Dancing for the Planet: My Dream Weekend at EDC Las Vegas
Samantha and Mariah from Plant Futures with DJ Rusko
This year marked my sixth EDC Las Vegas, and it was unlike any other- because this time, I wasn’t just there to dance under the electric sky. I was invited to represent Plant Futures with the press, gaining special behind-the-scenes access to share our vision for a more sustainable, plant-centered future. To say it was a dream come true would be an understatement.
Everything I love came together in one unforgettable weekend: plants, sustainability, community, friends, laughter, electronic music, dancing - and most importantly, purpose. And it all started with a full-circle moment.
🎶 Interviewing DJ Rusko: From Fan to Advocate
Samantha Derrick interviewing DJ Rusko at EDC
On Day 1 of EDC, I had the surreal honor of interviewing one of the first DJs who changed my life: Rusko. When I was 18, I went to his show-my very first electronic music experience-and it opened my mind to a whole new world. That moment shaped my love for this community and eventually led me here.
Interviewing him was a dream come true, and the fact that we got to talk about Plant Futures, health, and sustainability made it even cooler.
Rusko shared how eating plant-based helps him feel lighter and perform better, and how important it is that festivals like EDC lead the way in showcasing what it means to rave healthy. He spoke honestly about the music industry’s environmental footprint - and how even small acts, like choosing a plant-based meal, can ripple through a community as connected and open as ours.
“In dance music, the strongest thing we have is community… people influencing each other. That’s how good things spread.”
We’ll be sharing the full interview with Rusko on our social channels in the coming days, so be sure to follow along and catch it when it drops!
🌮🌯 Plant-Powered Fuel: Tacotarian & Hummus Republic
Over the weekend, we had the chance to spotlight some of the incredible plant-based food vendors fueling festival-goers—and two local standouts truly stole the show:
Sonia, Hummus Republic and Samantha in front of Hummus Republic, located right by EDC Main Stage
Tacotarian, a beloved Las Vegas staple, dished out vibrant vegan Mexican cuisine that was as flavorful as it was energizing. From their smoky al pastor tacos to the now-iconic Mexican pizza, their offerings redefined what it means to eat well at a rave.
As Calvin from Tacotarian shared: “People come from all over the world to EDC—maybe they’re not used to having plant-based options around, so it’s a perfect time for someone to have a new experience.”
Hummus Republic brought bold Mediterranean flavors and nutrient-packed options that hit just right under the desert sun. With falafel wraps, street fries, and an abundance of fresh toppings, they proved that healthy can also mean crave-worthy.
Sonia from Hummus Republic put it beautifully:
“Being at such a huge event like EDC Las Vegas… it’s kind of like coming out better—not feeling nasty or full or overwhelmed. You can enjoy and still feel good about it.”
Together, these vendors didn’t just serve food - they helped bring to life a new vision of what it means to eat well at a festival: sustainable, energizing, and joyful. Several vendors shared that each year, more attendees are actively choosing plant-based options - not just for their health, but to feel lighter, dance longer, and align their choices with their values. After all, who wants to feel weighed down when you’re dancing until sunrise? Definitely not me.
EDC as told by Plant Futures Alumni
As a proud alum of the very first Plant Futures course at UC Berkeley, being at EDC to represent a movement that now spans nearly 100 universities around the world was nothing short of surreal. What started as a class has grown into a global community of changemaker - and that weekend, that community showed up loud, energized, and plant-powered.
I wasn’t alone. Mariah, Daniel, and several other Plant Futures alumni were also at EDC this year, and crossing paths with them in the middle of a crowd of thousands was pure magic. I had the joy of interviewing Mariah Z, alumni of the first Plant Futures course at UC Berkeley, who spoke about her commitment to sustainable raving - from thrifting her outfits to minimizing waste and making intentional food choices.
This movement is no longer just a vision - it’s real, it’s growing, and it’s showing up in the most unexpected and powerful places.
Seeing our community embody their values on and off the dance floor was a reminder that cultural change starts with people who lead by example.
♻️ Small Acts, Massive Impact
Across the festival grounds, signs of sustainability were everywhere - recycling bins, reusable cup systems, water refill stations, low-waste infrastructure, and a coordinated shuttle system designed to reduce emissions.
These might seem like small details, but at an event the size of EDC - with hundreds of thousands of attendees - these choices add up to something massive.
Community, Joy, and the Heart of Raving Sustainably
This weekend was about more than food and interviews. It was about joy, connection, freedom, and community - the very things that make festivals like EDC so magical. And in that magic lies the deeper truth: this is why sustainability matters.
To rave sustainably is to nourish your body, honor your surroundings, and show up with intention - for yourself, for others, and for the planet. It’s choosing joy without compromise, and responsibility without losing the fun.
It’s a reminder that culture is where change begins—and we have the power to shape it.
When electronic music and sustainability collide, the result isn’t just powerful - it’s transformational.
Missed our pre-EDC coverage?
Catch up on our mission at EDC, sustainable packing tips, plant-based eats in Vegas, and more!
🔮 What’s Next?
We believe this is just the beginning. The next generation of cultural leaders, food innovators, and climate activists are already here - and many of them are dancing next to us at festivals like EDC.
Let’s keep building this movement together - one beat, one bite, one joyful act at a time.
📲 Stay tuned! We’ll be sharing exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and plant-powered highlights from EDC on our social channels this week and next. Don’t miss it.
With gratitude and glitter,
Samantha Derrick
Executive Director, Plant Futures
🌍🌱💃