The name probably isn't familiar to anyone here, but Larry Harvey is the founder of Burning Man. He organized the first "burn" at San Francisco's Baker Beach in 1986 with a few dozen attendees. The Nevada event now draws about 55,000 people annually.
At the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, Cholada and I attended a premiere of a film that documents one camp and their 11 visits to Burning Man. After the showing there was a Q&A with the film makers, some of the BM staff leadership, and Larry Harvey himself, down from the Bay Area. This was pretty significant because Larry rarely makes public appearances. (Among Burners, all sorts of crazy rumors about him seem to float around, and few Burners really know anything about him.)
So it was really interesting to hear him speak, and then chat with him for a few moments. After the film ended, Cholada and I moved to the front row for the Q&A session. We were right in front of Larry and he seemed to be making eye contact with me -- maybe because I was wearing my key vest. After the Q&A I stepped forward to introduce myself and give him a really special key that I'd picked out -- an old skeleton key on a silver chain with a pair of miniature cowboy boots (that seemed to go well with his hat) and a dog tag I embossed with the Burning Man symbol.
He was very gracious, and as folks always do, asked me how the key thing began. I told the story of how I discovered Dad's stash of stolen hotel keys after he passed away, which gave Larry a big laugh. A moment later, Cholada snapped the photo.
After hearing so many rumors and wondering about this mystery man over the years, it was great to meet him in person. He's 62 now, soft spoken, and seemed humble for someone who has created such a massive and influential event. He gave the impression of a kindly grandfather, sort of a dashing older cowboy, but with hippie roots.
We'll be in the Black Rock desert again, the week before Labor Day, and I'll have my keys on. For me there's another layer of interest and involvement now, having met the man who started the whole thing.
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2 comments:
Dave, that's a great story. It must have been pretty fun for you to meet Larry. I hope he appreciated the key.
As an interesting coincidence, some friends and I are going out west later this year to the Burning Woman festival in Menopause, New Mexico.
Ya, seems like a place you would fit in Uncle Matt.
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