BS: I need to vent

Subject: BS: I need to vent
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 12:23 PM

This year's Florida Folk Festival has been taken over by a new director. We are worried that she is unfamiliar with Florida music, Florida heritage, and specific Florida musicians. I am skeptical about almost everything she is doing of which I am aware. She is a folklorist and not a musician. The last two directors were super in spite of Katherine Harris and Sandra Morham. It's hard to believe that someone with no musical skill or knowledge is running the oldest state folk festival in America. Thanks Jeb! Let's hope this is not part of a plan to close it down.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: open mike
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 12:56 PM

which one is it?
http://www.southfloridafolkfest.com/
http://www.langerado.com/
www.willmclean.com/
www.floridastateparks.org/folkfest/

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: gnu
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 01:18 PM

Compose a letter detailing all you can constructively offer. Sign it. Send it to everyone "involved" and more, asking for them to do the same, to brainstrom as a group, for the benefit of helping the new director put on the best darn show possible. Make sure you thank everyone who responds in advance and make sure you include a comment directly to the director which insists that there is no need for her to thank you, you're just pleased to be able to help her with the heavy load she carries... or some such bullshit.

No need to thank me. Just trying to be helpful.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 01:58 PM

That's a real good suggestion, gnu. Even if it doesn't work, you can still feel good that you tried to do what you could to make it better.
Not knowing the situation, I have no idea whether it would make a difference, but as a general practice asking "How can I help?" sometimes is the most effective way to make changes for the better.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 02:06 PM

Hey, good job venting, and smart to do it anonymously too in case festival folks might see it and retaliate. I'm sure you don't need any advice, and that if you vent thoroughly you will know what, if any, action to take.

Go ahead and vent some more!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 02:10 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate your suggestions. I have sent specific comments today about my most important concern. I will add some feedback to my next email alongs these lines. I hope you can deduce who I am. I have been very upset today because of her lack of willingness to do a memorial stage concert for the community's best known -------- player.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 02:13 PM

Sure we know who you are, but are you REALLY done venting?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 02:24 PM

No I'm really, really mad that she doesn't know enough about the Florida music community that she is relegating someone's memory to a "moment of silence" at the very end of the festival. He was arguably the best performer EVER on his instrument and everyone knows him and she doesn't know squat. Nothing less than a memorial concert of his friends and fellow instrument enthusiasts will satisfy me. So nope, I'm not done, yet, Susan

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 02:51 PM

Well keep it the hell up then, via PM if you like.

Remembering a musician in SILENCE????

So how mad are you?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 03:04 PM

some folks have a more keenly developed sense of righteous indignation than others...*grin*

How are you, you old ******** player, you? Perhaps in 7 months or so, we can debate the issue.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 03:09 PM

Debate how old s/he is?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: John O'L
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 05:26 PM

"Remembering a musician in SILENCE????
So how mad are you?"

That needs saying twice

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 06:35 PM

Wow! That does sound crazy ("Remembering a musician in silence") but then I think she is exactly the wrong choice to do the job...

Me, righteously indignant???? You noticed me????
I do hope to meet you at FSGW, Bill. That would really be great!

I'll write you later Susan. I have more to say about this travesty...I'm mad as hell....

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 07:07 PM

Yeah, my personal page is always open to you. I promise-- no efforts to calm you down! :~) (Can I rant right back, about shingles?)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 07:12 PM

PS, are you sure this isn't just another attempt to get all Mudcatters to a Florida festiuval? Cuz much as I'd like to, I can't come down there and picket it, boo and hiss, etc., with you. :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 08:43 PM

Well, if I were still attending primarilly as a performer I'd boycott this year's festival. But, since I now attend mainly as a craftsperson and the FFF is one of my best shows for sales, I'm still going.

For those not familiar with our festival, and that'd be most of ya, one of its biggest drawbacks is that only participants are allowed to camp. The new participant-selection system that was put in place to try to get some new faces into the lineup has had the side effect of leaving many folks who have been participating for years out in the cold. For most, it wouldn't really be that big a deal to not be picked to play on stage as long as one could just buy a weekend pass, pitch a tent, visit with friends and jam. But you can't do that. Non-participants have to either rent a room, camp in a private campground or dash home for the evening. What really sucks is that there's a huge open field that could be used for non-participant primitive camping, but they won't open it up.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: Kim C
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 03:14 PM

What does Jeb have to do with the folk festival? Is it not a private enterprise?

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 03:29 PM

Here ya' go River Runner.....Send Ol' Jeb this VENT from me as well!!

BBBBBRRRRRAAAAAAMMMMMPPPPP

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 03:59 PM

The festival has been shifted from the Dept of State to The Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks. Jeb has been trying to get out from under it because it is state funded. DEP has graciosuly taken it on but they seem to have marginalized all the folks who may be influential in supporting it.

After I got a hold of myself (hhmmmmm) I did start a letter writing campaign and several people are trying to shape this year's festival so that it is not mismanaged. Thanks for your support Spew!

Let's hope he really doesn't want to run for President. But I don't believe him when he says he doesn't. He is the smartest one but he too wishes to privatize most gov't functions and believes in a fundamental change in the purpose of gov't which does not include protection for our most vulnerable citizens or support for the arts.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 05:00 PM

Well, tell him this for me.

FOLKLIFE is also about the passing of loved members of a community. It's about community, community, community.

The only thing crazier than honoring a passed musician with silence is the idea that those musicians doing the honoring could do it silently. It's wrong for the honoree and wrong for the honorors. Besides-- it being Jeb and all-- ain't we commanded in Scripture to make joyful noise????

Festival management should beware violating Scripture in that particular state, I'd think. :~) With Jeb up top, second only to He Who Created Hurricanes.

Well crap, there's a time and a place to quote Scripture! :~) Proof-text their asses right back at 'em!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: SharonA
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 05:01 PM

"...Only participants are allowed to camp... Non-participants have to either rent a room, camp in a private campground or dash home for the evening..."

Bleah. This doesn't sound like much fun. Seems the DEP has "marginalized" anyone who might ATTEND the fest, much less support it.

Yet another reason why the Bushes turned me into a Democrat.

Good luck with your letter-writing campaign, GUEST!

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 06:20 PM

That "participant camping only" has been in effect since 1978. The first year I went, in '77, I bought a weekend pass with camping. The next year I planeed on doing the same but was told of the policy change when we got there. Had to turn around and drive back home. Fortunately, I was living in Jacksonville at the time and it's only an hour's drive from White Springs where the festival's held.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to vent
From: GUEST,Sleepless Dad
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:23 PM

I've noticed that in a lot of situations, those who complain the most are also those unwilling to do any work to change the situation. Usually they are so good at bitching that they are unable to do anything else. But you've started a letter campain - good for you - I hope that turns the situation around.

But perhaps something more than letters are called for. Is another festival needed ? A table at the current festival so folks can sign a petition ? Can you get access to the empty field and hold a memorial singalong or jam that would be more in the spirit of the deceased ? Would a nearby club host a concert devoted to the dearly departed ones style of music ? I wish I knew more about the situation - these suggestions may be way off base. Clue us in if you can. If the situation is that dire then the facts should come out.