Pompanuck Farm Hosts Annual Memorial Day Potluck Picnic and Arts Celebration on Sunday, May 24th.

Every Memorial Day since 1994, Pompanuck Farm has hosted an “open house” event - a tribute to this day of remembrance and to the people of our greater community. The public is invited to enjoy a day-long arts festival and tour Pompanuck’s buildings and grounds. An outdoor stage is constructed and tents and tables are set for a community wide potluck sharing and networking.

Over the years the Memorial Day Picnic at Pompanuck has become an annual festival of community building; play, meal sharing and a performance showcase for musicians and artists in varied media whose offerings often reflect the spirit of peace. Some of this year’s performers are: Natural History, The Dirty Old Strings, Road House Blues Band, Ferrilyn Sourdiffe, Tracey Forest, Scott Carrino and a special presentation by members of the Enrichment Program – “The Pompanuck Circus”.

A special request… Pompanuck is planning to have a plant sale on this day to raise funds for our programs… If you are thinning out your flower beds and would like to bring a few potted plants to donate to the sale, we would greatly appreciate it!

This event is free and open to the public. Bring a dish and family and friends. This year, Pompanuck will hold its Memorial Day gathering on SUNDAY, MAY 24 –12:00 noon until dark. Rain or shine!

Pompanuck Farm is located at 494 Chestnut Hill Road in Cambridge NY. Call 518-677-5552 or email: info@pompanuck.org for info and visit www.pompanuck.org and www.pompanuckfarm.blogspot.com

a day of tai ji with scott carrino

Songwriters Concert May 10

Pompanuck Farm Presents Songwriters Exchange May 10th

(White Creek, NY) Pompanuck Farm is presenting a monthly songwriters exchange on Sunday, April 5th at 6:30 pm. Hosted by Scott Carrino and Deena Chappell Smith, this month’s event will showcase young songwriters, Tim Blair and Paul Brotchie.

Born and raised in Arlington, VT. Tim Blair started doing gigs in high school playing guitar in a rock and roll band. He was introduced to Bluegrass at college in Burlington and took up playing the banjo and mandolin as well as performing in coffeehouses, bars and writing and recording his first original tunes. Over the past thirty years, he has collaborated with many musical friends in many bands, gigs and festivals. He has recorded 4 CD's along the path and currently working on the 5th. He has taught a mandolin workshop for 7 years at the Winterhawk Bluegrass festival and has a web site www.timblairsflatpickingworkshop.com that is free and designed to help beginner and intermediate players. He can also be seen on you tube-timblairmusic.

Paul Brotchie writes, sings and plays songs from his head, his heart and his feet. He pounces on themes of social relevance, croons of love and loss and drives rhythms through the genres of folk, rock, rhythm and blues and country. He is a guitarist. He studied jazz with renowned teacher Charlie Banacos and he sits in on a variety of other instruments. He has performed for President Clinton and has shared the stage with such notables as Don Henley, Crosby Stills and Nash, Carly Simon, Peter Paul and Mary and others. He is from Boston and currently homesteading a patch of land in southern Vermont.

The artists will share original material with the audience and then discuss their songwriting process in an open forum setting. Audience members and the songwriters are encouraged to participate in a lively, in-depth conversation about the creative process of forming original music.

There will be an $8 charge for audience members and $5 for students. Desserts, coffee and tea will be available for purchase.

Please contact Scott Carrino or Deena Chappell Smith if you'd like to sign up as a performer for future Exchanges.

Please visit www.pompanuckfarm.blogspot.com for more information and other events, as well as, directions to Pompanuck Farm 494 Chestnut Hill Road Cambridge, NY 12816 518.677.5552

This program is sponsored by Pompanuck Farm Institute, a not‑for‑profit educational retreat center dedicated to sustainable community and individual potential through the visual, musical, movement, environmental, and healing arts.

Additional information about the hosts:

Scott Carrino: Scott spent his early years listening to and singing along with the radio and "playing" percussion on whatever surface that he had nearby. Scott started writing songs the moment he picked up a guitar at age seventeen. Often, in those early days when he attempted to learn a favorite song, a heartfelt song of his own would emerge. He has surrendered to the process and knows that songs will come through him when he is open and able to hear them. Scott continues to play percussion any chance he can and was a founding member of "Conundrum" a local percussion ensemble made up of drumming friends and their drums and a very popular local jam band in the 1990's.

Deena Chappell Smith: Born into a family of musicians, Deena Chappell Smith has been performing professionally since the age of fourteen. Her vast musical background includes performances in Bluegrass, Rock and Roll, Folk, Swing and Jazz. Deena was also the co-creator of the popular “Musical Chairs” children’s program where she has led countless children of all ages and backgrounds through the songwriting and recording process. However, her career as a singer/songwriter is just beginning. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at Goddard College where she is creating a body of music that reflects her understanding of and experience with the ‘voices’ of archetypal theory. www.deenachappell.com

Summer at Pompanuck!

There are still spaces available for each week and an early registration discount is available until June 1!