Durham Folk Party 2014

Subject: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 11:17 AM

It's Monday and grandson-looking-after day; it's also the first of three night of abstinence from the booze as Thursday is folk club day and then it's the 25th Folk Party, that right old song and dance which begins at 8pm in the Rowing Club when all the old faithful will assemble for a drink and a sing. Roll up, roll up!

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST,Joe Nicholson
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 11:26 AM

Mo is packed already.

JoeN

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 02:42 PM

What you've packed Mo? Did she mind?

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: JHW
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 03:41 PM

Packed where?

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST,Joe N
Date: 21 Jul 14 - 06:27 PM

She is so keen she would go advanced luggage if I let her

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: nutty
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 05:07 AM

Hope the weather has been ordered for Sundays Garden Party

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: JHW
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 06:23 AM

UK Outlook for Saturday 26 Jul 2014 to Monday 4 Aug 2014:

There is likely to be plenty of fine and dry weather across the north and east of the UK over the coming weekend. Across the south and west further showers are expected, which potentially could be heavy and thundery, but these should ease by Sunday.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 06:52 AM

Tuesday now and the weather is fine. One night of abstinence completed. I've been out for a run and I'm showered and have downed a pint of water which is the colourless liquid that comes from taps. The weather forecast is good as it always is and DFP is a day nearer

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 02:45 PM

Printer problems at the moment but, by whatever means are necessary, there will be programmes in time

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 06:22 PM

Sounds great Ian- I'd like to pass on info about this to family in Durham.

Is there anything more up to date than this page ?

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 06:24 PM

Sounds great Ian- I'd like to pass on info about this to family in Durham.

Is there anything more up to date than this page ?

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: nutty
Date: 22 Jul 14 - 06:48 PM

Noreen - That page gives you the bare bones but there is really very little more to add. For singers, evening events take place in the Rowing Club and lunchtime sings in the Dun Cow in Old Elvet. There are no concerts - camping (for a fee ) also happens at the Rowing Club - a brilliant site next to the river and late afternoon on Sunday we hold a "Garden Party" there (everyone pitching in with food and drink) , The whole weekend is very informal but great fun. Definitely a party.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 05:30 AM

Thank you, nutty. I couldn't have put it better myself

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 07:43 AM

Printing problems resolved and another night of abstinence tonight. Durham Folk Party is getting nearer.
NOREEN, are your family in Durham aware of Durham City Folk Club which meets in the Tap and Spile at Framwellgate Moor on Thursdays at 8.30?

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 02:07 PM

Phew, hasn't it been hot but still there will be those who will dance in Durham Market Place. Best, I think, to be a singer.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 07:09 AM

Well, it's Thursday now. I have been out for a run and am shaved, showered and shampood. Tonight is folk club and tomorrow is the 25th Durham Folk Party, that "Right Old Song and Dance". "The time passes over all cheerful and gay"!

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 02:14 PM

Last night was one of abstinence, tonight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will not be as, on the horizon and nearing its berth is the 25th Durham Folk Party, that Right Old Song and Dance which we were told 25 years ago would not last.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 02:18 PM

"The time passes over all cheerful and gay"

For what it;s worth, it's more cheerful and gay.

And don't give me any bullshit of it being the 'folk process'

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: nutty
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 04:10 PM

Chill out Ed - its a party. Can't wait.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 07:13 PM

ALL the MORE reason to look forward to it. All packed and ready to go.

Joe N.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 25 Jul 14 - 04:34 AM

Its Friday! You lucky folk will be there all weekend, but I will be making the most of my one day tomorrow. Kit is ready; sticks packed; car filled with petrol; we'll be in the market place in the morning ready to shake a leg and jangle a bell. See you all then!

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: nutty
Date: 25 Jul 14 - 04:46 AM

Todays the day -- see you all soon

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 14 - 06:51 AM

Yes it's Friday, the morning after an excellent evening at the Tap and Spile where I started the night of with Thousands or More and did sing "more cheerful and gay" as I always do. I think I should be allowed a little aberation now and again, guest Ed. So tonight the faithful meet for the 25th DFP and we will have a good time!

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST,Mysha (at Durham)
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 06:14 AM

The Party proper started off its 25th session with a really good sing yesterday evening. Probably the largest gathering I've ever seen at the Rowing Club had a good time and heard songs ranging from the traditional to the self-penned, in English and occasionally in Scottish (plus one in Spanish that unfortunately got the last line botched). After the bar closed, those not really wanting to stop moved a room further along for some more singing and talking, until eventually everyone went to replenish energy for todays singing or dancing. (It takes strong men (f/m) to sit inside all day singing songs.)

Bye
                                                                Mysha

"Nunca"! "Nunca"! I should be able to remember one simple word of Spanish, even if I was making up the entire verse. "Never" = "Nunca".

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: nutty
Date: 27 Jul 14 - 05:20 AM

Unfortunately had to come home early for more pain meds but it had the makings of a brilliant weekend - one of the best in fact.
Still one day to go with the lunchtime sing - garden party and survivors session - so much more fun to be had for all those lucky people still there.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 14 - 01:08 PM

Hurrah! Durham Folk Party was one of the best ever.The attendance at the linchtime sing was good, the relaxed garden party was good as the rowing club had a marquee and the survivors' singaround was as well attended as could be expected.Financially we broke more than even and so, job done and we look forward to next year's 26th Durham Folk Party which will be on 24th 25th and 26th July. If you haven't been to DFP and don't believe what has been written, then come and see for yourself that it is a Right Old Song and Dance!

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: JHW
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 04:58 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed the Dun Cow Saturday Afternoon. Yes mostly usual suspects and some predictable songs but worth the journey. I could have stood more ballads in the ballad session but I know they are not everyone's passion.

If (Ian) you'd like a web page saying exactly what is happening next year, maybe like the brochure, I could add a page to my site.
Google Darlington Mummers or John Wilson Folk Singer to see my idea of a page.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: ian1943
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 10:16 AM

Good idea John with eternal text thus
"Durham Folk Party is a "right old song and dance!" It burst on the scene in 1990 and was created to replace the Durham City Folk Festival.
Camping is at the Durham Amateur Rowing Club and singarounds are shared between its bar and the Dun Cow pub.The dance teams come from all over the north and are featured in Durham's picturesque Market Place. It is always held on the last full weekend of July and the best description of it comes from an anonymous supporter who wrote " with the cheapest camping in the most beautiful spot in the county, open to all comers and with the talent of so many regulars and welcome guests. Information comes from Ian McCulloch 0191 384 4160 and [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: GUEST,Mysha (at York)
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 05:28 AM

Hi,

Was a wonderful Party this year. I'm inclined to give in to eight invitations and come again next year. (But then, there are so many thing to do and see, and so few summer holidays to do and see them in.)

But anyway: Thanks, everybody, I had a wonderful time.

(John, can you give me an idea of the sort of song the ballads are that you'd like to hear more of, so I can come prepared, if at all? The word has different nuances in different languages, it seems.)

Bye,
                                                                Mysha

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: JHW
Date: 05 Aug 14 - 06:07 PM

Opinion of what constitutes a ballad could and probably has filled many a thread.
I'll suggest here just that it should tell a story and the story teller ie the singer should not be a part of the action.
Among my favourites (that I sing) are Willie of Winsbury, Lord Lovell, Rosie Anderson, Lord Ullin's Daughter (a poem but I sing it) but the ballad that first inspired me is Annan Water, then sung by Nic Jones. Long ballads do get a bad press. Shouldn't be sung as a challenge, only if you think you can hold interest. You must be able to picture the unfolding story. If you can't the audience won't and you've wasted their time.
I listened to a very long song about a boxing match being sung in the Southfield at Girvan. An ardent listener had to dash to the facilities but was soon back demanding 'Are we still winning?' You have to be able to keep that sort of attention.

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: JHW
Date: 06 Aug 14 - 04:59 AM

PS Mysha - forgot this excellent site for the Child Ballads
http://bluegrassmessengers.com/the-305-child-ballads.aspx

Subject: RE: Durham Folk Party 2014
From: Mysha
Date: 06 Aug 14 - 03:56 PM

at home.

(You mean there are singers that don't imagine what they sing?)

Right, that gives me an sense of what balladness is about.

It so happens that when asked my opinion on Ely Festival, I expressed the overdose of self-penned songs by saying I had heard the word "I" sung too often.
But enough high-jacking of the Folk Party thread.

I would say that Durham is the best Folk Party I know!
They are, of course, also the only one I know, but it's still worth mentioning that they are the best.

Bye
                                                                Mysha