Cup o' Kindness

At its heart, "Cup o' Kindness" workshop & retreat is about the pleasure of making music and being together in community: generations learning from one another, musicians finding their own voices, and sharing tunes, stories, and meals in the extraordinary natural setting of the Sierra Nevada.

The weekend will move naturally between learning by ear, harnessing rhythm and groove, discovering the stories and character within tunes, arranging music together, improvising, "making stuff up", and seeking greater freedom of individual expression. Through workshops, informal jams, and nature activities, and we will explore creative approaches that have shaped our lives.

Come prepared to listen, play, experiment, laugh, learn, or just hang! —and venture a little further into the music and the place.

"Traditional music is alive! - to be played with, learned from, reshaped and carried forward." -- AlasdaIr Fraser

Galen Fraser & Maria San Miguel
Celtic-Castilian violins, cittern, tune writing, song, dance, percussion

Alasdair Fraser
Traditional fiddle music of
Scotland and beyond

Sally Ashcraft
songs, nature reverie

Hiroko Greenberg
trained, certified Japanese chef.

Your hosts

FAQ

Is Cup o´ Kindness retreat weekend for you? We've been getting a few questions and thought it might be helpful to answer some with the FAQs (frequently asked questions). Here goes!

Do I have to be a musician to attend? In a nutshell, no. The workshops will focus on living tradition and personal expression rather than the nuts and bolts of technique. The venue itself is a visual feast, meals will be beautiful and tasty, the accommodations comfy, and the company kind. There are old world stone paths and woodland trails for ambling and stravaiging, nooks for nestling in with a book or knitting while listening to some fine music. You can join in an impromptu dance, try your hand at Castilian kitchen percussion, add your voice to the singing. There will be very cool hand-craft projects, which we are intending to be a surprise - at least one involving wood.

The photos on the Big Springs Gardens Retreat Center look amazing, Is this place for real? You are not alone is your wonderment. The Big Springs Gardens has been called "Monet in the Mountains,” and between the spectacular scenery, the arched bridge over a reflecting pond, the old-world stonework, and lush, colorful landscaping, there is a beautiful vignette around nearly every corner. Add to that creative vision and exquisite taste and design sense of the current owner who curated the building of the cabins, meeting hall, dining. This is a rare gem of the northern Sierra.

I/my friends/ family want to come, but not sure it is affordable...
Can we pitch a tent or sleep in an RV? Yes! And we are waiving camping fees, so the cost will just be the $500 program and meals fee. The lovely shower house is handy for folks who are camping. There are no RV hookups..

Can we stay at home and commute? Or book a room locally offsite? Yes. All meals are provided, and cost is included in the program fee.

Can we help as a volunteer in exchange for a discount? We may have some small jobs available. Contact us to discuss info@culburnie.com or Sally Ashcraft 530 913 8291

May I, or we just come for a day? For the retreat, we will nestle in as a wee community Friday afternoon through Sunday lunchtime. If you want just a taste of the weekend, please join us for the Sunday afternoon concert by the new Alasdair Fraser Band – it will be their California debut! Tickets available at cup-o-kindness.org

Is there a registration deadline? Rooms on-site will likely fill up soon, so we recommend not delaying. We are hoping to get all information on numbers and special diets to our chef by October 10,

Does the program price include the Sunday Concert? Yes, if you are registered for the weekend the concert is included!

Any other questions please contact us to discuss info@culburnie.com or Sally Ashcraft 530 913 8291

Cameron Fraser
lead and rhythm guitar skills, jam sessions, musical revelry

We love to sing it - let's do it! - Alasdair Fraser