Welcome, Guest Siochain, and I like your name. (I christened a boat the same; a currach, of course.)
I do understand your point. Perhaps you were not aware that the Chanteyblast was already planned and scheduled as a benefit for the Festival before Barry's passing. This was the second annual event. The Seaport budget for the festival was slashed, as so many museum and cultural institutions and events are struggling desperately particularly the last year or two. Last year, there were a number of events organized as benefits, most notably the first chanteyblast at Mystic in January and a concert at Borderline Folk Club (thank you, Rabbi-Sol) in April. Barry, of course, drove all the way down from his home to the April event, to sing only a couple of songs but to raise his voice for a good cause. After Barry's passing, it seemed quite appropriate to dedicate this year's sing to his memory. While I enjoyed the Barry stories told, and really liked hearing a number of songs most of us first heard from Barry, it was not organized specifically as a memorial. I do know that remembering Barry may well have increased the number of people who were there, and I am very glad that there were pictures and stories, and that Justine, Natalie, and other family and close friends were there to share. When we have lost other individuals important to the world of sea music, festivals have been dedicated to them; William Doerflinger, Dave Parry, and particularly Stan Hugill come to mind. In my mind, the thoroughly enjoyable event could be viewed not only as a memorial to Barry, diluted somewhat by the festival fundraising, but instead as an excellent fundraiser with a remarkable bunch of performers, participants, and fans, that was fittingly dedicated to a man who not only enjoyed but enhanced the annual event. I am sorry if you were disappointed in expecting a memorial service only, and hope that you will come back, if you have not before, and enjoy the music and event that Barry loved so much.
Siochain to you as well.