The Pressure Was ON – the beginning of the Burning Man event was approaching. Danny Umstead was key in motivating an early move out to the playa. The Dragon crew was hesitant; the dream had been to make a dramatic entrance the first night of the event, but what they actually drove in that windy night was a very headless Dragon! The sun had set by the time the crew caravanned off the ranch and the static from the storm pulsed through the Dragon and her crew. They gravy-trained the crazy beast down route 34 and out onto the playa. Celebration was in the air even though there was still a huge workload ahead for the Dragon team.

ON THE PLAYA! – As Danny Umstead had predicted, the hands came to the beast in number. For the first time Lisa was not only artist she had become a Director. The camera's were clicking and the video rolling. Everyone was interested, so many wanted to help. A total of about fifty volunteers ended up laying their hands on the beast. In addition to the core crew there was now "Playa-Aid" which included the "out of the blue" arrival of the much needed welder, Jim Breitrick. Thomas Sepe, Scotte Laurie, Joshuala, Wayne, Lepracon and mascot, Little Miles from Kids Camp, joined the Dragon ranks. Each day presented a new set of problems. That meant more work for Lisa and her tired crew. It was interesting to see the Dragon evolve into a new entity every other hour or day.

It had also become apparent that this Dragon was actually a SHE, not a HE. Lisa named her Draka, after the dragon constellation Draco, but with a sort of feminine, but Germanic twist. On Wednesday night, the 30th of August 2000, Playa-Aid and Lisa took Draka out on her first test run. The question of the moment was, could this beast actually pull all of Draka's newly added weight? The test met with supreme success! Fire performers were then summoned to come wake the sleepy dragon and parade her out along the Esplanade. Ecstatic and cheering, the fire dancers energetically led lovely Draka out onto the open playa. Near Center Camp flocks gathered and eyes filled with amazement. Everyone adored her!

What the Beast is made of – Draka had become a nocturnal beast, needing massage by day and excitement at night. At birth she measured in at 124 feet in length, 12 feet in width at her mid-section with a 30 foot wing span. Her train-like look being attributed to the connection of one box truck to three trailers. Her "Belly" was built on a Ford Econoline, one ton box truck. The interior of this old fish truck had been stripped and redecorated by the Dragon Girls to make a very plush, warm and inviting lounging environment. Sort of a modern I-Dream-of-Jeanie's Bottle where six could sleep comfortably on many a cold night.

The driver's "Cock-Pit" became a backdrop to Road-Warriors and Dragon-Lovers with its red-washed walls, fur and leather accoutrements. There was just enough room for the driver and flame-thrower controller to sit cozily next to a 30 gallon propane tank. This section, connected to the Beast's Belly, supported her head, neck and wings plus a saddle on her back. The rear of the belly was secured by two hand-made medieval-looking wooden doors, designed with a fictitious gate to heaven and hell in mind.

The second, "Bar, Lounge and Kitchen Compartment" was all about swank with its curved benches lined with red velvet and black fur, a zebra print rug and bar covered with wooden shingles. Participants were invited to have a drink, relax, and enjoy while touring Black Rock City as seen from the bowels of one amazing beast.

The third, "Entertainment Car," was created for carrying musicians, dj's, and performers like the Xtra-Action Marching Band. By the end of the event we had to temporarily remove this car. The excess of people climbing aboard was causing the Dragon to truly Drag and gouge holes into the playa floor.

The fourth and smallest "Tail Section" finished off the beast and was utilized for the storage of maintenance supplies and a generator.

Did someone say this Dragon IS Magic? If you allow yourself to get close enough, you will see the beauty in this beast, exposed in Real, Fierce, Dragon Fashion. Souls are often enticed by her furocious fire then lost within her other-worldly magic... Others, like Joy Orabella, saw visions of Draka before she was here!

Noteable Events In 2000 Draka was challenged by the Golden Dragon of New Orleans. The two dragons met at the Flaming Heart at sunset for a dual and Draka sent the little one racing away in fear of disintegrating under the heat of her fiery breath.

In 2001 Lisa and Flynn contemplated stuffing Draka with pyrotechniques materials then sending the dragon ablaze across the dark desert floor. What a spectacle that would be! They decided to revisit the idea a year down the road and see if this would be the kind of show they would opt for. Then...

The Power Behind a Thought! – On May 14, 2002, in the Hualapai Valley of Nevada, Fire did Engulf Draka! A small spark from Lisa's welding machine accidentally sent the entire belly up in flames... In the middle of the desert with no water in sight, a tire popping and gasoline exploding spectacle ensued. Draka's truck burned beautifully to the ground. A Phoenix from the Fire was exactly what Lisa thought while she and a couple others watched her Dragon burn down to a good size bed of embers next to the shop at the Burning Man ranch.

Reconstructing Draka
About a month later a truck was donated to assist the dragon crew with their resurrection of Draka. Slayed was not Draka! The crew assisted Lisa with the shedding and remounting of Draka's exquisitely singed skin onto a 1978 Dodge Tradesman. From the ashes, Lisa and Sam were now able to reconsider all they had rushed through in Draka's original construction two years prior. It truly was a blessing in disguise. Besides, what other existence could there be for a dragon, but to live by the fire, die by the fire, and be re-birthed again by fire!

Being that Lisa has four planets in Scorpio, she understood all too well the crash, burn and rebuild scenario of this here Dragon. Those hot embers had delivered a real nice cup of Dragon brew... Skinned and de-Boned, Draka presented herself anew to 2002 Burning Man participants, with the scars of a controversial past mixed with a fresh attitude, three months later.

"If this dragon can really fly, she will travel to Art Car Parades and outdoor sculpture parks across America then make her way to Europe." ~ Lisa Nigro

She can, she really can F L Y!
Well, sort of, at least by truck! By the first of May 2004 Draka had made it from northern Nevada to Houston, Texas for attendance in the world renowned Houston Art Car Parade with sponsorship from the Orange Show Foundation and Ann Harithas of the Houston Art Car Museum.

To see more pictures of Draka and her dedicated crew members through the years thumb through our Image Gallery >

Draka in the Making 2000

2000: Draka's Maiden Voyage on the Playa
2001: Draka as BRC-DPT

Draka Burnin' : May 14 2002

2002: Draka Rebuilt after Fire
2003: Draka's journey to Burnin'Bush, plus Renovations ~ inside & out

2004: Draka Does Nevada 2 Houston

2005-08: Draka in Houston

Other Draka LINKS

THANK YOU PAST DRAKA VOLUNTEERS ~
for making Draka the monster that she is!

The Original Draka 2000 Crew
Flynn Mauthe, for the Dragon~Train/Louisiana Hay-Ride concept of a truck pulling 3 trailers.
Sam Wedderburn, for putting heart & soul into Draka.
The DragonGirlz, for their Blood, Sweat & Tears! That's Acelina Kruger, Sue Glover, Suzanna Johnson "AquaGirl," Jenny-Jo Leeder, Dea Million, Tanya Story, and Kris "Lt. Mustard Seed" Willis.
Danny Umstead, for getting our metal to the desert & our dragon to the playa.
Flynn Mauthe & Aaron Castro, for the dragon's Flame Thrower design & construction.
Jim Breitrick, for being Draka's lead playa welder.
A few other Noteworthy Fellas: Miles, Doyle, Dark Angel, Attila Cumali, Red Aaron, Mark & Karen Keesee, Mariya Kessee, Rody Jonas, Chris Benett, Metric, Peter, Jamie, Taylor Selby, JD, Joshuala, ScottE, Thomas, Lil'Miles, Reggie Ballard
A few other Noteworthy Ladies: Carolyn Matini, Dana Rogers, Ilona Berger, Leah Elton, Onie, Linda Kim
Thank you especially to BRC-DPW!
2000 Donors: Tom & Wess Williams ~ the cedar shingles from Fly Ranch; JohnBoy & Fernley Electric.

2001 Crew
Thomas Sepe, Manager, Draka as BRC-DPT.
Amaris Black, Suzanna Johnson, Dana Rogers, Sam Wedderburn, Ilona Berger, Ewa Hrynyszyn, Leah Elton, Quiet Girl, Craig Laferty, Eric Close, Lars Vegas, Tom Prophet, Rosanna Scimeca, Margaret Farrow, Bean Cortez, Larry Matthews, Dark Angel, Boris, Jen Jenkins, Wayne Miller, Spinner, Dusty Dog, Brian, Tanner, Mateo, Elizabeth-Open, Dan Deaderick, Craig Morse, Josh Howe, A'lan Abbruzo, Trey Butler, Lawrenzo Share, Shiloh Rusk, Yeshe, Malia, Z, and Rody Jonas.
2001 Donors:
Heather Ford ~the beautiful Draka Medallions;
Nicholas Butterworth and Mark Savukinas.

2002 Crew
Anthony Ambuehl & GreenLee, for being there 100%!
Sam Wedderburn, Delores & her husband, Ilona Berger, Ewa Hrynyszyn, Lisa LeatherTongue, Robert Bernal, Laura Casey, James Bong, Dan Heil, Miss Chaos, Nick of the North, Sara Gray, Kelly Ridgeway, Brett Vayo, Gemena Jones, Racer Ryan, Chris Quintana, Mark Holmes, Lone Feather, Matisse Enzer, Marc Declerq, Shannon Marr, Joshuala, KittyMak and Wayne Miller.
2002 Donors: John Mushoo ~ truck donation and use of heavy machinery. If we were without John, we'd be out a dragon! Jeffrey Johnson ~ the beautiful neon dragon creation; Bob Meyer ~ the Draka postcards; JohnBoy & Fernley Electric; Mark Savukinas, Dave Hamilton, Rick Rickert, Gary Theut, and Darren.

2003 Crew
Jim Breitrick, Marc DeClercq, Sam Wedderburn, Julie Parker, Bryan Cameron, Dinesh Prasad, Rae Langes, Tank, Kate Masters, KittyMak, Johnny Roc, Chris Diamond, Dana Rogers, Denise Albrecht, Chris Quintana, Gary Taylor, Joshuala, Les & Amelia.
2003 Donors: Rick Thomas, Peter Levine, Ginger Book; JohnBoy & Fernley Electric.

2004 Draka 2 Houston Crew
Sue Glover, Flynn Mauthe, Marc DeClercq, Jim Breitrick, Danny Grant, Mark Keesee, Kleetus, Tim Cole, and Cazz. Special thanks to Aileen Adler ~ for the wonderful theremin playing on Draka during the parade, ScrapDaddy ~ for all the cool extras, Metric ~ for the orange trash fence to wrap Draka for transort, WT Burge ~ for the cool work space, ATS Trucking ~ for the starving artist discount on transport, and Bryan Taylor and the Houston Art Car Klub (HACK) ~ for being there!
2004 Donors: the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art; Ann Harithas and the Art Car Museum of Houston.

2005 Draka in Houston Crew
Flynn Mauthe, Marc DeClercq, Jim Breitrick, Danny Grant, Tym Sympson, Planet Ruth, and Cazz. 2005 Donors: the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Hugo the Tire Man, ABC Auto Parts.

2006 Draka in Houston Crew
Natali LeDuc, Richard Tomcala, Tymberline, and Cazz. 2006 Donors: the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Hugo the Tire Man, ABC Auto Parts, and Advanced Gas.

Plus the oh so many other Volunteers! It's hard to keep track! If we've forgotten you, please Email us with your name at volunteer@drakaarts.org Thanks!

To learn more about the artist click here > Lisa
To contact Lisa click here > theDragonLady
To view more of Lisa's work click here > Lisa's Art Gallery
©Draka the Dragon 2000-07