Old Songs Festival 2010??

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: bbc
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 11:23 PM

Well, it's already been fun! I've seen a bunch of friends. There's a great line-up of performers this year. For both Saturday & Sunday, there's a full slate I want to see, but no conflicts. Perfect! And then there are the benefits to moteling rather than camping--bed, a/c, toilet, shower, breakfast. Yay!

bbc

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 01:07 AM

Becca, good one!

Day one, and I'm bushed already. I went back to K&J's after the concert, but they'd drawn curtains and who-knows-what they were doing in there.

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 07:24 AM

So far it's beeb lovely! Got hugs from Caroline, Don M and Jeri, smiles and waves from bbc and several others. Ron, are we ever gonna meet?
Went to Peter and Mary Alice Amidon's wonderfulchoral workshop, and enjoyed the concert before retiring early in my Quiet at Night site. Up early and ready for the day!

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: bbc
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 07:19 AM

We had a bit of rain in the afternoon on Saturday (What would Old Songs be, without a bit of rain?) & it got coolish in the evening, but, all in all, it was a *lovely* day! Brian Peters did a spectacular job in his session, singing & explaining the ballads, & had a very good turn-out. I bought the cd, Brian!

This afternoon (Sunday), there will be sessions to remember Mike Seeger & Sandy Paton. Be with us in spirit, folks.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 11:22 AM

It's great that so many people bring their notebooks to these festivals and can feed tidbits to those stuck at home while they are actually there having a good time.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 07:42 PM

Typos and all! It was a lovely festival- I thought I was going to immerse myself in singing, and I did get to a couple of great singing workshops, but the real delight was re-kindling my love of the squeeze box- what a line-up of concertinists and accordion players there was! Brian Peters, John Roberts, Jody Kruskal, the amazing Vitaliy Bezrodnov on the Russian Bayan accordion- what a time it was!

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 10:02 PM

I missed the ballad workshop with Elizabeth LaPrelle and Tim Erikson, and I bet it kicked ass. I missed the workshop for Sandy, because I was at James Keelaghan, and somehow, I thought Sandy's started when James's was over, but the latter was longer than that. Wonderful performance though, and he gave a great songwriting workshop.

Get this: I also FINALLY met Ron Olesko. I sort of recognized him and he was in a car with NJ plates trying to escape the hotel parking lot, so I asked. Yep, it was Ron.

I spent a lot of time in Don Meixner's booth, and came home with more silver. Jacqui C and I compared bracelets, and it was the weirdest thing: we'd both picked out the same bracelets, other than the 'hammered' one. Hers is rounded and mine is flat. The other three are exact matches. I think I need therapy.

Tami, Jacqui has your necklace.

And I have to work tomorrow. Sucks.

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 10:43 PM

My favorite performer was definitely Elizabeth LaPrelle. Her voice is truly a gift and she is a joy to hear. There was the usual abundance of wonderful music all weekend, much of it from people I never heard of before. Paul McKenna, lead singer/guitarist in a Scottish band was also a delight to hear. Enjoyed hearing Deb Cowan again, laughed at John Roberts' witty MC work and songs, was surprised at how funny Brian Peters was, having never heard him before and expecting just ballads. (e.g. he said he was doing an hour and a half program of ballads, and hoped to get in at least 3).

Many great musical moments, including the informal old-time and Celtic jams I recorded snippets of and put up on Facebook. Loved the Southern Old-Time Chestnuts tribute to Mike Seeger with Elizabeth LaPrelle, Cathy Barton & Dave Para, Mark Horowitz, Allan Kaufman, et al. Oh, Kim & Reggie Harris put on a terrific show to close out Saturday night, but I was especially impressed with the percussionist (me, a bluegrasser) who accompanied them - truly outstanding.

Caught Kendall and Susan and Dick on the iPhone camera, also on fb on the Mudcat group page. Saw several other Mudcats, hugged a few, shed a tear with Caroline Paton, ate way too much from the English bakery booth (gigantic peanut butter filled moon pies?? Are you kidding me??) and every other calorie I could find up and down the vendor row. Had a great time. Will be coherenter tomorrow...

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 09:02 AM

Saw lots. Chatted with many. Thanks to Jeri the Gin and Tonics were plentiful. Thanks to Kendall the exceptional scotch was tasted. And when I wake up better I will comment in more depth.

Don

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 09:14 AM

Sounds great! Keep those descriptions coming while they are still fresh in your minds.

I would have loved to have heard James Keelaghan again, and attended the tribute to Mike Seeger with Elizabeth LaPrelle et al.

I don't suppose anyone has the energy to edit and post their photos?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Ref
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 09:18 AM

I think that this was a very nice festival. The performers were varied and entertaining, as well as musically skilled. The facilities were improved (Thanks, Fairgrounds!) and the traditions of the campground and venues were strong enough to overcome the utter lack of courtesy that some people always seem to bring with them.

My congratulations to the Festival board, staff, and volunteers on a job well done. I only wish that there were more (not a LOT more, but more) people availing themselves of this great weekend.

Also, really missed those coffee guys on vendors' row. I'd come to enjoy my morning ritual of claiming a chair spot near the stage and waiting for them to open up for business at quarter of seven!

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 03:25 PM

Old-Time Jam at Old Songs 6/26/2010 taken in the vendor hall corner.

Southern Old-Time Chestnuts tribute to Mike Seeger at Old Songs - just a few seconds of Elizabeth LaPrelle, and notice the couple dancing at the far end of the audience.

Celtic jam at Old Songs Festival 6/26/2010 taken at the street corner tent.

One more to process...

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 09:03 PM

Finally uploaded all my Old Songs Photos to flickr.

Subject: RE: Old Songs?? (2010)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 09:33 AM

I just posted some of my thoughts about this year's festival on my website - www.ronolesko.blogspot.com