Sticking up a mention of some local event, wherever it is, England, Australia, Pennsylvania, whatever - that doesn't indicate an assumption that everyone on the Mudcat lives round the corner and might come along. It's a hopeful recognistion that there miht be some who do and might.

And what it also is is a way of giving a thumns up to the idea that what folk music is centrally about isn't show business, it's about is people getting together where they are, and making music for the enjoyment of it. It's a way of saying "We are still doing it that way where I am", and expressing solidarity and encouragement for other people who are doing it on the other suide of the world.

And the same goes for reminding people about special days for people in some particular part of the world, or with klinks to some particular part of the world - Thanksgiving, Burns Night, St Patricks and so on, and the more the merrier. (And when it come to Bretons, it really is the more the merrier.)

For the Engkish I've alwasy felt that April 23rd is a bit artificial as a day to choose - May Day is far more of a vibrant tradition, even if it gets shifted to a Bank Holiday Monday somewhere in the vicinity of May 1st.