Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012

Subject: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June
From: sciencegeek
Date: 18 Dec 11 - 04:04 PM

Where? Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut
When?   June 8 & 9, 2012
Why?    Because it is a great time for all of us lovers of sea shanties and all other manner of sea music to come together and share in friendship & great music.

More details to come.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 19 Dec 11 - 08:36 PM

Hey, you beat me to it! I was going to hold off posting about this until after Chantey Blast to post this! In fact, the festival starts on Thursday evening on June 7 and ends on Sunday, June 10, but your dates include the Symposium.

There is already a call for papers thread on Mudcat and that info is on Mystic Seaport's website. And there is a thread about the Chantey Blast on January 7, 1-5 in Forshinn Hall across the street from seaport's entrance. The seaport itself will be closed that day as part of a 6 week closure for January and early February. More Chantey Blast info is on the seaport's website, too.

Could a moderator add 2012 to the thread title?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 Jan 12 - 12:03 AM

Refresh!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 25 Jan 12 - 12:50 AM

Thank you, Mystery Moderator, for adding 2012 to the thread title!

So, who else going?

By the way, a couple from Iceland will be performing. (BG) But not Skarpi and his band. I don't know if they do sea music.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jan 12 - 07:49 AM

I'm hoping to be there again. My band Roll & Go was featured last year so I'm sure we won't be featured again for another 2-3 years. This sea music festival is a must for anyone seriously, or frivolously, interested is sea music.

Tom Lewis, I understand, will be returning this year to the Festival.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 25 Jan 12 - 11:56 AM

I'll be there, for the first time. Looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Susan of DT
Date: 25 Jan 12 - 09:53 PM

We will be there, as always.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 10:25 PM

I went to Mystic Seaport today. It reopened on Thursday after its unprecedented 6-week closing. Craig played fiddle, banjo, and guitar in the Visitor Center. Mike did two presentations on Music of the Sea and Shore in the Mallory Building and did Dogwatch on the L. A. Dunton. Denise did two presentations on From Washington to Lincoln: The Music of Our Past. I heard that Nicole Singer, who has done so well at the pub sings, will be booked as a performer at this year's festival. I also heard that she plays the fiddle!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 12:32 AM

ChanteyLass-

Nice to get an update.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 07:54 PM

I didn't expect to get back to Mystic this soon because I was there on Saturday. However, my daughter-in-law phoned and said she was taking three of my grands (the fourth lives in CA) to the seaport. She asked if I wanted to come, too! Geoff Kaufman was today's chanteyman, and he told me there is an additional singer coming to the festival in addition to the ones already posted online. I didn't even know the line-up had been posted online! Here's the link.
http://www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=C9BE0FCF-D86E-382C-FA65352B6393646D
Woosh! At least I remember to put the link in my post, something I often forget to do.
So who's the performer not included on the list? Well, I think Geoff said his appearance is confirmed, but it's not on the performer's website yet, either, so I'm going to hold off telling you. Just keep checking that link! I think sea music fans will be pleased.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: DebC
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 08:16 PM

Today I saw Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti at the Massachusetts Parks and Recreation performer Showcases. She told me that she has been booked at the Festival this year and folks, you are in for a treat.

She portrays many characters from history, but today she was Harriet Tubman and I mean she WAS Harriet Tubman.

Each performer only had ten minutes and Gwendolyn packed into those ten minutes a story of a life that moved me to my core.

Good job, Geoff K and others making the booking decisions this year.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Greg B
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 08:23 PM

Man, looks almost like a line-up from 20-odd years ago.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 09:36 AM

Amazing that the list is up so soon. There probably will be a few more additions as we get closer to the launching in June.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 07:28 PM

Debra, thanks for the tip. I'll make it a point to look for Gwendolyn.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: sciencegeek
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 12:33 PM

I tried to access a campus map for Avery Pt. & Google earth sat is not much help. If anyone still has an old map from previous years, can that get posted somewhere?

The Mystic Friday Symposium treasure hunt aka "find the correct building before the sympoium starts" is getting old.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Salsa
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 11:32 AM

There was supposed to be a Chanty Blast in Mass some time in March/April does anyone know when it was or will be or where it is?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 11:29 PM

Sciencegeek and Salsa, I can't answer your questions. As I recall from two years ago, links to the Avery Point campus map appeared on Mystic Seaport's website shortly before the festival. Salsa, about the Chantey Blast in MA, you might want to contact the seaport via its website or contact Geoff Kauffman via his website.

A few weeks ago I went to a meeting of my YMCA's book club which meets in an assisted living home so that residents can participate. Midway through our meeting I could hear someone singing songs for St. Patrick's Day. It was Marc Bernier who often shows up at Mystic. I asked if he will be there this year for the Sea Music Festival and he said yes. He's not listed as a performer, but I hope to hear him at the pub sings.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 30 Mar 12 - 11:50 AM

I checked back again at the Seaport site & saw that they are reviving the contradance, in addition to some new tweaks to the program.

I hope to get enough flyers & info to bring to NEFFA this April.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 12:28 AM

Wonderful!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 04:20 PM

What are the TWEAKS?? Inquiring minds want to know!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 05:28 PM

Sciencegeek might be referring to this info from the link I posted above (10th post on this thread).

"The Sea Music Festival will debut several new features for 2012, including:

Sea Music Storytelling Stage: A dedicated storytelling stage co-sponsored by the Connecticut Storytelling Center and featuring gifted storytellers from throughout New England.

Sea Music School Age Festival: On Friday, June 8, local school groups will perform chanteys and music of the sea. These children will have the opportunity to workshop with professional musicians, see music in action on Museum grounds, and perform for audiences.

Sea Music Contra Dance: On Saturday, June 9, kick up your heels and enjoy live music and contra dancing at the Froshien Club, located directly across from the main entrance of Mystic Seaport. Admission to the Contra Dance is $8, and is included in the festival's all-access pass."

By the way, the other performer Geoff Kauffman told me was coming is now on the list. It is Archie Fisher.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 09:21 PM

Archie Fisher would be nice to hear again.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Salsa
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 05:32 PM

If the Contra Dance is going to be in the German Club, where will the pub sing be?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 07:21 PM

In the German Club, I'd imagine!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 11:23 PM

We will have to wait to see a schedule for Saturday night. The schedule usually does not appear on the website until a week or two before the festival, and printed schedules have also been available at the seaport's entrance building.

The Avery Point link on Mystic's website directs you to the campus's new website. On that website it is easy to find directions to the campus, but I could not find any map of the campus itself. Late Friday night I sent an email to Avery Point's contact address to ask about a campus map. I didn't expect to learn anything over the weekend but will let you know when someone there gets back to me.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 02:34 PM

Where does everyone stay when in Mystic?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 05:05 PM

Dave, there are lots of choices, but few bargains to be had. It's a bit less pricey if you are willing to drive to Groton or New London, but keep in mind it may be quite late when things finish. In Mystic itself, the Howard Johnsons is probably one of the more economical choices, and it's not awful. There's a Hilton, a Hampton, and the other usual suspects. A few (including HoJo's) are walkable from the the Seaport. If you want really nice accomodations and can afford it, the Whalers Inn (Inne?) is beautiful, and walkable. It's none-too-early to book (I booked in January on occasion). I've never checked out accommodation prices at the casino; you might find some sort of special. They've been doing some sponsorship of the Festival, so no longer seem to be "the enemy."

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 07:09 PM

You might try googling Motels Mystic CT and Inns Mystic CT. If you don't find anything there (because of price or availability), do the same thing substituting Groton or New London for Mystic. Groton is closer; New London is on the other side of Groton. Friday's Symposium will be in Groton. Another approach would be to go to the website of any hotel group that you have an affinity card with and search there for a hotel in or near Mystic. Early in March I booked my motel room in Mystic. Two years ago I stayed in Groton and probably didn't book until late April or early May, but when I checked in, a couple was registering without have booked and used a coupon from one of those hotel discount brochures you can pick up at highway rest stops. A warning about those coupons, though. I have tried only twice to use them at two different places and was told the offers were no longer available. When I pointed to the coupons' expiration dates and said that the hotels' signs indicated they had a vacancy, both clerks repeated that the offers were no longer available.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 09:52 PM

Getting back to a map of the Avery Point campus: I got a reply to my email. The reply shows a map. However, I had hoped for a link that I could post on Mudcat. I suppose the best way for me to share it is by forwarding it to anyone who is interested. If you PM me your email address, I will do that.

(Hoping not too many people request emails)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 10:45 AM

can you paste the map into Facebook?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 11:30 PM

I have no idea if I can do that! I suppose this is why you are sciencegeek and I am not!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: KathyW
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 12:32 AM

Speaking of what's in Mystic, my favorite inexpensive, healthy, & vegetarian-friendly dining choice has been Puritan & Genesta Natural Foods grocery store. (Across the street from The Whaler Inn in downtown Mystic.) I just found out that it went out of business this past fall. Now what am I going to do for curried tofu & spinach wrap sandwiches?!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 06:35 AM

Please feel free to pop over to ireland the week after, june 15 16 17 for the Fastnet Maritime and Folk Festival

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 08:19 AM

Dick-

We'd have to pull together the airfare for a flight to Ireland. I don't think the Joseph Conrad would make it in time. But that's a great idea.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Greg B
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 08:44 PM

You'd have to take the Brilliant, but without the late Captain George Moffett to skipper her, she'd probably fall short, too.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 08:49 PM

Greg-

Given the condition of some of the Conrad's rusted plates, the Brilliant would be a better option. The Conrad is overdue for a major overhaul too.

Word has it that Geoff Kaufmann is off on the Eagle sailing to New Orleans. He promises to check his e-mail faithfully. I'm not sailing...

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: KathyW
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 11:01 PM

Chanteylass emailed the map of the Avery Point campus to me, and I stuck it up on my website for all of you.   Here's the link to it, I didn't bother creating one on my site itself:

http://yellowzeppelin.net/campus_map.pdf

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 12:04 AM

Great! Thank you, KathyW!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Heavenly Twins
Date: 09 Apr 12 - 04:10 PM

Very excited about the line up for this festival. some new friends but better yet lots of classic acts, The Morgans and Tom Lewis and many others Cant wait. only about two months left this is the period of delicious anticipation! Cant wait to see our once a year friends who are so special to us just wishing for really good weather, hot laying on the grass listening to our music weather

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 11:19 AM

I just had what will be my last of many Breakfasts at Kitchen Little. After 25 festivals for me, this years Saturday morning breakfast is not going to be the same. They'll be moving to a new location next week. Although still in Mystic, Kitchen Little will no longer be the convienient walk from the Seaport.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 12:50 PM

Marc-

It is a real pity. I'll probably give the new place a try but most likely they won't let me in the door without a tie.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 01:45 PM

Charley
It'll be the same people and same food. But it'll be out on Mason's Island so it will not be the short walk it once was.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 07:43 PM

Marc-

Yes, I also tracked down the new location at the Marina via Google Maps. It's a very long walk.

So what do you suppose someone will build on the old lot? There's not enough room for a tavern. And if the tore the old building down I'm not sure if they could build anything new that close to the water.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 08:01 PM

My guess is a

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 08:02 PM

Parking lot

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Greg B
Date: 15 Apr 12 - 09:44 PM

Basically, the Seaport, who owned the property sold it out from under its tenant of 30-odd years with no apparent regard for the long-standing symbiotic relationship, the business, its owner, employees, etc. Please DO get down to give Flo some business. And maybe let MSM know that these ongoing examples of how it treats the communities of which it is supposed to be a part DO have an affect on the responses to their "beg letters."

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 10:52 AM

Greg-

No doubt what you say is true.

There's a certain logic to business decisions, and I'm sure that Chicken Little wasn't very high in terms of priority with regard to the Museum's mission.

Still, I'll miss the old place.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Greg B
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 11:55 AM

It's not the logic, it's the locus. The people who made the decision probably weren't among those who were welcomed there when in the Seaport area. More likely, they were welcomed in cocktail reception and catered lunches and dinners. No, it was just another joint they drove by on Greenmanville. The community, and the businesses in it, probably aren't even on their radar. They should be. But you have to ask--- if the mission is "preservation" then what is a 3-decades-old neighboring independent business worth? How does Flo's real entrepreneurship relate to the "pretend" businesses (e.g., chandler, tavern, bank, cooper, print-shop, clock shop) portrayed within the Seaport itself?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Marc Bernier
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 07:39 PM

Greg; I realize someone pissed you off years ago by not letting you have your way, But get over it. That was a long time ago. You took your ball and went home now shut the fuck up. Flo and Jimmy were offered first refusal on the property before it went on the market. They didn't want to buy it. It was listed and someone else did. Flo and Jimmy have had as much a role in this process as anyone. Your slinging shit on a subject you know nothing about.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Greg B
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:21 PM

Marc; I realize that as a "local" you have a stake in the game and feel the need to suck at the teat of the 500-pound gorilla that is Mystic Seaport Museum. But get over it. You have your own things to do, and you'll get by without "Mama MSM," as have many if not most of the other really talented folks who started out there. In case you haven't noticed, for small businesses these days, it's not a question of "didn't want to buy it" but more often a case of "the bankers (some of whom sit on the Trustees) haven't been giving small businesses loans for the last few years." Shut the fuck up yourself and go vote in November like the closet Republican you apparently are. But don't be surprised when they screw you, too.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: stallion
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 03:54 AM

about ten years ago a bloke pulled down my favourite boozer down, in spite of a three thousand name petition and the fact it was a thriving business and the last example of a mock tudor building, designed by some famous architect, left standing in York. It is now a car park. The consequences were that it destroyed a community that then drifted homeless to the four corners of York. It will not be the same and it will be lamented but nothing is forever. If I have a beef it is with accountants who play god and blind the decision makers with the blinding light of economic sense without factoring in the social costs. Suppose ones treatment in hospital was based on how much your survival would return to the economy, that surely is what the accountants would recommend it would be morally repugnant and yet acceptable to make a business unviable and inconvenience so many people because to raise cash and live on the interest makes more business sense. One of the best cafeteria's in York closed many years ago, putting thirty people out of work, because the accountants worked out that they could make 10% more money renting the property to a bank and so a Cafe that had been serving York for over 80 years closed. It is now forgotten, a memory, but life has moved on. Now boys put your handbags away and anyone really in the know might like to explain the reasoning behind the decision to take the course of action and whether the social costs were ever factored in or why covenants were not attached, seems to me like they were Tesco'd but then I know nothing.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 05:28 PM

As I said above, I'll miss old Chicken Little. However, it's not the end of the world and Marc Bernier did add some information that indicated that the business owners had time to make a choice of whether to buy the lot or move.

Too bad that old hard feelings needed to be aired as well but so it goes.

Moving on!

I'll be working again as a performer at Mystic this year, with Jim Saville (UK), coordinating another Cicely Fox Smith workshop to commemorate the June publication of The Complete Poetry of Cicely Fox Smith (Little Red Tree Publishing, © 2012) for which we are co-editors; there are about 640 poems in this anthology with notes and vintage illustrations. Jim will be reciting her poems as composed and I will be singing some as adapted by singers. This anthology has been a long and complicated project and a lot of people need to be thanked for helping complete it, not to mention our intrepid publisher Michael Linnard.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 11:32 PM

Sounds like something I should get to, Charley. Is that part of the symposium?

I never ate at Kitchen Little for two reasons: the parking lot was always packed and I thought the restaurant would be, too, and

I am not a morning person. When I go to Mystic as a day trip I sleep as late as possible, grab a muffin and decaf at the Bake Shop, and head to the Conrad for Dead Horse, usually the first daily demo with music. (Can't board with food and beverage, but I sit close to the ship and can hear everything.) Of course during the festival I will be having my muffin and decaf at the motel.

I am glad the restaurant will continue though in a new location. I hope people will continue eat there and support the business.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 07:45 AM

ChanteyLass-

The Cicely Fox Smith workshop will be part of the regular entertainment schedule but I'll announce more details when I learn them. There's some new focus this year at Mystic on storytelling and nautical poetry and I think Jim and I will be folded into that.

Jim Saville, by the way, was actively involved as a member of the Shellback Chorus in the UK, which sadly disbanded a year or two ago. His Mudcat name is "ShantyFreak," which is how we met one another, and led to my involvement with the Oldpoetry (now Allpoetry) website where we posted so many of Cicely's poems.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 06:32 PM

My apologies for that outburst. If this was another web site, I might have deleted that post but...

I look forward to seeing you all in June. I'll do my best to be pleasant.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 07:18 PM

Hi, Marc! I look forward to seeing and hearing you. I asked you about Mystic after you completed your pre-St. Patrick's Day performance at Harborhill in East Greenwich. No, I don't live there, but the Kent County YMCA Book Club meets there so that residents can participate.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Apr 12 - 08:20 PM

Marc-

Looking forward to singing with you as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,campbellwampum
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 08:09 AM

All appreciators of Sea Music, both Museum and contemporary should mark their calendars for the end of Sept. New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival. This year brings Mary Garvey to her first trip East, to join Gordon Bok, Johnson Girls,Ana Vinagro, Allen Estes, Jon Campbell, and maybe even Providences own Sharks Come Cruisin', the electric chantey band on free stages for the 2 day event. New Bedford is the town that Mystic memorializes, when the Morgan returned from it's final voyage, the story is that it smelled so bad (dead whale) that they had to anchor down-harbor 3 miles

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 08:41 AM

Jon-

The end of September will be busy for some of us: New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival, Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, and DC's Getaway. Maybe I'll attend all three!!!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 10:54 AM

Charley; If memory serves me correctly New Bedford and Portsmouth are the same weekend.

It happens to be a big Fife and Drum weekend as well.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 07:43 PM

Yes, New Bedford's Working Waterfront Festival conflicts with the Portsmouth Maritime Festival and the 2012 Getaway this year. It looks like the Getaway will be on a different weekend in 2013, but probably Mystic and Portsmouth will still conflict.

I usually go to the Working Waterfront Festival but will be in Ireland that weekend this year.

Each of these events deserve its own thread. I've seen one about the Getaway. I'm not sure if I've seen one yet on Portsmouth although I think I've seen references to it on other threads.

I don't think I've seen one yet on this year's Working Waterfront Festival. If I don't see one, I'll try to remember to start one after New Bedford's Summerfest in July.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 09 May 12 - 06:38 AM

Latest word from New Bedford, the "Roanne" which was originally out of Pt. Judith is expected to steam over the Working Waterfront Fest to tie up with the big boys. It's interesting to note that SMF is now including a story telling stage, this idea was proposed by Dano Quinn, former Capt. of the Tole Mor, a few years ago, but an initial effort was badly mis-managed. The plan was to access performers who had actual working experience afloat, not just ask a bunch of professional storytellers to come up with a sea story. In the process, Dano was merely listed as a consultant, he didn't end up performing because he had an actual job as Capt. of a boat in Alaska, but I'm sure he'll not be happy to hear that his idea has been co-opted as an SMF event, when the belief was that the Narrative aspects of Maritime culture were deserving of their own event.But, I suppose it comes down to finances, the State of CT no doubt kicks in funding for these professional CT storytellers, so that makes them attractive to the perpetually impecunious Seaport.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: sciencegeek
Date: 09 May 12 - 07:17 AM

well, some of the best stories are told late night in the YTB as the fellows relate some of their escapades while in the service...

not sure how well those would go over on a stage & definitely need to pay heed to the statute of limitations... lol Homeland Security would NOT be amused.. lol.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 May 12 - 07:33 AM

"Guest"

"There are many ports," said Murphy, "and I guess I've sampled most..."

Sounds as if you have a long-simmering quarrel with Mystic. Sad to hear that.

Hope you have a better day.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,the Heavenly twins
Date: 09 May 12 - 04:39 PM

I wish people could just be as excited as we are that the festival is only a month away. I know we are not involved in the politics we just love the festival   Maybe a little simple but its the best weekend of the year so lets enjoy

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 10 May 12 - 12:52 AM

I am certainly delighted to be going to the MSF.

Don't know who the mystery Guest is, but it might be interesting to hear from Captain Dano himself.

Who knows what will develop from the inclusion of a story-teller stage this year? It must be hard to start a new festival festival from scratch. A stage of its own at MSF will show if there is an audience for this. I think there probably is, although people's attention will be divided between many stages. Another problem for a new festival is when to hold it. In the southern New England area, there seem to be festivals somewhere throughout the warm weather months. And that is just in the southern NE area. I know many people travel farther than I can for other events. In fact the MSF has conflicted with the Highland Games in southern RI. I would like to go to that some year but the MSF is always higher on my priority list, so I drive right past the I-95 exit for the Highland Games.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 May 12 - 10:16 AM

I understand that the story-teller stage will be set up in the Figurehead Gallery.

I wonder what else will be new?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 10 May 12 - 09:56 PM

Remember that there will be a contra-dance!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 11 May 12 - 02:20 AM

Hey guys,

I spotted this schedule for the Symposium online. I don't believe it's been made public "officially" yet, so assume there could be changes. But hey, this preview was publicly available, just don't take it as gospel.

Ranzo

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 May 12 - 10:31 AM

Gibb-

I note that you are a featured presenter at the Symposium, a well-deserved honor.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 11 May 12 - 08:18 PM

Yep! Which means I guess I'm definitely committed to traveling there!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 May 12 - 08:52 PM

Gibb-

It just demonstrates that Mystic does recognize hard work. It's not just who you know, as some malcontents would assume.

Congratulations!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 11 May 12 - 09:14 PM

Thanks, Charlie.

On a slightly related yet unrelated note: The Wikipedia article on "sea shanty," a majority of which I helped write/research, has just been recognized as a "good article" there. Check it out!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_shanty

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 11 May 12 - 11:00 PM

Oh, Gibb, I'm so glad that you will be there! I hope any changes will only be about the times of the presentations, perhaps depending on flight schedules or similar arrangements.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,HT2
Date: 18 May 12 - 07:58 PM

three weeks from tonight sitting in the Boatshed greeting friends we havent seen in a year and listening to our music oh yes and some good pale ale too Heavenly !!!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 18 May 12 - 08:55 PM

Symposium on Music of the Sea
33rd Annual Sea Music Festival
8-9 June 2012

Co-sponsored by Mystic Seaport, the University of Connecticut at Avery
Point, and the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Friday, June 8, UConn Avery Point, Academic Building Room 308
9:00 Coffee and Danish
9:20 Welcome: Moderator Glenn S. Gordinier
9:30 Dan Milner, "Civil War Naval Songs: Recording 19th-Century
Historical Ballads & Lyrics"
10:15 Luisa Piemontese, "The Curse Of The Mermaid: Songs From The Sea of Naples"
11:00 Coffee and Danish
11:15 Stephen N. Sanfilippo, "'A Manley Prize': The Forgotten Ballad
of a Forgotten Naval Hero"
12:00 Lunch (can be purchased at Fin's Café in the Project Oceanology building)
1:30 William Hulllfish, "Sailors' Superstitions Reflected in Sailor Songs"
2:15 Gibb Schreffler, "Twentieth-Century Editors and the
Re-envisioning of Chanties: A Case Study of 'Lowlands Away'"
3:00 Soft drinks and cookies
3:15 Taylor Ho Bynum, "Lessons Learned from Seafaring Tales: The
Metaphors of Sea Novels used in Contemporary Composition"

Saturday, June 9, Mystic Seaport, Greenmanville Church
9:30 Welcome: Moderator Glenn S. Gordinier
Angus Kress Gillespie, "Songs and Stories of the Delaware Bay Region"
10:15 Robert Lloyd Webb, "'All for Fertilizer and Fireworks': Mineral
& Musical Notes from the South American Nitrate & Guano Trades"
11:00 James Revell Carr, "'He boatsteerer no hoi au no luna o
Reindeer" ('I am the boatsteerer aboard the Reindeer'): Songs and
Ballads of Hawaiian Whalers in the Nineteenth Century"

The first day of the symposium is free and will be held at the Avery
Point campus of the University of Connecticut, 1084 Shennecossett
Road, Groton, CT, in Room 308 of the Academic Building. For directions
and a map of the campus:
http://averypoint.uconn.edu/avery_point/about.php

The second day of the symposium will be held in the Greenmanville
Church, Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT. For
directions, click on "Plan Your Visit" at
http://www.mysticseaport.org. The cost of the symposium at Mystic
Seaport is included in the cost of admission to the 33rd Annual Sea
Music Festival. Click on "Sea Music Festival" under "Calendar of
Events" or go to
http://www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=F9B52A41-1E4F-379B-60A67B44BC2AFA73
Tickets can also be bought at the door.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 May 12 - 11:27 PM

I am so ready for this!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,marc bernier
Date: 19 May 12 - 06:02 AM

So, why is it every time I come to mudcat lately I have to renew my cookie? Iposted the symposium schedule last night and just noticed that I once again am guest. Oh well!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 19 May 12 - 06:04 AM

Let's see how long that lasts.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 May 12 - 11:19 AM

Marc/guest-

Thanks for posting the symposium schedule.

Norris Dale is looking forward to working again as a sound volunteer.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 19 May 12 - 05:08 PM

Looking forward to it. I thought you were presenting another paper this year Charley.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 May 12 - 09:46 PM

Marc-

No, I and my friend Jim Saville from the UK are folded into the storytelling stage. We'll do some stories and songs by Cicely Fox Smith, and our newly edited book The Complete Poetry of Cicely Fox Smith will be formally launched at the Festival.

Jim is looking forward to his visit to The Colonies.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 May 12 - 12:37 AM

Marc, cookies come and cookies go. I'm on Mudcat about once every 24 hours and sometimes my cookie disappears! And of course I usually don't notice it until I've posted a few times. Then I have to try to find the threads again and own up that the mystery guest was me! What I really hate is when I forget my own password!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 12 - 10:16 AM

Check out the Seaport website go to the festival link and watch a lovely little video on UTUBE called " For the Love of Sea Music" well done

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 May 12 - 09:53 PM

Wow, that was great! It was good to see all those familiar faces, including Alison Kelley (of the Johnson Girls) standard poodle, one of the best-behaved dogs I have ever seen.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 27 May 12 - 09:01 PM

Naval sonar technicians in New London are reporting picking up low frequency messages indicating that unless an "Apology Ceremony" is made to the Whale Nation prior to the launch of the refurbished Charles W Morgan, an re-enactment of the Essex sinking will take place off of Fisher's Island. Ominous indeed....

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 May 12 - 10:25 AM

No whales will be injured or molested in the re-launching of the Charles W. Morgan, or hopefully in her subsequent sail to New Bedford.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 28 May 12 - 07:58 PM

I was at Mystic Seaport and bought my festival tickets today. That frequency is too low for my ears to detect, because all I heard were normal seaport songs like chantey singing and the Sabino's blasts. Oh, and one somewhat less usual sound: the three canon booms as part of the Decoration Day commemoration.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 12 - 11:45 AM

has anyone determined if they were just picking up Don Sineti rehearsing? ships have been known to run aground when he sings during heavy fog.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 May 12 - 01:17 PM

Has anyone heard how Don is actually doing? I had heard he was ill and send wishes for his speedy recovery.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 29 May 12 - 05:39 PM

Don is doing quite well. I spoke with him yesterday.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 12 - 05:47 PM

Greetings all,
Just tossing in a bit of shameless self-promotion. Forebitter (the old men of the Seaport) will be on hand for the Thursday evening concert. We did a little reunion concert in Branford for the Folk Music Society last month and it went well enough that Geoff has asked us to do a 40 minute set for the SMF Thursday concert. You can see videos of 6 of the songs from the Branford concert by going to http://www.youtube.com/catfeathermusic

Looking forward to seeing those of you who come out for Thursday evening.
rick spencer

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 29 May 12 - 05:52 PM

I look forward to that, Rick.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 29 May 12 - 07:01 PM

I'm looking forward to that, too.

Marc not only talked to Don S. yesterday (Memorial Day), he sang with him. It was Don's first full day back at work, and he did well, including climbing Mount Morgan for Dog Watchat the end of the day--although another staff member offered to carry Don's banjo, and he accepted that offer.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 May 12 - 07:37 PM

Looking forward to seeing the Forebitter Revival.

What's been up with Don S.? Have I missed something?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 29 May 12 - 08:27 PM

He's fine. You can ask him if you want at the Festival Charlie. But, I'd prefer to not discuss his personal business on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 30 May 12 - 08:14 PM

He told me, too, but like Marc I wouldn't share it on Mudcat or elsewhere, like via a PM or Facebook message. The important thing is that he is well now. If he told me, I'm sure he will tell you, because he must know you better than he knows me! I'm just a frequent seaport visitor.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Twin 2
Date: 30 May 12 - 08:26 PM

Daily workshops for the Festival posted on Mystic site Lots of good traditional stuff Cant wait

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 Jun 12 - 09:34 PM

I went to a friend's retirement party last night. One of the joke gifts was a large cardboard cutout of a "hula girl." My friend was told that he would now have time to travel and meet new people. He is a teacher, so I know he will be busy until the school year ends, but when it does I'll be sending him the lyrics of "Rolling Down to Old Maui" and tell him he has to come to Mystic Seaport with me some day. The best thing is that because I have a Bring a Guest membership, he'll get in for free.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 08:32 AM

Here's a link to the full schedule for the storytelling stage for the Festival: click here for Story Stage Schedule

As mentioned above the storytelling stage will be in the Figurehead Gallery, at the north end of the festival site.

That's where Jim Saville and I will be contributing stories and ballads based on the poems of Cicely Fox Smith.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 10:11 PM

ChanteyLass is looking forward to meeting ShantyFreak. I don't know yet which of your gigs I will get to, but I will definitely get to at least one. Hey, Charley, I'm surprised your bio doesn't indicate at least that you are from Maine. I can understand that you might not want to show as much info as some of the others, but . . .

I heard Carolyn Martino tell stories in East Greenwich, RI, a few weeks ago. She's very good, but I imagine everyone involved is in this year's festival is, too!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 09:02 AM

ShantyFreak from the UK (Jim Saville) has been a long-time Mudcat member, was active with the Shellback Chorus, and is an excellent poet as well. Through our joint interest in the poems of C. Fox Smith he recruited me to the Oldpoetry (now Allpoetry) website where we began posting her poems so they would be more publicly available. Then we collaborated on The Complete Poetry of Cicely Fox Smith. Jim is certainly looking forward to Mystic.

This will be great fun!

The weather for next weekend is looking more promising now.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: KathyW
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 11:08 PM

Alas, no Mystic for us this year. Just can't get the time away from work this time around. But I'll be thinking of you all!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 Jun 12 - 05:08 PM

Oh, Kathy! Next year, I hope. I was thinking about you last night and wondering what you'd decided.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jun 12 - 03:48 PM

Kathy-

Sorry to hear you can't make it this year. However, I should be out in Chicago this August for a week and maybe we can get together and swap some shanties there.

With regard to Friday's Symposium Schedule, I'm especially interested in the presentation by Gibb Schreffler, Ph.D. Twentieth-Century Editors and the Re-envisioning of Chanties: A Case Study of "Lowlands Away." Gibb "Sahib" is a member of Mudcat and has recorded and placed on Y-tube all of Stan Hugill's Shanties of the Seven Seas.

Two days to lift off!!!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Jun 12 - 10:09 PM

Counting down!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 07:41 AM

Where's my check-list?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 12:42 PM

Thanks for the shout-out, Charlie.
See yiz all soon.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 01:34 PM

Damn! I can't find my pirate rubber devil-ducky!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 06:28 PM

Check list? Bring your voice. Anything else you need you can buy when you get here.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 08:00 PM

Except for last minute items that I have to use before I leave, I'm packed. But it's easier for a spectator like me than it is for participants!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 08:25 PM

I'll be at the Seaport at 7am tomorrow. See you all as you arrive.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 08:58 AM

Out the door! Where did the door go???

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 11:19 PM

Well, of course it was wonderful! Great music and storytelling, interesting and informative papers presented at the symposium, and the always joyful experience of sitting and singing with many others who love this music as much as I do!

Another wonderful thing was seeing how helpful many people were to others.

For me, there was one problem. At the end of Friday's symposium sessions, I missed a step and fell to my knees. Thank goodness it was the last step. Even so, ouch! I am grateful that nobody tried to help. They just let me pull myself together. I was able to get up without help, which I would not have accepted anyway. My personal rule is that if I am unable to get up without help, then it is time to send for EMTs. And I never try to help anyone else up, either. In some situations, that causes more harm. My knees were stinging for the rest of Friday night, and when I woke up on Saturday they were extremely stiff. Standing up and sitting down were painful, but once I was standing or sitting I was okay. I could drive, even with my standard transmission. Using the pedals involves using the ankles and hips more than the knees. What was hard was getting in and out of my car. That involves knee bending. And I used the handicapped stalls in the restrooms for the rest of the weekend. I am slowly improving, which is good because I have to take care of two of my grands in the morning.

I am looking forward to reading about other people's experiences at the festival.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 07:59 AM

We also had a great time at the Mystic Sea Music Festival, myself, JudyB and Jim Saville (Shantyfreak). We're still in Mystic having elected to recover at Judy's motel before heading North. Well, we did only average about 4 hours a night of sleep and if you're not actively singing, you tend to doze off in that condition.

Our crowd has increased with the addition of Mike Kennedy. We're going to do some more recording of Mike when we get back to Maine.

Everything went well at the Festival. Most importantly for our priorities we got to launch The Complete Poetry of Cicely Fox Smith, official for sale at the Festival, along with my CDs and songbooks. And Jim and I got to share some workshops (with the storytellers) where he would recite some of her poems and I would sing some of them. The storytelling stage was set up in the Figurehead Gallery. So we always had an attentive audience. The acoustics were wonderful and the folks who wandered in certainly got a treat. We also enjoyed our talks with the storytellers, adapting what we were doing to the theme of each workshop from Shipwrecks to True Adventures.

Judy has hundreds of photos that she primarily took of singing at the Boat Shed Stage; it will take me some time to edit and post a sampling on my Facebook page. I also have a set I will entitle "Mystic Reflections" shot early one morning when the water in the harbor was perfectly calm.

Once I get home I will babble on about other performers, the symposiums, the late night shanty shouts at the German daqnce hall and the even later singing at the YTB.

Our plan now is to find the new Kitchen Little for breakfast, south of Town nest to its Marina. Then we'll head North to Gloucester and join the gang for singing more sea songa at the Dog Bar. Ray and Judy have kindly offered to put us up for the night. Then Tuesday we finally return to Maine.

Everyone else is now stirring their stumps and are ready to go!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Guest HT2
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 11:14 AM

the Heavenly Twins have returned to the real world from the mystical adventure they share every year at this time. I agree it is too soon to share festival memories but there are many and I will put my thoughts together in the days to follow. it is not a secret that we have been Morgans groupies for twenty five years and have followed them to every nook and cranny in Connecticut. It was to our delight that they received two standing ovations during the Saturday night concert,talk about stealing the show. Mostly we are gratified that those of our vintage can still shine and the young ones can learn a great deal from those passing on the traditions. we hope that the Heavenly Twins can do a bit to build love and enthusiasm for the Festival and Sea music in general.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: lisa null
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 03:43 PM

Mystic was an extraordinary experience for me-- the firs time I have been invited as a performer. Most festivals have a broad cross-section of material. So did Mystic, in a way-- but it was all tied together by the sea and attracted an audience who loved sea songs as much as those of us who love to perform them... not just chanteys but all kind sof sea songs: ballad, worksongs, war songs, lullabies, focs'le songs, broadsides, comic and theatre songs, gospel songs. The audience knew so much and sang so well, it felt like a gathering of the tribes. On the way we stopped and saw the New Britian Museun of American Art-- a real jewel box, and during a lull, we went over to Canterbury to see the Prudence Crandall House. it was fun dipping over to New London too to see a real working waterfront.

There were great performers of international stature: Archie Fisher, Finest Kind, but many others were of a more local reputation and sang with a depth of understanding of their place or their topic.

Judy Cook and I, 2/3 of Yankee Frolics, did our War of 1812 Songs with Rick Spencer and Geoff Kaufman-- wonderful singers with a wealth of understanding. Every time Judy sang of a naval hero Rick seemed to point out that he was born in CT or worked in CT.

Kudos to Geoff for an extraordinary job organizing this absolutely unique event. I'm not sure how he arranged for the weather, but it was perfect: sparkling, crisp, low humidity.

On top of it all, I saw an egret... who could ask for more?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 08:58 AM

survived another one! LOL If I could just figure a way to be in 3 places at one time, I'd be set.

It was great seeing some faces that had been away for too long... even members of the "festival goers", that loyal gang that comes back year after year to support "the cause" and have a great time doing it.

for years, I knew celtic addict by face but didn't "meet" until she contacted me thru mudcat about some photos I had taken of the currach at Mystic. this is what makes the sea music festival a "reunion" as much as a festival.

Charley... keep Mike as long as you want... :) and be sure to record Bowhead... after 25 years, it would be really nice to give Don Sineti a copy of the shanty he inspired.

more after I'm a little more rested.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Paul Schurr
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 06:58 AM

Ah, The Festival! Saturday night was spectacular, with great songs from strong singers of all ages. The all night long sing afterwards had as many young people as older ones and a turn out of over 40 people. Wonderful singing.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 01:55 PM

We're back in Maine after a glorious sea music session/party with the folks in Gloucester, at the Dog Bar every Monday evening between 6 and 8:30 pm.

Things are a little disorganized around here and it's raining. So after I sort out a few things I'll go to work editing photos. Judy took some nice ones.

Friday, Jim and I will attend the Sidedoor Coffee House in Brunswick. Saturday we plan to join the crowd at the Press Room (Portsmouth, ME, 3:30 to 7:30 pm) for even more good music. We'll bring copies of The Complete Poetry of Cicely Fox Smith and my new CD Songs from an Old Sea Chest.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and Shantyfreak

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Celtaddict
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 04:56 PM

And good to see you again too, Sciencegeek!
Many good moments, as always, and again as always, the best were divided between the actual program (Lisa, the ballad session with you, Archie, and Chris Koldewey was wonderful!) and the odd moments, unplanned or after hours--Tom Lewis at supper pulling out the ukulele to 'illustrate' his conversation about life in the Royal Navy in song, birdwatching (egrets, herons, and ospreys), being lucky enough to introduce my dear friend Danny Quinn to two more of his heroes, Archie and John Roberts, sitting by the lighthouse just before sunset...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Celtaddict
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 05:00 PM

Other highlights: Archie Fisher's song 'Half a World Apart' and Bob Walser demonstrating Scots dreg (dredging) songs with their 3,2 beat, on the water.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,Singinsarge
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 07:37 PM

Great to see and hear you Charley, both at Mystic and the DogBar.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 09:45 PM

The "Mystic Reflections" look as good as I was hoping. I still need to do some more editing before they're ready to post on Facebook but I should be able to do that tomorrow.

For a while I thought that I had lost my camera in the last minute shift from the Boatshed to our van but Judy found it within a zipped sleeve of my Mystic bag. That was a relief.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jun 12 - 09:42 AM

The link to "Mystic Reflections" PIXS disappeared!

Here we go again: click here for PIXS!

It will take a day or two before I will begin posting more.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 14 Jun 12 - 08:20 PM

Don't rush, but we'll be waiting!

I'm looking forward to hearing Archie Fisher again on Saturday in Cumberland, RI.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 15 Jun 12 - 12:23 PM

I am just coming back down to earth after a fantastic Mystic weekend; meeting some of my heroes and many of my friends (old and new) I am intending to join Charlie at the Side door Coffee House in Brunswick. On Saturday we plan to join the crowd at the Press Room (Portsmouth, ME, 3:30 to 7:30 pm) and on Sunday maybe a Shanty session in Boston before heading back to the UK and boring everyone to death with my tales.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: sciencegeek
Date: 15 Jun 12 - 02:22 PM

It was great getting to meet you and Mike & I are certainly looking forward to seeing you again... it was a pleasure and an honor.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 16 Jun 12 - 08:02 PM

I had a great time. Worthwhile workshops combined with great people and some really nice concert sets. The after-hours singing was wonderful too.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 03:30 PM

Does anyone know when Saturday night's pub sing ended? I left at about 1:15 because I wanted to get to the morning church sing.

My knees are still bruised and painful but slowly getting better.

It was nice to see that several Mystic festival-goers had recovered enough to go to the Blackstone River Theatre's Summer Solstice Festival yesterday. Cumberland, RI, also had beautiful weather, and the music was great and included an occasional song of the sea. And of course it was wonderful to hear Archie Fisher again.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 08:30 PM

I have no idea what time we left the Frohsin Hall but it was definitly light outside when I left the YTB. I still managed to open instrument security at 8 am and sing my traditional chantey for sail handling on the Conrad at 10.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 09:41 PM

I generally lasted to about 2 AM at the YTB before making my way to my bunk on the Conrad.

Here's a second set of photos I took in and about the ship Joseph Conrad: click here for PIXS!

This should be a public link to my Facebook album.

I'm always fascinated with the deck layout of ships and the early morning is a good time to get such shots.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: sciencegeek
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 10:15 AM

does anyone remember just what Jon Campbell said about Mary Garvey being one of the ones from the west coast to visit the east coast - like where & when would be good.... :D.

it was during his mc'ing the final concert and I could caught part of it... sleep deprivation starting to kick in LOL.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 11:31 AM

Here's the first set of performer photos that Judy took at the Thursday Setting Out Concert: Click here for PIXS!

The photos should be viewable on my Facebook album.

We don't have the identity of the last Mystic Shantycrew singer. Who is this cute fella?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 01:11 PM

Charley--
That's Mike Bartles.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 08:17 PM

With the help of Gibb I've now sorted out who is who in the Mystic Chanteycrew.

Only 1500 more photos to edit! They're not all keepers but I need to look at them all.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 10:57 PM

Yes, of course Gibb has correctly identified Mike Bartles who has been on the demo squad prior to becoming one of the chantey singers. However, in scrolling through the photos it appears that you didn't write in David Littlefield's name, even though I'm sure you know him.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jun 12 - 11:53 AM

Chantylass-

David Littlefield? Will do!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 20 Jun 12 - 12:59 PM

it was good to see Dick & Susan back in the fray... and I'm starting to get more faces put to mudcatter monikers...

and it's always good to see young, new faces. Especially when I see more and more of the previous "youngster" pushing baby buggies...

yikes? how did THAT happen?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 20 Jun 12 - 09:24 PM

The Father places the seed in the Mommies belly...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jun 12 - 10:41 PM

"Your thing and my thing make a little baby."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 09:00 PM

Here's a second set of general photos of the Mystic Sea Music Festival setting: click here for PIXS!

The next set will focus on a performance stage.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 12:20 AM

Again, wonderful photos.

Marc, do you get any sleep from the Thursday through the Sunday of the festival?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 05:50 AM

Ha Ha! I usualy go home Thursday night. But I sleep very little from Fri-Sun.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 08:39 AM

Thanks for the encouragement!

At this point I think I'll only work up edits for the final Closing Concert at the Boatshed. That provides at least a sample of most performers who were featured in the Festival.

Anyone else editing their photos?

If you would like a high resolution image of any photo you're featured in, send me a PM with as much ID as you can provide and I'll send it back to you via e-mail.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 09:28 PM

Here's a sampling of what happened during the Closing Concert at the Boat Shed: Click here for PIXS!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 11:00 PM

Thanks for the photos, Charley. I see I am one who managed to escaped the dreaded end-of-festival Pink Face that struck most, though somewhere I lost my chin on the way.

***

Some friends up from Key West captured some very excellent videos of the performances, which they have graciously shared on a YouTube channel. A big hooraw for them!

ShantyMart's channel.

(And I hear there's even some strange guy called "Hulton Clint" caterwauling some doggerel.)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 11:18 AM

Gibb-

"The dreaded end-of-festival Pink Face," due to stage lighting, was even more severe before I applied my Photoshop skills if you can believe it.

I will be posting a few shots that were taken during the Symposium, one with you attired in suit coat. The dance hall Shanty Shout photos were pretty poor quality this year, given the dim lighting and I may not bother posting any.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 Jun 12 - 11:03 PM

If you have a photo of me on my knees after missing the bottom step at the lecture hall, don't post it!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 08:06 AM

Chantylass-

No, no photo to post, just a memory. So easy to miss a step when its dark and the carpet is black.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 05:31 PM

I've posted a few photos of the late night singing on my Facebook album. As I've said above the quality if pretty poor but the spirit was certainly strong.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 06:21 AM

This brings back some great memories especially when looking at Charlie's (and Judy's) pictures.
I really must drop in here more often.
Jim

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport SeaMusic Festival June 2012
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 09:11 AM

Jim-

Yes, Judy got some great shots in challenging situations.

She has hundreds more photos to have edited, mostly of evening and day concerts at the Boat Shed but I've run out of editing energy. Maybe I'll get back to editing in a month or so.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble