I looked at the website for the Irish Arts Week in the Catskills. I have my wife almost talked into going. My questions are: what is there nearby to do for those in the family who do not participate in the Irish arts? Also, are there any good RV parks nearby? I am getting a sweetheart deal on renting one from a client who owns an RV dealership. Last but not least, I’d like to hear a little bit about your experiences at this festival, good and bad.
You can answer on the forum, or e-mail me privately. Thanks
Not to be a damper, but last year when I was looking into it, I read that non-registrants are not encouraged. There is limited space (rooms and food) and they like to be able to have as many folks who wish to take classes as possible fit into the place (without becoming too large).
I think you are thinking of a different festival…there isn’t just one place where everything happens, there’s a whole bunch of motels where the classes are held, and everyone is free to fend for themselves as far as food goes…there are restaurants and bars all over East Durham and nearby (well, only a few restos right in town but others not far away, and some of the bars serve food). For family-type activities, there’s always hiking in the Catskill mountains, and I suppose there are touristy-type activities available not far away; the website might have info on that or else do some Google research on the Catskills region.
Zoom Flume Water Park
Catskill Game Farm
Olana State Park
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (airshows on Sat & Sun)
Howe Caverns
Iroqois Museum (Howes Cave, NY)
There are many state maintained hiking trails throughout the Catskills.
And though I can’t name any, I know I’ve seen many RV parks.
You’re also within an hour of Albany which has several good museums, many terrific restaurants. There are several good summer theatres in the area too. Woodstock is a funky little town which is fun to visit.
There is lots of stuff to do in the area; I was up there in October for the tional and my wife had great fun dragging me through the endless antique shops in the area. Seriously beautiful Kaaterskill Falls is only a 30 minute drive and short hike away. See: http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/waterfalls/kaaterskillfalls2.html
Catskills Irish Arts Week (CIAW) has also added a number of non-musical activities including a landscape painting class with Edmund Sullivan, who is quite famous in this field. http://www.edmundsullivan.com/
Can’t help you with the RV thing, but I think this is an interesting idea. IMHO, the ONLY way in which the CIAW experience could be said to be sub-standard is in the matter of accomodations. The hotels are old, a bit shabby, and run by seasonal help who are not always well trained or highly skilled (my wife was so unhappy about our rooms her first year she refused to return unless we stay at the Deer Watch Inn, which she loves).
Generally, I say who cares - you spend every waking moment playing, or talking about playing, with some of the greatest musicians going, so the room doesn’t matter. Bringing your own nice clean room and kitchen, and bathroom is a great idea. Yippie! Way to go.
This is probably not a great festival for a beginner, unless you are traveling with other beginner friends you can session with. That said, the only other negative I’d mention is that this is not a good place to catch up on your sleep. It is a great place to go for a total immersion experience. If want to, you’ll be able to find 22 hours a day of music starting on Sunday, and moving to 24 hours a day by Monday.
There are many elements of fantasy camp - a lot of well known names are on staff, but as Chris Smith notes in his essay linked above, a lot of argueably less famous but none-the-less legendary musicians will pass through during the week. This is homecoming week for a lot of irish immigrant musicians now in their senior years, and that nice tweedy old feller sitting next to you is liable to reach under his chair and pull out a concertina and make magic happen.
There are two RV parks, Lynchs Pot’O Gold, and another one whose name eludes me at the moment. You could look it up, though. It it probably listed in Cairo, NY, as opposed to E. Durham. And the town is NOTHING but Irish Bars and Hotels, and most are not too expensive. And there is the town of Windham not to far away, where you will find, among others, Jimmy O’Connors Windham Mt. Inn, another fine place, who serves very nice lunch and dinner. I have played up there for many years(four years at the festival), and it is a really fun time. To quote Robbie O’Connell, when I asked him how he liked E. Durham several years ago, when he was first an instructor up there, he said(in the parking lot of McKennas)
“this place is a parallel universe to Ireland” You will not go anywhere in this country to meet so many Irish born people as you will in E. Durham, it is great craic! Do it!