Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007

Subject: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 01 Aug 06 - 01:29 PM

We've had quite a run on the 2006 festival thread and it has spilled over into thoughts about next year's festival.

So I thought it is high time to start a new thread to help keep in touch and not have to scroll on and on and on to get where we need to be.

If I'm wrong, feel free to ignore me and post on as you were.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 11:03 AM

Announcing a mailing list for parties interested in
the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival.

To subscribe, simply send an email with
the word 'subscribe' to [e-mail]
In the body of the mssage, please put a note with
your name and your interest in the Festival. (I'm
not going to just add every random person.)

You will receive an email message to which you must
reply confirming your desire to subscribe.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Aug 06 - 02:22 PM

refresh!

Great idea for a contact list of those really interested.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 02:08 PM

Save the Dates   June 7 - 10

partial list:

Louis Killen
Jerry Bryant
Lee Murdock

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 02:33 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,jcampbellwampum
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:20 PM

feb 24.. sitting here at geno leech,s house in chinook washington, hang onto your hats when we get some of these west coasters out to ct, this summer,more later

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:51 PM

Here is a more complete listing:
Northern Neck Virginia Chantey singers
Cindy Kallet
Lee Murdock
Louis Killen
Jeff Warner
Ellen Cohn
Jerry Bryant
Cliff Haslam
Geno Leech
Moe Bowstern
Ana Vinagre
Bob Walser
Bob Webb
Chanterelle
Jonn Bartlett
Rika Rubesatt
Tom Lewis
Pint and Dale
Sounds of Africa

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 01:23 PM

Thanks for the update.
I'm thrilled to see the Northern Neck Virginia Chantey singers. There are very few groups that sing together that are still part of a living tradition (think Manhaden Chanteymen, Barouallie Whalers & the Buckingham Lining Bar Gang). I believe it'll be their 1st time at Mystic (the others have all been past performers). They are worth the festival alone. I'm also thrilled to see that this year they're adding some of the Fisher Poets (Moe & Gino) (see Fisher Poets thread) to the attractions. Happy to see that John & Rika well be there as performers this year, they were terrific as presenters & singers last year. The rest of the line up is just as thrilling. It would seem that the Seaport has done quite a job in turning the festival around. This will prove to be "THE FESTIVAL" of the year to attend. Congrats to what ever commitee it was that turned out this stellar gathering of performers.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 02:12 PM

Nice to see the Pacific Northwest recognized this year.

Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat (correctly spelled I believe) are from the greater Vancouver, British Columbia, area.

Tom Lewis is from the mountains above Vancouver.

And Pint and Dale are either in Seattle or the UK.

This Festival should be great fun!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: moongoddess
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 06:46 PM

You have to have Cindy Peloquin and her shanty music. Her voice is so beautiful and her banjo playing is excellent.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 10:50 PM

I thought I knew a thing or two about this kind of music but I have to admit I don't recognise a single name on the list of performers.
Nick

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: iancarterb
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 11:18 PM

What date(s)?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 12:06 AM

Wow!   What a great lineup!!! This is an outstanding collection of artists!   I would not miss this!!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 12:12 AM

The dates are June 8-10. Here's the seaport's Festival page it seems that it hasn't yet been updated yet. The dates have it from Friday through Sunday.

Northern Neck Chantey Singers
Cindy Kallet

Lee Murdock

Lou Killen

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 01:43 AM

Sounds great!!!!
We missed you at S. P - perhaps next time? It was a fun evening......

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 02:33 AM

Here you go Guest Nick. There are a few I couldn't find out much to link to & for the Sounds of Africa (not knowing who or what they're presenting) I came up with way to much.


Ellen Cohn has performered at the festival quite a lot over the years & is very knowledge about sea music as well as being a fine singer, musician & performer. I believe she may have been a staff member & part of the shanty crew there in it's earlier life.



Sorry I hit submit before I was finished. Here's a few more links

Jon Bartlett & Rika Ruebsaat

Jeff Warner

Jerry Bryant

Chris Haslam

Geno Leech & Moe Bowstern

Bob Walser

Bob Webb

Tom Lewis

Pint & Dale

Chanterelle

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,jon campbell
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 11:02 AM

barry- see if you can link right to the astoria fisher poets main site. it might also be good if somebody at the seaport tried to get jen winston up from ny to show and talk about the whole documentary project this event out here is unlike anything else i've attended, this year there were in excess of 55 readers, poets (not so many musicians) and the its real non competitive, the main deal being that everybody has lived what their talking about, this is no revival, no research project, no costumes no trappings.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 12:10 PM

Hi Jon, good to hear from you. Sounds like a lot of fish tails to me, a real bucket of stink out there in Astoria, glad you had a good time.

Astoria Fisher Poets

Maybe the mention of Jen Winston here would encourge someone to invite him/her to the symposium as a presenter. Sounds like a likey spot for it. I'm pretty happy that the peotry end of the culture is being showcased. See ya in June-Jon.

Cindy is also a great double handed bones player, when the bones aren't leaping from her hands into the drink. Right throught the space in the decking. A good laugh.
The sourrounding waters should be a treasure chest for a diver. I've got a cell phone sitting on the bottom between the Conrad & the dock & one year my singing partner lost a good meal over the side of the Mystic Whaler. I'm sure many have lost more.

It's also great that the line up is up & out so early in the season, makes planning for the festival exciting. I'm very excited with it this year.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 01:34 PM

Jon-

I hope that the good fisher poets of Astoria "release" you so you can return to your beloved New England.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 12:48 PM

Barry...

I'm glad to see a nice 'line up' but I think 'turning that Festival
around' is a bit of an over-statement.

What would 'turn it around' would be a plan for growth, for once
again giving back to the musical genre as was the case twenty
years ago, as well as being accountable to those who help
to pay the bills.

All of these things the Seaport has refused to even begin to do,
choosing instead to trade on location, location, and location
as well as a very appreciative audience.

To me, the changes between 2006 and 2007 represent a missed
opportunity to actually bring about such a 'turn around' as
well as a concious decision not to do so.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 02:47 PM

Greg-

I pretty much agree with your take but also expect that the Festival this year will be better organized, and less stressful to performers. I do hope that it is better attended for it can be a wonderful experience for people who enjoy good music and a beautiful "seaport" setting. I am very plesed with the range of performers mentioned so far.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:10 PM

Hi Greg
I do think that there's been a great "turning around of the festival". The line for one is great. I'm happy that there's a Fado singer who so talented & she's local too & is, I believe, very connected to sea music. There a fair representation of both US & non US bred talent & some that cover non English speaking cultures that are approate to sea music & not just because they sung in a bar across the street from where a ship was being built. There's also a covering of the singer/songwriter/contempory genre & a heathly dose of trad. A new direction is the presenting of a few 'Fisher Poets', which is an expansion in covering the traditional culture of the deep water sailor. There's no word yet on symposium presentors but hopefully classical composers won't be listed. The advanced listing of a line up is far better than last year when even the performers didn't know much until it was almost upon them. That itself states that the festival is healthy & strong & being well (or the very least much better) managed & that folks can now plan in advance which takes from the draw if they can't. It the this part of the festival that counts, that people care about, that folks come for. The workings of the festival doesn't matter if the festival isn't worth attending.
I do agree with some of your points but they should be left to SMF list & not a public forum. I just posted there. Maybe there should be a pre & post gathering of SMF at Mystic as a part of the festival. More of this on-list, maybe?
Anyway this year is a turnaround so I'm very excited already & am waiting to hear more on volunteers. And hopefully well being seeing you all there.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 09:38 AM

There are changes going on, and most of them are good. Unfortunately Greg, yours and my idea of a perfect festival are just not quite going to happen. LIve with it. There has been a huge orginisational hole for the past couple years, and Joanie is doing here best to repair that. Remember, she started at Mystic Seaport a week before last years festival, and is working on that model. Most of us remember the wonderful festival of 15-20 years ago and thats just not there any more. Mystic Seaport is a different place, run by way different people, with different goals. At this point the best we can do is support the programs that are important to us, and look for the bright side.

Marc Bernier

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 10:21 AM

If there were such a thing as a perfect festival, the blueprint would be printed and everyone would follow.   Each festival has different sets of issues and audiences.   I only started attending in recent years, and even I could see the changes.   

As Barry pointed out, the lineup for this year shows great change and I think that it reaches the core of what the festival should be about. There will be music for those with a deep appreciation of the sytles and there will be music for those who are going to be exposed for the first time and can be drawn into the beauty.

I wish them all the best and I am looking forward to attending.   Barry, you mentioned a list for discussion of the SMF. Is there information on how people could join the list?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 03:43 PM

Ron --

If you send a message to [e-mail] , it will
subscribe you to the smf mailing list, which is at present rather
quiet.

Barry---

Your post didn't hit the list... perhaps you still haven't
got your email address just right with it. Shoot me an email
with what is defintely your correct address, and I'll endeavor
to effect repairs.

But before you castigate me too much about being public in my
commentary, consider this: Late last year, a couple of us
very long time and rather high-dollar contributors tried to
meet with the organizers. At our expense, on our time, we
wanted a couple hour sit-down.

'No' was the answer. At two levels. 'No.'

At the upper level, the answer included 'we don't want to be
accountable' to financial backers.

We held the door open--- and got it slammed in our faces.

Now, I didn't have any particular expectations when I founded
the Friends of the Festival a decade ago. But after ten years,
and creating a program that now accounts for the lion's share
of the budget, (and by the way it took one HELL of a lot of
persuading to get them to do it) and personally bringing direct
and matching contributions to the event in an amount that would pay
for a real nice new car, I think something better than 'we don't want
to be accountable' and a refusal of a couple of hours of the
organizers' time is in order.

Organizers who, by the way, made no effort to seek out and introduce
themselves to me.

And I don't mind saying that in public.

Or whatever they refuse to sit down across the table and listen
to in private.

Mystic Seaport Museum may be a private organization, but it is
a public trust, custodian of physical and cultural artifacts
which represent the collective heritage of their constituency.

At a time of ever-increasing accountability of public trusts,
MSM seems to be going in the opposite direction and losing its
way.

Marc, you've had the painful experience of watching the budgetary
axe fall on the necks of some of your colleagues over the past
couple of fiscal years. At the same time, I see MSM senior management
wringing their hands over expenses which are outpacing flat or
negative growth in revenues. And in the face of that, you have
managers and colleagues who still believe that 'development' isn't
their business, that it belongs somewhere in the Development Office.
(My "we don't want to be accountable" call began with my hearing
the words "this isn't a development call." Brother, at a museum in
financial straights, ANY phone call to a five-figure sponsor of a
program of which you have charge IS a bloody "development call" and don't you forget it!)

They don't correlate a "we don't want to be accountable" (or even,
as you put it, "Live with it") with a drop in what people are willing
to contribute in a world where a whole bunch of worthy causes that
are "important to us," some of which are fiercely accountable to
stake-holders.

Maybe that last term is the crux of the issue.

Ten years and tens of thousands of dollars later, I'd sure like the
new gal and guy to at least acknowledge that some of us who dig
around in our bank accounts year after year are "stake-holders."
Worth, perhaps, a couple of hours of their collective precious
time.

To say nothing of the volunteers who've collectively put blood,
sweat, and tears into the event for all this time.

The new folks choose not to.

Oh well. Let 'em deal with the resulting budget issues then.

I may have to "Live with it" but I don't have to keep paying
for it.

I'll have a coupla extra grand in my pocket to do something else
with this year and until they wise up. I can still buy a ticket and hear that great line-up. I'll even be able to afford to stay at the
Whaler's Inne instead of the HoJo's, eat at the Daniel Packer a
coupla times instead of Sea Swirl, then go down and spend Monday
night at the Griz.

And when they do wise up, and start showing me that there's a path
and a plan for growth both in the SMF and in the sea music programs
at MSM in general, and a sense of accountability to the stake-holders
I'll be back with whatever support I can afford.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,campbell
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 05:34 PM

interested parties can punch up the daily astorian to get a little more feeling for the fisher poets gathering feb 25 & 26 the young girl covering it gives kind of a starry eyed treatment,   
but this is the sound of the working watermen and women as it is in this millenium. and i'm glad to see the organizers might give a little bite to those who have spent a lot of time on steel decks and have wrung more water out of their socks than most of us will ever see.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 10:09 AM

hi guys,

Greg... I've attempted once more to get onto your mailing list... hope it works this time....   

let me know what Mike & I can do to long distance assist....

here's hoping we can actually make it there on Thursday this time...

cheers, Chris

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,3
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 12:42 PM

I respectfully disagree with Guest 2's position that Greg B shouldn't complain about Things Gone Wrong. It is ALWAYS helpful to be informed. It is ALWAYS enlightening to understand behind-the-scenes action. If this thread turned into a 200-message-long whinge session, that would be another matter.

The festival will be fun; the festival will be good; enjoyment will be had. None of that means that museum officials should dismiss and/or ignore problems the festival may have. There is nothing on this earth that cannot be improved upon.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Doug Allen
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 01:00 PM

Greg
While your monetary contribution to the festival has always been welcome, you are not the largest contributer, and you did not "start" matching funds or corporate sponsorship. I initiated corporate sponsorship and matching funds over 25 years ago
You sound more like the sour grapes child. Who, not getting the recognition you want is going to take your ball and go home. (pardon the mixed metaphor)
As you know I have been involved with the festival since its' inception. I have volunteered in every job the festival has and have been a Seaport volunteer for over 30 years.
I have watched the festival grow over those years to (what I have been told) the largest festival of its type in the western hemisphere.
Is funding a problem? Always? Should every donor have a say in where the money goes? No.
Leave the spending to those who know where it's needed.
I don't agree with all the changes in the festival behind the scenes, but I understand that they were made to benefit the Museum.
If you don't agree with that, as far as I'm concered, take your ball home and shut up.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:22 AM

I would hope that these internal squabbles will not diminish the perception of the festival that the public has. Festivals are not organized to meet the needs of donors or organizers - they are created to perpetuate and share the music that is offered.

As a host of a radio show that depends on listener donations for survival, I know how important it is to please the donor. I do make every attempt to listen to what they have to say - requests for songs, suggestions for themes, guests, etc.   At the same time, I would not dare to let money determine the course of my program. That is not fair to anyone - most of all, the listener.   One of the reasons that I do not search our larger corporate underwriters is the fear that they will attempt to dictate the program.

What I am reading in this thread strikes me as similar.   I completely understand Gregs discomfort at being "shut out", and if his words are true - the organizers should have given him the courtesy of an explanation. At the same time, I do not think that a single donor should assume their money will give them a say in how things are run.   As Greg mentioned, it is a public trust - and the public trusts the representives that run the musuem. Public trust does not mean that money dictates the course of action. If anyone feels that trust is broken, then as Greg says - the money does not come.

I would hope that this can be settled in a less public forum. If the parties involved truly care about the festival then they will do what they can to solve these differences. Failure to communicate will bring an end to everything. You don't want to argue in public if you really care about the welfare of this festival.    Parents who are having marital problems should never argue in front of their kids - neither should organizers and donors.

I know my opinion was not asked for, but as a "fan" of this festival, it really hurts to see such bickering that is not necessary.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:45 AM

I would also urge folks to cool the public airing of their thoughts about particular individuals. I have a lot of respect for Greg and others who have been involved in this Festival for years, and if someone has something critical to say I think it's better to do so by PM or e-mail.

Festival policy and practice, however, I consider fair game.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 01:22 PM

You know, Doug, I figured someone might trot out the 'sour grapes'
argument.

I just didn't expect it to be you.

Your posting, above, is a marked contrast to the conversations that
we've had over the last several years regarding the direction that
the event has been taking.

Yes, you're a significant stake-holder; and I'm disappointed that
you're not acting in that role. I've only been involved as a volunteer
and supporter for 20 years. I haven't had every role in the event,
but I've done everything from answering phones in the office to
cleaning out a balky toilet, so I have some idea.

I don't know why you'd put words in my mouth--- I'm probably not
the largest financial contributor, never said I was. But it's
significant (at least to me). I *WAS* the driving persona behind
formalizing the Friends of the Festival which, here and now, provides
the lion's share of the budget.

When you say it's about 'recognition,' though, you're talking
through your hat. There's a lot more recognition at SMF if you
as either volunteer or donor are must 'seen and not heard.' Indeed,
I've been told that in so many words by a SMF organizer in the
last 30 days. Indeed, I'm quite aware of my risk of becoming
'persona non grata' in some of the MSM halls of power as a result
of my outspokenness.

But I can remain silent no longer.

And I have made every attempt---- EVERY attempt, to resolve these
issues 'in the family.' I've been rebuffed. More than one of us
has been rebuffed.

Ron, you make a very good point:

"[Festivals] are created to perpetuate and share the music that is
offered."

In making it, you put your finger on the core problem: The overall
sea music program at Mystic Seaport Museum is broken, it and
the Sea Music Festival as a reflection of that program have
deviated significantly from that mission.

A decade ago, the museum had on its staff four scholar/artists
as full-time chanty staff. It didn't happen over-night. It was built
on the shoulders of others, like Bob Walser and Sturat
Frank. Furthermore, there were others 'in waiting' to fill that
role when and if the others moved on. Their role was educational---
they researched and presented the music as witness to the lives our
seafaring ancestors lived and the struggles they faced. The Festival
was an outgrowth of that: it was part of the educatonal 'mission.'
The chantey staff where the 'curators' of these cultural artifacts.

What is the situation today? Of the four, three are gone or
at best are filling in a day, perhaps less, per week. In that
role, they're 'background music.' There is much less education
about the role the music played and how it bespeaks of the culture.
Those 'in waiting' were not moved to step into those roles---
they've moved on to other museums or jobs where they're happier
and treated better. A couple even within the Seaport.

Oh, they all say nice things in public about 'other opportunities' so
as not to burn bridges. But the reality is, the role of musical
artist/scholar at MSM gradually become untenable.

The museum's view of the Festival has gone (with some other
events) from part of the educational mission to one which is
judged by the administration according to its ability to bring
in revenue. Right in there with 'Lobsterfest.'

Now I hear some standing up and saying 'well what about this
year's line-up, with the fisher-poets and all?' To which I
respond that it's as much about what you don't see as what
you see. What you don't see contains a whole lot of unrealized
potential. Early in this process you could see it--- for
example in the booking of some rather odd choices of 'headliners.'
More recently, the organizers got to be a bit better at disguising
the priority-shift, but by the time that was done, there wasn't
much money and energy left to lend substance and growth.

What has happened to the 'curatorial' side of sea music at Mystic
is analagous to the Seaport allowing the C.W. Morgan to sink at
her wharf.

What has happened to the Festival isn't quite as bad--- more
like port-painting the ship and hanging the effigy of a pirate
in the rigging in order to make the kids say 'Mommy, Daddy,
lets go in there.'

If that happened, I believe someone who'd put a great deal into
Morgan's restoration and maintenance could probably get away with
raising hell--- publicly if it came to it--- without someone
coming along and accusing him of ulterior motives or starting
some side-debate about the proper role of donors.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:16 AM

Guest - I think you misread the notes. Greg made an analogy, he wasn't saying the boat sunk. I was on deck last summer, it is doing fine.

I am still looking forward to the festival. Not everyone can create a perfect festival. People reading these posts might expect to see a disaster, but judging from the previous events - including recent years that were in question, I have always had an enjoyable time.

I hope all parties can resolve their internal issues. I hope to see many people enjoying the music and surroundings in June!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 11:38 AM

I take you point sir but then also consider my statements as analogous. The maintenance of Mystic vessels is very much analogous to the care of and being a shepherd or steward of musical heritage which the Mystic sea music festival does-indeed well.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 12:10 PM

"The maintenance of Mystic vessels is very much analogous to the care of and being a shepherd or steward of musical heritage which the Mystic sea music festival does-indeed well. "

That is the point being debated and I believe the point Greg was making, at least that is how I interpreted it.

I tend to agree with you Guest, I do think the organizers of the Sea Music Festival do a good job, but that does not mean it can't be improved. I think the passion that both sides speak from show the interest in perpetuating this music and event, but I worry that public bickering - from both sides, will only serve to kill this event.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Rev
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 03:03 PM

There have been a lot of changes as the Seaport in the last 5 to 7 years, which have affected the sea music festival, but are connected to issues that are far larger than the sea music festival. It's like the old parable of the blind men and the elephant, when you're in touch with only one part of the larger organism it seems like that's the whole animal, but it's not. Remember, the Seaport has a working shipyard, that not only restores ships, but recently built a replica of the Amistad, they have a large library, a program for college students, a planetarium, over a hundred buildings, etc... The Seaport's budget is in the tens if not hundreds of millions and they work on huge projects, the restoration of the C.W. Morgan (tens of millions), for example, or the conversion of the old Rossi Mill to house the museum's enormous collections of small boats, maritime artifacts and photographs (also tens of millions). There are many people out there who are just as enthusiastic about the preservation of small boats as we are about the preservation of sea music. The museum has to be able to balance all these things.

Mystic had a major change of management in early 2001, which has clearly brought a different style and focus to the administration of all parts of the museum, some that has not been for the best. Shortly thereafter, the disaster of 9/11 changed tourism patterns, and had a major effect the bottom line of every large outdoor museum in the country. Mystic has also had to compete with the growth of the Foxwoods casino, and later, the Mohegan Sun casino, which have further siphoned off tourist dollars. In our myopic focus on the festival, it's easy to forget that we don't just want the festival to succeed, we want the entire museum to survive if not flourish. Sometimes that means making unpleasant choices.

As for the chantey program at the Seaport. Interpreters make very little money. It is very difficult to live on what those four great guys were making. But they did it for twenty-years or more because of their dedication, and because the Seaport was a wonderful place to come to work everyday. But who can blame them for wanting to move on? One wants to go back to grad school, another wants to explore different musical areas. More power to them! That no one has stepped in to fill their shoes is, again, the product of a lot of economic and social issues. I inquired about taking a chanteying job there, at least on a temporary or seasonal basis, but after talking to a number of folks there I realized that I couldn't make it work financially. Perhaps, though, if the sea music program is so important to you, you'd like to quit your job and work, for probably less than $10.00 an hour, as a chanteyman. No? I can't say I blame you.

So who's to blame for the difficult straits the sea music program is in? I don't know, but I'm inclined to blame George Bush... Or maybe blame should not be the name of the game.
My two cents,
Rev

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 03:36 PM

Thank you Mr. Rev for this calm informative note. You have spoken much truth succinctly and eloquently. Hats off to you.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 07:54 AM

Just two cents worth from the "wilds" of western New York....

Mike & I have been volunteering for this wonderful festival for over twenty years.... made lasting friendships..... watched young kids grow into fine adults.....

For years I've described this festival as going to our "family reunion", and we look forward to seeing the people as much as we do to hearing the music and seeing new groups and learning about different musical traditions. And singing myself hoarse by the time Sunday rolls around, thanks to the "I can sing my shanty louder than you can" competitions at the after hour shanty sings.... lol

Yes, things have changed over the years, but the love of the music, interest in the history and desire to keep the tradition going is still going strong. And our slightly dysfunctional "folk family" is coping with the stress of these changes. And the thanks in part to the SMF and its participants, there are so many more places around this country and the world that are keeping the music and tradition going. So I am hopeful that we will weather out these hard times and be singing our lungs out for more years to come.

And I'm looking forward to seeing all of you guys that can make it to the seaport this June.

Ever hopeful, Chris

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 12:01 PM

Mystic Seaport, over the past half century or so, has done a balancing act between being a marine museum and a commercial attraction. To date, I'd say they've done a spectacularly successful job of it. Yes, I'd love it if there was a bit more emphasis on the serious academic side of things, but I suspect that an operation that I found ideal wouldn't attract enough visitors to continue existing. This being said, I can only say that the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival is one of the very few folk music events that I will not miss.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 10:50 AM

Bottom line-preservation of the musical tradition. there will be a festival-thank you who are involved for that .. And we will have fun-"bottomer" line.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 02:02 AM

Rika and I are proud and honoured to be invited as guests this year. May I ask some of the old-timers whether they can suggest a suitable regimen for training for the great event? Thirty-six housr of continual shanty singing is for sure going to require more than the usual training regimen of oysters and very dark ale. Mr. Finn, what say you?

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 07:54 AM

Jon and Rika-

I'm not sure what to say given your delicate voices, which I can still clearly hear thundering over the shantying in the dance hall and the galley like surf in a Downeast gale. I usually advise newcomers to find a corner or wall to bounce off, in the vincinity of a group of friends who can chorus along. You two could still be heard if you were outside on the porch, or across the street!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: DebC
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:13 AM

Hi Jon and Rika,

I had sent an email to you a few weeks ago. Please get in touch. Hope to see you when you are on the USA East Coast in June.

Best,
Debra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:56 AM

Oysters and Ale is a good start. Other than that, if your not in shape now you probably won't be then. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 03:28 PM

Hi Jon
I think what ever you've been doing has been working out OK for you. I was even thinking last yr of asking you what you were doing, cause for the past few times I've been getting there with an already hypo-allegric throat which by the 2nd night goes into de-fib & gives me that raspy croak sort of sound.
Seeing as you're asking though might I suggest a couple things that I've tried. Bring some abalone for later use. Be sure to start early though cause they didn't work for me cause I didn't start early enough. The week before you get here, say on Monday morning start the days off with a strict diet of sashimi, use wasabi mixed with tamari & ginger root an wash it down with liberal amounts sukiyaki, raw lobster tail & a cheap port will do if ya can't get the real stuff. After each meal do some physical & vocal exercises like jumping jacks an all the while turn your head side to side an start opening & closing your jaws. Start his one off easy & work your way to stressful, now start flapping ya lips & start singing your vowels beginning at your lowest range an work up to your high range extending the ranges as you continue. Do this until, let's say for 3 days an nites. Continue the physical & vowel training but stop with the sashimi an sukiyaki an let your guts settle down. After you've been throughly flushed you'd wanting ta be starting a regular diet of steak tatar using again liberal amount of Jim Bean's best with a little bit of tabasco sauce mixed with some hot fish oils. Add to your training regimen, starting no later than thrusday morning, a new routine, lay off the jumping jacks. Raise your arms up & out out & spread your legs a little better than shoulder's width apart an bend at the waist keeping your knees strait, cross an touch your toes, it's important to hold that position fro 22 seconds & yell at the floor, again singing your vowels, straighting out you body back to the starting position & repeat for 10 reps 3x daily working your way up to 20 by the time you get to Mystic. Ask Rika to take pictures cause technique is important & I may want to keep these pictures an patent this if it woks on you. You'll be getting much credit & exposure if all goes well. Anyway by the time the Friday (this is when we take part in eating the abalone) nite sing gets going strong an you start ta sing the dogs that attended last yr won't be able to stop howling, an they probably won't even be there. So I'll try the same regime & we can have a real good howl together for ourselves an anyone else that chooses too. I just hope that you'll be able to stay on your feet as long as ya did last year, you were impressive. See ya there
All the best to you & Rika
Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 03:31 PM

I should've asked, will it be the right month for abalone, it's been a terriblely long time since I was out that way, 1979 I think, so I'm not sure about the abalone season.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Rev
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:33 AM

I recommend supplementing your oysters and ale with a heaping plateful of the fried clams (with bellies) from Sea Swirl (out on Route 1, just down the road from the Seaport). The hot oil will coat your throat and keep you singing smoothly for hours!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 07:10 AM

Or the Portugese scrambled eggs and hot sausage from Chicken Little's (or whatever it's called).

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 12:15 PM

wow.... the link is up on the Seaport's site.... and it's still March.... lol

http://www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=C9BE0FCF-D86E-382C-FA65352B6393646D


http://www.mysticseaport.org/    you do have to search trhough a few screens from the main page, but hey....


any word on when the volunteer sheets will be sent out?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 02:36 PM

Jon and Rika---

Fisherman's Friend. Nobody really knows if it helps a sore throat
or just tastes so awful that you won't admit to yourself or anyone
else that you have one, and your oral arena is so frightened
of being given another, that it ceases to give trouble.

I've checked, and the official name of their flavor is 'strewth!'

The web site is an improvement--- last year, I was leaving the
house for Mystic on Thursday morning, and calling to tell them that
there were no links on the home page to the event!