Art Thieme at Fox Valley Folk & Storytelling Fest

Subject: Art Thieme at Fox Valley
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 08:42 PM

I know Art thought he'd just slip this in on the sly in another thread, but I think it deserves a thread of its own. He was billed on the main stage, as "Art Thieme And Friends" at the Fox Valley Folk And Storytelling Festival, just a ways out from Chicago, this past weekend. As he puts it, it was "ostensibly a discussion of the Chicago folk music scene of the '60s, 70's and 80s--"

Just before he and Carol left for it, it was raining and he didn't have much hope for a turnout or being able to get around in the mud, BUT I got an email later in the day which said the weather held out and he had a great time with old fans and friends.

So, anyhow, Art, when and if you feel like telling us more, please do. (I know you need to rest up a bit.) I'd love to hear about which stories you told, whether you got to sing anything, and if anyone taped it.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Art Thieme at Fox Valley Folk & Storytelling Fest
From: bbc
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 09:34 PM

Wow, that sounds like a neat event! Art, I'm so glad you were able to go. I wish I lived closer. I would have loved to hear/see you & these other folks:

Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Art Thieme at Fox Valley Folk & Storytelling Fest
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 11:10 PM

Yes, Art & Carol were there. I said hello, but had to hurry off for a workshop and didn't get to hear Art's set. I understand Mark Dvorak was going to help with backup on any songs.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme at Fox Valley Folk & Storytelling Fest
From: kendall
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 06:37 AM

I wish I could have been there.

Subject: RE: Art Thieme at Fox Valley Folk & Storytelling Fest
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 08:13 PM

I found the thread again. Thanks Katlaf.

It was wonderful to get there and see and talk again to so very many old friends. The rain held off too---until it was pretty much time to tear down the carnival. I heard very little music from wanting to talk to so many. Lately, I don't get to hang out with folkies unless it's at a funeral. But this was just total fun. We (me, Mark Dvorak and Juel Ulven) swapped some tales of the old Chicago scene, I did some silly thing on the jaw's harp, told a tell tale, and to end off, I tried to sing "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream"---with all singin' along. It seemed to say what I needed to about these times we're in. All sets at the Fox Valley Folk Festival are about 30 minutes long. Everyone can see lots of musicians on their eight stages. This was the first time Juel Ulven took the stage to be part of a set in all the THIRTY years he's been the guiding light of the festival. I was truly honored to have this old friend say he'd join Mark Dvorak and me.---- Mark played for me and it went nicely in spite of our not rehearsing anything at all. The man is a pro!!
I felt naked up there with no guitar or banjo, and I sound like I've got a whole pond full of frogs in my throat. (Sure hope they don't turn into handsome princes!) But people were still a wondrous audience in spite of my croaking.

Thanks to all of you. Lets do it again one of these years!! I'll even practice and try more to be coherent...

Love,

Art

Subject: RE: Art Thieme at Fox Valley Folk & Storytelling Fest
From: GUEST,Juel Ulven,
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 10:38 PM

It was a magical experience to sit there with Art and see the love and respect of our audience for our dear friend. I have booked & scheduled the Festival for thirty years and never participated in a set or workshop so it was a special pleasure to break that fast with Art. I seldom disagree with Art, but from where I sat his voice was not troubled by a whole pond full of frogs, but was just fine (perhaps only exhibiting the one smal "jumping size" frog necessary for the proper execution of the true traditional music sound). It was a great time and the singing of "LNIHT Strangest Dream" had many performers & audience members misting up a bit so I guess the technique is still there. A standing ovation, easily long enough to assist Art off stage to his chair and allow me to prepare for the next act's introduction, testifies to the quality of the set & the need for more of this type of "Fine Art". It was the only standing ovation all weekend and we had about 30 great acts.

Juel Ulven