MEDICINE STORIES WEEKENDS WITH
GARETH HIGGINS & DAVID WILCOX
Two or three times each year Irish storyteller and teacher Gareth Higgins & beloved Americana singer-songwriter David Wilcox co-host Medicine Stories, a weekend of community, creativity, and gentle transformation.
It's an opportunity to rest and be inspired, with a group of friends old and new, hearing music and story, exploring how the stories we tell shape our lives, reimagining the landscape of our souls, - and hopefully experiencing a better story together!
Gareth & David are known as eloquent and humane guides to healing your own story, and transforming the complexity of our lives into a gift to ourselves and the world. New sounds, deep stories, laughter and rich conversation form the heart of this soulfully unique and transforming experience. This is a weekend experience - for thirty guests only - that might just last for the rest of your life. Everyone is welcome.
Dates & Location
Our next Medicine Stories weekend takes place in Santa Monica, CA on the weekend of February 18th-20th, 2022. (Private home - address provided after registration. Please note overnight accommodation is not provided, but there are many affordable options available locally.)
Friday 18th 7.30-10pm
Saturday 19th 10am-5.30pm
Sunday 20th 10am-12.30pm
Words from Previous Participants:
My attendance at a Medicine Stories weekend continues to nourish my process of self-awareness and acceptance. This short winter weekend (in sunny Southern California) kindled a spark in me that sustains my daily gratitude for my specific, precious life. The Medicine Stories weekend is not only an unforgettable experience in my life, it's unparalleled one! - Christa Forster
We've had the extraordinary gift to be on retreat with Dave and Gareth in both northern Ireland, and on this wonderful weekend in Santa Monica. The experience of taking time away from our demanding lives to sink into their amazing stories, music, and meaningful conversation, has brought both healing and an incredible new energy toward deeper purpose in our lives. - Francie Calfo & Trent Jones.
Among other things, you can often expect the following at a Medicine Stories gathering:
The services of two retreat leaders throughout the weekend.
Concert with David Wilcox.
Storytelling session, film screening and conversation with Gareth Higgins.
Learning opportunities for living well in uncertain times, going deeper, claiming creativity, courage & community toward the common good.
Lunch on Saturday.
Self-care and life maintenance options throughout!
A life-changing experience of spirit, imagination, and community.
REGISTRATION
In order to make the retreat accessible, we offer registration as follows - and feel free to contact us with any questions. Just click here to send a message and we’ll get back to you shortly.
* The cost for the full weekend retreat is $685 per person including lunch on Saturday, but we offer sliding scale registration from $425 and up, and we aim not to turn away anyone on financial grounds.
* We ask that you pay from the heart, considering the resources you have available, the benefit you feel you’ll receive from the retreat, and your desire to support Gareth & David’s work. If you need to spread the cost over time, and opt in at the lower end of the sliding scale, a $150 deposit secures your place, and at the end of the retreat we will ask you to pay the full balance, or you can avail of a three, six, or twelve month installment plan; paying as little as around $28 a month (plus a small administration fee to cover processing). Please note this is intended for first-time attendees only - but if you have attended in the past and need to spread the registration cost, just get in touch to discuss options.
* Two people registering together can avail of a significant discount. Register with a friend, partner, or spouse, and pay $985 instead of $1370.
* Partial scholarships may be available to reduce the cost for those in financial need. We don't want to turn anyone away on financial grounds. Contact us to learn more.
* And if you can afford a bit more, please donate to the scholarship fund. Any amount can help, so if you can add another $25, $50, $100 or more, this will go to reduce the cost of someone else attending. Let us know if you would like to donate to the scholarship fund and we will make arrangements. Thanks!
So if the registration fee is beyond your reach for now, pay only the $150 deposit now, and we'll contact you to discuss payment plans, scholarships, and the sliding scale to help spread the cost over up to twelve months. Questions? Just contact us through the button below.
Please note that due to personal health needs, participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We will meet outdoors if necessary (and the weather will most likely allow), and wearing masks indoors will be encouraged. Of course if the retreat is cancelled due to the pandemic, a full refund of your registration fee will be offered; or if you are unable to attend, you can transfer your registration to someone else or to another event hosted by The Porch within the next twelve months.
We can consider invitations to host Medicine Stories in your town when fifteen or more people are sure to attend. If you can get together with friends to recruit fifteen or more folk to join us, contact us and we'll tell you the next steps. We’d be delighted to help you put a Medicine Stories event together.