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☞ This site’s purpose is to present info on upcoming and past Kindred Gatherings.
Previous attempts to maintain current KG info at a central site [kindredgathering.com, robertforce.com] have been less than successful. While the Facebook page for 2014’s KG-40 has become a central site for current KG info and discussion, that page (unlike Robert Force’s Facebook page) is not visible if you’re not a member of Facebook. I ( JimBStuff ) intend this site to be updated with current KG info - and visible to all without joining anything. But success depends on ➀ my getting KG info updates, and ➁ my ability to maintain the site.
---> Current KG Info: Scroll down or click to see the latest KG information I have.
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The Kindred Gathering – an Annual Event for Friends of the Dulcimer
It’s an unusual incarnation of a music camp/festival, largely centered on the fretted dulcimer
Kindred Gatherings (& KG participants) are always very tightly disorganized. (Some call them “loosely organized” — but don’t listen to that!...)
Begun in 1975, the “Kindred Gathering for Friends of Modes and Dulcimerie” was created by Robert Force and Albert d’Ossché – a legendary duo of master dulcimerists who helped define contemporary fretted-dulcimer music in the post-Fariña years.
More at: http://robertforce.com/HisStory/KindredGathering.html .
It’s the oldest continuously-active fretted dulcimer festival in the U. S.
I refer to the gathering as a “festival” here in the broad sense of the term (“a special time or event when people gather to celebrate something”). Some who’ve attended the KGs believe that the event should be described only as a “gathering,” not as a “festival” – due to the vast differences between the KG and a typical music festival.
Who can attend a Kindred Gathering?
Both accomplished players of – and learners of (as well as listeners to) – all instruments (and voices)... are welcome! This means you. Although the KG is roughly centered around the fretted dulcimer, many other instruments, musicians and voices of all sorts become important parts of its fabric every year. (Yes, even the voices of our fine-feathered avian dinosaur friends are appreciated as they lend their songs to the KGs every year.)
Where does the annual Kindred Gathering take place?
The Kindred Gathering is always something new and different ... and fun – organized by different folks at changing west-coast sites every year. In the early months of the year, you can look here to see if I’ve posted info yet about where/when the KG will be that summer.
Where do I see a schedule of presentations at the KG?
You participate in creating the KG’s user-generated content (not always even music-related) – commonly including impromptu workshops, eclectic song circle and open-mic concert(s), spontaneous jams, unnatural acts and anarchic random band scrambles. No schedule is planned prior to the gathering, but anyone can add a workshop to the schedule board during the gathering.
Unlike the two-class system at most music festivals, everyone at a KG is both a star and a student – sharing what they can and taking in what they can.
How do I sign up and pay?
Just show up and join in! The KG needs no registration forms, fees, forfeit, feasance or formal folderol. ...A free festival, kind of... To cover costs, recommended donations are announced at the gathering, whenever we figure ’em out. (Sometimes, though, those who own a location where a KG is held will impose some mandatory per-person or per-car fees. And if, as a choice instead of camping, there are a small number of on-site rooms, there’d prob’ly be both pre-registration and payment.)
Watch KG-related videos (mostly concert performances) here: KG Videos
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----> Here’s the Latest KG Info I Have:
2026: KG-LII (KG-52)
KG-52 will be in the summer of 2026, probably somewhere in Oregon.
When there’s more info, you can click here: 2025: KG-52 .
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Archive of KG Info from Previous Years:
2025: KG-LI (KG-51) 50th anniversary, 1975 - 2025
July 25-27, 2025 (Fri. - Sun.) at Camp Herms Boy Scout camp, 1100 James Place Dr., El Cerrito, CA.
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2025: KG-51 .
2024: KG-L (KG-50) 49th anniversary
August 2 - 5, 2024 ( Fri. - Mon.), in-person, Echos of the Sea motel and adjacent campground, Copalis Beach, WA
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2024: KG-50 .
2023: KG-XLIX (KG-49)
August 3 - 7, 2023 ( Thurs. - Mon. ), in-person, ZigZag Mountain Farm, Rhododendron, OR
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2023: KG-49
2022: KG-XLVIII (KG-48)
part 1: August 5 - 7, 2022 ( Fri. - Sun. ), in-person, ZigZag Mountain Farm, Rhododendron, OR
part 2: August 13, 2022 ( Sat. ) ...in Cyberspace. (on Zoom)
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2022: KG-48
2021: KG-XLVII (KG-47)
August 6 - 7, 2021 ( Fri. - Sat. ), ... in Cyberspace. (a virtual KG, at home, using Zoom)
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2021: KG-47
2020: KG-XLVI (KG-46)
July 10 - 12, 2020 ( Fri. - Sun. ), ... in Cyberspace. (a virtual KG, at home, using the Webex app)
The 46th KG... Looking forward to the 46th POTUS.
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2020: KG-46
2019: KG-XLV (KG-45)
July 26, 27, 28, 2019 ( Fri. - Sun. ), Sanctuary Farm, Silverton, OR
KG-45: The 45th KG on the 45th parallel, halfway between equator and north pole!
Jane, trained as a nurse, had suggested a slogan something like:
KG-45: Way better than that 45th POTUS, who eliminated Obama’s pandemic response program. Who knows what problems that may cause someday?
(Actually, I think what she proposed as a slogan was a bit shorter, but that was the general idea...)
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2019: KG-45
2018: KG-XLIV (KG-44)
Aug. 3, 4, 5, 2018 ( Fri. - Sun. ), Port Ludlow, WA, private land/beach. (This was a great location.)
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2018: KG-44
2017: KG-XLIII (KG-43)
Aug. 10, 11, 12, 13, 2017 ( Thurs. [noon] - Sun. [sundown] ), at Mendocino Magic, Laytonville, CA.
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2017: KG-43
2016: KG-XLII (KG-42)
Aug. 12, 13, 14, 2016 (Fri. - Sun.), Rainier, OR
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2016: KG-42
2015: KG-XLI (KG-41)
July 13, 14, 15, 16, 2015 (Mon. - Thurs.), Port Townsend, WA
To see the invitation and other details published before the event, click here: 2015: KG-41
2014: KG-XL (KG-40)
Aug. 15, 16, 17, 2014 (Fri. - Sun.), Jughandle Creek Farm, Caspar, CA
Although it was before this site was created, you can see the KG-40 invite: KG40flier.pdf
2013: KG-XXXIX (KG-39)
Aug. 2, 3, 4, 5, 2014 (Fri. - Mon.), Magness Memorial Tree Farm, Sherwood OR
Although it was before this site was created, you can see the KG-39 invite: KG39.pdf
Robert Force’s list of the first 40 KG locations, from 1975 to 2014:
[click to enlarge]
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