Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011

Subject: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 05:16 PM

I just received notice of this fund-raising event for the Mystic Sea Music Festival:

Saturday, January 8, 2011, 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Frohsinn Hall (aka the German Club)
54 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic, CT

Join us for a singaround attended by singers and fans from Gloucester, MA, to New York City and beyond as we raise excitement and funds for the 2011 Sea Music Festival at Mystic Seaport!

The Pub Sing/Chantey Blast has been organized by the Friends of the Festival. The Friends of the Festival is a program Mystic Seaport started some years ago to generate much-needed support to keep the annual Sea Music Festival alive. Ticket sales offset less than half of the Festival's expenses, and without the generous gifts of a growing number of Friends this unique event would not continue. Come join us and become part of the Sea Music Festival family!

The Pub Sing offers free admission. A suggested donation of $15 is welcome. All proceeds will support the 32nd Sea Music Festival, held June 9-12, 2011. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted at the door. No reservations needed. For more information email [e-mail] or call 860.572.5302, ext.5037.

This special event is a whole lot of fun and a fine way to provide financial support for the Festival. If you've never attended the Festival, this special event also functions as an introduction to what happens at the late night shanty sings in this same dance hall.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 09:22 PM

Last year's shanty blast was wonderful. I hope I'll be able to go again this year. Everyone who goes should have, er . . . well, a blast.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,Salsa
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 07:07 PM

Any idea who will be there and who will be at the festival 2011?

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 08:29 PM

Everyone who is anyone will be there in Mystic in January.

Last year there were about 200 folks crowded into the dance hall.

The schedule for June is hardly finalized.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 09:15 PM

About the number of people crowded into the hall: I did wonder what the legal capacity of that room is. I wish a larger space could be used.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: sciencegeek
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 08:54 AM

Weather permitting, the western NY contingent will be there... maybe even shanghai another unsuspecting soul ....

Chris & Mike

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,the heavenly twins
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 01:36 PM

The Heavenly Twins will be there probably two hours early!!!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 02:29 PM

I don't expect I'll make the trip, but good luck, and good singing!

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Dec 10 - 10:27 AM

I'll probably be there for an early lunch and looking for company for dinning with afterwards.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,Barnacle Babe
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 10:47 AM

Has anything been posted about this year's Music Festival yet? I had written but never received any answer.

By the way Charley, congrats on the new publication. :)

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 02:14 PM

Barnacle Babe-

The new publication might be The Sea Songs of Cicely Fox Smith, or maybe my new songbook titled Uncommon Sailor Songs. I'll bring copies of both to the Shanty Blast for show and sell!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Taconicus
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 02:47 PM

I think I'll attend.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 11:08 AM

It's probably a good time to describe how this special event works. This event is a fundraiser for the Sea Music Festival in June and there will be some provision made for collecting donations as people come in.

The German Hall is a large open room, lined with chairs. Those who get there first get some choice about where or if they get seating. Other might bring cushions or beach chairs to sit on or stand in place or wander about as the spirit moves them. There's a bar at the front entry that tends to get congested. I believe that last year there was another bar at the back of the hall itself that did a good job of relieving congestion in the entry way.

Geoff Kaufman or one of his close friends generally starts the session and then it's a matter of being assertive to lead a song. Sometimes it can be quite challenging to pick when to try to lead a song but generally if you start one people settle down and join in the chorus or refrain. It's probably a more friendly environment for shanties than for ballads with no chorus or refrain. Seldom are instruments deployed but they certainly are not prohibited.

One good tactic is to form or join a small crowd of people you have sung with before so you can support them in leading a song and they can support you in turn.

I've never seen anyone dare to lead a sea song at these sessions from the Rise Up Singing Songbook. It's a good idea to know the song very well that you're planning to lead.

It's a difficult situation to provide any introduction to a song but if people really like it there may be a chance to explain something about it after you finish singing it.

People often take photographs during the session while others record it. I'm not sure what the rules are about that. The lighting is generally poor for photography and using flash photography can really be distracting but it's so nice to have some photos to post after the Shanty Blast. The ambient noise makes it almost impossible to record anything other than the crowd around you. I've given up on such recording. But others still attempt recording.

Any other informal comments?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,heavenly twin
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 02:34 PM

Nicely explained, Charley There's usually a big time ending with Don Sineti doing Maui...also the group is very friendly, not cliquish at all It is so important to the regulars to introduce anyone and everyone to the music we love so much If you are a newbie,don't be shy please join us You will be in for an unbelievable experience So much fun! See you soon

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 03:24 PM

A very good and thorough explanation that answered almost all the questions I was about to ask.

But, I'm curious: Do Mudcatters have their own "group" or are they usually scattered throughout the hall? Not sure if I will be able to attend (hope so), but I wondered how newbies might spot other 'Catters.

Jay

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 05:12 PM

Jay-

Sometimes Mudcatters wear Mudcatter T-shirts (available from Camsco) or homemade name tags with their Mudcat names. I'll have one that says "Charley Noble."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 07:58 PM

I see that Geoff Kaufman has begun a Facebook promotion of this fundraising event, although he spells it "Chanty Blast."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 09:03 PM

Thanks, Charley. I'm not one of Geoff's Facebook Friends, and he has some higher security settings than some other people, but I was able to see his posting of this event, RSVP to it, and Share it on my Facebook page.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: JWB
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 10:11 PM

You are quite right, Charlie -- "It's probably a more friendly environment for shanties than for ballads with no chorus or refrain" -- and I will emphasize the point: the people at the Chantey Blast come to sing, so please please please lead a song everyone can sing along to.

I've wondered for some time how it would be if the Blast had a strictly-enforced rule that only true chanteys could be sung. Think we could go 4 hours under that stricture?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 07:52 AM

Jerry-

If we only lead "true chanteys/chanties/shanties" we might not have time to lead any following the initial debate. ;~))

But the long ballads without a chorus or refrain should best be sung in the car coming to or returning from the Blast. I have one that runs about 20 minutes and the last time I sung it I missed my exit going south on I-495 and almost ended up on Cape Cod.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,Barnacle Babe
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 03:34 PM

@Charlie, yes, I meant the Little Red Tree Press Anthology of CFSmith songs. Congrats. Is is out yet or soon to be published?

As far as the Pub sing, trying to rouse interest amongst the guys so not sure who might be attending at this point, if at all.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 10:57 PM

Barnacle Babe-

Oh, the C. Fox Smith Anthology, the monster project!. We're working on that one but with 633 poems it will be a while before we get to the next phase let alone printing. I'm meeting with the folks from the Little Red Tree Press before the Chantey Blast for some follow-up discussion and more show and tell.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jan 11 - 06:05 PM

The weather is not looking very good now for Saturday.

Charley Noble, who is not amused

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jan 11 - 08:28 PM

This is what I've heard back from Geoff Kaufman today:

"So far, we're still planning on Saturday. I'll update tomorrow if we change the plan."

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 06 Jan 11 - 08:39 PM

Hmmmm... I wonder when the decision will be made regarding the approaching snow?

Here is a link to the Mystic Seaport website and the Chantey Blast page, but so far nothing has been updated. The snow date is Sunday, January 6, but again, I see the site has not yet been updated.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 06 Jan 11 - 08:41 PM

My error: The snow date should have read Sunday, January 9.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 06 Jan 11 - 11:06 PM

I hope it is on Saturday and that I am not afraid to drive, but I know other people plan to travel longer distances than I will. I cannot go on Sunday, the snow date. I will be at a 90th birthday party for a distant relative whom I rarely see. Everybody, please do a Stay Away Snow Dance.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 07:20 AM

It's not an easy decision for me either. It's 300 miles one-way and this kind of storm could double the time of the normal 4.5 hour trip...

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Booklynrose
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 11:26 AM

How can we find out whether the Shantey Blast will be postponed till Sunday? There's quite a bit of snow coming down in NYC, but forecasts say there will be more to the East, which is where Mystic lies.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 11:45 AM

Geoff Kaufman e-mailed me this morning that Saturday is still the date.

However, I'm afraid I'm going to have to stay home after all. The weather is still looking lousy for driving south from Maine to Mystic Saturday morning. It looks nice Saturday for Mystic itself and for driving north from NYC. So I hope there is still a good attendance.

Do check the WeatherBug for the best travel forecasts.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,Heavenly Twin
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 12:48 PM

Sunny morning predicted for Mystic on Sat!!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Taconicus
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 02:10 PM

As of 2 PM on Friday, the Sea Music festival is still on for tomorrow, and it's still a bright, sunny day in Mystic--no snow yet!

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 09:25 PM

Probably a wise decision, Charley, but you will be missed. Hope to see you at the Sea Music Festival.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 10:26 PM

Looks like I will not be able to make it, either. And I am not a happy camper at this moment in time...

Having no wheels (stolen way back in 1993) and unable to find a ride to share, I decided to investigate riding the rails. Not, I hasten to add, in the manner of Woody, et al, in days of yore, but Amtrak. Hadn't a clue as to the current rail fares from NYC until I checked their website and saw it was $96 round trip!

Lordy, how times have changed... A bit too much for my wallet these days for a day trip.

[Insert appropriate expletives here.]

Jay

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 10:20 AM

Weather reports look better this morning than they did yesterday at noon. Grumble, grumble!

I do hope someone at least takes a photo or two and makes some kind of bare bones reports so wimps like me can at least have a virtual experience.

Charley Noble, staring morosely at two of three snowflakes drifting by his window.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST, one heavenly twin
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:23 AM

A new storm forming in Southeast CT today 3-6 inches predicted for Mystic this afternoon and early evening so for one twin who had 8 inches yesteday and the other who had 4 but is looking at 4 more this afternoon and perhaps more this evening, even CT residents are wimping out. Too much driving from different directions for the twins. I am so glad snow here in June is an anomaly, but I would brave anything for the festival weekend. So you're not the only one, Charley, but I hope many locals will attend. We sent a donation online anyway.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,ChanteyLass on cell
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 12:59 PM

I'm here along with very few others so far. There are still some chairs available. 95 from RI was fine, but local roads could have been better. (I drove around a little looking at hotels because I'd like to stay in Mystic during the Sea Music Festival if I can get over my fear of bedbugs.) It's not snowing now, but I'll be looking out the window to see when the snow starts again. I hope it holds off until the Blast is over.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 10:14 PM

Hmmm, no reports as of yet. One does wonder if there were any survivors.

Geoff Kaufmandid make a post to Facebook after 5 pm and thanked everyone for attending.

It started snowing heavily here in Maine around 9 pm. If I had gone I'd be somewhere in New Hampshire heading north abut now if I could maintain regular highway speed. Of course when we came back from dinner this evening we couldn't go over 50 on the slippery Interstate.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 10:43 PM

It was wonderful and very well-attended in spite of the weather. Several members of South Street Seaport's New York Packet were there, as were some members of the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus. I don't know if people came from farther away than they did. I was home safe and snug, close to the geographic center of RI, when snow showers started around 7:30.

Two bits of info about the 2011 Sea Music Festival: Friday's Symposium session will be at the Coast Guard Academy in New London but Saturday's will be at the Seaport, and the Northern Neck Shanty Singers will appear at the festival again this year.

I have tried to spell the names of the musical groups the way they do. If any members of either group sees that I've made an error, I apologize. If anyone reading this is unfamiliar with these groups and interested in learning more, I leave it to you to do a web search to find out more.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 10:19 AM

ChanteyLass-

Happy to hear that the Chanty Blast was well attended.

The storm that was out to sea was responsible for the snow showers we encountered in Maine as the outer fringes of the storms circled back counterclockwise through Maine heading South. There was one big pile-up in New Hampshire of 40 cars on the Interstate during a white-out but no one seems to have been seriously injured.

It will be great to hear the Northern Neck Shanty Singers again. They sing the traditional net-hauling shanties.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 09:28 PM

Oh, I remembered something else. Dan Milner and Robbie O'Connell will perform together at the sea music festival, too.

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 05:08 PM

Hmmm. Geoff Kaufman told me today about 150 folks made it to the Chantey Blast and had a great time. But I'm beginning to worry. Only one of them, ChanteyLass, has confirmed reaching home. Are the rest still singing somewhere? Were they abducted by aliens? Do they actually have real lives to return to that require their attention? Inquiring minds would like to know!

Grumble,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Cllr
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 10:05 PM

damn just missed but i will be flying out to Boston from the UK on thursday maybe one day i will make the main festival

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 10:13 PM

Cllr-

So why not join us up in Portsmouth at the Press Room for our shanty session on Saturday, 3:30 to 7:30 pm? Then you could join the MIT shanty session in Cambridge on Sunday.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: GUEST,Richard Koch/Cultural Arts Center at Glen Al
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 01:06 PM

Can you give me contact info for The Northern Neck Shanty Singers ?

Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Shanty Blast 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 09:11 PM

I can't, but maybe another Mudcatter can help. If someone here can't give you a direct way of contacting them, you may be able to get the information from Geoff Kaufman who organizes the Mystic Sea Music Festival. You can contact him through this link on his website. http://geoffkaufman.com/contact/