Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5

Subject: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 05:38 PM

I've been corresponding with Mudcats/shanty singers Radriano and Chantyranger about flying in from Maine to spend a couple of weekends in the Bay Area and swapping some sea songs. Be nice to enounter some other shantying Mudcatters as well. The first open event which is firm is at the "Hyde Street Pier which opens at 7:30, chantey sing beginning at 8:00; it'll be in the hold of the 1895 lumber schooner C.A. THAYER." I'll also probably drop into the SF Folk Club gathering at 3 pm, Saturday, 9/14. In between I'll be touching base with some other old music friends but on the lookout for sessions, open-mics, or song parties.

On September 16 we motor north to Oregon (see "Portland East to Portland West" thread); should we stop at Eureka for the night?

I will be traveling with my wife who also enjoys good singing and nosing about in old haunts.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 09:26 PM

We'll be on the lookout for you. I'll get details from C'ranger and radriano over the weekend.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Aug 02 - 05:28 PM

Thanks, Dave! We could use some advice on where to stay, or not to stay, in the vicinity of the Hyde Street Pier. We've been considering The Wharf Inn which seems moderately priced for the area. Someone also suggested a B&B run by a fella known as Shanhai Brown. What do you think?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 16 Aug 02 - 06:56 PM

See if you can find Susan AR on a PM, she and hubby stayed in a great B&B near the pier when they visited a couple of years ago. The name escapes me.

I'll see what else I can scare up.

Wouldn't suggest S. Brown unless seeking career change and sudden relocation.

Cheers,

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Aug 02 - 06:05 PM

Dave, Richard, Chantyranger, anyone, we're closing in on time to reserve rooms, hopefully in the Hyde St. Pier area.Our best candidate from Triple A seems to be The Wharf Inn. Any thoughts or better suggestions?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 18 Aug 02 - 07:56 PM

I'll see a bunch of them tonight, in the company of Amos!

I'll check with them and let you know tomorrow.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Aug 02 - 10:13 AM

Dave-Give my regards to Amos. I'd love to meet him as well.

Judy and I plunked last night for the Holiday Inn nearest Fishermen's Wharf for our first weekend in town. Tuesday we journey south to visit with friends in Hollister and then work our way back towards Frisco for the next weekend. We'll scout around the first weekend and see if we can find something more reasonable for the second weekend, and be sure to consult with all you folks before and after the shanty sing aboard the C. A. Thayer on Saturday.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Aug 02 - 09:08 PM

Hi Charlie, you can't miss having a great time there. The music, people & places are to die for. There's no way you can go wrong, no matter what the direction. Have a blast. See ya back in Portsmouth for the Maritime festival, I hope. Barry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Genie
Date: 19 Aug 02 - 11:52 PM

Doesn't Joe Offer live in the Bay area, too?

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:41 AM

Genie-Nah, Joe's moved to London, UK.

Barry-We'll be back in time for Portsmouth's Maritime Festival, with Roll & Go's new CD in hand; which pub are we going to base ourselves in this time around?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: SharonA
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 02:12 PM

Charley: Dang! I wish I'd seen this thread before yesterday, which is when I got a phone call from my ex-boyfriend who lives in the San Francisco area (your basic how-ya-doin'-and-can-you-give-me-the-lyrics-to-three-songs type of phone call)!! I'll just have to call him back and ask about reasonably-priced places to stay.

By the way, if you catch a SF Giants baseball game while you're in town (if the players haven't gone on strike by then), look for my ex – he'll be the one in the Dixieland jazz band wandering around the stadium!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: The Admiral
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 03:33 AM

Is there going to be anything on on the C.A. THAYER on the following weekend, including Sat 21st? Pearl & I will be over from the UK for a couple of weeks, starting with the San Diego Festival of Sail (meeting Tom & Lyn Lewis) on the 12/13th, and are planning to to be in 'Frisco the weekend after. We've been known to sing a shanty or two and we'd love to see how it all works over there!

Tony

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 09:57 AM

There was a rumor that there was some kind of children's sea music program aboard the Thayer the following Sunday. Maybe Chantyranger or Radriano could clarify.

I've also heard that there is some kind of presign-up required for the shanty sing and I'm not sure how one goes about that. Could someone clarify what folks from "away" are supposed to do?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 11:04 AM

This from the park's website shows details.

Chantey Sing Saturday, September 7, 8:00pm–12:00. No fee. Aboard an historic vessel at Hyde Street Pier. Reservations required: call 415–556–6435 or email [e-mail] Sing traditional working songs aboard a floating vessel. Bring a cushion, a mug for hot cider, and join the fun!

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: radriano
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 11:08 AM

Hi Charley,

The children's shanty sing is the second Saturday of every month from 3-4pm. For the regular shanty sing you can call [phone] to make a reservation. That's just so the Pier knows how many folks are coming. If you like, I can add your names to my list so you don't have to worry about it, okay?

Radriano

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 12:01 PM

Here's a link to the SF National Maritime Historical Museum, including Hyde Street Pier and the chantey sings.

clickety

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: radriano
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 01:09 PM

Charley:

When you make reservations for the shanty sing they just ask for one last name and how many in the party. I've reserved three spots under the name Adrianowicz.

Radriano

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 02:04 PM

Richard-

Thank you for the reservations for myself and Judy. I'll pass on the reservation information to the other two musical families who I know in the Bay area who are planning to attend.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 03:34 PM

Admiral -

Yes, there's an event on September 21st at the Pier, aboard the square-rigger BALCLUTHA. A New York chantey group, The Johnson Girls are doing a concert that night at 8pm. Tickets, $12. Tickets and info at 415-561-6662.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 04:00 PM

Charley Noble -

If you're willing to get a hotel/motel off the wharf, you'll find much better deals. One Hyde Street fest musician stays at the Capri Motel when she's in town. Very reasonable rates and comfortable, she reports. It's about a 20-minute walk from Fisherman's Wharf.

Capri Motel 2015 Greenwich, at Lombard 415-346-4667

If you're up for staying closer to downtown, for $50 per night you can stay at the Grant Plaza Hotel, 465 Grant, at Pine, near Chinatown. 415-434-3885. Cheap winter rates!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 09:33 AM

Chantyranger-

Thanks for the housing info. We'll check it out.

Would you like to join Richard and us for dinner on Saturday, prior to the chantey sing aboard the Thayer? We're open to suggestions of appropriate when and where.

Hate to miss The Johnson Girls on 9/21 but we'll be up in Portland, Oregon.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 09:43 PM


Is there a favorite place to eat that people gather at before the Thayer chanty sing?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Melani
Date: 25 Aug 02 - 05:53 PM

The Park volunteers and staff usually eat at the volunteer dinner aboard the Thayer at about 5:30. If I ask the cook real nice, we can probably include you as a guest, if you're interested. Otherwise, there's a pretty nice place called Francesci's on Jefferson Street, right next door to the Pier.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 09:20 AM

Melani-

Dinner aboard the Thayer with staff and volunteers sounds great to me but I need to check with Richard and Chantyranger (see above) to make sure we're all on the same yardarm. I'm also traveling with my wife Judy who would be very sad to be left ashore, consoling herself with what she can scarf up around Ghirardelli Square.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Melani
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 12:58 AM

Of course you're both welcome. Asking the cook is just a formality--there's always plenty and the Queen of the Galley has never turned anyone away.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: open mike
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 05:06 AM

be fore warned--people in the bay area do not call that city "frisco" only in songs such as "sometimes i wonder where i'm bound" does it get called that... there is a frisco in colorado, a small mining town in the mountains in think...and there may even be a tinyplace in california called frisco.. also there is a house concert in chico, ca- about 3 hours from s.f. but near the hiway 5 which goes to oregon, portland, etc. William Pint and Felicia Dale, who i believe often do sea chanty tunes and ballads featuring ships, canoes, and row boats and such, they will be playing on friday, Sept. 13... produced by the Butte Folk Music Society... they play, among other instruments, a hurdy gurdy... a "wheel fiddle" the show starts at 7:30 for more info call: 530-332-9857 don't let the firday the 13th part scare you!!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 09:45 AM

Thanks, Open Mike, but I'm from "away" and there is a long and venerable tradition of folks from away calling San Francisco "Frisco."

Pint and Dale do wonderful things with sea songs, generally breaking out from traditional renditions. I particularly like their rendition of "Wreck of the Lady Washington." I don't suppose someone could identify what part of California Butte might be in, if this 9/13 concert is actually in a place called Butte? I thought Butte was in Montana.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: open mike
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 04:08 AM

butte county is in the sacramento river valley and extends up into the foothills to the east up the feather river canyon toward Quincy. We are about 100 miles north of Sacramento-about 3-4 hour from the s.f. bay area...Chico, Oroville and Paradise are the 3 main population centers in this part of the county. When i was booking agent for the folk society we had a call from a musician who wanted to play here right after their gig in Missoula..I had to inform them that the travel time was more than they were intending....if you draw a triangle from Reno to Sacramento to Chico you have--well, you have a triangle...in northern california, between san franciso and portland...chico is on hiway 99, east of I-5.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 09:34 AM

That puts Butte on the map. I think our sidetrip is going to run us down the coast toward Monteray to visit with friends rather than up the Sacramento Valley.

While in San Francisco, I'm also going to be trying to track down the Bella Union, a surviving relic of the Barbary Coast infamous dance halls, so I've been told. There was also the Midway Plaisance which probably imploded years ago but is remembered in the fine traditional sea shanty "Fire Down Below" recently revived by Bob Walser and The Johnson Girls. Then my friend Capt. Bunker of China Sea Marine Trading Co. in Portland, ME, has urged me to look up his old haunts: Local #9 of IWW,Li Po's Pub, the Golden Dragon Restaurant and Sam Wung's whatever at the corner of Grant & Broadway. What joy!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 04:19 PM

This is a reworking of a verse from "Fire Dowm Below" after rereading THE BARBARY COAST by Herbert Asbury:

And we'll go down to the Midway Plaisance,
Fire down below-oh-oh-oh-ohh, boys,
Fire down below!
To see the pretty girls do the hoochy-coochee dance,
Fire down below-oh-oh-oh-ohh, boys,
Fire down below!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 08:50 PM

Hi Charlie, having a ball? Try Spec's (Adaler's Museum Sp?). It's across the street from City Lights (I think), maybe the area is known as the Tenderloin & it used to be housed under a strip joint & the back stairs are for the dancing employees so they can slip down for an quiet drink. The walls & ceilings are adorned with relics from around the globe sent back by sailors that haunted Spec's at some point in time. A walrus penis stands upright, it's a fertility symbol of the eskimo (or so I been told). It's just one of the rare strange prizes other than the drinking folk, that are housed there. I hope I'm giving the correct info here Charlie but this is what I was told by the staff/owner many yrs ago. If you get to meeting Spec (if he's still about) let him know you're a Downeaster, being from Quincy he'll take kindly to you. He'll probably show you the news clipping of his rescue at sea, he's quite proud he survived. See ya & continue on you roll. Barry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 08:59 PM

Thanks too much for your suggestions, Barry. Apparently resident Mudcats of San Francisco are not familiar with such haunts. (Judy is shuddering appropriately as I'm typing this.) Hopefully, we'll be able to provide you and the rest of Mudcat World a glowing update report of Spec's!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 29 Aug 02 - 08:46 PM

I know Spec's well and will be happy to take you there. It's not in the Tenderloin, but in North Beach. It is near City Lights bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe and Tommasso's, the best Italian joint in a city full of great food.

I didn't get there with Barry when he was with us, didn't know it was on his list. Let's go hoist one in his honor.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 03:05 AM

Hey Dave, hoist more than a few. I did get to peek my head in the door before they opened. I thought I was with Pam & Daphne but I could've been dreaming of it too. We had just come from a pub across the street (could've been the Vesuvio Cafe, another fine pub to rest at Charlie). If you're thinking that we were on a pub crawl, we weren't we could walk just fine. Of course I willing offered up myself as the DD. Aw gee Dave, just thinking about these places & you guys, it's got me pinning & whinning. Charlie if you're with Pam & Dave you never be in better hands. Happy Hunting, Barry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 09:36 AM

Dave and Barry-

Sounds like my kind of place, assuming that not all the mermaids are made of styrafoam. Maybe I should bring some of my Nova Scotian squigglies (huge rubber squids in flourescent colors allededly used for trawling) for show and tell. There used to be some great places along the Portland waterfront that I haunted as a teenager, far more miscellaneous that the quality nautical items that Capt. Bunker now offers at China Marine Trading.

Dave, why don't you join us, prior to the shanty swap, for a 5:30 pm dinner at Francesci's on Jefferson Street, right next door to the Hyde St. Pier; along with Richard we can plot out an expedition. Sure you can't join us, Barry?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 09:48 AM

Charlie:

Whatever you do don't miss listening to PJ whoop it up on the bodhran -- she'll have ya dancing on the roofbeam!! :>)

There's no doubt once you fall into Swanno's clutches, you'll have a purely wunnerful time. Barky, BBW and I are still talking about it, and PeterT is still under the spell all the way back in Tormungo!! Well, whatever! :>)

You have a fine treat in store and I wish to hell I could walk that deck right witcha!!

A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 06:11 PM

Amos, you should be with us!

As I was rolling down Terrific Street I met with Shanghai Brown;
I asked 'im for to take me in and he looks at me with a frown;
He says "Last time you was paid off with me you chalked no score,
But I'll give you a chance, and I'll take your advance, and send you to sea once more!"

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 31 Aug 02 - 12:19 AM

Hokay Charley,

I'll be in touch with radriano et al, and we'll look for you on the 7th.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Aug 02 - 09:45 AM

What a friendly bunch of fellas!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 12:39 PM

Just looked up the info on Spec Adler's Museum Cafe in North Beach, 12 Saroyan Place, between Broadway and Pacific Ave. According to my guide book it's a "classic hangout for the perennially half-sloshed...you can gaze for hours at the quirky memorabilia papering the walls." Well, we'll just have to investigate and report back.;~)

Oh, I've lost track of the address for the SF Folk Club song swap and the phone number. Who coordinates it?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 02:13 PM

Found the address for the 9/14 Saturday afternoon gathering of the SF Folk Club. What I have is Faith Petric's house on Clayton St. and I do have a phone number for when we get lost. Be nice to see Faith again!

Dave Swan-

How do I contact you when I'm looking for a native guide to Seck's?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Guest Franz
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 06:32 PM

Charlie, the last I heard the Bella Union was a chinese language movie theatre, specializing in Shaw Bros. movies. Long since closed. Don't know what it is now. See you soon.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 06:38 PM

Charley -

Just back from a fantastic eleven days away at a fidle camp and then highland games, and am just catching up with the threads. Specs is a favorite place of mine, and I think you'll find it pretty interesting. The museum within the bar, the mix of business suits, punks, socialists, tourists, collegians, all in the confines of one bar makes it unique.

Before the chantey sing, I'll be having a reunion at the Thayer dinner with a few river rafters/kayakers from a trip we took a month ago, so that will take up my dinner time, then I have to get things set up for the sing. So, Ill see you at the sing, and for any other get-together planned. Another place not to miss is the old Ship's Saloon, which now goes by another name. It's on Battery street, near the financial district, which used to be the Barbary Coast. The saloon is the last surviving sailors boarding house - the saloon name, very faderd, can still be seen on the outside back of the building. It was a bar n' grill in the 1990s called "Bricks," but is under new management. Can't think of the new name offhand, but will have it when I see you.

Best,

Chanteyranger

ps. Those in the bay area sea music community don't mind the term "Frisco" as much as other locals do, since historically it was the sailors word for S.F., though we don't use it in everyday speech. As a bona fide Maineiac, you're excused from any bans on the word :-).

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 09:02 PM

Chantyranger-

Welcome back to town! Yes, I've certainly read of "the old Ship's Saloon" and would welcome the opportunity to descend into the basement catacombs to examine the charred ribs of the actual old Arkansas. She should be at 298 Pacific St. according to my worn copy of SHANGHAIED IN SAN FRANCISCO.
Franz-hopefully the artistic reliefs by Arthur Putnam are still visible at the Bella Union.
Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 12:20 AM

You-all have a re'lar kick-ass time there, y'hear?? Hugs all around.

A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 08:20 AM

Off to California in only 2 more days!

Charley Noble;~)

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 09:30 AM

One more day, me hearties!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 12:31 PM

Heave her up, Charley, and let her run!

A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: BillR
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 07:48 PM

The Bella Union is, alas, no more. I'm told it survived until sometime in the 1980's but I never saw it. I can tell you where it was though. On Washinton St. a couple buildings up (hill) from Kearny. The north side of the street, across from Portsmouth Square. Look for an obviously newer building among the older ones. This is in Chinatown now, but in Gold Rush days Portsmouth Square was the heart of the "city", with the waterfront just across Kearny St. Also, just up Washington on the orhte side of Grant, on the left, is Sam Wo's which may be what your friend meant by Sam Wung's. It's worth looking at in any case. It's a noodle house rather than a fancy Chinese resturant but the food's ok and the atmosphere is bizarre. A friend of my compates it to something out of Blade Runner. It's also famous for having employed the late Edsel Ford Fong, widely known as the rudest waiter in the city. There is (or was) a newspaper article about him posted near the fron door. Anyway, have fun in SF and I expect I'll get to meet you at the chantey sing.

-Bill

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 11:58 PM

Bill- you're probably right about Sam Wo's. Capt. Bunker was saying something about meeting a very attractive Chinese smuggler there, with a small pearlhandled pistol in her bag, or was it somewhere else?

Back to re-packing!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble