KSU Folk Festival

Subject: KSU Folk Festival
From: Jack (Who is called Jack)
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 07:22 PM

One of the longer running "Folk festivals" in the US happens at Kent State Univerisity in Kent Ohio, and is this weekend.

Friday, September 24th Matthew Abelson, Anne DeChant, Toshi Reagon, Tony Trischka, Eddie from Ohio, Dar Williams

Free workshops from noon until 4:00 pm. Friday night's Main Stage performance gates open at 6:00 pm, performance begins at 7:00 pm.

Saturday, September 25th Brian Henke, Ellis Paul and Don Conoscenti, Susan Werner, Laura Love Band, Robin and Linda Williams, John Prine

Free workshops from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Saturday night's Main Stage performance gates open at 5:00 pm, performance begins at 6:00 pm.

A personal note on this festival.

There was a time when I would have characterized this festival as one one of the Best Kept Secrets of the folk and tradtional festival circuit. At its height, when it was a winter festival held on the 3rd week of February, it was a mecca for many midwest, and east coast practitioners and afficionados of all kinds of folk and traditional music. A weekend festival, it was packed with over 100 workshops on everything from mountain songs, sea shantys, fiddle, banjo, humor, old swing, gospel, contra dancing, square dancing, Ragtime Piano, Ragtime Guitar, Guitar styles, with lots of jamming and song swapping. It was there I first sat at the feet of the likes of Ginny Hawker, John McCutcheon, Joel Mabus, and Dick Swain, and came in contact with players who knew and played the music of Rev Gary Davis, Missispi John Hurt, Blind Blake and the like. The two evening concerts were just the cherry on the sundae, where the acts would range from percussive dancing, traditional african, old time string band, just about anything, including the occaisional emerging songwriter like a John Gorka or Kristina Olson. Often they would be able to bring in a living traditional artist from appalaichia, or a practicing shape note choir.

Now unfortunately, funding concerns have forced them to change their approach, and move it outdoors in September. They have also cut back the workshops (which don't work as well outdoors anyway), and have shifted their booking policy from the authentic but obscure to the more well known and long established acts. Names that can draw advance sales, like Arlo Guthrie, Ritchie Havens, Dave Edmunds, John Prine, and Dar Williams. Still and all, its a good festival.

Subject: RE: KSU Folk Festival
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 08:00 PM

I've been hitting this one off and on for years, and Jack's absolutely right. I don't think the big names have really hurt though.....But the mid-winter change was kinda' sad to me. It gave it a certain charm, ya' know. We talked about it this year, especially when Dave Swan was going to be in Ohio around then. I may still try a sosl trip on Saturday, but Karen is about to do a job change abd that's affecting plans on a daily basis...be glad when it's all taken care of.

I wonder if you and I ever ran into each other Jack? No way of telling now, but it's always interesting to watch the world shrink a little. I was glad to see that Robin and Linda Williams are there this year...very fine folks. I had this info awhile back and should have posted it then, but things take awhile to happen in September around here. Thanks Jack...Are you going?

Spaw

Subject: RE: KSU Folk Festival
From: Jack (Who is called Jack)
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 08:59 PM

I'm a cub scout den leader, and I'll be camping out at Beaumont that weekend with my pack of 7 year old wolves.

Subject: RE: KSU Folk Festival
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 11:05 PM

Having been a bobcat, wolf, bear, lion, and WeBeLo...You have your work cut out for you...take raw meat. **BG**

Glad to hear you do scouts Jack..and I'll bet yours get plenty of music.

Spaw

Subject: RE: KSU Folk Festival
From:
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 10:18 PM

interesting. i attended in 1970, i think it was--though it could have been '71. at any rate, it was some time ago. it was, whenever it was, A GREAT THING. there was maria muldaur (and her husband, geoff); a guy from pittsburg, alex bevan; a gershwin-y style pianist (if there is such a thing); a good bluegrass group from pennsylvania; a cajun group; a jug band; and you, jack--i mean, i am addressing ramblin' jack elliot, am i not? carry on.

Subject: RE: KSU Folk Festival
From: Jack (Who is called Jack)
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 01:33 PM

Sorry but I was 11 in 1971, so as much as I'd like to be Ramblin Jack, It aint so.

Subject: RE: KSU Folk Festival
From: Jack (Who is called Jack)
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 05:26 PM

Refreshing in case Bert wants to announce on Mudcat Radio Broadcast

Subject: RE: KSU Folk Festival
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 23 Sep 99 - 10:57 AM

There are KSU folk festival website at
http://www.wksu.org/folk/festival99/ and http://www.kent.edu/stuorg/acpb/FolkFest99/index.html
During some of the past few years, the festival was actually broadcast live on RealAudio, so those at a distance could attend virtually, though I don't see any indication of a webcast this year.

--Charlie Baum