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FAQ
FOOD
Q: Is food included in the ticket price?
A: No it's not but there are cafés with a variety of food at reasonable prices.
Q: Where are the nearest shops?
A: Shops are 4 miles away where you can get everything you need. There is also a farm shop 10 minutes walk away. We are planning on having basic staples for sale on-site this year.
Q: What sort of food will be on site?
A: There will be a broad variety of Mediterranean, English and African food including full English breakfasts, lasagnes, Greek salad, curries, chicken, chips, pizzas, cakes, puddings etc. There will be a Brazilian juice bar selling Acai, smoothies and fresh juices. There will be a café with all the usual café style foods such as wholesome soups, pancakes, cream teas, cakes, chai, coffee tea, juice etc. We are also hoping to have basics for sale, like bread, milk etc.
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CAMPING
Q: Is the event camping?
A: Yes it is. You will need to bring all of your own camping equipment. There is plenty of flat camping space. There is a 'gallop' you can drive down that goes all around the site so that you can drive near to a camping space in the beautiful bottom field, unload and then drive back round to park your car in the car park in the top field. Most camping this year will be in the bottom and side fields rather than the top field where the workshop marquees will be.
Q: What will I need to bring?
A: In order to have a good time it is best to come prepared. We suggest bringing a torch as it is dark at night and the event is in a field. Of course the marquees, cafes etc are lit but the field is dark at night! A hot water bottle is great to keep out the damp. Waterproof clothes, wellies and clothes that dry easily in case it rains. Cool clothes, sandals, a hat and sunscreen in case it's hot. Loo paper. Enough bedding to ensure a comfy, warm sleep. Anything that you will want if you don't want to leave the site. The nearest shops are 4 miles away but it is nice to leave all that behind for the duration and just stay on site for the whole time! You will also need to bring your own instruments to play. Bring something white to wear at the closing ceremony on Monday and don't forget your party clothes for our special evening events through the week.
Q: Can I camp by my car?
A: Car parking and camping are kept separate for Health & Safety reasons but you can camp quite near to your car if you really, really need to! This year we will be making a small charge of £5 for cars, in order to encourage people to travel together and use less petrol. We will be making a donation to a tree planting charity.
Q: Can I come in a camper van?
A: Yes you can but they have a separate parking space as well for Health & Safety reasons. This year we will be making a charge of £20 per camper van or live-in vehicle and making a donation to a tree planting charity.
Q: Can I hire a tent?
A: Yes you can hire a yurt or tipi from Hearthworks, www.hearthworks.co.uk, and they will come and put it up and take it down for you.
Q: Can I have a fire by my tent?
A: We discourage individual fires as the farmer is not keen on them and anyway its nicer to share! Also there are Health & Safety risks that we have to take into account. There are lots of fires on the site though to enjoy.
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DAY/WEEKEND TICKETS
Q: Are there any tickets left?
A: Yes, we have tickets available for this summer. We recommend early booking as in 2004 we completely sold out well before the event and many people were disappointed at not being able to take part. Please do not come without a ticket as we will be heartbroken to have to turn you away.
Q: Can I come just for the day?
A: We prefer not to sell one day tickets as it is quite difficult to get the most out of the event on one day. People have told us that they came for one day and deeply regretted not having come for the whole time! Also some of the workshops are ongoing and need a commitment.
Q: Can I come for the weekend.
A: We prefer not to sell weekend tickets as it’s the time when people are really working hard to prepare something for the final celebration on Sunday night. It's best to come for the whole event!
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WORKSHOPS
Q: Do I have to book into the workshops?
A: No, but this year we are hoping to have people at the right levels in the right drum classes in particular. Also some workshops will be open access the first day and then will close on the next day so that you make a commitment to stick with that class and follow it through so that you will have a more in depth experience and really get to grips with the class. We will be having drum classes on Wednesday afternoon so that you can find the level you are at and then the right class. Please be prepared for the teacher to give the class a drumming standard test so that they know which students will be in their class.
Q: Do I have to pay for the workshops?
A: No. All the workshops and facilities, such as showers and sauna, are included in the ticket price.
Q: Does the price include a drum?
A: No it doesn't. It is possible to book a drum to hire, in advance, from Ghana Goods on 0117 955 8668. Also people at the event are generally friendly and it is sometimes possible to borrow a neighbours' drum for a specific workshop. There are also fair-traded drums for sale at the event.
Q: How do I know what level I am for the drumming?
A: Follow these as a rough guide:
Complete beginners
You have played for under a year and not very often or you have not played at all.
Beginners
You have played for a year or so fairly often, but you are not too confident, you still need to practice your technique to get the hang of all the different sounds you can create and you know you need a bit of time to pick things up.
Improvers
You have been playing for a couple of years and attended different classes, although maybe not regularly. You have a fairly basic understanding of the role of the support rhythms and the bass drum. You can play slaps and tones but need to work on all aspects of these techniques.
Intermediate
You have been playing for a couple of years, attended different classes and perhaps do a little performance now and again. You have a basic understanding of the role of the support rhythms and the bass drums, and can play slaps and tones confidently.
You probably do not solo that confidently, but you’ll have a go.
Advanced Intermediate
You have been playing regularly for three years or more and have studied with a variety of teachers. You can play well with other drummers. You know the names and formats of quite a few rhythms; you can solo well and are getting close to being an advanced drummer.
Advanced
You have been playing regularly for four or more years, have studied with quite a few good teachers and have done a lot of drumming out and about. You can pick up new things quickly and know the names and formats of at least six rhythms. You can solo confidently and have a good technique. You want to be pushed and enjoy a challenge.
Q: My partner isn't keen on drumming and dancing, what else is there for them to do?
A: We have a variety of other workshops each year that do not involve drumming or dancing. There are always several voice workshops such as Somerset folk or Shona singing and others. Learn to make and play a balaphon, which is an African xylophone. Play and learn about the Andean pan pipes. Take advantage of the on site healers, etc etc. The surrounding area has beautiful walks and its only 1/2 an hour by car to the Dorset coast.
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WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Q: I am in a wheelchair, will I be able to come?
A: Unfortunately all the site is not suitable for wheelchair users. The top field, where most of the workshops are held, is very flat but there is a slight slope to the toilet/shower compound and the bottom field has sloping areas. If you have some mobility most of the event should be accessible for you. If you have mobility issues you can contact us and we will try to site you in a helpful place near to the workshops and showers etc.
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PARENTS/SINGLE PARENTS/TEENAGERS
Q: I am a single parent coming with my 6 year old child on my own, will I still be able to go to the workshops?
A: Although you are responsible for your child at all times there are many activities for 5 years old and upwards. Workshops are generally 1 ½ – 2 hours long and so it should be possible for you to go to a workshop as long as your child knows where to find you. The site is large enough to feel exciting for younger children but small enough to be safe. Many people make friends with their neighbours and it is easy to arrange informal swops amongst yourselves.
Q: My child is only 2 and I am coming on my own with them, will I still be able to go to the workshops?
A: Although you are responsible for your child at all times there is a crèche available for 1 ¾ hours in the morning and 1 3/4 hours in the afternoon. As workshops are generally
1 ½ – 2 hours long it should be possible for you to go to a workshop.
Q: My teenagers don't like drumming and things like that, what else is there for them to do?
A: As this is an Intercultural music event most of the activities are music related. There are circus skills and some opportunities for footie and frisbee, not to mention sitting by the fire and looking good! Seriously though, they will be bored in a field if its not their thing and the way to get the most from the event is to go to at least 3 workshops a day. So have a good chat with them and its probably best not to bring them if they really are not interested in music at all and don't want to go to the workshops. However there are plenty of workshops aimed specifically for teenagers if they are interested and the opportunity to create a performance for everybody to watch at the end of the week, plus lots of other young people from all over the country to meet!
Q: None of my friends can come will it be alright for me to come on my own?
A: Lots of people come on their own and find that it is very easy to meet people and make friends at the event. There are lots of chances to meet people as you are doing similar things. Some people have even met, got married and had babies through coming to Doris!
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HEALING AREA
Q: Is there a healing area and do I have to pay for that?
A: There are many different types of healing available and the healers charge a reasonable fee for their services. All the healers at Doris have professional qualifications and carry their own insurance.
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TRANSPORT
Q: I don't have transport, do you know anybody who is coming from my area that I could contact for a lift?
A: We have a Message Board at the end of the website where you can post requests for lift shares and meet up with people from last year etc.
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If you have further questions look on the Noticeboard or contact us by email.
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