A Letter from the Director: ADA & VIP

Dear Backwoods Friends & Family,

A lot has happened in the past month regarding the Backwoods team and I’m excited to fill you in.

When I was promoted into the Director position in October, it seemed that all the other paid positions were already filled for the upcoming 2023 event. My executive producers planned to re-hire those who'd served our community in previous years.

Although I completely understood the reasoning behind this approach, it felt like I was being hired to manage a team that wasn’t mine. I was simply hoping and praying that I would earn the respect and trust of those who have followed my leaders over the years; all the while I was asking Spirit, “Who would I have on my team?”

Seek, and you shall find….

A part of my job is to write up the agreements (aka, contracts) for all of our staff. So, before drafting each agreement, I’ve been reaching out to contractors to confirm if they're still cool with the terms they’ve previously agreed upon.

Change is a constant, so it’s not surprising that several people aren’t able to return this year. Some can’t get the time approved off work. Others got offers from larger festivals that we can’t afford to out-bid.

So, all of a sudden I had positions to fill; and one of the reasons I was offered the Backwoods Event Director role was because of my extensive festi network.

Rewind…

In December, I was at the Polish Ambassador Trail to the Woods show at Deep Ellum Art Company in Dallas. It was my first director “work gig.”  

While getting down hard and getting lost in the vibes I heard Spirit whisper to me, “You’ve been wondering who would be on your team. Look around you right now. This is your team.”

To my left was Christina Tran. We met when the 2021 Backwoods Tour was in Dallas. She did booking for the venu and decided to come check out the Backwoods yoga teacher (me) who taught a class at the beginning of the event. Although we haven’t worked together, I’ve watched her over the years. I’ve been impressed by her professionalism, network, resume, and presence within the community.

And in that moment while dancing to the Polish Ambassador, I could sense Christina’s deep, pure and potent relationship to the music. A relationship my husband and I both share. A relationship that drew us to being in service to this community in the first place.

So, when my first position opened, I knew who I wanted to fill it.

However, more positions opened, and the potential to fill our already existing team with people I know and trust expanded. Thus, I knew I needed to empower Christina to the max and decided to make her our Operations Manager. 

She’s going to be running things behind the scenes, and will be managing all of our volunteers. We still need more. It takes a village. So, if you haven’t filled out the application and you’re interested in helping, please do so ASAP. Applications close March 1st.

Two new faces that you need to know that I’m excited to introduce are the ADA Manager, Josh Peeples, and the VIP Concierge, Angie Daniel.

I met Josh (AKA, “Sage”) at Middlelands, my first festival yoga teaching gig, in 2017. Sage is a gender-fluid healer that specializes in yoga and reiki. (Actually, I’ve been a part of his training and yoga education/certification.) Sage feels deeply called to hold space and be of service to others. Being fluent in all things wellness, Sage identifies as an artist, entrepreneur, and is a neurodivergent Gemini whose motto is “Communication is Key!”

Sage fell in love with EDM in high school and loved getting to know people who had the same taste in music. It was at Sage’s first camping festival where they realized that this love could turn into a lifestyle. Many years and many shows later, Sage reflects on how “the rave community has always been supportive, accepting and joyful. Now I enjoy returning the favor and cultivating the tradition for the next generation of ravers.”

Being a part of my soul family, Sage was committed to serving Backwoods in any way I needed them. However, when the ADA Manager position opened, my gut knew that this is where they needed to be. But honestly, I didn’t know how qualified Sage really was. 

Being Sage’s friend, I knew that Sage lost their hearing in their right ear 10 years ago. Considering the personal experience of adapting to the world with a disability and through a healer’s empathy, I knew instinctively that Sage would be amazing at bridging that gap for others.

This is what I didn’t know. When chatting about my open positions, I asked “Besides having empathy for the population through your own experience, do you actually feel qualified to play this role?”

Surprisingly, Sage responded, “I spent many years managing home remodel projects that specialized in disability modifications. I worked through a contracting company to construct and install wheelchair ramps, install safety grab bars and complete full-scale bathroom remodels according to ADA requirements.”

So, although this is Sage’s first time as an event ADA Manger, I have complete confidence in their ability to assess the needs of our attendees, determine the necessary accommodations, manage the implementation of those modifications, and to communicate clearly, effectively and compassionately with those who need the service. 

If you or anyone in your crew need ADA accommodations, please fill out this survey ASAP. Sage needs to know about you, your needs, and what tools we can provide to help you have an amazing Backwoods experience. 

Remember this name and face. Sage will be on site and most often found at the merch booth. Should you need Sage’s assistance on location and they aren’t at the merch booth, they are only a radio message away.

When I asked Sage, “Do you have anything you’d like to communicate to those you will be serving at Backwoods?’ Sage replied, “I am here to help! I consider myself optimistic and approachable, so please reach out for individual questions or accommodation requests. I can be contacted by email at sage.the.peeples@gmail.com - I look forward to spreading love and light with you on the mountain!”

One more name and face I want to introduce is our VIP Concierge, Angie Daniel.

I met Angie in the DFW music scene. We were a part of the same extended festi-family for about a decade before our paths ever crossed. She, too, fell in love with Mulberry Mountain at Wakarusa and has felt called to be of service there ever since.

Her first festival, however, was Coalessense Fest 2008 in Eureka, AR. When reminiscing about her experience, she shared, 

“I’ll never forget those first moments I had when several strangers helped my friend and me carry our ridiculous amount of camping gear deep into the primitive camping area known as ‘The Trippy Forrest’! These remarkable humans helped us set up our whole camp, fed us and partied with us long into the morning! I was so moved by the love and sense of community that remained palpable throughout the entire festival. Everyone had been drawn together to see some of the most talented musicians, incredible artists, and brilliant minds in the world, and it was through that special bond with others that I fell in love with music festivals. I would spend the next few years meeting many amazing individuals, seeing some phenomenal lineups, and exploring my festie-love affair, but it was at Backwoods 2021 that the magic of Mulberry Mountain I’d experienced over a decade prior would once again change my life forever! The group of individuals with whom I connected with at Backwoods would help me renew my passion for music festivals and rediscover the part of me that I feel most comfortable with. The special bond that brought us together lives on in 2023 and they will continue to be ‘my people’ until the end of time.”

Angie and I are new friends. I don’t feel as versed in her story, so I’ll let her speak for herself.

“I am an advocate for others,” she shared. “Whether it's for my children, my friends or someone seeking a voice. I will ask the hard questions and push past my comfort zone to help others be seen or heard. I am naturally personable and my free spirit and motivational nature makes those around me feel supported. I am a trusted advisor to many and a dedicated woman of action who takes pride in finding positive solutions. I love with my whole heart, and I strive to show gratitude in all things!”

What I know through watching her is that she takes care of her people and she’s responsible. Not everyone has the ability to stay sober when their friends are going hard. I’ve witnessed her be the designated driver for her crew, and having the capacity to be at a party and not get lost in the party is a rare quality that I need my team members to possess. 

As positions opened and I presented Angie with the different job possibilities, she stated, “I feel like the role of VIP Concierge was made for me!”

“With several years of experience as an Event Coordinator for a wedding venue, I have seen firsthand how my talents in multi-tasking, creative problem solving, and strategic foresight can be used to save the day and ensure that events run smoothly. My inner girl scout takes pride in thinking ahead and living by the motto ‘Be Prepared.’ It takes a special kind of person to keep everyone on schedule and in good spirits while rolling with the punches to ensure that someone’s big day or event goes according to plan. I have proven time and time again that staying calm and collected under pressure can make all the difference in creating a positive outcome for those who are depending on you.”

And that is the exact attitude and energy we need to ensure our VIP get what they paid for.

Angie will be reaching out to those that purchased the Ultimate VIP (UVIP) Backstage Experience within the next few weeks. Although I’ve already reserved your golf carts and RV’s, Angie is going to double check all my plans to ensure we’ve solidified the proper facilities for each individual party. Expect to hear from her via email. 

If you purchased a UVIP package, save her email in your contacts list now (adaniel4395@gmail.com). That way, her messages will land in your inbox and not your spam. 

We are working with 1 individual who owns a slew of RVs. Angie will act as a liaison between our UVIP and our provider before and during the event to ensure the best experience is had by all. 

After Angie connects with our UVIP, she will also reach out to everyone who purchased VIP tickets. Within her email, she’ll share her cell number. Please save it. She is your go-to on site should you need anything. However, if your cell service isn’t working, you can always find her or one of her team members at the VIP tent. 

The VIP tent will be found along the street between VIP camping and the upgraded RV camping area. It will be staffed from 8am - 10 pm daily. Should you need any assistance or need to catch a festi-cab, this is your go-to place.

Alright, fam. That’s enough for now. 

May the darkness of winter provide the necessary nourishment we all need to bloom into our best selves this spring. 

It will be 4/20 before we know it!

Your Event Director and Festival Fairy Godmother, 

Aubrey Warren