NEFFA 2009

Subject: NEFFA 2009 April.24-26
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 10 Feb 09 - 10:55 PM

The schedules have been published. http://www.neffa.org.

We'll be playing Saturday at 6:00 in Middle School Room 105/106 under the name ShoreGrass this year. Last year we had a full band at NEFFA but didn't know that would happen until we picked up a fiddler in a jam on the lawn. (Thanks, Aldo!) This year we're going in with four musicians and who knows what might happen?

Usually, when we're short one or two players, we call ourselves SHORTGrass...

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 02:28 AM

Nice Barbra, I'll finally get to meet you. I'll see you at you workshop

Barry

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Midchuck
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 02:31 PM

Us Woodchucks are on at 10:00 am Sunday in Middle School Room 108.

Peter

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 07:42 PM

CAMSCO Music will be there--with a lot of CDs. We're looking for some help. Loading and unloading is a lot easier with an extra hand or twoand a bit of assistance during some peak hours would be welcomed.
    If anyone is interested, we can provide free admission and snacks, and the chance to buy some CDs at cost. Please contact me at [e-mail]
or give me a ring at 800/548-3655.

Dick forgot to mention that we need to unload and setup at around 3 pm on Friday, so a helper would need to be there at that time. We close up after the festival ends - after 6 on Sunday

Susan of DT

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: jacqui.c
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 08:46 PM

Can't make it this year as we have a Judy Cook house concert on Saturday evening.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 10:22 PM

I'm going to be missing you all this year as well.
Next year...

And maybe I'll see some of you at the Old Songs Festival

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 13 Feb 09 - 09:10 AM

refresh. I'm still seeking help.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 08:45 PM

I'm really looking forward to our workshop this year because we'll have a 6-piece supergroup! I never heard from the fiddler, so I asked a friend of ours to join us on Dobro. Right after he accepted, the fiddler got in touch to say he'd be there to join us. This should be lots of fun if we can all keep from falling off the edge of the small stage!

And since our own program isn't until 6:00, I'm hoping to get to several other workshops this year. There's always so much to do and just when you start getting the hang of dabbling in all the workshops, it's over.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009/CAMSCO
From: Susan of DT
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 07:35 PM

Sniff, nobody loves us. No one wants to help us.

Seriously, we can use some help at NEFFA. If you can help with setup, breakdown and a little "during" time, Dick can get you free tickets and discount CDs. If you can help some, but not all, you can get discount CDs. The setup and breakdown phases are MUCH easier with 3 or 4 people than with 2. Help during the festival lets one of us get away from the table occasionally.

Thanx.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 03:38 PM

Just learned this weekend that a favorite Tucson band, the Privy Tippers, will be playing at NEFFA this year, and doing several of the area contra dances. Dave Firestine (mandolin), Jacquie Wohl (fiddle), Craig Tinney (guitar), and Jerry Weinert (bass) are all fine players and fun people. Take the opportunity to check 'em out!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 06 Apr 09 - 12:14 PM

I may be going to this Festival - found out this morning. It would be my first time. Any tips on it? Do many people from the DC area attend? I see several folks from here that I recognize on the preliminary program.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Apr 09 - 12:30 PM

Again-
Susan and I need some help in setting up and tearing down the CAMSCO booth at NEFFA. Can anybody lend a hand?

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 06 Apr 09 - 03:40 PM

Wish i could be there! First one I've missed in years!

Subject: NEFFA 2009
From: bbc
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 06:51 AM

Who's going to this year's NEFFA Festival in Mansfield, Massachusetts, USA this coming weekend?

NEFFA Fest

Duane D will be at the Folk Legacy booth & I will be wandering around with a smile on my face, wearing my Mudcat button. Hope to see some of you! We'll be staying at the Comfort Inn in Foxboro.

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: bbc
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 06:54 AM

Sorry about that! The festival is two weekends from now, on April 24-26, 2009. Guess I'm getting ahead of myself! Now, more of you can plan ahead & come!

bbc

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Susan of DT
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 07:08 AM

Dick and I will be there at the CAMSCO booth.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Midchuck
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 07:13 AM

Us Woodchucks have a one-hour set at 10:00 on Sunday morning.

We hope you'll come! We're afraid of getting a small audience because everyone will be either hung over or in church - or both.

Peter.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 09:01 AM

The two threads should be combined!

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Suffet
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 09:17 AM

Hey guys and gals,

I'm gonna be absent from NEFFA for the first time in a decade. I have a paying gig with Anne Price in New Jersey on Friday night, and then I'm attending a memorial concert for my good buddy Eric Levine here in New York on Saturday. If that ain't enough, the local People's Music Network organizing committee is meeting on Sunday and I'm the facilitator.

Excuses, excuses, excuses!

So have a hoot, so to speak, and I'll try to make it next year. Meanwhile, Big Chuck can go around claiming to be me. Maybe no one will notice.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 11:05 AM

I wish y'all the best. FA is a good idea, with some good folks.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: MaineDog
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:52 AM

I'll be playing with the Strathspey and Reel Society on Sunday. I may also be around Saturday if my daughter agrees.
MD

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: bbc
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 09:23 PM

Sorry I started a duplicate thread. I did search first & didn't find this one. I'll ask Joe to combine them.

Barbara

---

Threads combined.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: bbc
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 09:26 PM

Sorry, folks. I didn't realize a thread had already been started. This duplicates an earlier thread.

bbc

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Duane D.
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:41 PM

I'll be manning the Folk Legacy tables all festival. Please stop by and say hello.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 02:06 AM

Hi bbc & Duane, I'll be sure to stop by to say Hi, Geeze it's been a long time

Barry

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: bbc
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 06:45 AM

Barry, it will be great to see you!

Barbara

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 02:55 PM

One interesting thing about putting together this 6-piece band for NEFFA is that only 3 of us live close to each other and the others are in different parts of a different state!

I'm burning up the bandwidth with mp3's, and it will be truly amazing to hear all of us together for the first time! We've played with all of them at one time or another, but never all of them together. And one poor guy never even heard most of the songs on the playlist before. This will be a testament to the versatility and musicianship of acoustic musicians.

Or not;D

In any case, NEFFA always has great food.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 07:00 PM

Finn & Haddie will be doing a workshop on prison worksongs on Saturday night at 9:00, if you come you'll be put to work singing

Barry

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 07:25 PM

Looks like my pleas for assistance will remain unanswered. I'm disappointed.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Midchuck
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 07:52 PM

Dick, Kristina and I will only get there early afternoon on Saturday, and leave no later than early afternoon on Sunday. I'd love to help if the timing were right. I'm sure with a little slight of hand I'd end up with a few desirable CDs (you have the only desirable kind - the ones the banks are peddling are useless at present rates). But I suppose I'll have to buy them instead.

Peter.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 09:07 PM

Dick, there's a NEFFA Yahoo Group, but no one has posted on it since 2007. There's also a NEFFA on Facebook page where you can ask. What about calling some of your old friends from CT to see if anyone might want to go and help out? Since the demise of NOMAD, there's a pent-up demand.

We're getting there Saturday around noon and leaving Saturday night, so can't be any help. Plus, it's all we can do to lug all our own junk around, much less be of any help to anyone else!

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Vixen
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 01:37 PM

Reynaud will be playing with the Neo-Contras, so the Foxners will be there on Saturday.

Hope to see everybody!

V

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 03:59 PM

Hey, great news that Vixen and Reynaud will be there! What time is Mr. Foxner playing?

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: bbc
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 06:24 PM

Did you hear that it's supposed to be in the 80's this weekend?! That's quite a change from damp & chilly.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Vixen
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 02:32 PM

Hi Barbara!

Mr. Foxner himself will be playing at 4:00 pm with the Neo-Contras for a contradance session. We're planning to catch your set at 6:00.

See you there and then!

V

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 05:47 PM

The last time I tried contra dancing was at our wedding, 28 years ago. Might be time to give it another go!

Yes, BBC, I heard it's supposed to be like summer this weekend. I've got the bugspray packed (if there's only one bug on campus, it will find me...) and I'm looking forward to a great weekend, whatever the weather.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 09:19 PM

I posted a message to this thread but it vanished! Was it something I said?

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 09:40 PM

Well, that made it so I'll try again with something like my original post.

NEFFA was lots of fun but the 8 hours we were there just slipped away too fast. Nice to get a chance to talk to some mudcatters and other friends I don't get to see very often. And how come no one ever told me about those incredible hotdogs??

Barbara's NEFFA Photos on Flickr.com

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 12:29 AM

Nice pctures Barbara & real set, (that kid's a keeper). I long ago drifted away from Bluegrass, your performance made me wish I hadn't. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself but I couldn't stay for the whole set & I couldn't get there before you got started but it was really nice to finally see you.

Barry

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Midchuck
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 06:38 AM

We DID get to Barbara's group's whole set, and it was all fine.

The surprise was the guy they had on fiddle. My Gawd! If you could turn maple syrup into music....

We had a good set, but very poorly attended. Our own damn fault for saying we'd be available early Sunday. I guess if you want a time slot when there's a good crowd, you have to lie to the organizers.

I'm not sure we'll be back anyway. The new location is no good for people from rural northern New England. You have to drive through, or right around, Boston; and every licensed driver inside Rt. 495 is a homicidal, suicidal, idiot. No exceptions.

Peter.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 09:13 AM

Sorry I didn't get to meet you Barry, but thanks for the nice comments from you and Peter. I hope you guys will be back next year. I was thinking that our 6:00 slot was not that great either, but I can imagine that Sunday morning would be tough to get an audience. Certainly no day-trippers like ourselves, unfortunately. We've seen Woodchuck's Revenge before, and thoroughly enjoyed your music.

Yes, Aldo the fiddler is terrific. Google told me that he plays with a group called the Russet Trio out in way-western Mass among many other musical ventures.

One big regret is that I didn't get to any workshops! With all the gabbing and jamming and walking and talking and those wicked hotdogs, I never made it to any of the programs I had circled on my grid... Frank went to Bennett Hammond's 2-finger banjo workshop and kept rubbing in how good it was, the bum.

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Vixen
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 10:11 AM

NEFFA was fun--this was our first year. I was not really myself, between Benadryl and feeling inexplicably really tired, but Reynaud and our friend Jen had a good time. We caught the Shore Grass set; it's always a pleasure when we get to see you! I definitely concur with Barry and Peter about Aldo. We also got to see the Mountain/Hammered Dulcimer set, and that was inspirational. If I didn't have Reynaud saying "you don't need to learn another instrument," I'd be buying a mountain dulcimer. We got to see Dick and Susan, and bbc and Duane, and we really didn't want to leave before Barry's set, but at least we got to say hello to him. We had a nice visit with Jeff Davis after the Neo-Contras set.
As for the hotdogs, I sure wish I'd found them before I had the "Bistro" sandwich. We passed Paul (who plays mando with ShoreGrass) as we were getting on the shuttle bus to go, and he had one. It looked and smelled outrageously delicious.

Looking forward to next year!

V

Subject: RE: NEFFA 2009
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 11:53 AM

Hey Vixen, you and Reynaud should apply for your own workshop. I don't recall any events there with the kind of Renn Faire stuff that you do so well, or you could do a whole set of your originals, which would also go over well. Do it! Anyway, nice to see you. Never made it to hear Tim with the Neo-Contras, although that was one of the three workshops I wanted to go to at 4:00.

Paul had more than one hotdog over the course of the afternoon... The roll alone was worth the price.

Missed seeing Sandy and Caroline and Karen K there. Karen was the one who first got us to a NEFFA a few years ago, accompanying her in a workshop. Nice to see bbc and Duane carrying on the Folk Legacy booth for them. Also nice to see Dick and Susan, comfortably ensconced in NJ together finally. Had a nice but quick chat with the Cadys in the craft bazaar before rushing off to pick up my CDs which were visiting on the sales table. (After spending that much to get in, it's no wonder people don't buy CDs. Although I got tempted into buying a wonderful 2-CD set from Camsco with about 50 songs by everyone in the world singing about the coal culture in Appalachia. Plus lyrics and photos of the artists. Great stuff).