Auburn Pow Wow - October 25, 2008

The upcoming Auburn Pow Wow will honor Family and Children of Yesterday and Today

WHEN: Saturday, October 25, 2008
TIME: 9 am – 9 pm
WHERE: Gold Country Fairgrounds – Auburn, CA
COST: FREE ADMISSION

DETAILS: Camping (under your vendor canopy) will be allowed Friday night, October 24, after set-up. Bathrooms will be on-site within the Gold Country Fairgrounds, no showers. No fire pits allowed, no RV hook-ups. Check-in is required by 6 pm, Friday, October 24.
Motel, restaurant, and other visitor information: Placer County Visitors Bureau
530.887.2111, or www.VisitPlacer.com

First Nations Films

FIRST NATIONS FILMS are now available to the public on important subjects from Spirituality to Land Claims to Traditional Music to Politics. These award-winning pro-fessional broadcast TV programs are some of the best in North America! Very suit-able for groups, libraries, classroom or individual.

For a complete catalog of their offerings: www.firstnationsfilms.com

Volunteers needed for the Yosemite Flute Festival

The Yosemite Flute Festival is approaching fast. We need your help to make this event a spectacular success. With Mary Youngblood playing on Friday night and many other talented artists, including Jeff Ball, Mark Holland, Scott August and Vince Chafin. This is the premier west coast Native American Flute event!

WHEN: September 26, 27, 28 - 2008
WHERE: Oakhurst, CA (outside of Yosemite Park)

The Northern California Flute Circle is co-sponsoring this event and this is an all volunteer organization. We know what great smiling faces and passion for the flute all of you have, therefore we are asking for all NCFC members to volunteer at least an hour or more at the event, if you are planning to attend. If you volunteer 6 or more hours you'll get a free event T-shirt, and we'll throw in an NCFC T-shirt as well to current NCFC members who reach the 6 hr mark!
There are many, many different tasks to do. In fact, it's a great way to rest your feet and help the event at the same time! Choose a volunteer task like selling concert tickets, working the silent auction or selling concert t-shirts!

We can't do this without your help, hurry and sign up now before the best slots are taken.

For complete details, and to sign, up goto: http://www.yosemiteflutefest.com/volunteers.html

Indigenous Peoples Day 2008

Indigenous Peoples Day is happening again this year! Bigger and better in 2008. If you live near the foothills, then this is an event not to be missed.

WHEN: Friday, October 10, 2008 - Monday, October 13, 2008
WHERE: Various Sites around Nevada City, CA

Sunday and Monday's events will be live on KVMR Radio 89.5 RM and www.KVMR.org


Hosted by the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe

For more information: 530.274.7497
http://www.indigenouspeoplesdays.org/

Northern California Flute Circle Online Calendar

Be sure to check out the new Northern California Flute Circle calendar online at: http://ncfc.collectivex.com/calendar

All Northern California Flute Circle events, regional Pow Wows, festivals, workshops, retreats and other indigenous music events are posted there. It's the best place to discovery what's happening each week.

LOPING WOLF Retreat with Mary Youngblood

L O P I N G W O L F presents the Last Planned Musical Retreat for 2008 with Two-time Grammy Winner: Mary Youngblood - First Lady of the Flute

WHEN: September 6, 2008
WHERE: LOPING WOLF Ranch, Auburn CA
COST: Each workshop is $45. We are asking for a $5 donation from attendees not taking a workshop to help defray expenses.

DETAILS: Please come and share NAF techniques, attend Mary’s workshops, jam with Mary and attend the closing open mic session to practice what you've learned with the "First Lady of the Flute". Non-workshop attendees will be able to cavort, try out other flutes ‘n’ drums and practice jamming.

We know there are some who were not able to make the previous four retreats held this past summer (“Tempest Fugit!”), so we hope this will give you a chance to attend. Space is limited, so we encourage you to sign up now!

Call to reserve a spot and obtain directions.

Bring ALL your flutes (“A” minor for the workshop), drums and percussion instruments.

Mary Youngblood books, CDs and other merchandise will be available for purchase.

Check out Mike Ely’s video of the first retreat at http://www.maryyoungblood.com/videos/Clips%20Rev%20b.wmv


11:00am to 12:30pm -Arrival and Lunch (Bring your favorite potluck item)
12:00pm - Welcome and Introduction, Mary Youngblood ~ Welcome Performance
12:30pm to 2:00pm - Beginning Workshop ~ Work on beginning skills: breath control, embellishments and techniques. (Mary will collect any written questions before the workshop.)

Break
2:30pm to 4:00pm - Intermediate / Advanced Workshop ~ vibrato, improvisation, embellishment details, how to duet with another player, composition, phrasing, timing, plus performance and recording readiness will be shared

Break
4:15pm to 5:00pm - This OPEN MIC hour will be your opportunity to duet with Mary and learn how Mary takes a player to the “next level”. Sign up to have your duet with Mary recorded on DVD with you for an additional fee as a keepsake of this unforgettable day! Autographed pictures of you playing with Mary at this special NAF musical retreat will be available for purchase before you leave!

HOSTS - LOPING WOLF - Lake of the Pines Wood Flute 'n' Drum Circle - http://www.lopingwolf.com/
Sheree 'n' Dan DiCicco / 10492 Gautier Drive / Auburn CA 95602 / (530) 613-4197 Dan's cell / flutecircle@lopingwolf.com

In Remembrance: Sharon Downer

I just learned this morning that a great friend, and fellow flutie, Sharon Downer lost her battle with brain cancer on Monday morning, August 18. My heart aches with her passing, but I know that Sharon's spirit is in a better place.
And what an amazing spirit and huge heart Sharon had. I first met Sharon Downer at one of the Northern California Flute Circles events at Mary Youngbloods house many years ago. She greeted everyone she met with a smile and a hug. I'll always remember her smile, her laugh and especially her eyes, which were always smiling.
She adored the Native American flute and was big fan and student of Mary Youngblood. I know that I'll miss Sharon, and I encourage you to play a song in her memory this week.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 am this Saturday, Aug 23, in Grass Valley and Mary is playing at the memorial service.

Chapel of the Angels
250 Race St
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-2446
www.chapeloftheangels.com

Youtube Video of Mary Youngblood at Moaning Caverns

Here's a video from the event this weekend featuring Mary Youngblood at Moaning Caverns. I couldn't go this time, but I'll post more links, pic's and videos from those who did attend.

Weekend Events: July 12 - 13, 2008

NOTE: We now have the new calendar online, you can check out the calendar here: 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!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

• Sierra Raven Clan Flute Circle, 2 - 4 PM, Sonora
• NoNahme Flute Circle, 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Golden Gecko

Saturday, July 13, 2008

• Bay Clan Flute Circle, 2 - 4:30 PM, Mountain View

NEW NCFC Membership Features

We are excited to announce the launch of the Northern California Flute Circle interactive calendar and NCFC discussion groups powered by CollectiveX. These new online features will enable our regional flute circle leaders to manage their own calendar events, making the NCFC calendar more accurate and timely for you.

The online discussion groups will be your place to ask questions/get answers, learn more about the NAF, find unique places to play in Northern California, find others in your area to jam with, and interact across the miles (especially with gas prices where they are).

NCFC Calendar

Anyone can view the new NCFC calendar, you do not need to have an online membership to view events. Here's the link for the calendar: http://ncfc.collectivex.com/calendar
The calendar is now maintained by the regional flute circle leaders, so please contact your regional flute circle leader to inquire about local events.

Online Membership

You will need an online membership to participate in the discussion groups. This online membership is optional, and electronic invites will go out to existing NCFC members after the July 4th holiday weekend. Or you can login and request a membership before then. We hope that you'll join the online NCFC Community and help make this a thriving part of our organization. Here's the link: http://ncfc.collectivex.com/

Happy July 4th

I wish everyone a happy and healthy July 4th. Where ever you are today, take a moment, grab a flute, and play a little music to send some positive energy to all of the men and women who are serving our country and unable to be home with their families today.

Voice of the Circle Summer 2008 Newsletter

The NCFC Voice of the Circle Summer 2008 newsletter is now online in electronic form (PDF).

This edition includes a special interview with Mary Youngblood (part 1), plus other news and events coming up this summer and fall.




We will be mailing the newsletter to current members after the July 4th holiday weekend.





Here's a link to the newsletter: http://www.naflute.com/newsletter_archives/VOCSummer08.pdf

The Montana Flute Listserv celebrates 10 years

It was 10 years ago today, July 2, 1998, that Wolf Spirit (Dave) created the Montana Flute Circle's listserv. In the early days this listserv the first and then one of the most popular listserv's which enabled communication between fluties far and wide.

Kudo's to Dave for moderating this list over the last 10 years.

Happy About Being a Baby Boomer?

I know that this topic is off-topic for the flute but I have to put a plug in for one of my favorite graduate school instructors, who's also an awesome author. I guess the tie in here is that since you're all gonna be living longer and playing the flute longer, you better make sure that you're financially stable into those later years!!

I wanted to tell you about the release of the latest book by Cathy Kitcho titled: "Happy About Being a Baby Boomer - Facing our Newfound Longevity."

This is a unique book that focuses on the impact of longevity on lifestyle and cost of living. This book will kick-start Baby Boomers into facing longevity NOW to create a realistic plan for the future, using an expense-based approach to retirement planning.
This is a very practical workbook to use for planning and decision-making, with up-to-date information and examples.

Cathy has a website and blog setup so that you can continue to learn more about this topic as things change over time. Here's her website: http://www.boomerlongevitybook.com/

To purchase your copy: http://www.boomerlongevitybook.com/buy

Make your camping reservations for Yosemite Flute Festival NOW

I just made my reservations for the the Yosemite Flute Festival, and you're going and planning to camp, I encourage you to call and make your reservations NOW! The campground is a short walk from the festival site and we want to fill it up with fluties!

Here are the details:

High Sierra RV & Mobile Park
40389 Highway 41
Oakhurst, California, 93644
Phone: 559-683-7662
Fax: 559-683-3056
e-mail: camping@highsierrarv.com

More pictures from Mary's Birthday party

Jarret (left) and Andre (right), two of our youngest flute players, met for the first time at Mary's Birthday and were immediate friends. I hardly saw them a part all day. In the evening, they got together for a duet in tribute to Mary.

Sharmange, Alex and Dan play a tribute to Mary.

Sharmange invited Mary to play while she read three of her favorite poems. I was touche by Sharmange's word. You can read more of her poetry here: http://www.quillandparchment.com/

More from Mary's Birthday Party

Mary accepted her birthday present from drum maker Don Shultz. The 24" hoop drum was a group gift from donations from everyone who attended the event.




Mignon Geli played a heartfelt song, in tribute to Mary and the "Gathering of the One" which we celebrated with a moment of silence at 7:22 PM.

Valley Clan / NCFC Rafting Trip

Dear River Rafters of all persuasions -

Lynn Peck has chosen the weekend of Aug 9 and 10 for a river excursion. We'll do a one day raft trip on the American River on Sunday Aug 10. This means arrival by 8am at the OARS sight. For those with more time, we can do a wine tasting on Saturday afternoon, dinner at a place in Coloma and sleep at the OARS sight with a campfire and music. If you'd rather sleep in a bed, Coloma may have accommodations and Placerville or Auburn aren't too far away. Sunday evening you can return home or stay another night for more camping and music.

Price for a one day trip is $144 (134 for youth). This includes incredible guides (namely Lynn's daughter!) a delicious deli style lunch, all gear and a full day of rafting.

Camping is $14 per person per night.

What you need to do to go:

1. RSVP to Lynn Peck so she can do the planning. Tell her how much of the weekend you want to do - wine tasting, camping, rafting, Sunday camping.
LPeck35938@aol.com
2. Email Deryn with your height, weight, gender, and age. Let her know if you are paying by check or credit card. And phone number so she or office staff can follow up with any questions they might have. derynpeck@gmail.com

Check the OARS sight for more info
http://oars.com/california/southforkamericanriverrafting.html
Check Sierra Nevada House for accommodations in Coloma
http://www.sierranevadahouse.com/lodging.html
Check Eldorado Wineries for possible wine tasting. Possibly, Gold Hill and David Girard as they are the closest. Lynn will take care of calling for a group visit if you want to go.
http://www.eldoradowines.org/

Memories from Mary's Birthday Party

We had an awesome time on Saturday with Mary Youngblood and one hundred of her friends. Sure it was hot and muggy, but I didn't notice the heat until I felt my exhaustion on Sunday. The workshops were great, the open mic music was fun to listen to and there was a ton of time to just sit and chat with Mary and everyone else who attended.


After the flute circle events, we had a potluck dinner with so much food, that I think we could have fed another hundred people. We sang Happy Birthday to Mary and then she cut the cake for everyone to enjoy.



After the cake, Dan DiCicco kicked off the evening by reading a special memory from Lew Price which was submitted to the memory book which Dan compiled from the contributions of various friends and flute circle members. Mary was clearly touched by everyone's contributions, and to me this was the best part of the evening.

[to be continued]

Weekend Events: June 20 - 22, 2008

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!

Saturday, June 21

• NCFC Summer Gathering and Mary Youngblood B-Day Party, June 21, Sacramento Area.