Shediac, New Brunswick · 1 to 3 October 2027
Afterland
A post-apocalyptic festival. The year’s 2285.
The paperwork stopped a while ago.
There’s a lobster in this town taller than a house, built for no reason anyone ever wrote down.
That’s why it’s still standing. Everything that came with a reason on file came apart.
Every October we gather near, pour for strangers first, and tell you the rest.
Bring a face.
What happens at the end of the world
The fires
Stories told after dark, in every tongue anyone brings. Embellishment’s required. Nobody tells it the same way twice, and the fires argue about the rest.
The salvage market
Scavenged, patched, welded, and worn on purpose. There are no price tags. Ask, and be ready for a conversation.
The machines
Rat rods, hot rods, and whatever still turns over. Chrome’s optional. Rust’s a credential.
The flat-worded
They weren’t bitten. They were emptied. Say a word that means two things to one of them and watch it wake up, for about four seconds.
The screen
The walk from the screen to the dark water is part of the program. Take it slowly.
The noise
Electronica, metal, funk, industrial, punk, and anything made out of salvage. If a set would frighten our other two festivals, it’s probably ours.
The tea
Poured free, and poured for strangers first. That’s the law. A law older than paper.
The planting
Before anyone leaves, something green goes into the ground. The world ended. The gardening didn’t.
At the gate
Nobody asks who you are when you arrive. We pour first.
When the cup’s empty, someone finally asks your name, and you give one. Just the one you’ll answer to. It’s the rarest thing left in the world, and it’s free at the gate.
Costumes are welcome from any ending. The story was built with room.
The particulars
When
Friday 1 October to Sunday 3 October 2027.
Where
Shediac, New Brunswick, on the warmest salt water north of Virginia. Venues and the full program are on their way.
Tickets
Not on sale yet. When they are, you’ll read it here first.
Afterland is one of three festivals from Shediac Wonderland. The Shediac Mascarade opens the year from 28 to 30 May, and the Shediac Renaissance Faire holds the middle from 20 to 22 August. Afterland takes place October 1, 2, and 3.
Three weekends. One question.
Version française à venir.
The kettle’s already on.