BS: Fur Peace Ranch

Subject: Fur Peace Ranch
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 01:48 AM

Seems like everyone I know is off to music camp this Summer. Two friends just got back from Steve Kaufman's, two more are at Swannanoa, one is at Willie Week in Ireland, and someone else is going to Augusta. I've always been a little iffy about camps for myself, but I recently learned about Fur Peace Ranch run by Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame. It sounds like a place I might could learn a lick or two. Have any of you 'Catters been there or know anyone who has?

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 08:27 AM

That's a great list of guitar players for instructors, but it seems kinda pricey at $700/wk, even with the "gourmet meals" (yeah, right).

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 08:57 AM

Firs off, I have not been there, but friends of mine have and they report that the gourmet meals are the real thing. A wonderful, creative cook is Mrs. Kaukonen. As to the music, Jorma is the real thing as well. You can learn what you're capable of learning and what you want to learn, from a decent, all round nice fella as an instructor. Nice setting, cabins, folks gathered round to pick a little, not a bad week, I'm told.

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: MMario
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 09:04 AM

well - children's camps in NY state average $650 a week - and believe me they don't normally have anything that can be described as "gourmet"; and they don't normally have any set kind of instruction - more just run the kids around until they are exhausted.

$700 for a weeks worth of guitar instruction sounds like a bargain!

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: dwditty
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 09:06 AM

I have not been, but a month or so ago I went to hear Rory Block. It turns out she is an instructor there, and there were three people who had met her at Fur Peace. I sought them out at intermission. They were all extremely enthusiastic. Two of them had been each year for several years. I say...."Go!"

dw

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 09:38 AM

seems like everything you need to know is right there on the web site:

http://www.furpeaceranch.com/

it is a very thorough intro to what to expect, with a long list of former students' testimonials, & with phone numbers to contact, so you can ask them any question you might have. Nice line-up of instructors, and concerts throughout the year, 'Hot Tuna Acoustic' for one sounds fun!

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 12:02 AM

$650 for a children's camp for a week? $700 is "a bargain"?

Do you people live on the rich white folks planet, or what?

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 12:06 AM

Here is what you get at the Willie Clancy Summer School 2002:

$100 US includes six classes, all lectures and recitals (except the Saturday concert) and reduced price admission to céilithe.

With airfare, it comes to around the same price as a week at the fancy ranch with "gourmet meals".

Harumph.

Subject: RE: BS: Fur Peace Ranch
From: SharonA
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 12:23 PM

Right, GUEST, except that one also has to feed and house oneself for the week ("All students have to arrange their own accommodation and transport"). That narrows the gap more than a bit. Here's the page for this year's school, already in progress: http://www.setdancingnews.net/wcss/wcsst.htm