2004 I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:57 PM

Thanks, Barbara! By the way I need your new e-mail address so I can send you some delicious spam.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Barbara
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:06 PM

Five days is about as long as we can all go sleep deprived without forgetting all the words to everything, Charlie. So five days it is.
I had a lovely time there too.
If their goodbye kiss was anything to go by, LM and CR's good time there had something to do with each other.
It could have rained less, says the Oregonian.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 07:50 PM

My thanks to Mark and Chantyranger for describing some details of what happened. How long does this annual event run? Is it a long weekend, or a week, or a lifetime?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: radriano
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 06:22 PM

I had a great time at Camp Harmony this year. So nice to see Mark Cohen after so many years! Sylvia's song sessions were the highlight of camp for me. It did rain pretty much the whole time but Camp Harmony is indoor camping. I do not, however, share everyone else's enthusiam for the food served - I found the meals generally boring and/or strange.

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 07:35 AM

Hey Joe, was he wearing a tie dye shirt?

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 05:46 AM

It was wonderful...as good as I'd hoped, and better. I even got off my songwriting butt and wrote a new one, with the assistance of some wonderful old and new friends.

My daughter Shayna had a fantastic time as well...so good that hours would go by without my seeing her. It was wonderful to know she was safe and enjoying herself. And listening to Ray Frank and Dan Engle's fantastic "Homade Hoedwon" CD on the drive from Santa Cruz to Ojai allowed me to teach her how to recognize a jig from a reel, and how to tell when a tune is in 3/4, 4/4, or 6/8.

I also met two wonderful singers/songwriters, Laura Sandage and Katie Henry, both from Davis, CA. Keep an eye out for Laura's new CD...it'll be awesome, and it will even include a song about Joe Offer!

Good to meet you too, Peter, and to see so many of my old Harmony friends and also to finally meet some Mudcat friends I've never seen in 3D. Thanks again, Joe, for the Offer of your guitar. Like Linda, I did very little guitar playing at camp. Every time I saw an old-time jam in the rec hall and felt like joining in, I was on my way to yet another singing workshop or session! Next time...

By the way, Peter, a slight correction: "For Just One Dime" isn't really "about" Tom, since I only met him a couple of times at Camp Harmony. When I originally wrote the song, I used the name Ted Savage because the word "Savage" was in the original song and my best friend's name is Ted (well, Tedd, but I won't quibble). Then one year when I sang it at Camp Harmony, someone (maybe Valentine) suggested that I change the name to Tom, as a tribute to Tom Savage who had recently passed away. I did, and I still sing it that way.

It's not going to be another 14 years until I get back to Harmony...already planning on next year!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 08:57 PM

My experience was like Linda's: It was more wonderful than usual, especially the New year's eve going into new year's morning.

Sylvia Herold hosted some awesome traditional singing sessions for several nights, setting up an otherwise dreary room with soft Christmas lighting around the ceiling and walls, which created a soft glow and a warm, inviting atmosphere, just perfect for late-night singing sessions during cold, rainy nights.

New year's eve, a group of about 50 or so sat in a large circle in one of the workshop cabins, and sang into the wee hours of the morning. For those reading this who haven't been to Harmony, previous singarounds were organized around specific themes, such as traditional British Isles songs, or songs of struggle, or even one on "-cide songs," meaning songs of suicide, homicide, etc, etc. This session, though, had everything: Tom lehrer songs, traditional ballads, blues sung in a Yiddish accent (ala Ray Frank), x-rated songs, anything, really, that struck our fancy.

How Debby McClatchy served up such delicious food for such a large number of campers was quite a feat. We even had Kibbeh, a traditional Lebanese dish which is not one of your easier main courses to make.

One of the surprises was hearing Mark Cohen sing a song he penned about someone I knew from work, the late Tom Savage. Not too surprising, I guess, as Tom taught Irish set dancing at Harmony in 1989-90, but to hear this song about someone who worked at Hyde Street Pier, was special. I'll have to tell the folks when I'm back at work.

Hanging out with people I normally don't get to see much of during the year was great, and renewing some old friendships was one of the nicer "by-products" of the camp, to use an Alpo term :-). Good to see Joe Offer again, and to hear....and see, your spirited renditions of songs on NYE. Those who were there will know what I mean.

All in all a much recommended camp to anyone considering it for next time.

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: GUEST,linda mattson
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 04:23 PM

Yes, it was so good to see so many of us there. It was wonderful as usual, in fact more wonderful than usual. I wish I'd seen your message about a guitar, Mark, because I had mine there and didn't play it. Too much to do with singing, fiddling, and talking with old friends, excellent vittles thanks to Debby McClatchey, dancing, and much more. Proposal for next year - we need some cozy couches by the fireplace.
Happy New Year to one and all!
Peace,
Linda Mattson

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 04:11 PM

Well, Camp Harmony ended yesterday, and I did get to meet the infamous Dr. Cohen. He did a concert of the fragments of his songs that he could remember....
Actually, he did a damn good concert, and I really enjoyed his songs.

There were lots of Mudcatters and sometime Mudcatters there. It appears that California folkies are finally beginning to discover Mudcat.

It sure was a good time.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: GUEST,Mark Cohen, away from home
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 07:33 PM

Hey, any chance somebody knows somebody who can bring an extra guitar to camp? I'd rather not wind up singing that Tom Paxton song, "Thank you, Republic [United] Airlines, for breaking the neck of my guitar." I'm not picky, anything with approximately six strings will do.

Mahalo!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 02:04 AM

I'll be there, too. We've never met, Mark, and I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 02:40 AM

Looking forward to it, Richard. Did I ever thank you for sending the "Out of the Rain" CD? If not...thanks, it's wonderful!

I'm especially anticipating: rounds singing (Nero's Expedition, anyone?), song circles by the fireplace, Debby's food, old-time jams, and Shayna having fun with the other 10-year-old girls. Maybe I'll do (or at least participate in) a parody workshop. Is there still a Jestival? I remember Deborah leaving in the middle of all the lawyer jokes...and saying it was just a coincidence. Mostly I'm anticipating having a great time with old and new friends.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 12:49 AM

Yeah, Richard's the guy with the puns....

Oh, boy.
[grin]
-Joe-

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: radriano
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 05:26 PM

Alright, Mark! Looking forward to seeing you. You can't miss me, I'm the guy with the two canes and the ever-so-distinguished air. It's why so many refer to me as "air-head."

Radriano (aka Richard Adrianowicz)

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:52 PM

So, Amos, how 'bout you? I really think you'd enjoy it.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:30 PM

Well, it's all relative. As someone who hasn't worn a long-sleeve shirt in ten years (except for trips to the volcano, the summit of Mauna Kea, and the Mainland), I know January in northern California can be nippy. As someone who grew up in Philadelphia, it's a piece of cake.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:13 PM

I've never been to Boulder Creek, but my wife lived there for a year or two back before we met and has often talked about how much she loved the area. Wish we could show up for the festivities.

January, by the way, isn't so terribly forbidding in California, even Northern California.

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: open mike
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 06:26 PM

that's what you said last year!!
be sure to wear your name tag..
I am toying with the idea of
coming for the 2nd year in a row..
but have just acquired a new dog
i am not sure if i can get away..
last year the pipes almost froze
and snow piled up all around...
may stay home and play in the
snow this time...have a great time
and don't for get to sleep!!
(and hope for a cabin not filled
with richter scale snoring)
Laurel

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:09 PM

Since it's been fourteen years, we might not recognize you so come up to us tell us it's you. We, on the other hand, have not changed a bit.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Melani
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 04:50 AM

Wish I could be there, Mark. Come and see us at Hyde St. Pier if you get the chance. I'm not sure what dates you'll be around, but Chanteyranger could fill you in on dates and times for kid programs, etc.

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 04:01 AM

Well, the airline tickets and the camp reservations are already bought, and there's no emotional entanglement this time around, so I'm as certain as it's possible to be. An old Harmony friend told me that the energy at camp isn't what it used to be back in the 80's, but I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time. (My energy isn't exactly what it used to be back in the 80's either...) I've been told it's much more of a family camp these days, which will be great for my daughter.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 02:03 AM

Mark:

It seems we've heard this story before! Hope it's true this time. We'll be there and we're looking forward to seeing you.

Bring your long underware. This is not your Hawaii, ya know.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Barbara
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 01:11 AM

No, but our capos sometimes rust in the redwoods near Boulder Creek Santa Cruz, where about ever 7 years or so there's a torrential downpour.
Humsodever there are lots of INSIDE places to make music and dance and sing and do everything but sleep. ( actually, if you are determined enough to miss something, you can sleep too. Might still be spaces, Amos. Interested?
I'll be there for, gosh, maybe my 29th or 30th year. (I forget)
Be nice to have Mark back again, if he makes it. Remember how you said you were coming last year, Mark? We missed you.
Anyway, any time you can make it, we'd all love to see you again.
blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Amos
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 12:02 AM

January? Don't their fingers stick to the strings??


A

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 11:44 PM

Likewise, Joe. Wonder how many other 'Catters will be present.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 05:55 PM

It sure will be nice to finally meet you, Boring Old Dad.
-Another Boring Old Dad-

Subject: I'm coming to Camp Harmony - yippee!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 05:33 PM

After 14 years, I'm finally going to be making it back to Camp Harmony, the San Francisco Folk Music Club's New Year's campout in the Santa Cruz mountains. Jams, song circles, dancing, rounds, redwoods, and really good food! I'll be there with my 10-year-old daughter, who is looking forward to meeting other girls her age so she won't have to hang around all the time with boring old Dad.

I hope to see many of my old friends there, and make many new ones.

Aloha,
Mark