Nice? Understatement (Big Grin)! I had a wonderful time, even with the downpour throughout Friday evening's concert under the roof of the boat shed. Thank goodness for the dropdown canvas sides of the shed. I enjoyed the music, appreciated the variety of presentations at the symposium, and loved the pub sings. I also was thrilled to meet some Mudcatters but wish I could have met all or you who were at the festival. Maybe next time you go   . . . .

Next year's festival will be the 35th on June 12-15, 2014, assuming that it runs for four days. (One year it had to be cut back to three days.) I am basing those dates on the announcement that the symposium will be June 13-14, and proposals for papers (History, Folklore, Literature, Ethnomusicology or other appropriate disciplines that address any appropriate aspect of music or verse of the sea or inland waters from the Age of Sail through the present day. Graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals.for symposium papers and a brief curriculum vitae or resume to Dr Glenn S. Gordinier via e-mail at glenn-gordinier@mysticseaport.org by February 7, 2014.) are already being sought. Please note that June 15, the Sunday of the festival, will also be Father's Day. Taking your dad to the festival will be a great gift!

Also, Geoff Kaufman said there might be a ChanteyBlast in September. I hope it won't conflict with the Portsmouth Maritime Festival or the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival! It's bad enough that January's Chantey Blasts have conflicted with the 24-hour Moby Dick readings at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!