BaHOOTenzie 2023
SongSchool May 2-4, 2023
BaHOOTenzie 2023 is on! Come for the SongSchool, FolkFest or both.
Online Tickets Sales have now ended. Tickets will be available at the gate.
– FolkFest tickets are now $120 for two days and nights of music
– Single Day tickets are now $65/day
Please see below for set times for FRI & SAT
Doors open at 1:30pm
Show starts at 2:00pm
Food & Beverages will be available for purchase
Address: 2780 Sunfair Rd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Whoo hoo! See you soon!
– BaHOOTenzie Crew
Message from Steve
I’m so excited to announce the Bahootenzie Song School and Folk Fest 2023. Yes, we are returning to Joshua Tree, CA this coming May !
Last year was so much fun, that we simply had to do it again. The Song School is May 2-4 and the Folk Fest is May 5-6. Bahootenzie is a word my dearly departed Dad made up. He said it means “Many Blessings, Let’s Go Nuts!”
What a time we had last year. People wrote songs and danced and sang and howled at the moon. Joshua Tree, California is the perfect setting. Camp under the stars or stay at a hotel or AirBnB. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Joshua Tree and tap into your creative soul.
This year’s instructors are yours truly, Maya De Vitry, Tim Bluhm (of the Mother Hips) and Amber Rubarth. They bring a wealth of knowledge and songwriting experience. Just like last year, all levels of songwriters are welcome!
The Folk Fest will have Steve Poltz, Keller Williams, Maya De Vitry, The Rainbow Girls, Tim Bluhm (of Mother Hips), Glen Phillips (of Toad The Wet Sprocket), Amber Rubarth and Lisa Sanders. What a lineup! Looking forward to seeing you in Joshua Tree in May!
Steve
Message from JTMF
Greetings from Joshua Tree!
Steve has wowed crowds here at the Joshua Tree Music Festival (and at the Guitarfish Music Festival) numerous times. He’s one of the greatest entertainers I’ve had the pleasure to witness. We watched Steve perform 7-8 times at the Folk Alliance Fest and ran into him dozens of times between shows. At every show he lit up the room and had folks laughing and singing arm in arm. Spirits were lifted! Every. Single. Time.
He didn’t stop there. At every turn, during and between performances, he was encouraging, supporting and inspiring his fellow artists. Newbies and old pros alike. The amount of time and energy he puts in to helping others hone their craft is beyond exceptional. He’s a flood of feisty hope, and outrageous goodness personified.
Flash forward to moments before he stepped on stage here in April, 2021. Steve asked, “I love it here in Joshua Tree; could I invite some friends to come perform here, and host a FolkFest and SongSchool?” “Absolutely!” was my immediate response. Not ten minutes later, from the stage, Steve announces the inaugural BaHOOTenzie Folk Fest and Song School to the delight of the crowd. So here we are indeed. It’s an honor and a thrill to be collaborating with Steve to make BaHOOTenzie #2 come to life.
Sincerely,
Barnett English, Founder/Organizer
Joshua Tree Music Festival(s)
FolkFest – May 5 & 6
Enjoy Steve and some of his WILDLY talented friends for 12 performances over two days and nights in the magical Mojave. Camp on site at the Joshua Tree Lake RV Campground (RV hook ups available), rent a cozy camper trailer (w/ AC) right backstage via Casagogo (info below), or stay nearby in an AirBnB or Hotel. The Joshua Tree Music Festival venue has sweeping desert views, plenty of shaded spaces, and lots of room to safely gather outdoors. The fest site was created with the live music experience in mind!
FolkFest tickets are $150 for two days and nights of music (single day tix are $85).
** Camping fees are not included. On-site camping, RV sites and RV hook-ups can be reserved directly through Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground ($15 per person per night, $45 & $55 a night RV sites). To reserve Cozy Camper Trailers, please email jtmusicfest@gmail.com with Bahootenzie in the subject line (trailer info below).
All levels of writers, players and music lovers are welcome. Even if you’ve never written a song before, you will! You’ll learn from experienced songsmiths, Steve Poltz, Tim Bluhm, Amber Rubarth & Maya de Vitry. These dedicated artists are committed to mentoring aspiring musicians and writers, and they’ll help you take your songwriting skills to the next level. Over 16 hours of small group instruction in a magical outdoor setting, delivered with the ideal blend of encouragement, creativity, and kindness. The SongSchool schedule can be found below.
Here’s what’s in the BaHOOTenzie SongSchool mix:
- Learn from true masters of the craft
- Discover lyrical, rhythm, melody and harmony techniques
- Step by step approach to crafting a song
- Get feedback on songs you have written or are developing
- 16 hours of workshops / instruction
- Collaborate with other attendees
- Perform your songs in front of peers
- In depth advice on the craft of songwriting
- Explore methods of inspiration
- Creative writing exercises
- Individual and small group mentoring
- Exploration of the co-writing process
- Hone your established skills
- Take creative risks
We camp together at the Joshua Tree Music Festival venue. Tent/car camping is included with your ticket, or book one of our cozy camper trailers. There are also plenty of nearby AirBnB or hotel options and RV hook-ups available next door at the Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground. The JTMF venue has multiple outdoor shaded stages and nooks and cabanas for the Song School workshops, hot showers, outdoor dining area, room to roam, brilliant night sky viewing, and sweeping desert views surrounding.
BaHootenzie SongSchool Schedule
Tuesday, May 2
3pm – 6pm Check In
6:30pm – 7:30pm Dinner, Meet and Greet,
7:45pm – 9:45pm Improv Session w/ Steve
9:45pm – ?? Campfire Hang. Fireside Chats.
Wednesday, May 3
8am – 9am Yoga
9am – 10am Breakfast
10am – 12:30pm Workshop #1 w/ Steve, Tim, Amber & Maya
1pm – 2pm Lunch
3pm – 5:30pm Workshop #2 w/ Steve, Tim, Amber & Maya
6:30pm – 7:30pm Dinner
7:45pm – 9:45pm Improv Session w/ Steve
10pm – ?? Fireside Chats. Campfire Hang.
Thursday, May 4
8am – 9am Yoga
9am -10am Breakfast
10am – 12:30pm Workshop #3 – w/ Steve, Tim, Amber & Maya
1pm – 2pm Lunch
3pm – 5:30pm Workshop #4 – w/ Steve, Tim, Amber & Maya
6:30pm – 7:30pm Dinner
7:45pm – 9:45pm Improv Session w/ Steve
10pm – ?? Campfire Hang. Fireside Chats.
Friday, May 5
8am – 9am Yoga
9am -10am Breakfast
2pm Gates Open for BaHOOTenzie FolkFest
*schedule subject to change
Song School Fee of $1195 includes:
- All instructional classes and activities in the schedule
- 8 Yummy meals (TUE dinner, WED & THU breakfast, lunch and dinner, FRI breakfast)
- Ticket to the BaHOOTenzie FolkFest on May 5 & 6
- Space for tent or car camping during SongSchool & FolkFest (5 nights)
- Access to showers and restrooms on site
- 7 instructional & performance sessions totaling 16+ hours
- 3 yoga classes
Cozy Camper Trailer Rentals
Our Cozy Camper Trailers have AC, lockable doors, sink, power, lights (no kitchen or restroom facilities in trailers)
- Check in anytime after 3pm on Tuesday the 2nd
- Check out by Noon on Sunday May 6th (for 5 night rental)
- BYOB – bring your own bedding (we provide mattress with sealed cover and top sheet)
- Access to portable restrooms and outdoor showers
- Parking space right by your trailer
Cozy camper rental 5 nights: $775 – Click to reserve
