NW Folklife/Seattle

Subject: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Susan of DT
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 05:08 PM

Dick Greenhaus and I will be in Seattle returning from Alaska at just the right time to go to the NW Folklife Festival for a couple of days. We will be wearing mudcat tee shirts. Who else will be there?

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 05:21 PM

Jenn and I will be there, driving up from Albuquerque.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: ClaireBear
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 05:51 PM

I will be sending my husband this year, but staying home myself and saving my pennies for the Getaway. Alas!

Claire

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: mg
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 07:54 PM

I'll be there but for a reduced time due to a family wedding. mg

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 08:04 PM

Can anyone suggest a good place for us to get together?

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 08:38 PM

I'll be there with Paddy Graber
who comes down from Vancouver, B.C.

I'm doing a set - "Songs and Fiddle Tunes"
on Friday 5/23 at 3:00-3:30 on the
Bagley Lawn Acoustic Stage

And I'm leading a panel discussion
"55 Years of Folk Singing in Seattle"
in the Shaw Room at 11:00-11:50
on Monday 5/26. Founding members of
the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society
and other early Seattle folksingers
will talk about the history of folk singing
in Seattle and sing some of the old songs.
This will include Mudcatters Don Firth
and Bob (Deckman) Nelson.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 09:47 PM

Hi Susan ... I told you the WRONG day for the worshop. It's as Stew says, Monday, the 26th. Bob

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Susan of DT
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 12:38 PM

We will only be there Friday and Saturday. Possibly a little of Sunday morning - we have a Sunday afternoon flight.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 01:13 PM

Susan,

I usually hang out around the NW Court, the Alki Room (cd sales) with the free (sign-up) open stage, and I will probably be at the Victory Music booth (room with the musical instrument makers) on Saturday morning. I try to avoid the food vendors (urp!) and the central area with the &($*_#&% drumming!

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 01:23 PM

I am unable to attend, but I commend you Northwesterners for keeping the flame burning for so many years. My home area, Fresno, CA, has a very active folklore/folk music scene. San Diego, my home for the past 41 years, also has its share. But there was always something about the northwest music scene that was special and different. I was only able to experience it for the two years I spent there in the service, but it stays with me still. Perhaps it is because of people like Don Firth and Bob Nelson, whose careers and lives have spanned nearly the entire period of the northwest "folk scene." Few other places have such a core of folks who have "seen it all" and who can share their experiences with succeeding generations.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 01:39 PM

"TJ" ... thank you for your kind words! But I must admit that I was feeling pretty good this morning until I read your posting. I guess I must be getting OLD! Funny, I don't feel old, and I know that Don Firth says just the same. "We don't feel old" ... we just act old!!! CHEERS, Bob Nelson (PS ... if we "act" real old, we aren't bothered by those annoying groupies)

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: BDenz
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 02:51 PM

Gee, and a lot of us local musicians have been boycotting Folklife the last few years -- especially since they got rid of the Northwest Court stage as Celtic. I mean, really -- what is Celtic music without beer? And vice versa!

We've been heading up to Port Angeles to the newish Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts (http://www.jffa.org/) which is a lot more intimate and fun and is the same weekend.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 03:37 PM

BDenz, I know what you mean. I wrote a piece about that for the Victory Review a few years ago, which prompted a nasty rebuke from the then Executive Director of Folklife. But mostly I just come with very low expectations, hang around the NW corner, let things come to me and occasionally encounter some great acts mostly by chance. Also the free open stage in the Alki Room is a good place for anyone to play, hear and meet other musicians who are not necessarily scheduled performers. Also they occasionally give me a stage or workshop so I can't be too harsh about them. This year they actually got a schedule out on time (April 14th), and I got (wonder or wonders!) free parking passes for the two days I'm on the schedule. So maybe... well probably not. It's just gotten too big and commercial and something-for-everyone but little for those interested in Northwest folk music and folklore. But I'll be there as usual.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 04:01 PM

No beer or Celtic music at Folklife? Maybe we'll go someplace else...

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Don Firth
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 05:04 PM

I performed at the festival a few times in the late 70s, early 80s, but it got to be too much of a mob scene for me, and I don't generally attend that often anymore. The organizers' idea of "folk" seems to be "anything that folks do." You're just as liable—more liable, in fact—to hear a bunch of grunge rock garage bands as you are singers of traditional songs and ballads. As Forrest Gump said about life, the Northwest Folklife Festivals are "like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." If you actually want to hear some traditional music, it is usually there, crammed up in the northwest corner of the Center grounds somewhere, but you have to either know, or get a program ahead of time and study it carefully to see who's going to be there and when and where they'll be performing.

I do go if there is someone special that I want to hear, or, of course, if I'm performing myself, such as at the 2003 "Coffeehouse Reunion Concert" (Geezers' Concert) and/or participating in a workshop. I'll be there this time around for the Seattle folk music history workshop.

The Seattle area, and the Pacific Northwest in general, has a pretty rich folk heritage, and there was a lot of activity here well before the popular folk music revival of the late 50s, early 60s.

I hope to meet some Mudcatters there.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Genie
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 11:49 PM

There'll definitely be some Celtic music, and lots of beer, Art!
As Don says, it helps to check your program for the official performances (e.g., the Celtic band scramble), but you'll often find it being played spontaneously in the participants' lounge or around the grounds too.

I'll be there, joining in some band scrambles and bluegrass jams, among other things. Gotta find my Mudcat T-shirt. Maybe I should order a spare. Does Mudcat still have 'em for sale?

It'll be good to see some of you folks again - and others for the first time.

Genie

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Susan of DT
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 12:29 PM

Genie

We still have the mudcat tee shirts, but we may be out of some sizes/colors. There are navy and red. But since we are leaving for Alaska and the NW in less than two weeks, you would need to do this now. Call Dick 609 371-1707. If you think we can actually find you at the festival, you can tell us which shirt to bring and exactly where/when to find you.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 03:52 PM

To Don Firth and Deckman:

First of all, nearing 68 myself, I don't think of either of you as getting old - you are just now hitting your stride! Responding to some of the politics of folk (and other genre), I know I am looking at the northwest in a rear view mirror (circa 1961-2) with some rose tinting. I am just glad there is a resident cadre of performers, and lovers of the music, who are keeping the flame burning and encouraging the young to participate and enjoy.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: KT
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 10:53 PM

I'll be there, this year and it will be great to see some mudcatters! I remember with fondness, meeting you there for the first time, Genie!

Susan and Dick, we'll have so much catching up to do!

It is a bit of a scene, but like Stewart, I come with no expectations or agenda. There's usually a lot of good music in the dance hall.

Here's hoping for a sunny weekend!

KT

Does anyone have any suggestions for must see acts...other than the obvious...mudcatters, of course.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: harpmolly
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 11:10 PM

I'm not sure what day I'll make it, as I'll be madly selling harps for most of the weekend :D but I'm hoping to try a little busking this year.    We'll see how it goes. Anyway, it'd be fun to run into some 'Catters!

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 11:31 PM

Susan and Dick ... will you be taking a puter with you? Can we stay in touch that way? Bob Nelson

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Susan of DT
Date: 23 Apr 08 - 07:41 AM

Deckman/Bob

I doubt that we will carry a computer. I imagine KT or Ebbie will let us use theirs when we are in Juneau in the middle of the trip May 17. We have not heard back from Alaska Mike yet to know whether we will be seeing him in Anchorage. The B&Bs may let us use a computer, but that is the middle of the trip, again. We won't be near computers on board the small cruise ship or at Denali. The very small ancient computers we use at the CAMSCO booth don't have internet capacity and have a one hour battery life, so while they are small enough to bring, there is not much point.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 23 Apr 08 - 04:23 PM

Susan ... Got your message. I think the best way I can help you is to PM you my home number. As soon as you hit Seattle, I'll have my concert suggestions ready for you. By the way, we have FREE phone calls here, so all you have to do is call me and I'll return the call on my nickel. Have a darned good trip. And I do hope you see Mike ... he's quite a guy! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: johnross
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 12:59 AM

I will be there most of the weekend, as usual. In addition to the usual daily Band Scrambles, I've organized two special concerts: a Utah Phillips tribute on Friday evening, with Mike Marker & Larry Hanks, Linda Allen, Rebel Voices, Jim Page, Fast Rattler and several others; and a remembrance of Phil Thomas at Noon Saturday.

A few years ago, we arranged to distribute bright orange stickers that Mudcatters could add to their pins or participant badges. We could do that again this year, if I can find the stickers...

With or without stickers, we should definitely try to plan a gathering some time during the weekend. Maybe some time on Sunday?

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Susan of DT
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 06:21 AM

Johnross

Dick and I will only be there Friday and Saturday, so we hope the gathering won't be on Sunday.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: ChanteyMatt
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 10:10 AM

Seattle Folklife has grown too large. This mudcatter will go to the Juan de Fuca Festival, instead.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: GUEST,Queen Anne's Revenge
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 11:31 AM

I feel your pain. You must be in "dire straits."

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 12:00 PM

The shear size of the festival also keeps me away. Though this year I will participate in one Monday workshop, I do so "kicking and screaming" all the way. Many years ago, I suggested to the festival managers that they simply lock up half of the public bathrooms. That action alone would have reduced the volume of festival goers to a reasonable level. But like so many other things in my life ... they didn't listen to me! Bob Nelson

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: BDenz
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 06:57 PM

[shouting out to ChanteyMatt!]

Deckman -- Friday and Monday are the only Folklife days I consider anymore. And like others here, I stick close to the Northwest Court. I haven't been for ... uh ... 5 years probably and now search for smaller venues. I won't even make Juan de Fuca this year -- am in Canada till June.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 07:34 PM

Canada eh? ... is that still North of the border, or have absorbed you yet? I don't keep up with current events as well as I should! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 07:36 PM

Well, Folklife was too big thirty years ago, when Jenn was playing with Allspice and I was a band groupie, and it was reallytoo big when we finally left the Northwest twenty years ago. But, ya know, it is nice to get back there every few years, to listen to the music - both organized and buskers, to dance with people who knew us before we had children (now grown and on their own), and watch all of the kids who are out enjoying themselves on the Seattle Center lawn. Yeah, its a bitch to have to stand in line for a kielbasa or when there are no shady seats in the Northwest Court beer garden, but life is like that sometimes. Besides, all of my Folklife t-shirts are worn out.

Is that tall ship still docked at the base of Lake Union, and will there be a chantey sing?

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 07:50 PM

"Is that tall ship still docked at the base of Lake Union, and will there be a chantey sing?"

Art, they took the masts off
(might have fallen and killed someone, so they said)
so it's hard to see.
Plans are to haul it up on ground as a museum piece
when the new "Maritime Park" is completed.

As to the chantey sing, the Wawona of off-limits now,
and I don't yet know of another place.

Cheers, S. in Seattle
where Maritime is just the
name of a brewery in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 08:30 PM

I hear that Mystic still sings chanteys!

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: johnross
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 09:00 PM

The after-hours chantey sessions will probably be at the same places as last year: Saturday night at the Highliner Pub in Fishermans Terminal, and Sunday or Monday (maybe both) at T.S. McHugh's. Ask around at the NW Court beer garden and stage to be sure. Phillip Morgan will have the definite word about the Highliner.

Susan, if you're only there Friday and Saturday, we should aim for Saturday. We won't find a single day when everybody is there, because so many (except for the hard core like Genie and myself) have the sense not to go every day.

BDenz and others, if you limit yourself to a single stage or area where you know what to expect, you miss out on the unexpected things that are often quite wonderful (or at least worth the time). Last year, I was an "evaluator," which meant I spent time at some stages that I would not otherwise have been (like the Gospel Show and some of the ethnic shows). Other times I've been a last-minute substitute stage MC for acts I would not otherwise have seen. Some was good, some not-so-good, but it was certainly more enlightening than simply hanging out with the people I already knew about.

Take a chance on something new this year! It's part of the overall experience.

Believe it or don't, there's a lot of discussion among staff, board and other "insiders" about how to deal with crowding, drums, aggressive buskers, deciding what's approriate prorgramming, and finding the line between maintaining the festival's barnraising tradition and increased commercialism. I have my own opinions, but as a "community coordinator" and program committee member, I don't want to put them in this public forum. Talk to me privately and I'll tell you more.

There's a new head honcho this year, so it will be interesting to see how his vision for the festival changes after the event this year.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 10:27 PM

I will be there volunteering and also coordinating the Seattle Folklore society table next to the Rainier Room. I volunteer Sunday and Monday Mornings at the participant services info booth, mezanine level of Center House (The Food Circus for those who remember the fair).

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 01:02 PM

And just who is this mystery GUEST?

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: ChanteyMatt
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 10:39 PM

Chantey Sings in Seattle! Every month on the second Friday! Check out here, www.nwseaport.org, find out more. I'm the host and we have different song leaders each month.

There's also a monthly , adults only, chantey sing held on the last Sunday of the month at Running Dog Guitars!

The NW folklife after show chantey sing will be held at the NW Seaport. Check with the usual suspects in the NW Court.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 04:15 PM

johnross, Mike Marker used to live in Juneau. Good to hear he's still around.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Fred Maslan
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 11:05 AM

Stewart, I am the "guest" above. I didn't notice that I wasn't signed in.

Fred

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Susan of DT
Date: 04 May 08 - 11:02 AM

Last call for tee shirts - we leave tomorrow at 5 am.

Mudgather Saturday - when? NW Court?

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 04 May 08 - 12:31 PM

I'll be one of the volunteers
at the Victory Music booth
on Saturday from 11am to 3 pm
so drop by and see me then.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: johnross
Date: 04 May 08 - 03:32 PM

Meeting at about 5:45 Saturday at the NW Court works for me -- I'm doing a Celtic music Band Scramble contest on that stage until 5:40, so that's convenient for me and for the other 'catters who enter the contest.

Please condier entering the contest -- pickup bands have an hour to rehearse and then play a couple of tunes on stage. The "winning" band gets a silly trophy or certificate or something. Bribes are encouraged but not necessarily acknowledged.

Should we meet inside the beer garden? Is that a problem for anybody who's either underage or attending with kids?

If somebody arrives early, try to grab a table for the group. I'll bring a sign.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:04 AM

5.45 at the NW Court beergarden suits me and Rika fine. Philip Morgan suggests as a venue for Saturday night sing the Woodshed at the Wawona. Susan and Dick, see you tomorrow!

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 07 May 08 - 05:34 PM

Here are several changes.

The Instrument Makers Showcase,
which used to be in the Shaw Room is discontinued.
Instrument makers can apply for an outdoor booth.
Outdoor booths don't seem a good place for instruments,
but...

The Victory Music booth, which used to be
in the Shaw Room along with the instrument makers
will now be just outside the Cafe Impromptu,
which is off the McCaw Promenade in McCaw Hall.
Again, I'll be at the Victory Music booth
from 11am - 3pm on Saturday.
So drop by if you can.

Paddy Graber had another stroke last week and was in hospital.
But he's now home and doing better.
However, he won't be at Folklife -
only the third time he's missed performing at the festival.
His workshop on Monday noon-12:50 is canceled,
But our workshop "55 Years of Folk Singing in Seattle"
by the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society
will continue through his time slot -
11am - 12:50pm in the Shaw Room.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: GUEST,William Pint
Date: 08 May 08 - 01:36 AM

Felicia Dale and I will be playing at the big Maritime Concert on Saturday afternoon -- always a good crowd (close to the beer) -- but then, we too will head to the Juan de Fuca Festival in Port Angeles.
It's true Folklife has grown a bit too large to handle now -- there's a corporate mindset that was not there in the past. 30 years ago it was a mind blowing event - the very best I had ever seen --loads of great music, and they also showed real appreciation of the musicians -- hosted a big Saturday night party with free beer & food, had a huge artist hospitality center running throughout the festival with, again, free beer and food, provided free parking for participants, and had rain stages set aside for when it rained (it's known to do that in Seattle now and again). Pretty much all of those things are gone now AND they now take a percentage of artist CD sales! It's enough to make a folkie ask, "Why am I playing here for free?" Oh yes -- it's because of the great audiences!
The craft people and food vendors all walk away from the weekend with thousands and thousands of dollars from those audiences that we musicians attract.

William Pint, Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: ChanteyMatt
Date: 08 May 08 - 04:22 PM

Very true, William. The big festivals are important because of the large number of musicians as well as audience, meet in one place. Traditions are passed and and new ones embraced. But don't neglect the smaller festivals where the feeling of community is still strong. A place where the music is important. If you're going to play for free, which would you choose?

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Deckman
Date: 08 May 08 - 04:46 PM

Will ... I couldn't agree with you more. When it started, as you said, we (us performers) were valued by the festival planners as they realized that without us, they wouldn't have music! I'm only participating this year because good friends have asked me to attend. Next year I will definatly looking at more musician friendly festivals. Oh well ... somebody once told me that "bigger is better!" I didn't believe it even when I first heard it. CHEERS, Bob Nelson

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: johnross
Date: 08 May 08 - 05:17 PM

I agree with William that the NW Folklife Festival has become uncomfortably commercial, and some of us are trying to pull it away from that. But it's a victim of its own success -- it's expensive to produce an event that big, and the money has to come from someplace. Up to now, there are only a couple of major contributors who don't treat the event as an advertsing medium, often in ways that are contrary to the original spirit of the event.

You may respond to that by saying "it's too big. Save money by scaling it down." But it's a free event, so it's difficult if not impossible to limit attendance. And the expenses are directly related to production, crowd control, logistics and so forth.

As for "real appreciation of musicians," there's still a Saturday Night party, with food, and a performers' hospitality area. The free beer was shut off after a couple of years of abuse -- there were a handful of performers who would camp in the hospitality area all weekend and become progressively more unpleasant (and in some cases, abusive). It was a case of a few people ruining a good thing for everybody. Performers still get free parking.

There are no more rain stages because there are no unused spaces for them -- the Festival schedules performances in every available spot. Would you prefer that they cut down the number of stages and reduce the number of performing slots? Some of us (meaning committed festival volunteers) have been very vocal at the "how should we update Seattle Center?" meetings and to the City of Seattle about making sure the needs of the festival are recognized when they add, move or change things on the Center grounds and in the buildings.

They have taken a commission on cd/record sales since 1979. It's less than any other retailer would take for selling your CDs, and like the festival's share of everything else that's sold at the festival, that mark-up helps cover expenses. And the sales room is open through the whole weekend, so it probably sells more copies than you would sell on your own.

Please understand, I agree that there's a lot about the Folklife Festival that should be fixed. And I encourage you to let the staff and board know about your complaints and suggestions for changes. All those letters and comment forms do get read and discussed, even if there isn't any obvious action. We've all got to keep at it until it has some kind of effect.

As always, these are entirely my own opinions. I'm not speaking for NW Folklife in any way.

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Stewart
Date: 08 May 08 - 07:28 PM

I also agree with most of the above.
I wrote a critical piece about Folklife for the Victory Review
a few years ago. I tried to be very civil about it,
but got a rude response from the then executive director.

In the past I had to plead for parking permits -
"I'm bringing Paddy Graber, a 83-year-old
Irish trad singer from Vancouver, B.C."
But this year I was pleasantly surprised
by receiving free parking passes without any plea.
Still the festival's cut of my CD sales doesn't please me.

What if all or a good portion of the musicians
went on strike for better appreciation and conditions?
They'd be left high and dry without their free musicians.
Probably wouldn't work, but just a thought.

Yes, a small, musician-friendly festival in Seattle
would be a nice alternative, but where, when, and organization?
Perhaps the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society could help sponsor it,
but still there are a lot of problems and work involved.
If you have any ideas, let me know.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle
From: Don Firth
Date: 08 May 08 - 08:40 PM

The most downright enjoyable and educational folk festivals I've ever attended were three, in which I either did not perform officially or was only a marginal performer. And, in fact, the vast majority of those attending went, not to perform themselves, but to listen and learn. The Berkeley Folk Festivals in 1960, 1961, and 1964. They were far, far different from the Northwest Folklife Festivals.

There were featured performers, such as Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lomax Jr., Sandy Paton, Sam Hinton, The New Lost City Ramblers (Mike Seeger, Tom Paley, and John Cohen), Merritt Herring, Slim Critchlow, Mance Lipscomb, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Archie Green, Almeda Riddle, Joan Baez, Alice Stuart, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc & Merle Watson, Marais and Miranda, Charles Seeger, Frank Warner, along with a number of other luminaries. Since that was well over forty years ago, I'm a little fuzzy on which festival some of these folks were at.

The Berkeley Folk Festivals, like the Northwest Folklife Festivals, were held over the Memorial Day weekend, but began at noon on the Wednesday before. Days were filled with workshops (10:00 a.m., break for lunch, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., followe by a break for dinner. The concert each evening began around 7:30 or 8:00-ish. Because of the number of featured performers, the concerts were split at intermission, with, for example, Sandy Paton taking the first half and the New Lost City Ramblers doing the second. The festival wrapped up with with a big, all-perfomer concert at the Greek Theater on the U. C. campus (the whole festival was held on the U. C. campus), followed by a barbeque in the big grove on the west side of campus. I can't recall if that was on Sunday or Monday, but I think it was Sunday, in order to allow out of towners (such as me) to get back to where they came from in time for work.

The workshops during the day were a real pig-out! You could sit there and listen to Sam Hinton, Archie Green, Joan Baez, and Almeda Riddle discuss different approaches to ballad singing, giving demonstrations as they talked. Or Mike Seeger, John Cohen, and Tom Paley (The NLC Ramblers) talk about string band music. Or Doc Watson demonstrating various guitar techniques. Or Bess Hawes explaining how to teach folk guitar in classes as large as sixty people and make sure they all get it. At one workshop in the 1964 festival, I got to chat for awhile with Charles Seeger, and had a most enjoyable conversation with Marias and Miranda. Charming couple!

There were informal get-togethers here and there on campus, and after the concerts, one could usually find a party to go to. Sandy Paton, whom I had known in Seattle before he went Back East took me to a party in a private home near the campus, and we weren't there for more than fifteen minutes when Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger walked in. Got a chance to meet them, talk with them.

Did I do any performing? A bit, at peripheral events, such as after-concert parties, and once when someone at the university (student organization, I think) set up a sort of "coffeehouse" in an eatery on campus to give visiting firemen such as me and several others a chance to honk a bit. I sang maybe a half-dozen songs. Good, receptive audience.

I always came back from these festivals exhausted, but ecstatically stuffed with information and inspiration!

These festivals weren't free. There was a charge, but it was so negligible that I can't recall now what it was. Something like $15.00. A day? Or overall? I can't remember. But, ye gods, look what they offered! Usual attendance was about 1,500 or 1,600, registered.

I don't know if it would even be possible to hold such a folk festival anymore. The people I saw at the Berkeley festivals were a bit like the Gods of Mount Olympus back then and the roster of singers these days is far, far different and much more diverse, especially in their relationship to traditional songs. And the expectations of those attending folk festivals are so far different now.

Just a few random thoughts. Slow day at the skunk works, so I just thought I'd ramble a bit.

Don Firth