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20 Apr 08 - 05:08 PM (#2320952) Subject: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Susan of DT Dick Greenhaus and I will be in Seattle returning from Alaska at just the right time to go to the NW Folklife Festival for a couple of days. We will be wearing mudcat tee shirts. Who else will be there? |
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20 Apr 08 - 05:21 PM (#2320967) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: artbrooks Jenn and I will be there, driving up from Albuquerque. |
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20 Apr 08 - 05:51 PM (#2320983) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: ClaireBear I will be sending my husband this year, but staying home myself and saving my pennies for the Getaway. Alas! Claire |
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20 Apr 08 - 07:54 PM (#2321083) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: mg I'll be there but for a reduced time due to a family wedding. mg |
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20 Apr 08 - 08:04 PM (#2321088) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: dick greenhaus Can anyone suggest a good place for us to get together? |
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20 Apr 08 - 08:38 PM (#2321109) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart I'll be there with Paddy Graber who comes down from Vancouver, B.C. I'm doing a set - "Songs and Fiddle Tunes" on Friday 5/23 at 3:00-3:30 on the Bagley Lawn Acoustic Stage And I'm leading a panel discussion "55 Years of Folk Singing in Seattle" in the Shaw Room at 11:00-11:50 on Monday 5/26. Founding members of the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society and other early Seattle folksingers will talk about the history of folk singing in Seattle and sing some of the old songs. This will include Mudcatters Don Firth and Bob (Deckman) Nelson. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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20 Apr 08 - 09:47 PM (#2321148) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Hi Susan ... I told you the WRONG day for the worshop. It's as Stew says, Monday, the 26th. Bob |
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21 Apr 08 - 12:38 PM (#2321598) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Susan of DT We will only be there Friday and Saturday. Possibly a little of Sunday morning - we have a Sunday afternoon flight. |
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21 Apr 08 - 01:13 PM (#2321632) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart Susan, I usually hang out around the NW Court, the Alki Room (cd sales) with the free (sign-up) open stage, and I will probably be at the Victory Music booth (room with the musical instrument makers) on Saturday morning. I try to avoid the food vendors (urp!) and the central area with the &($*_#&% drumming! Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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21 Apr 08 - 01:23 PM (#2321642) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego I am unable to attend, but I commend you Northwesterners for keeping the flame burning for so many years. My home area, Fresno, CA, has a very active folklore/folk music scene. San Diego, my home for the past 41 years, also has its share. But there was always something about the northwest music scene that was special and different. I was only able to experience it for the two years I spent there in the service, but it stays with me still. Perhaps it is because of people like Don Firth and Bob Nelson, whose careers and lives have spanned nearly the entire period of the northwest "folk scene." Few other places have such a core of folks who have "seen it all" and who can share their experiences with succeeding generations. |
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21 Apr 08 - 01:39 PM (#2321666) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman "TJ" ... thank you for your kind words! But I must admit that I was feeling pretty good this morning until I read your posting. I guess I must be getting OLD! Funny, I don't feel old, and I know that Don Firth says just the same. "We don't feel old" ... we just act old!!! CHEERS, Bob Nelson (PS ... if we "act" real old, we aren't bothered by those annoying groupies) |
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21 Apr 08 - 02:51 PM (#2321752) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: BDenz Gee, and a lot of us local musicians have been boycotting Folklife the last few years -- especially since they got rid of the Northwest Court stage as Celtic. I mean, really -- what is Celtic music without beer? And vice versa! We've been heading up to Port Angeles to the newish Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts (http://www.jffa.org/) which is a lot more intimate and fun and is the same weekend. |
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21 Apr 08 - 03:37 PM (#2321811) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart BDenz, I know what you mean. I wrote a piece about that for the Victory Review a few years ago, which prompted a nasty rebuke from the then Executive Director of Folklife. But mostly I just come with very low expectations, hang around the NW corner, let things come to me and occasionally encounter some great acts mostly by chance. Also the free open stage in the Alki Room is a good place for anyone to play, hear and meet other musicians who are not necessarily scheduled performers. Also they occasionally give me a stage or workshop so I can't be too harsh about them. This year they actually got a schedule out on time (April 14th), and I got (wonder or wonders!) free parking passes for the two days I'm on the schedule. So maybe... well probably not. It's just gotten too big and commercial and something-for-everyone but little for those interested in Northwest folk music and folklore. But I'll be there as usual. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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21 Apr 08 - 04:01 PM (#2321834) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: artbrooks No beer or Celtic music at Folklife? Maybe we'll go someplace else... |
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21 Apr 08 - 05:04 PM (#2321932) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Don Firth I performed at the festival a few times in the late 70s, early 80s, but it got to be too much of a mob scene for me, and I don't generally attend that often anymore. The organizers' idea of "folk" seems to be "anything that folks do." You're just as liable—more liable, in fact—to hear a bunch of grunge rock garage bands as you are singers of traditional songs and ballads. As Forrest Gump said about life, the Northwest Folklife Festivals are "like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." If you actually want to hear some traditional music, it is usually there, crammed up in the northwest corner of the Center grounds somewhere, but you have to either know, or get a program ahead of time and study it carefully to see who's going to be there and when and where they'll be performing. I do go if there is someone special that I want to hear, or, of course, if I'm performing myself, such as at the 2003 "Coffeehouse Reunion Concert" (Geezers' Concert) and/or participating in a workshop. I'll be there this time around for the Seattle folk music history workshop. The Seattle area, and the Pacific Northwest in general, has a pretty rich folk heritage, and there was a lot of activity here well before the popular folk music revival of the late 50s, early 60s. I hope to meet some Mudcatters there. Don Firth |
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21 Apr 08 - 11:49 PM (#2322220) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Genie There'll definitely be some Celtic music, and lots of beer, Art! As Don says, it helps to check your program for the official performances (e.g., the Celtic band scramble), but you'll often find it being played spontaneously in the participants' lounge or around the grounds too. I'll be there, joining in some band scrambles and bluegrass jams, among other things. Gotta find my Mudcat T-shirt. Maybe I should order a spare. Does Mudcat still have 'em for sale? It'll be good to see some of you folks again - and others for the first time. Genie |
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22 Apr 08 - 12:29 PM (#2322644) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Susan of DT Genie We still have the mudcat tee shirts, but we may be out of some sizes/colors. There are navy and red. But since we are leaving for Alaska and the NW in less than two weeks, you would need to do this now. Call Dick 609 371-1707. If you think we can actually find you at the festival, you can tell us which shirt to bring and exactly where/when to find you. |
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22 Apr 08 - 03:52 PM (#2322870) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego To Don Firth and Deckman: First of all, nearing 68 myself, I don't think of either of you as getting old - you are just now hitting your stride! Responding to some of the politics of folk (and other genre), I know I am looking at the northwest in a rear view mirror (circa 1961-2) with some rose tinting. I am just glad there is a resident cadre of performers, and lovers of the music, who are keeping the flame burning and encouraging the young to participate and enjoy. |
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22 Apr 08 - 10:53 PM (#2323259) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: KT I'll be there, this year and it will be great to see some mudcatters! I remember with fondness, meeting you there for the first time, Genie! Susan and Dick, we'll have so much catching up to do! It is a bit of a scene, but like Stewart, I come with no expectations or agenda. There's usually a lot of good music in the dance hall. Here's hoping for a sunny weekend! KT Does anyone have any suggestions for must see acts...other than the obvious...mudcatters, of course. |
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22 Apr 08 - 11:10 PM (#2323266) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: harpmolly I'm not sure what day I'll make it, as I'll be madly selling harps for most of the weekend :D but I'm hoping to try a little busking this year. We'll see how it goes. Anyway, it'd be fun to run into some 'Catters! |
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22 Apr 08 - 11:31 PM (#2323279) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Susan and Dick ... will you be taking a puter with you? Can we stay in touch that way? Bob Nelson |
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23 Apr 08 - 07:41 AM (#2323503) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Susan of DT Deckman/Bob I doubt that we will carry a computer. I imagine KT or Ebbie will let us use theirs when we are in Juneau in the middle of the trip May 17. We have not heard back from Alaska Mike yet to know whether we will be seeing him in Anchorage. The B&Bs may let us use a computer, but that is the middle of the trip, again. We won't be near computers on board the small cruise ship or at Denali. The very small ancient computers we use at the CAMSCO booth don't have internet capacity and have a one hour battery life, so while they are small enough to bring, there is not much point. |
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23 Apr 08 - 04:23 PM (#2323530) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Susan ... Got your message. I think the best way I can help you is to PM you my home number. As soon as you hit Seattle, I'll have my concert suggestions ready for you. By the way, we have FREE phone calls here, so all you have to do is call me and I'll return the call on my nickel. Have a darned good trip. And I do hope you see Mike ... he's quite a guy! CHEERS, Bob |
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24 Apr 08 - 12:59 AM (#2323899) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross I will be there most of the weekend, as usual. In addition to the usual daily Band Scrambles, I've organized two special concerts: a Utah Phillips tribute on Friday evening, with Mike Marker & Larry Hanks, Linda Allen, Rebel Voices, Jim Page, Fast Rattler and several others; and a remembrance of Phil Thomas at Noon Saturday. A few years ago, we arranged to distribute bright orange stickers that Mudcatters could add to their pins or participant badges. We could do that again this year, if I can find the stickers... With or without stickers, we should definitely try to plan a gathering some time during the weekend. Maybe some time on Sunday? |
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24 Apr 08 - 06:21 AM (#2324064) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Susan of DT Johnross Dick and I will only be there Friday and Saturday, so we hope the gathering won't be on Sunday. |
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24 Apr 08 - 10:10 AM (#2324273) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: ChanteyMatt Seattle Folklife has grown too large. This mudcatter will go to the Juan de Fuca Festival, instead. |
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24 Apr 08 - 11:31 AM (#2324359) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,Queen Anne's Revenge I feel your pain. You must be in "dire straits." |
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24 Apr 08 - 12:00 PM (#2324381) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman The shear size of the festival also keeps me away. Though this year I will participate in one Monday workshop, I do so "kicking and screaming" all the way. Many years ago, I suggested to the festival managers that they simply lock up half of the public bathrooms. That action alone would have reduced the volume of festival goers to a reasonable level. But like so many other things in my life ... they didn't listen to me! Bob Nelson |
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24 Apr 08 - 06:57 PM (#2324784) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: BDenz [shouting out to ChanteyMatt!] Deckman -- Friday and Monday are the only Folklife days I consider anymore. And like others here, I stick close to the Northwest Court. I haven't been for ... uh ... 5 years probably and now search for smaller venues. I won't even make Juan de Fuca this year -- am in Canada till June. |
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24 Apr 08 - 07:34 PM (#2324803) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Canada eh? ... is that still North of the border, or have absorbed you yet? I don't keep up with current events as well as I should! CHEERS, Bob |
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24 Apr 08 - 07:36 PM (#2324804) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: artbrooks Well, Folklife was too big thirty years ago, when Jenn was playing with Allspice and I was a band groupie, and it was reallytoo big when we finally left the Northwest twenty years ago. But, ya know, it is nice to get back there every few years, to listen to the music - both organized and buskers, to dance with people who knew us before we had children (now grown and on their own), and watch all of the kids who are out enjoying themselves on the Seattle Center lawn. Yeah, its a bitch to have to stand in line for a kielbasa or when there are no shady seats in the Northwest Court beer garden, but life is like that sometimes. Besides, all of my Folklife t-shirts are worn out. Is that tall ship still docked at the base of Lake Union, and will there be a chantey sing? |
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24 Apr 08 - 07:50 PM (#2324815) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart "Is that tall ship still docked at the base of Lake Union, and will there be a chantey sing?" Art, they took the masts off (might have fallen and killed someone, so they said) so it's hard to see. Plans are to haul it up on ground as a museum piece when the new "Maritime Park" is completed. As to the chantey sing, the Wawona of off-limits now, and I don't yet know of another place. Cheers, S. in Seattle where Maritime is just the name of a brewery in Seattle |
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24 Apr 08 - 08:30 PM (#2324850) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman I hear that Mystic still sings chanteys! |
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24 Apr 08 - 09:00 PM (#2324872) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross The after-hours chantey sessions will probably be at the same places as last year: Saturday night at the Highliner Pub in Fishermans Terminal, and Sunday or Monday (maybe both) at T.S. McHugh's. Ask around at the NW Court beer garden and stage to be sure. Phillip Morgan will have the definite word about the Highliner. Susan, if you're only there Friday and Saturday, we should aim for Saturday. We won't find a single day when everybody is there, because so many (except for the hard core like Genie and myself) have the sense not to go every day. BDenz and others, if you limit yourself to a single stage or area where you know what to expect, you miss out on the unexpected things that are often quite wonderful (or at least worth the time). Last year, I was an "evaluator," which meant I spent time at some stages that I would not otherwise have been (like the Gospel Show and some of the ethnic shows). Other times I've been a last-minute substitute stage MC for acts I would not otherwise have seen. Some was good, some not-so-good, but it was certainly more enlightening than simply hanging out with the people I already knew about. Take a chance on something new this year! It's part of the overall experience. Believe it or don't, there's a lot of discussion among staff, board and other "insiders" about how to deal with crowding, drums, aggressive buskers, deciding what's approriate prorgramming, and finding the line between maintaining the festival's barnraising tradition and increased commercialism. I have my own opinions, but as a "community coordinator" and program committee member, I don't want to put them in this public forum. Talk to me privately and I'll tell you more. There's a new head honcho this year, so it will be interesting to see how his vision for the festival changes after the event this year. |
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24 Apr 08 - 10:27 PM (#2324925) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST I will be there volunteering and also coordinating the Seattle Folklore society table next to the Rainier Room. I volunteer Sunday and Monday Mornings at the participant services info booth, mezanine level of Center House (The Food Circus for those who remember the fair). |
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25 Apr 08 - 01:02 PM (#2325535) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart And just who is this mystery GUEST? S. in Seattle |
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25 Apr 08 - 10:39 PM (#2325911) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: ChanteyMatt Chantey Sings in Seattle! Every month on the second Friday! Check out here, www.nwseaport.org, find out more. I'm the host and we have different song leaders each month. There's also a monthly , adults only, chantey sing held on the last Sunday of the month at Running Dog Guitars! The NW folklife after show chantey sing will be held at the NW Seaport. Check with the usual suspects in the NW Court. |
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26 Apr 08 - 04:15 PM (#2326446) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Ebbie johnross, Mike Marker used to live in Juneau. Good to hear he's still around. |
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27 Apr 08 - 11:05 AM (#2326868) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Fred Maslan Stewart, I am the "guest" above. I didn't notice that I wasn't signed in. Fred |
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04 May 08 - 11:02 AM (#2332615) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Susan of DT Last call for tee shirts - we leave tomorrow at 5 am. Mudgather Saturday - when? NW Court? |
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04 May 08 - 12:31 PM (#2332665) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart I'll be one of the volunteers at the Victory Music booth on Saturday from 11am to 3 pm so drop by and see me then. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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04 May 08 - 03:32 PM (#2332771) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross Meeting at about 5:45 Saturday at the NW Court works for me -- I'm doing a Celtic music Band Scramble contest on that stage until 5:40, so that's convenient for me and for the other 'catters who enter the contest. Please condier entering the contest -- pickup bands have an hour to rehearse and then play a couple of tunes on stage. The "winning" band gets a silly trophy or certificate or something. Bribes are encouraged but not necessarily acknowledged. Should we meet inside the beer garden? Is that a problem for anybody who's either underage or attending with kids? If somebody arrives early, try to grab a table for the group. I'll bring a sign. |
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05 May 08 - 03:04 AM (#2333115) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett 5.45 at the NW Court beergarden suits me and Rika fine. Philip Morgan suggests as a venue for Saturday night sing the Woodshed at the Wawona. Susan and Dick, see you tomorrow! Jon Bartlett |
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07 May 08 - 05:34 PM (#2335208) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart Here are several changes. The Instrument Makers Showcase, which used to be in the Shaw Room is discontinued. Instrument makers can apply for an outdoor booth. Outdoor booths don't seem a good place for instruments, but... The Victory Music booth, which used to be in the Shaw Room along with the instrument makers will now be just outside the Cafe Impromptu, which is off the McCaw Promenade in McCaw Hall. Again, I'll be at the Victory Music booth from 11am - 3pm on Saturday. So drop by if you can. Paddy Graber had another stroke last week and was in hospital. But he's now home and doing better. However, he won't be at Folklife - only the third time he's missed performing at the festival. His workshop on Monday noon-12:50 is canceled, But our workshop "55 Years of Folk Singing in Seattle" by the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society will continue through his time slot - 11am - 12:50pm in the Shaw Room. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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08 May 08 - 01:36 AM (#2335449) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,William Pint Felicia Dale and I will be playing at the big Maritime Concert on Saturday afternoon -- always a good crowd (close to the beer) -- but then, we too will head to the Juan de Fuca Festival in Port Angeles. It's true Folklife has grown a bit too large to handle now -- there's a corporate mindset that was not there in the past. 30 years ago it was a mind blowing event - the very best I had ever seen --loads of great music, and they also showed real appreciation of the musicians -- hosted a big Saturday night party with free beer & food, had a huge artist hospitality center running throughout the festival with, again, free beer and food, provided free parking for participants, and had rain stages set aside for when it rained (it's known to do that in Seattle now and again). Pretty much all of those things are gone now AND they now take a percentage of artist CD sales! It's enough to make a folkie ask, "Why am I playing here for free?" Oh yes -- it's because of the great audiences! The craft people and food vendors all walk away from the weekend with thousands and thousands of dollars from those audiences that we musicians attract. William Pint, Seattle |
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08 May 08 - 04:22 PM (#2336005) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: ChanteyMatt Very true, William. The big festivals are important because of the large number of musicians as well as audience, meet in one place. Traditions are passed and and new ones embraced. But don't neglect the smaller festivals where the feeling of community is still strong. A place where the music is important. If you're going to play for free, which would you choose? |
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08 May 08 - 04:46 PM (#2336031) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Will ... I couldn't agree with you more. When it started, as you said, we (us performers) were valued by the festival planners as they realized that without us, they wouldn't have music! I'm only participating this year because good friends have asked me to attend. Next year I will definatly looking at more musician friendly festivals. Oh well ... somebody once told me that "bigger is better!" I didn't believe it even when I first heard it. CHEERS, Bob Nelson |
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08 May 08 - 05:17 PM (#2336056) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross I agree with William that the NW Folklife Festival has become uncomfortably commercial, and some of us are trying to pull it away from that. But it's a victim of its own success -- it's expensive to produce an event that big, and the money has to come from someplace. Up to now, there are only a couple of major contributors who don't treat the event as an advertsing medium, often in ways that are contrary to the original spirit of the event. You may respond to that by saying "it's too big. Save money by scaling it down." But it's a free event, so it's difficult if not impossible to limit attendance. And the expenses are directly related to production, crowd control, logistics and so forth. As for "real appreciation of musicians," there's still a Saturday Night party, with food, and a performers' hospitality area. The free beer was shut off after a couple of years of abuse -- there were a handful of performers who would camp in the hospitality area all weekend and become progressively more unpleasant (and in some cases, abusive). It was a case of a few people ruining a good thing for everybody. Performers still get free parking. There are no more rain stages because there are no unused spaces for them -- the Festival schedules performances in every available spot. Would you prefer that they cut down the number of stages and reduce the number of performing slots? Some of us (meaning committed festival volunteers) have been very vocal at the "how should we update Seattle Center?" meetings and to the City of Seattle about making sure the needs of the festival are recognized when they add, move or change things on the Center grounds and in the buildings. They have taken a commission on cd/record sales since 1979. It's less than any other retailer would take for selling your CDs, and like the festival's share of everything else that's sold at the festival, that mark-up helps cover expenses. And the sales room is open through the whole weekend, so it probably sells more copies than you would sell on your own. Please understand, I agree that there's a lot about the Folklife Festival that should be fixed. And I encourage you to let the staff and board know about your complaints and suggestions for changes. All those letters and comment forms do get read and discussed, even if there isn't any obvious action. We've all got to keep at it until it has some kind of effect. As always, these are entirely my own opinions. I'm not speaking for NW Folklife in any way. |
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08 May 08 - 07:28 PM (#2336121) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart I also agree with most of the above. I wrote a critical piece about Folklife for the Victory Review a few years ago. I tried to be very civil about it, but got a rude response from the then executive director. In the past I had to plead for parking permits - "I'm bringing Paddy Graber, a 83-year-old Irish trad singer from Vancouver, B.C." But this year I was pleasantly surprised by receiving free parking passes without any plea. Still the festival's cut of my CD sales doesn't please me. What if all or a good portion of the musicians went on strike for better appreciation and conditions? They'd be left high and dry without their free musicians. Probably wouldn't work, but just a thought. Yes, a small, musician-friendly festival in Seattle would be a nice alternative, but where, when, and organization? Perhaps the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society could help sponsor it, but still there are a lot of problems and work involved. If you have any ideas, let me know. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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08 May 08 - 08:40 PM (#2336153) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Don Firth The most downright enjoyable and educational folk festivals I've ever attended were three, in which I either did not perform officially or was only a marginal performer. And, in fact, the vast majority of those attending went, not to perform themselves, but to listen and learn. The Berkeley Folk Festivals in 1960, 1961, and 1964. They were far, far different from the Northwest Folklife Festivals. There were featured performers, such as Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lomax Jr., Sandy Paton, Sam Hinton, The New Lost City Ramblers (Mike Seeger, Tom Paley, and John Cohen), Merritt Herring, Slim Critchlow, Mance Lipscomb, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Archie Green, Almeda Riddle, Joan Baez, Alice Stuart, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc & Merle Watson, Marais and Miranda, Charles Seeger, Frank Warner, along with a number of other luminaries. Since that was well over forty years ago, I'm a little fuzzy on which festival some of these folks were at. The Berkeley Folk Festivals, like the Northwest Folklife Festivals, were held over the Memorial Day weekend, but began at noon on the Wednesday before. Days were filled with workshops (10:00 a.m., break for lunch, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., followe by a break for dinner. The concert each evening began around 7:30 or 8:00-ish. Because of the number of featured performers, the concerts were split at intermission, with, for example, Sandy Paton taking the first half and the New Lost City Ramblers doing the second. The festival wrapped up with with a big, all-perfomer concert at the Greek Theater on the U. C. campus (the whole festival was held on the U. C. campus), followed by a barbeque in the big grove on the west side of campus. I can't recall if that was on Sunday or Monday, but I think it was Sunday, in order to allow out of towners (such as me) to get back to where they came from in time for work. The workshops during the day were a real pig-out! You could sit there and listen to Sam Hinton, Archie Green, Joan Baez, and Almeda Riddle discuss different approaches to ballad singing, giving demonstrations as they talked. Or Mike Seeger, John Cohen, and Tom Paley (The NLC Ramblers) talk about string band music. Or Doc Watson demonstrating various guitar techniques. Or Bess Hawes explaining how to teach folk guitar in classes as large as sixty people and make sure they all get it. At one workshop in the 1964 festival, I got to chat for awhile with Charles Seeger, and had a most enjoyable conversation with Marias and Miranda. Charming couple! There were informal get-togethers here and there on campus, and after the concerts, one could usually find a party to go to. Sandy Paton, whom I had known in Seattle before he went Back East took me to a party in a private home near the campus, and we weren't there for more than fifteen minutes when Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger walked in. Got a chance to meet them, talk with them. Did I do any performing? A bit, at peripheral events, such as after-concert parties, and once when someone at the university (student organization, I think) set up a sort of "coffeehouse" in an eatery on campus to give visiting firemen such as me and several others a chance to honk a bit. I sang maybe a half-dozen songs. Good, receptive audience. I always came back from these festivals exhausted, but ecstatically stuffed with information and inspiration! These festivals weren't free. There was a charge, but it was so negligible that I can't recall now what it was. Something like $15.00. A day? Or overall? I can't remember. But, ye gods, look what they offered! Usual attendance was about 1,500 or 1,600, registered. I don't know if it would even be possible to hold such a folk festival anymore. The people I saw at the Berkeley festivals were a bit like the Gods of Mount Olympus back then and the roster of singers these days is far, far different and much more diverse, especially in their relationship to traditional songs. And the expectations of those attending folk festivals are so far different now. Just a few random thoughts. Slow day at the skunk works, so I just thought I'd ramble a bit. Don Firth |
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08 May 08 - 10:04 PM (#2336210) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross Those festivals in Berkeley, and similar events at the University of Chicago, Newport, San Diego and numerous other places over the last forty-plus years were great. And they still occur, not necessarily with the pantheon of performers Don describes. The National Folk Festival, which is coming this summer to Butte (first time in the West for decades), promises to be another good one. Those are all festivals where there are performers and there are audience. And most of the audience never gets close to the kind of parties that were a big part of Don's experience. Many of us have similar memories of great festivals. I know I do. As a side note, that $15 admission in 1960 would be close to $100 in today's dollars (http://inflationdata.com/Inflation/Inflation_Calculators/Inflation_Rate_Calculator.asp). But those festivals operate on a different set of guiding principles. There's some difference of opinion, but as I understand it, the Northwest Folklife Festival is a community barnraising, in which many communities share their traditions -- the music, dance and other activities that they do within the community -- with the larger public. Whether it's maritime singers or taiko drummers or contra dancers or any of dozens of other categories, it's a chance for outsiders to see and hear and participate in activities that otherwise take place in living rooms, community halls and church basements. There is, by design, a lot less separation between performers and audience. And most of the audience doesn't come to see and hear specific performers, but to take in the "spectacle." The street performers, the dancing and group singing, and the "wander around and see what turns up" approach are all among the reasons that people come to the Folklife Festival, according to the vox pop interviews they do on the grounds every year. If (and I'm definitely not encouraging it) the professional and semi-professional musicians who also play at the festival chose to stay away, the crowds would still be as big, and the stages would still be filled. Again, the usual discliamer: This is my opinion and does not reflect etc etc etc. |
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08 May 08 - 10:19 PM (#2336222) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Well, I feel compelled to jump in here. I thought both Don's comments and John's comments are very appropriate. In reading John's comments, I think he gave a real hint as to why I have been so "anti-seattle forklift festival" for the last say fifteen years. He says something like: "if the musicians stayed away ... the crowds would be the same." And I completly agree with his statement. What that tells me is that the festival is NO LONGER a folk music festival ... it's just another "specticle." And while I find that somewhat sad, it's just another reflection of the direction our society has gone. And I don't want any of it. I'll continue to seek out my musical satisfactions on small stages and at private hoots with fellow musicians. Bob Nelson |
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11 May 08 - 10:18 PM (#2338038) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: reggie miles I'll be there again this year at a somewhat smaller stage than the grand one I've had the privilege to play the last couple of years, Cafe Impromptu. I'll be at the Alki Court Stage at 2:15 on Saturday the 24th. I played this stage about three years ago on a windy damp Saturday afternoon. I have some bad memories from that show. The wind gusted against the plastic tarp along the back of the stage. It, in turn, pushed against a piece of stage equipment that was being stored at the back of the stage. The equipment then fell onto one of my guitars that I had sitting on stands surrounding me on the small stage. My guitar fell over while I was in the middle of a song. I didn't notice that the equipment left a deep scar on the face of my vintage (1918ish) Knutsen Hawaiian guitar's lower bout until later, when I was packing up after the show. GRRRR! I know that nobody knows which way the wind blows but that's not the kind of memory that I'd like to repeat again. It's a very sweet sounding guitar but I think that I'll leave my Knutsen home this time. I'm very pleased and excited to announce that this year I'll be hosting My 6th Annual How To Flex Razor Sharp Spring Steel Betwixt Your Knees, And Walk Away With All Your Appendages Still Intact Workshop (my, free, how to play music with a hand saw workshop). After several years of record attendance, my pleas for a larger space have finally been answered. This year the workshop has been moved to what I hope is a larger and more accommodating location, The Lopez Room. Look for me there on Saturday the 24th at 12 noon. (BYOS,B&B) Bring your own saws, bows and bandaids, if you've got 'em, but know that I will also be bringing extra saws, bows and bandaids for participants to use during the hands on portion of the workshop. All attendees will learn the basics of this curious, true, folk art, a folk art 10,000 years in the making! That's right; you can learn to play beautiful music with a common hand saw! Finally, you too can annoy guests at folk parties. You can learn how to thrill, amaze and torture your friends and relatives with the eerie tones and subtle timbre of this hand tool! With your new found skill you'll be able to frighten neighborhood pets and wild life! There's no end to the fun you can have!!! New this year, each attendee to this year's workshop will receive a valuable How-To instruction booklet that I've lovingly prepared, absolutely FREE. In it, I offer you all of my personal tips and strategies on how to make millions of dollars a year playing folk music with a hand tool. I reveal the secrets of this folk art in easy to understand language and photos, in this almost nearly fully (hardly) illustrated work. Yes, I've done all of the hard work, so, you won't have to. I've spent countless hours of mind numbing introspection to bring to you the benefits of my 15+ years as a pre-fessional sawplayer in this easy to read publication. I guarantee that if you're not fully satisfied, you will receive a full refund of the purchase price, (minus shipping and handling and a 15% restocking fee). With my foolproof system anyone, yes, anyone, can learn, as I have, to produce a prodigious palate of pleasing panache in five minutes or less! Yes! I said five minutes or less! (Actual time may vary) You too can proudly provide a vicarious vaudevillian daredevil bloodlust experience with each attempt to tame the unruly blade. In no time you'll gain the critically acclaimed capability to coolly coax complex collections of cutting edge, cornball curiosities and colorfully comical, crackpot compositions via the confidently controlled contortions of the cruelly capricious and cantankerously caterwauling crosscut in a cantabile cadence, or my name isn't Daredevil Reggie Miles! (Disclaimer: Many body parts don't grow back.) Sawwwwwwwwwwwwww ya there!vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv |
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17 May 08 - 01:52 AM (#2342654) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett We'll be singing at the Utah Phillips session at the Fisgher Greeen stagwe at 7.20 on Friday eve, the Phil Thomas workshop and the Maritime Blowout on Saturday (plus the Drinking Songs in the Beer Garden after), and our own session on Sunday at the Alki |
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17 May 08 - 02:01 AM (#2342658) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett Please ignore the last mispelled post. Rika and I will be singing at the Utah Phillips session at the Fisher Green stage at 7.20 on Friday eve, the Phil Thomas workshop at noon Saturday in the Shaw Room, the Maritime Blowout on Saturday at 3.30 pm at the Northwest Court (plus the Drinking Songs in the Beer Garden after), and our own session on Sunday at the Alki Court Stage at 1.40 pm. We understand the big singers' bash will be at the Northwest Seaport (next to the Wawona), and the regular Sunday night bash at McHugh's (which we might be able to make, given we're now retired!). We looking forward, as always, to singing in a big and friendly crowd of singers. We know Folklifers will give a warm welcome to Founder Mudcatters Dick Greenhaus and Susan Friedman at their first-ever Folklife. Jon Bartlett |
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17 May 08 - 07:40 AM (#2342783) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Hi Jon, I'll be participating in the "55 YEARS OF FOLK SINGING IN SEATTLE" panel dicussion on Monday morning, 11:00 in the SHAW ROOM. There will be a bunch of us you will recognize: Don Firth, John Ashford, Nancy Quense, Stan James, and Stew Hendrickson will be the moderator. I understand that Susan and Dick will only be there Friday and Saturday, so I won't have a chance to meet them. CHEERS, Bob Nelson |
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19 May 08 - 12:50 AM (#2344098) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Jon Bartlett More news about the Saturday shanty sing, courtesy of Wayne Pallson: "I have arranged for a venue for the after Folklife Shanty Party. The venue is Mulleady's Irish Pub on the east side of Magnolia, just off Dravus. I have booked the upstairs for a private party for after 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 24th. It's a really nice place--Phillip and I checked it out recently. It's even more conveniently located than last year's venue. Check it out at http://www.mulleadyspub.com/index.htm The address is 3055 21st Ave W The directions are: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/3055+21st+Ave+W+Seattle+wA/ We were hoping to use NW Seaport's Woodshop at Lake Union Park, but the planning, permiting, costs, and logistics became too overwhelming for me at this time of year. I think you will enjoy the space, beer, and food at Mulleady's. Wayne Palsson NW Seaport 206-412-4736" Jon Bartlett |
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19 May 08 - 01:13 AM (#2344106) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: mg Does anyone know if Mary Benson will be able to make it this year given her medical situation? mg |
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21 May 08 - 05:29 PM (#2346396) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross How to find other Mudcatters at the Folklife Festival: After you check in and get your Festival badge, go to the Festival Services desk in the lobby and ask for a "Mudcat Sticker." They will give you a green dot to stick on your staff or volunteer badge or participant's button. If the person at the desk doesn't know what you're talking about, ask them to ask Beth or Mary. I will also have some stickers in my pocket, so you can ask me for one if you don't get it from the desk. When you see somebody else with a green dot on their badge, you'll know that they're One of Us (!). |
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21 May 08 - 05:48 PM (#2346415) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: artbrooks OK...I have printed out the schedule. I have marked all of the above thereupon. Now to get it into the suitcase... |
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22 May 08 - 03:12 AM (#2346650) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: KT great idea, Johnross! Thanks. See y'all there! the weather is promising to be perfect!! KT |
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23 May 08 - 12:26 AM (#2347375) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman |
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23 May 08 - 12:32 AM (#2347379) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Genie John, thanks for letting us Catters know how to identifiy ourselves. (Otherwise, I might have been wondering who I was, y'know.) ; ) See y'all tomorrow. Genie |
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23 May 08 - 10:29 AM (#2347636) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Susan of DT Of course, some ofuswillbewearing mudcat teeshirts... |
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23 May 08 - 10:36 AM (#2347640) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Is this too early to call you? Bob |
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23 May 08 - 11:16 AM (#2347678) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Genie Susan, I'm hoping maybe you brought a couple extra Mudcat T-shirts with you for purchase. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner to let you know size, etc., but if you have them with you, I'm interested. If I can find my old one, I'll wear it at least part of the time. Genie |
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23 May 08 - 11:44 AM (#2347692) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Genie ... You'd better keep your shirt on ALL the time today ... it's raining! CHEERS, Bob Nelson |
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23 May 08 - 08:39 PM (#2347905) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,Artbrooks in Seattle Good first day at Folklife. Good music, good food, danced a couple of contras, ran across 3 Mudcatters. Back tomorrow. |
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23 May 08 - 10:40 PM (#2347949) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Did you get wet? Bob |
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24 May 08 - 04:25 AM (#2348005) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Haruo Mrs Haruo and I will probably be at the Maritime Showcase Saturday afternoon, interrupted long enough to take in the Sacred Cow Harmogenizers at 3:00, and we hope to be back Monday for the 55-year thing and the Bold Horizons gig. We'll doubtless take in at least a few other items, I know she's hoping to get me to dance... Haruo |
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24 May 08 - 09:44 AM (#2348098) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Genie Such a smartass, Bob! ; ) Hope I run into some of you. I came up to Seattle last night but crashed instead of going to the Festival. I'm getting over a week-long bout with some sort of head and chest crud that's left me with laryingitis from violent coughing. I managed to control it with meds after a day or so but the vocal cord damage was done. Feeling much better now but still can't sing, and I'm afraid dancing will trigger the wheezing, so I'm gonna be mostly an observer this time. I have my old Martin with me and can still do some pickin' and grinnin' but no singin' prob'ly. I found my Mudcat T shirt but I think I managed to leave it on the bed. Aarrggh! Genie |
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24 May 08 - 09:57 AM (#2348110) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman Genie ... JEEZE KID ... you shouldn't give me those straight lines. Have fun today! Bob |
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24 May 08 - 12:13 PM (#2348183) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart Day two at folklife is about to begin for me. I will spend most of the time at the Victory Music Booth - 11am - 3pm Day one (Friday) was fun. Checked in and then deposited my CDs at the Alki Room and then to kill some time before my 3 pm performance (not much going on then) I did a warm-up set on the Alki stage (not yet occupied) then over to the Bagley Lawn Acoustic Stage for my 30 min performance. It went very well I thought. A totally acoustic stage - no mics or sound system, and it worked very well, with freedom to move about, interact with the audience, and the sound was good. Good audience, met Dick Greenhaus and Susan and other friends and new acquaintances. Then back to the Alki Room with its open stage. There was an open spot coming up, so I signed up and did a 20 min impromptu set of fiddle tunes and songs. Then I turned the stage over to Tania Opland and listened to a delightful performance by her on hammered dulcimer, fiddle w/song, guitar w/song, and whistle. She then turned the stage over to Jim Hinde, a regular Pike Place Market busker, with his hard-hitting protest songs and political/social commentary - a consummate street performer. Jim then turned the stage over to David Michael and his wife David is a Celtic harp player from Port Townsand and his wife plays the bowed psaltery - very beautiful music, two instruments blended very well. I think this totally acoustic open stage is one of the best mostly undiscovered (let's keep it that way) features of Folklife. Anyone can sign up, and you get to hear and meet some wonderful musicians in a quiet, acoustic, small setting (sort of like a living room). After that I had to leave, and walked across the Seattle Center as it was just beginning to rain. For me this was what Folklife should be (or maybe was) - just people getting together without the high-powered sound to share their music and make new friends. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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25 May 08 - 01:39 AM (#2348585) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Genie Well, Bob, I hafta admit I let that one slip ny me unnoticed. (Obviously you didn't.) *g* I hung out today mostly at the participants' hospitality suite - working the soft drink stand, mostly - then went to the Seattle Folkmusic Society sing-along -- but I still couldn't sing. The laryngitis just won't quit. I'm planning to do the Band Scrambles Sunday and Monday, but it may be just instrumental. I don't know when I'm going to get my voice back (beyond about a 6-note range [baritone]). I ran into Reggie Miles early this afternoon and Art Brooks and Jenn at the SFS song circle. Jean Lepley (Robinia) was there too. I hope I can meet Dick and Susan and say hi to Don Firth and Bob (Smartass) Nelson too. I finally got my little green Mudcat sticker, and I did have on my Mudcat t-shirt (Art and I were twins). DK if I'll wear that t-shirt again tomorrow (Yes, Bob, I'll remember to wear some sort of shirt). Genie |
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25 May 08 - 04:15 AM (#2348625) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Haruo Had a great time (though the weather was too good for my taste and my wife was missing for several hours - turned out to be a transit-system overbooking problem, not all the disasters I fantasized) at the Maritime Showcase and the Sacred Cow Harmogenizers, and later at the tail end of the Labor thing and at Café Impromptu (especially Dan Maher and Chris Roe) and finally at the offsite chantey sing at Mulleady's Pub in Interbay/Magnolia. Great grub there, too! The shooting was an unnerving inconvenience, but from news reports it sounds more bizarre than scary: one bullet, three possible victims, none badly injured, the shooter had a license for the gun and it was in an ankle holster... weird. Question arose at the chantey sing about where is Mary Garvey when we sang her Willapa Bay song. Haruo |
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25 May 08 - 10:55 AM (#2348802) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Genie Forgot to mention you, Fred. I'd forgotten you were a Mudcatter (in addition to SFS) till you reminded us at the SFS singalong Sat. I wish I could have gone to the later singalong Sat., but the bod just wasn't cooperating. Hadda crash early again. (Folklife is not the time to be sick, dang it!) And yes, Haruo, mg (Mary Garvey) is missed this year. |
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26 May 08 - 12:54 PM (#2349434) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Ebbie So how dd it go? I'm hoping more will jump in here. Some people from Juneau went down for it and they're due back today sometime. I hope everyone had a good time. Here in Juneau, we're having bright, hot (70s) weather and some cruiseship tourists told me yesterday that Seattle has had the same kind of weather. I know some people who like those temperatures- me, I prefer sweet, cool misty air... |
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26 May 08 - 05:32 PM (#2349609) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart I just got back from our workshop today (Monday)- "55 Years of Folksinging in Seattle" It went very well indeed, a good audience, and the panel remembered quite a bit (amazing!) I'll tell you more later. Mudcatters Mary (mg) Garvey, Art Brooks, John Ross, Genie and probably some others I forgot to mention were there. Of course Bob (Deckman) Nelson, Don Firth were there as part of the panel, in addition to myself, John Ashford, Stan James, and Nancy Quense. Today is a typical Seattle day cloudy, about 60 deg, and it looks like rain is coming. Not so many people there, probably because of the weather. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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26 May 08 - 06:45 PM (#2349649) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman I agree with Stew that the panel discussion was a success. I felt honored to be part of that group, just as Nancy also mentioned. What good company. I just added all the ages of the panel members together and I hit 350 years! Take a few years away for childhoods, jail time, time spent out the country, time spent running from the law, etc., that's still quite a large number of years of experiences that that was on stage. And we did cover the years from 1939 up to the present. I think several people were surprised to realize that there really was a LOT of folk music happenning in the Seattle area long before the Kingston Trio and Joan Baez. So Stew, you succeeded in dragging me down to the "Seattle Forklift Festival" yet again. I hope that you give it up next year and concentrate on a younger generation ... after all ... just how many walkers and wheechairs can fit into the room! CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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26 May 08 - 10:06 PM (#2349754) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST,Artbrooks - still in Seattle Well, it was fun. Folklife is one of the few reasons I wish we still lived in Seattle, and it was good to see so many friends - both Mudcatters and old friends from our previous existence as pale-skinned moss people. Lots of singing, lots of dancing, good (expensive!) fair food and several new CDs (watch out for a young fiddle player named Rebecca Lomnicky) and four sore feet. The sad news of the death of Bruce (Utah) Phillips. One idiot upholding his right to keep and bear arms, and wounding a couple of bystanders (not badly) in the process. Lots of buskers playing bad music, and a few exceptions. Two hot and sunny days, and two that were neither. Crowds. We'll probably do it again in a few years. |
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26 May 08 - 10:21 PM (#2349758) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Don Firth Good discussion, I thought. I was particularly fascinated by John Ashford's reminiscences about his father's activities collecting folk music around the Pacific Northwest early on, knowing people such as Ivar Haglund (local folk singer and later a noted restaurateur and self-made odd-ball) and James Stevens (collector of Paul Bunyan stories and writer of a number of songs, including "The Frozen Logger"), and of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger staying with his folks when he (John) was little older than a rug-rat. I then did my party-piece, describing my falling in with questionable company in college and subsequently buying a guitar and starting to learn folk songs. Then, in 1953, a group of us sat around a table in "The Chalet," a restaurant in Seattle's University District, and organized the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society and the East 42nd Street Arts Association, and initiated a series of folk and arts festivals in the U. District. But disturbingly in all its implications, in late 1954, the PNW Folklore Society died from the effects of rampant paranoia when most of our mailing list asked to be taken off the list and then went to hide under their beds. The first nationally known performer we sponsored was Pete Seeger, and although we knew about his joust with the House Un-American Activities Committee, we didn't realize how many people were afraid of being associated with an organization that was associated with Pete in any way. Sheesh!!! The PNW Folklore Society was strictly non-political. We just wanted to hear Pete sing and he was available at the time. Also, I might add that Pete's concert on the evening of October 5th 1954 in the Wesley House auditorium was also apolitical. A couple of labor songs maybe, mixed in with about two hours of love songs, lullabies, ballads, songs about Cumberland Mountain bear chases and foolish frogs, and oodles of sing-alongs. I've always found it ironic that although the PNW Folklore Society was looked upon with suspicion after the Seeger concert, the East 42nd Street Arts Association—composed of exactly the same people—was deemed fine and dandy! The arts festivals (with folk music activity subsumed under the aegis of the Arts Association) continued on into the late Fifties. But—although the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society essentially folded a year or two after it was born, it has been resurrected some five-plus decades later and, as of this writing, is showing signs of robust good health! Bob (Deckman) Nelson picked up with how he and some other folks organized the Seattle Folk Music Society in the mid-Fifties, dedicated to just getting together once a month and singing for the fun of it—sort of like the song circles that came into existence in recent decades. He also mentioned the paranoia aspect of the era when he learned that the F.B.I. had a dossier on him about the size of a New York City phone book, mostly because he had sung for various organizations like the Seattle Labor Council and others of a liberal or progressive bent ("Why did you sing for these organizations?" "Because they paid me five bucks and gave me a free spaghetti dinner!"). Coffeehouses first began opening in Seattle in summer of 1958, and Stan James gave a run-down on some of the more prominent ones. In fact, when the owner of The Place Next Door decided to sell and move on to other things, Stan and a friend bought it. The friend subsequently went to New York to seek his fortune, so Stan renamed it "The Corobboree" (Stan had a thing for Australia at the time) and ran it for a couple of years, hiring various Seattle singers including Nancy Quensé, Judy Flenniken, and myself, and initiated an open mike on Sunday evenings. He talked about several of the other coffeehouses, then how a call went out for singers to sing on Sunday afternoons at the United Nations Pavilion at the Seattle World's Fair in 1962. This proved to be such an attraction that the following year, the Seattle Center (formerly the fair grounds) initiated the Seattle Center Hootenannies in summer of 1963, which drew crowds of up to 15,000 (they actually paid the singers this time!). Stan was doing pretty well until he wound up lost in the Australian Outback, still looking for coffeehouses. The lovely Nancy Quensé (who arrived in Seattle in 1961 and showed up at Pamir House, one of Seattle's smaller but better-known coffeehouses, carrying her Goya G-20 classic guitar in its hardshell case and looking very much like a young Audrey Hepburn [think "Breakfast at Tiffany's"]) went on to talk a bit more about the coffeehouse scene, and especially some of the social aspects, the friendliness and mutual support among a sizable group of people who shared an interest in the music. Nancy sang a particularly lovely and somewhat unusual version of "Scarborough Fair." And we all sang a song or two, songs that were characteristic of those we heard in the times we were talking about. Stewart Hendrickson MCed, guided, and moderated the discussion with a light hand. The scheduled event for the following hour had been cancelled. Paddy Graber, an Irish singer residing in Vancouver, B. C., was unable to make it. He had suffered a stroke a few weeks ago, and although he was recovering and doing well, his doctor had forbidden him to travel. So we were allowed to continue into Paddy's hour, and Stewart had to keep explaining to the folks who arrived during the second hour what had happened to Paddy and why he wouldn't be there. Paddy is an absolute encyclopedia of Irish songs and ballads, and the fervent prayer, in addition to that for Paddy's health, is that the stroke will not affect his memory. The man is a treasure-trove of song. Genie was there, and said that although her voice is still not quite ship-shape, it's better, and she was actually able to take part in a few events. Good on ya' gal. But take it easy. I had fun. I hope everybody else did too! Don Firth |
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26 May 08 - 11:05 PM (#2349776) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart Thanks Don. I knew someone would summarize this much better than I, and you were certainly the one. And thanks for your generous contribution to this discussion, and your rendition of The Frozen Logger - the Ballard version. And thank you John, Bob, Stan, and Nancy for your contributions also. Later as I drove my daughter and family to the Sea-Tac Airport to fly back to California, the sun came out (wonder of wonders!) and the temperature got up to 70 deg. Totally unpredictable Seattle weather, and the end to a very nice day. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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27 May 08 - 01:46 AM (#2349830) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross In more general terms, the Folklife Festival was what it has become in the last few years -- a huge gthering of the tribes, with too much interesting music, dance and other events for any one person to see and hear, tremendous crowds and overwhelming sensory inputs. It's too loud, there are too many people, and I'm getting too old for this kind of thing. And it's the best weekend of the year. The big public news was that some idiot brought his pistol to the Festival (why???) and it went off. It's not clear if it was intentional or not, but inevitably, in a crowd of that size, two or maybe three people were injured (not life-threatening). The guy with the gun was tackled by bystanders who held him until the cops got to him within a couple of minutes. Most people on the grounds had no idea that this was happening. But of course, the newspapers and TV have been reporting it with varying levels of sensational play. We did a concert for Utah Phillips on Firday evening to celebrate his work and sing some of his songs and others that are consistent with his work and his messages, with a bunch of his friends (including Mike Marker and Larry Hanks, Jim Page, Linda Allen and her daughters, and Utah's son Brendan with his band, Fast Rattler among others). We finished at about 9:30, about two hours before Utah died in California. I'd like to think the love and good wishes that came out of that concert somehow reached him in his final hours. And as always, those of us within the organization have ideas about changes and improvements for the future. I have no information yet about the financial picture. I try to stay as far away from that side of things as possible. But considering the great weather and huge crowds (especially Saturday), I'm guessing that we did okay in donations, sales of t-shirts and souvenirs, commissions and so forth. If anybody reading this wants to offer comments, complaints or other observations, I will be happy to relay them to the people who actually run things. Please send them to johnross@well.com. Disclaimer: I am not speaking here or elsewhere as a representative of Northwest Folklife. All opinions are my own, etc etc. |
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27 May 08 - 01:58 AM (#2349835) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross Oh, and it was great to see old friends among the Mudcat crew and to attach faces to their online personnas of those I hadn't met offline before. Dick and Susan, Mary Garvey (who finally showed up on Sunday),Phillip Morgan, Genie (who got to judge an uncontested Band Scramble Monday afternoon), Stewart, Deckman and Don at the "History" workshop, Jon Bartlett and many others whose names are lost in my sleep-deprived brain. I promise that I will not inflict my Freshwater Coast Guard Chantey on you again for at least another year (unless you ask...) The green dot thing seemed to have worked pretty well, although the dots could have been bigger. But bigger dots cost about twice as much, and I'm a cheapskate. I think there are about 372 dot stickers left on the roll in the Festival Services storage box, so we have more than enough to use them again next year. |
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27 May 08 - 03:24 AM (#2349866) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: reggie miles I just got back from three nonstop days and evenings with too little sleep and too little voice left after sharing of my stories and songs. Other than catching sight of Stewart at my stage show on Saturday, Genie is the only other confirmed Mudcat sighting that I sawwwwed whilst there. She was volunteering in the Hospitaltality Room loading soft drinks into the coolers. My musical saw workshop, though 30 minutes shorter than in previous years, was allotted a much more accommodating location this year, in the Lopez Room. It was another capacity audience of folks all wanting to learn the secrets of this most unusual folk art, the art of flexing razor sharp spring steel betwixt your knees and walking away with all your appendages still intact. With my workshop 'cut' short, I didn't have time to include the question and answer period. Instead, I launched right into the Hands On (or if things don't go well) the Hands Off part of my presentation. This year I offered all of the attendees the next best thing to the Q&A part, a free copy of my new publication, How To Play A Saw In 5 Minutes Or Less. Everyone was eager to to get a copy of my How-To booklet. In it, I organized seven pages of tips and instruction, everything that I ususally present during my workshops. Unfortunately, due to my underestimating the overwhelming attendance to this year's event, I didn't have enough to go around. About 100 folks showed up. It was great to see such enthusiasm and interest in saw playing. The age range was quite wide. Kids that looked as though they were perhaps in elementary school were there accompanied by parents and folks old enough to be grandparents attended. Previous students came by to show me their progress and a couple of folks wanted private lessons. Most of the rest of my time at Folklife this year was spent either sawing along with friends during their sets or trying to coax my voice into functioning well enough to spend some time busking on the grounds with my handtool and my homemade Nobro resophonic. I also scheduled several sets at the acoustic stage in the Alki Room. It was surprising to find that there was a mic available to use at that stage this year. It fed the sound throughout the room via a series of permanently mounted speakers. I wish that I would have checked to see that it was working the last time I played a set there. DOH! My tired vocals could have used the help. Thanks to all who came |
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27 May 08 - 12:32 PM (#2350202) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: reggie miles I must have passed out during that last sentence. I was pretty tuckered out while trying to write. I wanted to share what a fun time I had and thank all of those who caught my performances and my workshop. After a reasonable amount of rest last night, I almost feel ready to take on the weeds that have grown used to this rainy spring we've been having and have grown far too tall in the process. Well, okay, maybe I'm not quite that energetic yet. Give me another day of rest to bounce back. I think they said it was going to rain on us some more in the next few days. I'm almost ready to go with astroturf if this yardfull of green vermin doesn't quit trying to be a jungle. I can actually walk out into my back yard and watch it grow before my eyes. There's only so much extra exercise and cardio vascular activity a guy can handle. I'm starting to feel another song coming on. |
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27 May 08 - 12:34 PM (#2350206) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Deckman OH NO ... NOT ANOTHER SONG!!! You know Reg, modern medicine an do wonders today ... maybe they've got a pill now that will help dispell errant song writing! Bob |
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27 May 08 - 12:48 PM (#2350217) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Haruo We couldn't find the instrument-makers' showroom. Was it canceled this year? Used to be one of the more interesting permanent exhibits, everything from oudhs and pennywhistles to dulcimers and didgeridoos. I missed the 55-year thing because I thought it was at noon so I went to the Shape Note beginners' singing at 11 and then discovered my error. (But the Sacred Cow stuff was absolutely wonderful, and I needed to sing.) Haruo |
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27 May 08 - 01:09 PM (#2350234) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stilly River Sage Thanks for the great descriptions of the events! SRS |
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27 May 08 - 01:26 PM (#2350250) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: Stewart Yes, the demise of the instrument-makers' showroom is another example of Folklife going the wrong way. We did get a few more rooms for workshops - that was good - but I missed the opportunity to see new instruments, talk to the makers and try out some instruments. Isn't that an integral part of a folk music festival? The instrument makers were told they could set up outdoor booths. A few did, but most didn't want to expose their instruments to the elements. And the outdoor noise would make it hard to demonstrate and try out new instruments, and there was little security to lock up booths with expensive instruments overnight. So another nice part of Folklife is gone, sigh. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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27 May 08 - 01:38 PM (#2350257) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: johnross As it was explained to me, there was no instrument showcase this year because the number of instrument makers has been dropping (I remember a somewhat full room, but I could be mistaken), and the space in those Northwest Rooms was better used for workshops and exhibits. Since the Vera Project took over some of that space, there's less for other activities during the festival. I heard a lot of people asking about the Instrument Showcase, so maybe the planning folks will reconsider. |
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27 May 08 - 04:28 PM (#2350395) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: GUEST All criticism (warrented or otherwise) aside, I am sorry not to have been able to travel to this event. On balance, though I am sure the event has become something of a "happening" unto itself, it still affords the opportunity to see and interact with those who have lived the "folk music life" and produced the music we all enjoy so much. A friend, noting the absence of luthiers, et al, from the event, suggested that the reason might be that many of those who fondled the goodies couldn't really afford to buy what they fell in love with. I would certainly have been among those, in my earlier days. |
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28 May 08 - 02:20 AM (#2350718) Subject: RE: NW Folklife/Seattle From: mg Geeze..can't you guys have a festival without me? Probably not. I was there after Sunday afternoon. ..my niece got married on Saturday.. Had a great time..it was quite mellow..smaller crowds than usual..perhaps because of the shooting...I saw lots of people..went in and out of the panel discussion thinking sooner or later they would sing..didn't realize it was meant to be a discussion..just thought they were exceptionally long-winded, going on about their coffee pots etc. Good information but not as enticing as the music was. Heard this Serbian Kapla group that was fantastic..at the last minute..I was just heading out. Missed the Saturday bar sing but went to McHugh's on Sunday (I went to college with McHugh himself) and it was quite good, especially toward the very end when the women sang more.... saw some great teenage fiddlers as usual...heard a great women's group..3-D Divas or some such thing...heard some group singing in Swedish..like Octoberfest for Swedes...never had heard them do group singing before...very pretty...I am a Swede at heart when it comes to music...you can actually make out what the tune is, which I appreciate tremendously... Well, it was very nice as usual. mg |