whoops - looks like i forgot to "sign in" - I'll get the hang of this eventually!
   For those of you who fell I was shameless for calling my radio show "Howlin' Gales", let it be known that I called the show "Catch The Wind" - remniscent of the Donovan song - for about 3 years before I stopped midstream and changed the name.
   There's not *much* of a folk scene up here in ketchikan, but we do have monthly 'Monthly Grind's up here at the Saxman Tribal House. There is some really good local talent there, the local theatre troupe does excerpts from musicals when applicable, and then there are like - people's kids - singing offkey and bein "cute".
   Actually, the first year I was up here, 'Silly Wizard' was here and did a great concert in the high school auditorium. Dar Williams was up here, Harry Chapin was, before he died (naturally), and we have guest folkies up here all the time. Just no taverns or pubs to meet in, and no organized way to jam with people. That sucks, of course. But par for the course up here, a village of 8000 people on an island.
   I was really into seeing if Robin Williamson would come up here, and wrote a letter to that cause. It was answered by his first wife Janet, who explained that his schedule was already spread too thin, but appreciating the classic descriptions I had provided of the ambience and terrain up here
   I really hope people who play music on this forum might consider contacting the Arts and Humanities Council, and see if they can get paid to come play music up here! We don't have nearly enough concerts, and I'm sure our $ is as green as a yankee dollar! Conceivably, that person (or people) might also contact Juneau Arts and Humanities, Petersburg Arts and Humanities, Haines and/or Skagway Arts and Humanities, to see if they can set up a tour of SOuthEast. Then there's also Anchorage and Palmer and Homer, and Kodiak, and Fairbanks, if they wanted to plan a real BIG tour.
   It's so nice to be in contact with y'all - I hope I am a productive member.
all my best,
valerie