Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass

Subject: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: Whistleworks
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 08:32 AM

Dear Friends,

Can anyone tell me if there are sessions either in or near Attleboro? I have a good friend down there who would like to hone her skills as a flute and whistle player.

Thanks for your anticipated help.

Bob Pegritz

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 10:59 AM

I live in Attleboro and there are no posted sessions in the city that I know of. Nearby: Blackthorn Pub in Easton (about 20 minute drive) on Sunday nights (start at 5 last I knew). AS220 in Providence has a monthly slow jam on a Thursday night, but it's off for the summer (last year, though, they got together one night a week on the porch of a country store in Warren or Bristol, R.I., about 30 minutes away. There's a catter named Bud who may have details if he drops in). I hear good things about sessions in Foster, R.I., at the Back Draft cafe and the Maple Glen, about 40 minutes away. The Blackstone River Theater in Cumberland, R.I., about 10 or 15 minutes away, organizes the occasional session. If she's of a mind to play in the gardens at Seven Arrows Herb Farm, the folks who run the place welcome such things. And if she's interested in organizing a local session, they might allow the use of their loft. There's a monthly or bi-monthly contra dance at Goff Hall in Rehoboth where she might meet some people with common interests.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 11:11 AM

Some of the folks associated with Rose Garden Coffeehouse in neighboring Mansfield have a monthly session. Might find details on their website.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: LR Mole
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 05:06 PM

Attleboro? Foster? This is Rhode Island, where such a ride is like seeking the Northwest Passage. If it's further than the milk store, it's too far.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: JedMarum
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 05:21 PM

Whistleworks, Bob Pegritz? When did you appear on Mudcat, and how did you slip in without me noticing?? I've been treating audiences to your CD (along with a few others) all over the Southwest (on our breaks at shows) I had no idea you were a Mudcatter!

I've actually begun some research into venues back that way (New England) for a possible tour in 2002. I may get to hello in person one of these days!

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 10:08 PM

No argument here, LR Mole; our rule is "never drive more than 20 minutes unless you're taking a suitcase..." Still, if you want a session in the SEMass-RI area, you've got to make an exception. And Foster's getting a reputation -- thanks to Peeptoad CH, Maple Glen, the local arts foundation -- as a folk culture mecca. Northern RI in general has lots going on.-- sign me, envious on the other side of the border.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: Pelrad
Date: 03 Jul 01 - 10:12 PM

Your friend will need to pack a lunch and an overnight bag if she is planning to travel more than 15 miles. It's the law in RI. ;-)

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 09:26 AM

Found the following on flute player/maker Skip Healy's website (skiphealy.com). The dates have passed, but it could be just the thing your flute player's looking for. An e-mail to his site might produce an update:
Skip Healy and Tom Magquire trade leading the weekly session at Ward's Publick House in Warwick, RI. The sessions take place every Sunday starting at 7:00 PM, 3854 Post Road in Appounaug section of Warwick, RI, 02886. Skip will be leading sessions on: April 1, 15, 29, May 13, 27, June 10, 24.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 11:44 AM

... someone told me that RI is the beach around Narragansett bay! Is it possible to travel 15 mi without crossing the state line?

;-)

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:03 AM

Appounaug is where my friend Billy Dunlop used to keep his boat. I sailed with him out of there a couple of times ... drove his neighbors crazy when he'd insist pulling right into the slip under sail.

Billy sailed the Atlantic in a special 9'1" craft in '76 with the tall ship race - then turned around and sailed home from England in the same craft. A few years later he was lost off the coast of Australia while attempting to circumnavigate the world.

There's a song in there, somewhere. He was a real character, and good friend.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:38 PM

Hope you write that song, Jed. I'd like to hear it sometime.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 09:35 PM

I've been saving materials, newspaper articles, etc, and fermenting the idea - but somehow it feels a bit trivializing, or something - I know that it's not, tough. He had a wonderful saense of humor, and I'm sure I could find a way to tell the tale along those lines ... it's sad though, for his wife and daughter - I don't want to refresh old wounds ... I knew him in a working man's world; he was a backhoe operator and a truck driver - I was a late teen ager/early adult working with him; admiring his skill with the backhoe; Willie could frost a cake with that thing, and light the candles! And the stories he'd tell (nearly always very off color) in his Maine accent would keep us all chuckling. We were all amazed at his sudden rekindled interest in sailing, then floored with a couple of stunts that got him world wide press. I watched him on GoodMorning America being interviewed after crossing the Atlantic in his 9 footer, and the host asked him "what are you going to do now that you've reached England." And Billy said with a shrug, "well I guess I'm gunna turn around and sail right back home." Remembering these old tales, and his character just bring smile to my face. Surely there's a way to tell this story without offending his loved ones ...

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 11:42 PM

Aw, Jed. You can just about swing a dead cat in here without hitting the state borders. ;-)

Seems to me that if you maintain a note of respect and affection for your friend, his family will not take offense. If you've got that much material you might consider writing a BOOK about it, not just a song. It's certainly an interesting story about an interesting man. Stories about people choosing to drastically change their lives and pursue their dreams are always popular...This is something you could really sink your teeth into, if the family is willing.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 11:45 PM

Geez, you riled up all my primieval journalistic tendencies! Seriously, if your friend lived in my beat I would have written a series of feature articles on him. What a great story.

Subject: RE: Sessions in or near Attleboro, Mass
From: JedMarum
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 11:07 AM

I suspect you;re right Pelrad. Maybe my rumblings are just the early satges of fermentation. You're also right about the book, but I guess I'm just not a book writer!