presented it, PG herself was running the event...)

Anyway, I can elaborate more if you like...

[nepthytis.livejournal.com]

I attended Pombagira in 1999? 2000? Can't remember which year I made p-con. I wore a red satin bustier and a flowing black skirt. It was an hour or two of ecstatic dancing. I attended with my partner and a small cadre of CAWfolk, but I don't remember whether we stayed to the end or not, though I think we did. I do remember catching the vibe. It was pretty hot, but I don't know if my experience was typical.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

I've just edited the original post to reference that I did some quick googling and now am more interested than before in attending. I have a black and red corset that's only been worn once that would be perfect. . .

[rowan-elizabeth.livejournal.com]

I had a hard time making a decision about the same workshop last year, and I ultimately did not attend, though I did go to a lower key Pomba Gira meditation earlier and got a lot out of it.

I may go this year and push my own comfort zone; perhaps we will see each other!

This is my first time commenting on your journal, but I have greatly enjoyed reading it. Thanks for all that you share.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reading!

As Pantheacon gets closer and the schedule gets released, I'll be posting a photo and my tentative plans, to make it easier to meet people.

[erl-queen.livejournal.com]

I went two years ago, and I definitely left before the end, so I don't know about that door policy. I enjoyed it okay for awhile, but for me it just wasn't the right energy. For one thing, they were at max capacity and for some reason weren't allowed to turn off the lights, which just wasn't the right atmosphere - big hotel ballroom, bright lights, tons of people crammed in... I thought I would be more into it, but just wasn't right for me.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Ummyeah, you totally HAVE to go.

aside from watching the pretty pretty people moving, there's the experience of moving on your own... with live vocal and drum rhythms, and just enjoying the feel of your own body doing what it's designed to do - move in strength and beauty.

If you've ever danced to the point of a trance-state, this is the potential this dance has... Plus, there are tables and chairs all around the periphery of the dance floor, and conversations sometimes happen in the corners and around the edges, but yeah. I always feel better about my physical self for two or more weeks after this dance.

It's usually a high point for me at P*con.

I work that event

[purplevenus.livejournal.com]

when I have more brain, I'll write more

Re: I work that event

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Great! Would love to read more -- and maybe we can meet face to face at the event??

[watcher457.livejournal.com]

that sounds rather interesting (did some googling too). i might have to try to go next year.

A lot of fuss over mostly nothing

[azuzil.livejournal.com]

So 5 of us went last year in our red and sparkly clothes. I had no Idea who or what we were doing. (I did research after which i should have done before) We stood in line for ever, and they checked picture ID in line to make sure you were 21 to get in. We had people who left cause they didn't know they needed ID and didn't want to wait in line again, very annoying. But we waited and were ID and went through a security check point and were wondering what in the hells was going to happen.

We left early maybe after 2 hours. So I can't say what happened after then, but when I was there it was tame. Really tame. As in everyone was street legal and public appropriate. I've seen more laciviousness and revealing clothing in normal clubs.

There was live music, hand drumming and singing and there were Priests(?) who wandered around giving beeds as favor from the Lady.

I have no idea why the hype, or the ID checking, or the "closed door" policy.
Over all it was a fun dance function. But it felt like I was being used as a battery for a strange God without my full knowledge. And you know I'm fine being a ritual dancer if I know thats whats going on, mana is mana and sending out more good vibes, happy sexy energy can only help the universe. And I felt either most people already knew the deal and were all willing to be batteries or I just blew it on my research and didn't ask the right questions.

I also went to the smaller PompaGira dance workshop which was overwhelmingly awesome. Would do it again in a heart-beat.

[royalbananafish.livejournal.com]

Just go. That's my advice. My first P'con, it was pretty awesome. The last time I went, it was very flat. YMMV.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I really need to cultivate more of a "just do it" attitude in my life.

Will you be there this year?

[royalbananafish.livejournal.com]

I don't know yet. I want to go, but I am looking into surprising my Mom with a quick trip home (since it is a three day weekend).

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

I definitely understand wanting to see your mom, but if you do end up being there for even part of the weekend, please let me know!