Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07

Subject: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: curmudgeon
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 02:47 PM

The Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival will be happening on the weekend of September 29 & 30. This will be the Eighth annual and we think we've got a pretty decent lineup of great singers for the event.

If you live in the area, or are going to be in the area, make plans to attend. It's all free, except for the parking. Better yet, make it a destination from wherever. Foliage season will be starting, most of the tacky tourists will be gone, and the price of lobster will be lower.

Keep checking back on the website as more information will be added as it becomes available.

And friends, fans, and performers - please try to keep this thread from falling off the edge of the world.

Thanks - Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 03:32 PM

So the tacky tourists will be replaced by Jacqui, Linn and me?

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: curmudgeon
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 03:49 PM

Touring and gifting are two very different pastimes.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: curmudgeon
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 08:27 PM

Just got the details from Roll and Go, who will be on board for this year's festival. While this information has been forwarded to Barbara, Queen of the Web, it may not appear right away as she does have a real life.

Please friends, don't let this thread fall off the edge where dragons lurk.

Thanks - Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: Mick Tems
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 09:05 PM

And no, Tom, we won't! This is the greatest festival of all time. How I wish I could there and to tell you all about James Madison Carpenter and the Welsh sailors, including Rees Baldwin of George Street, Barry Dock, and William Fender, of Coronation Street, Barry Dock, and the South Wales shanties they sang... There's so much more information that I'm afraid I shall bore you with it. It might keep this thread going for longer than you may think!

Mick Tems of Calennig

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 10:29 AM

I just thought you should know that Mick does not belong to Calennig anymore since he left Dame Pattie Smith.His band is called Dr Price Fire Band with which he plays with Ollie Price his partner and Michael Greenwood.


Scooby.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 10:47 AM

I look forward to finding out where the Saturday evening program will be held. The Press Room was good last year.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 06:50 PM

Hardly the Queen of the Web - I'm barely the Boss of my own Computer!! But thanks, Tom - it's good to know someone cares!!

As do I. Which is why I have posted Roll & Go's info tout de suite. There are now 10 performing entities (persons or groups) on the Performers Page, the beginnings of a schedule on the Schedule Page, two pages of "Past Performer" info linked through the History Page, and a wee bit of lodging/parking/visitor information on the homepage. Hey! I found a riverside webcam online, and linked us to it. FUN!!

All former participants, performers, volunteers and fans should check it out.
Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival

~Barbara

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 08:02 PM

Barb-

Well done!

I, for one, would be happy to hear more archane scuttlebutt from Dr. Price, and his friends from across the Great Pond.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: curmudgeon
Date: 14 Aug 07 - 05:22 PM

Thank you Mick for your kind words. We aren't the best or the biggest, yet. We're not as long as Mystic, we don't have any working ships, yet. And we don't , at this time, have an international lineup. However, Danny Spooner assured me that his next trip would include the last weekend in September.

Jeri, we haven't had the Saturdya night part at the Press Room for four(?) years. The problem with that venue is that we have to keep performing until 12:00 which cuts into the post performance party.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: Frazz
Date: 14 Aug 07 - 05:48 PM

I have fond memories of performing at this wonderful festival in 2003. Myself and Mike often talk about the festival, the pressroom and the welcome we received.
                            Best wishes for this years festival. wish I was there. Tony (Mainbrace)

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - NH
From: curmudgeon
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 11:42 AM

Good to hear from you, Tony. I hope you can get back here someday - Tom

Subject: Portsmouth Maritime Fest 2007 Sept 29-30
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Sep 07 - 07:32 PM

Could a clone add on to the Title thread "USA" there wasn't enough room, Thanks.

The Portsmouth Maritime Festival held at Portsmouth New Hampshire in on Sept 29 & 30 even though the Friday (9/28) night Press Room session is not part of the scheduled festival festivities most of the performers & festivals goes do end up going there, after all it is hosted by Tom Hall & Linn Shultz both of whom are perfoming & help to direct the festival alon with Jeff Warner who's help again by Barbara Benn, who's great voice I'm sure we'll be hearing from at the festival along with the great banjo & concertina players extraodinaire & maritine voices of Bob Webb & Ken Sweeney. Mudcatters like myself with Finn & Haddie, Charlie Noble with www.rollandgoseasongs.com, and Doryman & his mate with Three Sheets to the Wind & their crew from the Gloucester Schooner Adventure, along with a bunch of other performers a host of other mudcatters.

This is a small cozy maritime music festival with a big heart, lungs & even bigger voice, set in the small picturesgue town of Portsmouth, NH (Ha,Ha,Ha thats the Naval Prison, you can't get there from Prtsmouth or even from NH to get there you have to go through Maine, a pox on them Down Easters. The venues are held at local pubs, resturants & other establishments & it's all free, except for the eats & drinks & beds ,,,,,,,. See you there.

Barry

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Mick Tems
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 07:43 AM

Let me correct a rather garbled account which you have from my old mate Scooby. It's true that Calennig broke up; I had a major stroke more than six years ago, and it was all I could do even to stand up on a stage and sing, let alone to play the melodeon. I can't play the melodeon even now, while I wait for my left arm to wake up.

I did not "leave" the Dame; she had found another man while I spent nine months in hospital. I was discharged from hospital, and I spent almost as long confined to a tiny room with no facilities - Rhondda Cynon Taff Social Services and the Welsh NHS really were abysmally useless. The Dame offered to buy me out, and I got well and truly done selling the house. The Calennig Band (the dance band) and the Dame had no room for me; I was really desperate to play, so I obtained a tabwrdd, which is an ancient North Wales percussion instrument with a very interesting history. The line-up of Dr Price's Fire Band is my partner Olly Price on fiddle, Mike Greenwood on melodeon and myself on tabwrdd.

I'm really very sorry to break away from the thread like that, but I have to correct tales which go astray. Portsmouth Maritime Festival has a great website and timetable - especially Jeff Warner!

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 06:59 PM

To The Top

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: jacqui.c
Date: 04 Sep 07 - 06:56 AM

Shan't be able to make this one - sounds as if it's going to be good. Maybe next year......

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 06:40 AM

We'll miss you, Jacqui, and I assume Kendall as well.

The lineup of performers is just about complete, but keep checking the website.

Any other Mudcatters, aside from performers, planning on coming?

See you in four weeks - Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 10:55 AM

I'm sorry to be missing this - for the first time in several years.
Especially since my August house concert in Maine needed to
be cancelled/postponed. I miss my Press Room pals.
I really miss singing with you all.
But the trip's too long and gas is too expensive this time.

Maybe next year.
luv ya' - mean it

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 11:21 AM

Two weeks to go! The schedule is almost finalised and should be up on the website next week.

The Sheraton Portsmouth has donated a really nice room for the Saturday night program, complete with bar so that thirsts can be quenched.

So keep watching the   website and this thread for further details and developments - Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 11:56 PM

Announcement! Announcement! The PMFF website's done. Well, mostly done, anyhow. As done as any ongoing project ever is.

You can read about this year's performers.
You can look at/print out/save a .pdf copy of the schedule.
You can find out about this year's activities.
You can see pictures of festivals gone by.
You can learn how we came to be.
You can donate money.

In fact, about the only things you CAN'T do on this website are get your hair cut and your shoes polished.

So check out our new image, and then start saving for a plane ticket to Portsmouth, that's New Hampshire, USA, for next year's festival (last weekend in September, every year).

~Barbara

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:44 AM

Less than a week to go. Weather forecast looks to be near perfect. Programs at the printer.

So now, who's coming?

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 10:41 AM

REFRESH

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 05:32 PM

Doesn't look like Jacqui is going to be in any shape to attend. I will be down probably on Saturday. If the State of New Hampshire could provide a snow storm, I would be so grateful. 90+ and sweaty here. Torture.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 05:36 PM

Very hot here too. Festival weather should be hovering around 70 F with some clouds.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 05:48 PM

There's a new performer entry on the   website.
This is what can happen if one does not send a proper CV to the Queen of the Web.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 06:16 PM

Yes, I enjoyed, 'making high lonesome sounds both day and night' and 'our own "Pavarotti of the Press Room."' Steve got off relatively unscathed.

Mary, it's supposed to be cooler on the weekend. I look forward to seeing you.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 06:18 AM

Newspaper article   here

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 09:33 AM

The weather looks great all weekend!

Will there be a central table for CD sales?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 03:17 PM

There will be CD sales tables set up at the Saturday night performance and in Market Square on Sunday. The Press Room, however, does not lend itself to that sort of enterprise if it is at all crowded, which we hope it will be - Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 04:54 PM

Judy and I will be joining the Saturday "Maritime Open Sing" at the Press Room for an hour or so. Looks as if it begins at 2:30 pm.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 01:19 PM

Tonight is the unofficial start of the   Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival and will commence at the Press Room in Portsmouth at 4:30 PM. Many of the festival's performers, staff, and volunteers will be there, including luminaries Ken Sweeney and Jeff Warner.

Hope to see some of you there or sometime during the weekend - Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: PeadarOfPortsmouth
Date: 29 Sep 07 - 06:45 AM

Also got some press coverage in the NH Union Leader, with a lovely photo of our own Curmudgeon on the deck of "The Pride of Baltimore" when it was in port.

PMFF in the Union Leader

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Sep 07 - 10:33 AM

The press coverage this year has been incredible -- especially since our news releases, etc. last year seemed to be pretty much ignored all around. (And this is the 8th year of the festival!)

Even though last night's Press Room session wasn't officially part of the festival, there were performers and folks from out of town in attendance and the night was spectacular! Heard wistful comments from a upstate New Yorker about what a welcoming session it was and how it wished it were closer and he could get here more often. And his voice was a welcomed addition to the joyful noise!

Great way to start the festival!

Gotta go make the performer and staff badges.

Linn

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Sep 07 - 10:36 AM

I am going to spend the day tomorrow and will be at the Market Square finale. Who is going to be where on Sunday? And yes I will check the website.

Meantime, the weather is stunningly beautiful. Sunny, dry and almost cool.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 12:19 AM

SUNDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER:
Street performances in Market Square
[1-1:45] Three Sheets to the Wind
[1:45-2:30] Mudhook
[2:30-3:15] Jeff Warner, Bob Webb
[3:15-4] Finn & Haddie
[4-5] Roll and Go

Performances at The Works Bakery Cafe (9 Congress St.)
[1-1:45] Ken Sweeney, Jeff Warner
[1:45-2:30] Great Bay Sailor
[2:30-3:15] Roll and Go
[3:15-4] Three Sheets to the Wind

Cameo Concerts at Portsmouth Athenaeum (9 Market Sq.)
[1-1:30] Tom Hall & Linn Schulz
[1:30-2] Bob Webb
[2-2:30] Finn & Haddie
[2:30-3] Hallowell - MacIntyre
[3-3:30] Great Bay Sailor
[3:30-4] Ken Sweeney
[4-4:30] Fizgig
[4:30-5] Emery Hutchins

2:00 - 4:45 PM – Sing-Around at the Rusty Hammer (49 Pleasant St.)
[2-3:15] Roll and Go, Three Sheets to the Wind, Mudhook
[3:15-4] Jeff Warner, Bob Webb
[4-4:45] Ken Sweeney, Great Bay Sailor

5:00 PM – Shanty Blast Finale in Market Square

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 01:29 AM

Wistful voice of an upstate New Yorker?
Who could it be?

Missing you all, very much - Pamela

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 08:46 AM

Probably BB, Queen of the Web (AKA Benn there, Done That).

She's just shy...

Yesterday and last night were grand. There was a large turnout for the concert which was held in a beautiful function room (with our own bar & tender) in the lovely Sheraton Harborside Hotel. Judy, from where I sat, the sound couldn't have been better. I can 't think of anything that could have been better!

Back for more today.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 08:49 AM

The festival is off to a grand start. The Friday evening session at the Press room was one of the best ever with lots of strong voices, rich harmonies and masterful instrumentals.

On saturday, riverRun Books, a new venue, was packed with people come to hear Great Bay Sailor and Mudhook. Jeff Warner's program at the Warner House was equally well attended.

The Press Room was packed with singers and listeners alike, with a non-stop run of shanties and forebitters for the full two and a half hours .

Great Bay Sailor started off the saturday night performance with fine leads by Kevin Scanlon and Steve Carrigan, along with Bruce MacIntyre's harmonies and tin whistle work.

Jeff warner was classic Jeff. A high point was when Barbara Benn (Guest BB) joined him for a song collected by his parents. These two could easily do an entire program together.

ken Sweeney demonstrated his virtuosity on many levels; unaccompanied ballads, songs with banjo, harmonica and bones, and his trickiest feat, English concertina and harmonica together.

Bob webb closed the evening with a series of shanties and forebitters, along with a grand demonstration of the art of the McCann duet concertina.

Here's
a glimpse of what you missed.

However, there's lots more going on today and the weather is sublime.

Come join us -- Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: curmudgeon
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 08:48 PM

Way too tired to comment in any detail, but I do believe that we attained a new level of excellence for this event. Thanks to all - Tom

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 09:25 PM

Tom and Linn-

Judy and I are back home and, yes, it was a truly splendid weekend. I have a new bass register which I was using to accompany a Roll & Go CD on the 90-minute drive home; I wonder if I can keep it?

Thanks so much for all your work in organizing this weekend. It's always fun but this year everything worked even better.

I'll have more to report in the morning.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble
Roll & Go

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 09:27 PM

Way too tired to do a very good job of this... BUT... I just put a page of this year's photos up online. Go to:
PMFF 2007 Photographs

I've seen better pix in my time, but HEY! It's the thought that counts!! I'll go back and neaten them up later. For now, though, some of the folks from away will get to take a peek at all our FUN!!!!

~Barbara

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 09:45 PM

From my park bench perch in Market Square the festivities were wonderful. Great music and a very receptive crowd who would have stayed on until midnight if given the chance. A lone pidgeon glared down from above truly pissed off at the disturbance. Hope someone got his photo.
Well done, Tom and Happy Birthday!

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Anglo
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 03:28 AM

I just checked the article cited above.

"Warner entertained the crowd with a number of instruments including the banjo, guitar, concertina and a spoon, which he slapped against his knee."

Jeff is a very talented man, more than I thought perhaps. (Or depending on context, less so, I suppose). Was he testing reflexes, or using himself as a limberjack?

Sorry I missed it. But I did have another gig.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 07:43 AM

It'll be awhile before I can do anything with my photos -- since I'm still using film. (It's traditional...) but I get them posted on line (should Clark not forget after I've paid for this service) as well as prints) but I think I got some good stuff. (Sorry, no pigeon, but I saw the one you meant!)

It was an exceptionally fantastic weekend. I am very, very tired. And I have a magazine that goes to the printer today (as well as a couple tardy advertisers who haven't gotten me their ads yet.) Sigh.

I'll post more when I have some time and am a bit less tired.

It was really good, though! Fine weather, great audiences, lovely publicity, incredibly talented performers, comfortable venues...wow!

Linn

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 11:21 AM

Clones: please remove "d" from my pidgeon.

Jeff Warner finished up the Market Square open sing with Sweet Roseanne. The crowd joined in and loved it. Next year, John. Maritime Moment: watching a young man all leather, chains and piercings unable not to join in first with barely moving lips then shouting out loud.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 02:17 PM

Here's a partial review of what I experienced:

The Rusty Hammer venue is a tavern/restaurant, with a divider between where most people eat and where they are supposed to drink. We were somewhat dubious about where performers were supposed to do their thing, the same place as last year; it's a small corner facing the bar. But it all worked out well. The empty seats in the bar area quickly filled up with other performers and friends as we started our set. The bartender did turn off the sound of all three big screens. We decided not to try any instrumentals, a good choice, and everyone seemed to have a great time. I do wish that next year we could try the restaurant side, more visibility from the street which might draw additional people in, and a more substantial corner to perform from.

The space for performers at The Works (bagel place) really worked quite well for voice and quiet instruments, and we could do some of our ballads in addition to the shanty shouts. I especially enjoyed the audience response to my ballad commemorating the sinking of the Japanese fishing trawler Kaisimaru by a falling cow.

The Market Square is only appropriate for the shanty shouts, and even those have some stiff competition from motorcyclists who like to park there, rev up their engines before disembarking and of course before departing. We watched some desparate performers struggling to sing above their instruements. Not a pretty sight. On a more positive note the visibility is great and a lot of passerbys were drawn in. However, we would strongly recommend setting up a small sound system there next year so performers don't injure themselves, at least for performers who plan to accompany what they sing.

The Anthenaeum is a jewel of a performing space. In my limited spare time I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Tom and Linn perform there. You could hear everything going on, including some nice harmonies from the audience.

The Saturday Evening concert at the Sheraton Prescott Room went off very well. Judy and I had ample time to set up the sound and test everything. Having everyone perform from a central set of mikes made everything vastly simplier for the sound crew, and less stressful for performers. The audience filled the room and we got consistent good reports on how well they could hear the performers. However, because of the heavy acoustic ceiling tiles and thick drapes, it was difficult for the performers to get much feedback from the audience on the refrain and chorus. The audience was enthusiastically singing but you would never know it unless you could see all their mouths working. Very strange! There may be a better room to consider at this hotel for next year but if the Prescott Room is the only one available I'd certainly recommend reserving it again. Great Bay Sailor (Bruce MacIntyre, Kevin Scanlon and Steve Carrigan) did a fine introductory set. Ken Sweeney is always a treat to watch, and it's difficult not to be impressed when he demonstrates his ability to play harmonica and English concertina at the same time; however, this time he remained seated (I have a memory of him dancing a jig once while playing these instruments). Bob Webb does equally well as a oerformer but elected to play banjo and duet concertina serially rather than simultaneously. And Jeff Warner is always a treat, whatever he chooses to sing, and especially so when Barbara Benn is providing backup harmonies.

And I thought the pigeon overlooking the final shanty blast was intriguing. He was nodding his head approvingly as the choruses cascaded around him. Perhaps he was an old shellback in former life. It is fortunate for those below that he was favorably impressed.

The Saturday afternoon session at the Press Room was also great fun. So many good singers stuffed into the back room of the tavern. I could have spent the whole weekend there. And no more smoking! The energy level was incredibly high and my only concern was that the ambient noise made it more difficult to lead ballads. I only wish I could have stayed for the entire session.

Special thanks to Steve and Kevin for helping lump in the sound equipment for the evening concert, and to Alan and others who helped us pack everything away in 30 minutes flat when the concert was over.

We do have some digital images to edit and post as well. Be patient, if you can!

Looking forward to seeing some of you again October 20th at the Press Room for the usual monthly shany/forebitter sing.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 09:48 AM

Hey! My post above wasn't supposed to be the final word on this thread.

We've got over 100 images to process and it doesn't look as if I'll have time to work on them until Wednesday.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: JudyB
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 01:30 PM

And one of them is of the pigeon! :)

Truly a magical weekend - thanks for letting us be part of it.

JudyB

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:07 PM

Hey, Charley! There's always an upside and downside to singing in pubs. On the one hand, they're noisy and crowded. On the other hand, you can't get a beer in a library or bookstore! (Or even a sandwich & pastry shop!)

Looking forward to seeing your photos -- I won't be sending my film out for processing until at least tomorrow. We don't yet have the instant gratification of digital. (Jeri -- what about yours?)

Linn

Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival
From: Paul_Schurr_PSG_NY
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 04:46 PM

What a festival! The Friday night and Saturday afternoon sing/play around at the Press Room was outstanding. Perhaps this is the only festival where both musicians and a cappella singers join together in perfect harmony at multiple sessions. The Portsmouth tradition is to mix in the best of a cappella shanties, traditional instrumental sessions, and instrument accompanied songs. By god, it worked. The Press Room would even become quiet for a soft ballad. This wonderful balance was no doubt years in the making and due in no small degree to Tom Hall's easy-going leadership.

The English-style town of Portsmouth offered multiple venues for performances all day Saturday and Sunday. The Athenaeum had the best sound, The Press Room the best pub atmosphere, the Rusty Nail pub the best space, the bakery the best - well, baked goods and coffee to go with songs - and the bookstore the best accompanied browsing. I'd like to see a ministage and sound system at the outdoor venue next year. Hull's festival has that right. There must be corporate sponsors to help with that. (Exxon sound stage? Maybe not. Sometimes you have to be careful about what you wish for.)

The tourist board of Portsmouth along with the mayor should be first ones in line to support this music festival. The town seems so appealing on a day when the streets are filled with music, dancing children, happy residents, and pleased out of town guests. I'm already making plans for a few Friday nights at the Press Room and 3rd-Saturday shanty sings.

I'm sure everyone who attended festival events has a whole lot of appreciation for the performers who seemed to play and sing at their best for this special event. What a playful and talented collection of groups and individuals. And once in your life, at least, you've got to see Ken Sweeney simultaneously play an English concertina and a diatonic harmonica. Amazing.

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 01:23 PM

Wow, Paul, thanks for the kudos! Clearly, you're a guy who pays a lot of attention!! I think your letter is a wonderful endorsement, and that your point: "tourist board of Portsmouth along with the mayor should be first ones in line to support this music festival" is very well taken.
I wonder if we could use your comments in any correspondence we have with those entities? I wonder if you would be at all interested in writing a shorter but similar letter to the editor of our local paper? I've seen similar, post-event, thank-you letters printed in the Portsmouth Herald before.
And while we're busy thanking each other - THANKS for all the songs! Your participation in all the sings was greatly appreciated!
~Barbara

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 09:20 AM

Ooh! JudyB certainly captured some nice images of the weekend performers. I've been editing the images and if anyone is interested we'll post them this weekend with a link to her website. She didn't capture everyone, but she certainly made a good faith attempt to do so. She even got some "crowd" shots!

Be warned that some of the close-up shots of oven jaws and teeth probably haven't been seen since the Jurrasic!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 12:12 PM

Hmmm? Evidently no interest in photos.

OK

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 01:29 PM

I'm interested, where are they, we've been waiting.

Barry

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 02:23 PM

I think more than just Barry are interested, but probably like me, too busy to post and figuring it's going to take you a couple days.

Barry, I just gave Jan Marx your mailing address and she's sending you a CD of her photos from the festival.

I'm still in the 20th century shooting film -- the rolls have been sent out, but I have neither the digital results online nor the 3 sets of prints yet.

Linn

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 04:03 PM

OK, I'm back to editing.

Judy took some nice ones of Barry and Neil.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 06:04 PM

Thanks Linn

Ok, I'll wait

Barry

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep '07
From: adventure
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 06:14 PM

Hey,
Our photogenic Three Sheets crew awaits the unmasking of the taken photos of the day. This was a spectacular event. Thanks to Tom, Linn, Jeff, Barb, Judy, Charlie and a whole lot of others who worked the festival. You all deserve a hearty thanks and great job. Hope more will attend next year. Great venues, superb talents and a great time in the big city of Portsmouth. We certainly enjoyed ourselves.
Doryman and his mate

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 03:09 PM

Well, 3-1/2 months later, I've finally dealt with the 2007 Maritime Festival photos. For the convenience (or INconvenience!) of those not on my e-mailing lists, here's the letter I sent out to last September's performers and volunteers.
Go take a look at your friends and comrades, and a bunch of total strangers -

Subject: New Photos Page - 2007 Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival

Hello friends of PMFF,

This is just to let you know that I've finally put up an "official" page of photos from the 2007 fest. The address is:

http://www.newenglandfolknetwork.org/pmff/pix07.html

It's linked to the main site through the History page (bottom of page link sends you to recent photos - this new page, in fact).

I got two CDs full of great photos by Jeri and Jan, and had to choose from scores of pictures to put up one reasonable sized page. So please don't take offense if you don't see your smiling mug. Some people got left on the cutting room floor.

Feel free to send this around to any festival friends/interested parties, so everyone can view the photos.

~BB

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 03:39 PM

Hey, Barbara!

Your taste in choosing photos for the page is absolutely exquisite.

Really shows a good representation of the festival -- performers, attendees, etc.

Great job!

Linn

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 12:03 PM

Thanks, Linn, but the real kudos go to the photographers. Jan and Jeri did a great job of prowling the venues and capturing people's enjoyment of the fest.
Speaking of photographers, wasn't there an earlier threat of a posting of Judy B's pix?????? Just wondering....
~BB

Subject: RE: Maritime Folk Fest - Portsmouth NH, 29-30 Sep
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 12:20 PM

And I haven't yet given you my photos from this year (or from previous years, either).

Linn