2021 Django/Swing Camp Alberta

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2021 Django/Swing Camp AB – North of Blackfalds, Alberta: 13-15 Aug

At Watipi Campground north of Blackfalds, Alberta. August 13-15. Swing/Django djam all weekend long. Maybe some workshops, band scramble, etc. It’s about half way between Edmonton and Calgary so it’s convenient for all!

Event description

Hey fans and players of swing music and Django Reinhardt! Join us for a weekend of camping and jamming August 13-15, 2021 in central Alberta. The focus is acoustic swing music including swing tunes from the great American songbook, Western swing and the music of Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Acoustic guitars, bass, violins, violas, clarinets, mandolins, singers, etc. are all welcome. All playing levels are welcome. There will be some experienced players there but newer players are encouraged to come and learn. If necessary we can split into separate jams for different playing levels. Possible workshops if people are interested.

Activities

This is mostly about jamming (all weekend long, all night if necessary), but if there is interest we can run some informal workshops. Possible topics: rhythm guitar, basic swing chords, basic hot club chords, la pompe, repertoire, upright swing bass, mandolin, violin, etc. Perhaps we can have a band scramble Saturday night with ad hoc bands putting together short performances. Please email me (the_cave@yahoo.com) if you have an interest in something.

If you really need a break from jamming you could paddle around the lake or bike a bit. It’s very close to Blackfalds, Lacombe and Red Deer if you need supplies.

Location/Facilities

Watipi Campground near Blackfalds, Alberta. This is a private campground near a small prairie lake and some bike trails. It is fairly private, away from other facilities so we can jam all we want without interruption or bothering anyone. It is a field surrounded by trees where a fair number of tents and RVs can be placed (10 to 12 units depending on size). There is a gazebo structure there for shelter in case of inclement weather. Please bring pop-up gazebos if you have them. There are a couple of picnic tables and fire locations. Potable well water is on site. Since it’s well water it might have that kind of taste. Bring your own water if you prefer. There is a basic outdoor pit toilet.

Stuff to Bring

Tent or RV
Bring your own food, drinks, toiletries, clothing (for all seasons – it’s Alberta you know), supplies, etc.
Acoustic instruments, tuner
Charts (paper, electronic) – some extras to share if possible
Music stand, chairs
Pop-up gazebo
Propane fire ring

Directions

Watipi Campground Back Gate:2 km north of Blackfalds and 6.5 km south of Lacombe on Range Road 272. Turn West on Twp Rd 40-0
1.1 km to Timbers Road. Turn North for 1.1 km to Gate on the right. Bear left to reach the gazebo. https://www.google.ca/…/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0…

Costs

The costs are going to be shared among attendees (no profit here). The group camp with the gazebo shelter costs $250 for the weekend. This has been paid already (non-refundable) and we’ll split that up between all attendees. So to hold a spot please send me $12 via etransfer.

In addition, camping there is $25 per unit per night (non-powered sites). There are limited powered sites (booked) where you can charge devices there if you need to. The owners will collect that directly from you on site on the weekend of the event (cash or etransfer only).

There are two fire pits but they don’t allow outside wood to be brought in. They sell wood on site at $25 per three bundles as needed. Some people will have propane fire rings so we can use that for heat and supplement with wood fires as people prefer.

Bring those propane fire places if you have them. Don’t bring wood – they don’t allow it.

To reserve a spot, please send and etransfer of $12 to

Kevin Jacobson – the_cave@yahoo.com

Please email if you have more questions.

Details

The exact location is the red pin in the above image. There is a field for random camping in that space between the trees. The green thing is a little off in the bush.

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