Getaway 2008 Program Planning

Subject: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Nancy King
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 05:33 PM

Well, folks, it's time to get down to the business of planning the program for the 2008 Folklore Society of Greater Washington Getaway! This year's Getaway will be October 3-6, at the West River Conference Center on the Chesapeake Bay, and you're all welcome to join the fun!

If you'd like more information about the Getaway, check the description on the FSGW site (fsgw.org). Right now this info refers to last year's event, but this year will be similar, and updated info will be there before too long. Or, you can put "Getaway" into the filter box at the top of the Mudcat page, set the age for a year or two, and you'll get more information than you could possibly want.

One of the nifty things about the Getaway is that we really try to tailor each year's program to the interests and talents of those who will be attending. But until we know who's coming and what they want to do, it's hard to do that. The Program Committee -- Carly Gewirz (Mudcatter "Carly"), Lorraine van Buren (Mudcatter "Lorraine"), and I – have been working on a fine lineup of invited guests. So far we have confirmed The Beans, Wally Macnow and Berta Scott-Macnow, and Elizabeth LaPrelle, and we're working on getting rides for a few others. Now we're starting to put together lists of possible workshops, and we're ready for your input!

So, if you plan to come, please let us know that, and tell us what you would like to see on the program. Are there workshops you'd like to lead, co-lead, or attend? Workshops from previous years you'd like to see repeated (or not)? We're open to all suggestions, and although we can't promise that every one of them will end up on the final list, we can assure you that all will be given due consideration. You can post to this thread with your ideas, or PM any of us.

It would be a big help, by the way, if this thread could be reserved for program issues – other Getaway topics can be posted to this thread, or maybe you could start a new one.

The Getaway is all about participation, so start participating now!

Looking forward to seeing you all in October!

Nancy

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 05:58 PM

In that case I will repeat the bid for a mini Concert for SilverSmith (Maryrrf and Leadfingers) and a Whistle workshop by me . if you want one .

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Nancy King
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 06:26 PM

Gotcha, Terry. You're on the list. We'll be in touch in a little while with more details.

I goofed in the initial post, and left out one of our invited guests! In addition to The Beans, Wally and Berta, and Elizabeth LaPrelle -- all of whom are great -- we will also have Murray Callahan! Any of you who have met and/or heard her will realize what a fine treat this will be.

So now -- give us your ideas!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Micca
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 06:27 PM

Nacy, I will be there too, and am willing to lead/co-lead the Songwriters showcase and/or Parodies workshops!!! The songwriters showcase was intended so that songwriters could introduce the how why of a song of theirs and then present it. It has been very enjoyavble the last few years.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 07:07 PM

Nacy (it's hard to follow after Micca), Rita, Carly, Charlie & who ever else,
I'm tickled that the Beans will be there & espically Elizabeth (don't know Willy & Bertha but I'm sure they'll be a treat too).

Use me as you will, shanties, prison work, I labor for love &/or food so have no fear in abusing me.

Barry

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 07:09 PM

Sorry. I didn't see that it was Wally Macnow (still don't know Berta), it'll be great to see him again.

Barry

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:33 PM

I'd love to co-lead a parody workshop with Micca, or to get involved in a Utah Phillips workshop.

Nancy - you've already mentioned to me reprising the Mummers play - that's fine with me.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Midchuck
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:38 PM

I'm not yet sure that Kris and I will be there, but we're free this year and I want to go unless it conflicts with a trip to Montana. We can always do a "2/3 of Woodchucks' Revenge" mini-concert, heavy on, but not exclusively, parodies and songs in dubious taste. Or does Kendall have a monopoly on songs in dubious taste at this gathering?

Peter

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:45 PM

How about Elizabeth and Barry doing a workshop/concert on Appalachian Ballads and their maritime counterparts?

I volunteered to do a workshop on Fallen Women in Song.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:54 PM

I'd certainly be willing to help coordinate another shanty workshop but I'd appreciate help.

If there is interest in sea ballads, old and new, I'd be happy to help coordinate that as well.

I'm also interested in outrageous parodies, Appalachian ballads, and drinking songs, in no particular order.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: kendall
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:59 PM

Peter, I don't have a monopoly on anything except Jacqui. Go for it.

Seriously, since I seem to be getting my voice back, I hope to be able to sing, and I'm quite sure I will be able to tell a few stories.I'd like to get in on the Utah Phillips workshop. So, Nancy, have your way with me. I'm too old to fight and too lazy to run.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Nancy King
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 09:01 PM

"Have your way with me" ???    Hmmmm....

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 09:39 PM

Those last two posts are going to cost years of therapy. Maybe Becca72 and I should start a support group?

I'm at your disposal for whatever is needed - especially a Utah Phillips workshop, but also whatever else you need me for. Just let me know far enough in advance to learn some songs for the given topic(s)....

Dan

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 10:21 PM

I would like to be in on the Utah Phillips workshop, and any thing else you need. That is if you are able after having your way with kendall. Brain worm....... I will never get that image out of my head.   Move over on the couch, Dan.

Mick

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: maeve
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 10:32 PM

Oh my, oh my...What some of us will be missing!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Severn
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 10:51 PM

Some workshop suggestions (some recycled):

"Hatred"----"One Sunday Morning", "Sam Hall", "I'm A Good Old Rebel", people, jobs, political institutions, nationalities or just the world in general. Vent with a passion!

20th Century American Military Songs-World Wars to the Present. Ones you learned yourself. Male AND Female Jody Calls. Songs your father sang. Songs from "Bless "em All" to those beyond blessing. Home Fires Burning to Cities Burning.


Or narrow it down to , say 20th Century metal Navy songs


"On The Lam"-Exiles, fugatives, outlaws, Foxes and Hares and just people running scared.

"Cities & Towns"-places you're proud of being from or merely glad you're far away from. People who belong there and sailors, travellers and bumpkins just passing through. Louisville, the hometown of Uncle Dave's heart to Jock Hawk In Glasgow-type first impressions.

Songs You learned as a kid (with a recorded version sent up to Azizi)

Vile Fluids (Alchohol, poisons, medicines, potions, sewage, even Scottish waulking songs. Anything from "Cod Liver Oil" to the contents of Larry Marr's "Big Five Gallon Jar".

"Birds"-Hawks, chickens, ravens,cranes, goneys or linnets. From hungry vultures to bluebirds of happiness.

Disguises-Anything from "The Half Hitch" to "Claudy Banks" to "Queen Elenor's Confession" to "Sovay" to "The Handome Cabin Boy" Disguise is the limit!

"Diseases"-acne to pox to the common cold, from "slow condumption killing you by degrees' to "The Boogie Disease" (the doctor says you might get better, but you won't get well!, or even the Heebie Jeebies!


Just some ideas. See if any of this floats.....

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Severn
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 10:58 PM

"Consumption", that is!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 11:37 PM

If y'all can stand it, I have loads of material for a Roots workshop.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Amos
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 11:45 PM

Wal, the Songwriters Swap has been a success every year I've been there, and I'd like to see that happen. I'll be glad to provide a couple, and chair it if need be as long as it ain't cross scheduled against Kendall. ;>)

Be nice to see Gordon again this year--any chance?



A

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 06:45 AM

"Severn" said: "Hatred"----"One Sunday Morning", "Sam Hall", "I'm A Good Old Rebel", people, jobs, political institutions, nationalities or just the world in general. Vent with a passion!

20th Century American Military Songs-World Wars to the Present. Ones you learned yourself. Male AND Female Jody Calls. Songs your father sang. Songs from "Bless "em All" to those beyond blessing. Home Fires Burning to Cities Burning.

I would like to get in on either of those, if it's a workshop format.

Peter

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: kendall
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 07:30 AM

You people always take the most simple statement and turn it into something naughty!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 07:50 AM

Roots! Yes, please do Roots!

Not that you could fit all the songs into one workshop, but it might be fun to see if we could sing our way around the states? Songs that are about each (a la West Virginia You Are My Home).

This Getaway is going to be the Best Ever! Sign me up to host after-hours therapy ;) ... with a chaperone, of course.

Dani

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 08:08 AM

Roots? Rutabegas? Horseradish?

I'd like to be in on the "Have Your Way With Kendall" workshop as long as Jacqui is scheduled to lead a workshop someplace else. Bring the leather jacket, Captain.

How about Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long Leggety Beasties in song?

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 08:09 AM

I too am in on the Hate workshop - attendee.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 08:32 AM

Hmmm, heavy metal Navy songs? I might be able to come up with a few World War 1 candidates.

And I have a few potato songs for the roots workshop, although some claim that the potato is a fruit!

No one has suggested a workshop of songs exploring "The Perversity of Inanimate Objects" such as socks, coat hangers, and keys.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: MMario
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 08:35 AM

*sob* I can't be there! *whimper,whinge,whimper*

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: artbrooks
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 09:05 AM

Are we all grownups? I have a few Vietnam War songs, but they're kinda dirty.

Mostly, I'm in as an appreciative member of the audience.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Severn
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 09:40 AM

Charley,

Since the definition of perverse is, "how folksingers and shantymen would ideally like to be paid", I'm sure we could compose an album's worth of appropriate songs on the spot.

"The Sock That Never Returned", "They Call Me Hanger Johnny", stuff like that....

There are enough existing key songs to fill up a whole workshop already by themselves- "Locks And Bolts", Key To The Highway", "The Keyhole In The Door" or even "Unchained Melody", if anybody's at home on THAT range and actually can hit all those notes.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: ClaireBear
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 09:45 AM

Ghoulies and Ghosties -- a great idea!

I'm still interested in house-visiting traditions--Pace-egging, Bonfire Night, Hoodening/Wassailing and so on--but I don't have enough material to lead it, at least not by myself. (Plus, I'm shy.)

If anyone else has that or a similar folkloric interest, I'd love to combine forces and/or subjects.

By the way, I loved the doo-wop workshop last year, far more than I had any reason to believe I would.

Claire

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 10:13 AM

HMMMMM Does Massacre at Glencoe fit the theme of a visiting tradition, ClaireBear?

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Amos
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 10:26 AM

Pay no attention to MM--he is being obstinate, wilful and disingenuous. He could be there if he chose. But he swears he is enthralled by familial sorceresses who make the most remote nephew's toothbrushing ceremony more compelling than the Getaway. Do not be fooled.


A

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 10:27 AM

Kendall doesn't go anywhere in the jacket without me - that's what I call a monopoly.

Sounds like there are a lot of good ideas - we're going to need that cloning workshop on the Friday night I reckon.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Amos
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 10:42 AM

The two of yez in the same jacket at the same time is truly a sight to behold. Especially when one of you feel like turning around...


A

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 11:31 AM

Claire, we've been intrigued by the idea of a workshop on house-visiting songs ever since you proposed it last year, but we've not found anyone who knew enough about the traditions involved to lead it. Lots of us know a few songs, but if we're going to do it, we ought to have a bit of the lore thrown in as well. Anybody want to volunteer for that one?

We're getting some interesting ideas here -- keep 'em coming!

By the way, I should mention that we have a very limited number of slots available for mini-concerts, as we want to keep most of the time available for the participatory workshops that make the Getaway the inclusive event it is. And of course all of our special invited guests are scheduled for minis -- it's just about the only perk they get. So don't be too disappointed if you're not tapped for a mini -- you're in good company!

More ideas?

Nancy

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Severn
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 11:44 AM

How about "The Gossip-al Truth" workshop?

Nasty rumors that know no boarders, coming from nasty rooms, all strictly innuendo and out the other. Songs with "so they say" and "I've heard tell", and "Sad news has come to town, sad news is carried" and "There's a story goin' round" and "Don't start me to talkin'" and the like in them. Signifying monkeys, and their human bretheren as well.......

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 01:05 PM

Severn-

Indeed there are many verses that relate to "The Perversity of Inanimate Objects":

The next came in was a sock troll
Whose dress was exceedingly droll,
Whose dress was exceedingly droll,
When he joined in the jovial crew
For he was attired in socks he'd snatched,
Argyle, stripped, and some was patched,
And not a single one did match –
When Jones ale was new, me boys,
When Jones ale was new!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: kendall
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 01:12 PM

I used to sing Unchained Melody, love the chord sequence.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 03:20 PM

Nancy,

Maybe a work shop on songs based on C. Fox Smith's poems. I suspect Charley Noble could help with that. I would like to twenty-fourth (too late to second) a Utah Phillip's workshop. Although I'm not as free with my body as Barry Finn seems to be, I do volunteer to help lead a workshop if you need a leader.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Genie
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 03:29 PM

Charley, love your sock troll song!

Not to deviate too much from the bizarre and frivolous mood, but how about a workshop on songs about (for want of a better term) "crossing over" and/or saying goodbye to loved ones gone on? (Of course, songs on this general topic don't all have to be sad, serious, or somber, either.) I would be especially interested in original songs Mudcatters have created in response to such events in our own lives, but there are some excellent ones from non-Catters as well.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Severn
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 04:28 PM

All Right, Charley!

Socks and Dregs and Rock & Roll!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 04:35 PM

Interesting: Barry says "Use me as you will" and nobody notices. Kendall says "Have your way with me" and the ladies line up.

Barry, we have to get you a leather jacket.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: ClaireBear
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 04:47 PM

Boy, it's a good thing I wasn't drinking my tea when I read that, SINS -- there could have been one hell of a bill for the laptop repair!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 04:53 PM

LOL, Mary!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 04:59 PM

If we ALL get Black Leather ? ? ?

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: ClaireBear
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 05:05 PM

So, are we going to have a black leather petting zoo?

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: beardedbruce
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 05:21 PM

does brown leather count?

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 08:12 PM

Let me explain. It's not just the jacket.

It's a bit like a box of chocolates. Now, they all look similar on the outside, but there are some with fillings that everybody wants and then there are the ones that always get left in the box.........

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 09:51 PM

I hope to be there, for the first time, this year.
But, looking over this list I don't think I'll suggest any workshops.
There's an overwhelming number already! I think I may just
need to be there and soak everything up... singing along the way, of course.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 10:28 PM

Pamela, thanks for getting us back on track! I'll stop giggling soon....

Anyway, we'll be glad to see you! Please understand that not all the workshops that have been suggested will actually happen. We're just gathering ideas, which we'll add to the list we already have, and eventually we'll come up with the Perfect Program. So, if you there's something you'd like us to include, just let us know.

Nancy

Subject: RE: Getaway 2008 Program Planning
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 10:35 PM

Roger in Baltimore et al-

I'm certainly well prepared to do a C. Fox Smith workshop, and that includes songs with choruses, not just a lecture. The working Anthology of her poems that Jim Saville and I have pulled together now includes 626 poems. Anyone else who can lead one of her songs would be more than welcome to do that. I have 20 or so to select from that I've either worked up or others have nailed in terms of fitting her poems to a tune. There are also a number of old sailor poets that I've also been working with: Burt Franklin Jenness, Bill Adams, Harry Kemp and John Masefield. Here's a link to my websites where there are full lyrics and MP3 samples of all of the above: Click here for website!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble