Folklore: My Favourite Festival

Subject: My Favourite Festival
From: folk1e
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 08:47 PM

I am going to several U.K. festivals this year, all as a helper in some form.
My question is, which is the best for you and why?

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: MBSLynne
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:56 AM

Too late for Miskin for this year, but that is the best....uncommercial, no one trying to sell you stuff, no really big names but some wonderful smaller big names, relaxing, fun, family festival.

Sidmouth....my other home for the last 24 years. Brilliant fringe and all my oldest friends.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: folk1e
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:26 PM

You are telling porkies MBSL. Everyone knows that Mishkin will try to sell you BEER.   LOL
I am going to Shrewsbry this year (it's first year there)
Also my Alma Matre FYLDE. The smallest will be Swinton! But it is home to my local club!

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:58 PM

Old Songs for the wonderful family feel and their showcase of traditional styles. I feel like I am attending a family reunion when I am there. The setting is also inviting.

The Philadelphia Folk Fest is my other favorite.   While it is more commerial than other fests, I admire the diversity of their lineups and the organization of the event. 40+ years is quite an accomplishment.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: patriot1314
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:13 PM

Girvan for me.....It's coming up next weekend (28th - 30th April

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:17 PM

Miskin - definitely - what Lynne said!

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:36 PM

It would be nice to get to Old Songs - They could book me for basic expense costs if they wanted !! AS it is i will probably just do a few UK festivals ! White Horse Festival in August is usually very pleasant !!

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: andrewq
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:59 PM

The National (England), though that's not happening this year. I'm also fond of Four Fools in Lancashire because it has the same single-site, up-close-and-personal feel with the emphasis on trad song.


http://www.four-fools.co.uk

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:02 PM

Miskin thirded.....it's the bestest.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:46 PM

I have more fun at the Big Muddy Folk Festival in Boonville, Missouri, than anybody ought to be allowed to have. And the line-ups are always fantastic!

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: John Routledge
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 07:44 PM

Another vote for Four Fools. Although emphasis is on song there is a lot of dance as well - and plenty of rooms for tunes.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 08:19 PM

Well, this was started as a thread on UK festivals, but I won't be the first to veer...

Northwest Folklife in Seattle. Four fabulous days, organized stages and buskers all over the place, folk dancing every night, contra dancing every night and all day long, beer gardens, and all entirely free!

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 10:25 PM

As an admitted addict of traditional music, I've never encountered one that came close to Whitby Week. Two others on my can't miss list are Mystic's Sea Music Festival and (need I say) the FSGW Getaway.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: folk1e
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 07:16 AM

It looks like the popular vote has Miskin a short head above 4fools!
Is this the same Four Fools who split up and went to Wigin a few years ago? Or am I getting addled?
Would anyone at Miskin be interested in running a syncronised snoring contest next year if I can get there?    ROTFZZZZ   (rolls on the floor snoring)

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 07:24 AM

Whitby also gets my vote for a big festival with a LOT of lesser known artistes there is something for all tastes in British Music, (so no Outer Mongolian Nose Flute players) and a superb location.

Saddleworth for the small festival, something there just clicks ............ probably something to do with all the hard work put in by Ali, Geoff, Hilary, Jo, Peter et al

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 07:27 AM

Moor & Coast Folk Festival at Whitby

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: GUEST,vectis
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 07:55 AM

Whitby large festival with lots going on.

Small festival MISKIN without doubt

Sussex Song & Ale for those who just want to have a fun weekend away and entertain each other, a really good laugh.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: muppitz
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:10 AM

Warwick my favourite of last year, but my absolute favourite is the New Year festival in the Borders, The Land The Light The Locals, but then I love the Borders, it's my spiritual home!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Essex Girl
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:30 AM

Miskin, Sidmouth, Whitby and Bromyard, all with plenty of opportunity to sing and play your heart out.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: fi_in_nz
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:50 AM

Auckland Folk Festival - at the end of Jan in the Southern Hemisphere sunshine - we have quite a few who return from the UK year regularly for the wonderful friendly atmosphere (it's another single site festival)

My all time fave is Waharau - a small 60 person festival (no guest performers, all make your own music) in a DOC hut (department of environment) by the sea nr Miranda Hot Springs, but haven't come across anything similar and small here in the UK.

Liked Saddleworth and Holmfirth FF last year, but HATE all the smoky pubs and having to cross busy roads the whole time.

F

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: scouse
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:28 AM

Tonder, Tonder, Tonder, need I say more. Simply the best in Europe!!
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: folk1e
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 04:48 AM

Saddleworth would be great if the locals would just admit that they are actually in LANCASHIRE (grins and runs for cover)
Battle of the roses and all that!









Allio + (Co)my tongue is firmly in my cheek!
Can I come next time?... Please? ....Go on I prommise to be good..........(ish)

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: folk1e
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 04:49 AM

The pre festival sing round was pritty damn good too!

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: mandotim
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 08:59 AM

I was born in Saddleworth; at the time it was in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It is now in Greater Manchester. It has never been in Lancashire. No you can't come next time unless you wear sackcloth and ashes, and wash your mouth out with lye soap.
Tim from Bit on the Side :)

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 09:23 AM

Mars is good.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: GUEST,folk1e
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 10:00 AM

But there is no Greater Manchester any more (sob)
What is your post code?
Come on guys let's get that faded rose painted red..... or maybe we could compromise with a pale pink?...... (runs for cover)

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 10:23 AM

I would say Miskin followed by Banbury,Bedworth and Tredegar House which is a dance festival here in South Wales.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Cats
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 01:17 PM

Fox and Hounds for a small gathering of really good people who want to sing and have a good time.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Fidjit
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 02:47 AM

Miskin

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Dave Earl
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 03:02 AM

Miskin cos my mates go there (and the beer and singing etc is wonderful)

Sidmouth cos a lot more of my mates go there and I get to drink and sing a lot.

Dave

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 03:17 AM

To widen the scenen a little further Ortigueira in Galicia always has an awesome lineup of celtic bands and is FREE!!

http://www.festivaldeortigueira.com/english.php?lang=ing

Another festival, more roots based but large, in fact VERY BIG is Wychwood which started for the first time last year. Some big name artists (Billy Bragg, Saw Doctors, Amadou and Mariam ) and on the Sunday night a collaboration with Eliza Carthy and Salsa Celtica which will probably be worth the price if admission alone. All one one site (Cheltenham racecourse) so good camping facilities.

My daughter works full time for the organisation so I declare an interest.

http://www.wychwoodfestival.com/

My own favourite is the National, followed by Warwick of the larger festivals.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 04:08 AM

Bromyard. Lovely Autumnal weather in a beautiful location. Small enough to be friendly and big enough to support a good mix of well known and new artists. Good pubs, good cider. What more could you need?

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 10:13 AM

I am a Fylde Child

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 10:22 AM

Holmfirth is going to be as good as ever..5,6 & 7 of may

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Favourite Festival
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 10:54 AM

I've always considered the Eisteddfod to be my favorite festival, when Howard Glasser was running it in Massachusetts. I was there a half a dozen times as a performer, and it became more like a family a reunion. I've had to revise that opinion in recent years as I've come to appreciate the NOMAD festival here in Connecticut more and more. Fox Hollow had it's own special magic, as did the Adirondack Folk Gospel Festival and the High Ridge Folk Festival which I ran for six years. Push comes to shove though, I guess I'd have to pick NOMAD.

There have been several other festivals I've either attended or performed at and they all had their special rewards.

I guess I never met a folk festival I didn't like.

Jerry