2025: KG-51

Links:   KG-51 flyer+map       KG-51 flyer+map       KG-51 small info handout
                                (version for most printers)             (version with added margins)

   Here’s the (slightly edited) text of the KG-51 flyer:

...Friends of the Kindred Gathering:

   You are invited to the 2025 Kindred Gathering on the last weekend in July!  KG-51 is in the San Francisco Bay Area, celebrating 1975 to 2025, the 50th anniversary of the KGs.  It starts at 4 pm in the afternoon on Friday, July 25 and ends when you’re ready to leave on Sunday, July 27.

   As the oldest continuously active US fretted dulcimer festival, Kindred Gatherings do feature players of the instrument.  But all who play (or wish to play) any instrument, who sing – and who listen to music – are welcome!  This means you.

<rant re 50th anniv. removed>

   In 2025 it’s time to mark a full half century since the first one – the 50th anniversary, KG-51 – in Calif.  Like Saturday Night Live, KGs will celebrate “1975 to 2025”... (assuming that the moon doesn’t fall on California beforehand).

   I’ve reserved the Camp Herms Boy Scout Camp, 1100 James Place Dr., El Cerrito, Calif. (a hop, skip and jump north of Berkeley).  Next to residential El Cerrito, it still feels like it’s far from town...  Scout camps are a bit expensive, so to keep our costs down, it’s only booked for two overnight stays.

   In addition to expense, Scout camps do have some policies not often imposed on KGs.  The contract I signed on behalf of our group specifies:  1. “The group or organization agrees that no drugs or alcohol will be consumed or available on the premises.”  2. “TRASH MUST BE PACKED OUT. We do not have trash pick up.” and 3. “NO PETS ARE PERMITTED IN THE CAMP!”  (Also, per official Camp Herms policy, vehicles must back in to their spots in the parking lot.)

   We can only arrive (and quickly start setting things up) starting at 4:00 pm on Friday, July 25, 2025.  After spending two nights, we will leave on Sunday, July 27.  Most with a good distance to travel will probably leave the KG in the late morning or afternoon on Sunday.  But any of us can stay till 10 pm to help clean up.  Incentive:  Those choosing to stay a bit later – into the evening – can share an informal Sunday dinner, and might also find a way to share some Sunday evening music, as well...

   During the gathering, the contact cellphones for the KG group at Camp Herms will be mine and my wife’s.
Jim (my phone rings very quietly, so text works best): (650) 464-8272.  Camille (for voice calls or text): (650) 464-3019.

   Indoor activities – the Lodge (near camp entrance) has a wheelchair ramp, a fine kitchen and a concert stage.  Indoor workshops and KG-central bulletin board will be there.  Outside – sleep options are your car or the camp sites.  These include the Quarry tent-camping area (near the left parking lot) – or down in the Meadow area. (Walk or drive to Meadow from right parking lot:  Go uphill, then down to the right.)  Restrooms with showers:  a short (steep) walk up to Dog Patch camp area (if not also in the Meadow).  (Yes, dogs aren’t allowed, but there is a Dog Patch area.  Maybe foxes or dogs grow on trees there...  Though I first assumed cabins shown on the camp map in that area existed, I’m now told they might not be built yet by July 25.) Also outside, there are plenty of spots for outdoor workshops.

   For those who prefer to stay at a motel (and maybe keep a pet there, or perhaps offer a den for drinking alcohol or other iniquities – checking, of course, that visitors to the den have designated drivers or Ubers, to make sure you avoid facilitating any driving under inappropriate influence...), there are a few affordable motels and hotels on San Pablo Ave., ...about a 7 min. drive to the west of Camp Herms.  (A couple minutes further, along I-80, there’s one that’s slightly cheaper.  Also, there are many more nearby, ...if you look in Richmond, Albany or Berkeley.)

 COVID still has a death rate higher than flu. Those over 65 or at high risk can get a booster now, 6 mo. after the fall shot.

  Bring / prepare pot-luck dinner items – and bring cups / plates / utensils which are recognizable / marked.
  Friday:  Mexican or Italian.   Saturday:  Chinese or Middle-Eastern.   [Sunday:  Left-overs or anything.]

                  – Jim