For those readers who have never been to a retreat, you're in for a great time.
The retreat starts Friday, May 23 at about 6:00 P.M. with soup and sandwiches shortly after you arrive at camp. Register when you get there and choose your sleeping accommodation. First come, first choice as to sleeping accommodation.
There will be two sheets on the wall, one that allows you to request a workshop on some musical subject i.e. (singer/songwriter circle, slow jam, celtic tunes, chanting, etc) and another where you can offer to give a workshop on a musical subject you think may be of interest to the attendees.
The workshops are usually about an hour and a half long and are given once. Sometimes the requests are met and sometimes not. These sessions could be on Sat or Sun in the morn or aft. Anyone can sign up to coordinate or lead or request a workshop.
On Friday night there will be a sheet on the wall for people to sign up on to be in a hatband (the names of all the people who sign up are thrown into a hat and are pulled out to form groups of about 5-8 people) The hat bands work up a song over the next 24 hrs to play at the concert. There will be four or five hat bands.
On Saturday night there will be a concert in which anyone can perform. A sheet will be put on the wall about 9:00am on Saturday morning and there will be 30 or so performance spots. The rules are there will be four or so spots for hat bands and the rest of the 30 or so spots are for soloists, duos, made up groups etc. You can solo or front a group or accompany someone else and be in a hat band but no more than three times, total, on stage, please, to allow anyone who wants to perform to have a turn.
There'll be lots of visiting and friend making, as well as lots of music making.
Cost: $160 (We're very sorry to have to raise the price a bit over last year's but Seven Springs raised theirs so we had no option)
Where: Seven Springs Resort near the weigh scale just south of {Parksville).
What to bring: Instruments, toiletries, warm sleeping bag, flashlight, towel and a well rested body (you're going to need it, believe us).