Festivus: Although we see no mention of the traditional "Airing of Grievances" or the post-dinner "Feats of Strength" battle, we can't imagine any proper Festivus celebration without them. Still, whether or not tonight's party follows strict Seinfeldian doctrine, a good time will be had by all at Green Aid's holiday bash. Mutaytor performs at this Black Rock City-ish night of fun. Starts at 7:30 p.m. at SomArts Cultural Center; $70. Dub Mission: Renowned for......

It looks like Black Rock City visitors now have an actual tragedy on their hands. One for them to eventually personalize, of course. Today, sadly, someone hanged himself to death at Burning Man. His dangling body -- which was viewable to partygoers for about two hours inside of a two-story tent, according the Justin Berton -- went unnoticed by many. Passersby and friends, it seems, thought the dead body was an artistic statement of......

During last night's total lunar eclipse in Black Rock City, Nevada, someone set the Burning Man figure ablaze prematurely. Chortle. Hey, maybe that was their art? Their statement? Their message? Or their coke pipe exploded? Still, not cool according to Black Rock City firefighters, eclipse fans, and festival organizers. Police swiftly arrested the arson suspect. No reports of any injuries, serious or otherwise. Except, of course, the apparently indescribable vibe on the Playa, which......

-- Fil Lorenz & the Collective West Jazz Orchestra: Check out this choice 12-piece jazz band tonight at 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. at Jazz at Pearl's, 256 Columbus; $10-$15. -- Tomo, Caribbean, Change!: Experimental indie pop and plinky sounds abound  tonight at 9:30 p.m. at Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk; $5. --  The S.F. International Festival of Short Films: For people like us who suffer from drug-company-created disorder ADHD, this film festival, featuring 60+ short films,......

This dispatch comes to you from Black Rock City, Nevada, where we've heard tell that in the past, there's been a sign at the entrance reading: "If you've been here before: no explanations necessary. If you haven't been here before: no explanations possible." This is truth. No matter how many times you hear playa stories or see playa pictures, you can't understand what it is to be a citizen of this city until you've spent......

John Vanderslice. Helllooooo...over here...brought to you by SFist. Oh, wait, we don't need to act cool, we've got plenty of readers (thanks for asking). We love them because they love to argue over breasticles! Not only do we bring it with the 'get' local interviews, we bring you news you can use. Please. For everyone's sake. We'd like to think that BarCamp was like a little Burning Man if, um, it was in downtown......

Every Labor Day tens of thousands of geeks, nerds, hippies, frat boys and all other sorts of disaffected rejects pile into vehicles and make a pilgrammage to one of the most inhospitable places known to man - the Playa of Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, Nevada. Why do they go? To create art, perform, party, get naked and otherwise cast off the everyday repressions of society. And to burn stuff. That's right, it's less than a week until people start arriving for the annual arts festival Burning Man. Started in 1986 by Larry Harvey and Jerry James as just another bonfire - though with a more artistic bent - on Baker Beach in San Francisco, it was moved out to the desert when the SFFD shut down the immolation of their large wooden structure in 1990. Rumor has it that some libertarian gun enthusiasts from the local branch of the Cacophony Society suggested Black Rock Desert, long a popular spot for shootists looking for somewhere big and flat to fire of their weapons. So on Labor Day 1990, people packed up their trucks and headed to Nevada. Now in it's 15th year in the desert, Burning Man has become an international symbol for disaffection from modern life. No money is allowed to change hands - the economy of Black Rock City, pop. 30k+, is entirely based on bartered goods and services. Michael Krasny of KQED-FM's Forum interviewed Larry Harvey and Brian Doherty, author of "This is Burning Man" this morning at ten. For more information, including history, tickets and tips on surviving in the desert, check out the official Burning Man website....