scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 06:13 AM

Hi,Barbara,looking forward to seeing you both ,lets hope we have good weather.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: BB
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 05:30 AM

Dick, I should have put a smiley to show you that I was being facetious in my posting of 12/7 02.47.

We've enjoyed performing at several Seafests over the years, and I'm sure we shall enjoy this one. It would be great if there were more folkies there, which would show the town and the visitors how good it is to get involved in the less formal sessions rather than just the concerts, but if the publicity isn't there, it's understandable that more people don't go. I don't think there's a lot that the performers can do about it, except to talk about it on forums like this, as Dick has done.

Those of you who are thinking about going, I'm sure you won't regret it if you do - and we'll see you there!

Barbara

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 08:21 PM

I am not involved in the organisation of any folk festival.
I dont expect anybody to attend.
I do know people that go to festivals like Whitby [august festival] and Sidmouth,regardless of who is booked,and these festivals are not free.
In fact I was talking to a musician tonight who said he always enjoyed going to Whitby[august]because there were so many good musicians,who played all sorts of different music.
Scarborough sea fest is not a folk festival,you dont have to buy season tickets,everything is free,you get the chance to see quality performers that you would have to pay for anywhere else.
I am only a booked performer,if you have a grouse it should not be with me.
It is unfair to adress me,about consideration.Iam responsible only for my performances,which I will in as professional manner as I normally do.
I am sorry if you are dissatisfied,but it is not me you should be adressing.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Grampus
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:20 PM

Thanks for the support Nutty.
Dick. I/We have had faith in Richard's festivals for many years, only to be let down by him and his lack of organisational skills time and time again.
You seem to fail to grasp that to go to any event needs careful consideration as the costs involved can be quite considerable to us (mere) punters who you expect to religiously/slavishly attend. To do so through pure dogma is irresponsible!
Please give us (punters) SOME consideration also!!!
G

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: nutty
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 04:55 PM

I don't think I know anybody who books their festivals on the off-chance that something might be happening in a particular place, Dick.

BUT WHY ARGUE

These are your punters who are speaking and, if you are truly interested in getting people involved, you might pay them the courtesy of listening to them.
This has not just happened, similar comments have been made in the past yet nothing seems to change.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 04:22 PM

Each year in my experience,2005, 2006 there have been high quality acts.
We do not know,when scarborough seafest,gets its allocated budget,from scarborough council.
It is impossible to book high quality acts without an appropriate budget.,this would I imagine tie the hands of the organisers somewhat.
This years as the co organiser of The Ballydehob Jazz festival,I experienced all these difficulties,Two grants that we applied for,we only were notified about, six weeks before the festival,this makes it very difficult to put a programme ahead in advance,our budget was 10,000, only 1500 became available in grants,I had many sleepless nights,worrying about how I was going to pay the artists.
I think it would be a nice way of saying thankyou for previous enjoyable years,to have faith in the organiser,and book regardless,
knowing that good quality acts were going to be booked anyway.
Personally as a professional musician,I appreciate anyone who puts work into organising and providing folk music for Joe public.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Grampus
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 03:56 PM

Sorry, but I have to respond.
My wife & I have been to Scarborough Seafest most years. It has been very good.
BUT, no publicity is it's downfall in our case. We are on Richard's mailing list. I do look at the Klondike website (currently down), frequently for updates, only to find last year's info still there. The Bitter End website does have some details of artists, but no comprehensive programme, as Darklander claims.
As was said above, other events happen the same weekend, and one has to make a decision, early in the year, to be sure of tickets, or as in the case of Scarborough, suitable accommodation.
Although there is a lot of accommodation in Scarborough, our preferred accommodation has been fully booked for the past six months!
Folkies and non folkies alike may be well catered for, but they are also treated with contempt by both of the main organising parties in so far as suitable advance information. Details given here on Mudcat by various posters have come too late.
Darklander says that he(?) will send information about events by email etc.. Yes, I do receive these (emails), but nothing regarding the (main) Seafest programme has ever been received.
As a result of these facts, we are not attending this year, but are going to a different event. If the situation does not improve, this will probably happen in future years as well.
So much for attracting interested visitors to one of Yorkshire's great sea-side towns!
G

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 03:39 PM

thats the idea ,publicity.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: nutty
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 03:23 PM

At least its provided some much needed publicity.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: goatfell
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 03:04 PM

here we go again arguements all ready

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 02:15 PM

There is a song for the sea contest.
Men of Staithes,and Anna Shannon will also be appearing..MORE Details Bitter End website.
Folkie Dave,if you decide to visit the festival, I will buy you a pint,and I wont pour it over your head.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 06:23 AM

Another cheerful happy thread bites the dust!

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:33 AM

Why on earth should I imagine that you, a singer who lives in Ireland would want to organise a festival in Scarborough?

Give me one example where I have persecuted you?

Unless you believe "disagree" is another word which substitutes for it.

If you look carefully at this thread you will see I have agreed with you about the lack of publicity - so how that becomes persecuting you I have no idea.

And I am happy to write to the organiser - and will do so when I get back from Furness Tradition on Sunday.

I have no idea where the argument about "gay" comes into it.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:24 AM

I am not involved in organising this event,but since Folkie dave seems intent on persecuting me whenever I post,and was under the misguided impression I was an organiser,that is probably the explanation.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: GUEST,Haverton Hill
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:24 AM

Take a chill pill Cap't. You never know you might be in denial. What's wrong with being gay?
I see nowt offensive about Folkie dave's post. I think he is trying to be helpful.
Blue skies

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:20 AM

I was about to say, that I was going to mention the other performers Steve and Helen, lesPirates, Raven,in anotherpost ,to try and keep the thread going ,but I suddenly had lightning and I didnt want to lose my computer[friday13].
Blowzabella,
That was one of the things that was so good about Lancaster,over the years, the amount of people that must have been introduced to contemporary and traditional maritime music.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Darklander
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:18 AM

I have read with much interest all that has been said about Seafest and particularly thank those that have made positive comments about this event.
I take the criticism about publicity - your right its poor.Any volunteers to distibute publicity material in those areas lacking it?
You'd do better contacting me direct - I'd welcome your comments-take them on board. I was directed to this thread by a mutual acquaintance. I'm pleased he did.
We have plenty of flyers here.Send me your address and I'll put them in the mail. Give me your email address and you'll get regular updates about all of our events.
The full programme is I believe on the Bitter End website and we will update the myspace site and the klondike site in the early part of next week.
On the positive side. We have excellent musicians and performers at all our events,a great relationshp with the local authorities and give opportunites to everyone (well-as many as possible)to perform.
Come and support us maybe you can help find a way to improve what we do? We never turn away a volunteer.
You'll not find a better sea themed festival than SEAFEST for miles nor a better welcome.
Thanks for the interest and for the support from all quarters.
Now -Cast Off- Lets get underway

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Blowzabella
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:15 AM

I am not an organiser of this event - nor, as far as I am aware, are any of the other contributors. Dick has performed at it in the past, I think, Helen is performing at it this year. I have no input, directly or otherwise into it but felt I wished to comment. If you would like to ask the organisers, you might well have to do it via the website or similar.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:06 AM

Folkiedave - do you only go to stuff which is aimed specifically at folkies? Having events such as this, which isn't aimed at folkies directly, but at the general public, is a great way of introducing people, who wouldn't normally go to stuff that IS directly aimed at folkies, to some wonderful music.

No, I don't only go to events aimed at folkies (though I do predominantly) and certainly IMHO, events bringing folk music to a wider audience is an excellent idea. My second post made this clear (even if the first didn't).

Surely if you are holding an event in a town which is aimed at attracting tourists to that town - you have a target audience? And surely that target audience would be at least in part - the world of folk music, and in particular that of maritime music.

However there seems to have been minimum publicity in that direction and most people on here seem to have indicated that too.

Since the people organising seem to be communicating on this board would you be kind enough to tell the folk world (as represented in tiny part by this board) what publicity has been done towards the folk world? You may not be regular readers here - but believe me if there is a free "do" for which they don't have to pay - Mudcatters will be there in droves!!

For example, will you be setting up a mailing list for emails to be sent out for next year's event? Did you do it at last year's event?

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: goatfell
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 04:51 AM

don't you mean Scarborough which is a lovely place I went there as a wee boy with my mum and dad, from Scotland

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Blowzabella
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 04:39 AM

Nutty - if you are interested in the event, I'm sure that Richard would be more than pleased to add you to his mailing list, if you ask him. That way, you will receive info direct into your inbox.

Sometimes, the onus is on us to find out about things ... especially if we would like to go to them and know they are on ...

Folkiedave - do you only go to stuff which is aimed specifically at folkies? Having events such as this, which isn't aimed at folkies directly, but at the general public, is a great way of introducing people, who wouldn't normally go to stuff that IS directly aimed at folkies, to some wonderful music. It is a Seafest - it's not a folk festival as such - meant to be broader than that - but that doesn't mean it doesn't have some brilliant entertainment of the kind which would appeal to 'folkies'. In order to get funding from local authorities, events must have a broad appeal. This event is about celebrating the heritage of Scarborough - it is also a great opportunity to bring into that celebration some fantastic performers of maritime music. Richard is doing what he can to do that.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 04:38 AM

My apologies to Steve Dawes and Helen Pitt,Les Pirates,Raven

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 03:44 AM

BB - it'll be great to see you and Tom again ... to anyone who may like more info - the festival is centred on the Pier. There will be a stage set up there, together with a beer tent and other attractions (in previous years there have been cookery demos, childrens entertainment, art displays, street theatre etc and also ships such as The Grand Turk moored alongside). There are also several venues very close by - The Sea cadets Hall and a selection of pubs. If you find the pier then there will be plenty of leaflets detailing venues and times for performances. The big concert will be on Saturday evening on the pier, and there will also be a firework display, I suspect.

There will also be a song writing competition and workshops and singarounds. As CB indicated the festival is, at least in part, aimed at non folkies and as a consequence the venues are open to all, rather than set aside ones where you need to pay to get in. But there is always a faithful contingent of folk and maritime music fans supporting the event and the pier is always crowded throughout the weekend, so whatever beefs people may have about publicity/lack of it, word must be getting through to someone! And there is a great selection of fish & chip restaurants! I hope we'll see some of you there.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 12:08 AM

BB,
Richard Grainger left you off the list ,not me.
Its not a question of me liking it or not.
I dont owe you an apology.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 08:12 PM

BB apologies,
but I didnt see your name on the said website,so thought maybe you werent there this year.Keith Kendricks Sylvia Needhams name ARE missing too,But as I,ve been in touch with them apropos of another matter,I knew they were on.
Folkie Dave if you had said Scarborough council,or Klondike arts should get a new partner,that would be clear,but what you said was not clear.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 03:35 PM

Hull Sea Fever doesn't fare much better for publicity -apart from posters in the tourist office and the web page on Hull City Council's site you would hardly know it was on-ask the people in Hull and they wouldn't know either except for some loyal diehards -such a great festival I wish they would publicise it better. I would put posters in schools and pubs and local businesses.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 03:04 PM

Well Dick I would have thought having given Scarborough Council's web page and Klondike Arts as the organising partner most people would have interpreted that as aimed at Scarborough Council. So to make it clear it was aimed at Scarborough Council and their organising partner.

I have no knowledge of your own partnership arrangements nor do I see them as relevant to most if not all discussions on this message board. So rest assured it is not a personal criticism. I don't make personal criticism on this board - I do often criticise what people write.

All I meant was that it was not aimed at folkies and therefore had not been advertised to folkies, but was part of a sea-front entertainment aimed at the normal holiday-goer at Scarborough. If the aim is to provide entertainment to the Scarborough holiday-goer I would have thought a programme on the website would be useful.

If it was aimed at attracting extra people to the town (and I would certainly have gone for the day had I not have been doing something else) then the publicity failed to get to people on this board for starters. And most people seem o agree with me.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: peregrina
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 02:53 PM

Anyone know where to find programme info? As you said, the website doesn't give anything about who-where-when!

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: BB
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 02:47 PM

Thanks for leaving us out of the guest list, Dick! We'll be there, whether you like it or not!

Barbara

Subject: RE: scarboro seafest july 20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 01:54 PM

IN previous years it has been very good,it is aimed at non folkies,whats wrong with that ,.
but with SOME of the best shanty groups,Stormalong John,Endeavour shantymen,and good songwriters,MattArmour,RichardGrainger,other good performers Keith Kendrick,DickMiles,SylviaNeedham,Armstrongs Patent,should be enjoyable for committed folkies and its free.
Folkie Dave what do you mean get a new partner,I have a partner,female,and have been with her for 13 years,are you suggesting, Iam gay,if you are piss off.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafestjuly20-22 2007
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 01:21 PM

It is hardly better on the website.

In fact there is not much more info than Dick has posted.

I'd love to go but it is clearly aimed at non-folkies as far as I can see and is just another from of seafront entertainment for the holiday season.

It is jointly organised by Klondike Folk Arts and Scarborough Council.

http://www.scarborough.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7792

but it doesn't tell you much. Get a new partner is my advice.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafestjuly20-22 2007
From: nutty
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 01:09 PM

I don't dispute that Scarborough Seafest is worthy of a visit, Helen.

It's just a shame that every year publicity is so lacking.

For example - where are people likely to come across the performers (Scarborough being a big place).

Subject: RE: scarboro seafestjuly20-22 2007
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 12:15 PM

But that doesn't mean it's not a good idea for Dick to alert people to the festival. Especially as he's not resposible for the publicity in the first place, but is just being helpful. Personally I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Clashes can't really be helped during the summer - there are several festivals on almost every weekend - but Scarborough Seafest has a real buzz about it and is well worth a visit if you're in the area during 20th-22nd July.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafestjuly20-22 2007
From: nutty
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 11:15 AM

It's a bit late for a lot of people though Dick. Many will have made other arrangements particularly as Saddleworth and Staithes are on the same weekend.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafestjuly20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 10:51 AM

Stallion,Ihave the same problem in Ballydehob.[Ignored by theBallydehob Tradfestival
Nutty,thats why I am trying to publicise it here.

Subject: RE: scarboro seafestjuly20-22 2007
From: nutty
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 10:48 AM

Once again - no local publicity (Teesside)

Subject: RE: scarboro seafestjuly20-22 2007
From: stallion
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 08:29 PM

Oh, overlooked by my home town.......again

Subject: scarboro seafest july20-22 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 06:07 PM

Scarboro seafest,takes place July20-22,guests include Dick Miles,MattArmour,Stormalong John,SteveDawes and HelenPitt,ArmstrongsPatent, Keith Kendrick, SylviaNeedham,Richard Grainger,EndeavourShantymen,les Pirates.
I believe all events are free.