Nightingales: Summer Nightingales 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010

Summer Nightingales 2010

Nearly 40 Friends from the Milwaukee, Madison, and Twin Cities area gathered at John and Robin's family farm in southern Wisconsin on a hot summer's weekend. Thanks to Robin, Susan, and many others who helped prepare the house, land, and food.

We learned a new round, thanks to Mickey of Chicago:

I like a nice cup o'
Tea when I wake up in the morning
That's when the sun is a-risin' and a-dawnin'
Whoa, wouldn't that be the ticket!
Floatin' in the sea
Sippin' cups o' tea

We also continued to thresh ideas for providing continuity from gathering to gathering, with some Friends affirming that since each host-area offers its own flavor of setting and hospitality, we may do well to allow for differences from place to place.

In addition, a number of Friends who attended this spring's Nightingales at a park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin indicated it would be worth returning to that site in 2011 in April.

But in-between summer Nightingales and spring Nightingales, there's fall Nightingales! The fall gathering is planned for some time in October 2010, before Halloween weekend, and it will be held, most likely, in a southwestern suburb of Milwaukee.

More details to follow.

Who we are

Nightingales is a group of Quakers and friends of Quakers within Northern Yearly Meeting, who gather 2-3 times a year at people's homes for a weekend of potluck meals and fellowship-through-singing. Nightingales particularly welcomes Friends and friends of Friends who enjoy non-performance singing as an expression of the Spirit.

Nearly the whole time we gather, we sing with one another without relying on instruments, a leader, or the ability to read music. We sing mostly out of Rise Up Singing and the Quaker hymnal. Occasionally we teach each other songs that have a Nightingales feel to them.

The best way to understand more fully who we are is to join us for part or all of one of our weekends.

Children and youth at Nightingales

Children and teens are welcome at Nightingales with the understanding that we are all gathered for the weekend primarily to sing and have fellowship.

Sometimes the kids will go off on their own during the day, singly or in pairs, in small or large groups. We've had infants, toddlers, teenagers, kids of all ages among us, despite there not being childcare or any separate program.

If you are a parent and are unsure of what to expect, feel free to talk with other Nightingales about their own experience bringing their kids. You can contact Liz at lizopp AT gmail DOT com to help get connected to other parents.

Mailing list and fees

To be placed on either the email list or a snail mail list for Nightingales, please email Liz at lizopp AT gmail DOT com. She will help you get placed on the contact list. (Nightingales doesn't share its list and uses it only to share news immediately relevant to Nightingales.)

Otherwise, to keep informed of upcoming Nightingale events, scroll down and subscribe as a "Follower" of this blog.

Most weekends, attenders are asked to contribute a small fee ($10-20) to help offset mailing costs, the rental of a porta-potty, and some other incidentals. Occasionally, Nightingales meets at a camp or has a special event that requires slightly higher fees.

Permissions and other information

Full names, addresses, and other contact information will be published only when the individual(s) give(s) permission to the blog administrator.

Liz Opp(enheimer) is responsible for the content of this blog. She offers it as a service to Quakers who are familiar with Nightingales, have sung with that group, or who wish to get involved.

This blog is intended to share information of when and where our gatherings occur, how to join in, and any related activities that may be worthwhile to track over time.

If you have a concern about the content of this blog, please contact Liz directly at lizopp AT gmail DOT com.

Nightingales

Monday, July 19, 2010

Summer Nightingales 2010

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