For nearly five decades, the vibrant community nurtured by Lark Traditional Arts has been a beacon of joyful creativity, global connection, and deep cultural exchange on California’s North Coast. What began as a small gathering of musicians and dancers in the redwoods of Mendocino has blossomed into one of the most beloved and enduring celebrations of traditional music, song, and dance in the country.
Lark Camp was founded by the inimitable Mickie Zekley, a multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, and cultural bridge-builder was part of an incredible group of eclectic musicians and dancers who gravitated to the California coast and shared new music, new instruments, and scores of new world cultures with eager audiences throughout the West. Originally conceived as a weekend retreat for Celtic and American roots music, Lark Camp quickly grew into a full weeklong experience with global reach—welcoming instructors and participants from every corner of the world to share in music, movement, and community.
Mickie’s story—and the story of Lark—is inseparable from the spirit of Mendocino itself. A countercultural hub and creative haven since the 1960s, Mendocino attracted a constellation of Bay Area artists, musicians, and visionaries seeking new ways to live, create, and connect. From this fertile ground sprang a thriving traditional arts scene that included concerts, workshops, and artist residencies featuring legends like The Boys of the Lough, harpist Sylvia Woods, Irish fiddle master Tommy Peoples, and even the first American Uilleann Pipers Convention. Locally, bands like Mooncoin, featuring Mickie and virtuoso Michael Hubbert, kept dance halls buzzing and sessions vibrant.
Lark became a natural outgrowth of this momentum—a place where culture bearers and newcomers alike could dive deeply into traditional arts from around the world. Through spirited jam circles, joyful dances, and immersive workshops, the camp built lifelong friendships and planted seeds that continue to flourish across generations.
When Mickie retired from organizing the camp in 2019, Lark Traditional Arts was established under his mentorship to ensure the camp’s legacy would live on. Though we lost Mickie in 2022, his spirit remains a guiding force. He was honored with the WESTAF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021—recognition of a lifetime spent building bridges through music and imagination.
As we approach Lark Camp’s 50th anniversary, we stand in gratitude to the past and with excitement for the future. What began as one man’s vision has become a cherished tradition rooted in Mendocino, the Bay Area, and beyond—an ever-growing circle of music, dance, and human connection.
Mickie’s personal take on how it all started is an amusing and engaging tale you can find as an iTunes podcast titled “Adventures of a Street Musician”.
Grants and Estate Gifts
Lark Traditional Arts is proud to have the support of the following personal estates, family trusts, and organizations:
- Brenda Barrett estate
- The Rasmussen Family Fund
- California Arts Council
- Craigslist Charitable Foundation
- The Mendocino Community Foundation
- The East Bay Community Foundation
- The Living History Centre
- The Institute For Traditional Studies
- Community Foundation of Mendocino
- The Living History Center
- Marin Community Foundation
- Berkeley Arts Council
