"We played [at the center] last fall, and it was a completely magical day," says Mitchell, who performs in indie band Ida as well as her own group. "You could feel the creative, positive energy everywhere, people were inspired, and community was happening. The Ashokan Center is a national treasure, we are so deeply fortunate to have it in our backyard."
As Ashokan's facilities expand, so does its enlightening offerings. Along with returning happenings like March's Maple Fest, a musical and culinary celebration of the campus-harvested maple syrup, there's the popular SummerSongs songwriter's camps, and, adds Ruthy, another Hoot festival slated for August. Mason mentions plans for an upcoming ukulele weekend catering to those wanting to learn more about the recently repopularized instrument. Stewards and residential ambassadors of traditional music, dance, folk art, science, and living and natural history, Ashokan's staff are not only preserving our cultural riches and the site's own glorious environment: With every visiting student or camper they're sowing the seeds that those spirited vessels take home and use to improve their own surroundings.
"We want the dances and other events we do at the new campus to be an engine for community," says Ungar, who with Mason hosts WAMC's monthly "Dancing on the Air" broadcasts. "But it's also incredibly important for people, especially kids, to experience the kind of nature that's here at Ashokan. I guess it sounds kind of New Agey, but the instant I came here I was changed. And somehow the feeling of that came out as "Ashokan Farewell," which ended up really affecting people on this incredible level. There's definitely something really magical about this place."
The Winter Hoot festival takes place February 1-3 at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge. For ticket information and a full schedule, visit Homeofthehoot.com or Ashokancenter.org.