GETAWAY PROGRAM (Book I)

For my sins, I've been asked to be Getaway program chair again this year; mudcatter Lorraine is helping with the job as well, bless her kind heart. This means we'll provide the line-up of workshops, mini-concerts and other planned activities.

We are somewhat familiar with the talents and interests of the people who came last year, and will contact many of them again as soon as we can get our act together. A number of those folks did wonderful concerts and workshops.

There are also a couple of 'Catters who were NOT on the program no matter how politely they were asked, including a guy whose initials are Big Mick, who had better be on the program this year or risk being pelted with rotten potatoes.... (You see, Mick, Bill and I DID keep that potato around for a year ....)

We'd very much like to include other Mudcatters in the program this year if possible.

If you have an idea for a workshop you'd like to lead or attend, or if you'd be willing to do a half hour's mini-concert, let me or Lorraine know.

If you're volunteering for a concert, give us a little idea of where you usually perform (song circles, local open mikes, paid gigs etc.) and what kind of music you do. Among other things it helps us know where and when to schedule you to avoid conflicts.

Please note: mini-concerts are NOT restricted to people who play professionally!!! The amazing quality and quantify of fine non-professional talent at the Getaway is part of its charm.

Also note, if you aren't up to a half hour set, there's an open mike concert each night (one song per performer or group) with sign-up sheets posted in the dining hall.

We found last year that there were plenty of volunteers for the mini concerts, but we needed more workshop ideas and leaders. It's fun. At the Getaway a workshop is participatory: the leader states the topic, does a song or whatever, then invites folks from the audience to contribute. That's what gives the Getaway its wonderful atmosphere of sharing and excitement.

By the way, Dick Greenhaus e-mailed me with a half dozen ideas for workshops last year. It was most helpful! -- So don't hesitate to make suggestions. We'll pick and choose from the suggestions based on our estimate of what will get the best reception from the attendees.

You can PM or e-mail me: zither@erols.com

By the way, we'll almost certainly have another Mudcat workshop, maybe one each on Saturday and Sunday if there are enough 'catters attending. We couldn't get around to everybody last year. So even if you're shy, polish up one or two songs for that...

Looking forward to hearing from you. Rita Ferrara