Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.

Subject: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 11:26 PM

My wife's music partner is trying to get them a gig at Holden Village next summer. According to their web site:

"Holden Village is a year-round ecumenical Christian retreat center, rooted in the Lutheran tradition. Once the site of one of the largest copper mines in the United States, Holden is nestled in the enchanting beauty of the Cascade Mountains near Chelan, Washington."

He wants to arrange a deal whereby both our families (He has 2 kids, 12 and 14. We have one son, 13.) can stay there a week in exchange for them doing 4 "events," i.e. concerts or workshops.

It sounds like a beautiful location, but my misgivings are: (1) the web site gives the impression that all their programs have a strong religious orientation, and I'm not sure how much of that we can handle. (We are a non-churchgoing family – we are lapsed Quakers tending toward agnosticism. While I feel I can talk intelligently and respectfully about religion, I wouldn't call myself religious.) and (2) the site is in a VERY remote location, meaning (I'm afraid) we run the risk of being VERY bored if we can't relate to the other people there.

We hear they have a tradition of having musicians there (not necessarily folk musicians) so I was hoping I might contact some Mudcatters who have experience there. What can you tell me?

If we're going to do this, we need to make a commitment soon.

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: Haruo
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 11:40 PM

I think Marty Haugen has done a lot of stuff there. He's a fairly important modern liturgical composer who uses a lot of folk tunes and styles in his work. (You can see a lot of his stuff in Gather II, a Catholic hymnal put out by GIA.) The setting is absolutely gorgeous, and unless along with your agnosticism you acquired a distaste for natural beauty, you should find it hard to be bored. (I.e. if the people bore you, step outside! If necessary, hop on a horse.) ;-)

Liland

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: Haruo
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 11:47 PM

I take back the part about horses; I guess horses are too polluting for them. Maybe you can go swimming. (I hear there's an underground stream linking Lake Chelan with Loch Ness; who knows what may lurk therein.)

Liland

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: John P
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 07:55 AM

I work with a guy who has lived at Holden Village for extended periods. I get the feeling that they are trying to live their religion rather than preach it. I know one musician who was there for a couple of weeks and neither he nor his music is overtly religious. He had a great time and was, I believe, liked by his hosts.

John

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: Bsondahl
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 01:30 AM

I've worked and sung there. Great setting. A very welcoming community, particularly open to the not religious but spiritually questing. Lots of just outdoorsy folks love it for the setting, which is definitely outstanding. I did an hour set of blues, love songs, and mostly all unreligious pieces, and was well received, but they sang along on "Jesus met the woman at the well." From which I learned that Peter Paul and Mary covered it from Dave Van Ronk. I was potter for two weeks there last fall. Also was a Quaker for 5 years or so, now am married to a Lutheran pastor, so don't quite fit your model, but if you like hiking, mountain lakes, crafts, jamming (usually a lot of folk types there on staff) you'll do very well. Brad http://pages.about.com/bsondahl

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: Bsondahl
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 12:07 PM

forgot to mention there's some pictures from the area around Holden posted on my webpage: http://pages.about.com/bsondahl/outdoor.html also on the second page.

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 03:54 PM

Refresh. Any more comments?

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: mousethief
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 03:57 PM

Lake Chelan is REEEEEEALLY COLLLLLLD. Don't say you weren't warned. But it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. Break a leg!

Alex

Subject: RE: Help: Tell me about Holden Village, WA.
From: SandyBob
Date: 06 Jan 01 - 01:06 AM

Lived there for a year a long time ago...nice folks..its the Land of the Liberal Lutherans.

Sandy Bob