Inside the Magical Dream Emporium of Electric Forest 2023

Discover the enchantment of Electric Forest’s Dream Emporium: A magical journey of your inner child through music and dreams.

Electric Forest is a multi-genre music festival catering to electronic music and jam band genres, curated by Madison House Events and Insomniac Events. Festival-goers return each year for the magical world that surrounds Sherwood Forest in Rothbury, Michigan. Let’s dive into the beauty that is Electric Forest.

A beloved attraction held at Electric Forest 2023 was the interactive art installation known as the Dream Emporium. Situated near the carousel club and the dream field, Electric Forest advertises the enigmatic Dream Emporium as a mysterious destination where visitors are transported to places that exist solely in their dreams. The question arises: where will your dreams lead you?

As you step into the castle entrance of the Dream Emporium, a warm welcome takes place by the mesmerizing sight of glowing balloons, beckoning your inner child towards limitless possibilities. Your attention is immediately drawn to the lazy lagoon station, surrounded by sand, a considerably large docked fishing boat, and the uplifting melodies of jam band music.

What better way to unwind between sets than to joyfully splash around and float on a raft, with the sole focus being on the breath and kindred spirit? Within this attraction, foresters encounter delightful “lagoon characters” who engage with visitors. By the way, did anyone catch the musician playing the fish saxophone on the sandy shore?

Members of the Forest family describe the Dream Emporium as similar to a Black Mirror fever dream episode. This is especially true if you had the chance to experience the live wrestling match or if you had the honor of entering the Cutie Corps room that offers a live puppet show. Belly laughs were shared, jokes were made, and memories became ingrained.

One last thing, ever heard of a human car wash? Imagine sitting through a car wash surrounded by the mesmerizing colors of the rainbow, where Foresters can wash away fears, perceptions, judgment, and insecurities. Throughout the experience, a crew of fairies blew bubbles and “washed your aura”.

Upon completing the famous Forest scavenger hunt, festival goers become a “certified dreamer”, and are given a pin that unlocks a secret door in the dream emporium. This hidden door unveils a skating rink surrounded by the glistening of sparkling disco balls that reflect off the blue, purple, and pink lights. Included in the secret room is a bounce house surrounded by giant balls that carry the intention to bring out that giddy spirit eager to get silly and have fun.

Electric Forest holds a special place in the hearts of most foresters, thanks to the strong sense of community, belonging, and family that entices them to return year after year. The Dream Emporium’s enigmatic experience washes over the body, emotions, and mind of your inner child, creating the essential interdependence and harmony that the soul requires to immerse itself in the festival with a childlike wonder of discovery.

The Exron fairies will reunite with The Forest once again at Electric Forest 2024! Catch you in the woods.

Marz

Yoooo, the homies call me Marz. I am a multidimensional Piscean Latina fairy from Miami-Dade County (no, not Florida). Electronic music has allowed me to appreciate the profound beauty that can be found in finding peace within the chaos. Artists such as Rezz, Skrillex, John Summit, Michael Bibi, and Amtrac blend the two seamlessly, creating a harmonious balance that resonates with me whenever I am on the dancefloor. When I am writing about electronic music, I feel this same balance of peace and chaos moving through me – starting in my hips, filling my heart, and radiating out from my soul.
The power of music has brought me to this exact moment, and I only desire that you feel the warmth of the sun through my words.

See author's posts