BS: sessions, parties central New England?

Subject: sessions, parties central New England?
From: Willie-O
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 10:58 PM

Hey folks. I'm going to be seeing the new year (etc.) in at my in-laws' near Brattleboro Vermont. Any Mudcatters in the Northampton/Brattleboro/Peterborough NH area, or know of any good jams, sessions or parties I could wangle an invite to? I've been going down there for many years but for some reason musical connections there have alwasy eluded me. Call it a new years resolution.

We're arriving on Thursday night, heading home the following Wednesday the 4th.

Bill Cameron

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: Marymac90
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 05:18 AM

Brattleboro always had an all night contra dance on holiday weekends, with several bands playing jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc. There should be one New Year's Eve, I think. I can't swear to this, but before my knee went sour in '93, I used to frequently travel up there for their Dawn Dances. If you get no better leads, email me and I'll call somebody I know.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: InOBU
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 07:58 AM

I knew some Native Forrest Network folks in Brattleborro, but I dont think they are music types... Hmmmm,
Still thinking
Larry

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 08:02 AM

Northampton, MA used to always have First Night activities throughout the town, which included several musical venues. Haven't been back there at that time in awhile, though, so I don't know. If you can get hold of the weekly paper, The Advocate, there should be tons of listings. Have fun!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: kendall
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 08:13 AM

Margaret MacArthur (outstanding folkie) lives in Marlboro. She would know.

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 12:49 PM

The Brattleboro Dawn dance is still on for this weekend, but I'm not sure where it is now. Willie-o, send me a personal message- I'm right over in Keene and might have some more up-to-date info for you!

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: Willie-O
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 10:40 AM

Thanks folks. Seems like there isn't much of a session scene in the area, but Susan A-R mentioned there's some big Irish session on Saturday in Montpelier.

When I'm looking for music down there I usually end up in Northampton at the Iron Horse...

W-O aka Bill C

I'll check this thread again later, I'll have web access when I'm there.

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 10:07 PM

Montpelier is quite a hike from Putney. I will get definite details on the session s you don't do a lot of gravelling for naught. Generally the first saturday sessions run from 2 to 5 at Fiddleheads, a nice restaurant/bar on State St. (one of two sizeable streets in Montpelier) The sessions are largely instrumental, and the quality is quite good. If the time is different, I will be sure to post it. I'm meeting friends there, and will mainly be listening (I generally do one obligatory song, and make an effort on fiddle if I have a clue as to what is going on. Otherwise, I nurse a beer and listen.)

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 09:49 PM

Well, Willie O has indeed stopped in for lasagne with his two great children. I also have a tape, and will listen once the pianist in the background stops rehearsing like mad for tomorrow's First Night concerts. By the way, there must be a Brattleboro First Night, and a Keene First Night. Good places to hear good music, and to sidle up to performers you like and find out what their New Year's Day music plans are. I'm still lobbying for the Irish music session up here, but it is an hour and forty five minutes away, driving pretty fast.

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 06:38 AM

No First Night in Keene- they lost buckets of money in the past few years. They're just having a half-hour of canned music, a countdown, and a giant glittering ball scheduled to drop at the right moment. And fireworks, which I can see from the comfort of my back porch!
Willie-o, you don't seem too interested in contra dances, but you've come to contra-dance central. There's one in Greenfield, MA, tonight, and I'll be going to one in Peterborough, NH tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: Midchuck
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 08:05 AM

Probably more of a road trip than you had in mind, but we have a good First Night in Rutland.

Folk or other acoustic music acts include Thunder Mountain Bluegrass out of Mass.; Wind That Shakes the Barley; Louise Taylor; Brendan Taffe; Saylyn (Reggae); Omphalos; Chris Kleeman; Gypsy Reel; Hypnotic Clambake ("The world's only caffeinated, cajun-klezmerized, transatlantic rockin' polka music!" it says here); Dan and Galla; and (harrumph) Woodchucks' Revenge.

Wear walking shoes and a warm coat. Acts are spread around some.

Subject: RE: BS: sessions, parties central New England?
From: Willie-O
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 07:52 PM

Thanks for the lasagna Susan! Made for a great break from the road.

I'm now in Brattleboro digesting a large meal and trying to catch up on things...got plans made for us tonight--inlaws of whom there are a large number are having a big party and bonfire thing in Putney...so unfortunatley First Night stuff is not for me. I'm here till Wednesday though.

Its not that I'm not interested in contra dances, just never acquired the habit. And I'm kind of shy of a scene like that on my own...maybe my better half could be persuaded but she's pretty busy catching up with her family.

Too bad about Keene...

Willie-O