Thank you to Casa de Venezuela and The Hill School for an amazing benefit concert!

Many, many thanks to those who attended and participated in our Spring Benefit Concert on March 21. 

Beautiful music, dancing and artwork filled Rose Hall as we raised money for both Camphill Kimberton and Veninos - Venezuelan Children In Need.   The concert featured Venezuelan folk music performed by the popular Casa De Venezuela Music Ensemble, accompanied by their vivacious dance group.  The talented a cappella groups the Hilltones and the Hilltrebles from The Hill School, Pottstown, also presented a selection of folk music from around the world.

The collaboration of these four groups was magnificent!

"Musical heritage is something that exists in every civilization on the planet," said Stephen Longenecker, Oaklawn-Tuttle Chair of Vocal Music at The Hill School. "Therefore, it can act as a unifying force between cultures, encouraging us to focus on shared aesthetics and emotions rather than physical or political differences.  We hope that you will be reminded that music knows no boundaries of race, gender, class, or ability, and that through music, we can better understand what it is to be a part of a 'common humanity.'" 

During the concert, there was an exhibit of Venezuelan-inspired paintings by local artist, Mary Jo Kimball Hopton. Her paintings are available to view at http://www.veninos.org/, and on Facebook during March 2010. Additionally, Chester County scenes captured in painting by Tim Swartz, in prints by Anne Keen, and in photos by Red Hammer were on display and available for purchase.

We look forward to working together next year on a follow-up concert.  Stay tuned for details! 

Special thanks to the following people for their efforts:  Jane Blake, Rebecca Blake, Emilio Buitrago, Mimi Coleman, Erin Graver, Stephen Longnecker, Cathy Skitko, Rachel Martin Swartz.  Thank you to the following stores for their donations for the artists' reception: Acme, Giant, Kimberton Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Los Mariachis.

Wine and Dine Talkfest at the Birchrunville Store Café - April 25

We heard you again! Many of you who came to our exceptional first event have been harassing our most excellent and wonderful Board President Steve Smolinsky (yup, that’s me) about when we’re going to do it again. And there have also been those comments from those of you who were elsewhere that day and later found out you’d made a Big Mistake by not being at this event.


So…we’ve prevailed upon Francis Trzeciak, the world renowned chef and owner of the Birchrunville Store Café to do it again. Not only that, we’ve even managed to twist the arm (actually, it didn’t take much) of our favorite international sommelier and wine expert, Marnie Old, to pour again. Wow! So, grab your calendar and immediately write in that you will be at the Café at 5 p.m. on April 25.

Just like last year, no particular program other than lots of great food passing by for you to grab while holding a glass of fine wine in the other hand and yakking it up with spectacularly interesting people. Marnie will share some wine lore as she pours…and you’ll walk away with an autographed edition of her latest book Wine Secrets. (One per couple since we are trying to make a few bucks, but since we’re so nice singletons can have their own.) All this for a paltry $145 per person. Why, Marnie’s autograph alone is worth that much.

We actually already have nine people committed to come and four more that are searching for their calendars. It’s amazing! So don’t wait to call or email Bernadette (610-935-0300 x12 or bernadette@camphillkimberton.org) to make your reservation. We can only fit 50. And remember, the only thing you might wind up with for dinner if you miss out is stale beer and soggy soft pretzels left over from your Super Bowl party.

-- Steven Smolinsky, Board President

PS: Last year no one got around to sponsoring this exceptional event for reasons we can’t understand. You get to pay a modest fee and have your name splashed across the electrons in front of thousands. And…you get to support us. But, we are persistent so we figured we’d try again.

For a mere $500, you get to attend and we’ll drink a toast to your generous spirit and name an oardoor after you and let you talk to us all about whatever you want for 1.35 minutes.

For a mere $1,000, you get all of the above plus you get to bring a friend and have two oardoors named after you and get to talk for 2.27 minutes.

For a mere $2000, you get all of the above and Steve will take you and your friend out to dinner at the Birchrunville Café and supply all the wine. The catch is…Steve is there with you. But you do get to talk for 3.11 minutes.

And best of all, for a mere $3,000, you get the $2,000 package and can tell Steve to stay home. And you get to talk for 3.79 minutes.

Benefit Concert featuring Casa de Venezuela and Hill School A Cappella Groups

Join us Sunday, March 21 when Veninos, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of street and shanty town children in urban Venezuela, and Camphill Village Kimberton Hills join hands and present a benefit concert in Rose Hall at 2 p.m.

Performing will be Casa de Venezuela Music Ensemble (pictured at left) and Dance Troupe and the a cappella groups, Hilltones and Hilltrebles, from The Hill School, Pottstown (pictured below).

On display that afternoon will be an exhibit of Venezuelan-inspired paintings by local artist, Mary Jo Kimball Hopton. Her paintings will be available to view at www.veninos.org, and on Facebook during March 2010. Additionally, Chester County scenes captured in painting by Tim Swartz, in prints by Anne Keen, and in photos by Red Hamer will be on display and also available for purchase.

A ticketed reception will follow the concert offering a chance to meet the musicians and enjoy Latin American refreshments. Tickets: $10 for students and senior citizens, $15 for general admission and $25 for concert and reception. All proceeds will be split between the two charities, Veninos and Camphill Kimberton.

For advance tickets, call 610-935-0330, ext 12 or e-mail bernadette@camphillkimberton.org.

For more information, visit:

Veninos – Venezuelan Children In Need: http://www.veninos.org/
Casa de Venezuela: http://www.casadevenequela.net/
The Hill School: http://www.thehill.org/

Nuno Felting Workshop - March 13

Join us on Saturday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to noon for this hands-on craft workshop.  You will learn to use silk and wool to create unique handmade scarves, like the one pictured at left. 

The registration fee is $50 and includes materials to make your own scarf.  For more information or to reserve your space, contact Felicity at 610-935-0301. 

Handwoven Mexican Crafts Sale - March 13

Come shopping at the Camphill Cafe on Saturday, March 13.  We are hosting a sale of Mexican handwoven blankets, ponchos, shawls and scarves from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All purchases support a therapeutic community initiative in Mexico. Stay for lunch at the Cafe, which will feature a Mexican-inspired menu for the occasion.  Hope to see you there!

Jazz Concert - March 20

Join us for a live jazz music performed by some of the most talented emerging Philly jazz musicians on Saturday, March 20 at 8 p.m. in Rose Hall.

The dynamic and innovative quartet Presentense will perform original and interpreted music in CVKH, named "Best Live Music Venue in Chester County 2008" by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Admission is $10.  Advance tickets are not necessary.  We hope to see you there.