Your favorite festivals

Subject: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 09:10 AM

Tis the season, so share your favorite music festivals and experiences...and what makes them your favorite?

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,Toledo
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:04 AM

Great thread idea!

Winnipeg, 1994. One of my (many!)proud parent moments.

My daughter, age 8, gets up to do her Irish dancing to Trian. The crowd opens for her, she receives a thunderous round of applause, and great appreciation from the other dancers of her fine dance abilities, who come up after the tune to congratulate her, ask her where she learned to dance like that, etc etc

Not only that, it was cloudy and cool all week long--no sweltering in the heat, or misery huddled under tarps from rain, mud, mosquitos...

It was divine and sublime!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,Buffalo Gal
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:19 AM

My long-time favorite for all types of music, Chicago's Ravinia Music Festival. Too many wonderful experiences over the years to single out just one.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:19 AM

Oh well, I know the post says music bu my favourite was the first couple of years of the Conwy Festival which was really a street festival.

I loved the atmosphere in the town, seeing the jugglers, some magic, some street theatre - some of the acts were fantastic, chatting to some of the street traders on the quay and joining in with the music down there. There was of course other music, a few buskers and bands around the town and also concerts in the civic hall in the evening that tried to cater for all tastes, maybe Rock one night, Folk another... A couple of my favourites were Flaco Jiminez and the Tex Mex band and an excellent folk rock band called You Slosh - I wonder what happened to them.

Sadly as time went on, the funds got lower and less happened particularly on the streets but I have some great memories, especailly of the early ones.

Jon

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,lilter
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:55 AM

Hi there,

Best Festival surely is Saint Chartier, it`s absolutly from another world.

Related discuss in BS MOUTH MUSIC. Tonight I`m posting

lilter

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:58 AM

Clifftop. For the old time music obsessed. Everybody (literally) is there.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:15 AM

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, All-Ireland Fleadh, unsurpassed, held this year in Listowel Co Kerry, August 24th-26th. Meet people from all corners of the Globe, hope that Tibetan nose whistler turns up. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:21 AM

And for those who prefer a more intimate Irish music gathering, try the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Gweedore every New Years. Its not for the squeamish, however. As Liam O Maoinlai says, its a pilgrimmage more than a festival.

Dark of winter, empty beaches, and dead brilliant sessions and craic.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: ChanteyMatt
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:26 AM

The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. Sure, the primary attraction is the boats, but we've had a tradition of fine maritime music. The highlight is an informal officially unofficial chanty sing on the Saturday night of the festival. Scores of folks join in and the result is wonderous. You can bet I'll be there this year and many years to come.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Dunc
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:29 AM

THE GLENFARG FOLK FEAST

I have been going to the Glenfarg Folk Feast, Perthshire, Scotland for quite a few years now and it remains the highlight of the Scottish festival scene for me.
It is limited in size because of the location and lack of big venues in Glenfarg Village... and beacuase of that it has never grown too big or lost its unique charm.
It is held every year in mid April and is the first festival of the season for a lot of people. This gives it a freshness after the winter with people starved of that festival atmosphere.

GRANT BAYNHAM in his latest CD (recorded live at Glenfarg) refers to it as "The worlds friendliest festival" with an "Audience who'd clearly just come in from the HowToBeAPureDeadBrilliantAudience Workshop (Including Module 2: HowToProvideTheArtistWithGiftHeckles)
What more can one say?

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:41 AM

For small festivals, my favorite is Champlain Valley.

For big festivals, the best I've been to is Vancouver. (That endorsement is qualified by the fact that I haven't been there since 1997).

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: black walnut
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 12:54 PM

This summer? Vancouver Folk Music Festival (BC) and Celtic Roots Festival (Ontario).

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: selby
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 01:24 PM

The best by far has to be folk week at Whitby UK but after many years of going we go now to meet friends we have not seen for a year. Keith

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Deni
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 01:44 PM

My vote's on Dartmoor Festival, at South Zeal in Okehampton, Devon, the most fantastic, friendly, folk frisson of the year.

it's small, its intimate, but crammed. Muscians and festival-goers spill onto the streets. There's a huge marquee on a sort of village green and hundreds of people go there to do the concerts & ceilidhs. The singarounds are second to none, and the Oxenham Arms and the Kings Arms, are lovely pubs with just the right atmosphere. even the campsite... Last year a party from our folk club, The Hyde visited and it was heartwarming to see groups of our friends coming down the village street. Everybody say aaah.

Of couse, this year it did rain a bit...

Deni

Hyde Folk Club http://www.beehive.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/hydefolk

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: kendall
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 01:48 PM

Thomas Point Bluegrass Festival.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 01:59 PM

Might be Sidmouth, might be Whitby - but it might just as well be , and I think that's where I'm headed next.

God but I'd love to get to the Fleadh again. I haven't been since the times it was at Clonmel.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Hawker
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 02:10 PM

I'm with Deni, though I also Love Bromyard - being a parent of a 10 and 6 year old, I take into account not just the music, singing & all that but also what they can offer to my kids and whether they enjoy it
Its no fun for me if its no fun for them!
I know that Deni has the same problem
And Deni! it didn't rain as much as last year! but it WAS VERY Windy!!!!!
Lucy

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,Toledo
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 02:17 PM

Ah Hawker--I loved Winnipeg for the same reason. Family campgrounds far away from the all night beer case drummers. A beautiful children's area, right between the stages and the arts booths. You could put the kids on the mountain of sand, or at the arts and crafts table, or in the tent where the music, dance, movement stuff was going on. And then keep an eye on them while you strolled through the arts booths, wandered from one stage to another...it is a grand festival that caters to families without dumbing down (? that probably isn't the right term, but I hope you catch my drift) the festival.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 02:19 PM

Whitby, Whitby, Whitby!!!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Dorrie
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 06:00 PM

u go selby and wyrd siter WHITBY ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,Lyle
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 08:23 PM

Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield, Kansas. Third weekend in September (Thursday - Sunday). Makes all the other festivals in the world look second rate!! (Think I might be biased??)

Lyle

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 09:09 PM

Lyle,

No one can be biased in this thread--its about your favorites! That's the fun of it!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 09:10 PM

Old Songs Festival

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 09:41 PM

I'll go along with Olesko. Old Songs. But, if the Getaway were to be termed a "festival"...

Sandy

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: SandyBob
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:44 PM

Anyone know of an online, comprehensive list of folk festivals and dates?

SandyBob

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: thosp
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:56 PM

try this blueclicketything> and look at the musical

peace (Y) thosp

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Bluebelle
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:07 PM

This year? River Valley Bluegrass Jamboree, Ontario.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: John Nolan
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:12 PM

Before this year it was Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders. Now it has to be Calgary (see separate thread posting). Winnipeg, from the comments above seems worth investigation. Also heard great things about Vancouver as well as Edmonton and Canmore (last two both in Alberta).Anybody got reports from there? Folk music seems to be vibrantly alive in Canada.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:23 PM

Historically, it might be Fox Hollow (1965-1979). But these days, I'd say Old Songs. Though I'd second Sandy Paton's nomination of the Getaway if it weren't such a conflict of interest for me. (I'm this year's chair).

Then again, the little group we had on our front porch Sunday evening wasn't half bad...

And SandyBob, another good on-line resource listing folk festivals can be found compliments of Dirty Linen.

--Charlie Baum.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 05:49 AM

GUEST,Lyle is not biased!
The Walnut Valley Festival is a real winner. I've been going for 1986, with only 3 years missed when I was in the far Northwest.
Lots of people refer to it as a "bluegrass" festival, but it's not. Officially it's an "acoustic music" bash, with International Championship competitions in several instruments and very high level "showoffs" in others. Flat pick and finger pick guitar, mando, fiddle, lap dulcimer, hammer dulcimer, autoharp, banjo - you name it.
The competition is fierce to get good camping spots, so a good many of the folk show up and beat on the gates until they let 'em in.
Nearly two full weeks of campground pickin' so good most of us seldom go to any of the 6 stages to hear the hired talent (which is very good). We mostly leave that for the "day pass" people.

John

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 07:56 AM

Dirty Linen Festival and Events List. You can also view listings by States/Provinces and artist's name.

fROOTS Festivals List 2001

I'll have to say Old Songs as well. I haven't been to that many other festivals, and I grew up near where Old Songs is held. Not only do I get to hear a great selection of musicians and get to sing a lot, I meet a lot of friends from my folkie past.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 11:01 AM

Let's add Lunenburg's Folk Harbor Festival in Nova Scotia, usually held the 2nd weeken of August. It's a great example of cooperation of a small but beautiful harbor town and folk music organizers. There are concerts and workshops on the wharf, the gazebo, the opera house, and a large tent on Blockhouse Hill, and informal singing and playing far into the night. My favorite memory is of my first sighting of Tanglefoot singing their pirate song "Traighli Bay" on the wharf.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Midchuck
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 11:43 AM

#1 - Old Songs

#2 - Champlain Valley at the old site, which is to be the new site.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 03:52 PM

froots.demon.co.uk/festivals for UK/europe festival details

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Jenny the T
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 05:04 PM

Well, I've had a fine time the past couple years at the Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival, which features not only some very fine acts, but a hoppin' session tent as well.

In the realm of small, barely-known festivals, the Bloomington (Indiana) Lotus Festival of World Music offers some great times as well, for very little cost.

I sure would like to give the Frankie Kennedy school and Ennis' Willie Clancy Week a try, though.

JtT

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 05:47 PM

Old Songs!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,jerbear
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 06:30 PM

Favorite large fest has to be Milwaukee Irish Fest, with every big name in Irish & celtic music. My favorite all time is Bliss Festival in northern Mich. Sitting under a perfect Milky Way at 3:am with an Andian pan pipe band playing 15 feet away! Sheer bliss.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 01:08 AM

Down in Australia its hard to beat the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Port Fairy is a little town on the coast of the Southern Ocean in western Victoria (the area was first settled by whaling crews as a base in early 19 Century). Its a pretty town that started off as Belfast and was once a commercial port but now is mostly a fishing and tourist centre. The festival now is so popular you need to book accomodation months in advance. It attracts many well-known names in 'world music'and goes on over a week.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 01:50 AM

Towersey, Oxfordshire. Friendly, all kinds of music, good friends living nearby, singing like you wouldn't believe and weather that can only be described as changeable. Heatwave one year, hurricane the next... Yes, Les Barker fans... I was at Towersey in '86, hang gliding in a frame tent with a bottle of Imperial Welsh Vodka - Tafski....

Had my hen party there, had morning sickness there, even did it camping with a 4 month old baby. Absolutely bloody marvellous!

LTS

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,PCW
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 06:54 AM

Trouble is that you settle down to the ones you like and never get around to trying the rest.

For me it must be Whitby, The National and the English Country Music Weekend.

Peter

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 07:18 AM

it's just got to be WHITBY(UK) this weekend

All excited and on countdown

see you all in the Middle Earth and the Pluff

Gerry

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 09:05 AM

All UK so far for me..
Gosport Easter Festival
Chippeham Folk Festival
Guildford Live
Towersey
+ assorted little festivals in pubs & such

Probably best fave is Towersey.

Kris

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 09:59 AM

Well, We have a few festivals here in Virginia. Recently I was at the Potomac Festival in Leesburg and got to see Tommy Peoples - which was a real treat. But Girvan was my first festival in Europe. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: JudeL
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 10:16 AM

I can't narrow it down as I love different festivals of different types for different reasons,and the bits that I enjoy are not necessarily officially part of the festivals but they include: Wareham Wail, Fox & Hounds, Grove, and Miskin
Chippenham, Sidmouth, and Towersey
Jude

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,John Leeder
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 10:54 AM

I have to put in a word for the Canmore (Alberta) Heritage Day Folk Festival. It's held in a gorgeous setting in the middle of the Rockies (mountains in every direction). Although it's small enough that it hasn't lost the local favour, it gets big names by virtue of being close in time to the Cagary and Edmonton festivals, so it's a stop on the Western Canada tour. (I shouldn't tell people -- now everybody will go there, and it'll get big and unmanageable...)

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: winniemih
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 11:23 AM

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: winniemih
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 11:37 AM

I attended the Canmore, Alberta festival this year (Aug 4-7) and feel it's the best I've been to. There are probably only 4000 people (mostly very polite friendly Canadians, it seemed to me) in a well designed festival space with 3 stages, much available shade and adequate washrooms and water. The performers (a world class group) are for the most part very approachable ( I watched Dougie Maclean's guitar for him while he ducked back inside a tent briefly; I must have an honest face!) Canmore is a beautiful place on the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies. There's hiking and swimming within a few minutes of the town. I found a campground on the outskirts of town where several dozen young people from all over Canada play music, both modern and traditional, into the wee hours; I joined in around the campfire as well. It was a magical experience! SandyBob, I've got a great picture of Jesse Winchester and his son for you when we next meet. Winnie

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,John Leeder
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 12:43 PM

There are photos from the Canmore area on Dougie MacLean's website at http://www.dougiemaclean.com/ontour/canada2001/canada.htm. (Sorry, some day I'll learn to do the blue clicky thing...) I was impressed! They were posted less than a week after the festival, whie he was still in Canada!

Also, the Canmore Festival's website is http://www.canmorefolkfestival.com.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 03:17 PM

Upton upon Severn - Worecestershire UK - early May Bank Holiday
because I have been to every one
because it is traditionally laid back and disorganised (notso now) but just works
Is within sight of my beloved Malvern Hills
and a few reasons I care not to share.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: John Nolan
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 05:57 PM

www.davidfrancey.com also contains a glowing report from the performer about the calgary festival and other stops on his Canadian tour. Word sure spreads fast these day, eh. Western Canada is the place to visit. I estimate 15,000 at Canmore in 2002. There goes the neighborhood.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 07:22 PM

Mr. Red sez:

"and a few reasons I care not to share. "

Big smile.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: forty two
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 06:15 AM

I gotta agree with maryrrf. Girvan in Ayrshire has got to be one of the best small festivals. First weekend in May, it has a great mixture of Irish, Scottish and north English music. And it's a musicians festival with a very healthy ratio of musicians to punters. The session quality is as good as any All Ireland Fleadh except you don't have the hastle of trying to get a seat in a session and have some drunk pouring Guinness down your neck!!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,Shona
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 01:09 PM

Auchtermuchty in Fife (UK) is a brilliant festival. a real mixture of every kind of music. mostly scottish though! its a tmsa festival and there are competitions as well. its a great laugh!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,John Leeder
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 01:33 PM

Re Canmore: Next year is its 25th anniversary (oldest in Alberta). So I guess it'll be an overnight success, eh?

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: brid widder
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 01:51 PM

Whitby UK...and I can't wait...this time tomorrow I'll be there!!!

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: GUEST,tabbycat
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 01:57 PM

I've only been to English festivals (so far)

Each one is different, so difficult to rank :

Cromer - folk on the pier - the main venue is in the theatre on the end of the Pier - hence many jokes about overseas gigs.

Bridgenorth, amazing range of music, very relaxed atmosphere. I discovered Alan Burke & The FOS brothers there.

Cheltenham - very civilised - excellent music - AND it's in february so it cheers up a dark/cold part of the year.

On downbeat note - the only festival I haven't enjoyed was this years Cambridge - far far too crowded.

Haven't been to Fylde/Sidmouth/Tonder ......

Just out of curiosity,does WOMAD count as a folk festival?

I'm already planning 2002 !

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: scouse
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 03:30 PM

It would seem to me that no one's yet been to the best Festival. There's only one!, ask your fellow muscians where-ever you come from! If they've played there they will say Tonder Festival in Denmark. As Arlo what it's like. As Aye Phil

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 12:10 AM

The two times I've been to the Mystic Seaport Maritime Music Festival have been great experiences. The music all day at the various venues and the comraderie and sessions at night in and around the dining commons were memorable. Sitting on the back porch right by the Mystic river, watching boats go by in the evening, and jamming til the wee hours - just memorable. Barry Finn knows what I'm talking about. Performers have several spots, so if you missed an act the first time, you get more chances. You rarely felt like you missed anyone completely. A great mix of established performers and a few newer acts.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 10:25 PM

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: janey
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 02:09 PM

Newcastleton, Scottish Borders...really relaxed with a welcome from all the village. Camping right in the middle or down by the river. Great musicians, great singers, no people trying to organise me or check tickets, no closing times! Everyone friendly and enthusiastic. Whitby is great too! And on the way up...Alcester near Stratford upon Avon; quality pubs, excellent campsite (well the portaloos are ok), catering by Moor 'n' Coast, real ale, and seems to be getting more popular after only two years.

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: Cllr
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 02:26 PM

Sidmouth 'cos I have a house there and it last for over a week.

Best festival/ weekend of Song ever for me was in "The Anchor" Sidmouth. The Middle bar Winter Reunion February 1994 (twenty four hour non stop song session no repeats)

Cllr

Subject: RE: Your favorite festivals
From: O'Trasno
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 02:33 PM

Well for me,it has to be the Shetland Folk Festival.There aren't enough hotel rooms on the islands(or pound notes in the kitty) to accomodate the artists,so everyone has to stay with the native "friends of the festival".And the people of Shetland must be the warmest and kindest on the planet, isolated as they are on their own little planet... But when the festival comes round at eastertime everyone emerges from the endless dark of winter to party it up big style.

Many's the "visiting foreign artist" who has left the islands with a tear in their eyes as the ferry leaves the harbour of Lerwick (it's a 14 hour trip from Aberdeen!),and it seems like the entire population of the islands is waving goodbye from the pier.