Avalon Nekkid Fest...

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 11 Aug 02 - 11:11 AM

Firstly, thanks to the anonymous poster. What a sweet thing to say. And I can't even thank you properly, all considering I have no idea who you are. That was a real ego boost, just so's you know, especially at 40 when I am seeing my age start to do things to me that I hate. This fall, I am *joining* a spa, and am going to *stick with it* by gum! 'Course, that will do nada for the oncoming wrinkles. "What a draaaag it is getting ooooooooold".

Okeedoke, anyway

Well, it's come and gone, and I survived with no noticable stress. Actually, I have done clothing optional pagan fests before. The problem is, I was never on stage, so was never the focus of attention of a few hundred naked people before. The first night was easy...but then, the lights were in our faces, and we could not see anyone anyway. Not to mention it was cold, so a lot of erstwhile nekkid folks were sporting clothing. The next day, we played at around 5, and it was *hot*. Energy levels were down a tad (ours as well), and we (how stupid is this???) were in garb at an event that would likely not have required it of us. So, after one of my bandmates imploded a verse to his lead, I said to the audience "You'll have to forgive us...it's hot in this garb". Mistake. "So TAKE IT OFF" comes from the audience. oops. I just casually say "I can't". "WHY NOT?" comes from the audience. And *then* from a bandmate: "Yes...do tell...why not???". The real reason was not fit for speaking, or for that matter printing here, so I said "My kid won't let me". Had there not been a 'real reason', I'd have likely stripped right there. I was never one not to take a dare.

The one real problem I did have was this one guy who seemed less of a nudist and more of an exhibitionist. He sat in the first row with legs akimbo. And he'd do a little thrust and bounce to the beat. I had to look everywhere *but* at him to keep from losing concentration. But all in all, it was not too much of a real problem. One of my bandmates had a real hard time with him though. I said to him, "I dunno what I find more disturbing...the fact that I did not have too hard a time with it, or the fact that you did".

The gig was rife with potential humour though. On Saturday, I said "Well, last night, we had the lights in our eyes, so we couldn't see you at all. Today, we can see *much* more of you."

All in all, the site is *wonderful*, the people friendly, sweet, and accomodating, and the other talent was *AMAZING* ("We're not worthy, we're not worthy!")

I highly recomend it to anyone who has thought about it, but passed on it due to the nekkid thing. It really is no big deal, and again, you could not play to a nicer audience.

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 11 Aug 02 - 02:57 AM

I'd give anything for satellite photos!

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: GUEST,rafflesbear
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 07:30 AM

I don't see the big deal

as a regular naturist at the uk's biggest venue I can assure you that we play tennis for the sport, we swim for the exercise, we drink for the social contact and we listen to music for the same reasons as anyone else out there.

we have our own musicians who give outdoor concerts, we have floor singers, we have visiting musicians, morris dancers, beer festivals just like 'normal' people.

you pass us in the street every day.

forget your hang-ups and just get on with your music, thats what the audience will be there for.

and by the way, if my experience is anything to go by, you will search for a long time before you find a more friendly audience

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: GUEST,Anonymous admirer
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 05:20 PM

Celtic Soul: I am using another computer so that my name does not appear; I'm doing that for obvious reasons.

I urge you to remain fully clothed throughout the festival. Here are my reasons for that request.

I have seen your picture here on the cat, and have also seen you in person, although I don't think you have ever seen me - you have certainly had no reason to notice me as a member of the audience. My point is that I have a very good idea of what you look like.

When you are a better musician than anyone in the audience, no one objects - after all, that is why they hired you. Your problem is that if you appear sans clothing, every single audience member will feel totally inferior, as well they should. You are an absolutely gorgeous woman. Therefore, all females in the audience will feel as though they should go put on snow suits while all male members will become noticeable excited. That will not bode well with their female partners! And remember, you were invited because of your music, not your beauty.

Now if you were to come and play for an audience of one... Naw, that's like dreaming of winning the lottery. But I can dream!!!

In the meantime, I remain

Your ardent unknown admirer.

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Hollowfox
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 05:19 PM

Well, CS, having attended a few clothing optional festivals in my checkered youth, I wouldn't worry. Most of the ones who shucked their duds were nothing you'd want to contemplate for long. Many's the gent there who had enough roof over his tools to keep them dry in a downpour. Mmario's right about the giggles.

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 04:56 PM

Many years ago, I had the pleasure of hearing Brian Bowers comment that he was glad that we were there to see the show (him) but we should be aware that one of the pleasure of being a performer is that there are a whole lot of shows out there, too. I guess this is one of those gigs that makes it true.

Just relax and be in the moment.

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Amergin
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 01:48 PM

so...CS...are you going to be wearing the same sort of costume as the audience?

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Willie-O
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 12:46 PM

I did a gig like this last year, at a local pagan fest where the landowners are friends of mine. My daughter (now 15) was highly amused when she found out about it. She imagined me as Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movie where there's a nudist camp, he goes in just wearing the guitar, until I explained that I had no plans to disrobe.

In fact, neither did most people there. The description is really "clothing optional". Any such event tends to get the nudity description more than is warranted on the ground, because the promoters don't want people wandering in and being shocked -- shocked -- to see the odd penis or set of nipples on display.

However, at the pagan fest I played at, if the crowd is all worked up and dancing and stuff and hooting at the band for more, the standard cry is "BAND TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF!!!!!!".

Fortunately we're too laid back for that kind of crowd response.

Willie-O
(he won't)

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: MMario
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 10:48 AM

just don't get the giggles! if you go out into the hee-hee zone someone is sure to get offended...even if it's one of your normal trips...

*grin*

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 10:12 AM

People normally say if you have to talk or play to an audience and you're nervous to imagine them all naked........well they are already naked, soooooooo, just imagine them all clothed!!!

cat

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 08:53 AM

:::giggle!!:::

Yes, Harpgirl, I saw the thread. :D Lot's of good wisdom there. I.E.: I plan to be fully clothed, cuz there aint no way in hell at 40 and after giving birth to a 9 pound child (at 4'10" tall) that I am going nekkid.

Brave, Sorcha? I wish. They're paying us, and nudie money spends as good as clothed money, so the person who books us said what the hey. And a contract is a contract, so the show must go on. I'll have a hard time explaining this to the kid when she finds out though.

And you're right, Genie...that's the problem. I'm going to have to be ultra conscious if what I'm looking at. Unfortunately, I dunno how conscious I am going to be. We shall see...

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Genie
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 02:04 AM

Just remember, the key is to maintain eye contact with the audience! *G*

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 12:44 AM

You are really going? Brave person you! Pack the shades!

Subject: RE: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 12:38 AM

Good luck ole girl! I "raised" the old thread I started on this Festival. Did ya notice? Have fun. You'll find your "Best Man" huh?

Subject: Avalon Nekkid Fest...
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 10:16 PM

Ok...wish me luck, folks. I gotta go play to the nudies tomorrow and Saturday. I am beginning to wish that my eyesight was a little worse off than it is. Not that I am afraid of seeing nekkid folks, mind you. It's just I am scared that my eyes may not be where they ought to be. And, now that I have psyched myself up so much, like being afraid of laughing at a funeral, it'll likely be a self fulfilling prophecy.

Time to buy some *really* dark sun glasses...like painted out black.