Weekend Retreat: September 6-8
Address: In the tent on the Homestead Organics Farm: 175 Skalkaho Hwy Hamilton 59840
About the Weekend Retreat
Come join us for three days of dancing and music in the Bitterroot Valley Montana. The Hamilton Dance Camp is led by the Montana Dances of Universal Peace team and more! This diverse team will carry us through many spiritual traditions of the world in the ancient practice of community circle dance.
What We Do
No experience or partner needed. Each dance is taught in place: we are given a short song easy steps and the meaning (or attunement) of what we are doing. We do songs from a wide variety of sources: native Christianity Judaism or eastern Sufi practices. Often they are simple chants or inspiring poems.
The magic is the circle. Each person (you included) is what creates this magic. Humans evolved singing and celebrating in circle dance. As soon as you step into the circle you’ll know you are home.
What’s it Like? Dancing with us is like joining a tribe. When we first come together we often don’t know each other’s names but become immediate brothers and sisters. The music brings us together. The camp is held by elder wisdom with experienced leaders who have been doing this for over thirty years. Often something new like this can be uncomfortable but we know how to bring you in with a smooth transition from aloneness to togetherness. There is an essence in every human being that yearns for togetherness. We use our feet simple music and ancient wisdom to create a moving space of heart.
Our Dance Tent Creates a Magical Environment
Come together: Dancers can start arriving at camp on Friday Sept 8th. First dance will be Friday evening and the last dance will be Sunday morning. Saturday afternoon we'll have kirtan discussion and a potluck!
-- LOCALS COME FREE!
Donation appreciated. But mostly ... come dance. Your best bet is to come on Friday night and see what it's about. Come on Friday evening between 6 and 7. Please be on time for the 7pm dance as attending the whole session gives you the full benefit.
Tent setup will start on Thursday noonish. If you want to help put up the tent we’d love that! Let us know in the notes.
SCHEDULE
Food gatherings will be “bring your own”. Not really a potluck but an opportunity for us to join and eat together. We’ll have tables and a few snacks… bring your own chair.
– Friday – Sept 6 2023
Noon and on – Campers and tent decorators arrive.
5:00 pm Food gathering at the tables. Not a full on pot-luck. Bring your own and bits to share.
7:00 pm – Friday evening dance will be from 7pm – 9:30pm
– Saturday – Sept 7 2023
8:00 am - breakfast gathering at the tables and firepit.
9:30 am – Gather in the tent. Deeper dance discussion starts at 9:30 am where we will dive into our question of the day. Topic: A short history of the Dances of Universal Peace.
10:00 am – Dance will be 10:00 am – 12:00pm.
12:00 – Lunch on your own. We gather at the tables and eat together.
2:00 pm – We will gather for Kirtan/singing and a personal meet with Laura and Henry from the farm who will talk about their many community initiatives.
5:00 pm Food gathering at the tables. Not a full on pot-luck. Bring your own and bits to share.
7:00 pm – Saturday evening dance will be from 7pm – 9:30pm
– Sunday – Sept 8 2023
8:00 am - breakfast gathering at the tables and firepit.
9:30 am – Gather in the tent. Deeper dance discussion starts at 9:30 am where we will dive into our question of the day. Topic: Peace through community.
10:00 am – Closing Dance will be 10 am – noon.
Musicians
As you arrive at camp please let us know about your musicianship! We coordinate acoustic musicians into our dance sessions. You’ll want to play with us!
Cost: $50
Yes… the camp is very inexpensive. This is because we love what we do. This is not about making money but about coming together. plus we don’t have to pay for our tent location lodging/camping/food is on your own — and we need you!
Partial Attendance?
You are welcome to attend partial days. Use the following coupon codes when you register:
Friday or one session only - FRIDAY
Saturday or two sessions only - SATURDAY
Locals come free - LOCAL
Food and Lodging is not provided by your camp registration… but don’t worry. Everything you’ll need is nearby.
Dogs
We love dogs... but this is a working farm and home so they will need to be on a leash at all times. The Farm is a home and they have their own dogs and many birds and other animal. Thanks for your consideration.
Where is Hamilton Montana?
We are dancing in Hamilton Montana in the Bitterroot Valley. There is room for camping on the farm and there are motels nearby in town to stay.
From Zareen: My goal for this camp is to provide an inexpensive space where we can all come together sing dance and dive deeper into new possibilities. We are inclusive of the traditions of the world and each other. Most importantly we use this time to recreate ourselves into co-creating relatives of the world rather than individual consumers. The overall vision is to come alive in new ways and jumpstart a dynamic participation in life that transforms the world… in other words: Sam Lewis’s Peace Project.
About our dates and location
Our event location opens up on Friday and stays available through Sunday. We will be raising the tent on Thursday. You are certainly welcome to arrive on Thursday and help set up for camp if you want to join in the tent fun. We’ll be finishing the tent setup on Friday morning so this is time for the decorating crew. The last dance will be on Sunday and we all participate in taking down the tent in a fun community project.
Food and Lodging is not provided by your camp registration… but don’t worry. Everything you’ll need is nearby.
Food
Plan on meals on your own. You can bring your own camping gear and kitchen items. Water is available and electricity will be solar (electric plugins are available nearby in the shop). We'll have a potluck Saturday evening.
Shopping & Restaurants
There are lots of places for food in Hamilton which can be found at the local Chamber website.
Lodging
There is some room to camp on the farm. No RV hookups. Good motels are in town just a few miles from where we camp.
Bitterroot Valley Chamber
https://bitterrootchamber.com
Find the Dance
We’ll be dancing in our 30′ tent at the Homestead Organics Farm. Bring your own chair. It may be cool in September. We’ll watch the weather and if it looks chilly we have a wood stove for our tent.
Event Venue
Homestead Organics Farm, 175 Skalkaho Highway, Hamilton, United States
USD 50.00
