Falcon Ridge

I can't make the August meeting so wanted to express my opinion here.  At the last meeting I was happy to hear that Tribes Hill was teaming up with Acoustic Music Scene for Falcon Ridge tent/ camp.  A few weeks later I heard that the first hour of the night each night would be showcases, instead of open song circles.  There are several other "showcases" up there already and I thought the idea was for Tribes Hill to be an "open" place, giving people an opportunity to play and express themselves.  I understand it is a compromise because we are combining 2 different things, and I appreciate what Acoustic Music Scene does.  I also suggest that next year maybe someone can volunteer to set up and break down the Tribes Hill site so we can have our own camp, and Acoustic Music Scene can have their own camp, because both halves of that compromise are good contributions to the fest.  Kirkman and I and others carried this ball for 3 or 4 years straight, and I hope someone will take over for a year or two so we can again provide a place for people to play before 2 a.m and be heard.  I love the guys at Acoustic Music Scene and what they do for the community, but I also know there are hundreds of people with instruments at that festival who count on Tribes Hill as a place to play at night.... The emerging artists are already playing at the festival, so why not let the un-emerging artists play in the circle WITH the emerging artists, artists with sets on the stages, and others?  Over the years some of the best music I've heard at that festival has been in the open circles at Tribes Hill, Jack Hardy's, and a few other "campfires," and the Tribe have met many great folks that way...