NCFC Spring Gathering 2008: Igor Sedor

We're less than a week away from the second annual NCFC/NoNahme Spring Gathering in Georgetown, CA. To highlight the event, I thougth that I would feature a short introduction or review of each of the vendors who will be selling flutes next weekend. There will be a lot of other vendors with awesome crafts for sale, far too many for me to talk about each of them. But since I know personally, or know of all of the flutemakers, I thought that I would spend a few moments letting you know what's in store so that you bring a few extra bucks with you, just in case...



I met Igor Sedor for the first time at the NCFC Spring Gathering last year. He lives near Las Vegas, NV and drove over with a caravan of folks from the Las Vegas Clan of Loping Wolf. He had a handful of his wonderful flutes with him last year, and I expect that he'll have even more this year. Be sure to stop by his booth and/or the Loping Wolf Tent and check out his handiwork.


For a complete list of vendors, check out the festival page: http://www.softcom.net/users/greebo/festival.htm
Don't forget that the NCFC/NoNahme Spring Flute Festival is April 26-27, 2008, in Georgetown, CA. 8 AM - 6 PM each day

NCFC Spring Gathering 2008: Russ Veneble Flutes

We're less than a week away from the second annual NCFC/NoNahme Spring Gathering in Georgetown, CA. To highlight the event, I thougth that I would feature a short introduction or review of each of the vendors who will be selling flutes next weekend. There will be a lot of other vendors with awesome crafts for sale, far too many for me to talk about each of them. But since I know personally, or know of all of the flutemakers, I thought that I would spend a few moments letting you know what's in store so that you bring a few extra bucks with you, just in case...

Next, I wanted to introduce you to a flutemaker who I've known for several years. Russ Veneble has been making flutes since 1995, and has been a long time friend of both Lew Paxton Price and Mary Youngblood for all of those years. Russ lives in New Mexico, but finds his way to California occasionally. He was here last year for the first NCFC/NoNahme Spring Flute Festival. Russ makes wonderfully crafted flutes. He loves to experiment with unique woods and with interesting tunings. If you've got some new idea for a flute tuning and can't find another flute maker to attempt it, talk to Russ. He love a challenge. Russ is also known for being one of the first flute makers to produce dual chambered flutes, and I think that he makes one of the best.

Just look on his website for examples of some of the drone flutes that he's made:

http://www.rvflutes.com/droneflutes.htm

http://www.rvflutes.com/droneflutes2.htm

http://www.rvflutes.com/droneflutes3.htm

Even though Russ makes wonderful flutes, and is always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who's interested, I think that the most memorable thing about Russ is his great laugh and wonderful smile. He's a true 'modern day kokopelli', spreading laughter and joy where ever he goes. Make sure that you find some time to stop by and met Russ at the event.

For more about RV Flutes heres the website: http://www.rvflutes.com/

For a complete list of vendors, check out the festival page: http://www.softcom.net/users/greebo/festival.htm

Don't forget that the NCFC/NoNahme Spring Flute Festival is April 26-27, 2008, in Georgetown, CA. 8 AM - 6 PM each day

NCFC Spring Gathering 2008: Meadowlark Flutes

We're less than a week away from the second annual NCFC/NoNahme Spring Gathering in Georgetown, CA. To highlight the event, I thougth that I would feature a short introduction or review of each of the vendors who will be selling flutes next weekend. There will be a lot of other vendors with awesome crafts for sale, far too many for me to talk about each of them. But since I know personally, or know of all of the flutemakers, I thought that I would spend a few moments letting you know what's in store so that you bring a few extra bucks with you, just in case...

The first flutemaker that I thought I would highlight is John Kulias of Meadowlark Flutes. I've never met John, but his claim to fame are the beautiful clay flutes that he produces. That's right, he makes clay flutes that are in tune! They will definitely be something to add to your collection. On his website, he outlines the process that he uses to manufacture the flutes: http://meadowlarkflutes.com/process.php

I have attempted to make flutes from clay, and it's not a simple process. The hardest part is getting the sound hole working, becuase after you fire the clay, there is very little you can do to correct things. The same is true for the fingerholes, although it is possible to enlarge the finger holes to bring them in to tune, by using a dremel tool with a diamond stone. I have a lot of respect for folks like John who can produce an in-tune clay instrument.

I look forward to meeting John and talking to him about his flute making process. For more about Meadowlark flutes heres the website: http://meadowlarkflutes.com/

For a complete list of vendors, check out the festival page: http://www.softcom.net/users/greebo/festival.htm

Don't forget that the NCFC/NoNahme Spring Flute Festival is April 26-27, 2008, in Georgetown, CA. 8 AM - 6 PM each day

Weekend Events: April 19 - 20

You can alway check out the Northern California Flute Circle Calendar to see what's happening further out, but I encourage you to login every week to review what's coming up for the weekend events!

Native American Flute related events and other World music events happening in Northern California are posted on the Naflute calendar.

NOTE: If I missed an event for the weekend, please add a comment with event info so that others can know!

Sunday, April 20

• Bay Clan Flute Circle, Los Altos, 2 - 4:30 PM
• Loping Wolf Flute Circle, LOP Clubhouse 1 - 3:00 PM

Upcoming Events

• NCFC/NoNahme Spring Flute Festival, April 26-27, Georgetown, CA

Looking for a microphone to record your Native American Flute?

Barry Higgins of White Crow flutes has put an article online describing the best microphones to use for recording Native American Flute music. If you're in the market for a microphone, or just curious, check out this article:

http://www.whitecrowflutes.com/micprimer.htm

Camping at the upcoming NCFC Spring Flute Festival

Don't forget that the 2nd Annual NCFC/NoNahme Spring Flute Festival is happening on April 26-27, 2008 in Georgetown, CA. Full details on the NCFC website: http://www.naflute.com/calendar.html

If you are interested in camping during the event, we've secured a discount at the American River Resort in Coloma, which is about 15 miles away from Georgetown, but alongside the South Fork of the American River, a very beautiful and historic area, where gold was discovered. It's a favorite for rafters and kayakers as you can view "Troublemaker" a class 3.5 rapid, or launch your raft or kayak from that area.

I'll be camping there on both Friday and Saturday evenings, so listen for the flute music and please come over and introduce yourself!

Festival attendees get a discount. An RV site with full hookup during the off season runs $30. a nite for 2 people. Our festival attendees can have it for $25.00 a nite for two. Any additional people would be $10. Tent sites and cabins are also available at a discount.

Please check out the website at www.americanriverresort.com . Call Chris Gendron manager of the resort, at 530-622-6700 to make reservations.

Scott August Signature Anasazi Flute

Scott August is proud to announce the Scott August Signature Anasazi Flute and the Scott August Anasazi Flute. These professional quality instruments are made by Geoffrey Ellis of Earth Tone Flutes and are perfect for both beginning and advanced players. Ideal for concert stage, recording studios or just nodding around alone as you discover your true Kokopelli.

Scott recorded several tunes on his latest CD: Lost Canyons, on the Anasazi flute. So if you have fallen in love with the sound of this instrument on Scott's recordings, then it's time now to own one for your very own.

Scott and Geoffrey worked closely together to construct a flute that had the distinctive warm, low sound that Scott strives for in his recordings while still keeping ease of playing in mind. Several prototypes were constructed and extensively tested. The final designs were then field tested by members of Scott's beginning Anasazi flute class before Scott and Geoffrey made their final decision. The result is a warm, resonant low tone with a silky smooth response.

To satisfy both the collector and the everyday flute player these flutes will be available in two lines: The Scott August Signature Ansazi Flute and The Scott August Anasazi Flute Series.

Shown below is the Scott August Signature Anasazi Flute.

• Note that the design on the is inlaid turquoise. Each year a different design will be created and produced.
• Price: $350.00
• One of 25 Signed and numbered flutes. Keys available: Ab and A
• Comes with a certificate of authenticity, a bag and maintenance kit
  
  

Shown below is the is the Scott August Anasazi Flute Series

• Price: $220.00.
• Keys available: Ab and A. Other keys to be anounced.
• Comes with a bag and maintenance kit
  

Only twenty five signature flutes will be offered per year, each year will its own distinct design. Made of eastern red cedar The Scott August Signature Anasazi Flute is tastefully accented with a crushed turquoise Cedar Mesa Music logo and Bore Rings in a style reminiscent of Chaco Canyon jewelry. Each flute will be signed by Scott August, Numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity, a bag and maintenance kit.

For more information, and to order one for yourself, click here: http://www.cedarmesa.com/news/eftm_spring_08.html#sigflute



Upcoming Anazasi Workshop


Scott is teaching a beginning Anasazi flute class at the upcoming NCFC/NoNahme Spring Flute Festival on April 26-27, 2008. He'll also be performing in a concert on Saturday afternoon. This event will be held in Georgetown, CA.

For more details about the event, check out the NCFC Calendar online: http://www.naflute.com/calendar.html

New Stephen DeRuby Deep Mystic Flutes

Stephen DeRuby has announced the availability of a new line of flutes which he is calling his "Deep Mystic Flute" line. Stephen is using a fipple design which is similar to that which he pioneered with the design of his gypsy flute. Stephen has also engineered these deeper sounding flutes to have closer finger spacing, which should make it easy to play, by more folks. This new, easy to play design is called: "EZ-Reach". For complete spec's on these new flutes, click on this link: http://www.deruby.com/

There are several styles of flutes available:

• Low D, C#, B in Pentatonic Minor scale
• Low D, D#, B drone in Pentatonic Minor scale (shown in picture above)
• Low C in Diatonic Major scale
• Contrabass F#, E in Pentatonic Minor

Stephen will have an inventory of this new flute line for sale at the upcoming NCFC / NoNahme Clan Spring Flute Gathering on April 26-27, 2008. Be sure to stop by his booth and check out the flute!

Weekend Events: April 12 - 13

You can alway check out the Northern California Flute Circle Calendar to see what's happening further out, but I encourage you to login every week to review what's coming up for the weekend events!

NOTE: If I missed an event for the weekend, please add a comment with event info so that others can know!

Saturday, April 12

• Ann Licater Workshop, Spirit Flute Workshop - "Learn to Play Native American Flute", 10 AM - 3 PM, Coloma, CA
• Ann Licater in Concert at Cosmic Cafe, 8 pm- 10 p.m., Placerville, CA

Sunday, April 13

• Ann Licater Workshop, Advanced Beginner Native American Flute-Technique Class, 1 - 3 PM, rville, CA

Survival Tip: Starting a Fire

Here's a great Youtube video from Christine and Pauline (original NCFC Bay Clan members). This is fun video, narrated by Christine, which shows you how to start a fire in the wilderness (of their backyard) with cotten balls soaked in wax and a steel flint. Christine and Pauline will be visting the bay area in couple weeks. Contact them if you want to get in touch while they're here...

Live Version of Escape of Medicine Man

Here's a live version of the song - Escape of Medicine Man from the album "The Shape of Light" by the Jeff Ball Band

NCFC Winter 2008 Voice of the Circle Newsletter now online

The Winter 2008 NCFC Voice of the Circle Newsletter is now online. It features stories about the upcoming NCFC NoNahme Clan Flute Festival (April 26-27, 2008); Mary Youngblood's Birthday Party (June 21, 2008); The Yosemite Flute Festival (Sept 26-28, 2008) plus an indepth interview with flutemaker Geoffrey Ellis.



Link: http://www.naflute.com/newsletter_archives/VOCWinter08.pdf

NCFC Bay Clan April Flute Circle

EVENT: April Bay Clan Flute Circle
DATE: Sunday, April 20th, 2008
TIME: 2:00 to 4:30 PM
LOCATION: 707 Sunshine Drive, Los Altos, California 94024-3155
HOST: Pat Scheid 1-650-967-6576, junetodec25 at comcast dot net
ORGANIZER: Frankie Sierra 1-408-242-6464, f dot sierra at comcast dot net

SCHEDULE: 2:00 PM: Arrive, socialize, show flutes.
2:30 PM: Open fluting time.
3:00 PM: Snack break.
3:30 PM: Open mike, with audience feedback.
We will have a couple of minutes after
each player short performance to constructively
praise and comment on the musical piece.

NEW FOR THIS MEETING:
1. Audience participation. Be prepare to share your
thoughs of what worked well, and what could be fine
tuned, during the second Open mike session.

WHAT TO BRING:
Flutes, drums, and any other musical instrument you would like
to play with.

In addition, some snacks and drinks to share would
be appreciated by all.

DIRECTIONS:
Contact Frankie Sierra or Pat Scheid (see email above)

Downstream Video with Hang Music

Here's a really nice video with Hang Drum played from the CD "Hang Meditations" by Pete Barnhart and Ron Kravitz on Digital Alchemy Music www.damusic.biz

Ann Licater concert and Workshop in Placerville, CA

Two Native Flute events on April 12th in Placerville
Concert and Workshop by Flutist, Ann Licater

EVENING CONCERT:

Who: Ann Licater in Concert
What: A Performance of Native American and World Flutes
When: Saturday April 12th 8 p.m.
Where: The Cozmic Café 594 Main St. Placerville, CA 95667
Cost: $10 Advance, $12 Door
Tickets: www.thecozmiccafe.com or 1-530-642-8481

More Info:
Native American flutes are sacred instruments, and when played by Ann
Licater, the sound is hauntingly beautiful. Her original compositions and
intuitive improvisations bring the listener to a place of glorious peace and
tranquility.

In concert, Ann performs on a dozen or more flutes made of wood and clay
including a nose flute from Maui, a five-hole flute made from clay found in
the Mayan region of Mexico and a flute made of reclaimed redwood from a wine
vat that once held Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon. When Ann performs, she
connects with her audience by incorporating stories of origin about each of
her flutes using her warm style and engaging stage presence.

Ann’s acclaimed CD “Following the Call” was recently featured in Organic Spa
Magazine and nominated for Best Native American Album by NAR 2007 LifeStyle
Music Awards. Ann is excited to make her second appearance at The Cozmic
Café. Read more about Ann on her Web site at www.FluteForTheSoul.com

All DAY WORKSHOP—LEARN TO PLAY THE NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE:

Who: Ann Licater teaches “Learn to Play Native American Flute”
What: Flute Workshop for BEGINNING Students
When: Saturday April 12th 10 AM – 3 PM
Where: Coloma Resort right on the American River (www.colomaresort.com)
Cost: Flute and Workshop fees www.sacredyou.com or www.Fluteforthesoul.com
More Info: 408-499-1300 or 530-295-7264

More Info:
If you ever wanted to learn to play here is a great opportunity in
Placerville, CA. Ann Licater, Best Native American Album NAR 2007 LifeStyle
Music Awards Nominee, teaches this beginner workshop (no musical background
required). Flutes are available for purchase in addition to workshop fee.
Learn more by calling 530-295-7264 or 408-499-1300 or email
info@sacredyou.com or info@fluteforthesoul.com

www.fluteforthesoul.com

Ann Licater
Cell 408-499-1300
Home Office 408-379-2403
annlicater@sbcglobal.net

Weekend Events: March 28 - 31

You can alway check out the Northern California Flute Circle Calendar to see what's happening further out, but I encourage you to login every week to review what's coming up for the weekend events!

NOTE: If I missed an event for the weekend, please add a comment with event info so that others can know!

Sunday, Mar 30

• Joaquin Clan Flute Circle2 PM

Monday, Mar 31

• Ann Licater"How to Play the Native American Flute as a Spiritual Practice", 7-10 PM Campell, CA

Workshop in creating musical Soundscapes

I just 'discovered' the ambient music of Steve Roach. Discovered is a relative term, especially for current fans of Steve Roach, since his has nearly 100 albums to his credit during a 30 year recording career. If you listen to any ambient music, you've likely heard his music.
Steve doesn't play the Native American Flute (as far as I can tell) but he certainly uses it (and many other instruments) in his recordings.

What is Ambient Music? Wikipedia defines it as a musical genre in which sound is more important than notes. It is generally identifiable as being broadly atmospheric and environmental in nature.

Steve Roach is offering a weeklong, hands on Masters Class Workshop in the creation and production of electronic soundscape music, at his ranch in Arizona. Open to 8 participants, the Master Class is for musicians and sound artists who already have a basic foundation of musical and technical knowledge. This Workshop will draw from the wide range of experience tempered by Steve's 30 years of living in the soundcurrent. Time will be divided between experiential music making and recording, deep listening lectures, and interactive sessions on creative and compositional strategies along with demonstrations on the myriad tools and options available today. The next open class is September 15 - 21, 2008.

Here's the link: http://steveroach.com/live/workshops/

I know that many who read this blog will find Steve's music interesting and I encourage you to listen

Incredible lineup of performers and presentors at INAFA 2008

If you haven't already heard the news, here's the list of performers and presentators for the 2008 International Native American Flute Association convention to be held at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, July 9-13, 2008.

Convention registration is open to everyone with an interest in the flute. Evening performances are open to the public, as are the vendors (during the day). For more information about the convention, registration, and the performers, please visit: www.inafa.org

• R. Carlos Nakai [performance and presentation]
• Bill Miller [performance]
• Kevin Locke [performance]
• Lean “Sonny” Nevaquaya [performance]
• Joseph FireCrow [performance and presentation]
• Skip Healy (Irish flute and fife) and Mark Bachand (bodhran) [performance and presentation]
• Michael Graham Allen (Coyote Oldman) [performance]
• Autumn's Child [performance]
• Xavier Quijas Yxayotl [performance]
• The Peter Phippen Quartet [performance and presentation]
• Frank Montano (Anakwad) [performance]
• Scott August [performance and presentation]
• N. Scott Robinson (In-house world percussionist) [performance]
• Rafael Bejarano (In-house didgeridooist) [performance and presentation]
• Flute Dreams Duo (Alice Gomez and Angela Malek) [performance]
• William Hoshal [performance and presentation]
• JazZen (Bobb Fantauzzo, Native American and Chinese flutes; Aaron Kerr, acoustic and electric cello) [performance and presentation]
• Ann Licater [performance]
• Randy McGinnis (Master of Ceremonies) [performance]
• Helen Spielman [presentation]
• Clint Goss and Vera Shanov [presentation]
• John De Boer [performance and presentation]
• Jan Seiden [performance]
• Jonny Lipford [performance]
• Robert Willasch [presentation]
• Ken Light [presentation]
• Randy Granger [performance and presentation]
• Duke Addicks [presentation]
• Michael Joseph Ulery (Native American flute) and Derek Mortland (guitars) [performance]
• John Sarantos [presentation]

Weekend Events: March 21 - 24

You can alway check out the Northern California Flute Circle Calendar to see what's happening further out, but I encourage you to login every week to review what's coming up for the weekend events!

NOTE: If I missed an event for the weekend, please add a comment with event info so that others can know!

Saturday, Mar 22

• Valley Clan Flute Circle, 3 - 5 PM, Napa
• Nonahme Clan, Flute Circle, 1 PM at the Golden Gecko, Georgetown, CA
• Ann Licater Concert, East West Bookstore, Mtn View 7:30PM

Sunday, Mar 23

• Go for a hike and play your flute - surprise someone with music on the trail!

Monday, Mar 24

• Ann Licater "How to Play the Native American Flute as a Spiritual Practice", 7-10 PM, Campell, CA
  

SAVE THE DATE: River School Benefit Concert with Scott August May 10

River School Benefit Concert with Scott August on the calendar for May 10 , 2008 in Napa Valley, CA. More details to follow when they are available.