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Old Songs Festival 2000, help!
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Subject: Old Songs Festival From: TheMuse Date: 27 May 00 - 11:00 PM In a recent thread I saw mention of the Old Songs Festival. I have been studying the web site (www.oldsongs.org/festival.html) and would really like to attend it this year. Never having attended a festival before, I have a couple of questions. First, what type of paraphanalia is "required" to be taken along for a song festival? And second, how many of you Mudcatters expect to attend Old Songs, and is there usually a planned meeting place? TheMuse |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Charlie Baum Date: 28 May 00 - 01:57 AM What kind of paraphernalia is required for the Old Songs Festival? Depends on what you're going to do... At a minimum, bring something for rain (a rain-jacket, or perhaps an umbrella) and something to sit on (a blanket, or outdoor seat-cushions, or sand chair, or lawn chair, though where you sit at the main stage depends on what kind of seating you've brought--high chairs to the right, sand chairs slightly to the left, blankets to the very left of the area before the main stage. If you're going to dance, bring dancing shoes. If you're going to jam, bring an instrument (unless, of course, you're primarily an a cappella singer, of which there are many at Old Songs). If you're going to camp, bring a tent (or an RV, if you've got one). Bring either food or money to buy food. Bring clothing suitable for the weather. (There's a weather forecast available on the old songs webpage, and if you click it, it'll give you a forecast for a few days ahead.) Bring a sweater if it's going to be cold, sunscreen if it's going to be sunny, and a rainjacket if it's going to rain (but of course it's going to rain sometime over the course of the weekend for sure.) It looks like there could be two or three dozen Mudcatters in attendance (maybe more!?!). If you're looking for other Mudcatters, go to the booth where Folk Legacy and Camsco will be selling records in immediate proximity to one another. It's a small enough Festival that you'll find it with little trouble. In past years, it's been to the right of the mainstage (as you face the stage), just up the hill on the other side of the information booth from the Dancing Area. There you'll meet Sandy and Caroline Paton of Folk Legacy and Dick Greenhaus and Susan Friedman of Camsco. They will introduce you to everyone else at the festival, whether they are Mudcatters or not. Like as not, some jamming will take place behind the sales booth. A lot of jamming will take place elsewhere, too. The Patons are leading the song-swap in the Dutch Barn on Friday night. Oh yeah--the other thing that's required is to bring your willingness to share your music. That, and a smile. --Charlie Baum (see you there!) |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Midchuck Date: 28 May 00 - 09:04 AM Here's another look at Old Songs from the attendee's point of view. I'd urge you to camp there if you go. I think people who come in and just go to the concerts miss half the fun. In my personal opinion. But if you do camp, some random thoughts: 1) Be prepared to live with being dirty. There's no place to swim, and showers enough for about one hundredth as many people who want them. Bring handi-wipes and stuff like that. 2) Bring some kind of awning or source of shade and/or rain protection. The camping area is very exposed. 3) Either bring lots of food (and beer or wine if you indulge) or lots of money for the vendors. Both is better, since you'll need money for the vendors of things other than food in any event. Right, Sandy? 4) Bring tempered steel tent stakes. In that root-and-stone infested clay in the infield, aluminum or plastic just curl up when you try to drive them in. Tungsten carbide would be better, but I don't think you can buy tent stakes made of that. 5) Bring a pair of work or hiking boots you were just getting ready to throw out. If it's a rainy one, the mud gets to be such that it makes more sense to wear them all weekend and throw them in the trash when you leave. 6) If you play guitar, think about where you're going to put your guitar when not in use. If it's warm and sunny, lock it in the car and the sun will destroy it. A tent with the sun on it is not much better. A Climate case is a good investment, but a space blanket to just throw over the instruments is better than nothing. There's also the trick of putting your guitar inside your sleeping bag during the day. More later as it comes to me. Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Jeri Date: 28 May 00 - 10:16 AM Good advice from all. I've left instruments inside my tent, not covered by anything. Not that it couldn't happen some day, but nothing's ever been stolen there. I'd also advise bringing warm clothes (sweater, jacket) no matter what, because it always seems to cool off quite a bit at night. You might want bug stuff, too. I haven't noticed mosquitoes being much a problem, but maybe it's because I was having too much fun. The Patons are leading the song swap? Oy - I'm really going to be torn, deciding between the acapella singing and the song swap. There's an acapella session in the "Creature Comforts" area after the concert Sat night, which may or may not be on the program. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 28 May 00 - 03:21 PM All of the above advice is great. Another tip: half of the campsite is "quiet at night" and the other half "quiet in the morning". Both are mainly suggestions; families with small kids tend to stay in the "quiet at night" section which means lots of early morning chirping in the early am. I tend to camp there, too, because I can always wander over to the late-night section until I'm ready to sleep, and I'm always up with the birds anyway. I sent my registration in last week- I can't wait! It's the highlight of my summer! See you there! |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: MMario Date: 30 May 00 - 12:01 PM Do they run out of camping space? Or can I count on being able to camp if I drive out friday night? Or should I break down and commit the cash now? |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Sandy Paton Date: 30 May 00 - 12:55 PM We're hosting the song swap on Friday night, Jeri, and we fully expect to see you there. We'll probably be attending the "unaccompanied" session on Saturday night. As for money: Midchuck suggests bringing some for the Camsco/Folk-Legacy enterprise. What the heck, fellas, we take plastic. Save your cash for the food booths. As advised: be prepared for rain (traditional) and drastic temperature variations. Print and follow Charlie's advice. He knows whereof he speaks. We'll see you there. Introduce yourself!! Sandy |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Charlie Baum Date: 30 May 00 - 02:25 PM MMario-- In the bad old days, they used to run out of camping space. Camping was available only by advanced purcahse. I once had a friend who came with me who didn't bother to look at her ticket envelope until she got there. Inside, it had an admission ticket plus a letter saying she had applied too late to get a camping pass. We told the gatekeepers that she'd be sleeping with us in our tent, and they let her in anyway. But these days, as I understand it, camping is available clear through to the last minute. (Check with the oldsongs people, though--my statements are based on long experience but I'm not in any position of authority, nor am I connected with the Festival.) The camping oval (mentioned above, divided into "quiet at night" and "quiet in the morning") can get pretty full, but I've always found a decent spot in midfield arriving Fridays by 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. But in recent years, they've greatly expanded the area allowed for camping--the large area behind where the grandstand used to be, and all the huge "quiet in a.m./quiet in p.m." space behind the "Better Living Pavilion" (the part of the fairgrounds close to the town of Altamont). But the extra cash needed in conjunction with an advance ticket is perhaps $10--a small and worthwhile investment, even if you decide ultimately on the comforts of a motel. Besides, having the camping designation justifies your presence in the campground when you circle around looking for music after the formal song circles and dances break up at 2:00 a.m. --Charlie Baum |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: GUEST,hollowfox Date: 30 May 00 - 02:59 PM The Saturday night (post concert) session in Creature Comforts is Not on the formal schedule. Even better, it's traditional! It's one of those things where the people that should be there always seem to find it. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: kendall Date: 31 May 00 - 08:20 AM So, how many 'catters" are going this year? |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 31 May 00 - 08:37 AM A couple dozen it seems. I can't wait! |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: TheMuse Date: 31 May 00 - 04:30 PM Thanks everyone, for all of the great info! I'm still planning to go and will definitely check in at the Folk Legacy/Camsco booths. Since I first asked the question of who will be going, I'll try to list here who is so far, based on the responses in the thread:
Charlie Baum
Anyone else? OR anyone know of anyone else? TheMuse
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Hollowfox Date: 31 May 00 - 05:08 PM I'll be there Thursday night. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Sandy Paton Date: 31 May 00 - 05:58 PM Just Thursday night, Mary? You'll be staying for the whole weekend, won't you? Sandy |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Bert Date: 31 May 00 - 06:15 PM This is Marymac on Bert's computer. I'm planning to go. Do bring sunscreen if you burn, and if you're sensitive to cold, bring MANY layers of warm clothes, blankets, etc, for evening concerts and late-night songswaps. Marymac |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Barbara Date: 31 May 00 - 06:25 PM Would you say again for us left coasters when and where this thing is? Blessings, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Barbara Shaw Date: 31 May 00 - 08:02 PM If we have an RV, do we have to stay in the RV area, which is QUIET all the time and (seems like) a mile from the stage area? We enjoyed ourselves last year, but probably won't go back if we have to camp way back there again. And if we drive up for the day (and then move on) how long do you suppose they'd let us park in the day parking with our RV? |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: bbc Date: 31 May 00 - 08:18 PM bbc & Duane D. have sent in our money to be there for the day on Sunday. Can't come earlier, because it's David's high school graduation on Saturday. bbc |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: GUEST,Barry Finn Date: 31 May 00 - 08:23 PM I went 2 yrs ago & camped with the family, it was great. I was planning on it this time but ended up commiting myself & partner to doing a concert on Sat. night near Boston for Peter Johnson before I realized there'd be a clash (huge SOB). Hope you all have good weather, I know it'll be a great time. Crying Barry |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: TheMuse Date: 31 May 00 - 10:33 PM Barbara, It's right outside Albany, NY, June 23rd thru 25th. Check out the website(www.oldsongs.org/festival.html)for info. I called today to get more including maps of the grounds, etc. TheMuse (P.S. Thanks to whoever cleaned up the mess with my list!) |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Hollowfox Date: 02 Jun 00 - 02:30 PM You bet, Sandy. I should have said we'll be arriving Thursday. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Susan of DT Date: 02 Jun 00 - 10:29 PM I've been adding names to the list above to keep it easy to find. Muse -all you need for end of line is [br] with pointy instead of square brackets. Since I have "editability" I fixed your list. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: TheMuse Date: 02 Jun 00 - 11:28 PM Thanks Susan :-) |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Sandy Paton Date: 03 Jun 00 - 01:59 AM Looks as though you can add Kendall Morse's name to the list, Susan. He just let me know he finally located lodgings for the weekend, which implies that he has also recovered his use of reliable wheels. Sandy |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: kendall Date: 03 Jun 00 - 03:47 PM Dave Mallett, (Inch by inch, row by row) asked me what I bought for a car. When I told him, a Lincoln, he said "Good Republican car!!" I reminded him that it was built by Americans.. he drives a Volvo. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Susan of DT Date: 03 Jun 00 - 05:13 PM Kendall- When you buy a car, you can't be sure who built it. Or where it was built. I remember when the New Jersey State Police (who are legally required to purchase US-made vehicles) had to cancel their order for Chryslers because they were made in Canada. Volkswagens (Pennsylvania) would have been OK. (dick greenhaus, who is too lazy to change his cookie) |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: kendall Date: 03 Jun 00 - 06:45 PM I realize that there is no such thing as a American car anymore, but, this Lincoln is more American than Daves Volvo. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Midchuck Date: 04 Jun 00 - 06:39 PM Just keeping the discussion alive... Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Sandy Paton Date: 04 Jun 00 - 10:14 PM My God, Kendall. With a Lincoln, you won't need a motel for Old Songs! Just sleep in the parking lot in your American equivalent of the Queen Mary! (Caroline's father gave us his old Mercury Grand Marquis and my son is embarrassed to drive it to the post office.) Sandy |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: kendall Date: 08 Jun 00 - 06:34 PM The Continental is not that big. Now, the Town Car is so big it has its own zip code. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: MMario Date: 14 Jun 00 - 11:03 AM refresh |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Midchuck Date: 14 Jun 00 - 03:39 PM Here's my packing list. Others are invited to add to it... PACKING LIST FOR FESTIVALS & CAMPOUTS:
Basic clothes:,
Cold/wet weather clothes:
Hot weather clothes:
Instruments:
Music accessories:
Misc. survival stuff: Lounge chairs
Sleep & Shelter:
Food & Drink & Cooking:
Cooler with:
(only if planning to cook):
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: MMario Date: 14 Jun 00 - 04:03 PM I don't think I own that much! |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: catspaw49 Date: 14 Jun 00 - 04:09 PM Left off Air Conditioner Mario, other Peter is in good shape. (Believe it or not, our pop-up camper has AC. It was the only way I would agree to getting one) Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Hollowfox Date: 14 Jun 00 - 05:54 PM What's an AAFOUF hat? |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Sorcha Date: 14 Jun 00 - 05:56 PM Tiki torches and Citronella fuel, or other after dark light source Fire extingusher Rake, to use under tent Shovel or E tool Small chem toilet so you don't have to wait in line Xtra tent stakes (plastic) for the idiots who don't have any Tool box with pliers, dikes, hammer, etc. and DUCT TAPE!! Patch kits and glue for air mattresses Lip balm!! Xtra coffee cups for guests Clothes pins, safety pins, etc. Shower enclosure, complete with pallette, solar shower bag (Don't forget the Kitchen Sink!!) LOL, you should see us packing to go to camping somewhere! We are of the Old Fogie Comfort School of roughing it!! |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: kendall Date: 14 Jun 00 - 09:07 PM by "dikes" I assume you mean wire cutters? lol |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Midchuck Date: 14 Jun 00 - 10:15 PM Hollowfox wanted to know what an AAFOUF hat is. Here is me in my AAFOUF hat at last year's old songs. To my right is Chris Newman, as far as I know the only one of the World's Great Flatpickers to be a British national. To my left is Dave Guertin, who put the site together. The look of noisy desparation on both our faces is the result of trying to stay with Mr. Newman, even playing simple rhythm chords. The AAFOUF is a group of congenial souls within the Bluegrass mailing list, Bgrass-l, organized in 1996 by a Salt Lake City disk jockey and concert promoter. It stands for American Association of Fat Old Ugly Farts. But maybe that's more than you wanted to know. Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Sorcha Date: 15 Jun 00 - 01:03 AM Of course, kendall, the other is spelt dYkes.......LOL to you too! |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: GUEST,DonMeixner Date: 15 Jun 00 - 07:43 AM I plan to take my guitar, banjo, small camera, a change of clothes or two, small knife, lawn chair, bug repellant, room for the Chicken barbeque, space in the van for the guitar I expect to win in the raffle, and my near mint copy of The Two Sides of Sandy Paton which I hope to get that exceeding difficult to get autograph there on. Don |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Mini Me Date: 15 Jun 00 - 08:50 AM Dear Mad & Muddy Catters, I will see you at the festival. Have a great weekend. Mike Strobel |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Hollowfox Date: 15 Jun 00 - 10:17 AM Midchuck: Oh *That* AAFOUF. Is this the group that members of FFA (Fat Folksingers of America) aspire to join? |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: bigchuck Date: 15 Jun 00 - 07:40 PM The way things are going in the NE this year, it might be wise to bring swampers, tire chains, a scuba outfit, and material for an elevated tent platform....barring that, at least bring an inflatable life raft. Old Songs is wet enough in a dry year (last year for example); what it will be like this year only God and Noah know. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Jeri Date: 15 Jun 00 - 08:22 PM I'm planning on getting there early and looking for high ground. In wetter years, I have seen things floating in the area someone (I think MaryMac) said they were going to pitch their tent - things like coolers, tents and volkswagons... |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: bigchuck Date: 16 Jun 00 - 01:08 PM High ground? At Old Songs? Certainly not in the infield. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 16 Jun 00 - 04:37 PM I'm so glad I invested in a coupla camp cots this year- no more sleeping in the mud! Oh, and my new/old van is big enough to sleep in, too. The comforts of home at Old Sogs! |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: Midchuck Date: 17 Jun 00 - 02:58 PM If you get there early, and pick a tent spot that's on a little hummock rather than in a little depression, it helps a great deal. But I may take a few planks to raise the sleeping area a couple of inches, just in case.... Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Old Songs Festival From: GUEST,niger denn Date: 17 Jun 00 - 06:17 PM |
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