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Banjo Weekend 2023

Friday, November 17 - Sunday, November 19

Spend a weekend in banjo-centric bliss with an inspiring lineup of teachers in a warm and supportive environment. Tony Trischka, Joe Newberry, Cedric Watson, and Hilary Hawke are excited to show you some new tunes & techniques, to tackle your banjo questions, and have a real fun time at the Ashokan Center! 

This is the first year of what will hopefully become a tradition, hosted by Ashokan newcomer Scott Hopkins who is excited to put a great staff of teachers for those who love playing their banjo at an amazing location with other enthusiasts!

 

$495 Supporter 
$395 Standard 
$295 Economy 
$195 Youth Scholarship (available for ages 5-25) 

Please self-select from our 4-tier registration based on your ability to pay. We want to share the joy of music & dance with everyone. Thank you for supporting the Ashokan Center, this camp, and each other.

The above prices cover meals and tuition. Lodging options vary in price and may be selected during registration. Camping is free. 

Available!

<< Join the camp Facebook Group to connect with your fellow campers!

TONY TRISCHKA

Tony Trischka is known as the father of modern bluegrass” – New York Times

Recognized as one of the most influential banjoists of all time, Tony Trischka has inspired generations of musicians. His collaboration with musicians in multiple genres have garnered recognition and awards across the board including IBMA wins and Grammy nominations. Tony performs as a soloist and in many groups with the likes of Bruce Molskey, Michael Daves, Bela Fleck, and many more.  His teachings in books, videos, performances, private lessons, camps and library of recorded video lessons through Artistworks has revolutionized banjo education. 

JOE NEWBERRY 

Appalachian veteran Joe Newberry allied his trenchant, raw-boned holler with lickety-split banjo picking” – The Scotsman Newspaper (Transatlantic Sessions review)

Known around the world for his clawhammer banjo playing, Joe Newberry is also a powerful guitarist, singer and songwriter. A longtime and frequent guest on A Prairie Home Companion, he was a featured singer on the Transatlantic Sessions 2016 tour. In addition to performing solo, Joe plays in a duo with mandolin icon Mike Compton, and also performs with the dynamic fiddler and step-dancer April Verch. Joe has taught banjo, guitar, singing, and songwriting at numerous camps and festivals across the US and abroad.

CEDRIC WATSON

“An aggressive and gifted reanimator of Louisiana Creole music” – New York Times

One of the brightest young talents to emerge in Cajun, Creole and Zydeco (Louisiana French) music in the last 10 years, Cedric Watson is a four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, accordionist & songwriter with seemingly unlimited potential. Cedric plays everything from forgotten Creole melodies and obscure Dennis McGee reels to more modern Cajun and Zydeco songs, even occasionally throwing in a bluegrass fiddle tune or an old string band number.

HILARY HAWKE 

Her music is entirely irony-free, joyously authentic, and refreshingly marked with her own creative chops” – The New Yorker

Based out of NYC for the past 12 years, and originally from upstate, NY, Hilary has been composing, writing, teaching and performing music she loves in solo and collaborative projects as a multi-instrumentalist/vocalist including her creative and versatile banjo playing.  Hilary performed in the Tony award winning revival production of Oklahoma! on Broadway, and Steve Martin’s production of Bright Star on Broadway. She’s devoted herself to performing and teaching old-time, and american traditional music but also brings her love of all types of music into creating a unique sound to her own music making.

SCOTT HOPKINS, camp organizer

Scott Hopkins has certainly proven he deserves to stand with the best instrumentalists in progressive bluegrass” – Bluegrass Unlimited

With overlapping public school music teaching and banjo performing careers spanning over 25 years, Scott Hopkins brings a unique perspective to music and to banjo education. He performs on banjo with The McKrells and with his own jazz trio, teaches at various banjo camps, and has a number of private banjo students. Scott is thrilled to get the endorsement from Jay, Molly and Ruth to have the first ever Ashokan Banjo Camp with an amazing lineup of great banjo pickers and teachers.

This protocol meets or exceeds current CDC and NY State Department of Health guidelines and is subject to revision based on changing conditions and changes in those guidelines. We’ll notify registered campers if there are any significant changes before camp begins. We trust our caring community to find the right balance of caution and fun within these parameters, to make safe decisions, and to treat fellow campers with respect.

In Advance:

We ask everyone to test for COVID-19 in the 24 hours before arrival. 

If you test positive, do not attend.

If you’ve recently recovered from COVID and have been symptom free for 5 or more days without the use of fever-reducers, you may attend. 

All refund requests due to COVID exposure, or COVID-related concerns will be honored.

Longhouse bunk rooms will be capped at 1/2 occupancy. 

Overall camp attendance will be limited to provide ample space for distancing.

On Site:

The Ashokan Center will provide onsite rapid testing upon request or as needed.

Anyone who tests positive or develops symptoms consistent with COVID will be asked to leave the event and will be entitled to a refund.

Masks are recommended while gathering indoors (except when eating or performing.) N-95 masks can be provided on request. 

Whole room exhaust fans in the Performance Hall & Dining Hall will draw a constant stream of fresh air.

Daily cleaning includes disinfectant for all door handles, tables, and any frequently touched surfaces.

You may pay in full or hold your place with a deposit of $200 per person. If making a deposit, full payment is due 4 weeks before camp begins. If you register within 4 weeks of camp full payment is required. 

To cancel your camp registration, email events@ashokancenter.org

• We retain $50 per person for cancellations requested up to 4 weeks before camp begins, and for COVID-related cancellations made at any date.

• We retain $200 per person between 4 and 2 weeks before camp.

• We retain the full registration amount within 2 weeks of camp.

You may choose to pay up front or pay a deposit and balance. Balance payment is due 4 weeks before the event.

Registration includes all activities and meals. Lodging is optional and camping is free.

Children under 5 attend for free (under 3 for Family Camp). Campers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

All meals are included. You may indicate your dietary restrictions when registering. We make every effort to include a range of allergen-free dishes and to inform diners of meal ingredients.

The Ashokan Center is licensed to serve beer and wine in Esopus Lodge (the main building). The bar is generally open from late afternoon to early evening. Sorry, by law, guests are prohibited from bringing their own alcoholic beverages into this licensed building.

LONGHOUSE BUNKS: Rooms hold up to 12 people (50% capacity) and are designated women, men, or all gender. Place your belongings on a top or bottom bunk after you check in to claim it. Pillows are available, please bring your own blankets, sheets, pillowcases, and towels. There are a small number of light blankets for those bunkhouse residents who are unable to bring one of their own. If you will need us to provide one, please let us know well in advance.

PRIVATE ROOMS: There are a limited number of private rooms that must be reserved in advance at extra charge. Pillows are available, please bring your own sheets, pillowcases, and towelsThere are light quilts in each private room.

CAMPSITES: Camping is available with access to bathrooms and outdoor showers. Please park by your campsite only if you plan to leave your car in place for the duration of the camp.

If you’re lodging with us please remember to bring a blanket and linens (or sleeping bag), towel, toiletries, soap, flashlight, earplugs (for light sleepers). There are light quilts in each private room and we have a small number of light blankets for bunkhouse residents who can’t bring one of their own. Let us know well in advance if you’ll need one.

Flashlight, recording device, camera (or maybe those are all your phone!)

Comfortable informal clothing for wet and dry weather. Some may also bring dressy, wild or fun clothing as well but that is up to you! There’s no laundry on site so bring enough clothes for the camp.

Please, no pets or drop-in guests.

Incoming mail

Your Name c/o Ashokan Music & Dance
477 Beaverkill Rd, 
Olivebridge, NY 12461

Outgoing mail leaves each weekday at 4pm.

Music & Dance Camp Phone (845) 657-8333 x 3 

Cell phone reception is available but spotty. Calls may be dropped but texts are reliably received.

High speed Wi-Fi is available in all buildings.

Physical Address:
Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge, NY 12461

DRIVING DIRECTIONS  
Take NY State Thruway (1-87) to Kingston exit #19.
From traffic circle take Route 28 West (toward Pine Hill).
In 12 miles (shortly after Mobil & Citgo) turn left onto Reservoir Rd.
Cross the Ashokan Reservoir, turn left at the Tee.
Head down the hill, pass the first left (Rt 28A East) and merge onto 28A West.
Take next left onto Beaverkill Rd.
Follow Beaverkill for about one mile, then turn right into the Ashokan Center driveway and follow the signs.

AIRPORT  Albany, NY (ALB) is the closest major airport (about 1.5 hours away). Public transportation is available from the airport to the Kingston bus station, where you can take a taxi to Ashokan. Or contact us at least one month before your program begins for a list of people driving from the Albany area who may be able to give you a ride.

If there are no camp spots or private rooms available above, you may add your name to this waitlist. If space opens up we will contact you.

 

The Ashokan Center builds community through shared experiences in nature, history, music and art. We have hosted traditional Music & Dance Camps at our 385 acre nature preserve for over 40 years. In 2020 we learned how to host them online and in 2021 we began to reimagine how to gather in person once again. 

Come join the Ashokan family to celebrate, learn, connect, deepen your music, make new friends, and brighten your day. Our events are open to all folks, all ages and all orientations. 

Thank you to the Martin Foundation for supporting Ashokan Music & Dance Camps.