Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?

Subject: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Mar 15 - 09:23 AM

it's almost that time again when lots of folkies congregate in Canberra over Easter for the National Folk Festival.

Only 24 sleeps to go & so much to do.

who will be there? & more importantly where do we meet?

Hrothgar, JennieG & I will of course be at the best singing session in the whole festival - this year called Community Hymn Singing with Roger & his Beautiful Assistants, so you will understand it is not your average hymn session, especially when the shanty singers are there! Sunday 10-11.30, Song room

Bob Bolton & I will be part of the Bush Music Club's efforts - songs workshop (Fri 5.30-7pm) & tunes workshops (MOn 12.30-2.30), a Family Bush Dance with musicians ranging from 7 to 80 (Sat 5.30-7pm), & Saplings workshops of traditional music for young musicians aged 8-16 (Fri, Sat & Sun 11-12)

International acts include Bob Fox (UK), Heartstring Quartet (Ire), Chris While & Julie Matthews (UK), Whitetop Mountaineers (USA), Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas (Scotland/USA), David Francey (Can), Nuala Kennedy Band (Ire/Scot)

sandra

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 08 Mar 15 - 03:16 PM

And don't forget "Songs of Inspiration and More", 5-6.30pm Friday, in the Acoustic Lounge with Hrothgar, Martin Pearson et al!

We will be arriving a week before the festival because we are both volunteering again.

We're also staying on afterwards because, as of December 19 last, we have have a grandkid in Canberra (plus of course his mum and dad, our son Stephen The Drummer) - Euan The Wonder Kid.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 15 - 04:58 PM

It seems years ago that I met JennieG but haven't met any Ozcatters since. Maybe this will be the year.
Mal

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Mar 15 - 06:04 PM

well, maybe you need to join Jennie & Hrothgar for 'Songs of Inspiration & More' & catch the last half hour of BMC's 'Songs of the Early Days Featuring Stan Wakefield & Friends' where Bob & I will be. What a bummer they are both on at the same time.

or, name a few events you will be attending & we can join you.

sandra

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 08 Mar 15 - 06:34 PM

Teresa and I will be there, as always.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 12:04 AM

It was indeed years ago that we met, Mal! You were buying wine, as I recall.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Bruce D
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 03:08 AM

Unluckily I won't be coming unless the weather here in Victoria goes pearshape that weekend.

I'm going Kayak / Camping down near Wilson Prom for four days.

Bruce D

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 03:36 AM

I thought you did that last year! Or did the weather go pear shaped?

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Bruce D
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 06:10 AM

No, I came to the National Last year (2 years in a row !!!), its been three years since I've done the Easter paddle to Snake Island.

Normally I only get to the National every 4 years.

Bruce D

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 07:34 AM

Wilsons Prom is a gorgeous place......about ten years ago Himself and I were driving on the road in to the Prom when the car in front slowed down to a crawl. It was following the biggest, sleekest, healthiest, so-dark-it-was-almost-black wombat as it ambled along the road - probably the most gorgeous wombat I have ever seen!

Say 'hello' from me if you happen to see it.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Tangledwood
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 05:30 PM

What a memory JennieG! I know we were outside the Troubadour - I must have been buying a carton of Andrew's produce.
Thanks Sandra. I rarely know where I'm going to end up from one hour to the next once the festival's underway but I must get to some more singing this year.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 07:18 PM

I also don't always know where I'll be tho I'm committed to photographing the BMC events, but otherwise ...

I always mark my program with acts I know, then read bios & mark other acts, then scientifically go thru each act working out which performances I cannot miss as it is the only opportunity I have to see that act, then often fall into good company on my way to see it ...

At the end of the day I've often only gone to 1 or 2 planned events. Wot a failure at festival going! Wot!, never push past everyone to leave an act early to rush off to see the next act, then rush off to see the following act ...

I will also be found at the late night singing sessions. And I don't miss them!

sandra

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Tangledwood
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 05:54 PM

That sounds so familiar Sandra. Once upon a time my program was covered with highlighter markings which were never followed. Always being an early riser I don't usually last long at the late night sessions but we'll see what this year brings. Invariably I see other peoples festival photos on facebook and wonder "were we at the same festival?"

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 06:16 PM

You and me both, Mal!

I suppose everyone's festival experience is different. I have spoken to people for whom the session bar IS the festival, because they spend every waking moment there. Many dancers don't even seem to know there is a festival happening outside the dance halls, while others like spoken word to the exclusion of all else.....and that's all right, because your festival is your festival.

Then there are the young and hip, and of course the older and daggier......that's me.....

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Bugsy
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 01:58 AM

Well, at the risk of sounding like a broken record ... Mrs Bugsy and I won't be making it AGAIN this year. One day we'll win the lotto and make it ove. In the meantime sing some songs for me and of course drink plenty of Guinness for me and SSB. for Mrs Bugsy!

Cheers,

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: GUEST,SqueezeMe
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 04:50 AM

Doing a couple of concertina workshops, so come along if you play the old constant-screamer and want some advice on maintenance or anglo left hand chording.
Might even have a couple of button accordions with me for sale if I can get them finished....

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 07:08 AM

the cast is growing.

we'll meet one day, Bugsy.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 07:21 AM

I met Bugsy once! And Mrs Bugsy too, as I recall.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 07:27 AM

I would have said older and hippier, Jen.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Mar 15 - 04:01 PM

Much hippier, Roger.......I used to be slenderer, sigh......

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 02:04 AM

Story in today's Canberra Times paper about the festival -

David Francey et al

It's promoted locally in Canberra as a Canberra festival, run by Canberrans, for Canberra people. We all know it's not......although I have to wonder sometimes.......

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 04:42 AM

link leads to China bridge death toll rises to 34
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/china-bridge-death-toll-rises-to-34-20070815-thi.html ??????

here's David Francey & Bob Fox.

sandra

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 05:38 AM

Well, thank you Sandra! Wonder how that happened? I had the correct story on my screen, you know.......must have been a wrong link on the website.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 08:35 AM

On Of Life's Little Mysteries

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Tangledwood
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 06:14 PM

Another little mystery - now Sandra's clicky goes to the Chinese bridge story. This is the url to David Francey as I find it at the moment. Haven't made a clicky of it as something odd seems to happen then.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/david-francey-a-star-attraction-at-national-folk-festival-in-canberra-this-easter-20150313-13zo3g.html

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 08:11 PM

It's all too much for my little brain, I can't be this beautiful and have a technological brain as well! Both links take me to the China bridge story, but trust me......there is a story on the Canberra Times website about the NFF, and David Francey and other performers who will be appearing.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Bruce from Bathurst
Date: 15 Mar 15 - 02:34 AM

As I emerge from lurking (not under a Chinese bridge, fortunately), I'll add my name to the list of 'Catters attending the National.

I'll be the one playing mandolin in Señor Cabrales, generally acknowledged to be among the top hundred or so bands in eastern Australia playing Asturian, Galician and Breton traditional music. Actually, we've almost cornered the market.

Sadly, we're yet to be discovered by the Canberra Times.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Mar 15 - 03:07 AM

anyone might think the Canberra times is a little tin-pot operation, but it is part of the biggest/one of the biggest media groups in Australia.

As I said before, One Of Life's Little Mysteries!

Gidday, Bruce - good to know you are only lurking in Bathurst! see ya soon

sandra


Canberra Times website scroll down to Entertainment section & click on the Francey link!

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Mar 15 - 01:07 AM

Heave.....

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Notferjo
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 09:26 AM

Yep, I'll be there yet again. Mostly dancing with bells on. And a song or two.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 05:26 PM

excellent

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 12:31 AM

Notferjo, perhaps we will meet one day.....maybe this year!

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: GUEST,Little Robyn
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 09:36 PM

It's too far for me to come but my friend Helen will be there with her pipes. She's also known as The Hexhamshire Lass
and you can find her site on Facebook. You'll also find me on there - the one playing Pukeko pipes.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Mar 15 - 02:35 AM

at the Auckland festival!

I'm sure you will be there in spirit.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Mar 15 - 11:52 PM

JennieG & Himself are on their way to Canberra & I'll be leaving in 5 days ...

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Mar 15 - 08:38 AM

JennieG & himself are snug & comfortable in their caravan & I'm pondering upon gathering my camping gear & lugging it down the stairs & along the road & into the station, take 2 trains & then a bus to the friend who will carry it to Canberra for me while I take a leisurely train trip to Canberra.

Today I received my performers ticket! Hrothgar arranged it - for years JennieG & I have helped him with the best singing session in the entire Festival & he put us on the act list this year.

wot fun - I had a performers ticket a few years back as Manager of an act (dunno why they allowed it - Managers aren't eligible to get tickets, but ...) but this time I have my very own legit. performers ticket.

sandra


Bush Music Club & members @ The National

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 26 Mar 15 - 05:20 PM

It's my first performer ticket ever, too.....oh, the power of it all!

We are camped in our very small van enjoying Canberra's coolth, tonight's forecast says 'possibLe frost' so perhaps an extra cardy or some long johns might be the thing.

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Mar 15 - 01:17 AM

but the nights will be a bit warmer in a few days - I hope that continues over the next weekend! Not that I would ever leave behind my 80% down quilt & thermals ...

sandra

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Bruce D
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 01:07 AM

So How did the National go this year, dis I miss much ?

Bruce D

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 02:50 AM

YES!! you missed lots of great stuff & as soon as I post some pics, you'll see what was better than kayaking.

I cam be back with a nasty Canberra sore throat & cold then had to get BMC minutes done.

I blame my sore throat on the Redfern Shanty Club cos they sing loudly! But most of them appear to be actors with trained voices ... They ran 2 Singing Sessions & the place rocked - especially from their habit of stamping - we were in an upstairs room & rumour has it folks downstairs complained. I also went to their Monday night session at The Dock last Manday & it is a fantastic atmosphere, and I sang much more quietly thru my coughs & sniffles.

Hrothgar's Community Hymn Singing with his Beautiful Assistants (JennieG, his wife Ann & me) also went well, as did BMC's Family Bash Dance & Saplings workshops.

I still have a set of minutes to create, so expect to post pics some time soon this weekend.

sandra

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Bruce D
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 08:42 PM

the paddling side of the kayak trip went well, but I beat your sore throat and cold with seven days in Hospital.

Have already seen photos of several BMC members and Mudcatters in you-tube and in the on-line editions of some of the papers.

Bruce D

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 10:40 PM

you win!

videos of National Folk Festival 2015 these ones?

Subject: RE: Ozcatters @ 2015 National FolK Festival?
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Apr 15 - 03:52 AM

It was a good festival! As so often happens these days I missed out on many shows I wanted to see because of time spent catching up with friends not seen since the last festival, but I had a great time playing music and singing anyway.

Easter is even earlier next year, Good Friday is 25th March, so there is less than a year to go!