Cover photo by Soulfocus Media
Envision Festival completed its 11th run on February 27th-March 6th, 2023. Located in the dazzling jungle of Costa Rica, this festival takes its place as (arguably) one of the best celebrations of music & art on this planet. Hop aboard, and let’s explore what makes this festival extraordinary…
First Stop: Luna and Sol
Luna & Sol are the two largest and most elaborate stages at Envision. This year’s Luna stage was inspired by the serpentine goddess of the underworld (Vedic roots)- a powerful design, embellished by tremendous pyrotechnics, projection mapping, and lasers. Performance artists (including fire dancers, aerialists, and more) from all over the globe collaborate on this stage with primarily electronic and bass musicians.
Sol stage is home to live & acoustic acts, hosting bands like Rising Appalachia, Marvel Years Trio, & The California Honeydrops this year. Here, ornate projection mapping and lighting are a feast for the eyes. It is a great place to discover some soulful sounds as you wander the grounds.
“Community as an Incubator for Your Evolution”
This quote was seen in the Envision Staff commissary, and resonates to this day. Envision attracts a melting pot of attendees (8,000+), connecting festival communities from all over the globe. The 2023 lineup of workshop instructors included representation from Mexico, Russia, France, United States, Guatemala, The Netherlands, Costa Rica – just to name a few.
This gathering is a wonderful container for self-development and encourages attendees to explore new skills, connect with like-minded individuals, and deepen their understanding of sustainable living practices. With 8 interactive workshop areas (The Village, El Circo, Sacred Fire, Earth Temple, Red Tent, Humans I Trust, Templo de Las Estrellas, and Templo Del Cielo), there are several options at any hour. From permaculture and herbalism workshops to yoga and meditation classes, there is something for everyone. A few 2023 workshop highlights included “Tribal Fusion Belly Dance” by Deb Rubin, “Somatic Healing” by Sah D’Simone, “Gracefully Aging ” by the Village Witches, and “Zouk Partner Dance” by Anderson and Brenda.
Woven by Threads of Passion and Intention
Here, a global family of creators gathers to write more pages in their storybooks. Envision is a product of passionate individuals from all over the world, coming together in the jungle with a shared purpose. The intentionality behind each installation contributes to the magic felt on these festival grounds.
“(The Altar of Shadows) is a place to contemplate and honour the darkness that resides in us all. And it’s up to us to make peace with that dark part of ourselves.”
–Mattie Fisher-Fox
Art plays a prominent role here; Envisionaries can explore immersive installations, even watch live painting and performance art (hint: MERMAIDS). A festival of this grandeur takes a tremendous amount of work, and infinite gratitude goes out to the staff & build team that makes it possible.
Your Host: Mother Nature
Nestled in the jungle of Uvita, Costa Rica, Envision’s location makes it stand out. One may hear monkeys in the jungle canopy above and is wished a merry evening by the cicadas. A short walk offsite is the beach for sunset gatherings, local vendors, and swimming for relief from the daytime heat.
PRO TIP: Camping is recommended to get the full experience of the festival, but there are great options for offsite living as well (jungle camping is intense).
Thanks for tuning in, we can’t wait to see what Envision Festival has in store next year. See you there?