First on the agenda was stopping at our hospitalities spot to sign in, get a badge, and finding out where to stash your stuff. The accommodations vary from fancy rooms in the Manor house to one's own tent in the pine grove - depending on one's druthers and how early one registered (the deluxe accommodations are usually filled by June).  Next was trying to make it through the various jams to get to your digs! High up on the list of things to do was checking out our workshop schedule. It's an interactive affair in which one can request a workshop and offer to lead one. This year's impressive, instructive and insightful workshops included a number of familiar ones and some new ventures and exploratory territory for many. Everyone partook at will and whim! Those not so occupied could be found jamming with others or occasionally playing by themselves, getting down the new tune or technique.     THIS YEAR'S WORKSHOPS:

Buttonbox Basics by Rich Morse Beginners Playalong Chords for Beginners by Tony Hughes Slow Jam with Wendy "The Ear"      Morrison Easy & Fun Tunes for all Boxes      Also by Wendy  English Country Dances/Playford Contra Band with Craig Hollingsworth Morris Music Anglo Freeforall  Solo Hour (show off YOUR pieces!)      with Ken Sweeney Duet Concertinas Unite!       with David Barnert Chordal Workshop for Chromatic      Accordions Klezmer Workshop by Sy Kushner Balkan Workshop Tricky Fingers for Piano Accordion       by Wendy again! Douce Ambiance also by Craig Rhythm & Chords for English       Concertina with Rachel Hall French Canadian Tunes      with Doug Creighton Blues Workshop with Ed Marris All Sorts of Stuff about the English      Also by Ken The abc's of ABC by David Barnert Tunesmith & Wordsmith,      Composers & Authors      with Jim Allen The Making of the Céilí - Slide Show      by the BB staff Concertina Repair & Maintenance      by Mario & Ken Old-Time Country Gospel

Between workshops many found their way to the "goodies" room to check out the impressive assortment of enticements for sale. Beyond the The Button Box's usual broad assortment of squeezeboxes, recordings, and books, there was another vendor of (predominantly) piano accordions, and a couple tables laden full with participants' boxes for sale.

This year's Saturday night concert, even more eclectic than usual, featured performances on a diverse array of instruments, including hammered dulcimers, flutes, recorder, bagpipe, nyckelharpa, piano, fiddles, banjos, harmonicas, - oh yes - and lots of squeezeboxes! Nothing unusual about them!

The ensuing lively contradance was followed by waltzes, schottisches, and some swing dancing. While back at Manor - tunes, songs, stories... and somewhere out back an especially welcoming hot tub! The next morning arrived all too soon for the several who awokened at the crack of dawn by a couple of VERY early morning accordionists (whom shall remain unnamed).

Sunday was a day of recovery, coffee and leisurely brunch, some more tunes, a few stray workshops, deciding that you just couldn't pass up that CD/book combo, the group photo, and just hanging out and taking it easy before heading out. Hope to see you all next year!