Whitby 2013

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 09 Jul 13 - 06:36 PM

Aw, heck! I haven't killed the thread, have I?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 07 Jul 13 - 06:59 PM

Am planning to go (and steward again -- I recommend it!), but it's been a crazy year and I've not yet organised myself any accommodation.

So... if there's anyone out there looking for a room/house-mate to help bring costs down, please PM me!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 07 Jul 13 - 07:14 AM

Thanks for that accolade, Joy. We're rather proud of it!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Spectacled Warbler
Date: 07 Jul 13 - 05:13 AM

Ray P, I agree with you , you can most definitely sing very well.

Geoff T, glad you're back again , I see that Icebound is to be repeated, I keep telling people to go and see it!   Superb production.

Joy

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 06:19 AM

I don't know anything about Wetherspoons beer prices, but we had meals in both the Lichfield Ws during the dance weekend, and the same offers were different prices in them.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: gnomad
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 03:26 AM

Yes, Pete, Wetherspoons is now open. It doesn't yet seem to have made a big impact on local beer prices, though the amount of business it is doing must be affecting the local licenced trade.

Don't expect prices there to reflect W's prices elsewhere. We are told that their method is to survey local prices, then adjust downwards a bit, and that the resulting price here is their second highest in the country. Course that may just be a folk tale, but they are certainly not cheap, just cheaper than most local prices.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Guest Betsy
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 08:30 PM

Has that new Wetherspoons opened yet ??
I hope so - although there maybe no music - I hope it has a great levelling effect on the price of ale - which has got out of hand in Whitby.
The price of beer for us Northern Folk is making a good session in Whitby too expensive and how the locals afford it is beyond me.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 08:17 PM

Yes Jack, I understand that- I was brought up on Irish ceili and set dancing, graduated to English barn dances and ceilis at Uni (Sheffield Uni had freshers ceilis in every Hall- wonderful!)and subsequently played for them, then excellent ceilis at Towersey, Warwick and previously at Whitby- and a bit of Contra dancing in America.

Perhaps the caller wasn't aware that the terms he was calling were not a universal language? That was certainly the impression he gave- that anyone not understanding was stupid. Definitely NOT fun.

Sorry to be negative though- everything else about Whitby festival is thoroughly enjoyable: singing, playing, dancing, fish and chips, concerts, pie and mash, clifftop walks, trying out and nearly buying new instruments, afternoon tea at Elizabeth Bothams, manic morning workshops, meeting up with friends old and new...

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 05:30 PM

Different but closely related kinds of dance (Playford, Scottish ceilidh, Scottish country dance, contra) have different names for the same moves. They all have a long history and we're stuck with the inconsistency. If you try one of those after doing one of the others you can expect to get confused, but not for long. There's always someone around to explain.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,giovanni
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 05:16 PM

Guest Noreen, and other sympathisers, I feel your pain.

Surely the point of folkie stuff is that it is as inclusive as possible, especially ceilidh dancing, which is about as "come all ye" as it comes.

I'm not very impressed with the subsequent explanations, incidentally.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 03:41 PM

There's a new movement Zesty Playford.
Some of the dances in the English Dancing Master 1651 are simple and lively.I love the wariety of the dances, yes it is Fun, as long as no-one starts looking down their noses when anyone goes wrong, and most don't.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Les from Hull
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 11:55 AM

I know what you mean, Michael, but peoples' definitions of fun differ. It's the great variety of events at WFW that make it so wonderful. Even if there are some things happening that others might not wish to be associated with. I like it all, me.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Michael
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 10:39 AM

Playford For Fun? An oxymoron?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 08:22 AM

Apologies to the 'downstairs' callers of 2012. The caller I was thinking about wasn't on the programme last year (it was a previous year that he shouted at our daughter for not moving when he said something incomprehsible), but I think I went to one of the 'upstairs' dances with the caller who was on on the Friday and thought that his choice of programme wasn't quite right for the occassion.
I also heard a comment from someone who had his granddaughter (a fairly experienced ceilidh dancer) with him - he thought that the early evening 'upstairs' dances were aimed at a very experienced crowd, the late ones were too late, noisy, crowded. So there wasn't the sort of ceilidh that we used to enjoy at Whitby in the 80s.

Some of the 'downstairs dances have got very complex/serious too. But the Playford for Fun is just dancing. And fun. Though not all would enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 07:42 AM

I love Whitby and find it very friendly as a rule. However, I've also had trouble with the callers. On the Friday last year, despite being a pretty experienced dancer, I had to give up on one dance before the music started, as the caller just wanted to rush through the whole walk-through and just assumed everyone would be OK. I don't expect them to treat everyone as beginners, but treating everyone as experts/mind-readers isn't really very good either.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 07:34 AM

I wonder which one? Did he more often call downstairs in the 'dancers dance' section. In which case it's of love him (for his erudition) or loathe him (for rudeness). We avoid him mostly. But all the other 'downstairs' callers have the amazing ability of coping with varying levels of dancer knowledge and keeping everyone happy.
I really envy that, I find it easy enough to call a beginners programme, or a club programme for experienced dancers - both at once is a challenge.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 06:55 AM

Hi Mo,
That reminds me of an experience at a ceili last Whitby in the Spa. We are both experienced, adult, regular ceili dancers, but were made to feel stupid by the caller because we didn't pick up immediately on a term the caller used for a move in the dance. A few terms he used we hadn't heard before, but we were trying!
We coped- largely because the other dancers were supportive- but we had the feeling that they all felt intimidated by the manner of the caller.

It certainly put us off going to any more dances run by that particular caller- how does he get away with it?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 04:39 AM

There is a lot of information that you can't get from reading the programme, but the people who have been to that 'strand' of Whitby know from previous years. This may lead to an impression of 'insiders'
E.g. If you go to a Ceilidh in the Spa (OK they call it the Pavillion now) You will have a caller and the dances will be accessible to all (though parents with young children may need to be alert). If you go to an American Ceilidh there will still be a caller, most of the dancers there may have knowledge of more 'technical terms'. If you go to the Irish Ceilidh in the Metropole it won't be all dancing. There will be singers between each 'set'. The dances will be announced but not 'called', so that even if you have done Irish Set-dancing before you will struggle unless you know that particular dance. The Northumbrian Ceilidh in the Metropole is also a mix of singing and dancing, but the dances are mostly the easy sort that everyone can enjoy at a PTA fundraiser - not much room to dance though.
The thing that struck us about Whitby when we first went 30 years ago was the friendliness of the dancers. No time to chat when you're dancing but lots of friendly smiles and eyecontact. Particularly at the Out-of-Town dances - shame they've gone.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 04:24 AM

In any event as big as Whitby you're going to encounter a few obnoxious people.

I found it a bit harder to deal with when they were acting as event hosts, but there are so many events that even that doesn't matter a lot.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Saro
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 06:56 PM

Tim, I had a spell of being made unwelcome at Whitby by a particular bunch of people. It was a bit of an "anti-English and anti-Southern" thing, and very unpleasant at the time, but then one person stepped out of line and was pleasant and i realised that that some of what was going on was just insecurity! Nothing like making someone else "the outsider' to make oneself feel a little more of an insider. Why not give Whitby another go, there are lots of lovely friendly people there.....

Saro

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 11:20 AM

Only two "midnight events"? the Spa ceilidhs ran after midnight Monday through Friday in previous years.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Barb'ry
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 05:55 PM

We'll be there. I love Whitby and have found it to be really friendly - sorry you had a bad experience, Tim.

See you and Maggi at the Endeavour, Les

Barbara

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 05:54 PM

Spare Parts will be running concertina part-playing sessions again, and we'll put the music up on the band website as usual for people to have a crack at it in advance if they wish.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Les from Hull
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 05:46 PM

What, all the regulars! What a remarkably broad brush you have!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 03:58 PM

I went a few years ago, was made to feel very unwelcome by the regulars, never again.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 03:22 PM

Sorry been away with Powderkegs for the weekend - likewise would be good to say hell in the real world to Jack Campin! Certainly aiming to get to at least some of the Eurosessions ....

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 09:33 AM

We have just received our busy schedule from Sue - and we have some really super events. Getting quite excited.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 09:22 AM

There are enough different sessions going on all the time in Whitby week to avoid the fast Irish sessions if you wish. Personally I like them all.
Fortunately there will be enough people there for 'concerened' not to be missed. He or she can go and play his/her concerena somewhere else.

Go it, Mo! You tell 'em.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Ann N
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 05:02 AM

Fortune's is still in business on Henrietta Street, had bacon sandwiches yesterday with some streaky off a side Eddie the butcher had smoked in their shed :)

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 05:23 PM

Is the fish smokery still functioning? It was threatened by the landslip a while ago.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 04:37 PM

They always put on a Newcastle concert during the week which we enjoy. But see also my post of 28th June 5.30 pm. I'll be intersted to see some of that.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: selby
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 03:16 PM

Or one of the many talented youngsters that HAVE NOT been on the Newcastle course or has Whitby become a show case just for Newcastle students.
Keith

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 03:09 PM

Well you've been to a different Whitby to me.
But there are several depending if you sing, play, dance, listen (or drink).
For me Whitby offers loads of opportunity for people who want to DO things, either to learn something new or to polish an existing skill in the company of others who are interested.
So we can dance with more expert dancers than the average club member. Then go to a beginners tune session. And rest for a while in a concert listening to an established artist or one of the up-and-coming Newcastle undergrads.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 02:02 PM

not to mention a lot of English 'folk' playing Irish tunes far too fast

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,concerened
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 11:10 AM

pleased to say i will not be attending
.ale far to expensive..pubs full of sqawking lefties moaning abd groaning about their rights and far
.to many self opiniated posers pour moi

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Willa
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 10:35 AM

OK now.
Scroll down
http://www.whitbyfolk.co.uk/GuestList

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Willa
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 10:33 AM

here's a handy check list which should help with forward planning!

http://www.whitbyfolk.co.uk/GuestList

(Blue clicky doesn't seem to be working!)

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 06:43 AM

I'm the one who plays a recorder badly and am at the '3 blind mice with one finger' stage on an accordion. Sometimes seen in sessions, Jim goes to the Euro and I sometimes go with him. But we spend a lot of our time dancing.
Must practice a couple of tunes on the purple beast (Weltmeister) for May Cheadles easy session. And maybe even the Euro.
Can't find any good pictures of me on my blog.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Nick
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 05:52 AM

I'll come and introduce myself if I see you

Me - from the Middle Earth last year. The attempt at facial hair has gone.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 05:21 AM

I can identify some of the people who've posted in this thread, but "Cats", "Mo the caller" and "Nick" don't give me a lot to go on. It'd be nice to finally put a face to Steve Mansfield after all these years.

I'll be in the Endeavour and the Eurosessions a lot of the time. I look like the picture on my webpage and will have an improbably huge assortment of wind instruments.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Nick
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 05:09 AM

I'll be there.

Hopefully meet some of the people I have interacted with here but haven't met in real life.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Saro
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 04:35 AM

CMR will be there and running harmony workshops all week. Please come and see our new show, At War's Command, which will be on Monday at 1.45 till about 3 in the Coliseum. We think works well.....

Saro

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: r.padgett
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 04:14 AM

I'm there somewhere!! with Booker and Nigel of the Barnsley Lads

Will be a good contingent from West and Sth Yorks no doubt!

I need a good session to try to learn some tunes on the concertina, which is taking a long time, it's a G/D and can play some song tunes and NO chords!!

Help!

Ray

I can sing though, well I think I can!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Jun 13 - 05:30 PM

Just seen on the website that they are putting on something for young performers. Applications have closed for this year, but it sounds interesting.
If you know any promising younsters tell them to watch out for next year if they do it again.

And they are having noisy Midnight dances in the Spa with a warning to old fogies to go home to bed.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 12:35 PM

Guest 12.03, The festival programme is usually available from mid July in the local Whitby shops. I am assuming you will have a ticket for the week so you should get one from the organisers somewhere along the line.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,John Foxen
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 12:10 PM

We are looking forward to meeting up with the infamous Whitby Scratchers again.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 12:03 PM

I'll be stewarding in the Spa pavilion or is that the Spar Pavilion?
Pretty difficult to get a handle on the programme from the website - sort of loads of people singing everywhere, often at the same time? Is there a users guide for this festival?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Willa
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 11:45 AM

I'll be stewarding in the Brunswick rooms, afaik.
Looking forward to it!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Les from Hull
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 11:26 AM

Maggie and I will be running the evening sessions in the Endeavour as usual. We usually declare Tuesday as a Mudgather so if any 'catters want to put a face to a name and hear what others sing/play like the opportunity is there.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 09:18 AM

clash with moira furnace - bad timetabling there. Anybody been a steward at whitby festival?