Hi folks,
I apologize for not posting as much as I would have liked the last few weeks. The “staff” of the Folk Music Notebook has been taking summer vacations, making final preparations for the upcoming Hurdy Gurdy concert season and our move to Fair Lawn, serving on the judging committe for the NERFA formal showcase (more about that later!), and trying to maintain a personal life – including nursing a sick cat (you truly do not understand the meaning of the word “frustration” until you try to feed an ornery cat through a feeding tube!).
I’d like to thank all of you for continuing to visit this website. Over the past few weeks we have been averaging over 80 hits per day. I promise to continue to bring you news, reviews, and information about the exciting folk scene!
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There is light at the end of the tunnel! The judging for the NERFA formal showcase should wrap up in a week or two. For those of you not familiar with NERFA, this is an annual conference held each November in the Catskills. Attended by musicians and presenters, the showcase features a juried showcase and I serve as the chairperson of the committee. We are listening to dozens of applicants and choosing a select few to strut their stuff this coming November. I can’t tell you much at this point, other than we are being treated to some superb music! I’ve served on the committee for five years and I think this years submissions have been exceptional. It amazes me that there are still “new” names turning up performing outstanding music. Where have these people been hiding???? As soon as we make our final choices, I will report back on more.
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The Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club has been working hard all summer long as we prepare for our new season and our new venue. Last night a group of members gathered at the Fair Lawn Community Center for a photo session with a photographer from the Bergen Record. Check out the Bergen Record this coming Sunday August 19th. There will be an article about the Hurdy Gurdy in the “Better Living” section in Jim Beckerman’s column. (If the story is placed online I will provide a link).
Also, be sure to check out our blogsite – http://www.hurdygurdyfolk.blogspot.com/ . Our season schedule is posted, plus we have audio and video samples for the Arrogant Worms, our featured performers for our gala season opener – Saturday Sept. 15. We will have more samples in future months.
Stay tuned for some more news about the Hurdy Gurdy….
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I will take a break to head down to the Philadelphia Folk Festival this weekend. This granddaddy of all folk fests will be starting this evening and running through Sunday.
Among the top attractions at the 46th annual PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL are Doc Watson, Mavis Staples, Jonathan Edwards, Bettye LaVette, Sam Bush, John Flynn, Elvis Perkins, The Mammals, Baka Beyond, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Stephen Wade and Friends, The Quebe Sisters, Les Yeux Noirs, Back of the Moon, Fennings All Star String Band, Toby Walker, The Pine Leaf Boys, Jack Williams, Freebo, Carsie Blanton, and The Lovell Sisters. In all, more than 50 folk, blues, old-timey, bluegrass, world, and roots artists will be providing more than 55 hours of music from new and innovative to traditional, including more than 22 hours of dance music in the 3,500 square foot, wooden floor dance tent.
For more information, visit their website – www.folkfest.org .
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This Sunday, I will be sharing some exciting new recordings on WFDU-FM’s TRADITIONS (Sunday from 3 to 6pm on 89.1FM or listen online at www.wfdu.fm )
Enjoy the weekend! More news will be coming soon. Look for my “review” of Philly next week!
