I know some of you may think this announcement may be inappropriate, considering the situation this past week, and I apologize if you are offended. I look at this post as a light in the darkness, and something for us all to look forward to at a time when it seems like hope and looking towards the "future" is far away. With that "ray of hope" I offer this post and this announcement to all, Joni-onlys and the regular list as well. Jonifest has grown by leaps and bounds every year. Each year, I strive to improve on the Fest before, learning each year from the one before. The New England Labor Day Jonifest has grown from a one-day, 25 person, intimate house gathering, to a full-blown, three day festival complete with multiple meals, sound, lighting, and large numbers. We have now expanded to the point where we have outgrown the house in Topsfield. Also, many of you thought it was difficult this year to be spread out in area hotels, and have requested that we be under one roof next hear. Because Labor Day weekend is such a busy holiday, I started thinking about the 5th anniversary of the New England Labor Day Joni Fest as soon as you all left my house a few short weeks ago. I have been in negotiations for the past several weeks with a place that I feel is an absolutely "perfect" fit for us. "Full Moon" is a rustic resort on 100 acres of natural beauty in the Catskill Mountains of New York. It is a wonderful place with an emphasis on music and musical gatherings. Sal and I drove out to Catskills this past Saturday to check out the Full Moon property firsthand. Here are my impressions: The rooms are very simple and rustic; some accommodations have shared baths. This is *not* the Sheraton, by any means, but the rooms are very clean and accommodating. There is a beautiful spring-fed swimming pool and a small duck pond on the property. In addition to the performance space, there are several smaller spaces in which to gather that could be used for workshops, jamming or hanging out. The buffet-style meals were excellent and filling, and included many locally grown vegetables. Through much time and energy on both sides, Full Moon and I have reached an agreement that we both feel comfortable with. There will be many changes to what we have known to be Jonifest in New England, but I believe they are all WONDERFUL changes, and will enhance our experience of community, music, connecting, and having a good time!! Considering this will be the 5th Anniversary of this particular Fest, I think it is a great time for these changes. Here are the details: 1) Because Labor Day weekend is Full Moon's busiest weekend of the whole year, they wanted me to guarantee a complete sellout of 120, which was too much of a personal risk and liability for me. So, the date for Jonifest 2002 had to be changed to August 23-26. (Arriving anytime on Friday, and leaving on Monday) I truly hope that will not be a problem for anyone, and also hope that some of you that weren't able to come "because" it was Labor Day weekend, will be able to join us this year. (David Lahm? Marian? Terry? others?) 2) Obviously, we can't call this the "New England" anything, because it will now be in New York State, so we will have to think of a new name. 3) The only way to sign up for this weekend is to sign up and pay for the entire weekend, even if you do not eat all the meals, or stay all 3 nights. Extenuating circumstances will be considered only *after* the minimum requirements are met. 4) Please know that if I decide to go ahead with this, I will be **personally** guaranteeing the rental of this entire property with certain minimums. This amounts to a HUGE amount of money, risk and liability. However, we definitely have a great track record, Jonifest has grown every single year, and more and more people are already talking about joining us that haven't joined us before. My vision: My vision of the weekend is three separate nights of scheduled performances instead of one long day and night. Friday night might be spent either jamming, or perhaps we could talk 2 or 3 of the professional musicians on the list to take an hour each to perform. (David Lahm? Gregg Cagno? Bryan Thomas?) Saturday and Sunday nights would be scheduled similarly to the way it's been the last few years, with the amount of performance time divided into the number of people that want to play. Of course, we will have lots of sing-a-longs as well. Days might be spent jamming, participating in workshops, (Marian? Claud? Anne?) time at the pool, rehearsing, walking in nature, connecting with each other. We will have the entire property for the entire weekend, so it's really only limited by our imagination. Of course, I will be welcoming input from everyone. I also envision people possibly bringing their significant others to share in the weekend with them. There are lots of other area interests, including some great fishing spots, antiquing, and of course the town of Woodstock is very close. ~~~~~The date is guaranteed to us *only* after a deposit is made. Once that happens, not only are we guaranteed the space, but we "have" to fill the numbers, otherwise, it comes out of my pocket personally.~~~~~~~ So..... this is what I need from you: As soon as possible, please go to the following website that Les has put together for me, and take a look at the pictures we took at Full Moon this past Saturday. I have included descriptions of accommodations as well as buildings. <http://www.jmdl.com/fullmoon.cfm> >From there, you can also access a link to the website for Full Moon. Please check it out thoroughly and e-mail me privately with the following information: 1) Are you interested in going to Jonifest at Full Moon August 23-26, 2002? If no, why not? If yes, please answer the following questions: 2) On a scale of 1-10, (1 being "a little", and 10 being a "definite", how interested are you in attending this Fest? 3) Are you willing to commit to a 3 day weekend? 4) Are you willing to send in a $75-$100 NONREFUNDABLE deposit? (Refundable only "if" and when the minimum requirements and expenses are met, and paid "after" the Jonifest weekend.) 5) Which of the many options for accommodations are you interested in? 6) Do you have any other concerns or comments? Once I have gathered all the information, I will make a decision as to whether there is enough interest to move forward with this, and I will start asking for deposits. I truly hope you are excited about this possibility as I am!! Hugs, Ashara
