BONZAAR Podcast

In this fair dinkum episode of the podcast we continue our conversations with SBA board members, Leanna and TJ, and chat with them about "Pilot Burn", the inaugural event for their newly formed organisation, Sunburnt Arts. Following a community restructuring and a departure from their previous Matong site, the team is thrilled to host this genuine and intimate 500-capacity-person gathering from Ma...

In this episode we review the 2026 Kiwiburn: A Work of Heart event with a panel of kiwiburners (Hippathy, Kym, & Shelley) to talk about the burn from their own perspectives. The panel reflects on the muddy yet magical Kiwiburn 2026, aptly themed "A Work of Heart". Despite the unpredictable weather and persistent rain, the challenging conditions actually fostered deep community solidarity by fo...

In this episode, PACT (People’s Art Collective of Tasmania) founding members Lara, Kat, and Karl share the origin story and success of Tasmania’s inaugural regional burn, Aurora 2025. Driven by a desire to establish a localised event rooted in Burning Man principles, the group successfully navigated the challenges of forming a democratic non-profit organisation focused on consent, safety, and deco...

In this special conversation episode about the regional burning man network around the world we have invited a knowledgeable, long-time burner and community contributor, Jarred Taylor, to talk about their recent think-piece titled “Is it time for Burning Man Regionals to Glow Up?”. We unpack and do a deep dive into this well-received write-up; chat about the key ideas and themes of the article; an...

In this candid and spirited podcast episode, community leaders Marcelo, Tereasa, and TJ (who insists on the title "King Dingaling") reflect on the turbulent but deeply rewarding evolution of Australia's Burning Seed community into its new organisational entity, Sunburnt Arts. Driven by personal artistic awakenings - from Tereasa's community-supported "mystical music box" to TJ's humorous appreciat...

This episode we review the 2025 Underland Pop! event with a panel of burners from varied experiences. The conversation features host Stevan speaking with four guests - Dylan, Jenny, Sacha, and Lydea - who share their experiences from different roles at the event. The discussion covers Dylan's journey as a first-time burner who designed and built the serpent effigy, Jenny's role leading the Artery...

This episode features four board members of The Third Degree - Ruth, Dale, Caer, and Tyne - to explore the NSW Central Coast's family-friendly regional burn. Discover how this intimate 400-person event evolved from a pandemic-era one-off at a scout camp into an intentional experiment in radical inclusion and in accessible burner culture. The conversation covers the event's distinctive features - r...

This podcast episode features a conversation with Lumos, a well-known participant in the Australasian Burning Man community. The discussion covers Lumos's experiences at various regional burns, including Modifyre in Australia and Kiwiburn and Raglan Burn in New Zealand. Lumos shares stories about the unique traditions, such as bug-themed effigies, role-playing, and the "naked hippie fire run". The...

In this episode we chat about the 2025 Underland event with a panel of community volunteers and crew members from Centre Camp, Site Planning And Maintenance, LNT, and the Sandfolks. We discuss some of our highlights; the shenanigans; the effigy and temple burns; offer some improvements for the next event, and provide some behind-the-scenes after reports with heaps of ranger and volunteer talks and...

This episode of the podcast features a discussion with members of the Brisbane and Queensland burner community about the Simplifyre event, a scaled-down, community-driven version of the traditional Modifyre burn. The hosts and guests reflect on the event’s origins, challenges, and successes, highlighting the importance of rebuilding community after pandemic disruptions and burnout, the influx of n...

This episode explores the Independent Burning Advisory Group (IBAG) and the NSW Burns Community Survey. The conversation covers the background, methodology, findings, and implications of the survey, as well as related community insights. Hosts discuss how the survey was created to understand the needs and challenges of the local burner community after the Burning Seed event was cancelled. Key find...

In this episode we take a look at the making and organisation of the 2025 Embers-not-a-burn where we chat with the key organisers and burners who made the event possible. We reflect back at how the renegade event unfolded and the co-created, and the co-lab efforts from the community. We also talk about some of the highlights and interesting moments; discuss the shenanigans and silliness; all the l...

This episode explores the early years and founding of Blazing Swan, a regional Burning Man-inspired event in Western Australia, through the stories of three of the original founders in Cat, Frank, and Hana. The conversation traces their personal journeys into burn culture, the challenges of organizing the first events, and the formation of a vibrant, inclusive community. They recount the process o...

This podcast episode is a lively roundtable reflection on "Embers Not-A-Burn", a community-organised event that arose after the cancellation of Burning Seed. Hosts and guests share stories of how the event came together quickly, the challenges faced (like cold weather and long travel), and the strong sense of community, creativity, and silliness that defined the experience. They discuss the venue,...

In this episode we review the 2025 Kiwiburn: Trash Renaissance Fair event with a panel of experienced kiwiburners and a first-time kiwiburner from Australia. We discuss some of the things that went right and talk about what went wrong. A reflective episode to learn, raise awareness, educate, and archive for future reference. We also discuss the fun and magical moments; the arts, theme camps, event...

In this 3-part series episode we do a deep dive on the volunteering opportunities at Underland 2025. Part 1 will focus on gate, greeters, site planning & management, sanitation, and leave no trace. Part 2 will focus on rangers, sanctuary, fire team, and sandmen. Part 3 will focus on artery, centre camp, effigy and temple build team. Please note that the 2025 underland effigy and temple designs...

In this 3-part series episode we do a deep dive on the volunteering opportunities at Underland 2025. Part 1 will focus on gate, greeters, site planning & management, sanitation, and leave no trace. Part 2 will focus on rangers, sanctuary, fire team, and sandmen. Part 3 will focus on artery, centre camp, effigy and temple build team. Host: PY ‘Double Shot’ Wong Guests: Tanya aka 'Egg' (Rangers)...

In this 3-part series episode we do a deep dive on the volunteering opportunities at Underland 2025. Part 1 will focus on gate, greeters, site planning & management, sanitation, and leave no trace. Part 2 will focus on rangers, sanctuary, fire team, and sandmen. Part 3 will focus on artery, centre camp, effigy and temple build team. Host: PY ‘Double Shot’ Wong Co-Hosts: Stevan 'Silent Disco' L...

In this episode we chat with Wesley and JayJay live onsite from Blazing Swan 2025 Cosmic Coincidence. We discuss the various art projects and art at blazing swan, more backstory to the formation of blazing swan, and an appreciation for the crew and volunteers that make the burn and event such a magical experience. Host: Stevan ‘Silent Disco’ Lay Guests: Wesley ‘Admiral’ Lamont & JayJay Sticks...

In this episode we travel to the wheatbelt region of Western Australia, in Njaki Njaki country, where we chat with Erin and William Bailey who are local Kulin burners. We discuss some of the attractions and local activities in Kulin, and the unique relationship between Blazing Swan and the Kulin township. We are then joined by Damon ‘Oly’ Oliver-Pages – former chairperson of blazing swan – to chew...

Exploring the Art and Community of Underland: Effigy and Temple Builds In this episode we take a look at the Underland effigy and temple build with Jim Beattie & Glenn Todd. Hosts Stevan, Jim, and Glenn discuss the art and community dynamics of the Underland effigy and temple builds from 2023 and 2024. They share engaging stories of their art projects, focusing on the creation and burning ritu...

In this episode we review the 2025 Blazing Swan Cosmic Coincidence event with a panel of longstanding blazers – Georg, Nina, & Vida. We discuss some of things that went right or wrong and some improvements for the next event. We also chat about some of the highlights and magic moments; retracing back at some of the history and fuckery at blaze, the controversies and community learnings from th...

In this episode we head over to New Zealand to talk with Andy (Kiwiburn Chairperson) and Julia (from Department of Propaganda) live at Kiwiburn: Trash Renaissance Fair. We chat about the background, history, and organisation of kiwiburn - one of the oldest international regional burn events and community. We discuss the New Zealand burner landscape and focus on the topics of community-building wit...

Bonza: Unveiling the Vibrant Burner Community of Australia and New Zealand In this episode we take a look at the BoNZA Community with Justin McGhee and Leanna Pugliese. We provide an in-depth look into Bonza, a community initiative supporting Australian and New Zealand burners. We discuss the origins and meaning of the term 'Bonza', its naming by Phil Smart, and the annual Bonza Summit, which faci...

Common Arts Victoria incorporated (CAVi) is an organisation dedicated to community-building through arts and creating participatory events that give people the opportunity to form connections and explore new possibilities. In this episode we chat with some of the board members of CAVi and take a profile look into the background of Common Arts Victoria, it's structure, and the formation of Underlan...