A few of us on David's management team were talking one day about the kinds of folks who are drawn to David's music. From that evening came the idea of getting folks more connected to David, but also more connected to each other. The Alaska cruise was fun - but it was set up as an experience rather than a reunion of new friends. We were brainstorming ways to build community.
And so we began to get busy with social media - getting David Tweeting, Facebooking, MySpacing, blogging and vlogging - all the online stuff has undergone a signifigant lift over the past few months. And we've begun scheduling dinners in different cities for small groups so that we can sit together - you can meet David, but you can also spend time with each other.
And thus was born the weekend gathering. There will be activities musical and non-musical, concerts and workshops, time to swim in the lake, walk in the woods, go mountainbiking or rock climbing, and more. It's a time to get away, relax and re-fuel, and meet a bunch of new friends. There'll be about 100 people, we think.
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kanuga Conference Center is an Episcopal retreat center. But to be clear, this event is a David Wilcox fan gathering open to all, not a church thing. There are cottages, guesthouses, and even hotel-style rooms at the Kanuga Lake Inn.
So we're all getting together, and you're invited. Here are the details:
WHAT: A fun weekend of music, outdoor activities, and new friends and community
WHEN: Thursday May 20th to Sunday May 23rd, 2010.
HOW: 40 minutes from Asheville airport (AVL), 1 hour from Greenville Spartanburg Airport (GSP), 2 hours to Charlotte Airport (CLT), and 3.5 hrs from Atlanta
WORKING SCHEDULE:
Thursday May 20th
4:00 pm arrival and check-in
6:00 pm dinner
7:30 pm group mixer activity, song circles, etc.
Friday May 21st
6:30 am Yoga
8:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Songwriting workshop with David
11:00 am Five elements workshop with Nance and David
12:30 pm Lunch
Afternoon: hikes, canoeing, swimming - and a group mountainbike trip.
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Song swap with David
9:00 pm Dance (to Nance and Nate's mix) and late night song circles
Saturday May 22nd
6:30 am Yoga
8:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Guitar workshop with David
11:00 am Community workshop, group choice
12:30 pm Lunch
Afternoon: hikes, canoeing, swimming -
group rock climbing, and Habitat for Humanity service project.
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Concert with David
Post Concert Bonfire
Sunday May 23rd
8:00 am breakfast
and short performance of songs celebrating sprit with David and Nance.
10:00 am checkout
Schedule and timing are subject to change, but the key events listed (ie concerts, workshops etc will all be happening for sure)
We'll facilitate a child-care collective during activity times for kids.
ACCOMODATIONS:
Kanuga has a variety of single, double, and family accomodations: The Kanuga Lake Inn, Historic Cottages, Guest Houses, and Cabins (pictures and descriptions.) We're happy to announce that we now have access to the most inexpensive lodging possible for the weekend (and also the most primitive!)
Kanuga has given us use of two of their cabins at their nearby kid's camp, Camp Bob (it's on the same grounds, just somewhat removed from the main lodging, dining and activities, but still a quick walk in distance.)
They're your basic summer camp deal, 8 bunkbeds to a sixteen-person room, women in one cabin and men in the other, with shared showers. Not glamorous at all. Some would say they're rustic, and probably they're most accurately described as 'spartan', but if you'd like to stay there for the weekend, the adult price is $255 per person, including all meals and events, etc.
COST:
Shared occupancy: $445 per person
Children 10-18: $195 per person (any lodging)
Children 3-10: $145 per person (any lodging)
Bunkbed option: $255 per person
Kids under three are free, single occupancy is an extra $95 if anyone prefers being in a room alone.
All activities, workshops, concerts, and meals are included in the total cost. The Mountainbike ride is free, although rental will be an extra charge, as will rock climbing ($15) even if you have your own equipment. Kanuga does not allow mountainbiking on their trails, but there are plenty of trails nearby.
REGISTRATION:
Click on the "Order Now" link above to make a $100 deposit per person, regardless of age, accomodation or special activities. The balance is payable the last week of April (we'll bill you) or on-site by cash, check, or credit card. We cannot accept registrations after April 30th, 2010.
REFUNDS:
We're happy to refund 50% of your deposit, but no refunds after April 30th, sorry.
We've set up dedicated forums for rideshare/roomshare, activities, etc, here. No need to identify a roommate before registering, unless you know already - then please do tell us.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
Any special needs or preferences you have - accessibility, food, sensitivities - let us know on the registration form and we'll get answers for you. Food-wise, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and most allergies can easily be accomodated for. Got little ones? Kanuga rents cribs and linens for infants, just ask us.
QUESTIONS:
Contact Randall Williams using the link on the right, email "publicity" at David Wilcox dot com, or call 953 8764, area code 617.
Please do check out the rideshare and discussion about the weekend on David's site, and look forward to seeing you soon!