Dear Kate aka Katy ~ or ~ Katy aka Kate
~
Welcome to the Forum
!
To answer your question regarding Leonard's attendance at the Events, he has never attended one, yet. He has fairly recently commented [
very paraphrased] that if he happened to be in the area, at one or another, when one was occurring, he may be inclined to stop in... however, this has never happened, nor should anyone's attending be predicated upon that highly remote possibility. I feel his decisions up until now to not attend have been good ones. That is simply because the ground is rich for hurt and hard feelings if he attended one and not one of the others.
That said, you are so close to Berlin and the rewards are many for attending... particularly, if you participate here and get to know some of the others who will be going. Yes ~ there will be other singers/songwriters/musicians covering Leonard's songs ~ however, the typical calibre of these performances is high, and worthy in and of themselves. Going to these Events brings you into a realm of camaraderie with other people who know and understand your love of Leonard's songs [for me, that's a
"finally!" ].
Leonard also sends the participants a gift[s] of some sort as a gesture of appreciation for our continued listening and caring enough to be so active on his behalf. He has, in the past, also had a 'representative' attend in his stead [his sister, his daughter] and some of the performers are former members of his various, traveling groups. We also have a variety of other activities that relate to Leonard in one way or another. We also explore other areas [in organized, as well as informal, ways] of where we're at, as a tourist would, so that as long as you're 'there,' you can honestly say you 'saw' it. You can look at photos of, and read about, previous Events, through the main page, as well.
On the off years [between Events], we seem to have developed a pattern of gathering on Hydra, where Leonard lived with Marianne and wrote. Going there last summer was sublime, and I'll be returning there this summer, after Berlin ~ and will be going to Auschwitz, prior.
There is a plethora of reasons why you should attend. Then, we can meet you
, and see you on Hydra the following summer
, and in Edmunton, Canada, the year after
! The Events and the feelings that come with being at one are marvelous
!
In New York, the last one, we were able to hear some of the songs from "Dear Heather" before it was released, or anyone else had heard them. There's always something ~ and various things ~ that make the Events
very, very special and well worth your time and money to attend.
I hope you do
.
~ Lizzy