by Bryce Wergin
You may have heard about or seen posts regarding the Nebraska Music Retreat on Facebook or HN. Here's all the info you need to be a part of it.
Soon enough, it will be December and many Nebraskans will find themselves fantasizing about the 90-plus degree weather we've come to expect in these late weeks of summer. Until then, why not enjoy every bit of these temperate days that you possibly can?
The Nebraska Music Retreat gives you the perfect opportunity to adequately appreciate your summer by spending the weekend among other Nebraskan music lovers enjoying some of the most beautiful country our state has to offer at the Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary near Bassett, Neb. (map)
Here's a quick breakdown of what you need to know about the retreat:
The retreat will begin on the evening of this Thursday, Aug. 25 (we will arrive about midnight that evening) and will continue until Sunday the 28th. We will be renting a ranch house with four bedrooms and camping space for about a dozen tents. We'll spend Friday lounging in pristine Niobrara water, grilling and hanging out — instruments will certainly be wielded. Saturday, we'll tube down the river — the quintessential Nebraska extreme sport. We'll spend our nights playing music by a campfire. Saturday night, we'll record a song or two from each musician who wants to perform, and produce an acoustic album whose proceeds would benefit both the Sanctuary and Hear Nebraska. A three-night stay will cost less than $50/person (or about $16/day). Tubing is $35/person if you want to come. Bring your own food and drinks. We'll be grilling.
This isn't an exclusive event for musicians. We want to be joined by: anyone who plays, captures, hears or supports music; and artists of all genres; photographers; videographers; and journalists. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more peaceful, gorgeous country in the state than this scene boasts ? it's the perfect place for creating, performing and documenting art.
You can come for all or part of the trip. There is a hotel in nearby Bassett that you're welcome to stay at if you don't feel like camping. If there's interest, we may hold an impromptu concert at The Corral bar in Basset.
This will be a laid-back weekend packed full of great music and memories in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Midwest.
Check out our Facebook event to collaborate with others and organize carpools or to get more info. Have questions? Contact Andrew Norman at andrewn@hearnebraska.org or call him at 402.216.1354.
Bryce Wergin is an intern for Hear Nebraska. He used to go tubing down the Niobrara as a kid, and thinks your experience as a Nebraskan isn't complete until you've done it. Contact him at brycewergin@hearnebraska.org.