The first time I saw Pete Seeger was in 1954 when he gave a concert, sponsored by the newly formed Pacific Northwest Folklore Society. After the concert, he came to a party where he wanted to hear some of the local singers. And he also sang.

Over the years I've heard many well-known singers up close at parties and such, swapping songs with "locals" and singing for no pay, such as Peggy Seeger, Ewan MacColl, Sandy Paton, Guy Carawan, Joan Baez, Theodore Bikel, Richard Dyer-Bennet. . . .

Festival goers, whether on an official program or not, whether paid or not, almost invariably get together at informal gatherings where they sing up a storm.

It's the singing that it's all about. I'm afraid that Lizzie is just clueless.

Don Firth