Festivals in March: Florida

Subject: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Mar 99 - 06:14 PM

Hi all! Just a reminder that the Will McLean Music Festival is March 13th and 14th at the Sertoma Youth Ranch in Dade City Florida, the sweetest smelling city in the world ( orange processing plants). It is 7 miles west of Dade City and 1 and a half miles east of i-75 on County Road 41 at Exit 60. Workshops include songwriting, guitar, banjo, autoharp and dulcimer. It is a celebration of the folk music of Will McLean. 15$ for all weekend. I'll be there and I'm easy to find. Just ask for Abby! Sooner or later all the nuts roll down to Florida. Come on guys! (Is that lighthearted enough Ferarra?)

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Mar 99 - 06:20 PM

Hey all, The next one after that is the Florida Old Time Music Championship at the same place. It is March 26th and 27th with guest of honor JP Fraley. Contests in fifteen different categories and lots of pickin!. The Sertoma Youth Ranch in Pasco county outside of Dade City. Web site is www.dadecity.com/fotmc...I hope the Florida 'Catters make it. Ask for Abby...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Paul G.
Date: 04 Mar 99 - 08:24 PM

Abby (and anyone else in Florida next weekend)....You'll find me on the main stage, Saturday evening, 9:30 at the Will McLean Festival. I'm doing a writers worshop at 4:00 (I think) Saturday - and I'll be on the other stage Sunday at noon. Hope to meet you and maybe some of the rest of "y'all", as we say down here in the sunny south!

The McLean Festival is my personal favorite of the Florida events -- great music, wonderful friends, a family friendly venue, and oh, those oranges! Mine are blossoming and smell wonderful.

Best, Paul (in Jacksonville)

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 05 Mar 99 - 08:24 AM

Paul, I'll definitely find you next week! My bf will be doing portraiture as a vendor at the festival and I'll be with him or with Mark Fackeldy, Lorrie Schuman Perkins if she can come (six months pregnant) Robin Plitt, Charlie Groth, Cheryl Belanger or Art or Whitely Markle for picking and general mischief making...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 10 Mar 99 - 05:12 PM

Frank i.t.s.

Drag your dusty tail to Pasco county this weekend.. harpgirl

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Paul G.
Date: 10 Mar 99 - 06:49 PM

Well, the judges must have been drinking again...just found out I was one of the songwriting winners, so looks like I'll be hauting the Will McLean Festival stage at about 2:00 this Saturday as well...

Paul

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 10 Mar 99 - 08:29 PM

Paul How did you find out? Lorrie Schuman was wondering if she was a finalist this year? harpgirl

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 06 Mar 02 - 07:14 AM

This weekend marks yet another Will Fest. Same place as the first post. I'll be at the autoharp workshop and my camp if anyone wants to visit! harpgirl

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 07:35 PM

March 15-16, Satu-Sun,2003-Dade City Willfest at Sertoma Youth Ranch 10am-midnite Sat, 10am-5pm Sun. On-site camping. Info www.willmclean.com or 352.465.7208

This year's festival features the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest Winners and a host of the best folkies in Florida. See you there!

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 07:38 PM

Suwannee Springfest, Live Oak March 20-23, 2003 Spirit of The Suwannee Music Park. www.magmusic.com/suwannee.htm

This is Kendall's winter hangout so look him up!

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 07:39 PM

Florida Storytelling Camp, Leesburg, March 27-30,2003 www.flstory.org/index.htmlio

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 10:36 AM

Hi all,

I'll see if I can make it. I'm transportation challenged right now, but I think I can coerce someone into going for the day.

Hope to see yall there.

pax yall

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 10:40 AM

Harpgirl, I believe the Florida Old-Time Championships are on April 4th and 5th this year in Dade City. I'm still hoping to get into shape to join the clawhammer runoffs.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 10:48 AM

booked airline tickets last week to come down to Florida Old Time Music Championships-- Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz are Guests of Honor; should be LOTS of fun. (April 4-5 2003)

Note to Gern; the banjo contest is NOT just clawhammer but allows non-Scruggs styles other than clawhammer (good thing for me, in previous years)

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: BTMP
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 12:41 PM

Hello, Pete! Long time, no see. Just wanted to add some info about the bluegrass festivals going on in central Florida:

       Mar. 7-9    Kissimmee
       Mar. 15-16   Ft. Christmas
       Mar. 27-30   Withlacoochee
       Apr. 5      Fox Lake
       Apr. 12-13   Magnolia Park

Vassar Clements showed up at Magnolia Park a couple of years ago, did a lot of jamming out in the parking lot. Hope to see some of you bluegrass fans at these events.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Troll
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 11:30 PM

I'll see y'all at Willfest. I've got a show each day plus the finale on Sunday. We'll be camping so look for the blue '73 Duster.

troll

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 11:46 PM

..Is that just "y'all" or "all y'all"? I wonder if I can stay in beginning banjo or will they make me move to the "real" banjo contest? I'm also hoping to have two sets of bones so I can click/clack with both hands, as well, at FOTMC, Gern. harpycat

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 12:47 AM

Well, I write "yall" cause I'm lazy and I pronnunce it as one syllable.

"y'all" is probably more accurate because some say it's a contraction of "you all", but I figure it's a plural of "you" without any particular connection with "you all".

But that's just me.

How yall are?

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Troll
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 09:34 PM

Singular; "you".
Plural; "y'all".
"All y'all" is redundant.
At least that's what I was taught. Y'all may have learned it differently in your respective parts of the South.

troll

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 10:48 PM

Hey there,

Looks as if the coercion has worked and I'll get to be there on Sat. I'm even working on getting the music director of WMFE-FM (Orlando's public broadcasting station) to go as well. Maybe do a few interviews.

take care

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 11:54 PM

...blackcatter...I usually camp on the edge of the camp ground over towards the pond but I hang out with the tie dye guy alot during the day. I'll be at the autoharp workshop for sure. troll will no doubt be in the hottest picking session, which naturally occurs anywhere in his general area...please introduce yourself!

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 03:10 PM

Just a couple days to go and it looks like bonny weather. Getting my whitles and jewsharps out of hock as we speak!

Blackcatter

Subject: RE: Festivals in March:Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 05:45 PM

...I'm south of dade city now...over on Lake Worth. The orange blossoms are so fragrant. Driving down here with the windows open was heavenly. I plan on being at Willfest tomorrow for the potluck...see you there

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 03:51 PM

Hello all

Starting this thread up again. I wil be attending on Saturday this year. Looking forward to it, had a good time last year.

This time I have a friend who is a finalist for the song competition.

Here's the link with info:

Will Mclean Music Fest

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 08:27 PM

refresh:

So, anyone else planning to go to Will McLean?

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: GUEST,harpgirl
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 10:11 PM

I will be there, as will many of my musical friends in Florida! I expect to see Charley Groth, Cheryl Belanger of Simple Gifts, Troll was there last year (where is he now?), and a host of Florida musicians who love Will McLean's music and love to write their own. I hope you look me up, blackcatter...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 01:17 PM

I will try - I forgot to last year.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: John J
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 01:22 PM

Pardon my ignorance, where is Dade City in relation to Clearwater? I may have to visit my father there in March. If it's not too far I'll bring my melodeon & my voice.

Cheers,

John

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 05:24 PM

Dade City is almost directly west (and about an hour's drive) from Clearwater.

From Clearwater take I-275 north towards Atlanta.

Get off at Polk County Road 41 (exit 60) and go east (towards Dade City).

Make a left on Clay hill Rd. and you'll see the Festival eventually.

Check out the webpage I linked to above for more info and a map.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: John J
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 12:06 PM

Thanks for the info Blackcatter. I now know I am definitely going, but not until just after the festival.

:-(

John

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Blackcatter
Date: 02 Mar 04 - 10:23 AM

Experience Florida Folk Music

Attend the 2004 Festival - March 13 & 14, 2004

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: John J
Date: 02 Mar 04 - 11:55 AM

Arriving in Tampa 15th March pm, leaving Tampa 26th March around mid-day.

Any idea where I can find any music / singing?

John

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 10:07 PM

I just found this thread after trying to get some information about the Suwannee Music Park Springfest. Looks like we might be able to sneak in a quick motorhome trip to FL (part business, part vacation) in time for this.

So.... what's it like? What should I know before I go? Any mudcatters going to be there? Would a couple of old bluegrasser/folkies enjoy themselves there? etc. etc.

Here's the 2005 lineup: http://www.magfest.com/lineupspringfest.htm

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 10:27 PM

Well, Barbara you and your SO would be a welcome addition to the Springfest. It is very large, however and sometimes difficult to find sympatico musicians with whom to play. There are lots and lots of young people there who don't play music. I wouldn't come to Florida just for this festival but if you are in the area and want to spend 100 to 140 on a ticket...I imagine I will be there with my friends from Cool Bus...you can also find lots of old timers who play bluegrass on the Loop which Kendall can tell you more about, as well.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 10:45 PM

Suwannee Springfest? Imagine a cross between a typical bluegrass festival and a Grateful Dead Concert. Lots of ganga-smoking kids with dreadlocks. But they don't bite. Just be sure to camp in a "quiet area" 'cause they do get noisy after the stage show's over.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 18 Jan 05 - 11:00 PM

Or, if you're more into straight ahead bluegrass, the Withlacooche River Festival is that same weekend. LINK HERE

I used to go to it regularly years ago when the lineup was a pretty eclectic mix. Last time I went, though, it was all "hardcore" bluegrass. Not my cup of tea.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 10:53 AM

I'm glad I asked! I was trying to decide between Withlacoochee and Springfest, since we'll be passing by both/either that weekend. Springfest sounds like Grey Fox festival in New York, which we go to every year, although once a year is enough... At Grey Fox, we stick with the RV crowd and avoid going up the hill where the kids party more than make music. We're into it for the music. But besides Grey Fox (which lately has a similar non-bluegrass lineup to what Live Oak is showing) we go to several strictly bluegrass festivals, and love them.

Frank's of course interested in seeing Bela Fleck, and the Reeltime Travellers are great (Live Oak) and I'd like to try both festivals at least once. But I really love sitting around jamming after/during the show. Hmmmmmm, what a decision!

So if we go to Springfest, where is the loop? Where's the best place to camp where we can avoid the partyers but play music all night? Same question for Withlacoochee.

(I sent Kendall a note, but haven't heard back from him. Now that he's married, I guess he's too busy!)

Hey, harpgirl, I vaguely remember you walking up to one of our jams with Kendall in tow, somewhere in New England. Was that Thomas Point? It would be nice to see you again!

P.S. What's "ganga"?

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 01:46 PM

Most Withlacoochee regulars reserve the same RV site for the next festival. They'll get the nice prime shady spots. For RVers who haven't reserved a site in advance, those requiring hookups will get stuck in the middle of a cow pasture. If you don't need a hookup you can park anyplace that's not a designated hookup site and there are plenty of nice spots available. Most of the picking goes on in the area where the regulars park, but it's not a long walk from anyplace in the park.

At Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park where Springfest is held, they should give you a map when you come in (it's a really big park). Just tell them you want quiet camping and they'll indicate where it is on the map. Picking sessions are apt to be anywhere.

And ganga is Rastafarian for Marijuana.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:13 PM

Yes, Barbara, I remember that weekend vividly. I believe I was the one in tow at Thomas Point. I enjoyed playing with Kendall's brothers that weekend.

Ancient history, my dear... It was great to meet you.Also great to be around other than southerners...I sometimes feel like an alien in the the south....

I think Withlacoochee is very much like Thomas Point. You can also stay at the Sertoma Youth Ranch in Pasco County almost any weekend and find pickers. This is also true for the Suwannee Music Park.

If you go to Springfest, I would say that you should try to camp at the loop where you are guaranteed to find bluegrass pickers all over the loop. They also congregate under a covered porch and a small stage in the Loop. The park is 600 acres and I went to Magfest this year. I stayed with friend sfrom Melbourne who played nonstop adn you would fit in there. We were in the back of the park with lots of nonpickers around. I like the llop best of all.


Please keep me posted as to when you are going to be in Florida. I haven't bought a Springfest ticket yet but better hop on it to get the discount. I haven't planned my spring festival calendar as yet.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: MOAB
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:21 PM

Well, I'm doin' an art festival in Jacksonville that weekend so I'll wave to ya from I-10 as I drive by.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:33 PM

Oops! That were me above, wearin' my nefarious alter-ego cookie. Shhhhh!

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 12:47 PM

Still haven't decided which one to go to yet.

Our one time at a southern festival was last summer in Amelia, VA, and I have to admit we were disappointed. The stage shows were great and the people friendly, but there was very little jamming and only one guy joined us once for a short jam at our site. We've gone to dozens of festivals, and typically, as soon as Frank and I take out some instruments and start up a song, people drift in and join us right away and are always welcomed. This never happened at Amelia.

So my point is that we seek out the pickers and the picker festivals, because that's what we love to do. If the issue is related to being northerners in the south, we're better off knowing that at the outset. Harpgirl's comment about being "around other than southerners" started me thinking along these lines...

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: GUEST,harpgirl
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 06:10 PM

Since my son has come in on the train from the wilds of west florida with a foot infection requiring prompt attention, I may not make this festival, Barbara. Are you still going? Anyone know anything about wound debridment?


harpgirl

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 07:45 PM

We had to cancel our trip due to Frank's work requirements (bah, humbug). I'm looking for a hole in our schedule so we can do the same trip (another festival) during a different two weeks, but so far no luck. We'll get there someday...

Good luck with your son.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Abby Sale
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 06:25 PM

Harpgirl, when you wrote (way up above) "Ask for Abby" did you mean you or me?

I do an e-mailing monthly re all folk & "folk" events in Central Florida and it usually includes all folkish festivals in the state and/or links to the rest of them.

Just ask Abby.

I also hope your son's ok. And has lots of antibiotics.

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: open mike
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 06:45 PM

ah-hem...ganga is cannibis...wern';t dreadlocks clue enough?!

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: Abby Sale
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 09:30 AM

Subject: RE: Festivals in March: Florida
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 09:54 AM

Abby, I meant myself! Why would I want people looking for me to find you? LOL Anyway, I get your newsletter. It's great! Perhaps we'll meet someday, but it won't be at Withlacoochee. I'm going to nurse my son until he returns to the wilds of west florida on the train on Sunday, I guess. But you probably aren't going either. He has horse pills of keflex to take for ten days and I have a new fistful of bills! Joy!