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07 Jul 05 - 10:20 AM (#1517008) Subject: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen Actually, NOMAD is a folk festival, but Art Thieme's birthday is coming up (see thread) and he's very much on my mind. I also have an ulterior motive for starting this thread so early.. the festival isn't until early November. I've started working on a couple of workshops, and I wonder who else from the Cat is coming. I'll refresh this periodically, just to keep it on the screen. I'll be there performing alone and with the Gospel Messengers, and Shoregrass and dwditty are planning to come at this point. The deadline for performers to get their applications in is July 15th, and that's right around the corner.. So, anybody else made plans, yet? Jerry |
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07 Jul 05 - 10:23 AM (#1517011) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Midchuck We have to get performer apps out this weekend. Peter. |
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07 Jul 05 - 11:38 AM (#1517092) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: PoohBear Jerry, any official festival website? PB |
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07 Jul 05 - 11:55 AM (#1517102) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Charlie Baum http://www.nomadfest.org/ |
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07 Jul 05 - 01:40 PM (#1517191) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen Thanks, Charlie: You beat me to it.. Jerry |
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07 Jul 05 - 02:32 PM (#1517226) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet Greetings: I just sent in an application with three proposals from myself and another with three proposals on behalf of my group, MacDougal Street Rent Party. As always, I would be happy if one of each is accepted. I know that Joel Landy, Anne Price, and Takako Nagumo will also submit proposals of their own. Peter, would you consider having the Chucks and the Rent Party putting in at least one join proposal for NEFFA next year? It was at our joint NEFFA event -- Hoot! -- in 2003 that my raggedy gang of musical reprobates first claimed that we were a band. We had so much fun in Woodchuckland that we'd love to pay another call. Let me know. Thanks. --- Steve |
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08 Jul 05 - 08:25 AM (#1517912) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw Jerry, where did you hear that the deadline for applications is July 15? We usually get something in the mail, but didn't get anything this year. |
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08 Jul 05 - 02:42 PM (#1518224) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet Greetings: The July 15 deadline is mentioned in the e-mail that Barbara Ruth sent out on July 1 on behalf of the NOMAD program committee. She did, however, add the following: "The deadline will be extended for anyone whose application is delayed by computer problems." I presume that means anyone who is unable to open, download, or electronically send back the on-line application, and who therefore needs to send a paper copy by postal mail. For more information, you can e-mail Barbara at performers@nomadfest.org or write to her at: NOMAD applications 112 Foster Street New Haven, CT 06511 --- Steve |
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08 Jul 05 - 02:52 PM (#1518229) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen Thanks for the response to Barbara, Steve. I'm counting on Shoregrass to be in my Gospel Harmonies in Black And White workshop.. Jerry |
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08 Jul 05 - 03:52 PM (#1518271) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw Hmmmmm.... I didn't get any email this year. Maybe they're trying to tell me something. (Thanks, Steve & Jerry for spilling the beans). Jerry, I'll fill out a paper form (I downloaded the pdf and pasted it into a WORD document, which could have been done online in the first place for electronically filing) and include the workshop with the Gospel Messengers and ShoreGrass. Also planning to do a program with just me and Frank accompanying Karen K. And then there's our own program I hope to do with ShoreGrass: Songs of the Civil War Era, which we did a couple of years ago. |
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08 Jul 05 - 11:41 PM (#1518646) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: GUEST,PoohBear (at home, minus cookie) Jerry and Charlie - thanks ever so for the info and link. Unfortunately, once again, attendance is beyond my reach. I have, however, saved the link, hoping it will still exist next year and maybe I will be able to join in the fun then. Hope you have a wonderful time. . . Cheers PB |
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09 Jul 05 - 08:39 AM (#1518852) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: AllisonA(Animaterra) I'm getting our apps out this weekend! Allison |
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09 Jul 05 - 09:56 AM (#1518897) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Midchuck I just downloaded the application forms. They appear to have hired a geek to design them, and he/she appears to have decided to show off by making them more complex than IRS forms, with a lot of wierd number codes they want you to figure out and fill in. Maybe they're trying to cut down on the number of applications so they won't have to make so many decisions. Well, I'm a lawyer and Kris is a public school teacher. We thrive on long, incomprehensible forms that have to be filled out whether or not the facts fit any of the number codes that are provided...We'll show 'em! Peter. |
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09 Jul 05 - 02:04 PM (#1519034) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw Hahahahaha! |
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16 Sep 05 - 11:06 PM (#1565286) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet Anyone heard yet from NOMAD? I haven't received any acceptances or rejections, nor has anyone else I've spoken with. I have, however, seen the text of an ad that NOMAD is placing in the October issue of the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club newsletter, and several performers are mentioned as apperaing, mostly NY Pinewoods members. --- Steve |
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16 Sep 05 - 11:19 PM (#1565289) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw I've heard that the committee is working on a preliminary grid but have not notified any performers yet. |
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17 Sep 05 - 07:40 AM (#1565435) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Vixen Reynaud and I submitted an app, and are waiting to hear...meantime, we've got 4 weekends of CT Ren Faire to keep us busy. http://www.ctfaire.com V & R |
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17 Sep 05 - 08:27 AM (#1565448) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: kendall Why don't they have it in Portland so everyone could go? |
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17 Sep 05 - 09:10 AM (#1565469) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Midchuck You can't get to Portland from anywhere west of Boston or eastern NH. Well know fact. Peter. |
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17 Sep 05 - 09:26 AM (#1565482) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw I thought just about everyone was in China. |
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17 Sep 05 - 10:04 AM (#1565503) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen By the bye.. I offered to do a Guitar For Accompaniment workshop and because I don't know who the other performers are who are coming, I'm getting a little edgy that I are it. If I do a guitar as accompaniment workshop alone it will be more of a Play Guitar Like Jerry Rasmussen Does, sounds rather limiting. If there are any Catters who are coming to NOMAD who play guitar for accompaniment and can be comfortable breaking patterns and rhythms down for public consumption rather than doing jaw-dropping leads and complicated arrangements, please PM so that if I need to add a performer or two, I'll know who is agreeable... I'm looking for demonstrations of picking patterns and styles for a solo performer.. not for playing guitar in a band or with other instruments. And no, I haven't heard anything yet. I'll be out of the country later this month and in early October, so if you PM me during that time, understand that I may not get back to you right away. Jerry |
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17 Sep 05 - 11:10 PM (#1565838) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: bbc I will be there audiencing. bbc |
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19 Sep 05 - 01:27 PM (#1566745) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen The grids are out... I'll be doing a Guitar Accompaniment workshop at 4 p.m. on Saturday, immediately followed by The Gospel In Black And White workshop at 5 p.m. with Shoregrass. I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope... I just received notification of my schedule, with no indication whether anyone else is in my two workshops. I suppose that, worse comes to worse, I could always check the website and seee if they posted the complete grid yet... Looking forward to seeing everyone again.. Jerry |
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20 Sep 05 - 07:46 PM (#1567216) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: GUEST,Pamela in Ithaca The festival is going to be Ballad rich this year! John Roberts and I had so much fun swapping ballads at NEFFA that we're doing it again at NOMAD (Sat. 5pm) and there's a grand Ballad Blast Saturday night from 9-11. What a great way to end the evening. On Sunday afternoon (3pm) I'll be doing a session of American Songs: North and South - and (if all goes well) releasing my first CD. Yippee! Oh, and if that's not enough you can always dance! |
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20 Sep 05 - 08:39 PM (#1567267) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen The Guitar Accompaniment workshop is shaping up in a way far beyond my hopes. There are so many styles of guitar accompaniment that I was hoping I'd get people who could show the whole spectrum. And as it looks, I believe that we will cover a lot of ground. If all goes as planned, we'll have flat-picking for bluegrass based songs, finger picking in many styles from basic three-fingered Travis picking to blues and black gospel. Perhaps we could end with a bluegrass/rennaisance fair/black gospel medley? I'm still waiting for confirmation on the other people in the workshop, so I won't be too specific, but I am excited about the possibilities.. Jerry |
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20 Sep 05 - 09:43 PM (#1567321) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw ShoreGrass will do the "Gospel in Black & White" with the Gospel Messengers at 5:00 (don't know which room), followed by our own program of "Songs of the Civil War Era" at 6:00 in the Chorus Room. Hopefully the two locations are close! Looking forward to it... |
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20 Sep 05 - 11:33 PM (#1567379) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet Greetings: MacDougal Street Rent Party will be doing Woody Rediscovered at NOMAD, a workshop presenting lesser known songs by Woody Guthrie. Some will be songs that Woody recorded and/or published in his own lifetime, but which are not well known today. Those may include: Why Do You Stand There in the Rain? Death Row Boomtown Bill Sally Don't You Grieve Peace Call (Bugle Call for Peace) One Little Thing the Atom Can't Do Blow, Big Wind, Blow Tin Horn Taxi The Einstein Theme Song I Don't Like the Way This World Is Treating Me Others are lyrics that were discovered in the Woody Guthrie Archives long after his death and were set to music by other people. Those may include: Ticky-Tock California Stars Way Over Yonder in a Minor Key Jaxonville Waltz Woody Rediscovered will take place in the Music Room from 8:00 to 8:55 PM on Saturday, November 5. From 10:00 to 10:55 PM on that same night and in the same room, I will be presenting Songs of Road and Rail, featuring songs of hoboes, tramps, boomers, truckers, and other people whose employment, or lack thereof, takes them from place to place -- and I don't mean by using their frequent flyer miles! Anne Price and Joel Landy will likely contribute a few songs. --- Steve |
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21 Sep 05 - 10:00 AM (#1567648) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen Looks like some good workshops! I'll try to catch what I can. Good to see some Catters there. If we haven't met, please come over and introduce yourself (or I'll do the same..) Jerry |
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21 Sep 05 - 12:51 PM (#1567782) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: AllisonA(Animaterra) My duo Seanma will be playing harp and concertina at 9 on Sat night. I'll hightail it to the ballad blast right after that! Allison |
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03 Oct 05 - 08:51 PM (#1575092) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw The preliminary schedule has been posted: http://www.nomadfest.org/grid.pdf |
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03 Oct 05 - 11:39 PM (#1575173) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet For those who tire of the Ballad Blast, come on back to the Music Room at 10 PM Saturday night to close out the evening with Songs of Road and Rail. I promise a few surprises, including a musical guest or two. --- Steve |
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01 Nov 05 - 03:35 PM (#1595208) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Guy Wolff Looking forward to seeing everyone !! Guy |
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01 Nov 05 - 03:41 PM (#1595215) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: bigchuck Well, I was planning to be there, but have been laid low by some nasty bugs for much of the last three weeks. I'm on the mend, but am so far behind on my repairwork that I just can't afford the time to come. DAMMIT. Have fun without me folks. Hopefully I'll see most of you at NEFFA in the spring. Sandy |
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01 Nov 05 - 03:56 PM (#1595231) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet Sandy, Peter once told me that if you ever had to miss a gig I could sit in and pick country style guitar -- and no one would notice. He even gave me a name: Faux Chuck. Do get better. As flattering as the offer may be, things just ain't the same without three real Chucks! --- Steve |
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03 Nov 05 - 06:01 AM (#1596293) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Aw, poor Sandy! I'm feeling under-the-weather-ish but will take the day off tomorrow if I don't improve. I just found out that my harp partner got us a big gig at a retirement community for Sunday midday- we'll put all the residents to sleep after their big Sunday brunch. I may not make it back to NOMAD at all, so I'm planning on a full day Saturday- I look forward to seeing you all! Allison |
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03 Nov 05 - 07:09 AM (#1596307) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Cllr Im looking forwrd to meeting you guys I havnt got a badge but if you heare a strange english guy it might just be me (i will be going to lynn noels sessions) Cllr |
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03 Nov 05 - 11:19 AM (#1596514) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: GUEST,bbc at work Cllr, Drop by the Folk Legacy or Camsco stand or look for folks in Mudcat teeshirts or w/ Mudcat badges. You will, undoubtedly, find some of us that way. I'm sure you'll enjoy the weekend. best, bbc |
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03 Nov 05 - 12:31 PM (#1596567) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Guy Wolff I am so looking forward to the west gallery music again .. !!! |
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03 Nov 05 - 05:01 PM (#1596753) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: AllisonA(Animaterra) My session is at the same time as West Gallery- boo hoo! |
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03 Nov 05 - 06:47 PM (#1596845) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Guy Wolff Boy am I conflicted ! . Your concertina and voice added so much last year as well.... DARN . |
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03 Nov 05 - 07:25 PM (#1596863) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw What is West Gallery music? |
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03 Nov 05 - 08:00 PM (#1596885) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen I was wondering the same thing, Barbara: Maybe it's a clandestine gathering of the inner circle. Jerry |
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03 Nov 05 - 09:08 PM (#1596919) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: AllisonA(Animaterra) This is from a recent group email from Bruce Randall, Mister West Gallery himself: "West Gallery music is suitable for all voices and most melodic instruments. Come sing and play the music from rural English churches from the time of Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, and King George III! Booklets of music will be provided" It's really cool! Almost as cool as Ancient Irish Music (click) |
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03 Nov 05 - 09:23 PM (#1596927) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: KathWestra West Gallery singing is wonderful English church music with bunches of(often brass & free reed) instruments, great harmonies and a robust singing style that is somewhat reminiscent, energy-wise, of Sacred Harp singing in this country (although the harmonies lean toward foursquare thirds, fourths, and fifths rather than the fuguing modal stuff of Sacred Harp). I love it, and Bruce is a terrific leader. Jerry, you and Ruth would like this session, I predict. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Kathy |
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03 Nov 05 - 11:10 PM (#1596987) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen Sounds interesting, Kathy: Either I'm going blind reading all the itsy bitsy teeny weeny print on the Nomad schedule and don't see anything about West Gallery music, or it isn't a scheduled program. What day and time is it, and where? Jerry |
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04 Nov 05 - 04:47 AM (#1597113) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: karen k Jerry, It is scheduled on Sat. from 9-11pm in the Chorus Room. I, too, think you would like it. |
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04 Nov 05 - 08:27 AM (#1597218) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw I may have to give the West Gallery session a try. Would this be a good place to bring a fiddle? Hey, Jerry, we had a ShoreGrass rehearsal last night and we polished up a handful of gospel songs, so we're ready for your workshop! And our own Songs of the Civil War Era is in good shape, although we keep changing the arrangements slightly! Well, we've still got almost 34 hours... |
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04 Nov 05 - 08:34 AM (#1597224) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Cllr Won't be there tilll miday tomorrow but I'm looking forward to seeing you guys Cllr |
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04 Nov 05 - 09:43 AM (#1597271) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Vixen ahhhhh... the schedule grid I printed last night starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday....what else starts at 9:00 a.m.??? V |
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04 Nov 05 - 11:13 AM (#1597334) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: GUEST,bbc at work I'm driving up tonight after work, but I suspect I'll just stay at my hotel & relax unless there's something to do. See y'all in the morning! bbc |
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04 Nov 05 - 11:23 AM (#1597339) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw Vixen, the West Gallery starts at 9:00 PM, not AM. Hey, I'm so glad to see you and Reynaud on the performance schedule! (Tim is Saturday at 4:00 in the guitar workshop with Jerry Rasmussen, and Vicky & Tim are Sunday at noon). |
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04 Nov 05 - 11:30 AM (#1597344) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Guy Wolff About West Gallery Music : Yes A fiddler who can read music would be a great addition ..Bruce who leads this session is a wonderful Trombone player . Rocus is a good word here!! I am hoping my wife Erica can come with a tenor or bass Viola De Gamba . There was an amazing serpant player from Boston year before last who I will never forget . I have forgoten her name though .BLAST .. West gallery music is choral music Exstreem but with the instroments leading even someone who cant read like myself can follow along on these more intricate 17th18 and 19th century peices . THe tunes and intervels will transport you :if your religius or not . This is somewhere inbetween folk tunes of that era in Briton and early classical music . Most of the tunes were written by regular folks interested in the local activity of thier church . Some local churchse had , say more tenor so pieces were made to fit that and so on .. THis could not be more fun !!! Bring your lungs and vocal chords !!! All the best , guy |
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06 Nov 05 - 09:18 AM (#1598611) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Cllr I have met a few mudcatters i would like to meet afew more I am a brit with a blue mudcat tshirt and a goatie beard dark hooded eyes and a long dlack leather coat. Its been a long week. I may get achance to sing at lynn noels session at twelve. Cllr aka Mike |
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06 Nov 05 - 09:19 AM (#1598612) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Cllr **black what is Dlack anyway |
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06 Nov 05 - 09:31 AM (#1598616) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen Sorry I didn't catch you, cllr. As always, it was a real pleasure seeing old friends and making new ones. It was a special treat to do the guitar accompaniment workshop with Tim St. Jean, and the gospel workshop with Shoregrass. My friend Colin Healy stepped in to help sing tenor on one song, and Nzinga's Daughters were there to add their voices and enthusiasm. Great to see Sandy & Caroline Paton again, too... and Guy Wolff and many others... bbc, Dwayne.. Can hardly wait until next year. Jerry |
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06 Nov 05 - 05:15 PM (#1598860) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw I had the best time at this NOMAD than any of them so far! Frank and I enjoyed the set of "Ballads and Gospel" with Karen K, despite me being slightly unnerved when Roger Sprung (in the audience) requested one of my original songs that he particularly likes! I can never remember my own songs, and in fact one of the guys sings it in our band, but I had brought the songbook along in case I wanted it later for a jam, so I was able to make my way through it by looking at the book. Frank played banjo, I played guitar, and Roger walked up and played bass on it! Karen did a great job and her set was a hit. Next up was our ShoreGrass and Gospel Messengers "Gospel in Black & White." Wow, do I love to hear those Gospel Messengers, and so did the audience. They alternated songs with us and we all had a great time, especially me. Right after that, in the same room, ShoreGrass did a set of "Songs of the Civil War Era" and I think it went over pretty well. We were more comfortable with the songs that the last time we did them (2 years ago), and it was enjoyable to be part of a group doing such great old songs. I only regret that we didn't clear out of the way more quickly so that Ralph Bodington could get his workshop started on time without all of us in the way. Please apologize for me to him if anyone knows him. And then, after wolfing down a quick dinner (I had a complete turkey dinner from the United Plains Methodist Church --delicious-- and Frank had chile that he's still remembering...) we started up a KILLER jam in the cafeteria. Rich Rainey, excellent banjo player and Drew Smith, amazing autoharpist, joined about 5 or 6 of us in a wonderful jam, complete with fiddle, bass, mandolin, guitars, banjos and autoharp, plus a few people on the fringe with ukeleles and several dancers. I wanted to play all night, but my left hand went into shock and cramped up on me after a couple of hours of fretting the guitar and bass, so I had to quit. (This old age sucketh mightily...) Took a few pictures, which you can see here: NOMAD 2005 and 2004 It was so much fun. Looking forward to the next one. |
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06 Nov 05 - 05:43 PM (#1598876) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: bbc Wow, Barbara, you're quick! You beat me by about 10 minutes, but then I had a longer drive home. Yes, it was delightful. As always, I enjoyed the reunion w/ friends, the music, & just the sense of getting away from the every-day. I really enjoyed hearing Animaterra's new musical expression, Seanma--herself on vocals & Anglo concertina & her fellow music teacher friend Melanie Everard on a 34-string harp. Gorgeous! Another musical highlight was Double/Triple Play--Drew Smith on amazing autoharp, Robbie Wedeen on guitar, & a lovely man (whose name I apologize for not getting) on banjo. I was so sorry that Vicki & Tim couldn't stay for Sunday: I really wanted to hear their session. The weekend ended well for me, however--sitting next to Cllr in Judy Cook's workshop on Civil War songs. Many friends & good music--the perfect combo! best to all, bbc |
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06 Nov 05 - 07:42 PM (#1598941) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Guy Wolff Well Im home from Sunday . It was amazing to do both days !! I started with hearing Sandy and Caroline so what could be better then that ! John Roberts is such an inspiration both days three sesions !!! . I had so much fun in all the singing sessionas like Chanty Blast and was it called Power Harmony today ??. The West Gallery made the ride home at 11last night seem like nothing at all . I think every church that enjoys singing would have so much fun haveing Bruce Randeel come for a visit . He brings so much joy to music that might seem a bit scary to try otherwise ,. Just amazing . I should say eluminating !! Sunday : Kathy Westra's Songs For A Sunday Morning were just great . THen Power Harmonies and onto Emily Pinkertton's Beginer Banjo ( She Was great . boy I had a hard time keeping it simple ) My only nightmare was having to CHOOSE beween John and Bruce at the very end. Since I cant read music John won out .painful painful to choose though. Great to meet David Diamond . Jerry Epstien .... For a second I thought John Roberts knew my name yesterday but then I remembered I had a name tag on. He is a scolar and a gentleman to put up with the likes of me . Mike Cllr it was great hearing you .. When he threw off his coat to sing a chanty I knew it was going to be good. It was so much fun throwing on harmonies . I was the one standing in the back bellowing along . Thanks for the great time . We must hear more about Sidmouth here please. Many thanks to both the Patons and Dick & Susan for shlepping all the cd's down to New Haven . Hobart Smith is wonderful again and Ian Robb is getting better and better all these years later .. I love Tony and Johns newest cd ( New for me I dont get out much as everyone who knows me knows ) . A dialauge we might get on soon is how to work up some grant $$ for the organizers of NOMAD . If they could pay on some level some of the workers this conversation of NOMAD going away might seace . Ct tourisum and the arts concil have to help on some level . We need to think on this a bit. I think the question to ask is how (if there was some more doe ) could some of the painful parts of running NOMAD could be made easier . At the very least we all need to thank the organizers for the whole shabang !!! .. Well done . My third time and Im still in love !! All the best , Guy |
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06 Nov 05 - 10:17 PM (#1599024) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet Greetings! I just got back home from NOMAD. I had a really good weekend renewing old connections and making new ones. Special thanks to "bbc" for coming to my performances. I hope you enjoyed what your heard. I'll have the CD to you very soon. And another special thanks to "Cllr" and the others for that impromptu sing around at the Fairfield Inn between midnight and 1 o'clock this morning. By the way, wasn't Takako Nagumo wonderful at Kathy Westra's Songs for a Sunday Morning? For those who don't already know, Takako, who works for the UN here in New York, is undoubtedly the foremost singer of traditional Japanese children's songs and teller of traditional Japanese children's stories in North America. It is only in the last two years, however, that she has been performing at folk festivals and for folk music societies. That is because she was greatly surprised to find that there are actually non-Japanese who are interested in the archaic traditions of her native country. She still needs some encouragement to perform in such "strange" environments, and I am happy to say that Kathy and everyone else at the session gave her that encouragement. I believe that in the coming year Takako will be doing a house concert for the Philadelphia Folksong Society and one for the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club. She already did a children's concert with Pete Seeger this year, at which she taught Pete (and the kids) the same frog song she sang this morning. The one difference was that when she appeared with Pete, she brought along large cue cards with her that had the lyrics in Japanese transliterated into the Roman alphabet. --- Steve |
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07 Nov 05 - 06:58 AM (#1599203) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: bbc Steve, I was happy to meet you, too. I think attendance was down somewhat this year. I went to lots of good sessions without much audience. It was a pleasure to hear your music & to learn things I didn't know about Woody Guthrie! Let me know if you & Marilyn ever need a place to stay in my area. best, bbc |
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07 Nov 05 - 08:17 AM (#1599253) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: AllisonA(Animaterra) I arrived late, spent way too much time socializing and not enough time getting to workshops (as usual). I did go to several dance sessions, since I hardly ever get to do English country dance. And I had a gig elsewhere on Sunday, so I only ended up spending half a day at NOMAD. But it was wonderful to see Sandy and Caroline, Karen Kobela, bbc, Dick and Susan (you can send my commission any time!!), Kath Westra, Vicki and Tim, Debra Cowan, John Roberts and Lisa Preston, to meet Cllr, Guy Wolff; I say Jerry Rasmussen from afar. It was just great to be surrounded by such great music and companionship! Allison |
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07 Nov 05 - 09:30 AM (#1599301) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw Why doesn't NOMAD get better attendance? I really enjoy this type of festival because it gives me a chance to hear and appreciate so many types of music, but I worry that it's not drawing enough of a crowd. All performers are volunteer, and presumably do it (as I do) because of a love for the music and a wish to help carry on the tradition. But it needs the essential audience. We went to NEFFA last year (at Karen K's request to accompany her, and had a great time) and it had 10 times the number of people and workshops. True, it's nearer a bigger city --Boston-- but there is a large folk community in the New Haven area as well as the surrounding 100 miles or so. Do you think it's because NOMAD has recently moved from Newtown, near the NY border? Does it just need more time at this new location? Or are there other suggestions that people can think of that would increase participation and ensure its continuing success? |
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07 Nov 05 - 06:20 PM (#1599557) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: bbc I, personally, preferred Newtown; it was closer for me. As you see, though, I am one of the people who continues to go, anyway. Like you, Barbara, I worry that we'll lose the festival. For me, it's one of only two annual festivals I usually attend. As I understand it, the dance side is stronger than the music side. Who knows? bbc |
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07 Nov 05 - 09:47 PM (#1599701) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: GUEST,Pamela in Ithaca Actually, the dance side was way down this year as well. There are a number of reasons (I think) why NOMAD is so much smaller than NEFFA. One is that NEFFA has been going on for over 70 years, so it has a much longer history. The other is (at least for dancers) that NOMAD isn't perceived as high quality an event,with as good dancing. While there are many skilled musicians and callers, they don't seem to draw the attention that events such as NEFFA and the Dance Flurry do. As someone who does both, I think the music side of NOMAD is actually much stronger at this point. But as others have said, audiences were pretty light this year. I also think that the NOMAD committee doesn't do as strong a job marketing the event as other, similar festivals. This year particularly the schedule didn't come out until just a few weeks before the event. Too many of us have to plan our lives way ahead, and if we aren't captivated by a program we might not go. There were a number of faces I had hoped to see from NYC, the Albany region, and the Hudson Valley... and they were'nt there. I almost never see folks from the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley, let alone other parts of New England. Very few people from the Finger Lakes and beyond even know about it. Getting the word out to more people would be a start. Let's hope that they can keep their volunteer committee together, and maintain the energy to make the festival all that it could be. I also would be very sad to see it diminish to nothing. |
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07 Nov 05 - 10:42 PM (#1599732) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen I'd be curious to hear whether attendance really was down this year. The two workshops that I was in, and the ones I attended were well attended (I thought.) I have the feeling that because the new location is so spread out it feels emptier. The only place I felt any lessening of attendance was in the cafeteria. Maybe it was fuller while I was busy doing workshops. I do think that a grant from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts is a possibility. Having done grant requests for the High Ridge Folk Festival in Stamford, the biggest problem that would be faced is that the festival would have to be well in place by January or February. When I was doing the grant proposals, the Commission required a budget, a list of performers and sponsors, and a clear description of the event by the submission date. It's been quite a few years since I did it and things may have changed dramatically since then. It ain't easy, and takes an enormous amount of VERY advanced planning. Jerry |
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08 Nov 05 - 06:38 AM (#1599895) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Janice in NJ Sorry I couldn't get there this year. It sounds like it was fun even though attendance was down. Pamela in Ithaca is correct when she says "Very few people from the Finger Lakes and beyond even know about it." Aside from Allen Hopkins of Rochester, NY, telling people that he was performing at the festival, I heard nothing about NOMAD over here on what we call the Niagara Frontier. |
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08 Nov 05 - 07:24 PM (#1600294) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Susan of DT 1. NOMAD has moved around too often lately and people have not yet caught up to it. 2. There are people who hear New Haven (or other cities) and think they will a) have to negotiate miles of small streets, getting lost b) have no place to park c) will get mugged in the parking lot Some work on the publicity could stress the ease of the location, but the mugged in the parking lot types will not believe any reports of safety. |
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08 Nov 05 - 07:56 PM (#1600324) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw One thing I did not like about NEFFA, the festival near Boston, was the parking situation. Had to park and take a shuttle several miles away from the high school and got lost finding our way back to it afterwards. Parking is definitely a consideration and needs to be given lots of attention, especially for people like me and Frank carrying 5 or 6 different instruments. NOMAD is easier for me because I'm familiar with New Haven. |
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08 Nov 05 - 10:08 PM (#1600409) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Guy Wolff Well having nothing to conpare it to <><<><>< . I find the size of the festivel very charming and workable . Remember the book in the late 60's "Small is Beautiful" . As it is I am guessing this thing cost more then ten grand to pull off . It needs enouph bodies and musicans to cover say 60% of that and then serious support of some kind . I bet the whole thing is getting by without that extra suport at the moment .That in itself would be very hard .. I dont know their by laws , so some thoughts off the top of the head.. Whos in Ct. ?? Kayman's in New Hartford and Hartford , Dedario strings are on the Island I think .They gave strings to the Roxbury fiddle contest and some backing to boot . I dont want to make anyone ill by bringing up corporate sponsoring . I mean PBS had Mobil and we all loved masterpeice theater . I know this is dodgy thin ice but some corporate help can work and if the soarce is apropriate it is posible for it not to make a bad impact. NON CORPORATE :Is there a conection to be made with Yale ?? I still think Ct tourisum is a path worth looking at . Also the ct Historical sociaties organisation . traditrional music art & dance here . The cultureal divercity realy makes this thing a candidate for a ton of stuff. One thing I will write to the commity is that a real banner saying SUPORT THE PERFORMERS HERE ? above the cd table would give a very clear message that the performer's cd's are the only thing helping them get the gas to get there . I did see a small sign saying "all the procceeds of these sales is going to the performers" but unless you were looking for it I wounder if anyone got the idea . The trick is to not hurt the festivel and keep to its by-laws but help make it go forward painlessly at a resonable size for the organizers to care for . Do we know if the vendors pay to be there or give a % of their income .If its free for vendors a small % on sales is workable. Some garden shows I do have a huge set up cost and others a % deal .(5 or 10% ) I would consider Sandy and Dick a draw for the feastivel and wave fees because of the additional draw they bring .Advertise their going to be there. !! At most garden shows they dont pay me to demonstrating but also wave fees to have the addition of the pottery show and the advertising for the event . THese are just thoughts of good will . I dont mean to be prusumptuus (sp) though I often am .. Good luck to NOMAD's future .. All the best , Guy |
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08 Nov 05 - 11:02 PM (#1600438) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Jerry Rasmussen All good thoughts, Guy. Again, the Connecticut Commission of the Arts is worth looking in to. In my past life, I found that corporate support was very minimal for special events unless the corporation got their name slathered all over everything. It wasn't enough to list corporations as Sponsors. They might give $100 just to get you off their back, although larger corporations won't even discuss such a small contribution. If you present it as Wendy's NOMAD you might be able to get a little more money (just kidding.) The problem is, the folk community isn't much of a target market. Certainly not one of any magnitude. The tennis tournament in New Haven is sponsored by Pilot, with their name first. A lot more people follow the tennis circuit than do the folk circuit, I'm afraid. Sponsorship would more realistically be smaller businesses who would like some visibility, and who are community minded. Not talking big bucks, but it all can help. Gifts in kind (like donated food and drinks (or t-shirts with a tastefully small corporate or business logo) are doable. The trick, of course is, who is the doer? Jerry |
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09 Nov 05 - 06:50 AM (#1600544) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Suffet Greetings: I'll suggest to the NOMAD people that they apply for a grant from the Puffin Foundation, a group that provides grants to, as they say, "continue the dialogue between art and the lives of ordinary people." They typically give money to organizations that are small and/or somewhat out of the commercial mainstream. Grants are typically small, usually under $1,000, and should not be the sole source of funding. The Puffin Foundation is located in Teaneck, NJ. You can find them on the web at: http://www.puffinfoundation.org/ --- Steve |
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09 Nov 05 - 08:04 AM (#1600588) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Susan of DT At NOMAD vendors pay a table fee. At some other festivals there is a percentage. Just about all of them charge one or the other. A couple of vendors closed up and left on Saturday afternoon, due to poor sales. That is a problem with low attendance - fewer people to buy anything. The subpopulations also matter for the vendors - some booths sell almost exclusively to dancers and others, like CAMSCO, sell almost exclusively to music types. |
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09 Nov 05 - 08:44 AM (#1600607) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Barbara Shaw I'm not sure adding grants and throwing more money at it would help, although it probably wouldn't hurt. It needs more people to actually go to the event. It might be that the festival will grow in the coming years, now that it has settled in the New Haven area. It might help to forge stronger alliances with the various other folk music organizations in the local community and surrounding areas. It might help to actively recruit performers (each of whom brings along a certain amount of "audience") and dance organizations and participants from other parts of the northeast and beyond. Publicity and promotion is very important to make people aware of the festival, encourage participation, inspire interest and alleviate concerns (like parking). All of this is of course dependent on volunteers with the time, energy, expertise and dedication... I personally enjoyed the festival and I certainly wish NOMAD success. |
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09 Nov 05 - 01:24 PM (#1600785) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Cllr Firstly I would just like to say how much I enjoyed the festival, meeting mudcatters like Dick, Sue, Suffit, bbc, Animaterra (who was my secret santa last year) and Kath westra (my wife Champagne carol's secret santa also last year)Guy and many other nice people who weren't mudcatters but should be. Special thanks to Lynn Noel for putting me up and for putting up with me. Lynnis an incredibly versatile performer who completly wowed me with the three completly different but equally enjoyably workshops. Learning to contra dance was also great fun and something I hope to introduce my dearly beloved wife CC to in the near future. Secondly take any additional funding you can get from Puffin and put it directly into the publicity machine obvious advice I know but thats my two cents worth. Anyway a great festival and especially thank you to those that told me you enjoyed my singing!! Cllr |
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10 Nov 05 - 08:21 AM (#1601334) Subject: RE: NOMAD is an island From: Vixen Just coming up for air after NOMAD...we've had a really busy week. It was so nice to see old friends--bbc, Barbara and Frank (and the rest of Shoregrass!), Judy and Dennis, Susan and Dick, Caroline and Sandy, Guy, Allison, Karen K, Duane, and everyone else whose names escape me at the moment. Tim really enjoyed doing the workshop with Jerry. They made it seem as if they'd been "team teaching" together for ages, when they actually put it all together "on the fly." Like bbc, we only do a couple festivals each year, and we look forward to NOMAD. We're both really sorry that we had to cancel our Sunday set--it was due to a scheduling confusion. I think that considering the festival nearly went under completely last year, this year's organizing crew of volunteers did a phenomenal job of pulling it together and making it work. One thing about attendance--a friend of mine who is on the fringe of the music scene thought the festival *had* gone under. He'd already made other plans for the weekend when I asked if I'd see him there this year, but was very happy to hear it was still a going concern. I don't know anything about the festival organization, but I agree that more publicity would help. So will time--the longer it's in New Haven, the more people will know about it. Money is always helpful, too. However, the *biggest* thing that will keep this festival fun and educational in the LOOONNNNNNGGGGGG run is Volunteers. Not just performers, but people who are willing to do all the pesky behind-the-scenes detail-chasing. When the call goes out for volunteers, let them know what your skills are and the amount of time you can devote. Every pair of hands is a help, and will fix it so that the organizers don't burn out trying to do it all... V (stepping off the soap box...) |