Photo credit: Flowpyre
Meet Andy, aka Firecracker, who has recently taken over the Event Manager Facilitator role within ExCom.
Tell us a little about yourself
Firstly, what does the Event Manager role involve?
Eshhh, big question and I don’t really know how to answer it without coming across as a bit arrogant, but let me try…
You know the saying “not my circus, not my monkeys”? Yea, so the Event Manager doesn’t get to say that. Especially when we’re onsite.
The role involves knowing how everything works, across all departments, throughout the year, and how that all fits together to make Kiwiburn happen. During the year the workload is generally pretty light – but it’s important that I’ve got an eye on how everything and everyone is going. So this past year I’ve been working with Kali, our previous Event Manager, to help write up some new Job Descriptions as well as procedure and policy documents that help make Kiwiburn as an event and volunteer organisation more supportive, inclusive, and further its efforts to support the community.
Lots of people explain the role as wearing many hats, but I prefer to think of it more like a Juggling Mother. I’ve got to keep all the babies in the air and if one drops, go check on it, help to calm things down and/or provide solutions, and get the baby back in the air without any of the others dropping. So it’s a big role, but like a mum, I do it out of love and passion. Thankfully, I’m not doing this all alone – I’ve got a great Event Management team behind me, wonderful Facilitators, an awesome Chair and Secretary, and Team Leads with me to make Kiwiburn a reality. With this great group, my role is pretty chilled out, it’s mostly ticking boxes and making sure things and people are doing well.
Kiwiburn and Burns in general have brought so much joy, opportunity and magic to my life that having this chance to give back and help bring Kiwiburn together is absolutely incredible. So even though the role can be big, it’s also a labour of love that I’m grateful to have the chance to do.
How do you spend your time when you are not doing things related to Kiwiburn?
Well, in all honesty, I’m a nerd. So reading books or journal articles on a range of topics is my general go-to. Right now I’m nerding out on decolonisation and cross cultural communications. I also spend my time flowing (dragon staff, iso hoops, beugung, fans, and levi wand), crafting (embroidery, sewing, woodworking), working out (gym, swimming, hiking) or planning my next travel adventure (I have major issues with staying in one place for too long)!
Oh, and work. That thing that pays the bills and keeps a roof over my head – I do that too.
Being involved with Kiwiburn can take a lot of energy. How do you re-energise?
Funny you should ask, I’ve been working on developing a strong self-care routine and action plan to look after myself for years, and since Lockdown I’ve reached a point where it’s pretty cohesive, although it’s a constant process of refinement and acceptance of where I’m at. One of the biggest things that I do to self care is practice self compassion. Despite years of trying, I honestly can’t do everything, so I try to remind myself of that – especially when things get hectic.
So every day, I’m doing things that I love and that build me up, like journalling, exercising, yoga, reading, flow, and crafts. When I really need to take some time out, I spend time alone in nature and look at how plants grow, and the beautiful connection between all parts of an ecosystem. Or, alternatively, find the largest sub possible and stomp about to heavy bass for a few hours. That’s good too.
Do you have a favourite burn outfit?
Fluro Booty Shorts, belt, and boots. Oh, and I guess some kind of covering for my top half…?
What skills have you learned by being involved with Kiwiburn?
How to ask Good Questions – this seriously has to be my biggest lesson so far. I’m not an omnipotent being – I don’t know it all, all of the the time, so being able to ask good questions – ones that show I’m curious and not judging someone, questions that add value, and that seek to deepen my understanding of a situation – is a vital skill to have.
Self Confidence has been a huge one – especially in the Event Manager role. I’ve gotta have my own back and make decisions on the fly that aim to best support Kiwiburn in all aspects.
What has been your favourite moment at a Burn?
Oushhh… you ask the hard questions don’t you? I’m going to interpret ‘favourite’ as ‘most life changing’ and that still is REALLY HARD TO CHOOSE. So I’m going to tell you about my first burn instead, Blazing Swan, 2015.
Honestly – I was so shy that first year, I spent most of my time at camp, too timid to get out much and explore too far. For context, Blazing Swan is a 5 hour drive into the West Australian bush and is held next to a giant salt lake on top of a pile of rocks – so it’s intense. That year there were crazy strong winds, the Effigy didn’t burn until after I left on Monday night, and a few theme camps were structurally damaged. But that burn changed the direction of my life – it was the first time I saw fire spinning (and fell crazy in love), and I was so in awe of the people, the generosity, the creativity, the insanity. I’ve been to burns in Australia, Aotearoa, China, and the USA since then, each impacting me in a different way – but none have had as much impact as that first burn.
What are you most excited about for Kiwiburn 2021?
Getting back onto the Paddock. I cannot wait to be back onsite, hanging out with the Build Crews, and seeing everything come together. When you’ve been onsite for a couple of weeks and get to watch the shift between “Sheep in Paddock” to “Burner in Paddock” it’s a beautiful thing.
Oh – and stompin’ my heart out to some juicy, fat bass lines right next to the biggest system on site. Idk who is DJing or who is bringing the biggest rig – but if I can make a request for some heavy heavy bass around 10pm on Friday night, I’ll be forever in your debt.
