Envision Festival begins -

Envision Festival 2014 has kicked off at Rancho La Merced, in Uvita, on the southern Pacific coast. The venue is new this year, with more shade as well as closer and easier access to the beach. Festivities continue through Sunday.

The opening ceremony is at 5:45 p.m. at the Luna Stage, followed by a Sunset Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Sol Stage. However, workshops started at 12:45 p.m. today. Music and performances begin this evening at 8:45 p.m. with Soulacybin. Merchant booths and food stands are already open.

Workshops throughout the week are focused on a variety of subjects including yoga, movement, sacred plant medicine, conscious connections, creating community and how to be a successful independent artist while traveling. The indigenous Boruca Tribe will be giving mask demonstrations and will perform a ceremony on Saturday. The Untz will be hosting panel discussions with music artists on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Costa Rica’s own Sonámbulo and Santos y Zurdo are two of the most anticipated bands playing this weekend: Sonámbulo on Friday and Santos y Zurdo on Sunday. Other notable performaners include Tipper, Papadosio, The Polish Ambassador, Nahko & Medicine for the People, Random Rab.

The festival schedule is not available online. Attendees should seek out boards with schedule information that are situated throughout the festival grounds.

Tickets are still available — you need to come to the box office at Rancho La Merced to buy them. The box office opens at 10 a.m.

Bring closed-toe shoes. Last year, I walked around barefoot and was fine. So far this year, I’ve been walking in flip flops and it’s not that easy because the ground is craggier and with more debris.

You can buy food and drink, but it doesn’t come in a container, you have to bring your own. And don’t forget your water bottle, plate and eating utensils. So far, I’ve seen many people using leftover bamboo from construction sites as plates and utensils.

Hey, whatever works, and bonus points for helping to save Mother Earth. There will be workshops on making these items from bamboo in case you want to get fancy with it.