Every year the wonderful crew of people from the Folk Alliance team up with Quiet Valley Ranch to host a family oriented event dedicated to the life and love of music.
"It is the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. For 18 straight days and nights each May and June, over 30,000 guests come from all over the world to experience the magic of what we simply call 'Kerrville'. The Festival is known internationally as a Mecca for singer songwriters of varying musical style. It’s a place where those just developing their skills have the opportunity to play their music along- side master craftsmen.
"In addition to the live music there are also special concerts and activities for children, songwriting schools, music business seminars, hill country bike rides, canoe trips on the Guadalupe River, Sunday Folk Song Services, and our annual New Folk Competition and concerts for emerging songwriters. There is something for everyone who enjoys music, camping, the outdoors, and making new friends."
I have been attending this festival off and on for the last 18 years. In the last two years I have changed my attentions from merely being a fan and avid lover of music to staff member, while still retaining the aformentioned.
This year - as seems to be the trend - has brought on a new tradition for me and family, as well as for the festival. I have now started a daily morning yoga class for the munchkins of the festival.
The family and I went up this last weekend to open the event with all our friends and family. I chose to stick with the Kidsville staff since I knew I would end up there all day anyway with my own little ones. We have a great crew of adults and teens volunteering this year to run the place. But, honestly, that's no different than any of the other years before. The crew members may change from year to year, but they never fail to be anything less than fantastic. Along with helping out with the daily arts and crafts sessions, music circles, cleaning, organizing and all the rest, I have also started a daily 8AM kids yoga class. It didn't take much prompting to get every mother, father and child excited about the new addition to the Kidsville line-up. Kitara, the woman heading the crew this year, and I decided on the yoga classes Sunday afternoon, spread the word throughout the evening and by Monday morning our first class had every extra mat I brought filled up.... and then some.
And I must say, those are the cutest little kids I've ever seen. They come wondering out of their tents with sleep still in their eyes, hair standing on end, bare footed, and smiling. Most of them are new to the practice of yoga - at least the hatha style -, but never fail to give a warm and cheerful "Namaste" when they walk up and as they leave the mats.
As it is with my classes here in the city, we practice for about 30 minutes, then break so they can all go get breakfast. As soon as school is out on Thursday we're heading up again to stay and play for the rest of the festival, which runs until June 8. To keep the happy vibes going, after the kids class I will be leading a 9AM adult session at Threadgill theatre. It's an open air theatre which we've been helping to build and maintain for longer than I can remember.
If you get a chance, navigate over to the festival's home page. Check it out and as soon as you can, come on over and join the fun!
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