FROM THE RIDGE

these are our adventures | straight from the hills of timber ridge in windham, vermont | frendlygathering.com

[thefrendlygathering]

NO "I" IN FRENDS - 6.20.14

Lots of collaboration happening in our world today at the ridge. With six days to go, the only way this dream is going to come alive is through us coming together as a unified crew.

We had people traveling everywhere from Rutland to Brattleboro on the hunt for last minute treasures and magic. We're loving Scotty's concept of jenk. There are so many materials in your own backyard that you can reuse and create with.

With all the building going on we're more and more grateful for the healthy snacks that frends are sending to Timber Ridge. Lee Whiting from Deep River Snacks showed up on our doorstep a few weeks back and we were super inspired by his story. Deep River Snacks is committed to only making snacks that are "certified" gluten-free, and they also highlight a different charity on every flavor, using their product packaging to promote awareness for various causes. The Aged Horseradish Cheddar features our fellow snowboarder, Chris Klug's Foundation. Look for Lee's crew next weekend, they are generously raising money for Love Your Brain.

We also received a giant shipment of Runa Tea today from our frend Nick McCormick which was welcomed replenishment (and as you can see, the shotgunning continued). After discovering guayusa in the Ecuadorian Amazon (guayusa is a naturally caffeinated tree leaf brewed like tea, consumed early in the morning to help interpret dreams and late at night to provide energy and clarity while hunting in the jungle) the co-founder of Runa Tea, Tyler Gage, wanted to build a business that would respect cultural traditions, support small farmers, and maintain the integrity of the Amazon rainforest. Runa now buys guayusa leaves from over 2,300 farming families. Those leaves are processed in a plant in Ecuador and then shipped to the U.S. where they are shared with a growing number of people...including all of you at the Frendly Gathering.

Signs are being mounted, walls are being nailed up, mushrooms are being painted, and our crew continues to grow. Today we welcomed Paige Skolnick and Ben Ment from NYC. C-bass from Truckee. Amie Thayer also spent the day helping build the brand new Frendly merch zone.

To close the day Danny and Jack capped of their Snowboarder Mag facebook takeover and hosted a live USTREAM session where they gave away a pair of FG tickets. Big thanks to our good frend Pat Bridges for setting it all up.

Let the posivibes continue and live frendly.

- The Frendly Crew

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET PAIGE - 6.20.14

This is your first Frendly Gathering, what are you most excited about?

Making new frends! Every event is unique but what makes this event particularly special is the community. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend than surrounded by positive, uplifting and contagiously happy people, smack dab in the middle of nature, listening to great music, and taking part in activities that teach you something new.

What types of activities will be available for festival goers this year?

Belly dancing classes, African dance workshops, various yoga courses, a guided Beatles meditation, skipping (yes, skipping), hula hooping, crafts - you name it!

Tell us about your past experience in the events world?

I've been lucky! I've worked on some pretty spectacular events. I transformed an AMC movie theater in Times Square into a 3-floor dance party, created a concert hall for the top DJs in the world inside of a pier, and threw a "Fashionable Farewell" party for ABC’s Ugly Betty during NY's Fashion Week.

Who are you most excited to see play this year?

The London Souls! They played at one of my events a few years ago :)

What's your best life advice?

Trust your gut and go for it. When people tell you that you "can't" do something, just have fun proving them wrong.

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Paige Skolnick is the 2014 activities director for the Frendly Gathering. She grew up with big dreams to move to NYC. A few months after Paige graduated college, she landed a job with Joonbug.com, moved into her first NYC pad, and began a 5-year journey of planning and marketing special events, concerts, and high-profile conferences. That journey recently shifted as Paige took a leap of faith and transitioned to working on her own ventures. She says, "I love the one moment of calm you get during an event. It never lasts long but you get to look around and witness this sea of people that you have brought together having possibly one of the best times of their lives."

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET CRISCO - 6.20.14

How did you get connected to the Frendly Gathering?

As soon as I found out about this fest in the spring of 2012, I bought tickets and asked if I could lend a hand since it's a music festival so close to home! Jack hooked it up, even though it was past the deadline to sign up, which was awesome. Then, I salvaged equipment when the cart rolled before Twiddle's afternoon set from the sunrise stage, and I've been coming back and enjoying every minute ever since.

What's your favorite part of the festival?

That's tough, because I come early to help out and get to watch everything take shape. I suppose my favorite part is seeing everyone enjoying themselves after all the hard work put into it -- all the people there with the Frends crew!

What part of Vermont are you from and what do you love most about the green mountain state?

I'm from Rutland, Vermont, and I absolutely love snowboarding at Killington during the winter, and hiking and camping in the summer. I moved to Rhode Island for college, and when I first came back to VT I was absolutely stricken with how beautiful this place is (at least compared to RI...sorry guys!). I will always love this place. Home.

What drives your passion for DJing on the radio?

I like DJing because I have quasi-celebrity status in Rutland, although not many people know that I'm a DJ after meeting me...even regular listeners! It's also great to bring my listeners a taste of some different tunes from time-to-time. (PLUG: Listen in for Frendly previews for the next week!)

What's your best life advice?

Life advice. Man, this just got heavy. Let nothing stop you as you quest for more. When they told me that a TBI would keep me from being much, I went on to finish high school, then college for an Associate's degree, followed by a Bachelor's degree, and now I'm a snowboard-instructing disc jockey. Live life, keep reaching higher, and remember to have a good time doing it.

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Chris Taylor is a 31-year-old Vermont-native who DJs a local radio station and instructs snowboarding at Pico and Killington during the winter. Chris is affectionately known as "Crisco" by the Frendly crew. He says that he absolutely fell in love with festivals following his first Frendly Gathering.

[thefrendlygathering]

LETTERS FROM SWITCHEL - 6.20.14

Had to share this note from Garrett Rifle this morning...

You guys rule!!!

I was a bit slow in responding to the email and social media front in VT. Heres why: we dropped you guys cases, left hanging with y’all, and immediately sunk a 2015 Toyota Tacoma (Ely’s) in mud up to the door handles. It took a full 24 hours to extract. Im sunburnt as F, hands and knees shredded, and covered with so many bites I can’t tell if there is any untouched real estate on my person. Oh and that mud was actually a nice vermont blend of 50% mud/clay and 50% cow sh*t.

Thanks for all the love! Im dreaming big here, but one day well be a banner sponsor on the Gathering. As soon as we have our new top secret product extensions out and going. Or just sponsor Annie's next birthday...

PS: Did you guys see that Metal Mulisha and Frendly Gathering both left a comment on our latest insta post? That is classic. Quintessential Switchel. Supper healthy detox drink that you can slam whiskey with. Diversity. Thanks again for the support! Well be seeing you all again soon!

- Garrett

[thefrendlygathering]

WEAVING DREAMS IN TREES - 6.19.14

Art continues to unfold on the ridge. Today we were joined by artist and musician Faith Wood, one of the lead singers and guitarists in Gaetano's band The Meteor Shades. Faith is an expert sappling weaver and is sprinkling her fairy dust through various spaces at the Gathering.

A huge crew started building out brand new steps and seating near the Frendly Stage. Gary, Dave, Gaetano, KJ and Joe spent hours in the sun hauling timber and building this new feature along the hillside. What we love most is the way that it falls in a perfect natural line with the land. We want to work with the land, not against it. Natural features are our favorite. You'll have to see it when you get here...

We also got a surprise visit from our local BBA crew -- Jordan, Kevin, Ray and Billy. The Frendly Gathering is a family event, and so it feels good to build it with our extended fam.

Big thanks to Eric and Seth from Burton Snowboards for spending eight hours installing internet repeaters that will provide wi-fi for everyone at the festival. No kidding, they didn't stop until the signal was ripping from about every location on the ridge. When you are tweeting and 'gramming during the event, be sure to show some love to our frends at Burton. We couldn't do it without them.

Oh, forgot to add that Gaetano and Dave started the morning shotgunning Mountain Dews to get their energy up for a long build out. No big deal.

The best part of any day on the ridge is time spent with Ernie (the wizard from the 2013 recap video). Today he painted pallets with Scotty Soltronic and dropped bits of wisdom along the way. Here are a few gems:

His blood type matches his outlook, "B-positive"

In Japanese culture, blood types are used to predict personality, temperament and compatibility -- maybe there's something to that

It's not enough to be a survivalist or to "hang in there" (you're gonna get tired of hanging) -- you have to be a THRIVE-ALIST

Ernie knows all.

- The Frendly Crew 

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET SHELBY - 6.19.14

How long have you been involved in the Frendly Gathering?

I have been involved with the Frendly Gathering for four amazing years!

Where do you draw inspiration for your installations each year?

My inspirations are drawn from Vermont landscapes. My goal this year is to compliment these natural landscapes and to create fun and playful spaces that visually enhance the festival goers' experience.

What do you love most about the natural landscape at Timber Ridge?

Timber Ridge offers a completely different aesthetic than any other festival I have attended. Located a couple hundred miles from any metropolis, the festival grounds are spread across an entire mountain. The trees, the wild flowers and mostly the stars are my inspiration for this years installations.

Do you have any surprises in store for frends old and new this year?

We have a lot of new additions this year. Gaetano, Scotty Whitaker, Jenke Arts and I have collaborated to broaden and enhance the Frendly grounds. I am most excited about building bigger and better stages, dance platforms, and interactive art zones. Be on the look out for hidden surprises along your journey.

What's your best life advice?

Creativity stems from playfulness, so go out and experience what this world has to offer. Talk to strangers and listen to their stories. Give yourself time each day to get weird. Get lost, find yourself, then get lost again. And when in doubt, break out in dance.

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A Vermont-native, Shelby Simpson, is a visual artist focusing on mediums such as woodworking, sewing, painting, and drawing. Shelby calls herself an “excessive doodler” and says that her work in those mediums stems from the process of observing human interactions and emotions, sketching this connection, and then translating it into a structure or sculpture. Shelby is passionate about equal opportunity for love for everyone, and is really interested in convening artists, musicians and performers, combining and intertwining their disciplines. This is her fourth year collaborating with Jack and Danny on the artistic vision for the Frendly Gathering and she is the brainchild behind the original two top stages for Twiddle and the large-scale tree installation for the viewing deck.

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET SCOTTY - 6.19.14

One part inventor, one part artist, one part entrepreneur, one part social engineer, Scott "Soltronic" Whitaker is three parts mad scientist.

Based in Park City, Utah, Scotty’s work is funny, whimsical and down right insame. Inspired by the broken and discarded items of a society bent on consumption, he developed his own aesthetic called “Jenk” Derived from the word Junk, that combines ordinary items with aesthetic elements giving new life and usefulness to the lost and forgotten material. Make sure you check out his crew, The Jenkstars.

Scotty's work naturally connects with that part of the human experience that has a difficult time throwing beautiful items away because of some flaw. Each piece of jenk has a story and has lived another life. These treasures contain an energy that when combined with each other, tell a new story.

His work represents over two decades of selective treasure hunting, polishing and organizing. Each piece is built entirely from reclaimed and recycled materials, giving them one more shot at life. This work shouts loudly at the viewer, “there is no such thing as trash, only treasure,” and urges the viewer to examine their own use of these precious resources. He recently hosted his 5th annual BUILDING MAN in Utah, a sustainable living music and arts festival.

Our crew had the pleasure of meeting Scotty -- and seeing in person, the concept of jenk -- on top of Powder Mountain last summer at Summit Outside. This year he is lending his creative juices and myriad of artistic and carpentry skills to the Frendly Gathering in big ways. Keep your eyes open for surprises.

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old one obsolete." BUCKMINSTER FULLER

[thefrendlygathering]

PALLETS ON PALLETS ON PALLETS - 6.18.14

The crew at the ridge is growing and growing and everyone is getting crafty.

Scotty and Brett hustled from sunrise to sunset collecting over 100 pallets from Stafford Hill Solar Farm in Rutland, VT.

No surprise that Brett was asking everyone along the way for tips on more wood scraps for us to use in our art installations. If you have any ideas, please hit us up on Twitter or Facebook!  

Back at the ridge it was like Christmas...why you ask? Well the boys from Switchel rolled in super deep with boxes of the tasty Vermont-made haymaker's drink. Every year Switchel fuels all of operations team full of ginger, maple syrup and raw apple cider vinegar. It's so good that we're pretty sure Annie's addiction may be a problem. Big thank you to Garrett and the rest of the crew in Brooklyn!

In between cottages being fork-lifted and pallets being stacked, Scully caught Mihali from Twiddle jamming at the pond. Ninja turtle hat and all, the man is pure magic bottled in one human. Here's his performance from last year's legendary pond set.

Same time, same channel tomorrow.

- The Frendly Crew

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET LUKE - 6.18.14

What's your favorite memory from the first Frendly Gathering?

Gazing at the beautiful stars and contemplating the meaning of life with my frends. Those are the moments that are truly meaningful and special for me.

Where do you draw your creativity and inspiration from?

Creativity & inspiration spring from within. It is our way of expressing ourselves. That is the main source, and then I feed off of everything the universe has to offer me. Especially my brother Jack, my family and my frends.

Who are you most excited to see play this year?

Oh wow, it's to hard for me to pick one band. I love how there are so many amazing musicians playing this year. Throughout the weekend I like to imagine all of the music intertwining into one big magical masterpiece of sound. That is the true beauty to a music festival for me.

What do you think the best camping zone is at the FG?

The new Furthur Pond camp is going to be a great addition to the FG. The reason I like it is because you can hear the sound of the river at night. It's a great spot if you like peace and quiet and your not a far walk from the main venue.

What's your best life advice?

We live in a world where everyone feels that we have to impress one another. Be yourself and do what truly makes you happy. By doing that, the universe will unfold naturally, have synchronicity and flow. I believe the purpose of life is life itself. It is to exist. "Be present, live frendly, love life" <3

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Luke "Squid" Mitrani is one of the founding supporters of the Frendly Gathering and the resident sage of our crew. From art installation to set design, Luke's creativity has been a driving force each year since the festival's infancy -- you can thank him for the performer deck, the groovy trail to the skate ramp, and the original hydration station... Remember his suggested donations jar at the station? He never locked it at night, and no one ever stole from it. Guess that's Squid's vibrations for you. His positivity and grace of spirit inspires, and his love for life is infectious. Thank you for all that you do, and are, Squid.

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET BEN - 6.18.14

How did you get connected to the Frendly Gathering?

One week before I was scheduled to move to Washington, DC to begin a career I wasn't completely passionate about, I contacted my old frend Jack to see how he was doing. He invited me to help out at the Frendly Gathering. I took the flight I had already booked to DC, took a train up to Vermont, and had one of the best weekends of my life.

What do you love most about getting out to Vermont to support the fest?

The moment I land in Vermont I'm surrounded by frends, most of whom I haven't seen in a year, and it's as if no time has passed at all. To be surrounded by such a positive, collaborative, and welcoming environment is amazing. I also love Vermont! It is so green!

We heard that you are moving to NYC this summer, what for?

I am incredibly lucky to get an opportunity to intern at a journal of history and literature in New York later this summer. If you want to find me, I’ll probably be buried in a book in the deepest, most remote, and obscure sections of a library. I love it, though. With every book you read, you experience a person’s life.

What drives your passion for writing?

I love people, stories, and stories about people. Also, when I write and read, I am constantly learning, and that's my favorite thing to do.

What's your best life advice?

Do what you do for love, not for money. Also, every one spends 70% of their life doing the same types of things… work, friends, family, etc… it’s what we do with the other 30% that takes us to the next level. Also, “Stones want to go on being stones, too, forever and ever… and for centuries they are. Until they turn to dust.” (Jorge Luis Borges)

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Bennet Logan is a scholar, an aspiring playwright, and a contributor to the Free World Reader. Writing is no doubt his forte, and we would love to share his bio in his own words, "I once was a catcher in an 8th grade game of kickball. As the opposing team ran a train of people past home plate, I was picking dandelions, and I couldn't have been more happy about my decision. There were some really great dandelions. I'm 25 now, but I still pick flowers and I still love to find what it is that makes me happy. Currently, what makes me happy is reading stories, telling stories, and spending time with frends."

[thefrendlygathering]

CRAZY ABOUT KOMBUCHA - 6.17.14

We wished for sun and boy did we get it today. If you're in Vermont, you know that the ridge was just gorgeous for the whole day.

Our crew was working really hard in the heat all day and so a huge delivery of ice cold kombucha from Aqua Vitea was a welcomed surprise. If it wasn't already cool enough that our frend Mike McCarney's title is "Operations Samurai," this kombucha brand is local to Vermont and comes in rad flavors like Hibiscus Ginger. Gotta stay hydrated.

KP and Adam Pearce stopped by to finalize plans for the 'Love Your Brain Den.' Get ready for all-day tea service, massages by sign-up, and morning meditation on the hillside.

We also got to work with our frends from Jenke Arts in Burlington, VT. The Jenke crew will be taking over the Barn this year both from a design standpoint and programming. So rad.

Blood, sweat and tears. Just for you guys.

- The Frendly Crew 

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET COURTNEY - 6.17.14

How did you get connected to the Frendly Gathering?

I came out for the Gathering last year and had a blast. I bumped into Jack in Vail at a Love Your Brain Fundraiser and talked to him about volunteering. Cooking and helping take care of the crew seemed like a great fit!

What types of meals do you prepare for the Frendly Crew to keep them happy and healthy?

We found some great local food sources -- like Windham Farm and Food -- so we've been eating a lot of fresh veggies and salads. Black and green tea smoothies for breakfast, kale salads every day for lunch, and black bean / sweet potato taco nights every tuesday. The crew was pretty amazed that I could make imitation cheese out of cashews, which I loved. There are so many ways to prepare things with the flavors you love, leaving out the ingredients that upset your digestion. I've been learning a lot about everyone's individual food allergies and sharing my learnings with them about how they can naturally tailor their diet, without giving up the flavors they love.

We have heard that you are partnering with Kevin and Adam Pearce, tell us more?

I've been working with them on their non-profit, Love Your Brain, which is focused traumatic brain injury recovery and prevention. Kevin and Adam are amazing guys and I feel very lucky to be working alongside them.

What drives your passion for nutrition and the culinary craft?

It's pretty simple...I love to eat!!!

What's your best life advice?

Be nice :)

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Courtney Ruoff is a masterful chef who specializes in preparing healthy meals for large groups during events like the Frendly Gathering so that they don't have to compromise their brain fuel just because they are busy. She's also an experienced graphic designer and frend to many. What we love most about Courtney is her unending kindness and generosity of heart and mind.

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET JOE - 6.17.14

How did you get connected to the Frendly Gathering?

Four years ago I started picking up trash at the first event, because it was on the ground and I thought that the land deserved to be treated better. I knew Laskey (the caretaker of Timber Ridge). I went to college with his daughter Kate. What started as me just doing my part by picking it up, eventually developed into a full program. By my second year I was doing it full time. When I first met Jack and Danny I thought they were two good-hearted people who were creating a movement that I could believe in. I appreciate that they look at everyone, no matter where they come from, through the same lens.

What do you love most about getting out to Vermont to support the fest?

I love waking up and listening to the birds and the cool breeze of summer out here. I love all of the amazing people that this festival brings together...daily life in the state of Vermont is the epitome of how we can and should live in harmony with the earth, across the whole United States. This is one of the only festivals that is truly grassroots. Put on by the people, for the people. It's not corporate, no big contractors. Each of us is building it from the ground up.

We heard that you might move to Alaska, what for?

Yes. I am thinking of going there in the spring to carry out research for my thesis. I'll be looking at how climate change is impacting spruce trees in Alaska, as well as the impact of the spruce bark beetle. I plan to head to Yukon Island, in the gorgeous Katchemak Bay.

What drives your passion for the environment?

I think it's important that people are in tune with other species on this planet, not just humans. Understanding other species in the places we live is one of the great mysteries of the world.

What's your best life advice?

To do everything with love and passion. And always put in 100%.

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Joe Frigo is originally from Agawam, MA and is 23 years old. For his undergraduate studies Joe went to Keene State College, and is currently pursuing his Master's in Conservation Biology at Antioc University New England. We're lucky to have Joe heading up our recycling and waste removal programs yet again this year at the Frendly Gathering.

[thefrendlygathering]

KICKBALL WITH FRENDS - 6.16.14

Channeling our inner Sandlot, the crew threw down a serious serious game of kickball on the ridge. Gaetano and Crisco were our team captains and although it was a battle 'til the end, Crisco's team walked away with the victory. Shoes went flying, bases were loaded, and Annie B. served up some mean curve balls.

When the game was done, Jack and Danny started playing with all of our new life-sized Frendsvision eyeballs and flowers. Jeff Pilapil from Vermont Spray Foam is basically the Picasso of experimental art. He continues to outdo himself. Kind of feels like we are in a magical, alternate universe. 

We're super excited to welcome Corey O. Palmiter back in the mix on our construction team. This Corey's third year working on the Frendly Gathering, and he and his fiancé Amie Thayer camp here every year for the fest. Amie is super excited to groove to The London Souls next weekend. For the winters (17 in fact) Corey moonlights at Northern Ski Works in Ludlow, VT. You might remember his dad, Ernie, who was the bearded wizard that opened our recap video last year. Ernie is also known as Possum...a nick name that was given to him based on his epic beard. His grandkids call him 'Grandpossum'...just don't call him late for dinner. 

Life is better when PLAYED together.

- The Frendly Crew

[thefrendlygathering]

MEET MARINA - 6.16.14

This is your third Frendly Gathering, what are you most excited about?

This is going to be my third FG, but my first year being a part of the team. I'm most excited to see Twiddle, Spirit Family Reunion and Deer Tick live. ​And ​of course driving the new sustainability initiative at the event!

What are some of your sustainability goals this year?

To only have one dumpster full of trash. To cut down on our single-use plastic consumption. To incorporate the Leave No Trace principles into our 'Earth Frendly Principles.' ​To encourage attendees to bring reusable everything -- from cups, plates, utensils, bags and bowls. To help cut down on waste overall.

Why are you so passionate about the environment?

The big thing for me is equality for all. Equality between people, animals, plants, insects, nature, land, and water. I don't believe in destroying our surroundings ecosystems, just for our benefit. By objecting one group (nature), for the benefit of another group (humans,) we create an injustice. Once we realize that we are all interconnected and need to work together to help save Mother Earth, we will create a healthy and beautiful, Mother Earth.

We've heard that you collaborate with POW, tell us more? ​

Yes I did! I interned with Protect Our Winters (POW) for my Spring 2014 semester at Sierra Nevada College. I was their Education Program Assistant for the Hot Planet / Cool Athlete education program. I got to bring the program back to my old high school in Rutland, Vermont!

What's your best life advice?

Live with the Earth; Not just on top of it. 

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Marina McCoy is driving our sustainability efforts this year. If she had to describe herself in two words, it would be "nature and concerts." Her love for nature and music go hand-in-hand -- both bring her happiness and peace. Marina's passion is sustainability, and her goal is to inspire everyone she meets to live a more sustainable way of life.

[thefrendlygathering]

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - 6.15.14

Sunny Sunday on the ridge. We were working hard and feeling grateful for the men that have guided and shaped who we are. Whether they're our fathers, our uncles, our teachers or just great frends, there's so much wisdom that's been passed to each of us from each of them.

Big thanks to the dads that support our team as we build the Gathering... Tim Waker, Gary Simpson, Mike Davis, Keith Heingartner, Bob Buchanan, Ron Bubes, Steve Bold, Robert Beiner, Tim Scully, Jay Haenn, Gaetano Putignano, Dean Logan, Steve Ruoff and many more.

Always respect and appreciate your elders!

- The Frendly Crew

[thefrendlygathering]

WOOD STAGE REVIVAL - 6.14.14

Today was all about the Wood Stage. We are proud to share that by the time you get to the ridge we will have completed a newly expanded stage with a brand new hand-built teepee cover and a significantly higher and larger platform for much better audience views.

Everything at the Frendly Gathering is carefully crafted by our team. We work as a group to dream up the greatest stages and installations on whiteboards and then we throw on our Carhatt's, grab our hammers and head out to collaborate on building those dreams. Under the guidance of Gaetano, anything is possible when we work together.

"Whatever good things we build end up building us." - JIM ROHN

Keep building.

- The Frendly Crew