NESI Frequently Asked Questions
The Northeast Squeeze-In is a weekend-long gathering of free-reed players, mostly from the NE USA, but some come from a much greater distance. Located in the scenic Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, it’s a relaxing retreat from daily life and a day-into-night opportunity to learn new tunes, improve your skills, share what you know, sing, dance, and play with an eclectic bunch of friendly musicians. It’s not a music festival. It’s not an instructional weekend. It’s just a lot of fun, run entirely by volunteers, and organized as a not-for-profit event by musicians like you. We’re at an exciting new location this year. Folks who have attended before should check out the “What’s Different This Year?” page on our website.
The event typically goes like this:
Things start around the middle of Friday afternoon, as the first of us begin to arrive. On arrival, you’ll be given your room assignment, a site map, and other essential bits of information. Jamming starts almost as soon as the cars come to a halt. Most people have signed up for meals, and a buffet-style dinner is served in the dining room, augmented by wine or beer brought by participants. By Friday night, most of the participants are in attendance. There’s a pub-type sing in a fireplace-warmed room adjacent to the dining room, and lots and lots of players are swapping tunes in every suitable space. Please make sure that your late-night activities are not taking place in a designated “quiet” lodge. We’ll let you know which ones they are when you arrive.
After breakfast on Saturday morning (did the jamming ever stop?), people begin drifting off to the workshops and signing up for the cabaret/concert. (See “Activities” below.) Lunch brings us together again, then off to more workshops and informal playing. After dinner, we march in ragged procession to the performance space while playing the designated processional tune, and the evening cabaret/concert starts. After an amazingly varied performance of tunes and songs, the pick-up band takes its place onstage for the contra dance. Some folks go off to play some more or join the second pub sing instead. When the dance ends, there are snacks in the dining room available to everyone. Some dancers join up with the singers or players. Some stagger off to bed. This can be a very late night for the hardy types. Again, please make sure that your late-night activities are not taking place in a designated “quiet” lodge.
Sunday morning is for more workshops and, of course, more jamming. Enjoy the breakfast, consider that instrument purchase one more time, track down the person with the funny song from last night and get the words . . . and by noon you’re back in the dining room for the last meal of the weekend. Sometime later, the cars roll away and NESI has come to an end for another year. Although it’s possible to come for just part of the weekend, it’s really a 3-day-into-night event and is at its best if you are there on-site for the whole thing.
1. What is offered among the workshops?
As we’ve said, this is a free-form gathering of players of all levels. People post workshop offerings on a bulletin board located in the entry hall of the dining room building. People also post requests for things they hope someone might agree to lead. Some “workshops” are really tune swaps, often focused on a particular genre, such as Morris tunes or Scandinavian waltzes. Some are for specific instruments, such as Hayden duet concertinas. Sometimes there is a “slow jam” for people who are just learning the tunes or their instrument. There is usually one that is a rehearsal for the pick-up band that plays for Saturday night’s contra dance. It all depends . . .
2. Do I have to go to the workshops?
Definitely not. Some people never go to any and just join in the many jam sessions that spring up in every available corner. This is a weekend for fun and camaraderie, and nothing is required except your presence.
3.
I’m a
first-timer. Can I offer a workshop?
Of course. All you have to do, as noted above, is write a brief description on a post-it (provided on the table) and put it in an available location and time slot on the schedule on the bulletin board. You don’t necessarily need to be a teacher, as such – you might just want to be a facilitator for something that interests you, such as an Irish tune seisiún. Post it, and they will probably come.
4. I don’t play a free-reed instrument yet but I’m interested in starting. Will there be anything for me to do?
Absolutely. First, you’ll be able to hear, see, and try out everything from big piano accordions down to a 20-key Anglo concertina. New and used instruments are offered for sale by the Button Box and others. You’ll be able to find people who will talk with you about what they play and why. You’ll hear all kinds of music being played on free-reed instruments and consider which ones seem to relate best to your own musical interests. You might be able to find a teacher who lives in your area. Some workshops are quite suitable for absolute beginners. This is an excellent way to take the first steps toward becoming a player.
5.
My partner
plays the fiddle (guitar, nose flute, etc.) – can she take part in the
workshops?
It would be good manners to ask the workshop leader. Generally, there will be no objection as long as your partner is aware that the activity is primarily for the free-reeders and is probably not the time to ask for advice on bowing technique. Finding a jamming session to join is often a better option. All instruments are welcome in those, and they happen just about continuously.
6.
How does the
cabaret/concert get organized?
It’s a lot like the workshops. There will be a sign-up sheet near the workshop bulletin board. Sign up. You don’t need to be an expert or professional, just willing to share what you do with the friendliest and most supportive audience you’re likely ever to find. Because of the large number of people who usually participate, performers are limited to one song or one short set of tunes. And you don’t need to play a free-reed instrument to perform. We’ve had fiddles, a hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, and unaccompanied singers, among others. And there are often ensembles that have rehearsed by means of a workshop, so you might want to join one of those earlier in the day.
7. Should my non-playing partner/spouse come along?
If your partner likes music, there is a lot to enjoy, and some non-players decide to take up an instrument after a weekend of free-reed saturation. There are wooded trails for walking on the extensive Berkshire Outdoor Center grounds, a large pond with a sauna on the shore, shopping in nearby Lee and Lenox as well as in a large outlet center on Route 20 at the exit from the MA Turnpike, and lots of indoor and outdoor places to curl up with a book. The cabin/camping area has tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. The Saturday night cabaret concert and contra dance are fun for just about everyone.
8. I have a physical issue that makes walking and stairs difficult. How accessible are the rooms and the activity locations?
You should indicate your needs on the registration form in the “Comment” section. We will arrange for your housing to be close as possible to the dining hall if you have requested a lodge or cabin. All lodges have access ramps, and all have ground-level rooms.
Note: The Chimney Corners website contains photos and descriptions of typical rooms. Linens are not provided in any of the accommodations. Please bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, towels, etc. All beds are single beds. None of the lodge rooms or cabins have locks on the door.
What are the lodges like?
The lodges are heated, multi-bunk spaces used by the girls’ camp in the summer and countless corporate retreats, youth groups, and common-interest groups like ourselves the rest of the year. Although most of the lodge rooms have beds for more than 2 people, we will be assigning rooms to just two people unless you are a family group with one or more children. There are no private baths or bathrooms en suite. However, there are plenty of shared ones on every floor.
What are the cabins like?
The cabins are definitely rustic. Unlike the lodges, there is no heat and no electricity. You should bring a battery-powered lantern and/or flashlight for the weekend. There is a central shower/toilet facility at the site for each cluster of cabins.
What are the campsites like?
The designated campsite is open, nearly-level ground close to the dining hall, near the junior cabins. Campers share the bath houses and outdoor cooking facilities with the cabins. Please note that cabin accommodation costs only $40 more than camping with meals provided. You might decide that the price difference for a roof and a real bed is worth it.
Can I bring my RV?
You can locate it in the parking area (paying the same registration fee as for camping), but there are no hookups.
I’m coming alone. Do I still need to share my room?
All prices for accommodation (except camping) are based on 2 people per room. If you know that there is someone else coming whom you would like to have for a roommate, note it on your registration form. Otherwise, we’ll set it up, and you’ll have a chance to make a new friend.
1.
Do I have to
sign up for meals?
Except for camping, the rates for accommodation include all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch (six meals in all). Campers and day-trippers have the option of signing up for meals or fending for themselves. There are three choices for day-trippers. There is a Saturday-only package that includes workshops, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the cabaret concert and dance. There is a three-day full-event package that includes all six meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Day-trippers can also bring their own food and pay only for basic admission. See the registration form for costs.
2. I’m allergic to [peanuts, strawberries, shellfish, etc.]. Will I be able to eat the meals?
There is a wide variety of food served at each buffet-style meal: salads, fresh fruit, bread, and vegetarian/vegan options as well as ones for carnivores. Most people can find plenty to enjoy. Be sure to note any food allergies or other serious dietary restrictions on your registration form, and we will alert the kitchen staff. If we think we can’t meet your dietary needs, we’ll let you know.
3. I’m planning to camp and cook for myself. Can I buy a meal there if I change my mind?
The food is ordered and planned well in advance. The only way to get meals is to commit to one of our meal packages. However, if you are providing your own food, you are welcome to eat it in the dining room (and not in any other indoor space, please).
4.
Can I put my
food in a refrigerator or get ice for my cooler from the kitchen?
The answer is generally yes. There are refrigerators in the lodges and there is some refrigerator space available in the dining room. There is also an ice machine in the dining room.
5.
Is there a
bar?
No. However, because we are renting the entire facility, we are welcome to bring our own libations to consume and share responsibly. This will be a real cost-saver for those of us who enjoy a drink.
1. Is there any internet service available?
There is free Wi-Fi available in the dining room. There are no wired connections.
2. What about television?
Nope.
3.
What about
telephones?
There are no telephones in any of the rooms. There are pay phones in the lodges. Cell phones generally work there, but it is mountainous, so we can’t promise yours will work.
Read the reviews of past events and listen to recordings of our concerts here on this website if you want to get a better sense of what it’s all about!