This is the first installment of a weekly article on the Burner (Burning Man) culture, current events, and stories.

The STEP program has rolled out. While I can’t say it is a system that truly works (Multiple page timeouts , getting dropped from the queue, and the system opening and closing within a half hour), it is a system. Currently I have heard of at least two people receiving tickets through the STEP program. This is two more than I would have predicted seeing as most Burners that I have talked to are trying to supply their camps first and friends second. Many are not considering giving extra tickets to STEP. I am happy that some people are getting tickets through the program.

If you don’t know already, Burning Man has been contacting theme camps, art cars, and infrastructure contacts to make sure that these participants get tickets to the Burn. As I have not received a call myself (my camp’s village has) I can’t say whether this piece of information is 100% true or not but word on the street is;

“The BMORG is distributing tickets to the theme camps. You need to have your application in by March 8th and there will be a small window to purchase them on March 9th. I just received a phone call from a long time burner who has created large art asking me if I could spare one and his camp hasn’t applied for placement yet. If you are part of a camp and do not have tickets get that application in ASAP. “

After doing some research, I have found the full letters to camp leads and art cars have been posted at http://www.reddit.com/r/BurningMan/comments/ps45r/placement_team_letter_to_tcos/.

Now that step is closed, I have seen many Burners without tickets asking how they should now go about getting tickets. Here is a list of suggestions:

1) If you have ever been part of a theme camp, get in touch with your camp and submit an application by March 8th and hope your camp gets accepted/invited to come to Burning Man. You have three days.

2) If you have not been part of a theme camp, find friends that have and ask them if they need or have any extra openings for new members. Jump on board with theme camps and art cars that are applying.

3) Search and find any art projects that have access to tickets but still need people.

4) Start joining groups and forums for the larger Burning Man scene, meet other Burners, and try to network your way into getting a ticket. If you need some links to specific groups, feel free to email me at capacityanddesire@gmail.com and I will get back to you with some suggestions.

5) Watch the STEP program closely during the next few months. As we get closer to the Burn, many people find that they can’t make the Burn. An estimated 40% of tickets sold so far have been to Virgin Burners. I’m guessing that at least 10% of that 40% will not be able to go to the Burn. Their tickets will open up to the larger community so be ready to grab one of those when they become available.

6) Try not to feed the scalpers. We don’t want to give them the money or satisfaction of exploiting this situation.

7) If all else fails, look into going to some of the Regional Burns that have spread throughout the world. Spread the Burner culture, teach others the 10 principles, hug everyone, create new art, put on a show, start a traveling performance tour, etc.

This year is going to be an interesting Burn. Please make sure to like this post and share it with your friends to give them some ideas on how to get tickets too. If you want to follow future Burning Man articles from Capacity and Desire, please like the Capacity and Desire Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter.