Citizens of Darbukastan and honored friends and neighbors from around the world. Be it known that The Ministry of Culture hereby issues you an invitation to join with us to celebrate the Fourth Anniversary of the establishment of our Artistic Alliance, the Dancing and Drumming Democracy of Darbukastan !!

For three fun-filled days we will gather at Spirithaven Farm in Stuart, Virginia for a celebration of Music and Dance. We trust that you will be able to join with us for this momentous event that promises to be the best ever.

We are pleased to announce the return of our ever-popular faculty.

~ Directing our percussive pursuits will be DAVEED KORUP of Drumfest!.

~ ZAFIRA will lead our Divas of Dance in several new classes this year.

~ DENYS PROTEAU is back from his triumphal debut as conductor of The Darbukastani National Orchestra and will expand on his Instrumental Ensemble Workshops.

~ ONCA will lead a not-to be-missed workshop.

~TED MONNICH brings back his beginning SAZ Class. There is something special about a circle of saz in a yurt that makes for a unique learning experience! Ted will also offer a BASICS OF TURKISH SINGING Class.

Being a progressive society we believe in equal rights but also see the benefits of a little well-intentioned discrimination. To that end we are delighted to inform the "fairer" of our citizenry of the (Ladies-Only) GUEDRA being led by CARLA MONNICH of TURKU. To balance this we will have Darbukastan's version of an Asik Cafe.* Asiks (def.- lover) are, for want of a better definition, saz-playing troubadors traveling the Turkish countryside singing traditinal folk songs and carrying the news from town to town. Having an almost religious "calling" to follow their chosen path, they gather each year in Istanbul during Ramadan for a month-long festival. One of the Turkish travel guides state that Asiks are no longer seen in Turkiye, and it is an art-form that is definitely not expanding. In honor of these musicians who keep the heart of Turkish culture alive, and in an effort to bring some small part of the experience to the USA, we will have our own Asik tent serving traditional chai and khave, led by Asik Ted. (Ted, I know that, being a humble man, you will not like being called an Asik. Get over it. No one loves the saz more than you do. You travel the USA and indeed the world to promote it and the music created by it and the musicians who play it so, there you go.) This is going to be a very nice experience for all.

In an effort to see that Darbukastan takes care of the needs of all of its citizens young and old alike, we are proud to announce a "youth-oriented" beginning dance class taught by members of KAMFA - a troupe of young women (aged 12-15) that set the dance world of Pennsic "On Fire" last summer. They will lend their unique views on "The Dance", practice technique, choreography and more to beginning dancers.

NEW FOR 2005 ~

~ Dance Regalia Swap. Our citizens are encouraged to make suggestions as to the changes/additions they would like to see implemented in DID programming. We are listening! This year we will begin what is sure to become an annual tradition. Dancers and musicians may bring those items that they have in surplus or no longer use and trade those items with interested parties. Please note: This is not intended to be a commercial enterprise! There will be no charge for people bringing items to trade and small-scale sales will be allowed. We are not encouraging retail vendors as this is not the intent of this experiment.

~ Friday Afternoon Henna Party. Prior to the evening's festivities we will host a body-adornment workshop with several experienced henna artisans providing instruction in everything from henna preparation to application techniques. Indulge your creativity and wear it with pride! We discovered three new sources of henna powder in Turkiye this most recent trip and we will have these materials available for your use. Please feel free to bring your own supplies if you wish.

~ Friday Night Asik Cafe. See * above for details. Traditional folk songs and contemporary interpretations of classic Turkish music by our own minstrels. Bring your saz and loin in or sit back and enjoy!

~ Chef Jaji will be with us once again with the Magic of his Mongolian Wok. He will offer an expanded menu with a meal plan available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available daily.

~ Mama Jeanne will serve her delectable deserts (all day !) As well as a wide selection of coffees and teas. If you needed a reason to Dance, Drum and Party-Hard, here is a good one. Mama Jeanne’s calories are well worth working-off !!!

FAMILIAR FEATURES ~

~ Morning Yoga

~ "Saturday Night Live" Hafla with members of TURKU and BARAKA MUNDI.

~ The Grand Bazaar with the Wonders of the World brought to you by The Culture Shop and Touch The Earth.

~ Hot Water/Solar Showers

~ Swimming, Boating and Hiking.

We will develop a schedule of events and curriculum with exact dates and times shortly. Classes will begin the morning of Friday, June 3rd and end the afternoon of Sunday June 5th 2004.

PLEASE NOTE !

Participation is strictly limited to 100 registrants ! Register early for discounted tuition.

Registration Fee for DID 2005 - $125.00 Adults (ages 16 and over), $75.00 Young Folks, Under 6 Free.

Pre-registration fee (If received by March 1, 2005) - $100.00 Adults, $50.00 Young Folks.

Please remember all tuition goes toward paying our talented faculty and facility improvements. Our long-range plan includes a permanent performance area, under-roof and encloseable for the citizenry's comfort during inclement weather. We plan on constructing a temporary stage this year to aid in keeping our performers weatherproof. Please help us get a head start on this by registering early. Thank You!

For more Information please contact us at :

Spirithaven Farm

88 Dobyns Church Rd

Stuart, VA 24171

Watch our website for updates - www.touchtheearth.com

access the Spirithaven page.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT DID 2005 IN JUNE!

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Darbukastani Independence Day 2005

Registration Form

Thank You for expressing an interest in attending DID June 3rd, 4th and 5th 2005. If you would kindly fill out this form and e-mail or fax it to us at your convenience we would greatly appreciate it. We apologize for being low-tech and not having a fancier form, but you may cut and paste the text below into an e-mail to us At times there seems to be a direct correlation between technological ignorance and happiness, at least for us at any rate.

Name:

Address:

Daytime Phone:

Evening Phone:

Best Time To Call You:

E-mail address:

Expected Date of Arrival:

(Early arrivals welcome but we’d like to know how early!)

Will you be camping at Spirithaven?:

Number in Party:

Age: (if under 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or LEGAL guardian)

Group Camping With:

Preferred Camping Area:

(This may be easy for "veterans", if this is your first DID please e-mail and we’ll fill you in!)

Size of tent:

Do you need Motel/B&B Information ?:

Emergency Contact Information:

Name:

Address:

Daytime Phone:

Evening Phone:

E-mail Address:

Do you have any medical conditions we should be aware of?:

Do you have any allergies we should be aware of?:

Are you taking any prescription drugs?:

Please Note: By registering for this event you are agreeing to abide by the rules of Spirithaven Farm. These rules are far from stringent but are based on the concept of common courtesy. We will all be here mutually striving to create an atmosphere of Peace and Harmony which is conducive to learning and sharing of ideas and energies. We trust and expect that you will be responsible not only for your own actions but for those of any you choose to bring with you. If you bring children please do not "turn them loose" and expect someone else to babysit for them. Unfortunately we cannot allow pets as Spirithaven is a working farm with assorted critters that might be adversely affected by their presence. Please e-mail or phone with any particular questions or concerns.