To Joe: (Florida Folk Music)

Subject: To Joe:
From: GUEST,Singout/Penny
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 08:32 PM

Hi Joe,

Sorry to hear about your mom. Is your dad doing okay? While you are in town, if you need time away, there is a music thing going on in Ft. Myers on the Orange River during Friday, Saturday, and Easter Sunday. This is the 9th year. Florida musicians get together and jam Friday evening. Saturday is a jam until about noon. A potluck lunch with chicken provided and scheduled "preformances" on the deck overlooking the river. It's a nice relaxing day, in a beautiful, natural setting.

Sunday, they have a gospel sing by the river, and an Easter bonnet contest, etc.

Anyway, if you get stressed out and need a break, please ask for directions.

Penny and Michael (who live in Bradenton)

Subject: RE: To Joe: Florida Folk Music
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 08:59 PM

Hi, Penny -
I added to the thread title because there's a lot to be said about Florida folk music, and you gave it a good start. I was wondering if there is a song circle in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. I really needed a singing "fix" during the three weeks I was there.

Sorry I didn't get a chance to do much music on this trip to Sarasota. I had hoped to, but helping my dad take care of my mom was pretty-much a fulltime job. There are a lot of folk music activities in Florida, and I've just scratched the surface because my Florida visits are usually tied up with family.

I met up with Harpgirl a couple of times, and went to the Florida Folk Festival a couple of years ago (that was my second visit ot the Stephen C. Foster Memorial Park, which has animated miniature dioramas that illustrate several Foster songs). Someday, I'd like to get to the Will McLean Festival and the Gamble Rodgers Festival.

I suppose I will visit Sarasota many more times before my parents pass on. One thing I really want to do before that happens, is to meet the estimable and inimitable Abby Sale.

-Joe Offer, Colfax, California-

Subject: RE: To Joe: (Florida Folk Music)
From: Blackcatter
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 09:04 PM

Joe

- do try to get over to Orlando sometime. It's less than a 2 hour drive from Sarasota.

There's a lot going on here - including the Black Cat Cafe - the second Friday every month at the Unitarian Church in Downtown. Abby is a fairly regular attendee.