Greetings CSOTFA District 8 Members!

 After the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, we all hid behind our masks and stayed separated from our family and friends.  The past 18 months have been a trying time for all of us; some, more than others!  Now, we are ready to re-open our businesses and activities and get back to a sense of normality.  Let’s put the past behind us and move forward.

California State Old Time Fiddlers District 8 will re-open on Sunday June 27, 2021.  Our meetings will resume at the Oakview Community Center, 18 Valley Rd., Oakview, Ca, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 1:30pm-4:30pm.  Ventura County has advised us that they are following the State of California’s guidelines to remove all capacity limits, physical distancing, masks and requirements for proof of vaccinations. 

To celebrate our re-opening we will hold our annual BBQ on the patio and play music together in jams and performances!  Cost for the BBQ will be $10 per person; same as last year.   Use your own discretion regarding the use of masks and social distancing.  We will do our best to provide a safe, fun environment for everyone attending.  You will receive an email asking for your RSVP, so we can provide enough food for everyone.  Please make sure we have your current email address and contact information.

Some changes have been made since we last saw each other in person at District 8.  We have a new president, a new membership secretary, a new treasurer, a new editor and a new state director.  We have revised our standing rules to be more simplified and transparent.  We have an outstanding, new, updated website where we can all see what is going on with District 8 meetings, activities and gigs.  New and renewing members can now sign up and pay online. We have excellent, qualified instrument and vocal teachers set up on our website with bios, rates, information to better serve the educational needs of our members.  You can now take lessons on Zoom or Skype from the privacy of your own home and pay for your lessons online.  District 8 newsletters are now being emailed out to you via our website.  We are still planning to send out 6 newsletters per year depending on content availability.  If you do not have an email address you will be mailed a black and white hardcopy.  Content will include educational articles, information about members and helpful tips on old time music.  We encourage member involvement.   

If you would like to write an edifying article for our newsletter, or post an informative blog on our website, please notify us at hello@csotfad8.org.  If you want to post a music related video or pictures on our YouTube or Facebook page, please contact Michael Taylor at givoice@att.net. 

In order to optimize “value” to our members, we have a number of needed roles to be filled by volunteers.  Since we are a non-profit volunteer organization we rely on our members to share in these duties.  To name a few, we need the following:

1. PR person to reach out to local newspapers, schools and businesses.

2. Sound team to set-up and tear-down sound equipment and operate the sound board in the main auditorium.

3. Workshop leaders to provide educational workshops.

4. Food and Beverage team to assist with refreshments and clean-up.

5. MCs to help manage performances in the auditorium.

Together we can make District 8 the best CSOTFA district in the State! Let’s play some music!

Welcome New Board Members!

Please join the CSOTFA, District 8 in welcoming our new board members!

• Don Martin, Community Performance Coordinator

• Mary Zangerle, Website and Newsletter Editor