NOMAD 2007

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 09:50 PM

I also send my gratitude to John and all of the other folks
who have put so much heart and hard work into this festival.
There's nothing you can do about the weather, massive auto accidents,
or sports events (yesh, I wouldn't think that folkies would
be swayed by guys in soft body armor tossing an odd shaped
ball around!) - the structure and talent at the festival were fine.
I just wish there had been more folks to enjoy it.
Hopefully next year. DC folks, we need you.
(and all those others who go the the Getaway)

Pamela

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 09:46 PM

My thanks too to you, John, and all the Nomad folks for all the hard work you do. I look forward to next year, when the DCers can come and I can renew some auld acquaintances. I regretted that the workshop that I led was at the same time as The Beans, because they are wonderful friends and we enjoy each other's singing. It's been awhile since I shared a gospel workshop with them. Maybe next year.
Are you referring to the Boston Parrots? I know it's something like that...

Jerry

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 08:11 PM

It *has* been a great festival, John, & I've enjoyed it for several years. I certainly won't give up on it. Thanks for all your work!

Barbara

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: NOMADMan
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 10:42 AM

Hi Folks,

I'm not sure when the assessment was made by any NOMAD organizers that attendance was the same as last year. Perhaps that was early on. As we look at the records of ticket sales and revenues, the consensus here is that attendance was indeed somewhat lighter this year than last.

It's impossible to pinpoint the reasons for the decline, but there are a number of possibilities. There were flood watches and high-wind warnings out for most of Saturday covering the area that a lot of folks would have had to drive through to get to New Haven, compliments of Hurricane Noel. Friday night there was a horrendous, fatal highway accident in eastern Connecticut that tied up the roads badly for the entire evening. Then on Sunday, it seems there was this really significant football game involving a team called The New England Patriots....

Whatever the cause(s), it was a bit sad that more folks didn't make it to enjoy the workshops, performances and the good company. We'll be meeting again before long to discuss NOMAD 2008.

John

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 07:20 AM

Duane & I had a good time--connected with old friends (although we missed the DC folk & animaterra, among others), heard some good music & sang along with some. Had to make some choices among sessions or split the time, when we wanted to hear 2 performers scheduled against each other. That being said, I would agree that the attendance was down & it was not as good as the NOMADs I've attended in past years. The organizers claimed the attendance was about the same as last year. If so, perhaps they were on the dance side. I didn't see crowded halls or cafeteria, though. I suppose we will still go, next year, & see how it is. I hope the DCers will be there.

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:26 PM

I am slow to get to this . My pottery life is a bit over-flowing into everything else I do . My Saturday at Nomad was just wonderful ..Starting at 10 in the morning and going to 11 at night I just couldnt do the 100 miles round trip on the Sunday ..
                I was sorry to miss Sandy but it was wonderful to have a whole hour of Caroline Paton singing and remanissing on her own .. It was a stuning show ..
             : West Gallery was a little light on singers but Bruce is so good at making it happen and it was magic ..Sorry you missed it Melinda .
             The Beams were as wonderful as ever .. great Harmony
             I am so glad Caroline came in with me to "Getting Groups to Sing" and that she and Steve had such a great talk after the workshop..They had their heads together for quite a while.
             The Shanty sing was very strong and was very inspiring ..
               
             I had never heard David Jones in person before and He made the wholes trip worth the effort on his own !! ..
            Shore Grass has so much fun and I was glad to hear thier set and see them inter-act .. .
            I finished with the Story Songs (sorry I cant remember the name of the session) and it was a perfect ending to a very long day .. Many of us had our eys closed listening to 10 minute vertions of songs Like " The famous flower of .... " and Tam Lyn
            I found the day quite powerfull and a bit like going to a spa for the soul ..
            I am sorry to have missed Jerrys show with the Patons , Bruce Randell took me off to the Beans consert and I wish I could have seen the Woodchuck Chuck .. How Much ?
          Great seeing Barbarah and everyone... old faces and new .. Yours Guy

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: pitheris
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 10:54 PM

We had a great time.
Also managed to get 2 carloads of my 16-25yr old neices and nephews that have never done any folk dancing of have listened to much traditional music before.

The contra/squares seem to be much less intense than NEFFA. This was dissapointing for my youngest son. I still ended up dancing more than I had planned. I bought a few CDs, and a membership. The workshops and sessions were great. We'll be back next year.

In the meantime, don't forget Dance Legacy Weekend

Quacky Mac will be there.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: GUEST,melinda
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 12:11 PM

I was delayed by the weather and didn't get there in time for the west gallery session, although I got to the shape note session the next day (but I like west gallery better).
I heard several good singers as I wandered in and out of various sessions. I wish there weren't so many things all at the same time!
I also heard a couple of great dance bands, and people said the sound systems in the dance gyms were much better this year. There seemed to be more vendors, or at least more vendors with stuff I was personally interested in.
I was disappointed by the turnout too. I think some of the participatory things would have been better with a few more people, enough to give it a critical mass.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bigchuck
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 07:52 AM

It did seem to me that attendance was down from previous years. I had a great time, was pleased that the Woodchuck's 2 presentations were well attended, and pleasantly surprised at my solo concert. More blues next year, I hope.

Sandy

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 06:59 AM

The Getaway attracted far fewer this year as well. The price of oil and security restrictions on foreign travel were part of it. I had planned on spending at least Saturday at NOMAD but the storm came in and I sat and waited for my tree to fall - it didn't.
Next year, I hope.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Suffet
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 09:46 PM

Greetings:

Attendance seemed very sparse, even on Sunday when the storm had long passed and the sun was shining. I saw quite a few events where there were only three, four, or five people in the audience. Given those numbers, I was more than satisfied that I counted fourteen people at my Woody Guthrie jam session on Sunday afternoon. However, that was only about half the number that showed up last year, and of the fourteen, only five came with instruments.

Nevertheless, I did get to go to some interesting workshops. One of the best was Getting Groups to Sing, led by Prof. Verne McArthur of Springfield College in Massachusetts. While he is a musician, Verne's real area of expertise is what he called "faith based community organizing," by which he meant bringing together people who have widely divergent views on many social and political issues, and trying to find common ground on issues such as improving health care. In this workshop, he showed us how he uses song to overcome differences that would other make it nearly impossible to hold such coalitions together.

There were only six people other than Verne in the workshop. One was Caroline Paton, and another was MNN TV producer Joel Landy. After the workshop, a group of us got to talking in the corridor for about an hour, and it now looks like Joel will arrange to bring some recording equipment up to Sharon, Connecticut, and do one of his Songs of Freedom programs featuring Caroline and Sandy.

So even with a small turnout, some new and exciting things can happen.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 09:14 PM

I had a great time. Seemed like there were a lot of people hanging out in the cafeteria at all times and many dancers everywhere, but perhaps not as many in the workshops. Although the one we did with Jerry Rasmussen and Caroline Paton was full. I did hear that Sunday attendance was down (we were not there).

Caroline did the workshop without Sandy, who was on a medication that precluded him from singing. We really missed him, but Caroline did a fine job while the cat was away (back at the Folk Legacy booth)! And Jerry had some great songs and stories. Frank and I were pleased to be part of this fine round robin.

I don't know how the general attendance compares to other years, but I hope there was enough to keep it going. It's really a nice festival. New Haven is an unusual environment with several fairly disparate folk factions that don't always intermingle. Or is that true everywhere?

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 09:05 PM

The attendnace did seem on the slim side, although we had a good turn out for the Sing Me A Story Workshop with Barbara and Frank Shaw, and Caroline Paton (as a solo, as Sandy wasn't quite up to singing.) It was a dismal, rainy day with the remnants of Tropical Storm Noel whipping up some strong, but not dangerous winds. Yes, next year when NOMAD and The Getaway are not on the same weekend should help.

I thought that the craft section was the best I've seen, but oddly not a lot of jamming oing on Saturday afternoon, except in one hallway.

Thank you Barbara & Frank, and Caroline. You made it a memorable day for Ruth and me.

Jerry

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 08:15 PM

Well... I'm not surprised that there's not much chat
about this year's NOMAD... I think there was hardly anyone there.
Oh, I saw lots of friends (for an hour or two) and had some
good singing and danceing. But, when Jeff Davis has less
than a dozen people in his audience you *know* it's a
small festival. The annual Ballad Blast had good songs,
but again not a big audience. Was it in fact smaller than
other years? Rather sad for the 20th anniversary.
Will it be around in another five years, let along ten?
Depends on how many people actually show up.
Maybe next year, when the Getaway isn't the same weekend.....

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 01:44 AM

Sounds good, Sandy; hope to see you there.

Barbara

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bigchuck
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 08:33 AM

I'm really looking forward to NOMAD this year. I will be doing my first solo performance (all blues) on Sunday, and of course playing 2 sets with the other Woodchucks on Sat., and I hope jamming lots.Hope to see you all there.

Sandy Morse

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: pitheris
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:23 PM

Thanks Barbara!


We manage to do a bit of everything at NEFFA:
Dancing, jamming, singing, listening, learning, eating, volunteering, and spending money.

Smaller and less crowded sounds good too!

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: dwditty
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 11:43 AM

Any Mudcatters headed home after NOMAD may want to stop for dinner at The Pine Loft in Berlin (http://pineloft.com) to catch the second round of the Connecticut Blues Society's annual acoustic blues challenge. Six 30-minute acoustic sets starting at 6PM - Admission is free!

dw

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:17 PM

Pitheris, send your query to Alice Griffin or to Volunteers.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:35 PM

Hi, pitheris,

I've gone to NOMAD for several years & to NEFFA for just the past couple of years. NOMAD is smaller & less crowded, but a very nice festival. I think you'll enjoy it & want to make it part of each year's schedule in the future. I prefer it to NEFFA.

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: GUEST,melinda
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 11:18 AM

I'm going! I found a place to stay with friends 20 miles away.
It's one of my favorite festivals. Not as crowded as "old" NEFFA in its old location, but not as large as NEFFA either.

The West Gallery guy will be there - yay! This is always lots of fun. I see he's doing a Shape Note workshop too. I think there are also some new bands, unless it's the same bands with different names.

Rumor has it they have better sound this year.

melinda from Albany

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 09:04 AM

Pitheris, I just sent an email to one of the coordinators at NOMAD to check out this thread. You should hear from her soon.

Glad to hear you're going to try NOMAD this year! Not sure if they have crafters, but they do have craft activities for kids. They have lots of vendors with items for sale, but not nearly as large as NEFFA. It's a nice festival and I look forward to it every year.

Stop me and say hello if you get a chance and/or an inclination!

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Vixen
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:56 AM

There are some crafts / vendors (mostly vendors). The workshops are terrific, the concerts are great, and the participatory performances are fantastic. I've never been to NEFFA, but NOMAD feels small, intimate, and fun--very low-key. The hallway/stairwell jams are great too! This will be the first year I've done more than pass by the gyms--they're always a-twirl with dancers. Reynaud and I have been going for (I think) 8 or 9 years (I can't believe it!), and we wouldn't miss it for anything.

Have a blast!

V

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: pitheris
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:01 AM

Martha & I (and our kids) have been going to NEFFA for 28 years. This is our 1st year we plan on going to NOMAD along with a couple more carloads of friends & family!

We have been volunteering at NEFFA for many years. I don't seem to get any response from the NOMAD contact for volunteering.   

Does NOMAD have crafts (instrument makers, potters, etc)? There is not much info on the web site.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Suffet
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 10:38 AM

If anyone has little ones, please bring them to Kids Sing Freedom at 11:00 AM on Sunday. We'll be getting everyone singing songs of peace, freedom, and friendship, many from the Civil Rights movement. Expect lots of clapping and marching, and even some hand holding and swaying. We may even have a sit-in or two, but we'll keep singing all the while.

Oh, grown-ups are also welcome. We don't discriminate.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 10:49 PM

I'll look forward to seeing you, Pamela! Are you dragging Dave Ruch along?

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 11:44 AM

Hi All,

As my head comes up from the deep waters of other projects
I'm also looking forward to NoMAD - both the songs and the danceing.
Don't miss this year's Ballad Blast at the end of Saturday evening.
Should be a really good one. We've got some good people who
will be swapping stories/songs of disasters.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 09:57 PM

Have a great gig Saturday, Jerry. Break a string!

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 06:42 PM

Hi, Barbara: Don't stop by here much anymore, but I did this evening, and noticed this thread. I'm gearing up for a concert on my own this Saturday night, and must admit that it's taking all of my energy right now. Sunday, I'll start dusting off some old story songs. I can't think of two couples I'd enjoy sharing a workshop with more than you and Frank, and Sandy & Caroline.

See you soon. Glad to see Shoregrass is getting out and performing regularly..

Jerry

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 06:22 PM

I am very much looking forward to Bruce Randell's West Gallery sing .. It is a wonderful time for all who havent tried it yet .. All the best , guy

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 05:20 PM

Well, this isn't a very chatty thread, and the NOMADers either don't hang out at mudcat or they don't discuss the event much. But I for one am looking forward to the annual event. It's a smaller version of NEFFA but just as varied. No, I don't have a stake in it, except that it's close to home and always enjoyable. And the concerts always go better when there are warm bodies in the audience... (From what I hear, there are MANY warm bodies dancing in the gyms).

So this is my way of refreshing the thread to encourage more warm bodies to participate.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Vixen
Date: 18 Oct 07 - 07:29 PM

The Foxners will be there ... Reynaud is playing with the Neo-Contras at 11:00 on Saturday morning...

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

V

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 18 Oct 07 - 04:52 PM

I remember a great jam we had with Guy Wolff and others in the cafeteria a few years ago. Maybe we'll have an encore!

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 17 Oct 07 - 11:11 AM

See you all there Guy
http://www.nomadfest.org/schedule.htm

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 03:21 PM

Hey Jerry, Frank and I picked out a few stories for your "Sing Me A Story" workshop at 3:00. We're ready with a few tales to sing! I'm looking forward to hearing you and the Patons.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 07:11 AM

Made reservation at Best Western Exec. Anyone else?

Barbara

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:15 PM

Jerry, please give our regards to Joe; I'm so sorry to hear about his wife.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:45 AM

I look forward to the time when the Getaway and NOMAD do not happen on the same weekend. SINSULL, you have a year to work on your sense of humor;>) I occasionally drop into those threads about shenanigans in Maine wishing we lived closer. Kendall and Jacqui are friends of ours and there seem to be a few other kindred spirits in evidence, so I wave as we pass through Portland on our way to Thomas Point Beach every Labor Day. Wish you could all come to NOMAD.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:10 AM

Getaway this year. Maybe next. Have fun all.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Midchuck
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:53 AM

Woodchucks' Revenge has two sets:

2:00 Saturday, "INsensitive OLD Singer-Songwriters." (A tribute to Utah Phillips, Jim Ringer, Tom Russell, Ian Tyson, and such as them, with one or two of our own compositions - we qualify too.)

4:00 Saturday, "Cowboys and Others." (That's booked as "Woodchucks' Revenge and Friends." I'm not sure myself who the "friends" are, but I'm glad they think we have some.)

Peter

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:53 AM

The schedule is up on the NOMAD website.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 11:10 AM

Thanks, Barbara: I'll pass your regards on to Joe. One of Joe's favorite sayings is "One monkey don't stop the show." Depends on which monkey it is. If it's Joe, it does.

Jerry

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 10:47 AM

Jerry, I'm so sorry to hear about Joe's troubles. Please give him my regards. The Gospel Messengers have a wonderful sound, and it WILL happen again sometime. Maybe it will inspire you to write a song on the subject? (You've been known to write an amazing song or two...)

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 09:01 PM

I've had to cancel my workshop, Church and Street Corner Harmony. Our bass, Joe Evans, can't make any commitments these days, as his wife has Alzheimers, and one of his grandson's has been in Intensive care for almost a month. I couldn't pretend theat we were the Gospel Messengers without him.

I still am looking forward to doing the workshop with Sandy & Caroline, Frank and Barbara.

Jerry

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: GUEST,Pamela in Ithaca
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 03:25 PM

I got my confirmation as well.
I'm doing an English Country Dance session
and a song session - "I'm so weary"
songs about work and other reasons to be tired.

Looking forward to seeing folks there!

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 04:34 PM

Oooops. Both my programs (above) are on Saturday.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 04:33 PM

Recently got my confirmation from NOMAD. ShoreGrass will do a concert of classics and original bluegrass at 8:00. I'm also happy to confirm that Frank and I will be part of a program called "Sing Me a Story" with Jerry Rasmussen and the Patons at 3:00.

Looking forward to this! It's a nice festival.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Susan of DT
Date: 28 May 07 - 06:39 AM

In 2008, we and CAMSCO will return to NOMAD. We will be at the Getaway in 2007.

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: bbc
Date: 28 May 07 - 06:36 AM

Jerry, Duane & I will expect to see you, as usual, (& your lovely wife, I hope!). Attending that weekend is a high point of the year for us.

Best always,

Barbara

Subject: RE: NOMAD 2007
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 May 07 - 08:20 PM

Sounds great, Charlie! Maybe next year we can get down to the Getaway.

Jerry

Yeah, Bob. With gas costing what it does "closer" is definitely a consideration. The school where they hold NOMAD is a twenty minute drive from here. The Getaway is a weeks wages of gas to get to..