Have Leather Chaps, Will Travel: Wasteland Weekend Brings Mad Max to America

For every article I read about some backwater Bible Belt douchebags banning books from libraries, historic theaters closing due to lack of interest, or any other abridgment of the free flow of creativity, I read five concerning new artistic initiatives and community building. This has a little bit of both. 
 
io9 ran an article this morning about a sort of post-apocalyptic, Mad Max-inspired Burning Man alternative happening in California's Mojave Desert called Wasteland Weekend and I, for one, am giddy with excitement and hoping my weekend of October 22-24 is free. For these three days the ironically named Soggy Dry Lake will be overrun by hundreds of Mel Gibson wannabees and leather chap enthusiasts in their Ford Falcon XB replicas, stripped down dune buggies and gyrocopters. Yes, there will be gyrocopters! A similar event was held last year and if many of the same features remain there should be a Bartertown setup, Thunderdome fights, desert car chases and DJs spinning an outdoor dance party. 
 
Folks, this is just about the only place on Earth you'll ever get to wear a leather mask, chain mail briefs and blast Tina Turner's "We Don't Need Another Hero" and be completely normal. I suggest you take advantage of it if possible.