Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001

Subject: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 May 01 - 02:46 PM

I see that the Florida Folk Festival (click) will take place May 25-27. I'm surprised that there isn't any information on their Schedule page yet.
I'll be visiting my parents in Florida at the time, and thought I might like to go. What Mudcatters will be there? Can anybody suggest a town nearby where lodging is likely to be available?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Abby Sale
Date: 08 May 01 - 10:47 PM

I have a couple of fliers but very little info, Joe. Vasser Clements is doing a series of master classes - other than that, "12 stages of continuous entertainment - More than 250 performances per day." Not so much headliners as people. Lots of contests, too.

Phone info recording is [phone].

Stop by Orlando if you get a chance.

There's camping info at Adobe .pcf Clicky

It's a little early to expect them to post any actual schedules - this is Florida, after all.

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Paul G.
Date: 08 May 01 - 11:22 PM

Joe:

I will be there with my band (the Ashley Gang)-- we received our schedule yesterday. Main stage Friday afternoon, the River Gazebo Sunday Afternoon. I'll be doing a number of song writing workshops as well. PLEASE stop by and say hello -- I'd love to meet you. For lodging, the nearest large town is Lake City. We'll be partying at the Best Western all night Saturday with the Steve Blackwell Band. Stop on by.

The Festival Director promises full schedule posting on the web site during the next day or two.

Paul

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Troll
Date: 09 May 01 - 12:17 AM

Joe,
My son and I will be doing Irish workshops all during the weekend and the 24th Street Klezmer! Band is playing a Sunday nite dance from 7 pm. t0 9:30 pm. If you come into the campground, look for the banner (white on black) that says Klez Kamp. Thats us. Hope to see you there.

troll

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 May 01 - 11:06 AM

Nathan and I are volunteering. I'm not performing this year unless it is to fill in, but we will be in the campground, probably with the Folklorries or thereabouts! The website has a list of campgrounds in the area. One favorite is the Spirit of the Suwannee, Joe. Lee's Campground is just outside of White Springs. Plenty of camping in the area. Be prepared for very hot weather! harpgirl

PS I think I may visit the Ashley Gang's party, if it's airconditioned!

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Paul G.
Date: 09 May 01 - 08:09 PM

C'mon down, Harp --we'll be pool-side, though. The owners are pretty understanding (so Steve tells me). The Gang is staying at Suwanee Valley Campgrounds, which I am told is sold out...See you in a few weeks.

Paul

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: harpgirl
Date: 12 May 01 - 06:16 PM

...Well, I finally got my schedule for the FFF! I'll be backstage at the Amphitheatre 1:30-5 on Friday, MCing at the Tower stage Saturday 10-1pm, recording at the Old Marble Stage Sunday 4 to 7:30, and hosting the autoharp workshop Friday from 4pm to 5pm.

Geez, with budget cuts being what they are for state workers in Florida, since we have to buy all those new voting machines, you'd think they would have given me eight or nine other jobs! THIS ISN"T ENOUGH! *wink* harpgirl

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Smok
Date: 12 May 01 - 09:38 PM

I live in Florida but have never been to the Folk Festival. Will it be difficult to find a place to stay?

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Paul G.
Date: 13 May 01 - 11:05 PM

Smok:

Look for a motel/hotel in or near Lake City...camping space, if you camp, will be scarce...I'd be making reservations now...Look us up when you get there!

Paul

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Paul G.
Date: 16 May 01 - 10:10 PM

The complete Festival schedule is now available on the internet here: http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/fffschedule/schedule.cfm

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Abby Sale
Date: 16 May 01 - 11:33 PM

I'm hearing more stories about hotels overbooking just in case people don't show up. Nothing you can do about it if they turn you away. I think the advice is to confirm and be sure very to get there early.

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: harpgirl
Date: 21 May 01 - 10:33 PM

...Well, I have been having fun planting a flower garden and landscaping around my pond hole, which is partly dug and we even had a good soaking rain yesterday...but I'm on my way to the FFF Thursday and I am PSYCHED!!( how fitting, hg)

I will have a sign at my camp which says "harpgirl's camp" so anyone who wishes is cordially invited to visit, play, gossip, or drink coffee or other libation anytime this weekend. I can definitely be located at 5PM Friday at the autoharp workshop in the museum garden. I haven't met very many mudcatters so I would love to meet some more! Ya'll come...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: harpgirl
Date: 23 May 01 - 08:32 PM

recap

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Smok
Date: 23 May 01 - 08:42 PM

I'm glad there is finally some talk about the Florida Folk Festival. I thought I was going to be the only person there. My idea of camping is a man in a red wig and high heels. How far is Lake City from White Spings.

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: harpgirl
Date: 23 May 01 - 08:45 PM

...about twenty minutes, Smok. Look me up. Bring your red wig and high heels!

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: harpgirl
Date: 23 May 01 - 11:02 PM

oh and smokey...I hope you do introduce yourself but whose going to run the funeral home while you are gone???? hg

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:44 AM

There was smoke from nearby fires, but the Florida Folk Festival turned out to be a fine event. I got there Friday, and spent all day Saturday and Sunday there. I got to hear Paul G and Troll do their stuff, and they did a great job. Harpy wasn't performing this year, but we had a good time singing together at the campsite.
I was disappointed I didn't get to meet Abby Sale this trip. I'll track you down sooner or later, Abby.
I was quite impressed by all the Florida songs and Florida storytelling I heard over the weekend. Paul G wrote some wonderful Florida songs, and so have many others. The natives really love this place, and I've come to love it, too. Florida is filled with natural wonders. It's not all beaches and amusement parks - the real beauty of this state is far away from the tourists.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: harpgirl
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:07 PM

...We all really enjoyed seeing you Joe. It was a very fun festival for me with no performance pressure. I did do a six hour stint as MC at the Tower stage that was challenging! And I found some new girlfriends to play with from the east coast. Our harmonies are lambent! We might call ourselves "Burnt Acreage!" hehe hg

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Paul G.
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 12:40 PM

Thanks, Joe, for the important recognition that the true spirit of Florida lies not in the tourist filled condos, beaches and theme parks...but along the road less traveled, in the scrub, the pine forests, our "praries", our swamps, and in the hearts of the people who love and protect these treasures. Was a real pleaseure to meet you.

Paul

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Abby Sale
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 08:09 PM

Joe, Yep. Next time. Yes, there are many fine musicians throughout the state. Just (sigh) no trad singers in Central FL. I'm glad you caught some of the storytelling, that is first class. We do have a pretty corking local fiddler, though, at the moment. Jonathan Hodge won one of the fiddle competitions.

Subject: RE: Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, 2001
From: Smok
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 08:35 PM

I, to enjoyed the Folk Festival. I had not realized that the Space Coast was the area highlighted this year. Since I am from that area it was amazing to see all of the talent that we have in our area. I had a great time but did not see anyone else in red wig and heels, oh well. The music was great and everone was so friendly. I even heard a semi-funeral song that I am trying to find the words to. Something along the lines of 'when you feel deaths cold hand upon your shoulder, who will go your bond?' I figured our funeral home name would fit in perfect right there.