Re: [Harp-L] Augusta? - Jam Camp? - where should I go?

["Robert Koch" <rok68@xxxxxx>]

> Augusta Heritage Blues Week - The best overall magical experience, as it 
> encompasses more than just blues harmonica and blues. Blues harmonica is a 
> piece of the whole program, along with BarBQue courses, craft courses, 
> stonemasonry, blacksmithing, herbal gathering, swing music, vocal music, 
> old tyme music, dance classes, etc.

  Having attended Augusta (once!) after flying in from my home base in 
Vienna (Austria!), I do confirm that what I experienced there, both 
musically and humanly, was unique. True, the teachers were great (Carlos, 
Grant, Phil) and... accessible, true, the jamming was "til you drop" and, 
sometimes, magical (I remember playing  stuffn, I never thaught I had in 
me), true, the criticisim was sharp and on the point (my playing improved 
greatly since, thanks partly to the Iceman). But what was even more is the 
sense of comraderie and, well, family I could feel everywhere, in every 
participant (I still correspond here with people I met there three years 
ago. And that's something!).
  If you do have the time (and the money), give it a try. You have no idea 
how overwhelming playing music with complete strangers can become. That's 
what I got out of it. It made me stronger as a harp player. And as a person 
too. I'll never be enough thankful for that. And I'll shall come back.
  Sunnyside in Vienna.