It was a great treat time, and now that my kneeds aren't giving me the dickens (for ever how long, until I need 'em scraped out again) I'll be a regular again.

The participants party on Saturday was indeed a gas: shanty singers over here, Seattle Labor chorus over here, brass band in the center doing O Canada. Kudos to the Canadian Consulate.

After my band, Growling Old /women, played for an hour at the Roadhouse on Sunday, I wandered around with Genie for awhile. The contra dancers were, as usual, dedicated and frenetic.

In the Resources room, there was a small stage where unlisted performers played. Klappa Do-Wappa was a scream: sort of a Barbershop Quartet in Croatian. Also a duo called Desperadoes.

I stood up outside to hear the Mammals, because I've never heard them and they were worth it. Tehy were obviously having a wonderful time. Tao Rodriguez is tall and rangy like his granddaddy (Pete Seeger) and gives an entertaining leap into the air at the end of numbers. I followed Molly Ungar over to the Bamboo whatever to join her parents playing for a swing dance. I can't dance anymore and regretted the steps. .then on to a panel discussion on the history of Folklife in a small auditorium deep in the bowels of one of the buildings. couldn't have found it without directions. Historic performers with important things to say. Jim Page is always a good time.

Going to this fest always feels like coming home. May it live forever.