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So how was Folklife?
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Subject: So how was Folklife? From: Mark Cohen Date: 29 May 02 - 03:00 AM I was getting snowed on in Boulder on Friday (and it was 85 degrees in Denver on Saturday!) but all weekend I was thinking about you guys at the NW Folklife Festival. So? Good sets? Highlights? Did the 'Cats meow? And where WAS the singers' party? Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 29 May 02 - 03:40 AM Mahvelous, Mahk, simply mahvelous!! I didn't see many official performances, Mudcatters or otherwise, but I did catch Stewart's gig and most of John Bartlett's Child Ballads workshop. Both were very good. This year there was a venue (Intiman Courtyard) dedicated to participatory singing sessions and workshops--of many sorts-- in addition to several participatory dancing venues. It was more accessible and could hold more folks than the little Mercer Forum rooms usually can. Lots of folks joined in those sessions. I can't testify about the whole shebang, of course, because ya can't take it all in. One performance I found absolutely mesmerizing was a duo called Musicantica (Enzo Fina and Roberto whose last name I can't recall), in the Italian Show. The two guys are from the villages of southern Italy and sang and played a variety of mountain instruments, producing sounds with Middle Eastern and Balkan overtones, quite unlike most folks' image of "Italian music." The energy in their music was spellbinding. Their CD sold out right after the gig, and I highly recommend hearing them if you get the chance. (They live in LA now.) The participant party seemed to go well, and a bunch of us did a lot of spontaneous singing, but we were slow in getting it going because the dance band downstairs had their amps really cranked. Reggie Miles came by and added his amazing musical saw to the mix rather late in the party. I didn't make it to the sea chantey venue, but lots of folks did. The weather was pretty cooperative -- not too hot, and only a few sprinkles until after 8:00P on Monday. The other neat thing was that, partly due to the construction and dearth of space, several venues were open after 11:00PM--the Liquid Lounge at the EMP running folklife shows until about 1:00PM. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 29 May 02 - 03:50 AM Premature submission, that. I was gonna add that John Ross's Band Scrambles were a hoot, as usual (but the one on Monday was at a small stage area a bit off the beaten path and there was not a big audience for it). My band won (a tree) on Monday. [But, then, we were the ONLY band in that competition, so draw your own conclusions.] I did run into Art Brooks, too, but I was never aware of anyone act ually wearing the Mudcat gold stars. Were there other Mudcatters running around besides Reggie, John R, John B, Art B, Stewart, John P, Liland and me? Genie |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: artbrooks Date: 29 May 02 - 09:41 AM Hay, Genie, I had me gold star on! I spent a lot of time at the Celtic and Shanty stages, which were at the same place but on different days, just adjacent to one of the beer gardens (boy, was THAT good planning!). The Seattle Folklore Society ran a classic song circle at the Intimin Courtyard that was excellect. What I found to be the most fun was just wondering around and listening to the jams that were going on in every possible corner and cul-de-sac. There was a contra dance venue that was going on, I think, all day, every day, from 11:00 am to well after dark. Klezmer...didjeridoo...harp...millions of fiddles and a few violins as well...bluegrass...folk dance from Greece, Scandinavia, Japan, China, Phillipines, Israel, Russia, Persia, Turkey... God, this was my first time there in about 17 years and I've got Folklife burnout!! I went to the after-party shanty, but ran out of steam arount midnight...and it was just getting started. I don't know if its true or not, but this is pushed as the world's largest entirely free folk festival; donatioons are welcome but there is no admission charge. (And let's not get into a "mine is bigger than yours" discussion.) It is also a major mob scene every afternoon. Check out theFOLKLIFEwebsite for more on what went on. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST,mg Date: 29 May 02 - 11:40 AM it was good as usual. Seemed far less crowded than other ones...you could get through the crowds..the absolute best event for me was Jiggery Pokery..English country band...about 8 people...they make so much noise it could wake the dead...I love that they play flat out all the time...loud and fast and jolly....no nuances here...got people up and dancing..well a few anyway..and lots of little children dancing around...great fun.. mg |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 29 May 02 - 02:18 PM Hi, Art! Come to think of it, you did have your star on, but I didn't notice it until after you noticed mine and introduced yourself. The little gold stars--especially on a yellow participant badge or a multicolored button--are hard to see unless you're practically on top of someone. But (re my original query in the "Who's going to Folklife" thread) you COULD identify a mudcatter wearing one if they were sitting next to you. The Seattle Song Circle session was very good (again), but I think it could have benefitted from one small mic for those who wanted to lead a song but couldn't be heard readily. For some of the other group-singing sessions, the leaders were miked, but not amplified so much as to overpower the group in the sing-along parts. E.g., Gina Sala's chants from diverse religious traditions was fantastic--and the "Random Acts of Singing" one, and the Yiddish sing-along were also excellent. I can't comment too much on acts I saw from the audience because I gravitate to participatory events (formal or otherwise). I'm happy to say that there were LOTS of these every day at any time. Jamming on "Bluegrass Hill," band scrambles, folk, contra, and swing dancing, sing-alongs, workshops and spontaneous jams in the hospitality suite took up most of my time. There was a whole evening devoted to swing dancing in the Center House (bad floor, but not as bad as Mercer Arena's bare cement) plus some hot swing bands in the Roadhouse. Good news is: the bands were excellent. Bad news: so popular you could hardly find a square yard to dance in. Looking at the program, though, and going on recommendations from friends, I know that there was a lot of really excellent stuff that I missed (by not having figured out how to be in four places at once). BTW, another excellent show I caught was a duo (from Eastern Washington, I think): Matt Price and a woman whose name I can't recall (except her last name was Cohen, I think). They did original material of what I describe as a mix of folk, country, blues, and soft rock and were far better than a lot of commercially successful artists. BTW, Reggie Miles' saw would make a great accompaniment to Hawaiian song and dance! Genie
mg, I think the weather was perfect because it was cool & cloudy enough, with enough threat of rain, to keep the crowds at a tolerable level |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: johnross Date: 29 May 02 - 03:26 PM What they all said. This was certainly another successful Folklife Festival, in spite of the construction zone in the Middle of Everything. I'm told that maybe a dozen people asked for stickers, including somebody from New Mexico who showed up before I had explained the sticker deal to Beth and Mary, who were throroughly confused by the request. If somebody else tries this at another festival, it might work better with a different kind of sticker--maybe a dayglow thingy. The participants' party, at the old Navy Armory on Lake Union, was an improvement over previous years, but the amplified band drove most of the singers over to the Wawona nearby. That's a big three-masted ship that has been undergoing restoration for as long as I can remember. The deck may be best described as a lot of dry rot held together with duct tape and good intentions. I haven't heard the final numbers, but it's my impression that the attendance and the revenue were about the same as last year, which is good for the future. The folks who weren't there missed a good four-day party. Make your plans for next year now. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST,Sonja Date: 29 May 02 - 04:00 PM In 1996 I wrote a Folklife tribute song that sort of gives an overview of this "good four-day party." It's posted here: |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST Date: 29 May 02 - 04:06 PM Genie - that was Matt Price and Valerie Cohen, and they are both from Seattle and quite good. Cheers, Stewart |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 29 May 02 - 04:30 PM Stewart, was that electric bass player the Valerie Cohen I know from the Seattle Song Circle? The fiddle player? It sure didn't look like her. (I did run into Valerie at Folklife and she had long, light brown curly hair, as usual. The one who played and sang with Matt Price didn't, unless it was tucked under her hat.) Were there two Valerie Cohens at Folklife? Cheers back at ya, Genie |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 29 May 02 - 04:37 PM Never mind, Stewart. I just checked Matt's website (www.notechoice.com) and his partner's name is, in fact, the one that I had in my head (but wasn't sure of): Rebecca Cohen |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Stewart Date: 29 May 02 - 05:15 PM Genie - oops, my mistake, it was Rebecca. Stewart |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Mark Cohen Date: 29 May 02 - 06:00 PM No relation. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: artbrooks Date: 29 May 02 - 06:11 PM Hum....I thought all the Cohens were related, Mark. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST,petr Date: 29 May 02 - 06:13 PM I was there with my fiancee Jenny and had a lovely time it was her first time in Seattle as well. We took in the Martin Hayes/Dennis Cahill and Matapat concert on Sat night (Matapat had half the audience dancing in one long string) I really enjoyed the Marimba band as well as a Jugband that busked along the sidewalk (I tried to find their cd in the cd room but I guess it was sold out). This was my 4th year in a row and I must say its a really fun festival and its nice to see it going. Vancouver tried to make a go of it with Cityfest but after a few years that fizzled out. It never really had the support from the civic and prov. govt. and idiot reviewers who wrote they went there to be bored (while hundreds of people attended and had a good time. ANd yet you still hear complaints about Vancouver being a 'no fun' city because they cant hold onto a loser basketball team, or because the Fireworks are going away, or worse yet the Indy is threatening to pull out. petr |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Jon Bartlett Date: 29 May 02 - 08:58 PM Thanks for your kind words about CityFest (1994-2000), GUEST Petr. It was a "daughter of Folklife" and in its own terms was successful - each year with about a thousand performers and a very wide range of cultures represented in the lower mainland of BC (the catchment area for performers). But, as you say, the press had contempt, and the city and province no interest (because a) we didn't pay anyone and b) it wasn't "juried" and anyone could perform, as in the old days of Folklife). The press had already fallen in love with the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and hasn't yet in 25 years provided one line of critical support (such as the eternal question among Vancouver performners, "how come they don't hire the home-grown talent?"). |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Miken Date: 29 May 02 - 11:30 PM I was there most of the weekend during the day, Mostly at the celtic and maritime/shanty venues. Got my mudcat stickers early but and they were hard to see, even though the lady at the desk put a couple on my hat for better visibilty. She asked what mudcat was all about cause she wanted to relay the info to her son in western Tennessee who is a singer/songwriter but having trouble meeting like minded folks where he's living. Hope we can welcome aboard a new 'cat. I was listening to a band called Crooked Mile introduce a set of tunes they were about to play, and they mentioned a hornpipe written by Carter Bannerman,who lives,as most of them do, over on the Kitsap peninsula west of Seattle. Carter is a fine mandolin picker and friend who frequently plays on the ferry commuting from Bainbrige Island to Seattle. The intro served as a swift kick in the pants for me,since I hadn't seen Carter for a while; so was reminded to call and get together for a session soon. A pleasant benefit of this year's folklife. The French Canadian group " Matapat" was doing a Quebecoise dance 'workshop' on saturday, and I got a seat close to the stage so I could watch their box player. Didn't get to, though. A partnerless lady coerced me onto the dance floor...well,she didn't have to work too hard....and I haven't danced in twenty years! She somehow managed to keep me from looking too foolish and I gotta tell ya, I had a great time. Got a new friend, too. Had a great Folklife and will be back next year for sure!!! Mike |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Mark Cohen Date: 30 May 02 - 01:26 AM Genie, is that Valerie Cohen the dance caller whose partner is (was?) Claude, the fiddler? If so, say hello for me. Art, all the Cohens would be related, if it weren't for all the people from Eastern Europe who changed their name to Cohen when they came to the U.S. Such as my grandfather, Moshe Kolchevni, who became Morris Cohen when he came to Philadelphia from Kiev. The name "Cohen" comes from the Hebrew Kohen [ko'-heyn], plural Kohanim, which means "high priest". All the true Kohanim trace their lineage on their father's side to Aaron, the brother of Moses; to this day, most Jewish people know whether or not they are Kohanim. (I'm not.) Interestingly, a few years ago someone did a study on men who identified themselves as Kohanim, and found that they all shared a unique gene marker on the Y chromosome, which is consistent with descent from a common male ancestor. Aren't you glad you asked? We now return you to our regularly scheduled thread. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: reggie miles Date: 30 May 02 - 03:02 AM I had fun too! I've never had an official workshop before but there I was hosting one on flexing razor sharp spring steel, 213 terribly trecherous teeth betwixt me knees. It was easy, as I end up giving impromptu workshops almost every time I busk with my saw. I've answered most, if not all, questions about how to play the saw so many times to so many folks that it really wasn't a difficult at all. It was nice to hear so many of the folks comment after trying mine, "I've got to get one of these!" I'd like to try to organize the folks in the area and maybe call it Sawplayers Association of Washington State (S.A.W.S.). I didn't have a chance to catch too many other events. Later, on Saturday, I was at the NW Court stage with two friends, Hugh Sutton playing accordion and Jack Cook on guitar. We cranked out some bootleneck stuff, nice and greasy like and I even had time for a couple of saw numbers with the boys. Later still, I went to the participants party with Hugh and that's where I met Genie. She was leading a small but dedicated group of singers in song with an endless list of familiar favorites. So Hugh and I joined in with accordion and saw. Their exuberance was contagious but I finally had to make for home to get some much needed sawing of logs time in as tomorrow was another busy day. I sat in with The Howlin' Haolies, Bill Merwin and friends, during their Hawaiian swing dance set at The Roadhouse stage on Sunday. I mostly scrubbed my washboard/sound effects gizmo, the 1929 Maytag Custom Dixie Delta Deluxe Eldorado Rhythmboard but did get a chance to play one on my Nobro slide guitar and one on the hand saw as well. Afterward I joined some friends from Portland, OR, Bayou Cadillac to busk a set in preparation for their show on Monday at the NW Court stage. Sam really knows how to rock out a set. I was fried after scrubbin' on my board with them each day and had to retire to the relaxing atmosphere of the participants lounge for some much needed r&r. I guess I needed the exercise, I haven't been playing too many gigs as just a washboard precussionist < (an uneducated percussionist). Later Monday I found a quiet spot near the Mercer Street entrance to busk on just my saw for a while,as I was waiting to get into the Alki Room, where all of the cds were being sold, and do a set on the open stage they had there. I got there just in time, well, okay, I was running late and went a little long with my set. One performer, who was waiting, was not pleased but my set of frothing at the mouth and foot stomping went well enough to elicit smiles, applause and even a cd sale or two. Who could ask for more? I missed an opportunity to play for the benefit show for Artis, who is recovering from a heart attack, but I understand there will be other chances to get involved. Yes, it was a very fun and full weekend for me. I'm still recovering from it and need to try and catch up on some more of that sawing of logs. It's a good thing I got all that saw practice in over the weekend. Saw y'all later, Reg. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 30 May 02 - 04:06 AM Reggie, you mentioned "... the participants party ...where ...Genie... was leading a small but dedicated group of singers in ...familiar favorites." Yeah, we were the ones who: •didn't know where the Wawona was •wanted to stay where there was free beer •were too tired to move, or • had stayed long enough to notice that the band had either quit or turned their amp way down, so we could hear. If I was "leading" it was because nearly everyone else had, as John R pointed out, been driven out of the official party location by the overly loud dance band(s). The Maritime Heritage location is, indeed, a much better place for the party than the Hospitality Suite at the Seattle Center is, but I hope next year arrangements are made to keep the dance music soft enough that jammers and singers can actually utilize the two large rooms upstairs that are available for their music. Genie |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: reggie miles Date: 30 May 02 - 08:44 AM Genie, when I got there, I even hardly even noticed the dance band but I did notice a whole lot of people singing together upstairs. I think you folks had it going on. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: reggie miles Date: 30 May 02 - 08:49 AM Genie, when I got there, I hardly even noticed the dance band but I did notice a whole lot of people singing together upstairs. I think you folks had it going on sister. There were some other rooms available to jam in upstairs but yours was where everything was happening, food, drink and song. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: reggie miles Date: 30 May 02 - 08:51 AM Oops! It's hard to catch those typos after you hit the submit button! |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST,MAG at work Date: 30 May 02 - 02:03 PM Reg, can you post or send info. on sending to the Artis fund? You can PM me at mag'. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 30 May 02 - 04:01 PM Genie, when I got there, I hardly even noticed the dance band but I did notice a whole lot of people singing together upstairs. I think you folks had it going on sister. There were some other rooms available to jam in upstairs but yours was where everything was happening, food, drink and song.
Reggie, when you got there the band had, indeed, toned it down. But when I got there, about 11:30 or 12 , I think, the would-be singers were all sitting in the food-and-booze room, just talking, because the band was so loud and they wouldn't turn it down, even when asked. I suggested to Martha Cohen [see, Mark, they're EVERYWHERE!] and Bruce Baker and others that we just go ahead and start sining--or singing, as the case may be-- so we did. Nobody used instruments, we just sang (sea chanteys, stuff with choruses, etc.). The party and the music there WERE fun, but I'm comparing it to the days when it was at the Monroe Center or even the Mountaineers. Genie |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Charley Noble Date: 31 May 02 - 03:33 PM Any surviving shantysingers from the Wawona get-together to post observtions? Cheerily, Charley Noble (East Coast) |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: reggie miles Date: 31 May 02 - 06:03 PM There's an account for him at Key Bank, Artis the Spoonman Fund KEY Bank of Washington Poulsbo Branch 19735 10th Avenue NE Suite S-200 Poulsbo, WA 98370 Banker: Suzanne Nancarrow @ 360-394-6012 Sawry this is all I can come up with presently but I will search for more info. Reg |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: ChanteyMatt Date: 31 May 02 - 06:05 PM The surviving Shanty Singers wish to remain anonymous. Miken, I'm in the group Crooked Mile. I'm the guitar player and the one with all the bad puns (there are no good ones). I ride the ferry weekday mornings with Carter Bannerman. We've a regular four piece group the plays on the upper deck (they won't allow us inside ever since that banjo player showed up). I'll pass any messages on to Carter. I was the Stage Manager for Stewart's set and the Band Scramble. Other than eating too much, there wasn't a whole lot about this year's Folklife that stands out. Good music, good people, huge crowds, not enough time on stage, the usual. Matthew |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: artbrooks Date: 31 May 02 - 06:45 PM From one who is not a born-again shanty singer, I can only say that my suspicions have been validated...there are a LOT of feelthy verses to those things...and the night was still young when I left the boat. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Jon Bartlett Date: 31 May 02 - 08:19 PM Yes, I'm a long-time survivor of Wawona. The thing is both a blessing and a curse: a blessing in that when you're there, you're there: a curse in that the THERE is not the finest spot for singing unless you're blessed (cursed?) with a voice like a foghorn. The location of the hatch interrupts the possibility of a crowd dense enough to make the singing REALLY work, there are no natural acoustics (unlike the Intiman courtyard which was BRILLIANT (acoustically, anyway) and it's oftentimes a wee bit cold (not Sat night tho' since we all buggered off before 1 am). We still need a decent space or three. All honour to John Ross for his attempts re the Maritime Centre, but when you're up against an amplified swing band in the parade hall down below, you've got a gnat's chance of hearing yourself think, let alone sing. The best we've ever had have been spontaneous: I recall an excellent sing in the stairwells of the Center House (when the party was held there) but even there the Security johnnies found us and flung us out (we'd probably all be busted for being Talibanists if we tried it now, though I suppose in the right hands, "John Kanaka" is a Weapon of Mass Destruction).
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Miken Date: 31 May 02 - 09:18 PM ChanteyMatt, I enjoyed the set though I don't remember any of the puns. Good thing, eh? I managed to roust out Carter's phone number after I got home and did give him a call.....had a good chat. What was the title of that hornpipe! Thanks for the post. Mike |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 31 May 02 - 11:46 PM For inquiries about Artis, please see "a href="http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=48095&messages=5#720780">This thread. Thanks for posting your info there, Reggie. |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Charley Noble Date: 01 Jun 02 - 08:07 PM That does give me more the flavor of what was happening with regard to singing. Thanks! At least you weren't trying to sing over the engines of two neighboring tugboats as we were in Portsmouth, NH, last September. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 02 Jun 02 - 12:13 AM One more try to clickify: "a href="http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=48095&messages=5#720780">Artis Fund thread |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: JenEllen Date: 02 Jun 02 - 01:55 PM ARTIS FUND THREAD |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Mudjack Date: 02 Jun 02 - 03:01 PM No mention of the great instrument auction, did anyone attend it or has it fizzed out since Sandy Bradley gave it up? I always was amazed at how many old and interesting instruments show up at this auction. I did miss the festival and all the good things about it, but I did not miss all the bad things like trying to get to your gig on the other side through 50,000 shoulder to sholder people. Or trying to play and sing above the steel drums and loud drumming jams next to the stage area. Mudjack |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 02 Jun 02 - 03:18 PM Mudjack, Sandy Bradley has retired from doing the auction, I believe. At any rate it was announced last year that that would be the last one Sandy would be doing. If someone else takes it over, it may return. Genie |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: johnross Date: 03 Jun 02 - 01:06 AM The auction will be back next year. It was one of the victims of the space shortage this year due to construction. I think the PTB may have gotten the message about the amplified swing band at the party, too. With 60 people on the boat at its peak, and about five couples on the dance floor, it was pretty clear that the demand was for jamming and singing. It's also important to recognize that there's more than one group of singers at that party--the hardcore shantey singers, who gravitate to the boat, and another group that wants to do quieter songs and chorus songs that aren't shanties. It's no more fair to lump them all together than to put the bluegrassers in the same space as the old-timey jam sessions or the celtic sessions. I don't want to give away any details yet, but I have a go-ahead to organize a special event for next year that may involve some names that are familiar to folks reading this. More information as it moves forward.
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST,Mudjack Date: 03 Jun 02 - 03:20 PM Thank You johnross, I guess I picked a good year to be absent. Maybe I can do it next year. Mudjack |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST,mg Date: 03 Jun 02 - 03:54 PM |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: GUEST,mg Date: 03 Jun 02 - 03:57 PM Great...the problem was not the dancing but the amplification..just the utter noise of it..whoever let that happen was just not thinking....it is a great space for dancing..and there are several rooms (it seems) for other jams and different kinds of singing...it is a far better location than others I have seen, and it sounds like people weren't kicked out too early....it probably should have started more like 8:30 or 9 though...I love the sea shanty stuff but I also like other types of music so having them both near each other is excellent. Plus having fudge and potato chips etc. was another inspired idea. mg |
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Subject: RE: So how was Folklife? From: Genie Date: 03 Jun 02 - 04:03 PM Somebody mentioned Reilly and Maloney in another thread. They got back together to perform at Folklife this year, for the first time in quite a while. |
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