Tentative Schedule for Our Inaugural Gathering
This schedule is tentative and may change.
All events are in-person at the Blue Ridge Center Lodge and are listed in Eastern Standard Time.
**Indicates that event is open to those outside of workshop who purchase a week-long pass to the gathering. There are a limited number of these passes and will be available for purchase in early July. All other events are exclusive to those who have applied and have been accepted as a workshop participant.
Monday, October 5:
(All events on Monday open to workshop participants only; retreat-goers to join on Tuesday. Malaprop’s in Y Alum Room open from 2:00-6:00 pm)
2:00-4:00 pm: Check-in and welcome (feel free to arrive early but rooms not available for check-in until 2:00 pm, ET)
4:15-6:00 pm: Welcome Orientation (Y Alum Room)
6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner with workshop group and assigned faculty leader (Dining Hall)
7:00-8:00 pm: Introductory orientation workshops (assigned classrooms: Baker (Blue Bird), Dungy (SIRC), Hirshfield (Robertson 1), Seibles (Laboratory))
8:30-10:30 pm: Optional: gather on the front porch of our main lodge to enjoy casual conversation around fire pits
Tuesday, October 6:
(Malaprop’s in Y Alum Room open from 4:00-9:00 pm)
8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #1 (assigned classroom)
12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:45-3:30 pm: Outdoor Class / Guided “Awe Walk” #1 with Ecology Faculty Laura Boggess & Luke Cannon (meet on front porch of lodge—Dungy & Baker classes with Luke, Hirshfield & Seibles classes with Laura)
**3:30-4:45: Personal/Writing Time -OR- Optional:3:45-4:30 pm: yoga with Paige Gilchrist (Gentle Flow, welcome to all levels: Robertson 1 Room, yoga mats provided)
**4:45-5:45 pm: Craft Talk with Jane Hirshfield (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-8:30 pm: Faculty Reading & Signing: David Baker & Camille T. Dungy (Y Alum Room)
**8:45 pm: Gather in front of lodge to walk up to campfire (weather permitting)
**9:00-10:00 pm: Campfire gathering with ballad singer Sarah Elizabeth Burkey (bring flashlights, weather permitting)
Wednesday, October 7:
(Malaprop’s in Y Alum Room open from 4:00-9:00 pm)
8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #2 (assigned classroom)
12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:45-3:30 pm: Outdoor Class / Guided “Awe Walk” #2 with Ecology Faculty Laura Boggess & Luke Cannon (meet on front porch of lodge—Dungy & Baker classes with Laura, Hirshfield & Seibles classes with Luke)
**3:30-4:45: Personal/Writing Time -OR- Optional:3:45-4:30 pm: Ballad workshop with Sarah Elizabeth Burkey (Y Alum Room, also leading same workshop on Friday)
**4:45-5:45 pm: Craft Talk with David Baker (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-8:30 pm: Faculty Reading & Signing: Jane Hirshfield & Tim Seibles (Y Alum Room)
**9:00-10:45 pm: Fellows & Interns Reading, including Natalie Coe, Jennifer Coon, Halley Cotton, Alison Granucci, Zoë Fay-Stindt, Arielle Hebert, James P. Lenfestey, Marie Kressin, Marina Pruna Moré, Mackenzie Sains, Alexander Risley Schroeder, EJ Wallman (Y Alum Room)
Thursday, October 8:
(Malaprop’s in Y Alum Room open from 4:00-9:00 pm)
8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
**10:00-12:00 pm: ALL OPTIONAL: personal/writing time -OR- hike with Luke Cannon (vigorous trail walk) -OR- visit downtown Black Mountain
12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
**1:30-2:30 pm: Personal/Writing Time
**2:30 pm: Gather in front of lodge to walk down to lake for planting of American Chestnut saplings
**3:00-3:45 pm: Ceremonial planting of American Chestnut Tree (statement from our partners at The American Chestnut Foundation, song led by Sarah Elizabeth Burkey; blessing of a cento poem co-written by the Hellbender community)
**3:45-4:15 pm: Faculty & Participant Group Photos at lake
**4:45-5:45 pm: Interview with Featured Guest David George Haskell (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-8:30 pm: Featured Guest David George Haskell Reading & Book Signing (Y Alum Room)
**8:30-11:00 pm: Midweek Celebration & Dance Party hosted by DJ Taylor Superstar! (The Pavilion Gym)
Friday, October 9:
(Malaprop’s in Y Alum Room open from 4:00-9:00 pm)
8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #3 (assigned classroom)
12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:45-3:30 pm: Outdoor Class / Guided “Awe Walk” #3 with Ecology Faculty Laura Boggess & Luke Cannon (meet on front porch of lodge—Hirshfield & Dungy classes with Laura; Seibles & Baker classes with Luke)
**3:30-4:45: Personal/Writing Time -OR- Optional:3:45-4:30 pm: Ballad workshop with Sarah Elizabeth Burkey (Y Alum Room, also leading same workshop on Wednesday)
**4:45-5:45 pm: Craft Talk with Camille Dungy (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-9:30 pm: Participant Reading: absolute maximum 3 minutes each, no sign up necessary (Y Alum Room)
Saturday, October 10:
(Malaprop’s Bookshop in Y Alum Room open from 3:30-9:00 pm)
8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #4 (assigned classroom)
12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
**1:30-2:30 pm: Craft Talk with Tim Seibles (Y Alum Room)
**2:30-3:45 pm: Personal/Writing Time
**3:45-5:45 pm: Hellbent Hope Panel poets David Baker, Camille Dungy, Jane Hirshfield, & Tim Seibles as well as ecologists Luke Cannon & Laura Boggess (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
7:00-9:00 pm: Farewell Book Signing & Exchange (Y Alum Room)
**9:00-11:00 pm: Optional: gather on the front porch of the lodge to enjoy casual conversation around fire pits
Sunday, October 11:
8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
10:00 am: Check out
**Indicates that event is open to those who come to the gathering as retreat-goers, participating in everything except for the poetry workshops and guided “awe” walks. Week-long passes to participate in this way are available for purchase, but they are limited. For more information, contact us directly.