Wanna jam together, remotely in real time?

I know that there are some of you out there with computer technical skills, so here's the challenge: I discovered a new online service called eJamming (http://www.ejamming.com/) which allow two or more people to get online and jam/record together. Sounds pretty cool, if you have a high-speed internet connection and a quality soundcard/microphone on your PC.

If you're interested in checking this out, either add a comment below or send me an email. I'll try to hook up anyone who's interested. If you know of another / better idea for this (we could try Skype), add a comment to this post. It would be fun to connect folks together between flute circles.

Remembering the Day

It's been 4 busy days now since the Flute Gathering on Saturday, and still I am having fun remembering all of the wonderful things from the day.

First of all, thanks to everyone who attended and helped make this a successful fund raiser for KFOK. The radio station cleared more than a thousand dollars thanks to all of your generous donations and support of the evening concert.

I really enjoyed meeting and chatting with all of the vendors. There were some beautiful crafts for sale. Bill Timothy (Central Coast Flute Circle) had some beautiful beaded wraps for sale. This is skill which I didn't know that Bill possessed, and unfortunately he didn't have a wrap which matched the size/leather of my new flute, but I'll definitely be working with Bill to make some custom wraps for my other flutes.

Vance Pennington (Walking Spirit Flute) drove down from Oregon to show his inventory of beautiful flutes. Vance is a consumate craftsman and has an amazing attention to detail. All of his flute are turned and most share a unique construction technique to join the various woods used for the flute. I would say that Vance stands alone in this method of construction. The other unique feature which Vance demonstrated is an innovation tuning mechanism available on his flutes which allow you to change the pitch of the fundamental note of the flute. If you are interested in a 'tunable' Native American style flute, then I encourage you to contact Vance and check out this flutes.

Stephen DeRuby had two new models of his Gypsy flute available for sale. Both models feature the same construction and Native American style flute block as his River and Trail flute series. He had an A model available which features inline finger holes. He also has an E model which features the same offset holes as the D model.

Colyn Peterson (Woodland Voices) flew out from the mid west to join us for the first time at an NCFC event. I had never met Colyn personally so it was fun to get to know him throughout the day. Colyn had some beautiful flutes for sale, many of which featured the painting and woodburning of his wife Kitty. Since this was Colyn's first visit to NorCal, his booth was busy all day.

I also had the chance to met flutemaker Igor Sedor from Las Vegas. Igor drove up with some other members of the Loping Wolf Las Vegas clan. Igor had a smal inventory for sale.

Jeanne and Jim Callaway (Eagle Heart Flutes), came down from Clear lake area to join us. It's been about 4 or 5 years since I've seen the Callaway's. The last time was at the now defunct (but notorious) DeAnza Pow Wow. Jim had some wonderful inlaid flutes for sale.

Becky Olvera Schultz, a Native artist from the Bay area, had some beautiful art and masks for sale. I had fun talking to Becky and enjoyed her artwork. I hope that some of these beautiful pieces found a new home last weekend.

Loren and Lonnie from FairyRingMushroom had a huge inventory (they've been busy in the shop lately), and I noticed a fair number of folks in their booth throughout the day. Loren and Lonnie are our local flutemakers in the Sacramento area.

Our very own, Brian Revheim (Napa Valley Flutes) had a small collection of flutes for sale. Brian's unique construction method had lot's of folks checking out his flutes thoughout the day.

Lew Price was his usual self, sharing his collection of flutes and spent the day talking about flutemaking with anyone who had questions.

Of course I can't forget Russ Venable, who I think spent more time bouncing around talking to every one in all of the other booths, than he did in his own. I also enjoyed Russ's playful spirit and enthusiasm for everything flute. I did happen to be present when Russ delivered Dan DiCicco's new spalted mango, double barrel flute. It was a beauty, and Dan's a happy boy...

Unfortunately, Geophrey Ellis couldn't make over for the day. We missed him.

Kudos to the NoNahme Clan for a wonderful event!

I slept in late yesterday, exhausted from all the fun on Saturday...

...but I wanted to post a huge THANK YOU to all of the NCFC NoNahme Clan members who put so much time and positive energy into the Spring Gathering on Saturday. It was a wonderful event. I heard nothing but great things from everyone I talked to during the day.

To David Blonski, the Feather River Singers and Scott August, and all of the other folks who performed Saturday evening, thanks for your wonderful talents. It was a truly entertaining evening.

The weather held dry until the last hour of the daytime events, as the crowd was thinning and the vendors were ready to pack up. Thanks for all of the prayers for a dry day.

I'll post more reflections on the day as I get time this week.

Big Event today!

It's 6 AM. The car is packed. I am ready to hit the road to Georgetown for day of wonderful flute music ad the NCFC/NoNahme Clan Spring Festival. If you're heading that way, I hope to see you today and get the chance to chat, and play flutes together. My Beginner Flute Workshop starts at 10 AM this morning and the rest of the workshops follow after that throughout the day.

Looks like the weather is going to hold for the early part of the day, so we'll be outside. The concert featuring Scott August this evening is inside so it the weather front comes through, we should be OK.

If you're looking for directions, simply Google Map Georgetown, CA. The town is so small that you can't miss the Georgetown ampitheather. Just take Main street out of town. If you go more than a mile, you went too far... there will be signs on the road.

I'll post several entries later this weekend on the day.

Here's the link for more information: http://www.naflute.com/ncfcspringgathering.html

Native American Hand Drum Workshop, Half Moon Bay

Make an actual Native American drum and Learn the way of the drummer with Pablo Diego Viramontes and Rooni Bissonnette

When: Sunday, May 20th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: Half Moon Bay, CA

Workshop fee includes all material for your drum.
Buffalo Hide Drum $200
Elk Hide Drum $175


Directions and details will be sent upon registration

650-712-0800
Info@wildlifeAssociates.org

By the end of the day, you will have your own beautiful native drum to take home with you. All materials are provided.

Pablo is a wonderful teacher and will guide you through the crafting as well as the cultural history and practices of the Native American drum. This workshop is a fun, enriching and unique experience.

Pablo Viramontes is a renowned Native American craftsman and Art Instructor who has exhibited his art regionally and nationally. He received his MA and Teaching Credential from San Jose State University.

Pablo has been a teacher for 33 years at the Foundry School in San Jose, California, an alternative school for at-risk-youth. He has used ritual and ceremony to help the youth discover their gift of �HANDS,� helping change behavior and attitudes. He is an elder in the Indian community, helping with various events and ceremonies.

An advisor, runner and caretaker of the ceremonial drum for the 500 Mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon, he has had workshops helping individuals discovering their gifts of �HANDS� creating drums, masks, rattles and other creative objects.
During this workshop, participants are reminded of the responsibility of being a caretaker of the heartbeat of the peoples (the drum), and respect through prayer, positive energy, and good intentions, for the animal and tree that has given its life to be part of this sacred instrument.

Note: This workshop is not affiliated with the NCFC.

Pray for sunshine this weekend...

According to the weather channel, it (currently) looks like there will be rain on Friday and rain on Sunday, but only cloudy weather on Saturday in Georgetown this weekend. Let's all pray that this pattern holds for the NCFC/NoNahme Clan Flute Festival this weekend.

Alot of folks in the NoNahme Clan and others have put a tremendous amount of their time, sweat and tears into this event that I hope that we have some good weather to enjoy it outside. If the weather does not cooperate, we will still hold the event in the Georgetown High School Gym. Be sure to check Lew Price's website for the latest information up to the day of the event.

I have been really impressed by all of the organization and the leadership of Marion Cole, Lew Price, David Blonski, Mignon Geli and the NoNahme Clan. They are putting together a great event for all of you to enjoy this weekend.

Lew's website: http://www.softcom.net/users/greebo/festival.htm

What: NoNahme Clan Flute Festival
When: Saturday, April 21
Time: 8 AM - 10 pm
Concert: 7 PM

Note that Lew has posted the latest information on the workshop times, costs and details, along with the latest information about vendors, directions, housing etc.

Carlos Reynosa in Concert, 5/4

Native American Music Award Winner Carlos Reynosa (Nammys 1999 & 2000 Nominated 2003, 2005 & 2006) will be coming to the Valley (Fresno Ca,) with special guest the central valley’s own Lance “Fluteman” Canales.

When: Friday May 4th
Where: Grandma’s ALL NATURAL MARKET & NURSERY
403 W. OLIVE AVE, Fresno CA, (ONE BLOCK EAST OF FRUIT)
Phone: (559) 495-1141
Time: 7:00PM Cost: ONLY $5.00

Note: This is not an NCFC sponsored show, but it should be some great music.

No Beginning Flute Class...

I wanted to announce that I am taking a sabbatical from teaching the ongoing Beginning Flute Classes in Palo Alto. I have started a new job, with a new company and I won't have much extra time for a few months. I am still available for private lessons, as time allows.
There will be no more classes on Tuesday evenings for a while...
... in the mean time don't forget to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY

Flute Workshop 4/3, Palo Alto

Just a reminder that tomorrow evening will be the last evening of the current Beginning Native American Flute Class series in Palo Alto. The topic for class tomorrow evening is: "Composing Music on the NAF". I'll cover topics, evercises and ideas for composing your own music on the NAF. We'll play some duets and learn some techniques for writing your music (no music background required...). Note that although this is the last class of this series, drop ins are welcome and it's a great workshop for anyone ready to move to the next level in their playing.

Where: The Marhatis Enlightenment Center, Home of Rev. Maxi Harper 3433 Aston Ct. Palo Alto, CA
When: 5:30 PM - 7 PM
Cost: $15 drop in fee
Website: http://www.naflute.com/MIkeclass2.html

The next series of classes will restart with the first evening on April 17, 2007. Please tell your friends who are interested in learning how to play!!