Alaska Folk Festival April 8-14, 2013 (updated)

Subject: Alaska Folk Festival
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 07:36 PM

(I'm trying to create a generic AFF thread, instead of starting a new one each time.)

The Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau, Alaska, this year runs from April 13-19. It begins on Monday evening at 7:00 with approximately ten sets of 15 minutes each crammed into about 3 1/2 hours. It continues nightly until Saturday morning with workshops and dances plus afternoon performers, before a a break from 5:00 to 7:00 that evening. The same thing happens on Sunday.

The guest artists play on Thursday night and again on Sunday night. Dances at JACC across the parking lot (car park) begin on Thursday night.

Entry is free of charge and there will mugs, posters, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and a few other things for sale. Volunteers do it all, from sales to sound stage.

This year's guest artists are French Canadians Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis in De Temps Antan.

Has anyone on the Cat heard them?

(Christmas comes around far too frequently- the Alaska Folk Festival is still on kid-time.)

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 05:42 AM

Oh I wish ....

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 08:10 AM

Well, I ain't hernd of these folks but I'm sure they must be good but...

...geeze... Ya'll coulda had an authrntic bluesman alot cheaper, like the price of the flight... Hint, hint... Maybe next year...

Hope it's a good festival even without the authentic bluesman...

Beaubear (alias Sidewalk Bob)

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 09:15 AM

Oh I wish...

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 10:15 AM

Hey, now, I posted this nice and early just in case...!

Beaubear, 'were up to me you'd have your fortune made. :)

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 01:13 PM

LOL If I lose my job I just may make it.
M

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 10:02 PM

Not to wish you bad luck, Sins- but we'll look forward to your arrival!

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 11:48 PM

I'd say you are in for a BIG treat: De Temps Antan. I LOVE this kind of music!!

Ebbie, shall I put the dates in the title? We can always change them back to generic when and if you want that.

Have fun!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: KT
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 12:13 AM

YES, EBBIE!! I have heard them and they're fabulous!! They were at Fiddle Tunes last year!!! You are in for a great week!   

I've been busy brushing up on my Quebecois repertoire! Still working on being able to do the foot percussion - I can do it just fine until I pick up the fiddle and bow!

KT

PS Bobert, you should come anyway. You could find some great blues players to jam with, even if you weren't the official guest artist!

Heck, y'all oughta come.

It's only a job, Mary!

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 12:27 AM

Only a job, only money! But KT's right - it would be a wonderful time.

kat, thank you - that's a good idea, especially if the date is removed later.

By the way, mid-April has just about the best chance in Juneau of having bright, warm weather. Early April is almost always wet- from the middle of the month on and until the end of June is the best chance, statisticly. (By July 5, it's raining. Again. *g*)

And when it is bright and warm, you see and hear people jamming on street corners, in the back of stores, in the front of stores, on the dock of the waterfront, in the bars, in the halls, in the hotels- everywhere.

KT, I don't remember hearing specifically about them. I look forward to hearing them.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival
From: Fortunato
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 11:50 AM

Well, just to see KT and Ebbie would make the trip worthwhile.

One of these years Miss Susette and I must make the trip.

Have a great time you two, and sing me song.

regards,
chance

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 13-19, 2009
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 11:50 PM

Miss Susette and Mister Chance would be most welcome too!

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 13-19, 2009
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 10:52 PM

Well, tomorrow is the first day of the Alaska Folk Festival. As usual, I'm looking forward to it- mightily.

Yesterday we had a pre-fest jam at a local museum. Not a lot of people but good fun.

Singing Hie! Hie! 'Cross oceans we'll fly. No longer on land will we tarry!

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 13-19, 2009
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 11:05 PM

Ha, I say! It is not my song and I think I'd better fix it...

That last line is "No longer landbound will we tarry!" From 'Old Salt' by a Mudcatter.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 13-19, 2009
From: KT
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 12:20 AM

Good thing you did, Ebbie. Kendall might not like it that way!

I've just spent the last hour listening to De Temps Antan! Yahoo! It's Folk Festival!! I sure wish you all could c'mon up!
KT

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 - 11 2010
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Mar 10 - 05:36 PM

Well, it's that time again:
The Alaska Folk Festival will start on April 5 and run through the 11th. This is just about the only event left in my life that takes a long time to come 'round. Forget Christmas, ignore birthdays: the Alaska Folk Festival is S L O W in its progress.

This year's Guest Artist is bluesman Guy Davis. (Come on up, Bobert! Look this way, Max!)

Are any of you familiar with him? According to sources he plays guitar and banjo (Make your plans, Sins!)

The Guest dance band is The Tallboys. In addition to playing for a dance they will also do a set on stage.

April 5 - April 11 Juneau is the place to be!

Would a clone please change the title? Thank 'ee.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 13-19, 2009
From: Seayaker
Date: 27 Mar 10 - 07:33 PM

Sounds like this will be a great event.

About ten years ago I had a great time in Alaska, sea kayaking in Kenai and then spent a few days in Juneau before taking the ferry north to Skagway to hike the Chilkoot Trail.

Is the Alaska Breweries beer still as good?

Best wishes from the UK and have fun.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Mar 10 - 08:56 PM

Definitely, Seayaker. My favo(u)rite is still Alaskan Amber but every now and again someone will take me to the brewery and we'll test all the exotics. A recent addition to the regular lineup is one I haven't yet tried: Alaska White.

I have a friend who used to take small groups out kayaking for several weeks at a time and he says that everyone should have the opportunity to look up at a glacier. Not sure how many glaciers there are in the Kenai area, though.

Juneau is a great place to live.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 12:21 AM

Is Alaska Mike going to be there?

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated
From: KT
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 12:27 AM

I don't think so....

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 12:49 AM

Probably not - he isn't listed in the performers list. One of these years that boy will be free to go wherever he wishes. Carl Hoffman is not listed either.

But there are literally dozens of people listed who are new to me this year; lots of them are young.

Some good workshops too, I notice. (Note to a certain Juneau Mudcatter: They still have some workshop spots open- how about doing one? Your choice of subject- we'll be there.)

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Seayaker
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 06:09 AM

I remember now Ebbie, Alaskan Amber, definitely the best one.

And plenty of glaciers in Kenai coming off the Harding Ice Field in the area round Aialik Bay and Northwestern Lagoon.

Starting to get that Itchy Feet feeling again.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 11:59 AM

Come spend more time in Juneau, Seayaker. We would show you the music side of this town.

We are coming up on the dryest part of the year here when you get to play outdoors: from mid-April to the end of June is our dryest, brightest period. Except for last summer- we had lots of sunshine, an extraordinary number of days.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Seayaker
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 01:46 PM

As I've just taken early retirement, :-) I have to see how the finances sort out so I'll just be travelling in the UK this year; Scotland etc.

Could be a possibility next year though.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Apr 10 - 05:50 PM

From its inception here are the Alaska Folk Festival guest artists. I think the directors of AFF deserve a lot of credit-it is an awesome list. My own history with it began with Mick Moloney- and he's still a special guy to me.

1977 - AFF 3 Merle Travis - Originator of Travis picking guitar style 1978 - AFF 4 J.P. and Annadeene Fraley - Old-time Kentucky fiddle tunes
1979 - AFF 5 Lydia Mendoza - Mexican and Chicano ballads
1980 - AFF 6 Balfa Brothers - Louisiana Cajun music
1981 - AFF 7 Eric von Schmidt - American folk blues
1982 - AFF 8 Mike Seeger - Traditional Appalachian songs and ballads
1983 - AFF 9 Jethro Burns - Virtuoso mandolin artist
1984 - AFF 10 Michael Cooney - Rural, urban and contemporary folk music
1985 - AFF 11 Hedy West - Traditional Southern mountain ballads
1986 - AFF 12 Tiny Moore Trio - Western swing
1987 - AFF 13 Peggy Seeger & Ewan MacColl - English & Scottish folk music
1988 - AFF 14 Savoy-Doucet Band - Traditional Cajun music and dance
1989 - AFF 15 Mick Moloney Trio - Irish ballads and folklore
1990 - AFF 16 Ralph Blizard & New Southern Ramblers - Old-timey music
1991 - AFF 17 John Cephas & Phil Wiggins - Ambassadors of the Blues
1992 - AFF 18 Josh Graves & Kenny Baker - Masters of Bluegrass
1993 - AFF 19 Lisa Ornstein, Nick Hawes, Sabin Jacques and Benoit Borque - Traditional French-Canadian music
1994 - AFF 20 Ledward Kaapana Trio - Hawaiian slack-key guitar
1995 - AFF 21 Ginny Hawker, Kay Justice, Tracy Schwarz & Mac Traynham - Southern Appalachian singing
1996 - AFF 22 Brave Old World - Traditional and Contemporary Klezmer
1997 - AFF 23 Kurt Sutphin, Kinney & Doug Rorrer - North Carolina Piedmont Old-Time
1998 - AFF 24 Jerry Holland w/Mary Jesse Gillis & Kieran O'Hare - Cape Breton
1999 - AFF 25 Suzanne Thomas, Don Rigsby, Jim Hurst, Missy Raines and Bill Evans - Bluegrass
2000 - AFF 26 Charivari -- Cajun dance music
2001 - AFF 27 Tom, Brad and Alice -- Old Time music from Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich and Alice Gerrard
2002 - AFF 28 Frankie Gavin and Brian McGrath -- Traditional Irish Instrumentals on Fiddle, Flute, Banjo and Piano
2003 - AFF 29 Barachois - Tunes and songs for fron the Acadian tradition of Prince Edward Island, Canada
2004 - AFF 30 Hot Club of Cowtown - Western swing with a Parisian influence
2005 - AFF 31 Jawbone - Bruce Molsky, Tony Trishka and Paula Bradley - Old Time meets New grass
2006 - AFF 32 Nancy Griffith - Contemporary Folk
2007 - AFF 33 The Carolina Chocolate Drops - Black String Band, historic and contemporary
2008 - AFF 34 Les Amis Creole - Creole, the roots of zydeco.
2009 - AFF 35 De Temps Antan - French Canadian

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 02:39 AM

And so endeth another fantastic Alaska Folk Festival.

Guy Davis, incidentally, was awesome. Wonderful musician, good mixer, tremendous stage presence, appreciative and inclusive. Go see him when you get the chance.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 12:29 PM

One more time - and then I'll let it go. This article is written by a local resident (Douglas, Alaska is part of the City and Borough of Juneau) who says quite precisely what I love about our annual event. Use the Clicky for more:

"While folk and bluegrass can always be heard wafting through Centennial Hall and in all the jam spots, the program is full of other music scenes. In fact, the headliner was Guy Davis, a blues musician extraordinaire from New York City. And if that's not your desired cup of music, how about Cajun, classical, jazz, klezmer, ragtime, Beatles, Celtic, French Canadian, choral, Native American or honky-tonk. You can even find tunes from the Alps being played on the Swiss Alphorn. What a wonderful commemoration of diversity the folk festival has become.
"For many of us non-musicians, the folk festival is just as much about the dancing as it is the listening. The festival offers three full nights of dancing from as many as 15 different bands, including a guest band like The Tallboys from Seattle. After kicking up my heels for two nights of dancing with my husband, I thought my dancing was done Saturday night. However, my fish-crazed, multi-talented brother Ray had other ideas. Yes, that was me Sunday night dancing on stage with a giant ammonite on my head and a shovel in my hand. From contra and salsa to dancing fool. Isn't this part of folk festival too?"

So Proud of the Alaska Folk Festival!

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 02:28 PM

Maybe next year, Ebbie. Sounds as if a good time was had by all.
Mary

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 06:08 PM

Indeed. And do come. You'll have a great time, I promise. Bring Kendall and Jacqui along. And Seamus.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 5 -11 2010 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Mar 11 - 02:56 AM

It is that time again. April 11-17 are the dates set for the Alaska Folk Festival. As I have said before, this is the one event in my life that still takes a long time to come around.

I'm excited about the guest artist. Several years ago a member of the Folk Festival Board turned me on to him and I've been listening to him ever since. Finally, this year that member prevailed and JP Cormier will be the Guest Artist.

As they say on their folk Festival page, Jp Cormier is "Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sideman, innovator, recording artist, award winner. His names are many, but underlying that is a young man with an ancient soul who has traveled the world for the past 23 years bringing his unique brand of joy to audiences wherever he goes."


He is bringing two Nova Scotians with him: Mike & Bill Elliott.

It will be a grand time.

If anybody wants to read the story, here is the Link

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 11-17 2011 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Mar 11 - 03:09 AM

I'm refreshing this - how swiftly it ran off the page! because I meant to ask if any Mudcatters are familiar with JP Cormier?

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 11-17 2011 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 03:03 PM

So- anybody familiar with him? lol

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 11-17 2011 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 12:04 PM

Well, my question has become moot.

Four days before the festival begins we've gotten word that JP Cormier and the Elliott Brothers will not be able to come. Due to the strictures of border crossings and visas to perform work in the US and unprocessed paperwork, the Nova Scotians will not be here.

This has never happened before.

I have no doubt but that the Folk Festival Board will come up with an acceptable Guest Artist(s) and if not, it will be an adventure.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 11-17 2011 (updated)
From: skarpi
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 08:12 PM

Ebbie , can you beam me over please :O) like they do in the space movies
hahaha , wish I could be there
all the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 11-17 2011 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 04:10 AM

How I'd love to, Skarpi! Maybe if you close your eyes and click your heels three times? I'm not sure if it is essential that your shoes be red. Try it both ways, OK?

It appears they have found a band that is able to fly up here on such short notice. It is a band from Portland, Oregon- called 'Crumac' and does Irish songs and tunes. I'll find out at tomorrow night's music party if they are Irish.

I hope so. Ever since I was introduced to Mick Moloney and to Tommy Sands, I love Irish. Not so fond of various local 'Irish' versions I have heard in Juneau. When it comes to Irish music, I want emotion in it: laughter, tears, longing, humour... Locally it seems that Irish music is mostly done stone-faced and as close to dirge-like as they can manage.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 11-17 2011 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 12:11 PM

Here is JP Cormier's apology/explanation for the snafu.

It would be nice if they were able to be the Guest Artists in 2012.

http://juneauempire.com/opinion/2011-04-13/my-turn-people-juneau-and-aff


The replacement group, Crumac, will play at tonight's concert - and again on Sunday night, with workshops in between.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 9 - 16, 2012
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 10:43 AM

Here we go again! The one remaining event in my life that still takes longer than Christmas to come around: The Alaska Folk Festival, a free 7-evening plus 2-day music and friendship wallow.

This year our Guest Artists are The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band with
Lester Armistead, Leroy Troy, Ernie Sykes, Mike Armistead and Shadrach Cobb.

I've listened to them on YouTube and they sound great. Has anyone here heard/heard of them?

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 9-16, 2012 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 12:43 PM

Just in case someone in the Mudcat pond will be heading upstream...

This year's Alaska Folk Festival Guest Artist will be Si Kahn, a well-known and loved long time musician, songwriter (Remember Aragon Mill?), and activist, now from South Carolina.

It's a great occasion every year when people from all over come to Juneau and join in a 7-day, 9-series of free concerts, workshops and jams.

It begins on Monday, April 8, 2013; it is now 39 years old.

Check us out: www.akfolkfest.org

(katmeluv, would you please update the title again? T'anks.)

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 9-16, 2012 (updated)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 01:58 PM

Oyh how I'd love to be able to go to this.
Good luck with your festival Ebbie et al.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 9-16, 2012 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 06:15 PM

Is there a lottery in Scotland, John? Start planning...

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 9-16, 2012 (updated)
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 08:18 PM

Two family events and a new roof. I ain't goin' anywhere this year. Maybe next. SIGH
But you enjoy Ebbie. Si Kahn will be a treat!
SINS

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 9-16, 2012 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 08:27 PM

Thanks, Sins! KT and I have more than once talked about what fun it would be to have you - and others - visit here. Make it happen!

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 9-16, 2012 (updated)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 09:03 PM

Add me to the list of people who would love to come but . . . .

Alaska is so beautiful. I am happy that I got there once. And Si Kahn is wonderful.

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 8-14, 2013 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 11:27 AM

katthetreasure has updated this thread so I'm refreshing it just in case...

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 8-14, 2013 (updated)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 11:59 AM

I wish.

Subject: RE: Alaska Folk Festival April 8-14, 2013 (updated)
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 02:03 PM

Bruce, do come!