Fox & Fowl 2013

Amber Fox Meets Blue Heron

Monday, August 26 to Monday, September 2

at Blue Heron Farm, New York

The Amber Fox and the Blue Heron have long been friends. Every summer Blue Heron hosts a gathering the last week of August ending at the Labour Day Weekend.

Canadian fae have been warmly received in the past and we have no reason to think this year will be any different. So join us as we head south of the border!

This year we will be setting up the Canadian Consulate on Wednesday August 28th for all your consular and relaxation needs. All are welcome to drop by for a snack and a chat, or to fill out an application for Canadian citizenship!

You can find detailed information on the Blue Heron website. Or, if you are a member of the Blue Heron Facebook Group you can RSVP to the Event.

Fox and Fowl, together again!

2014 Event Schedule

F7 Gatherette CANCELLED ('cuz it's way too cold on the Land)
February 14 - 17, 2014

F7 Potluck (Toronto, all gender)
February 15, 2014

Beltane Gathering (all gender)
May 1 - 4, 2014

Victoria Day Gathering
May 16 - 19, 2014

Amber Fox Does World Pride (Toronto, all gender)
June 27, 2014 Pot Luck at the Alien Embassy
June 28, 2014 Open House at Vaseline Tower
June 29, 2014 Everybody Loves a Parade

27th Annual High Summer Gathering
July 30 - August 4, 2014

Blue Heron Gathering (New York, all gender)
The week leading up to Labour Day weekend, we join our fae friends at Blue Heron Farm in upstate New York.

Thanksgiving Gathering
October 10 - 13, 2014

LumBearJack Work Weekend
November 6 - 9, 2014

A Very Faerie Solstice Party Too (Toronto, all gender)
December 20, 2014

Note: Events labelled as "all gender" are open to all those of fae heart and the fae-curious, regardless of gender or orientation. Other events are for those who identify as gay or queer men.

Could this happen at a Gathering?

High Summer Gathering 2013 Events Update

26th Annual High Summer Gathering

Wednesday, July 31 at 1pm to Monday, August 5 at 3pm

on The Land aka Amber Fox

Events Update

This is an updated list of events planned for the High Summer Gathering.

If you are a member of our Facebook Group, please RSVP to the Facebook Event. Otherwise, please E-Mail us to let us know you are coming.

Thursday Evening: La Dolce Vita (new event)

Enjoy life Italian style at dinner on Thursday.

Our own chef Russetti Russello will be creating una Pasta Magnifica! Also on the menu, Ensalata Caprese and Zucchini Parmigiana.

So loosen your skirts and get ready to celebrate La Dolce Vita!

PS - Does anybody know how to make Tiramisu?

Friday or Saturday Afternoon (TBD): Cornholio (new event)

We will be eRecting a Cornholio effigy / figure / wicker man at the firepit, on either Friday or Saturday afternoon (date to be determined).

Shimmer, in his own inimitable style, will be leading us in the Cornholio ritual.

If we make a big bustin' WANG for Cornholio, Faeries can tie ribbons or snippets of paper (or even origami cranes!) around the WANG for their wishes for a happy Harvest.

And Cornholio will preside over the Gathering until his untimely demise on Sunday!

Friday Evening: Su(e) She Japanese Dinner (new event)

After much negotiation and at great expense, we have been able, nay blessed, to obtain the services of world-renowned Master Chef Herr Doktor Chip von Landia himself!

Chef Doktor von Landia will be preparing his signature dish, Su(e) She, as well as tempura and miso soup.

Su(e)-chefs are still required, and as an incentive, will be privy to his patented techniques for creating Su(e) She!

Friday Night: World Contact Day Celebration (update)

Rumours of an alien invasion have been greatly exaggerated! Oh the aliens are coming, that part is true.

But they come in peace, as we beseeched them, knowing only a landing could teach us. Oh they've given us a sign, given us a sign, that we've reached them.

Not to worry, representatives from StarFleet and the United Federation of Planets will be on hand in the Departure Lounge to handle the first contact. So bring your spaciest outfit, your alien finery, glow sticks, dancing shoes and diamonds.

Now close your eyes, and concentrate, together that's the way, to send the message: we declare World Contact Day!

Saturday 9 am - 1 pm: Amber Fox Meets Farmers Market (new event)

By special invitation, several of our number will be performing at the local Farmers Market on Saturday Morning.

Chip will be crooning and blowing as only he can, with special guest vocals from Dragon, the song stylings of ShyAnne and the multi-garbed Ryan on keyboard.

So don your finest and come out to support our friends in what promises to be a noteworthy performance.

Saturday Night: Know Talent Show (update)

Saturday night we will enjoy the many talents the Fae folk bring to the Know Talent Show. Can you sing, dance, recite a poem or play an instrument? Or do you have a flair for performance art? If so, we would love to have you join us on stage!

A bit shy but want to try? Talk to the show's organizers and they will be sure to find a suitable role for you.

More of a watcher than a performer? An appreciative audience is the other essential ingredient for this ever-popular event!

And speaking of the Know Talent Show, rumour has it that the show at the Thanksgiving Gathering will be a show to outshine all other shows. And at High Summer, those who attend the Know Talent Show will be the first to see a sneak preview of the autumn Megashow!

Sunday Afternoon: High Tea

Picture yourself in a warm forest glade, with colourful silks hanging there in the trees. A cocktail, some music, some dancing or croquet; the sun licks the glittering gown that you wear.

For many, High Tea is the highlight of High Summer. Don't dream it, be it, at High Tea.

Sunday at Dusk: Bannock & Bonfire (new event)

Sunday before dusk we will gather at the fire pit to bid a fond adieu to Cornholio. Dragon will be baking bannock in the traditional Scottish style, and we will use this in a ritual blessing of the Land.

Then comes dusk, and with it, the time for immolation. Bye bye Cornholio! Time to toast bannock.

High Summer Gathering 2013

26th Annual High Summer Gathering

Wednesday, July 31 at 1pm to Monday, August 5 at 3pm

on The Land aka Amber Fox

Ah, summer on the Land! Seventy-five acres of rolling hills and valleys, populated with maple, larch, wildflowers, birds, rabbits and Fae.

For over a quarter of a century, the High Summer Gathering has attracted diverse men from around the continent and beyond. These are the sunny carefree days to frolic through the forest by day, and dance under the moon with your Faerie brethren by night. Come swim in the mighty Mississippi, party in the Departure Lounge, roast by the fire and steam in the sauna.

Some activities are planned, and the rest is up us: crafts, spa treatments, mud wrestling, face painting, ritual & magick, drumming & meditation, anything we can imagine or desire.

The Gathering begins and ends in Circle with short administrative and longer Heart Circles each morning. Meals are communal, vegetarian and delicious! The Foxy Boutique has been restocked and stands ready to furnish all your drag and dress up needs. Clothing is optional but can be fabulous!

The work is shared and so is the play. The Meditation Hut's framework is built, and we hope to finish the roof at this Gathering.

As well as contributions with the chores that keep the Land running, we rely on contributions to the Purse for food, toilet paper and all our mundane needs. We use an honour system and ask that you pay what you can - nobody is turned away for lack of funds. The suggested donation is $15 to $35 per night, $25 on average, more if you can or less if you can't. For those attending the whole gathering, that works out to $75 to $175, average $125. For those coming for the weekend only (Friday to Monday), that works out to $45 to $105, average $75.

There is plenty of room for tenting along the Path of the Snake and in the May Pole field. There is also room for some to sleep in the Bunkhouse.

Facebook Group member? RSVP here!

If you are a member of our Facebook Group, you can RSVP to the Facebook Event. Otherwise, please E-Mail us to let us know you are coming.

Remember this is eastern Ontario in the summer, so bring your sun and bug protection!

Friday Night: Departure Lounge Alien Invasion

After the success of last summer's Departure Lounge Blast Off, you knew the aliens would be back!

We all come from the Spaceship,

And to it we shall return,

Like a blast of ectoplasm,

Shooting from our zapper guns.

Star Wars and Star Trek play nicely with Karen Carpenter and the Alien Baby as we enjoy drinks and dancing in the Departure Lounge.

Bring your spaciest outfit, your alien finery, glow sticks, dancing shoes and diamonds, and of course your zapper guns!

Saturday Night: Know Talent Show Extravaganza

Saturday night we will enjoy the many talents the Fae folk bring to the Know Talent Show. Can you sing, dance, recite a poem or play an instrument? Or do you have a flair for performance art? If so, we would love to have you join us on stage!

A bit shy but want to try? Talk to the show's organizers and they will be sure to find a suitable role for you. More of a watcher than a performer? An appreciative audience is the other essential ingredient for this ever-popular event!

Rumour has it that this year's show will be the biggest, baddest, bestest show ever, so don't miss it!

Sunday Afternoon: High Tea on the Lawn

Picture yourself in a warm forest glade, with colourful silks hanging there in the trees. A cocktail, some music, some dancing or croquet. The sun licks the glittering gown that you wear.

For many, High Tea is the highlight of High Summer. Don't dream it, be it, at High Tea.

What to Bring to a Gathering

"OMG, what am I going to wear at the Gathering?"

Ah, the perennial question. Well fae folk, here is the answer. Everything you need to know about what to bring to a Gathering on the Land aka Amber Fox.

What You Need to Bring:

• personal items (meds, toothpaste, earplugs, condoms, etc.)
• flashlight (and batteries silly one)
• sunscreen
• insect repellant (Ricky says it needs DEET, but suit yourself)
• cash for the Purse
• we use an honour system with a suggested contribution of $25 per night, more if you can or less if you can't - for example, for a long weekend (3 nights) we suggest an average $75 contribution, and we find most people give between $40 and $100
• no one is turned away for lack of funds, but we ask that you contribute something, even if you can only afford a few dollars per night
• it is also helpful if you can put your contribution into the purse near the beginning of the Gathering, as that is when most of the shopping is done
• the Purse covers food, fuel for the pump & lawn mowers, propane for the fridge & stove, paint, materials for repairs, paper products and all our other mundane needs
• American money accepted at par
• weather-appropriate clothes (you can get the forecast from The Weather Network)
• a towel or two
• sleeping gear (sleeping bag, pillow, blankets, sheets, etc.)
• your tent
• if you are not tenting, there is room for some people to sleep in the Bunkhouse
• there is also overflow space for a few sleepers in the Departure Lounge (but the DL is primarily a party space - so if you choose to sleep there you may be woken without warning at any time by late-night partiers)
• the willingness to pitch in
• there are no paid staff on the Land, so everyone needs to help out with a few chores each day to make the Gathering go smoothly
• washing dishes, preparing meals, chopping wood, mowing lawns, tidying and cleaning, repairs, new construction ... it's all up to us
• but the work becomes play when shared with your fae friends!

What You Might Want to Bring:

• swim stuff (for trips to the Mighty Mississippi)
• fun clothes (although there are *lots* of garments available in the Foxy Boutique)
• stuff for the Know Talent Show (instruments, etc.)
• anything you need for any activities that you are helping plan or know may be happening
• a mat, air mattress (and pump) or something else soft for under your sleeping bag (there are a limited number of foamies available but these are first-come first-served and they go fast)
• a tarp or two for your tent (in case it rains)
• alcoholic refreshments
• alien artifacts, probe results, flightsuits, glow-ware

What You Don't Need to Bring:

• cooking stuff 
• including food (all the meals are communal and there are lots of snacks available at other times, the food is paid for from the Purse)
• including barbecues (personal fires and barbecues are a fire risk)
• pets & children
• toilet paper
• other camping gear (there are axes, tools, etc already on the Land)
• things that need AC (there is limited electricity to go around if the days are cloudy)

Note that this packing list is specific to the Land aka Amber Fox. Different Lands have different policies, different infrastructures, and different climates, so make sure you know what's up for where you're going.  Radfae.org has a post covering What to Bring to the "Big Four" Faerie sanctuaries in the USA.

Grey Day, Green Land

It was a grey day but the Land was green ...

(open a 360° panoramic image below, then:
select the rectangle-in-rectangle icon for fullscreen,
click and drag to tilt and pan,
scroll to zoom)

driveway & Art Studio

future site of the Meditation Hut

the Tower

the Ancestor Stone

the Erection

DeeDee
July 2012
The Land aka Amber Fox

We can start meditating soon....

The Meditation Hut has been in the making for three years. We now are well on the way to completing it! We hope to put the roof during the Canada Day Gathering. That still leaves the screens and windows to complete the structure. 

If you have been waiting to donate to this project, now is the time. We need between $500 and $800 to finish this project off right! If you can help with $100 or 50 or 5 it will all add up and we could be using this Hut in August and for years to come! You can contact me privately to donate to this project...