Edith Fowke (Fowke Tales)

Subject: Edith Fowke (Fowke Tales)
From: GUEST,An Edith Fowke Fan
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 10:55 AM

Lang Century Village is near the north shore of Rice Lake in southern Ontario. This review by Dennis O'Toole appeared in today's Peterborough Examiner:

   The rafters rang in Lang Century Village last night for the world premiere of 'Fowke Tales' (One Woman, 72 Road Trips, CBC Radio, and the rest is Peterborough County's musical history), a tribute to the labour of love that was the life's work of Edith Fowke, the largely unsung but not forgotten ethnomusicologist that collected the rich motherlode of traditional songs and new world ballads that were the true stuff of legend. The play, written by Janet Kellough, Alan Kirby and David (Fiddlin' Zeke ) Mazurek, was warmly received by a near capacity crowd comforted in sweaters and shawls against the cool autumn air outside the majestic structure. Based on the friendship that developed between Mary Townes (of the Douro drygoods clan) and Mrs. Fowke, the play takes one back in time to the field recordings made in the old general store (that stands remarkably unchanged to this day) in the Irish settlement just east of town. Kellough's portrayal of Mary Townes is the centrepiece of the performance, and her narrative weaves the songs and anecdotes into a piece of whole cloth guaranteed to pluck the heartstrings of anyone raised in these parts and invites all to share in the rich heritage of farming, logging and pioneering spirit that was still very much alive in the 1950's.
    Alan Kirby shines(on banjo, guitar and vocals) as 'Pa' Townes, ably assisted by Aengus Finnan on guitar, bohdran (Irish drum) and vocals, Jim Yates (guitar and vocals) and the wonderful David (Zeke) Mazurek as the ever-present and indispensable fiddler. From the moment Mary brings in the washing (to the strains of CBC radio folk programming) and meets the integral (but not visible) Edith Fowke, the play unfolds as a seamless recollection that celebrates the worth and wealth of the common people.
   Many of my people lay beneath the sod in St. Joseph's cemetery, and I can rest assured that they rest in peace with such fond tribute paid to their neighbours and kin as is done in this production. History and humour, murder and rebellion, hungry immigrants laid to rest at sea and on the arduous route here that was the lot of those that carved out Peterborough County; 'Fowke Tales' has it all, and plenty. Part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of Lang Century Village, this play is a marvelous trip back in time, and highly recommended to all fans of music and history, come early and stroll the grounds, bring a warm wrap (and maybe a cushion; it's not a 'soft seater'), and prepare to be well and truly entertained. The four talented young dancers of the Peterborough County Steppers (Ashley Lemoire, Kaleigh Watts, Ari and Julie Vowles) help to wrap each of the two acts, adding percussive energy to the rousing musical stew.
'Fowke Tales' plays until Sunday at 7pm.
(www.langpioneervillage.ca or call toll free 1-866-289-5264 for ticket info)
Alan Kirby hosts a workshop on traditional music for banjo and guitar at Lang September 24th-28th.

Subject: RE: Edith Fowke (Fowke Tales)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 11:04 AM

I'd love to be able to see that, she's one of my heroines. I have her book of the folk songs of Canada, so I looked her up, and what dedication to preservation of her culture.
The notes with each song in the book are wonderful too.

Giok

Edith Fowke

Subject: RE: Edith Fowke (Fowke Tales)
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 04:24 PM

An article about EF.

Subject: RE: Edith Fowke (Fowke Tales)
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 11:04 AM

Thanks for that link Bob. A great artical.

Subject: RE: Edith Fowke (Fowke Tales)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 01:21 PM

Sounds like a great concept for a folk opera. I hope to see it someday.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble