Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10

Subject: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: georgeward
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 10:47 PM

There is an excellent thread, offering every imaginable detail, about the revived festival (Eisteddfodd-NY)taking place in Brooklyn this August.

Alas, the thread title doesn't make it clear that an upcoming festival is the subject, and - because it is a revival of a rather old thread - neither do the first two messages.

Here's the link: Eisteddfodd-NY 2003

There is also a website: www.eisteddfodd-ny.org

Check it out. Scroll down There's a lot there. -george

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: georgeward
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 10:34 AM

Whoops. I gave the wrong URL for the webpage. Here it is:

http://www.folkmusicny.org/eisteddfod/

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 14 Jul 03 - 06:53 AM

Thank you, George. Actually the URL that George originally gave is pretty close to one of the correct ones. I believe this is what he had in mind:

http://www.eisteddfod-ny.org

The one that George put into his second message also brings you to the same website.

See you in Brooklyn!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 15 Jul 03 - 08:13 AM

Here are a few updates on the Eisteddfod New York, being held at Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, NY, from August 8 to 10, 2003.

• First of all, we are sorry to report that Ladino musician Joe Elias will likely not be appearing, and that Appalachian singer and banjoist Hedy West's participation is still tentative. In any large festival, a few personnel changes are bound to happen. And while we regret disappointing people, will try to keep the public informed as soon as we can, rather than making last-minute announcements at the Eisteddfod-NY itself.

• It is nearly certain that the festival will not be sold-out. All-festival, single-day (Saturday or Sunday), and concert-only (Friday night or Sunday afternoon) tickets will most likely be available at the door. However, we still strongly encourage preregistration as only way you can be assured of getting in.

• Today, July 15, 2003, is the deadline for making reservations to stay in on-campus dormitory housing. Tomorrow is too late. To book your room, call the Polytechnic University Office of Residential today at [phone].

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: georgeward
Date: 16 Jul 03 - 11:07 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 03:51 AM

Is there a prize for the farthest-away festivalgoers? Rika and I hope to make it from BC Canada.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:34 AM

Greetings,

The prize for Jon and Rika, if they make it from faraway BC, is to get called up to do a song at one of the the ballad workshops, probably the one on Sunday morning.

Before anyone else thinks they can beat them out and claim that prize, I need to add that it applies exclusively to Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat. The 2003 Eisteddfod-NY organizing committee listened to their CD last night, and we were favorably impressed. But it is far too late to add performing staff to the program. Our only proviso is that they do a song en français.

There will, however, be two spots on the Eisteddfod-NY where anyone is welcome to strut their stuff. The first is an open stage on Saturday morning. The other is at the informal singing and jamming that will take place Saturday beginning evening on into the wee hours.

Of course, some of you may may torn. If you go at the open stage, you may miss 'Catter George Ward, who will be one of four participants in the North Woods workshop at the same time. But alas, you will get to hear George conduct a workshop of his own later that day. The theme will be something about upstate New York. I suspect it will have to do with rent wars, railroads, timber, labor struggles, or -- George's specialty -- canals. But I could be wrong. George, would you care to enlighten us?

By the way, we have decided to accept advance orders for certain single events:

Evening Concert
Friday, 8/8/03
7:30-10:30 PM
Oscar Brand, MC
Margaret Bennett
Tom Gibney
Joe Hickerson
Margaret MacArthur
Orrin Starr & the Sultans of String
Dwayne Thorpe
Hedy West (tentative)

Tanchaz
Traditional Hunagrian Dance
Saturday, 8/9/03
2:00-4:00 PM
Music & instruction by Eletfa Hungarian Folk Ensemble

The Copper Family at Home
A Special Workshop Presentation
Saturday, 8/9/03
6:15-7:45 PM

Afternoon Concert
Sunday, 8/10/03
2:00-5:00 PM
Ron Olesko, MC
Ralph Bodington
Elefta Hungarian Folk Ensemble
The Kossoy Sisters
Maggi Peirce
Jean Ritchie
Roberts & Barrand
Andy Wallace

The general admission to any of these single event is $20. Members of NY Pinewoods Folk Music Club, the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston, or the Folklore Society of Greater Washington need pay only $15.

For information, please visit the festival website:

http://www.eisteddfod-ny.org

Or call [phone].

Of course we still encourage people to purchase all-festival tickets. The general all-festival admission is $70 by advance registration or $75 at the door. NY Pinewoods, FSSGB, and FSGW members would pay $60 by advance registration or $65 at the door.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 03:43 PM

That sounds like a prize I stand a chance of winning! ... course, it involves getting up of a morning or mebbe not going to bed Sat night, the mark of a good jam. Thanks, Steve, and hope to see you on the weekend.

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 10:51 PM

Greetings again!

Jon, we expect that you and Rika will claim your prize.

Everyone, I apparently made a boo-boo yesterday. While individual event tickets will be sold for the Friday evening concert, the Saturday afternoon Tanchaz, and the Sunday afternoon concert, they will not be available for The Copper Family at Home early evening workshop on Saturday. Admission to that workshop will be by all-festival or all-day ticket only.

Sorry if I made it confusing.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: georgeward
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 02:21 AM

And here I was, waiting for you all to tell ME which I should do! Hmm.
I'll talk it over with Jerry et al at Pinewoods and let you know.Perfect excuse to refresh the thread.

BTW, two members of the Eletfa Hungarian Folk Ensemble improvised a fill-in for a missing presenter at the Mid-Atlantic Folklife Association Conference this past spring and kept us electrified for hours! One more thing not to miss.
                         - George

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 08:36 AM

George, I e-mailed you a tentative schedule last night. In addition to being part of THE NORTH WOODS workshop on Saturday morning, we have you doing GET OUT THE WAY BIG BILL: SONGS OF THE NEW YORK STATE RENT WARS as a solo workshop on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 3. That's right after Allen Hopkins does his SONGS OF THE CIVIL WAR in the same room from 1 to 2. Yup, we gotta keep 'em upstate boys with their historical songs lined up, even if it's in reverse chronological order!

Everyone, you can find the tentative schedule on the website:

http://www.eisteddfod-ny.org

Oh, one unfortunate note. Ralph Bodington had to withdraw for personal reasons. On the other hand, Ellen Weiss and David Kleiman, whom we had been seeking, are now confirmed.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 05:30 AM

I've just had a look at the prgram and it's smashing! But when you say "Northern Woods" does that include Canada and canadian logging songs?

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 06:23 PM

Jon,

Such songs would certainly be appropriate, but which songs will actually be presented is entirely up to the performers.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 09:06 AM

Jenny and I will be there, but only for Sunday. We'll be back in the New York area beginning Friday night, but we have prior commitments. Sorry to miss the Copper Family, but we really do look forward to hearing the Kossoy Sisters. Do I reveal too much by saying that I heard them way back before each got married?

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 03:42 PM

Slightly revised 2003 Eisteddfod-NY concert schedule:

Evening Concert
Friday, 8/8/03
7:30-10:30 PM
Oscar Brand, MC
Tom Gibney
Margaret Bennett
Hedy West (tentative)
Dwayne Thorpe
Margaret MacArthur
Orrin Starr & the Sultans of String

Tanchaz
Traditional Hunagrian Dance
Saturday, 8/9/03
2:00-4:00 PM
Music & instruction by Eletfa Hungarian Folk Ensemble

Meet the Copper Family at Home
A Special Workshop Presentation
Saturday, 8/9/03
6:15-7:45 PM

Afternoon Concert
Sunday, 8/10/03
2:15-5:15 PM
Ron Olesko, MC
The Kossoy Sisters
Joe Hickerson
Maggi Peirce
Jean Ritchie
Roberts & Barrand
Andy Wallace
Elefta Hungarian Folk Ensemble


Single event tickets will be sold on a space-available basis to the Friday night concert, the Saturday Tanchaz, and the Sunday afternoon concert. Admission to the Meet the Copper Family at Home workshop is by all-festival or all-day ticket only.

For up-to-date information, please visit the Eisteddfod-NY website:
http://www.eisteddfod-ny.org

See you in Brooklyn!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 06:27 PM

If you have Adobe Acrobat, the full but still tentative 2003 Eisteddfod-NY schedule is now available on-line as a PDF document. Just click here:

http://www.folkmusicny.org/eisteddfod/tentative-schedule.pdf

There may still be some minor changes, but I would guess that the schedule is about 90% complete. The final version will be in the festival program booklet, due to come from the printer early next week.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: GUEST,Rosalie
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 02:52 PM

The Eistedfod site is so near the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, would it be fun to walk across to Chinatown (in Manhattan) for dinner Saturday or Sunday?

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 10:39 PM

If you would rather not walk, you can take the subway or a taxicab. If you have never been to New York's Chinatown before, I suggest you try Wo Hop at 17 Mott Street. You have to walk down a steep flight of stairs, and you may have to wait to be seated. Don't be surprised if you have to share your table with another party. It's well worth it!

Or you could stay in Brooklyn and dine at modest cost at any one of several Middle Eastern restaurants along Atlantic Avenue, about a 10-minute walk from Polytechnic. But if you don't mind spending quite a bit more, treat yourself to a seafood dinner at the historic Gage and Tolner restaurant, less than a 5-minute walk from the festival site.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: GUEST,Anne Price
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 01:58 PM

I just checked last night, and there is still dorm housing available for the festival. If you have been slow to reserve, do not despair! And if you have reserved and haven't heard back, don't worry. The college has been slow to confirm reservations, but Heather is working to with them to speed things up. This is very cheap housing, especially for New York. And it is a nice area with good restaurants nearby. Festival tickets are also still available on line and probably will also be available at the door. The site is indoors, air conditioned, and easily accessible by public transit. So no excuses. Don't miss this one! It will be fabulous.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 05:49 PM

One week left!

Eisteddfod New York
Festival of Traditional Music
August 8 - 10, 2003
Polytechnic University • Metrotech Center
Brooknlyn, NY

Website: http://www.eisteddfod-ny.org

Phone: [phone]

Be there!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 02:04 PM

I am really excited and very honored to be MC for the Sunday concert. This is going to be a festival that people will be talking about!   The organizers have done an incredible job to put together such an impressive lineup.

On my radio program, Traditions, I will be doing a "preview" around 5:30pm today (August 3). You can listen in on the internet at www.wfdu.fm.

Around 4pm my guest will be Bethany Yarrow, the daughter of Peter Yarrow, who has just released a CD called "Deep Folk". Bethany has taken traditional folk songs and put them in a modern setting with electronica and sampling. I am sure it will disapoint some traditionalists, but I do think that she is trying to reach an audience that is unfamiliar with this music and while she experiments, Bethany honors the music and their roots.

Sorry for the plug, but I think the show today will illustrate how traditional music is alive and well thanks to people like Bethany and the work of Pinewoods. Different directions, but I think the goals are the same.

Can't wait for next weekend! I hope to meet some Mudcatters there!

Ron Olesko

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: bflat
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 06:01 PM

Actually I was listening to your show and found your comments and the selections you played from performers you previewed to be at Eisteddfodd to be intriguing. I may see you there.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 07:04 PM

Thanks Ellen! This promises to be a great weekend. The workshops look wonderful!

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 11:23 PM

Some things to do in New York City if you are coming for the Eisteddfod-NY from out of town:

• First of all, remember that New York City has five boroughs, and they all have attractions worth visiting, whether it's Edgar Allen Poe's cottage in the Bronx, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary in Queens, or the Historic Richmondtown Restoration on Staten Island.

• You might want to join other festival goers on Friday, 8/8/03, for a midday excursion to Ellis Island in New York Harbor, the gateway to America for millions of immigrants. If you are interested, please call Eileen Pentel or Don Wade at [phone] as soon as possible.

• Brooklyn itself is New York City's most populous borough, and there is much more to it than the downtown area near Polytechnic. Take time to visit its many neighborhoods. Eat kielbassy in Greenpoint, discover the avant garde art scene of Williamsburg, admire the beautiful architecture of Fort Greene, walk along the Esplanade of Brooklyn Heights, visit the Brooklyn Museum in Prospect Heights, shop in the trendy boutiques along Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, bragain with the street vendors along Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, enjoy the multi-ethnic atmosphere of Flatbush, watch the fishing boats come and go along Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, drink home brewed kvass beneath the elevated railway in Brighton Beach, stroll along the boardwalk in Coney Island.

See you soon!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 02:19 PM

Warning: Tuly Shameless Self-Promotion!

By now you have grown weary of my endless messages publicizing the upcoming Eisteddfod New York, a festival of traditional music that will take place this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Polytechnic University in downtown Brooklyn, NY. What I may not have pointed out, although it was buried somewhere in the details, is that I am one of the performers. Granted I am merely co-leading a single 55-minute workshop, but at least I'm in the Big Show. Baseball fans will know what I mean!

The emotional gratification that comes with rubbing shoulders, figuratively speaking, with such giants of folkdom as Jean Ritchie can go only so far. What what really would give my ego a boost would be a good audience turnout for my workshop. The darn thing is called Woody Guthrie's Musical Evolution, and it's taking place Saturday, August 9, from 11:30 AM to 12:25 PM in Rogers Hall Room 116. The lovely and talented Anne Price will be my co-leader, and together we will explore the musical, biographical, and social context of some of Woody's songs, include a couple of his lesser known songs.

Don't worry, this is not a yawn-yawn lecture. We will be making lots of lively music, and the audience is invited to sing along. And those two adjectives in front of Anne's name are meant to be taken literally, not figuratively. I may know more about the minutia of Woody's life, but this woman really knows how to sing. Between us, Anne and I are going to present one heck of a workshop.

So check out the Eisteddfod-NY schedule carefully -- it's now on-line - and pencil in a place for your old comrade-in-song over here. You won't be disappointed. And then, just as a special favor to me, do likewise for the Mine and Mill workshop Anne Price is leading on Sunday, August 10, from 11:00 to 11:55 AM, in the Dibner Library Center Room 102. Anne will be accompanied in that endeavor by Allen Hopkins, a truly fine and versatile musician. You'll love 'em both!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 04:33 PM

I meant Truly Shameless Self-Promotion, of course!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 10:04 AM

I had a great time! The workshops were wonderful! The English Music Hall workshop was priceless!   Roberts & Barrand are a festival unto themselves!

I fell in love with Margaret Bennet! A captivating voice and a charming presence. She spoke so eloqently about Hamish Henderson during the workshop honoring him. I felt he was there!

I really hope they are able to do this again next year, and more Mudcatters will attend!

Ron

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 01:57 PM

Would that I could've attended !! So very many old friends and so many others I know I would've truly enjoyed hearing for the first time. Simply sounds like it was my kind of festival. I'm glad for you all it went so well.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 03:18 PM

I am only sorry that I could be there only one day, but what a day it was. I went to the Sacred Songs workshop in the morning, and it lasted more than 2 hours. That's because Bob Copper, we were told, is sick and in the hospital. His workshop on country life in England therefore had to be canceled. So they extended Sacred Songs, and in addition to Jean Ritchie, I was pleasantly surprised to hear some people I had never heard before, These included Dwayne Thorpe, Tom Gibney, and the biggest surprise of all, Voices of Shalom, a black women's Jewish gospel group! (They had a guy with them on piano.) You might say "only in New York," but a couple of the women in the group are from New Jersey. They were so good I went to hear their workshop in the afternoon, and they had the place enthralled. My only regret is that they did only one song in Hebrew, although they said they knew many more. One real standout was Voices of Shalom singing John Lenon's Imagine in their own style.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 06:57 PM

Voices of Shalom were stunning!   I was also very impressed with the Eletfa Hungarian Folk Ensemble! Even though I have some Hungarian blood in me, I know very little about the folk traditions. I was fascinated with the various instruments. What a lovely sound!

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Susan of DT
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 08:40 PM

The music was excellent. It is a pity so few people were there. NYC is not the best location for a folk festival. We were there Saturday only. I started with Songs from the North Woods: Jerry Epstein, Margaret MacArthur, Andy Wallace, and George Ward. Then the wonderful ballad workshop with Jerry Epstien, Tom Gibney, John Roberts, Tony Barrand, Jean Ritchie, Jeff Warner, and two Hungarian singers - I expected great things from that line-up and got it. After that: From the Southern Mountains: Tom Gibney, Kossoy Sisters, Jean Ritchie, Orin Starr, Jeff Warner. Then a delightful workshop on Hebridean Tradition with Margaret Bennett, who should have had more than an hour.

The location was Brooklyn Polytech (or whatever Poly calls itself these days, Polytechnic University?) in downtown Brooklyn just over the Brooklyn and Manhatten Bridges, in four rooms in two buildings. There was no food at the festival - go out and try a local restaurant. The air conditioning in the main auditorium was overly enthusiastic, shall we say, and people were freezing.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 09:31 PM

I beg to differ with Susan. New York City is a wonderful place for a folk festival. New York City in August, however, is a different story. Next time please consider moving it to October. New York in autumn is really delightful.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 09:48 PM

The problem with October is the University is in session and access to rooms will be difficult, but I do agree - the attendance might have been better in the fall.

I think the problem is Brooklyn Polytech is not the location that most people are familiar with for concerts. Manhattan proper would be great, but I don't know if the organizers could arrange a similar setup. Nothing against Brooklyn, but I do think that more people from places like NJ and Westchester might have made the trip into Manhattan.

The school itself was great. The rooms were fine, although it was freezing on Saturday. Sunday was a bit balmy in the auditorium, but much better.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 06:36 PM

Not having been in attendance I cannot comment on the particular situation---though having a cold room in this horrible humidity sounds like heaven to me.

As to location---Brooklyn is surely a nice place for such an event. As would be some other venues in NYC. The question I pose is this: does it have to be an indoor event? I suspect more people would prefer an outdoor event in the summer---and Bklyn and the Bronx have a few places that would serve that purpose.

For an indoor event I would suggest the autumn season and using a place in either Bklyn or Manhattan. Two venues come to mind. BAM in Bklyn and Cooper Union in Manhattan. Though I am sure that others might be available for rent. The economics are another issue of course. If, however, people were happy with the location I would suggest that on weekends the University might be for rent at a more reasonable rate than the two venues I have suggested.

I offer one other thought---that S. Suffet might appreciate---check out DeWitt Clinton HS. Great auditorium, food facilities, and easily reachable by IRT

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 07:47 PM

Bill,

Did you somehow know that I'm a graduate of Bronx High School of Science, right next to DeWitt Clinton? Class of 1963, the same as Mike Agranoff.

Economics certainly played a big part. NY Pinewoods essentially had free use of Polytechnic's facilities in return for allowing their students, faculty, and staff free admission. On the other hand, this past weekend was the only one where we could be assured of as many dorm rooms as the Eisteddfod-NY needed. The summer session had ended and the fall semester had not yet begun.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 07:56 PM

I like the idea that the festival was indoors. The focus became the music, not just an "event" like so many other festivals. While attendance was light, I think the crowd was one of the most enthusiastic audiences I ever saw! These folks knew their folk!!!   Having a festival of this type outdoors would not work.

I really hope that there will be an Eisteddfod in 2004! Good luck!

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Burke
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 08:06 PM

I really wanted to go, but then decided to do Augusta's Old Time week. I could not be 2 places at once.

My very first folk festival was in Minneapolis & completly inside. I don't recall the time of year. The workshops were in a coffeehouse, a couple of dance studios, & even a bar or 2; all within a few blocks of each other. The main concert was in a University lecture hall. It was great! I had no idea that most festivals are outside in the summer time.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 08:38 PM

Eisteddfod-NY 2003 attendance was approximately 220, including the performers, non-performing staff, and festival volunteers. Not really so bad, but we could have done better. Dibner Auditorium has a capacity of 350, and we were hoping to come close to filling it. Another 100 attendees would have helped big time.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 12:48 AM

Can anyone give an update on Bob Copper's illness? No one ever said what it is, and I was sad not to see them again. I hope he's better, and able to continue on his way.

I had a great time, visiting and singing with old & new friends, and just being able to be there. It's getting harder, but now that Margaret Bennett and I have finally met, she's working on getting me over to Scotland! So, I guess I'll have to 'keep on keepin on'. She is a lovely soul. I loved all the music, but the Hungarians (from NJ) really won my heart with their happy spirit. And....if I name all that I 'specially liked, I'd be naming them all.

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: georgeward
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 01:19 AM

It really was put together with thought, caring and love of both the music and the people who make it. Kytrad's last sentence about sums it up for me, too.

My one thought: It would have been a hassle, but I'd have tried to put a stage outside. There was a great grove of trees in the park, and one corner or another could have accomodated a small, low-key soundstage easily.

Why would I have bothered ? In a word, outreach. I've been a presenter long enough to believe that, in the end, it does make a difference if you reach out to people who have no clue what you do and who don't think they care (and whom you believe don't care). Often enough, both they and you will be right. But I just don't believe in becoming ingrown, and ANY artform, any idiom has to fight that.

Sometimes, you make great friends that way.

Easy for me to say, but it is true.

Luvya Pinewoods. Thanks for a great weekend.    - George ::-.--O

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 05:13 PM

Bob Copper suffered a recurrence of a bleeding ulcer on Friday, soon after arriving in New York City. He was admitted to Long Island College Hospital on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, about one mile from the festival site. Jerry Epstein has been in contact with the family, so I suggest you contact Jerry if you need more up-to-date information. His e-mail address is:

[e-mail]

All you need to do is click on it.

We will take George's suggestion of an outdoor stage into consideration if and when we hold another Eisteddfod-NY. At the moment we do not know if this will become an annual festival or if it will remain a special event we put on from time to time.

One last thing I should add: Mudcatter Kytrad's son Jon Pickow has a wonderfully deep and rich voice. He helped his mom out on a couple songs, and could esaily have been a featured performer in his own right. If you ever get a chance to hear him, please do so.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Suffet
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 11:33 PM

Good news regarding Bob Copper! The following report is from Eisteddfod-NY festival director Jerry Epstein:

I went to see Bob Copper on Mnday [8/11/03] and it was generally good news. They found with an endoscopy that his stomach was literally twisted around itself (gastric volvulus). Further more, with the endoscope they were able to untwist it and everything seemed to be normal. He was due for a barium scan Tuesday just to check and to be relased later that day. They say he needs surgery to ensure that it does not happen again. They have elected to get him home and deal with that after...

The doctors here do not believe he ever had an ulcer. The blood was entirely due to the wretching caused by the twist in the stomach. The print-out of typical symptoms of gastric volvulus matched him exactly. He was in good spirits, and just sad that it happened right at the festival.

Let me just add that we all wish Bob Copper well, and that we really look forward to hearing him at the Eisteddfod-NY some day.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: GUEST,Jerry Epstein
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 12:59 AM

As festival director, I can only express my deep thanks, on behalf of the management committee for the festival, for all of the warm and caring comments above. I thought the spirit of community among so many people who are deeply involved in the real traditional music, was extraordinary, and exactly what I would have hoped for.

There is not the slightest doubt that we would have done better in September. The critical question for next year will be the availability of the site. For reasons mentioned by Steve Suffet above, I find it very difficult to imagine where else we could hold it -- remember this was cosponsored by Polytechnic and the festival did not have to pay for the use of the site. After the Club Board has had a chance to discuss it all, I imagine we will be opening discussions with the university to see what is possible. The site really worked quite well, except for the overactive A.C. The crew, security, maintenance, facilities, were superb -- totally professional, and I cannot overstate how critical this is. Anyone who has run such an event knows what I mean. If we are after Labor Day next year, the cafeteria will be open.

A bit of a plug: Following an appeal at the festival to help us make up the deficit, people contributed almost $2000!!! Hard to imagine a more profound sign of what it meant to so many. That coupled with some saving due to the unfortunate absence of the Coppers has left us with a deficit but not a catastrophe. There is no doubt that the Board will be announcing a fund raising effort to erase this deficit and raise an advance kitty for next year. If anyone reading this would like to contribute, or hold a fundraising event, or whatever, please do email me at [e-mail].

We have endeavored to put on a festival of the highest possible quality in traditional music, an event that the NY area has needed -- in my opinion -- for as long as anyone can remember. Artistically I think it was an astonishing success. Again, my thanks to all the staff and volunteers, and my invitation for all lovers of the tradition to join us. You can put your name on an email list to be notified of things for next year. I think you can send a message to [e-mail].

Jerry Epstein

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 10:26 AM

Thanks for the notes Jerry & Steve. We all appreciate the incredible hard work you and the rest of the committee did to put this all together. After reading your discussion about why the site was chosen, I think most of us agree with you - it was the perfect location and you made the right decision. I will show up wherever and whenever you decide to do another one!

I am sure that attendance will increase as more people become aware of how good this event was and how promising future festivals will be. This past weekend is something that will stay with me for a long time to come!

As you said Jerry it was an artistic success, and even more importantly, it was a success for the folk community. Pinewoods has kept traditional music alive and well in the NYC area, even when the singer-songwriter movement was laying claim to the words "folk music". You've also shown that this music is not a museum piece but a living tradition. You give those of us who are trying to help perpetuate the music encouragement and inspiration. Thank you again!!!

Ron

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 10:45 AM

I'm all with George Ward on this one... if there is any way to take folk music to the folks, that's a worthy goal. When I tell people I sing folk music, one of the commonest things they ask is "What is that?" They don't mean "What is folk music? in the four hundred posting sense of Mudcat. They have no idea what I'm even talking about. I love traditional folk music, and will always continue singing and playing it, just because I love it. But, what is more insular than folk music? If folk music is ever going to be more than music for a private party again, it has to reconnect with folks.

Now there's an idea for a thread..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: GUEST,Steve Suffet away from home
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 04:27 PM

Warning: Truly Shameless Self-Promtion Follows

Ron, George, and Jerry R. can all take heart. I am in the process of joining with four of my comrades-in-song to form a new singing group whose goal is to carry the spirit of the Almanac Singers into the 21st Century. We have performed together iinormally for a while now, but our first "official" organizational meeting will is this coming Sunday. Wish us luck.

Our tentative name is MacDougal Street Rent Party, under which three of us appeared at NEFFA last April. We may or may not change that name. We are open to suggestions.

Our repertoire will be varied, everything from old traditional folk songs to current topical-political songs with just about anything in-between. One thing we will promise: a majority of our songs will have singable choruses or refrains. Our intent is not just to perform, but to get the audience actively involved.

The five of us are, in addition to myself, Anne Price, Gina Tlamsa, Eric Levine, and Joel Landy. More information to come! Staye tuned!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Eisteddfodd Fest Brooklyn NY Aug 8 - 10
From: GUEST,Mike Miller
Date: 29 Aug 03 - 10:14 PM

Eisteddfod – the cup runneth over

The 2003 Eisteddfod Festival of Traditional Music was an awesome, inspiring event with just one problem: there were so many terrific things going on at once that you had to make no end of painful choices. What to do: hear Oscar Brand hold forth on "Woody, Leadbelly, Dylan, & Me" or listen to John Roberts and Tony Barrand in a harmony workshop with the Kossoy Sisters and Orrin Star's Sultans of String? Of course, if you did either one of these, you'd miss some amazing Hungarian music (trumpet fiddle, anyone?) from the Eletfa Ensemble.

It was like that for the whole Aug. 8-10 weekend at Metrotech Center's Polytechnic University in Brooklyn. One person was heard to remark, "When are we supposed to go eat? There's no time for lunch – I'll miss something good."

You really had to hone your multitasking skills. I skipped out in the middle of a fine workshop on song parodies by Mike Agranoff and Joe Hickerson because I didn't want to miss the English Music Hall featuring Roberts and Barrand, David Jones, Maggi Peirce and Heather Wood, deftly accompanied by Jerry Epstein on piano.

Thankfully, the concerts provided some relief from the usual dilemma. How nice to enjoy the pure voice of Jean Ritchie without that nagging feeling that you might be missing Margaret Bennett's ballads from her native Hebrides, or Margaret MacArthur's songs of Vermont, or Jeff Warner's memorable ditties that he's picked up all over the place in a lifetime of song collecting.

Unfortunately, the Copper Family were unable to appear as scheduled, owing to patriarch Bob Copper's ill health. The time scheduled for their workshop on Saturday was given over to all and sundry singing the songs of this remarkable family from the English village of Rottingdean, in Sussex, many of which have become indelible parts of the traditional British canon.

Hats off to all those involved in producing this amazing weekend of traditional music, and let's hope it happens again next year, with a fully recovered 88-year-old Bob Copper.

--Mike Miller