Review of Camp Sasamat (music camp)

Subject: Review of Camp Sasamat (music camp)
From: mg
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 10:04 PM

I was hoping one of our friends to the north would start this, but I shall have to. It was absolutely great. I think it is on the permathreads somewhere.   

It is about 20 miles outside of Vancouver B.C. on this beautiful lake in the middle of forests. The weather was unbelievable. The music was awesome...more on that..the dinner on Saturday night was magnicifent..some sort of jerked (?) chicken, the best roasted potatoes ever, and a salad of romaine, craisins, pears and jicama (?) and cheese.

I think one of the highlights was this choral group that emerged..a choir teacher was there and gave them two songs..mind you these are amongst the best singers in Canada (and U.S. too)..but they had about an hour to practice and this indescribably beautiful music came out. One was African-sounding. I can't remember the other one because I tend to mostly listen to the tune and not the words..but it was lovely...

Then the regular great workshops...hot tubs..mist on the lake...it was so nice.

And I almost missed it..it is a series of miracles that got me there because I had gotten the weekend mixed up..I thought it was always on our Thanksgiving weekend and didn't even question this...so I get a call saying where are you..I'm at the mall (in Tacoma). I was working in Long Beach..way south...getting the last of the big grants out..I said I think you got the days mixed up...nope...so then I got to thinking..if I could get to Astoria I could take the overnight bus..had a change of clothes at work in case I fall in a cranberry bog..had my passport..got to Astoria with a woman who works with us and lives there..and made it...thanks to people running interference at both ends for me. Hope I can return the favors someday...Well, sign up next year, and sign up soon for Rainycamp near Seattle...discount till the 15th.

mg

Subject: RE: Review of Camp Sasamat (music camp)
From: sharyn
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 10:15 PM

I was there,too. For the first year in the three that I've been there it did not rain. Yay!

This weekend camp is a wonderful camp for singers of traditional ballads. Jon Bartlett and Rika Rubesaat give an ever-varying introduction to Child Ballads, making use of the repertories of whatever singers they have on site that is worth the entire cost of camp (about $55 US).

The camp is small, limited to seventy or so, making it possible to meet and sing with everyone there if you so choose. As Mary said, the food is great, featuring coconut-milk-based curried soup and spanokopita and pecan rolls in addition to items Mary mentioned.