Golly! It has been a long time coming. . . . .but it finally looks as though we may be there! So, after months and months of planning and fine tuning, we are finally able to open registration for our ‘Uke, Bike, & Barge Adventure in Provence.
We’ll have six days of easy, scenic cycling through the villages and landscape that inspired Vincent Van Gogh. And our evenings will be filled with evenings of ‘ukulele fun and frivolity. There will also be extra lessons and opportunities for those who chose the additional ‘Ukulele Option.
We have also added a few pre-trip options and opportunities to help make planning easier, including a stay at the lovely Hotel LeMagnan in Avignon.
And, as always, we will have the entire barge to ourselves. Our floating hotel, L’Estello, has a number of communal spaces, so we’ll have room to spread out when on board. But, with only ten cabins, we are sure to fill quickly. So please, register soon to avoid disappointment.
If you have any questions, please be sure to contact us. Or, if you are ready to register now, just click on the link below.
Rounding out an already awesome crew at the 2021West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat Redux, we are happy to announce the addition of Del Rey and Nancy Piver to our staff of ‘ukulele pros and merrymakers: Gary Peare, Dave Egan, Jim D’Ville, and Catfish Jack.
Del Rey, an American blues singer, guitarist, and ukulele player, hardly needs an introduction. Specializing in blues and jazz from 1900 – 1950, Rey also developed a “Women in American Music” concert/lecture series to provide an historical and cultural look at the contribution of women to music in the early 20th century. You can check out Del Rey’s teaching style in the video below. (You can also visit her website.) And if you like what you see, please consider putting a little something in Del Rey’s tip jar.
Nancy Piver is a life-long ukulele player and a graduate of the James Hill Ukulele Initiative’s teacher certification program. She is the music director of the SLO Strummers and has directed small and large ukulele ensembles, playing her unique arrangements, at numerous west coast retreats. You can get a feel for what Nancy will be offering at the West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat by visiting her website. Nancy also plays violin, string bass, banjo, accordion, and piano, and will be bringing a wide range of musicality to the retreat.
Registration for the West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat is now open. We encourage you to register early, as we will be limiting attendance in order to maintain safe social distancing. (FYI The apartments and RV spaces have all been spoken for.) Please review all the options available before registering.
It’s been a long time coming, but we finally feel comfortable offering the West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat Redux at Camp Ocean Pines, in Cambria, on the beautiful Central California Coast. So, please, mark your calendars for :
November 3 – 7, 2021
Or better yet, REGISTER NOW, because space will be limited. BUT FIRST. please read about all the new opportunities and options below.
Options for lodging & meals
Everyone signing up for the retreat this year will have four main options to choose from:
Option 1 – Arrive on November 3 (Wednesday) after 3 pm, and depart on Sunday, anytime before noon. And stay at camp in one of the group cabinsor one of the two private apartments. (The apartments have already been spoken for.) You can also pitch a tentor bring a self-contained RV,* (all spaces for RV’s and motorhomes have been spoken for. Meals will begin with a light afternoon snack on Wednesday and end with a take-away lunch on Sunday. In between the Camp will be providing breakfast, lunch, & dinner each day along with morning and afternoon snacks. Our evening activities will begin Wednesday evening after dinner and workshops will begin on Thursday morning and end on Sunday morning.
Option 2 – This is the same as Option 1 above, but you will arrange for your own lodgings off campus** and breakfast is not included.
Option 3 – With this option you can arrive a day early, on November 2 (late Tuesday afternoon) and catch a few special workshops on Wednesday morning. We are not providing dinner on Tuesday night, but we might organize a group dinner and activity for that evening.
Option 4 – This is the same as Option 3, but you will arrange for your own lodgings off campus and breakfast is not included. We are not providing dinner on Tuesday night, but we might organize a group dinner and activity for that evening. Regular meals for this option begin with lunch on Wednesday. We can only offer 6 spots for self-contained RVs. (There are no hook-ups available.)
* We have a very limited number of spaces available for self-contained motorhomes. There are no hook-ups.
** Cambria has a lot great places to stay listed on AirBnB and VRBO. It’s also a very popular vacation destination. So, if you’re hoping to find a place to stay using either of those platforms, I suggest you get your place secured as soon as possible.
Instructors
We have a fine cast of characters (including me!) already lined up for this year’s retreat and will be adding more in the coming weeks. So please stay tuned.
Gary Peare
Jim D’Ville
Dave Egan
Catfush Jack
Registration Fees
The Early Bird Registration Fees listed below include all of the retreat activities & workshops AND meals and lodging as described above. Early Bird registration ends June 5, 2021.
Option 1: Early bird fee: $899/student ($1,479 with non-uke-playing companion***)
Option 2: Early bird Fee: $779/student ($1,229 with non-uke-playing companion***)
Option 3: Early bird fee: $1059/student ($1,719 with non-uke-playing companion***)
Option 4: Early bird fee: $879/student ($1,349 with non-uke-playing companion***)
*** Non-ukulele playing companions are welcome, as always, and we will have a couple of workshops and activities just for them.
