Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Oct 01 - 03:03 PM

Here's an article on the festival, in a local newspaper. It was written prior to the event, but had some interesting things to say about traditional music.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 09:28 PM

CET, glad to hear you got home safely. It was great to see you!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Barry Finn
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 07:11 PM

Well it was a great time, wasn't there Saturday but did get there in time for a great concert that evening & a hell of a party sing. Gotta say that the kitchen hoolie was rockin. Funny Jeri you didn't screw up anything that I heard, I'd say you were just a bit too good & Bat Goddess had socks rollin up & down like window shades on those that wore them with her singing of Yellow Gals. The ending of the all hands concert was done well & just about as tastefull as you could get. Peter Contrastano & Jeff Warner did a knock em' dead good job. Barry

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: CET
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 07:09 PM

It is now 7.04 p.m. I rolled up about half an hour ago. I'm operating on about 31/2 hours sleep, having woken up in the Motel 6 at Portsmouth about two hours before my wake up call. However, I had a good drive, sustained by coffee and memories of great singing and good friends. I particularly remember the singing sessions in the pubs, harmonizing with so many fine singers and actually having some of them harmonize with me!!

Time to sign off now. Bill the Cat is rolling around on his back, complaining. I also want a shot of the duty free Scotch I bought at the border.

Cheers

Edmund

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 07:05 PM

Well, actually I only spent about $3.2M myself. The rest was part of what they call team work. September is good for a frazzle but that just makes October all the sweeter.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 05:15 PM

We Roll & Goers certainly had fun, wimped out on the after- the-saturday-concert party, but set up the sound system on the green for Sunday bright and early, which my wife Judy BARROWS was kind enough to run all day. We certainly made the rounds of Portsmouth watering places, some quite nice to sing in, some extremely demanding (singing on an outside deck over the sounds of three tugboats and a kitchen fan). The treat for us was hearing the Portsmouth Shantymen (UK) for the first time, and of course hearing all our other old friends and favorites once again. Naemanson did show Sunday as promised, having carefully spent $21 million of our tax dollars in 24 hours flat. What joy!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: MMario
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 12:41 PM

Gee- too bad some of that 21 million couldn't have been siphoned off into the MudCat and the DT!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 12:04 PM

We saw CET off on his way home around 8 this morning. He stopped off on the way (we're about 40 minutes west of Portsmouth) for a convivial cup of coffee and to meet the new cats. (Sabine monopolyzed his lap -- Griffin didn't come in last night.)

Have to remember what I have to send to whom as a result of the weekend. Hope I remember all the promises!

It may take all week for my voice to return -- after singing along in other people's keys all Saturday, didn't have much range or volume left yesterday. Fortunately, Animaterra and CET and Judy Predmore and Tyler Buck and others(as well as performers Roll and Go, Deb Cowan and Jeff Warner) helped out at the singaround!

What a great weekend! But why does good music always seem to involve a sleep deficit? (Sigh)

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 09:42 PM

Animaterra kindly neglects to mention I royally screwed up both the words AND the tune! (Well, I had it down perfectly in the car.)

Yesterday, Gordon Bok sang Mary Garvey's song about the boats with their bottoms to the sky. (Oy - can't remember names of anything right now.)

I have to admit the best singing WAS in Gerret's kitchen. I was there when it started, and it felt a bit like an earthquake - starting quietly with one voice and gaining in strength until the walls shook. I actually had the nerve to lead a couple in this crowd.

Ickle Dorrit, if you read this, the last song I sang at the festival was the Spare Hand, and it was into a tape recorder of a member of the Portsmouth Shanty Men, I'll PM you for permission to send your address to him in case they'd like to ask permission to record it. Haha! From Hull, UK to Portsmouth, UK via the US.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 08:23 PM

Sleep? Sleep? Who needs sleep? When you're dead you can sleep.
I had a great time. Spent most of this afternoon at the singaround led by Bat Goddess and Curmudgeon. Roll and Go showed up, Debra Cowan wowed us with the "Dreadful Ghost" (the ghost was dreadful, not the song!- ahh, beautiful!), Jeri sang her lovely "Why we sing" song (i'm waiting for the words, Jeri). Judy Predmore gave us "Twin Lights"; I'm sorry I had to leave early and wasn't able to hear more of the wonderful musicians again.
Highlight of the weekend: singing in Gerret Warner's kitchen, packed with at least 25 singers. "My lady of autumn" stands out, as does Barry Finn belting out just about anything!
I've had to re-type half of this thread. maybe it's time to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 10:40 AM

CET, CET!!! (not ECT) who came all the way from Ottawa and was able to get to the Friday night Press Room session in time to add some wonderful songs. (Charmion -- hi! sorry you had to miss the festival -- this is a quick way to keep you posted, too.)

One of the best parts of a wonderful music day was an impromptu dinner and pints at The Press Room between the afternoon music and the concert. We pushed together a bunch of table and crammed Jeri, Animaterra, CET, Charley, Nor & Dick from Roll and Go and Curmudgeon and I all around, plus Paulette Dubois (singer) and Allan Schwinn (great guitarist), from the Friday session who happened to be there at the time and joined us.

We even got in a few songs, which I hope didn't annoy the other early dinner patrons of the pub (too much).

Not enough sleep last night (of course). Why is it that good music always seems to require sleep deprivation?!?

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 01:54 AM

Day One was GREAT! There have actually been people here this year!

Bat Goddess and I managed to sing along with just about everything even though we were working the sales booth. (We were the "Booth Babes.") The concert tonight consisted of Jeff Warner and Bruce McIntire opening. The rest of the 1st half was the Portsmouth (UK) Shanty Men, 2nd half was Gordon Bok. Wonderful - loud, glorious choruses and standing O. Party afterwards with more singing. I'm croaking, but hope to be in better shape by tomorrow.

Mudcatters in attendance were (besides Bat Goddess, Curmudgeon and myself) Animaterra, Edmund (Is his handle 'ECT'?), Charley Noble, Barry Finn, and GUEST, Jeanna,who I'm considering a Mudcatter. (She also gave me a scarf!)

Anyway, I'm not entirely sure I'm concious at the moment and I should go to bed. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Naemanson
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 01:54 PM

That's easy for you to say, Charley. You don't have to spend $21,000,000 before Sunday night!

However, I will be done before then.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 09:35 AM

Just heard from Naemanson that he'll be joining the rest of Roll & Go on Sunday. Nice to know he has a proper sense of priorities, performing with Roll & Go rather than carefully re-allocating millions of defense dollars before the end of the federal fiscal year. Brett, you just get one chance to get it right and I think you've made the right choice.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 07:58 AM

See everyone there today and tomorrow!

Remember, it's all FREE except tonight's concert.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 10:32 AM

Peter and The Portsmouth (England) Shantymen will be at the Press Room session early (late afternoon, actually) before they have to get to Newton, MA for a house concert.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:53 AM

Looks like we'll be setting up our sound system at Strawbery Banke Museum, operational at 1 pm, where Roll & Go will give it a live test for 25 minutes, abandon the stage and our sound manager and dash for the pubs. That should be fun to watch, Roll & Go working its way through the pubs looking for the right one. "Hey, bottoms up! Maybe, it's the Druid's Arms across the street!"

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:09 AM

I just noted from Jeff/Peter's e-mail, that Roll and Go and Deb Cowan will be among the performers rotated through the sing around at The Coat of Arms pub that Curmudgeon and I are leading -- hope to see more Mudcatters there, too!

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 07:02 PM

I predict he'll spend the money on new computers. Office furniture is always nice, too.

See youse guys SOMETIME this weekend!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 06:30 PM

Nor, Dick and I are running down late Saturday afternoon to case the place out, and attend the evening concert. Brett's going to try to pry himself away from spending millions of federal dollars (before the end of the month) so he can attend Roll & Go's performances on Sunday.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 02:34 PM

This sounds great; I'm looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 08:25 AM

I'm not sure of the schedule for Saturday, but on Sunday performers will be rotated at the following locations:

- Strawbery Banke Museum, outdoors (under a tent, if necessary) with a sound system and an MC.

- McLane's Law Firm:, indoors, with an MC; seating for about 40.

- Bagel Works (coffee shop)

- Dolphin Striker (restaurant)

- Stockpot (restaurant) -- If the weather is fine, this will be outdoors in their riverside restaurant/bar area.

- Starbucks, coffee house.

- Cafe Brioche -- outdoors in the heart of Market Square

- Coat of Arms (pub) sing 'round led by Linn Schulz (Bat Goddess) and Tom Hall (Curmudgeon)

These locations (except Strawbery Banke) are all with a block or two of Market Square in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. After the sessions downtown, there will be a final gathering at Strawbery Banke Museum for what was originally conceived as a "shanty blast," but given the gravity of the times other things may be sung about; whatever feels right.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 04:59 PM

I did hear from Jeff -- I guess maps and venues locations, etc. will be available at Strawbery Banke. Parking is also available at Strawbery Banke (at least for the performances there -- and you don't have to buy a ticket to Strawbery Banke unless you want to tour the houses, etc.) as well as the Portsmouth Parking Garage. And the meters don't have to be fed on Sunday or after 6 p.m. on Saturday.

And I did see a huge sign for the festival in front of the John Paul Jones House on the corner of Middle and State Streets, so information may also be available there.

Bat Goddess who just finished solving one of those minor computer problems that put you out of commission until they're solved. Sigh.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 11:30 AM

Looks interesting. Any place to berth a 27' motor-home in the area for the weekend? We're up for at least one more tin-can encampment before the snow flys again!

Keep us posted if any updated city maps become available - although I think Aunt Mahtha' knows her way around Portsmouth a lot better than I do.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 08:46 AM

I probably won't be getting down to Portsmouth town until late saturday afternoon. And, Kendall, I haven't really done any ocean sailing since 1965 but I'm always rather to give others nautical advice.;-)

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 09:58 AM

Oh, and I think Jeff Warner was actually in the Navy, though I don't know what kind of SAILING experience he has.

I noted that the map, besides not really having festival locations marked specifically, also has at least one landmark wrong. The building on the corner of State and Middle is no longer a Baptist church. It's an office building now just as its architecture suggests. The church in the vicinity is on Court Street a block away. I know I overheard a couple people last year who got confused and couldn't find a venue because of this error.

I'll also check with Jeff Warner about where hard copy schedules and locations can be found by people coming to the festival.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Jeri
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 08:16 AM

Festival Main Page
Schedule of Events - not too specific about who's on where, but it has what's on when and where.

I'll be selling stuff at Strawberry Banke most of Sat, and at the concert Sat night. Bat Goddess has volunteered to assist at Strawberry Banke, so we'll both be there.

There is an outdated touristy map here. Go write that novel you've never had time for or renovate a small room while it loads. Fleet St, the site of the Coat of Arms pub and singaround is at E3, in the area labeled on the map 'Water Monkey Funky Outfitters'.

The sing-around is from 2 - 4 on Sun. At least it is on the schedule.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 24 Sep 01 - 07:02 AM

Come along, Kendall! Pleeeezzz???

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Barry Finn
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 09:35 PM

Do that bigchuck, no other chucks (sob). Thanks Jeri, so far I've struck out on both accounts messing up the dates for 2 nights but I'm back on track now (I think). Shame Kendall, I've done a wee bit of sailing, made a Pacific crossing under sail (& under 50') on a cutter, was a liveaboard, address, Lahina Roadstead, Maui. I'm pretty sure Neamanson was raised on a schooner, most of or all of Shipping news teach among other things schooner sailing to the kids at their school, on the school schooner. You'd know more about Gordon than I would & I can't speak for the rest but if I don't see & hear you there I'm gonna think that you're just taking the piss out of the rest of us & trying to pour some salt over our wounds (at least I'm sensitive & I know Brett is cause he's such a big teddy bear), now come on it ain't that far for ya & neither is the Fri press Room session. Be there or be square. It's also always nice to see you (watch it now I don't often talk so highly of those I really like). Barry

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: bigchuck
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 08:58 PM

Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll get down for Friday afternoon and Saturday.
Sandy

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 08:36 PM

No, Bat Goddess, I mean, I won't get there until 4-ish Saturday. Someday I'll make it to the Press Room on a Friday!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 04:34 PM

Jed Marum.
Barry, it's THIS FRIDAY!!!

(snicker)

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 04:27 PM

Okay, Animaterra -- that means you'll be around for the Friday afternoon/evening (4:30 - 8:45 p.m.) session at The Press Room! I know Barry Finn will also be there. Naemanson? Charley?

I just hope I have my voice back. (It left unexpectedly and didn't leave a note; I think it's allergies, arghhhh!)

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: kendall
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 02:59 PM

I wonder why they seldom hire people who have actually been to sea?

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 12:40 PM

Click here for another recent thread with some information about this festival. I'll be there from late Friday afternoon; looking forward to seeing Mudcatters galore!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 12:20 PM

I think the sing around session starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday at The Coat of Arms Pub on Fleet St.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 03:37 PM

Where and when will the sing-around session be?

Subject: Portsmouth, NH Maritime Folk Festival
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 03:34 PM

I know a link is already in place in the "What's On" Permathread, but here's the basic info without having to go to the website.

The Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival
Saturday & Sunday, September 29th & 30th
Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The event is an annual maritime folk festival to present music, song, and storytelling related to the sea.

New England performers will be Jerry Bryant, Deborah Cowan, Finn & Haddie, Fred Dodge presenting "Bert and I" tales, Dave Hallowell & Chris Stevens, Lynn Noel, Shipping News, Roll n' Go, and Bob Webb.

Saturday activities include a children's program at the Public Library, performances at Strawbery Banke Museum, and an evening concert at the Unitarian Church with special guests Gordon Bok, the Portsmouth Shanty Men of Portsmouth, England, and Jeff Warner.

Sunday afternoon performances will be held in restaurants, pubs, a small concert space, and at Strawbery Banke Museum. An open singaround session, interpretation of life on a tall ship, and shanty work song demonstrations also will be presented.

All events are free with the exception of the Saturday evening concert. Concert tickets are $12 and are available at the Unitarian Church just prior to the start of the 7:30 PM show.

For additional information, please call 603-431-5388 or visit the Web site www.folkhorizons.org

What the press release (above) doesn't mention is that there is reasonably priced all day parking at the centrally located (downtown) Portsmouth Parking Garage. I'm not sure once you're there where informational programs and maps can be acquired, but one caveat. On any map, check the street names and not just landmarks. I noted that last year's map was out of date and confusing to some people not familiar with the area and I don't know whether that's been corrected this year or not.

BTW, Curmudgeon and I are leading the sing around session.

Bat Goddess