It was the night before Loveland and I was too wound up to be able to fall asleep. This is my favorite festival of the year!  I was also preoccupied and concerned about a dear friend who is in the clutches of alcohol and drugs. I've seen his career and personal life going down the drain this past year. I had sent him an encouraging SMS before going to bed. It was all I could try to do.

I arrived at the gate at around 11:45, a bit later than planned and missed catching the opening set of D J's Zender and San Proper who were to play at the Beach Stage.. There was a thorough search of purse and person at the gate by security. Loveland has a strict 'no tolerance' policy. I have no problem with that. I was pleased to see there were earplugs for sale at the lockers. Once inside, I bought 16 tokens for 40 euros.

Once inside, the grounds looked beautiful, clean and full of promise for a fun day. That is one of the nice things about going early- no lines and everything pristine and lovely. Loveland always goes all out to create the nicest, most playful decors! Sloterplas lake, the swimming pool and the green surroundings are a fantastic venue for this festival.I passed the Dutch Arena where Bart B More was playing. It sounded good but I had other plans.

I headed for the Underground Puppies stage where a couple of my favorite D J's Sven and Tettero were playing. Their music was just the right uplifting but not too hard electro to begin my day of dancing. A few people were already gathered there and a several more joined in the dance.

Then I went into the Rise stage tent where Shinedoe was playing the end of her set. She mixed some African vocals into her last few numbers. Then Stacey Pullen (USA) got behind the decks. I was enjoying dancing to his music but then I spotted my dear friend in the distance. He was  already drinking and was with a woman friend.  I did not want to see it so I just slipped away and went back to the Underground stage.

Thomas Martojo was playing with his DJ team mates Casper Tielrooij and Jan van Kampen. I started to dance to the nice music but my left calf and right foot began to cramp up. Luckily my dance angel was protecting me from injuries because I was just able to stretch them before the full cramp could take hold and  potentially floor me. I knew I'd better head right over to the Relax Island for a massage. 

I found a nice masseur who rubbed some delicious smelling lime massage butter into my sore calves and feet. My body has been holding a lot of stress these days. That and a cup of  yummy mango-raspberry fruit smoothie helped to restore my tense body and troubled mind to fitness and serenity.

I found a great spot beside the pool at the T-Dansant stage to dance. They had covered 2/3 of the pool with a floating dance platform which was by now covered with party people. Several people splashed and played in the pool with the big inflatable water toys. I did not mind getting splashed a little since it was hot in the bright sun. The weather gods were smiling on Loveland that day! Junior Jack and Kid Crème (IT) were playing some pumpin' beats! Time for some serious dancing! The crowd was loving it too. A nice lady invited me to join her friends for a dance.

Then I  checked the action at the Fire stage where Fedde Le Grand was playing. The crowd was huge and the DJ booth seemed impossibly far away and the music even at that distance felt too loud to me. I decided instead to eat.

It helps to eat early and at odd times at festivals-no long lines like their were later on. There was a basic choice of Asian and Italian fast food plus burgers, fries and fruit at the food area.

There were enough toilets at the festival and there was soap and water and hand sanitizer. They did replenish the TP too. Swimming in the lake was forbidden due to a blue algae outbreak but you could take boats, rafts and inflatable row boats out in the lake. The large inflatable alligators on the side of the small canals was a cute touch. I noticed they had a silent disco area. It was nice to see that Unity Drugs and Alcohol Info had a booth at Loveland. People were getting info from the volunteers too. Great initiative in my opinion. They were present at the Lief Festival last year too.

I tried to return to the Rise and Underground stages again but got stuck in a human traffic jam headed for the main Fire stage. Since I'm uncomfortable in crowds, it was really unpleasant.  To recover from the stress of it, I sat on a block near the fence between the Rise and Underground stages. I could only manage to just sit, listen and try to chill out. I heard the rockin' beats from Koen Lebens on one side of me.  On the other side were the great sounds of Carl Craig (USA) and  the voice of MC Kostas repeating the words “I love you.” 

It quickly turned into stimulus overload and I felt overwhelmed. The words filled me with a  sense of sad impotence. I thought of my dear friend and felt my powerlessness. Then I realized I was beginning to slip into the kind of blue funk which can sometimes leave me just passively sitting at a party. When that happens, I can no longer dance.
 
No! I came here to celebrate and to dance! I gave my feelings about my friend over to my Higher Power and decided to go dance to Koen Lebens music. A nice friendly woman came over and gave me a big, spontaneous hug.  She  bought me a bottle of water and we danced and chatted for a bit. Things were nice again.

Then I went to the Rise stage to hear and see Aril Brikha (SWE). He was really good and I very much enjoyed dancing to his music which is right up my alley. I met so many friendly people at Loveland!  A nice man came and told me I looked like a person who was re-enjoying Woodstock.... OK, my festival outfit was definitely hippie-dippie flower-power but I was never at Woodstock  ;-)  Did see the film though.  The man said I radiated a feeling that others want to experience. I took that as a great compliment.
 I do love my dancing and am often nearly in trance. I dance sober, focus intently on the music, feel it and let my body respond to it. It's really a matter of just daring to do it without worrying about what others may think.

I then caught the beginning of Joris Voorn's live set- also very good. He's on my list of favorites. By that time, the old footsies were worn out and I knew it was time to go. It was also becoming really crowded. After a quiet meal at my friendly local Moroccan restaurant I headed home to soak in a warm lavender bath and let my ears just enjoy the quiet after-the- festival feeling.

Keep on dancin'

Love,

Dancin Queen