Black's Beach
by Jay Allen Sanford 05.01.07

"Black's Beach, everyone knows, you don't need no buttons and bows. Black's Beach, everyone goes - there's a bunch of crazy people there without any clothes." (From one of KGB's old Homegrown vinyl albums - can't recall the band, only the lyrics)

It's after midnight and around four hundred people are ostensibly celebrating the full moon, most of them naked, some not, a few with children in tow. None of the kids seem shocked at the sight of so many nude adult bodies. "It's good to teach them that the body is nothing to be ashamed of, as long as we're not degrading it" says a muscular guy (whose name I can't write down due to, er, no pockets). He looks to be in his fifties and has been coming to these informal monthly gatherings for "too many years. Bringing down the moon, we call it. We're, like, Druids and this is our Stonehenge ."

Only a couple of dozen drummers form the drum circle, a small crew compared to past "organic raves" held here. Everyone I talk to first discovered the unsponsored event through word-of-mouth recommendation. "This kind of thing used to be just for old school Deadheads, hippies," says Serena, a buxom blonde drummer who's wearing pieces of a spangled Wonder Woman outfit. "Tonight, there's an awful lot of newcomers. Look how the guys keep their clothes on, or just strip down to their bottoms. The girls, they can't wait. There's not a girl here who isn't naked! Guys have more to hide."

At sunup, around sixty people remain, some bleary eyed but many still on their feet and partying. A middle aged couple is performing - she plays guitar while the guy sings. They play one Beatles song after another, on and on. It appears they know practically every song in the Beatles lexicon, and they're going through the repertoire, an impressive feat that makes them stand out in a crowd of inebriates, most of whom would be hard pressed to count their toes.

The startling thing is that the couple plays the Beatles songs in alphabetical order, insisting upon it even. "Play 'Rocky Raccoon,' " a girl calls out to them. "We can't," the guy says, "we're only on the Gs," and the duo launches into "Good Day, Sunshine."

Of note this note came in later by email

San Diego Rainbow Family Update
From the council on Black's Beach, March 31:

San Diego Rainbow Family events will no longer be posted on the web or on the San Diego Light Line. Everyone is encouraged to come to the Sunday afternoon circles in Balboa Park to find out what other circles and get togethers are happening. Or call the San Diego Light Line and leave a message. Individuals at the council are encouraged to contact other websites and ask them to support this decision by removing any references to the Full Moon Circle.

The Council that met at Black's Beach on the top of the cliffs reached consensus that the Full Moon Circle at Black's Beach is canceled starting with the May Full moon until further notice. Sunday Afternoon circles in Balboa Park High Noon until Dark. Bring musical instruments and your smiles. Please support our circles when they are called. The circle is what makes the Rainbow.

Directions: Balboa Park adjacent to Marston Point in the Pine Grove Picnic Area. From the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Laurel Streets in Hillcrest, enter the park going east on Laurel (which becomes El Prado). Turn right on Balboa Drive which is the last right before the Cabrillo Bridge. Follow Balboa Drive as it loops around and look for family near the Pine Grove Picnic Area and the restrooms.

Why was the Full Moon Circle Canceled? Karin thinks because.... LACK OF RESPECT!

People not respecting the Circle and the Om. Rainbow is all about circling. This is what gives us our center. If you choose not to circle, that is your right, but disrupting our circle ain't cool. This circle is our sacred space. It is our church.

"Every society needs . . . sacred places. They help to instill a sense of social cohesion in the people and remind them of the passage of the generations that have brought them to the present. A society that cannot remember its past and honor it is in peril of losing its soul." Vine Deloria, Jr.

We want to create a sacred ceremonial space for our children and the future evolution of the human race. Too many people who come disrespect what this circle is about. We respect your right to create a circle to meets your needs, but when you come to this circle, we expect you to respect our ways. Trash! - Pack It In - Pack It Out Too much trash and not enough of a cleanup crew. In March trash was left all Torrey Pines Scenic Drive and folks had to clean up the mess that unconscious people left behind. Trash was left on the beach, in the parking lot and on the road.

If you brought it, you should have taken it home with you. Alcohol! - Rap 151

It has long been a Family tradition to discourage alcohol at a gathering. Our children (that's all of us) need a safe and unthreatening place to celebrate. Alcohol energy can easily threaten.
We respect a person's right to drink, but the Rainbow Gathering is a peace and prayer sanctuary, not a booze party. Please leave it at home.

Cigarette Butts!

If you smoke, your butts belong in your pocket. We're tired of cleaning up after your habit.

"Our Beaches and Bays Are Not Your Ashtrays" Surfrider

Get to know this family!

If you want to learn more, please come to the Sunday afternoon circles in Balboa Park and find out what we are all about.

Google Rainbow Gathering or Rainbow Guide and read, read, read.

Hug someone you never met!

For more information, contact the San Diego Family Lightline @
619-677-0882 No collect calls please. Messages outside the local area will be returned collect. Or kzirk@earthlink.net