What a wonderful workshop!  Thanks to so many people for making this happen!  It could not happen at all without our wonderful instructors, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas (photo from the concert).

A BIG thanks to the planning committee who kept each other inspired and full of the “can-do” attitude:

Susan Barkan – Epidemiologist, and Covid expert planner

Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson – Organizer of the Martin Luther King focus, volunteer at the workshop with most varied jobs and responsibilities

Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson presents our MLK Focus!

Erin Esses-Lusk – Ceilidh theme creator, and planner.

Cummings Family- Taught the incredible songs!

Dante and Eros Faulk and Jesse Partridge – Contra dance musicians extraordinaire, and let’s not forget they were also the sound system managers at the workshop!,

Jesse Partridge- Truly fantastic contradance caller

Niki Love- Ceilidh co-organizer, emcee, and amazing helper for concert ticket sales

Derek Stallman- Tune review instructor

Ladies Loe- Most awesome warmup act for the second half of our concert!

Bill Boyd – Our treasurer

Anna Aldrich for taking pictures- We need her to take a selfie, sorry no current photo.

And so many more wonderful people, who just stepped up, and helped make this a truly incredible workshop!

It’s official! Less than 50 days before we’re up on stage with these two amazing, long-time friends of ours for the concert that concludes our weekend.  Tell your friends to come.  We’re excited to be in the new Stanwood High School PAC this year.

Tickets are available at the door, as well as through Eventbrite.  Need to save a little on tickets? Buy at the door, but no guarantee how long supply will last.

Contact Marcia Thumma if you have questions, at m.thumma@mac.com.

So you’re all signed up and joining us for our WOW 2023 workshop.  Hooray!

Here’s a few date reminders and other helpful information.

December 1st your final balance is due. If we don’t receive your payment by then, we reserve the right t place you on a wait list, and when we have room, we’ll get in touch with you.

Not sure what you owe?  No problem! Write to Bill Boyd at hfele@aol.com and he’ll let you know what your balance is.

How to pay that final amount, once you know it?  You have three choices!

Write a check- and send it to Bill Boyd, at 7728 21st Ave. NW, Seattle, 98117. Envelopes must be postmarked by Dec. 1. Please let us know you’re mailing a check.

Zelle the payment.  Here’s some tips on how to do that!

PayPal will work, too.  Here’s the steps:

• Sign on to your PayPal account.
• Go to the Send and Request tab.
• Click on Send
• Enter our email address: NWScottishfiddlers@aol.com (Please note- do not use this email for any other correspondence!)
• Enter the amount you wish to pay.
• Last step: Confirm everything and hit send!

We hope that no one needs this information, but if you do- here’s the cancellation deadlines.  November 15th is the last day to cancel without losing your deposit. We hope that you won’t want to do that, but you should know, anyway!  Also, if you are thinking about cancelling, December 1st is the last day for you to do that, and get a refund for the amount paid, minus your deposit.  After December 1, refunds for cancellations are given only if we have someone to replace you.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about the workshop!  There’s still time!!

If you have any questions at all, about the workshop, write to m.thumma@mac.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry!  We’re cancelling today’s session due to air quality concerns!

Please check the calendar and events tab for future meetings!

BREAKING NEWS!! THAT DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15! OCTOBER 15TH! YAY!

Dear friends- Our charges are now more affordable, as of September 25th! Look for items in BOLD for the new prices, etc.!

I think by now, we’re all tired of the jolt we get when we look at the prices of everything from food, to gas, to getting your lawn mower repaired… you name it.  The good news is that this year’s workshop costs $395- just $30 more than it did back in 2020, when it cost $365 to attend.

I know it was a shock to see our prices for this year, especially after two years of affordable Zooming, when you could even pick your own price. This year, our most affordable plan requires that you room with 2 other people.  It costs $395.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• stay in a spacious room where it’s possible to sleep 6 feet apart from each other.
• share a private bathroom with those same 2 people, instead of 26 of your closest friends (Camp Casey lodging).
• Warm Beaches’ dining hall has plenty of room to spread out – no more wondering if you just took a bite of your brownie, or the brownie belonging to the person sitting next to you!
• rehearsal s-p-a-c-e !!  We literally can put a gaggle of cellos in between every participant, and the instructors!

So, you’re not comfortable sharing a room with 2 people?  How about just 1 roommate? For just $25 more ($420 total) you can stay in Mt. Baker with just one friend!  That’s just a $55 increase from 2020…

SCHOLARSHIPS!
We have scholarships ready to hand out. Folks willing to room in Mt. Baker, at the $390 plan will be our priority.  Scholarships will start at $100/person.  Scholarships are forANYBODY (not just for students). Sure, there’s a teacher recommendation part of the scholarship, but we take several factors in to account!

Please let us know that you could use some help by filling out a scholarship application.
Here’s how to proceed: 
1. submit your registration for the workshop first.
2. A $50 downpayment will hold your place- send a check, postmarked by OCTOBER 15th. Send to Bill Boyd, Treasurer, 7728 21st Ave. NW, Seattle WA, 98117
3. Apply for the scholarship as soon as you’ve registered for the workshop.

I hope that this information will be helpful.  Check out all our workshop pages on the  website. Look for  the tab, “January “WOW” Workshop”
There’s also one page dedicated to registration, and it will take you to the registration page to get you started.
Best wishes! Hope to see you in January!
Marcia

Sarah and Erin visit Warm Beach! See their videos below!

REGISTRATION and SCHOLARSHIPS

Registration update:
The priority deadline is NOW October 15th. We’re seeing a healthy demand for the rooms in Olympic View, and there’s only a few left. If you’re interested in getting a room in the Olympic View Lodge, sign up by the OCTOBER 15th.  Remember you just need to make a deposit of $50. If we run short of lodging in Olympic View, we will hold a lottery for all those wishing to stay there.  You will be notified of the lottery outcome. If you are not selected, it means we’ll do our best to come up with an alternative for you, and you may choose to go on a wait list for Olympic View.

If you don’t sign up by September 15th, and you want a room in Olympic View Lodge, you will most likely be put on a wait list or choose another housing option.

Scholarships:
Remember we have scholarships available for all ages!  Register first, then apply for the scholarship,  by September 15th. We promise it will be easy enough to apply!

Website:
We have our FAQ page up, with more information on Warm Beach and the workshop itself.

HERE’s the REGISTRATION PAGE and link to form.

Warm Beach Videos!

Erin on the dining hall deck. Also see: Sarah and Erin play in the main lobby.

This is an email that you should have seen in your inbox! Thanks to the numerous links below, spam filters were mean to this email.  It figures.. Please read on- all your links are in blue!

NO! Coming to you IN person this year!!

Yes indeed, when July is no longer with us, it’s time to think cool thoughts of January, and get yourself signed up for one epic trad fiddle, cello, and friends workshop with the one and only Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas!  January 13 -15th, 2023– we’re hopeful for a big reunion and workshop.

I won’t bother you details and information you may already know, but, this workshop is SO different, in so many ways, we want to make sure you get all the facts! So here, in no particular order, are links to various subjects/topics for you to explore.

All about Warm Beach facilities, lodging and dining. Loads of photos.
Directions to Warm Beach Conference Center.
Pricing, and a few photos of the two main lodging options.
Our Covid policy.
Registration– deposits, timeline, how to register and pay, and the registration link/button.
The weekend schedule, as we know it today, and bound to change.
Scholarships and how to get them.

If you have questions or concerns, you may write to Marcia Thumma.  I’ll be on vacation a fair bit, but promise to glance at emails every so often!

New this year: We have a priority deadline for registration- September 15th. Learn more about it on the Registration page mentioned above.

Sign up soon!

Marcia

By the way, these amazing women are at it again- scheming and planning for a few big shake ups!  We can’t give away details quite yet 😉

Yes! Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas make a return visit, but this time, to a new location.

WOW indeed! Only this time, “We’re On Warm Beach“!  January 13-15, 2023

It’s almost time to register, but before you make your decisions, because this is so different from the past workshops in terms of the physical space, the lodging options, and more, we urge you to read below and click on the links so you’re fully informed!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

It’s so exciting that registration for our in-person workshop will open up August 1st. We are pleased to offer this in person event because we feel we’ve done everything we can to minimize the spread of Covid, or any other “bug”  by moving to Warm Beach Conference Center.

BIG improvements:

1. Its larger size will allow us to easily spread out for the classes and social hours. (See link below for pictures of everything!)

2. 

   Nope! No crowding this time!

3. The lodging will offer more private restrooms and shower facilities (The number of people that might share a restroom with you will depend upon how many room mates you choose, vs. sharing with up to 20 or more people.)  No hallways in most of our lodging!
4. The dining room is a spacious area, and we’ll have our own assigned dining times.
5. You’ll also see much more space for the final concert, on stage, and in the auditorium. The facility is state of the art- and just 2 years old! Check it out!

Please read about our Covid policy.

In case you missed the link above, that loaded with photos of Warm Beach, here it is again- Warm Beach. It’s amazing!

How much will this cost?  There are numerous options and prices. Go to the pricing page for details.

Registration information is here. Scholarship information is here.

Come for the workshop with Katie, or come for the concert, with Katie and Connor…. or join us for both!!

NW Scottish Fiddlers will be hosting a workshop with the amazing Katie McNally!! It is open to anyone- you don’t have to be a member!!

It will be an outdoor event, on Susan Burke’s lovely back yard patio!

When? Friday July 8th, 2- 3:15 pm or thereabouts. Want more fiddle time? Susan Burke would love to host a session at 1 PM to get us warmed up and ready! Come join the fun. If you can just come for the workshop, that’s fine, too. Please note that we will start promptly at 2 PM!!

Where? Bothell area- you get the exact address once you sign up. See below.

How to sign up: Save yourself a seat by signing up in advance with PayPal. Send $20 to NWScottishFiddlers@aol.com. Please be sure to send to a friend so that Katie will be paid the full amount. *In the comments please note the payment is for Katie’s workshop and the best email for us to use to and send the workshop address.

Want to pay at the door? It’s $25. Write to m.thumma@mac.com for information.

Because this workshop will be held outside on Susan’s covered patio, feel free to wear a mask, or not. Drinks will be provided but you may also bring a water bottle if that’s your wish.

Class description: we will break down a classic tune or two from the Scottish and Cape Breton fiddle repertoires, addressing bowing, ornamentation, and feel. Recording the tune is encouraged during class. This workshop is geared toward fiddlers. Other music instruments are welcome, but please be aware specific instructions will not be provided.

What about the concert??? Click here for details!

For more information on Katie, visit her website.

Yes, January 2023 we Can’t(be) on Whidbey.

Yes, it’s absolutely true!  We will be reinventing many aspects of our workshop this year, particularly where lodging, meeting, and concert spaces are concerned.  The general format and schedule that has stood the test of time will see few changes.

Where are we moving?  Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center, just about 5 miles south of Stanwood, WA.  Their Facebook page profile picture is a spectacular photo of the main lodge, and the left hand wing is the dining area. Here’s their location on Google Maps.

To see what the lodging options are, click here: Olympic View Lodge, Mt. Baker Cabins, Bayview Retreat House, and Warner House will all be possibilities, depending upon your needs.  Hover on any of these, and you’ll see a directional arrow. Click on that for more pictures. You can also click on the layout link of most of these facilities to see how they’re laid out.

Take a look at the Meeting rooms, too. Check out the Program Center, and the Program Center A to see where we’ll be spending our days. Again, there’s great diagrams of the layouts of these two rooms to help you understand how wonderful and spacious they are.

Why are we moving? For one thing, space. Lots and lots of it.  There’ll be no super crowded bathrooms that you share with 20 or more of your closest friends.  There will be plenty of space to spread out  in the main auditorium where we’ll gather for instruction- along with room for cases, room for parents, you name it.  We’ll have another large meeting room for our sessions, and hospitality-type functions, sort of a classroom B, only twice as big.  Don’t even mention dining hall.  You’re going to love the wide open space and the window views.

The facilities are newer, as you can tell from the pictures.  They have air handling systems in the meeting room. Our poor old friend, Auditorium A has doors and windows for an “air handling system”… and that would be mighty chilly in January.

We’ll be getting more information on the website in the upcoming weeks, and intend to have registration open within a month, give or take.

IMPORTANT:  The next email will be about registration, including the when, where, and how… so don’t miss it! If you think you’re on our email list that usually keeps you up to date on Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas workshop news, and you haven’t received any emails yet, please send a note to m.thumma@mac.com, and include your preferred email address.

*****No cows were harmed in the making of all things “COW”.