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imbil pickathon

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Bluegrass and Old Timey Pickathon - May 21 - 23 2010
(From Wendy Holman, Fingerstyle, Nambour, Queensland)
www.fingerstyle.com.au

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

Hi to all you pickers and grinners! I'm organising the first of what I hope will become an annual event to promote and encourage picking.

This event is an opportunity for pickers of bluegrass and old timey instruments to get together in one casual friendly location and pick like crazy for a whole weekend.

WHERE'S IT AT?

Borumba Deer Park/Caravan Park near Borumba Dam, Imbil, Queensland. We will be sited in Sherwood Forest area of the deer park and have asked for the curfew to be lifted for the weekend so night owls can pick on. (Folks camping or in caravans outside Sherwood Forest are still subject to the curfew, so no late night picking except in Sherwood Forest please. Normal people will be trying to sleep.)

Accommodation:

Phone: 07) 5484 5196 to book your campsite, caravan, or cabin. (Borumba Deer Park)
Borumba Deer Park is well-run, has various accomodation to suit all budgets, and weather permitting, will allow campfires and bbqs. phone: 07) 5484 5196 to book your campsite, caravan, or cabin. (Borumba Deer Park)

We'll be congregating in the area called Sherwood Forest.

WHEN?

May 21 (Friday, to arrive at the Deer Park approx lunchtime) until May 23 (Sunday, depart latest mid afternoon unless you want to pay the Deer Park for an extended stay)

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?

Self-catering, bring your own everything. The cabins are have oven, microwave and fridge. Bring your own linen, sleeping bag, towels etc. If you are fussy, bring your own drinking water.

There are several bbq areas around the Sherwood Forest area of the Deer Park. Being a working deer farm the shop at the camp sells basic foods and vac-packed venison. The closest general store and petrol station is at Imbil village.

INTERSTATE PICKERS INFO

Folks flying from interstate can phone Wendy Holman on 07) 5476 1955 (Wendy at Fingerstyle) by 14th May LATESTto organise a lift from Maroochydore/Sunshine Coast airport to the event and it's possible that friendly local musos can be bribed to provide home cooking during the event.

To arrange transport and catering talk to Wendy at Fingerstyle - 07) 5476 1955 (Wendy Holman).
Everyone must arrange their own accomodation (camping, powered site for campervan, cabin or a caravan) by phoning the Deer Park - 07) 5484 5196

(Example of flight costs and times;
Sydney-Sunshine Coast leaving at 9.00am, arrives Sunshine Coast 10.35am.
Departs Sunshine Coast 3.55pm, arrives Sydney 5.35pm; Cost $215 including tax.
Melbourne (Tullamarine) to SunCoast leaves 7.00am and connects with the flight from Sydney as above.
Departs same time as Sydney flight above from SunCoast and arrives Tullamarine 7.45pm
Cost $295 including tax.

Don't book a flight that's carry-on baggage only!

COST:

Accomodation costs are payable to the Borumba Deer Park direct. Because there are no performances or workshops there is no charge by Fingerstyle for attending this event.

OTHER THOUGHTS

Bring a portable recording device to grab those tunes and licks! Weather during the day is often sunny and hot but at nights it will get cold. There may be a few mozzies about.

The general consensus is, no percussion instruments (spoons, borans, drums, tambourines etc) All instruments generally associated with traditional bluegrass and old-time music are welcome.

FINALLY... THE MOST FUN YOU CAN HAVE WITH YOUR CLOTHES ON!!

This is all about you, with your instrument in hand, immersed in music with like-minded pickers, some who will be better players, and some who might welcome a few tips.

It's been suggested that we keep it to PARTICIPANTS ONLY; sort of a weekend retreat to swap ideas and share licks and picking sessions etc. There are no organised performances, and no workshops. Feedback afterwards will help us plan next year's pickathon.

Phone:
07 5476 1955
or
617 5476 1955 (International)
OR

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