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I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on?
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Subject: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: greg stephens Date: 04 Aug 02 - 02:36 PM No, not a thread about th Bix Beiderbecke/ Eddie Lang classic. My son has sudenly organised a wedding celebration in Staunton Virginia on August 24. I'm heading for America at last. Arriving Washington Aug 13/14 we think. Dont want to see the whole of Amrica, no time. Just enjoy Virginia maybe. No time to organise gigs I guess (wish davy was a little more organised), but can anybody point us in the direction of some fun/scenery/nice music? Us is me with a guitar (have to leave banjo and squeezebox at home) and my partner/Boat Band colleague Kate Barfield with her fiddle. We play traditional English tunesand songs: also love American and Cajun. Check the band out on harbourtownrecords.com Like to hear some mountain music, and join in. But I've seen "Deliverabce", so would prefer toavoid anybody wanting to play "Duellin' Banjoes" or making me squeal like a pig. So, anybody with any good ideas/ back porch/moonshine, please send me a PM or post tothis thread. And we know some GREAT TUNES!!!!!!!!! |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: greg stephens Date: 04 Aug 02 - 08:20 PM PS Will it be hot? I need to plan my wardrobe. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 04 Aug 02 - 08:42 PM Greg: Hot as a three dollar pistol! Speaking of hot, there's a ton of good musicans in Virginia. Now where you're gonna be in Staunton, some of the folks in the valley will have to tell you about. There was the thread about Staunton about 6 months ago where one of the Catfolk's son was living and about to be married. See if you can find it because there was a lot of good info in it. Now, Staunton is located on Rt. 11 which runs down the Shenandoah Valley. To the east is the Blue Ridge Mountains and to the west Appalacians (sp). The area is beautiful and if you drive west for an hour you'll find yourself in an area very much unchanged be the times. Of course you will be about 45 minutes into Wes Ginny, which is where I have lived for the last 18 years. Okay, one last thing. Its Stan'ton, and the "an" in it is pronounced "an" and not pronounced "on". "On" is in Ppennsylvania. Find that thread, Greg, and you'll have the whole story... Now if you're gonna be around Northern Virginia any, let me know... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: greg stephens Date: 04 Aug 02 - 08:50 PM That Staunton thread was me, Bobert. That was a preliminary enquiry, now I've got a date settledI want to make plans.I've only got to be in Staunton Aug 24,I've got ten days before handto cruise around.What happens in Northern Virginia? North, south, east or west it's all the same to me. I want some music and fun! |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 04 Aug 02 - 09:40 PM Hallelujah, Greg!
Glad that you're coming across the sea. If you can't see much of the U.S., you've picked (or had picked for you) a beautiful spot. As the bumper stickers over here say, "Virginia is for lovers." It's a beautiful state.. I'm too far away to know local music resources but I've spent a little time in Virginia on two occasions in the last three or four years. And, I always think of my Father, who loved the song, "In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, on the trail of the lonesome pine." My favorite version of the song is by Laurel and Hardy. Two good Englishmen... :-) Jerry |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 04 Aug 02 - 09:45 PM Oppps! Sorry, Greg. This mind indeed is a terrible thing. Okay, if I haf 10 days to bomb around Virginia these are some places I'd want to see. I'm assuming you will be coming in at Dulles Airport which is 20 miles from Washington, D.C. but it doesn't matter. Get a map and plan your course. Washington D.C. and Alexandria, Va (accross the Potomac River) have lots of music. The Birchmere in Alexandris books lots of nice acts. Chincitingue over on the eastern shore is the collest beach. Walk north or south for half and hour and you'll have the beach to yourself so yo can get as nude as you like. Fredricksburg, Va. is a quaint town with a great guitar shop called Picker's Supply and Bran Dillard is the owner a cool guy, They have lots of vinatge stuff and folks jam there lots. Richmond, Va. has everything and is a must. It is probably this country's best kepy city. History, the arts, music... Yeah. Go to Joe's Inn on Shiels Ave. Charlottesville: Nice town, good eateries and if ya' ask around ya might catch Corey Harris who lives there and is the best acoustic blues player perhaps alive. And drive west a hour from Staunton into West Virginia. Real peaceful... Backward, but peaceful.. Drive Skyline Drive but watch out for the deer... They are brainless and think their only purpose is to be run over by... you guessed it... your car. Now, took up at the pointy top of the state and find Harper's Ferry and Sheppardstown. Jams in Sheppardstown on Tuesdays (Mecklinburg Inn) and Thursdays (O'Hurleys General Store where CarolC plays). Things to stay away from in Virginia: Lots. The ungloden triangle formed by Petersbyr, Virginia Beack and Danville. Saty the heck out of this boring area of the world. Hmmmmmm? That's it. Any questions about routes or miles or locations of stuff, either PM me or ask 'em here and I'll keep an eye out. Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 04 Aug 02 - 09:59 PM Danged, Bobert, that was an awfull displey of typing and spelling, Worser than your usual. Yo play giutar like you type? Make that Petersburg as one of the points of the ungolen triangle, but no matter, stay the heck out of that area. Oh yeah, Moonshine ain't as easy to come by as you might think. The Revenuers have made a few shiners paramoid so you just coming in won't be offered any. Ya gotta have connections... Forgot, Stay the hack away from Williamsburg unless you want to get your butt ripped off. $20 for a tuna sandwich and a dill pickle. Lots of folks walking around in old clothes wonderin' how mych money ya got on ya. Yeah, I know I'm going to get the blast from some Willaimsburgian Catfolk but, saty the heck out of that God forsaken tourist trap. Stay off I-81 when in thre valley. Take Rt 11. and you'll see alot more... If ya' get to Roanokem there's a neat farmer's market with about 30 resturants but I wouldn't go out of my way to see Raonoke. Did I tell yo to stay away from Vurginia Beach? Well, stay the heck awy from it. It's for kids. Its hot and ya can't park and well, it really ain't what aduly people think of as fun... Well Greg, I'll get back with ya from time to time here as stuff pops into my feeble mind... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 04 Aug 02 - 10:12 PM How do ya' top one bad display of typing and spellin'? Ain't easy but Iz either gonna have to get a new keyboard that ain't had all the letters worn off by my teenagers insessant poundings or learn where tha danged key are... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Celtic Soul Date: 04 Aug 02 - 10:16 PM Bobert penned: "Chincitingue over on the eastern shore is the collest beach." Did you perhaps mean Chincoteague? If so, I concur...beautiful place. I especially like it in the fall (not that this applies to your trip, Greg), as it is even *less* crowded than in the summer months. Also, Greg, there *is* a lot of music to be had here. It's all about finding it. Here are a few suggestions: http://www.irelandsfourprovinces.com/4psdc_cal.htm "Irelands 4 Provinces" 3412 Connecticut Ave N.W., Washington, D.C. OR 105 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Va. http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com/history.htm "Irelands 4 Courts" 2051 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA http://murphyspub.com/ "Murphy's" 713 King Street, Alexandria, VA. For more variety of music, though in a large venue, you could look into: http://www.wolf-trap.org/ Wolftrap Farm This is just between the Capital Beltway and where I live (Reston, VA.) Then there's FSGW (Folk Society of Greater Washington) for a *lot* of cool music of all kinds. http://www.fsgw.org/ Okeedoke...I think I am tapped for now. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 04 Aug 02 - 10:29 PM Thanks fir the assist Celtic Soul. You might have noticed that I don't spell or type too well. Lexdexia. Do you have a link for the Birchmere, per chance... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: SharonA Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:12 AM Yo, Bo bear, it's Birchmere.com! But since your keyfoard is bucked up *G*, I'd better post a link so's you don't have to type anything: http://www.birchmere.com/index.htm Hi, Greg! I got your PM, so here I am. Congratulations to your son! I don't know how much help I can be with finding places for you to find music, but I'll hunt up a couple of links and post 'em. I'll be back soon... |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: SharonA Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:24 AM Told ya I'd be back soon. I see by the ol' Mapquest map that Staunton is a hop-skip-and-a-jump from Charlottesville, Virginia, which is where Thomas Jefferson's self-designed home Monticello is located. Even if you have no interest in the man or the US history, the architecture and Jefferson's inventions alone are reason enough to go take the tour of this place. According to the website, "Monticello is the only house in America on the United Nations' prestigious World Heritage List of sites that must be protected at all costs." IMO it is a must-see. Here's the site: http://www.monticello.org/ |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: SharonA Date: 05 Aug 02 - 11:19 AM Also pretty close to Staunton (58 miles, according to the website) is Luray Caverns – http://www.luraycaverns.com/ – so if you're interested in underground scenery, you might like to check this out. There are other caves in the area, too, such as Skyline Caverns farther to the northeast in Front Royal, VA – http://skylinecaverns.com/. But I digress. You told me in your PM, Greg, that you thought I might be able to point you toward some music events in south-central Pennsylvania that will be happening during your visit. I can tell you right off the top of my head that the Philadelphia Folk Festival in Schwenksville (okay, that's actually southeastern PA!) will be held August 23-25, but it looks like you'll be busy in Staunton then! Let me go see what else I can find.... |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Micca Date: 05 Aug 02 - 11:41 AM Greg, you could try PMing Fortunato , he is in the vicinity of Washington DC and maybe getting in an evening at the "Royal Mile", where I met a lot of Mudcatters last year, and there was a lot of music and singing!! |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: SharonA Date: 05 Aug 02 - 12:01 PM ...Hmmm... Greg, you don't say how long you're staying in the states AFTER this wedding celebration, so I don't know if this is relevant to you or not, but I'll post it anyway: there's a folk festival in Johnstown, PA (site of the famous flood) the following weekend, August 30 & 31 and September 1 – http://www.jaha.org./folkfest/index.htm. Five music stages, being held in the National Historic District rich in coal-mining history. Johnstown is not far from the site of the recent mine rescue, and I understand from the local TV news that a lot of people are visiting that spot (I'm not sure how much longer the drilling equipment will be there, though). It's also not far from where the airliner, hijacked by terrorists, crashed on September 11th of last year; there's a marker at the site and, again, a lot of people stop there in remembrance. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: greg stephens Date: 05 Aug 02 - 12:15 PM Thanks very much SharonA and Micca and all for info.Keep it coming, evrybody Still waiting for that backporch in the mountains session offer.Have to return Aug 26, festival bookings in UK recommence. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: M.Ted Date: 05 Aug 02 - 02:03 PM Chincoteague is a long, long drive from where you will be, Greg, and, though nice for birdwatchers and people curious about those famous, nasty, and saltwater bloated ponies, it is is generally very cold and windy, and often overcast there-- Sadly enough, I will be away for all the time you will be around---but maybe Bobert will invite you over for a Barbeque or some half-smokes or something-- |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Charley Noble Date: 05 Aug 02 - 02:22 PM I've also e-mailed Greg about the "Oak Grove" and related activities around Staunton. Be great if he manages to hook up with Fletcher and Margaret Collins, and their extended folk music/community theatre family. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: GUEST,greg stephens Date: 05 Aug 02 - 02:27 PM the saltwater-bloated ponies sound intriguing. And what are these half-smokes you get at Bobert's? We dont mind travelling a bit, as longas we dont have to do it every day. We've got 10 days from arriving in Washington till we have to be in Staunton, if a nice itinerary develops. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Fortunato Date: 05 Aug 02 - 02:44 PM Greg, I got your PM. If the DC Area Mudcatters want to get togther we can try to organize a music get-together somewhere. Where will you be staying in the DC area? Are you renting a car? Are you available sometime on the weekend of the 16th?
DC MUDCATTERS! Who is interested in getting togther to make music with Greg and Kate?
Sign on here, or PM me if you wish.
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: SharonA Date: 05 Aug 02 - 03:11 PM Ha ha! I can answer that one, Fortunato: Greg already told me in a PM that the DC museums aren't his thing. Hey, Greg, what about going out for some contra dancing? Here's a page from the Traditional American Dance and Music Society of Richmond, Virginia. Unfortunately, their schedule of dances doesn't match your schedule, but scroll down the page to "Other Contra Dances in Virginia" and "Other Events", and you'll find links to several organizations that will hold dances while you'll be in the US: http://www.leafpile.com/contra.htm |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 05 Aug 02 - 03:11 PM Hey, Greg, about them half smokes> What we do over here in the US to make half smokes is onlt use half as much wood therefore getting only half as much smoke. Thus, the origins of the half smoke. I'm jus funnin. Everyone knows that ain't rue. What we actually do is just let half of the meat get the smoke but not the other half. There, now you know as much as I know. Well, I'm gonna be in Richmond on the 17th but home late that night. If folks want to get toghter on Sunday, hey, I'll volunteer my shack which is on the Blue Ridge mountain 1 hour west of D.C. and I have lots of rooom and privacy so if someone ain't in tune, there's no neihbors to call the law on ya. Plus, Greg, if you're in need a little lodging, I've got a Englicsh double decker bus that I turned into a modern guset cottage with all the important stuff, including air conditioning and bath. Heck, you'd feel right at home. Anyway the offer is out there. Fir real. Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Naemanson Date: 05 Aug 02 - 03:20 PM How long are you staying past the 24th? I'll be down in Lynchburg on the 26th and 27th. I will be posting a thread on it shortly. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 05 Aug 02 - 04:03 PM Hey, Greg: I haven't learned how to do blue clickies yet, but if you enter Janette Carter in your search engine, you should get her website. She lives in Southwest Virginia and runs a Carter Family Museum. They have concerts there every Saturday night and the schedule, directions and all the rest are on the website. I met Janette at the Adirondack Folk Festival a few years ago and we hung out together for the weekend.. she's really a great woman... very down to earth and fun to play music with.
If you don't come across the website, let me know and I'll get the exact internet address for you.. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: SharonA Date: 05 Aug 02 - 04:49 PM Jerry might mean this address: http://www.fmp.com/orthey/carter.html |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 05 Aug 02 - 05:32 PM Thanks, SharonA: Yeah, that's it... Jerry |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: greg stephens Date: 05 Aug 02 - 06:43 PM Bobert that's a handsome offer and damn sure we'dbe up for that. Sounds perfectly spiffing, doncherknow. And how did a double=decker bus endup in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Did Stan laurel bring it over? JerryR et al: I'll chase up that Carter familystuff, sounds vaaaaary interesting. Many many thanks to everyone from me and Kate, we are making notes and looking at the atlas and getting excited.Especially as Kate used to sing the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia when she was with the Dirigibelles. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: GUEST,meriken Date: 05 Aug 02 - 06:52 PM Greg- A hearty pre-welcome to the USA. I live and play in Charlottesville. Cville has a lively music scene, and has had one for over 200 years. Check out the church on the corner of 10th St. and Grady Ave. on a Sunday morning. GREAT gospel. The thing about Cville that few people appreciate is that Jefferson was the most musically literate member of his generation (http://www.johnhartford.com/fiddle/jefferson.htm), and he and his brother instituted an "underground" current of musical tradition that predates the founding of the Republic. Music is a part of the fabric of everyday life here as in few other places. There aren't a lot of venues, but the ones that exist are of good to excellent quality. The Prism Coffeehouse (www.theprism.org) has some great players from time to time (Mike Seeger is a regular). A new coffeehouse called "Rapunzel's" just opened in Lovingston, Va. (30 miles south of Cville) and has some of the best local flavor in terms of music. The clubs in Cville (Starr Hill Music Hall, The Outback) have "big name" and small name acts from all over the country, and some are actually good for all the hype. There are many smaller venues that host jazz, blues, folky and otherwise. A place called Miller's is the local cornerstone. We play at a place called Escafe (Downtown Cville) on Sunday nights. We're called The Hogwaller Ramblers, and we're currently the oldest continous Cville band. We're a "blendy" band (bluegrass, jazz, classical, rock, blues, whatever...we just like to play American music). Hope to see ya! That's my Cville/shameless self-plug. Bring your guitar and I'll hook you up with some great players. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bill D Date: 05 Aug 02 - 07:07 PM The folk ghetto in Silver Spring, MD..(just north of Wash DC) can usually gather for music...and Fortunato knows who we are...*grin*..Norton1 spent some time here, as did Micca and others...we can trade info with Fortunato as time approaches. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 05 Aug 02 - 07:57 PM Greg: The bus story will have to wait until you get here because it is convoluted. GUEST; Merekin: How about Corey Harris. Does he still play around much or gotten too big... More later. Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Ferrara Date: 05 Aug 02 - 09:33 PM Greg, about Chincoteague.... Be sure you have mosquito repellent. It's a wonderful place, but as dusk arrives, so do the little winged bloodsuckers. (Unless there's a good breeze.) Bobert, roughly (or exactly) whereabouts is your place? As Bill said, we live in Silver Spring, just north of D.C. and will try to make it if a gathering of some sort is set up. Rita F |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: GUEST,meriken Date: 05 Aug 02 - 09:40 PM Bobert- Corey's still playing around here. I spoke to him last month. He's a stone mason up north a little, but he's still playing quite a bit. The music biz...just cuz yer famous doesn't mean you're making any money.:) |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Bobert Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:12 PM Ferrera and other Catfolk in the D.C. area (100 miles): I live approximately 8 miles south of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and 65 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Now, we'll have to see what Gregs itinerary is but if he's gonna be available Sunday, the 18th, then that is a tenative date. For Catfolk that can make it we'll work out directions. I've got two grills fir cooking, 5 acres of gardens and places to play music. Many indoor invirons and lots of trees and privacy. When we get things sorted out I'll start a "Harpers Ferry Catfolk gathering" post. Meriken: Didn't know that Corey was into stone work but it doesn't surprise me. He's got some big hands. I just spent a week with him at BluesWeek in Elkins, WV where he kicked some butt, mine included. Hope he's got a gig if Greg gets there 'cause Corey is special. But you know that all ready... Bobert |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Celtic Soul Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:26 PM Good call, Micca...I should have posted the link to the Mile as well. http://www.royalmilepub.com As for a get together, that sounds wonderful. Only problem for me would be when. I am coming up on 9 weeks with literally no breaks. Greg, if you're still in town past August 24th, you could make the trip to the Annapolis, Maryland area for some bad english accents, but a *lot* of music and entertainment with heart and soul. http://www.rennfest.com/mrf/index.html |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: DancingMom Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:33 PM Welcome to Virginia! Some events I know of in August:Page Wilson with Reckless Abandon, one of my local favorites, (Folk, blues, bluegrass ) will be playing Saturday, August 24 at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County, south of Richmond. Guests include Dixie Power Trio, Little Ronnie, and Big Bill Morganfield (Muddy Waters' son). www.dcr.state.va/parks/pocahont.htm Jim and Holly Lawrence, a father-daughter duo that play Traditional Gaelic Music will play Aug. 18, 19, and 26 at 7:30 at Pat Troy's Ireland's Own, Olde Towne, Alexandria, VA (Northern VA) Jim and Holly play Aug. 16 at 8:30 at Molly's Irish Pub, Warrenton, VA also Aug. 25, 2:00 p.m. at Irish Eyes, Fredericksburg, VA The Staunton/Waynesboro area is beautiful. I agree, Richmond/ Fredericksburg/ Charlottesville are good places to visit. Sharon |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: greg stephens Date: 06 Aug 02 - 06:54 AM GUEST Meriken: if you are not a Mudcat member, my email is boatband(at)cwctv(dot)net. Do get in touch, I would like to talk. Fortunato: will PM you re Washington. Everyone: many many thanks from me and Kate for all your effort and ideas which are helping loads. Having to do this at short notice with no time to set up any gigs looked a nightmare, but everybody's help is turning all that round. In a few messages time I shall start a part 2 of this thread, as my system does not let me readthreads more than 41 messages long. Keep the ideas coming, and we hope to meet some of you very soon. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: GUEST Date: 06 Aug 02 - 09:07 AM I have looked at the harbourtownrecords.com site and IMHO Kate is considerably more photogenic than Greg. |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: Mrrzy Date: 06 Aug 02 - 10:11 AM Man, I'm gonna miss all the fun, being in NC instead of Cville for this critical time. Greg, they mention the heat, but nobody has said anything about the humidity. Expect to wear a hot wet blanket of air the whole time you're here. Monticello is great, yes, but prepare for lines and tons of tourists (yeah, I know, you ARE a tourist, but still). Cville is more fun, though, if you just kind of hang around the downtown pedestrian mall, or go play Frisbee at Central Grounds where Jefferson is still King. Come hungry, we have some of the best restaurants in the area... |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: greg stephens Date: 06 Aug 02 - 10:33 AM Thanks for the advice, Mrrzy. Sorry we'll miss you. Well,I prefer not to think of us as tourists, more as musicians on tour who have unfortunately not got any gigs, due to circumstances beyond our control! STARTING PART 2 !!!! NO MORE TO THIS THREAD PLEASE |
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Subject: RE: I'm coming, Virginia! Anything going on? From: SharonA Date: 06 Aug 02 - 10:42 AM Link to part 2: I'm coming, Virginia! PART 2 NO MORE POSTS TO THIS THREAD, PLEASE. |
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