Nude-A-Palooza III
by Philip Chien
Would you believe a music festival at a nudist resort? Why not - nudists are interested in far more than just volleyball and suntans. The Cypress Cove nudist resort held their "Nude-A-Palooza III" music festival in October as a charity event to raise funds for Rock Pink, a breast cancer awareness organization. The event featured seven tribute bands, amateur and professional performers who play songs by famous musicians.
Cypress Cove is located in Kissimmee Florida. It's located just 20 miles from Disney World. But the founders didn't decided to place their resort next to Mickey Mouse - in fact it was the other way around! Cypress Cove opened in 1964, seven years before Disney. When the resort started operations it was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by swamps. In the decades since Disney World opened it's become a heavily built-up suburban area.
A couple of hundred attendees listened to the bands play music by Elton John, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, and Kiss among others. The tribute bands ranged from okay to pretty good; I especially enjoyed the "Alter Eagles", which played songs by the "Eagles."
Most of the attendees went nude for the day, including regular nudists and folks who came for the music festival and decided to go nude for the day. Some chose to go partially nude and some folk remained clothed. Nobody pressured any of the clothed attendees to shed their clothes, however the crowd did encourage the bands to unclothe. One performer explained that their drummer in the back insisted that they keep their clothes on, otherwise he'd have to stare at their hairy butts throughout their performance!
Nudists say being without clothing is a natural state. They aren't out to offend anybody who doesn't want to see nude bodies (the resort is surrounded by a tall wall and there's a guard at the gate). Nudists include ones who are nude almost all of the time and ones who only undress when at special events at a nudist resort. Nudists come in all races, income ranges and ages. The average nudist has an average body - with some extra fat or wrinkles, scars, and other imperfections. Many are heavily tanned and some skins have been heavily damaged by over exposure to the sun. Only a small percentage of nudists look like the models that appear in magazines - even nudist magazines.
Cypress Cove markets itself as a family-oriented resort. It has a kiddie playground next to the swimming pool and many families visit or even live on site. The population looks like any other resort in Florida - lots or retirees, some younger families and couples.
If you've never been to a nudist resort you may be nervous being around so many naked people, but very quickly you'll realize that there's nothing that special about being without clothing. It isn't a sexual situation and any sexual overtures are heavily frowned upon. Some of the clothed people, like members of the bands, appeared to be nervous or embarrassed around so many nude bodies, but most took it in stride.
Many nudists have body art (tattoos and piercings), some of it in very tender personal places. (I really wonder what happens when one particular person walks through metal detectors!) If you wanted a less permanent decoration to your body one of the vendors at the music festival was a face painter who would also decorate other parts of your body. Other vendors included nudist organizations, jewelry, massages, and even clothing (yes, nudists do wear clothing every now and then).
Cameras are extremely restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, this reporter had to have an escort while taking photos and get permission if any recognizable faces appeared.
There was a video production company at the festival, taping for a potential television show. When the attendees were cautioned that if they danced in front of the stage during the next song they could appear on the video dozens chose to dance, knowing they'd be showing off their bodies to the outside world.
An outdoor dinner, cooked over a firepit, was available featuring crabs, sausages and shrimp. The flyers for the event stated, "If you made it through the words "tribute band," "crab," "sausage" and "nudist" without either giggling or losing your lunch, then you definitely belong here."
Clout is a tribute band for Gwen Steffani's band "No Doubt". Lead singer Courtney Mead told the audience, "My daddy told me that whenever I'm nervous when I'm performing before an audience I should just imagine them without their clothes on." After a pause she added, "Boy is that working well today."
Links
Cypress Cove Nudist Resort & Spa
4425 Pleasant Hill Road
Kissimmee, FL 34746
888-683-3140
Rock Pink breast cancer organization.
No Clout, a Gwen Steffani tribute band.
About the author
Philip Chien enjoys taking off his clothes every now and then.
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