Oz catters meet at Easter?

Subject: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 09:15 AM

I'll be there with JennyO, Bob Bolton, Callie, Chicky & I know Hrothgar will be there, too.

Who else will be at the National?

And where could we meet?

Callie, Chicky & Jenny are all part of The People Have Song CD launch (they are a talented lot!) & naturally Bob & I will take photos.

sandra

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennyO
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 10:46 AM

Oh good, Sandra. I have been thinking of starting a thread about this. I'll be spending a lot of time around the late-night singing sessions, too.

Just in case there are any 'Catters visiting from places further away, the National Folk Festival is an excellent festival held in Canberra, about four hours drive from Sydney, over the Easter period. It is large and colourful in terms of what is offered in entertainment, sessions, street theatre, stalls and camping, yet compact in size and very well organised - one of the best festivals in Australia IMO.

The very next weekend is another of my favourite festivals - smaller but very friendly - St Albans. A lot of us will be at that too. Alison is an organiser of this festival.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: GUEST,Val from Lancaster UK
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 01:28 PM

My old pal Bob Fox is performing there this year - which sadly has meant that I won't be seeing him perform at my own Festival this Easter. If you see him, say hello from me.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 10:34 PM

G'day Sandra,

There's a pretty fair chance we will see some of the Australian 'Catters from further afield ... Tony from Darwin has been a consistent performer attender for years ... and I think we have a few more top-enders that trawl with the Mudcat ... and may be in Canberra. There are active 'Catters in all parts of Australia and the odds are high that they are the keen types that will trek in from far-flung states.

The Sydney contingent are amongst the most likely starters, since it's only 3 or 4 hours drive (OK ... 4 hours is a better idea ... the Goulburn Police Academy, halfway between, uses Easter Weekend for intensive radar training for all cadets!). JennieG is a regular Festival-goer and she loves Canberra, so she should be there again.

Of course we have some 'Catters right there in Canberra: obviously, alaninact ... Yorkshire Tony, who started the thread on the Canberra fires ... Chris Clarke is an old (if not frequent) 'Catter.

(GUEST) Dave the rave downunder (several entries in the recent Waltzing Matilda Thread) has already mentioned he will be there.

Maybe we should work on some sort of early Festival get-together ... maybe an agreed place / symbol / whatever ...??. As usual I'm going to get there early - and be everywhere there is a photo opportunity (or a good chance to session on concertina / accordion / &c) ... so it's probably up those following specialised strands of the NFF to name a good time and place.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Callie
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 11:20 PM

Sandra - good to hear you won't be taking any unnatural photos.

Good idea to meet up - the big question is WHEN given that we don't have progams yet (the preliminary ones contain errors, as one would expect having been issued so early on).

I'd suggest later one evening in the session bar given that that's where we'll be anyway!

C

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Yorkshire Tony
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 11:49 PM

I'll be there. Mostly at dance venues but I expect to have at least one late session in the bar - I can't do it every night the way I once could - carousing until dawn I mean. The idea of some distinguishing mark is good - perhaps a badge or something with a cat on it - or perhaps Bob B could coordinate - I think most of us know who he is.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: alison
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 12:14 AM

yep... I'll be there.... so will JennieG, (she's going a week early to help with admin I think).....


slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 01:30 AM

G'day Tony (et al),

Some time in the past I did run off a few laminated badges based on the Mudcat's "Catfish leaping from a banjo" logo. What's on the home page is pretty small ... but I'll see a cunning fractal-based image enlarging program can squeeze out a bit more sharpness ...

Anyway, we should all recognise it, (go back to the home page and look at it, if you have been whizzing straight into the forum) and I'll run off a few blanks, as well as some with the Mudcat names I know (hope) will be there. I always have a fine textacolour pen in the camera/instrument bag, so we can cobble them up as we go!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: GUEST,Grubby
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 01:39 AM

Sandra
I will be there with a good contingent of musician friends from Tassie. Looking forward to it. Haven't missed one yet.
Cheers
Grubby ( member but not on my own computer for this message)

P.S.Just thread creeping for a moment. Is there anyway around this guest/member thing when posting a message from another computer. I do a lot of travelling and therefore use my laptop quite a bit to review mudcat. Very rarely these days do I use my home computer.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Terry K
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 01:58 AM

If you want badges, send a PM to Badger (or his wife Tig). He does a a proper Mudcat badge complete with your name. Very cheap, even with the airmail cost.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: alison
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 05:24 AM

I have already got one of Badger's badges... looks great..... it came with my secret santa pressie

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennyO
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 07:36 AM

Well normally I live in the session bar late at night, but on some nights (I don't know which ones yet), I will be committed to being at the singing sessions, which I believe are going to be upstairs in the Restaurant, until they finish, and I would hate to miss out on meeting everybody. I'll try to find out which nights, or maybe I will be able to choose, but I don't know if this can be done before I go. If the singing sessions don't finish too late, maybe we could meet after? Anyway, I'll stay in touch with this thread, as I'm really looking forward to meeting other 'catters I haven't met yet.

Bob, I'd definitely like one of those badges!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 07:45 AM

Hymn singing session, Singing Room, 11.30 am, Sunday.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 08:11 AM

I was going to be there, Hrothgar, I wouldn't miss it for quids. Even if I get one of the famous Canberra colds again his year, I have my supply of Fisherman's Friends.

I'm arriving Wed afternoon (by train, of course & I'll probably cadge a ride back with someone again in my usual fashion).

Bob - could you contact Badger or Tig to arrange real official badges? Not that your handcrafted ones won't be real, but if the money goes to Mudcat, it's a good idea.

Any other Catters apart from those already mentioned who will be performing? Even tho. we don't have the final program, you can name your concert/workshop so we can keep an eye out.

The People Have Song is a double CD launch, with 2 separate concerts
Hymn singing Sun 11.30am (perfect timing after an all night singing or music session

I can hardly wait, it'll be great to meet you all.

sandra

Val - Bob Fox has appeared twice at one of my folk clubs (Almost Acoustic)- it'll be a pleasure to see him again

Grubby - why not ask the experts on Mudcat help?

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennyO
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 08:25 AM

Sandra, I did think of getting the official badges, but do you think they will get here in time?

I'm going down on the Tuesday before, probably giving Amalina a lift.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 08:34 AM

G'day Grubby,

Whatever computer you are on, you can go to "Membership (has its rewards)" and select (~) renewing ... ? ... and give your password/ID to get your cookie on that computer. If it's only a casual usage, you then delete the cookie, but if it's a second computer, just leave it there and you can use either machine. (I use one home and one work connection.)

Sandra/ JennyO / Terry K: The crunch may well be the time factor. I have prepared colour badges based on a fractal enlargement of the Mudcat "catfish & banjo, with the names I already know or expect. I will PM "Badger" and see what the time factor is.


Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Yorkshire Tony
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 08:13 PM

If any of the interstate people who are coming early want to meet for a quiet drink on the Wednesday before the Festival, PM me and I will see what I can organise.

I always get a cold after the National as well - I think it is a cold germ festival as well as a Folk festival! Plus all the singing and late night drinking increases the likelihood of succumbing.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 09:41 PM

I suspect Stewie and friends are too far away to take part, right?

Art Thieme
-- who knows too little about Oz geography.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 10:15 PM

G'day Art,

I've made up Mudcat "badge/tags" for Stewie and for Tony in Darwin ... just in case. Tony is a regular, even if he does live (about) 2000 miles away!

Aussies get used to travel (well ... the ones I know do).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From:
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 12:53 AM

I've only ever made it to the National in Canberra once, in '99. I was lucky enough to be booked that year. Can't see me getting there this year, but with a bit of luck me and the missus will be going on the road in about a year and heading for folk club/festivals all over the country.

Hope you all have a great time there this year!

Cheers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Callie
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 12:59 AM

Well - here goes for performance times:

one song with Andy Rigby in "The People Have Songs" launch - Monday 10am in the Merry Muse.

as part of the "Rob Willis Boxing Tent" show : Sunday 1pm at the Trocadero

with Touchwood -
Friday 3pm
Saturday 9pm Merry Muse
Sunday 11.30 am
Sunday 6.20 (Stairway to Heaven)

looking forward to seeing you all in the one place!

Callie

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Stewie
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 02:35 AM

Art and Bob,

I was there last year, but am unable to make it this year. Tony left this morning on the long drive south. It is not bucketing down this year, so he is unlikely to be left stranded on the banks of some river. I am certainly planning on being there next year. I trust everyone will have a great festival and not be driven to distraction by the horrendous beer ticket system.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 07:31 AM

G'day Stewie,

I hope we do see you at a future National. I figured the odds looked a bit better for Tony ... he turns pretty bloody often for someone living so far away!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 07:51 AM

The badges look great (well, the .pdf does) & when they're all laminated & supplied with ribbon & pins we will certainly attract attention, so we can preach to gospel of Mudcat to all who comment - 9000+ songs, music to lots of 'em, knowledgeable folks who just want to answer question, friends you haven't met yet ...

Tony, I'll contact you. Bob, Jenny & I'll be there early (& they both have cars, so I can probably cadge a ride). I'm hoping to meet up with guest Canberra Chris too.

sandra


Bronchiodilated Blues
(Bernard Carney 198)- written after getting a cold at the National, I believe)

I'm taking two types of nasal decongestant
I'm chock full of pseudoephydrine
My overflowing sinus
Shows no sign of dryness
I'm just an aching mucus making machine
I've got vaseline smeared on my nostrils
I've got a eucalyptus poultice in my shoes
I've got the sniffing analgesic decongestant anticholinergic
Brochiodilated Blues

I've got a cough that heave smokers would be proud of
But this expectorant is making me blaspheme
Oh Ipecacuanha, just leave it 'til manyana
I'm in a drowsy anti-histamine dream
There's Sudafed Orthoxical and Codeine
Not to mention many other potent brews
I've got the analgesic decongestant anticholinergic
Brochiodilated Blues

And it's costing me a fortune
How much more can I endure
Of this silly little virus that can easily inspire us
To dispose of all our money on the cure

Maybe my attitude's a wrong one
They say I've got to love my disease
But there's nothing so erotic in an antibiotic
When you're living with a permanent wheeze

It seems to last forever when you've got it
I don't know if I'm ever going to lose
This healthiness embargo with the lozenges and gargles
The Benzocaines and phenols that upset all my meals

For the sniffling analgesic decongestant anticholinergic
Brochiodilated Blues

..................

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:11 AM

Bernard wrote the aforementioned song in 1989 not 198)

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: MC Fat
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:39 AM

I intend to visit the National next year as part of my MC Fat World Tour 2004 perhaps you can warn all concerned of my impending coming.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennyO
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 10:11 AM

Will this be the first coming or the second coming ;-)

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: MC Fat
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 10:23 AM

Ah well I can tell there has been a third coming but someone else could verify that !!! With regard to Oz though it will be the first coming.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: GUEST,alinact
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 05:00 PM

Unfortunately, work is taking me out of Canberra for 3 months, as of 11 April, so won't be able to make the festival - bugger it!

Hope everyone has a great time.

Allan

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennieG
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 02:26 AM

I would love one of those Catter badges Bob! I will be going down (to Canberra that is.....minds out of the gutter now *grin*) the previous weekend and doing my volunteer bit in the office prior to the festival starting. Yorkshire Tony I will send you a PM re that drink!
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:27 AM

Hello, Jennie

I've been in contact with Tony & have sent an e-mail to Chris asking if he's free to meet before the festival. I'm sure JennyO will be interested in meeting, too

Any other takers for a meeting on Wed night?

sandra

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 11:10 AM

I'm there for a meeting on Wednesday night!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Canberra Chris
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:57 PM

There! You have finally shamed me into filling in the member form. I have been a Catter on and of for a few years, addictively so at first. I did spot the book title 'Just How Much Joy Can You Stand?', to which I could only reply "Keep laying it on, and I'll say 'when'."

Wecome to Canberra all! If I can provide any local help or hospitality during the National, let me know ([e-mail]). I live on the opposite side of town, and usually camp on-site, but I may operate from home this time. With various people arriving from various directions, it is the usual glorious chaos.

News hot of the Press is that the Shiny Bum Singers (my gift to the world) though not on the program are performing at the Home-brew workshop, and at the Merry Muse. I'll check details.

I also applied for trad-singing pre-festival school, if I can escape work. Drink sounds good, I'll try to make it.

Chris

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: alison
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 10:22 PM

won't be there until Thursday.......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Yorkshire Tony
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 10:52 PM

Hi. I've reserved two tables at the Wig and Pen in Alinga Street from 8pm on Wednesday 16 April for anyone who feels like a pre-festival drink. The Wig and Pen is a home brew pub and makes a decent drop of ale. The publican isn't sure about the legality of unsolicited live music in the ACT these days (sounds like the UK) but he won't object to a few quiet tunes if someone spontaneously produces a musical instrument.

See you there.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 11:18 PM

G'day,

JennieG: I had made out a badge for you - I knew you would be there ... and doing a volunteer stint. If you put the caravan where it was last year, you'll be well at home ... on the fringes of the (mostly ex-)Bankstown Mob ... the cluster around Ralph Pride and his girls' tents.

Most of that group used to hang around in "Mitzi's" Coffee Shop ... next to the "Torch" Newspaper office ... in the 1960s. They will be down there early too, as most of them are doing pre-Festival volunteer jobs.

I'll be arriving around Monday, since I'm hoping to get in some research time at the National Library and look in on some of Rob Willis's recording work. (And I will be in a shiny new Subaru ... which I pick up in 3 hour's time!)

Yorkshire Tony: I'll try to find my way down to the Wig & Pen ... I had better remember to transfer the 3-City Road Directory when I get the new car.

Your publican sounds to be a bit of a worry ... not a Pommy ex-patriate who thinks England's evil laws hold sway in the colonies - is he? We had that problem at the first Morpeth Folk Festival, in the Hunter Valley, after the Newcastle venue was damaged by the earthquake. One Pommy publican ordered all singers to shut up or get out ... or he'd lose his licence for allowing unlicenced singing. Everyone drank ... and sang ... and played ... at the other pubs all the rest of the weekend.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Yorkshire Tony
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 12:06 AM

I think he's genuinely unsure of his responsibilities. He used to have live music there on a regular basis but apparently isn't allowed to any more. Don't ask my why - more rampent regional regulation I suppose.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennieG
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 03:23 AM

Thanks for the badge Bob. We are planning to park the van in the same spot as last year - I will take that Glen Innes tourist mag for Ralph too.
Tony - thanks for that organisation - I will see you all there! I will have Himself in tow, most of you know him anyway.
Cheers
JennieG in rainy Sydney

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 08:07 AM

hooray, Tony you are a very thoughtful host

& welcome new? member Canberra Chris (about bloody time), tell the boss ya gotta have Wed night off - meeting is far more important than work (a four letter word - wash my mouth!)

good to see the Bums will sneak in (the National without the Bums would be a very sad event)

see ya all Wed or later, but where will we meet? late night singing or music sessions or maybe at or before Hrothgar's very civilized 11.30 Sunday morning session or ...

anyway we still have a week to sort that out

sandra

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennyO
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 09:16 AM

Some questions.

Where is this Wig and Pen? Or Alinga Street for that matter? What suburb? I find Canberra a very easy place to get lost in, even with a street directory, and it seems I don't have that any more, either. I had a Maxi but it disappeared about the same time a certain person moved out. Hmmm.

Where are most people camping? A friend is arriving the weekend before. He is supposed to be keeping a spot for me and he is a volunteer. Where can they camp? I'm allowed to camp anywhere, including in the performer's area, because I'm part of a team facilitating singing sessions. Can volunteers camp in there too? Anyway, it would be nice to camp close to friends, somewhere flat and close to amenities, and preferably near trees. It would be good if I can give him an idea where to camp.

Bob, are you making me a badge?

Jenny

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennieG
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 06:22 PM

I received my volunteer info stuff this week including a site map. The Palladium is now not in the middle of the grass oval, it is in the area where the hire caravans have been parked in the past, which means that some of this area can't be used for camping. It's been moved because it flooded in that Friday night rainstorm last year! I don't know if volunteers can camp in the performers area but the office could tell you if you contact them. We like to camp somewhere reasonably flat near a power box as we have a caravan....and the caravan has a heater.......
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Yorkshire Tony
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 07:36 PM

Alinga Street is in Canberra City centre, just North of London Circuit. The Wig and Pen is between West Row and Marcus Clarke Street. Coming down Northbourne Ave from Sydney, go through the Barry Drive intersection and turn right at the second set of lights. That should be Alinga Street, then look for somewhere to park. If you miss it turn right at London Circuit then right again and park.

cheers

Tony

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: rich-joy
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 10:15 PM

Like Stewie from Darwin, Poor Misery and I (from Maleny) were there last year and can't make it this year.

But NEXT year ...

Have a good wun, everybody - look forward to meeting you all then.

Cheers!
Rich Joy

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 05:10 AM

Dunno about Wednesday night. I'll be driving all that day.

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 09:12 AM

Hrothgar - maybe you can cadge a ride (like I will be doing) & drink water (like I do!!) & yawn (something I start doing after a certain time), but I always stay till the very end, which was 4.30 one night in the stairwell last year.

sandra

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: JennieG
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 06:33 PM

I will be at the Wig & Pen (love the name!) a little late as my shift in the office on Wednesday is 4-8pm. But I will be there so save a couple of seats for us!
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 09:01 PM

G'day all,

Damn! I just strayed down to the other side of the "Great Thread Divide" and stumbled onto the distinctly more than mere BS thread: "BS: Badger has a heart attack". He has survived and is now out of ICU ... and alison has popped in and offered:

love, hugs, energy and prayer from down under as well

did the Ozzies cause it by saying we all wanted badges by the end of next week?.... we're very sorry if it was us!!1 *grin*

slainte

alison

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, I'm sure, from all of us ... and we'll sort out our own badges this year!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 09:23 PM

G'day JennyO,

Bob, are you making me a badge?

Yes ... I will have a laminated badge for every 'Catter that I know, or suspect, will be there. It's pretty easy to run off any name that comes to mind ... and I'll bring some blanks - and a fine Textacolour pen for the strays.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: rich-joy
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 03:16 AM

Bob, just had lunch here in Maleny with Tony, on his way through from Darwin to The National. He and his travelling companions, Batey and Mrs B, won't be there in time for the Wig and Pen Wednesday bash, but will seek you out around the site (or at Red Cedars?)...

Is is possible you could make ME a Mudcatter badge too??? Tony will bring it back for me (they're coming back through Brisbane to see Gordon Bok!) - then I can wear it at Woodford and see if I get any bites!!

Thanks Bob!
Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Oz catters meet at Easter?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 09:00 PM

Where would you like to be bitten, rich?