Tag Archive for: songwriters

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The 10th Annual Working Waterfront Festival

Scallop Shucking Contest

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

The 10th Annual Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford was held on September 28th and 29th 2013 and exceeded all expectations. It was a picture perfect weekend, record crowds and smiles across all three piers. New Bedford is America’s largest commercial fishing port; the festival is designed for participants to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Festival attendees walked the decks of a scalloper; dine on fresh seafood, viewed fishermen’s contests, and watch cooking demonstrations.

The Festival has been a labor of love for a decade.  Take a look back.

 

Of course the main attractions of the Working Waterfront Festival are the music, food, demonstrations and a chance to walk aboard many of the fishing vessels.

The Souls of the Sea

The Souls of the Sea

Cooking Demonstrations

Cooking Demonstrations

 

 

Festival Director Laura Orleans told the New Bedford Standard Times  “We started the festival really to educate the public about the industry and to give people who work in this industry a sense of pride in the work they do and an opportunity to tell their stories.”

New Bedford fisherman Phil Ashworth says “God, we could tell stories for hours,”

 

Scallop Shucking Contest

Scallop Shucking Contest

Here’s a nice tribute to this years festival from folks who were there.

Click here

Hear more stories and experience the 11th Working Waterfront Festival September 27 & 28, 2014.

You’ll find me there sampling the grilled scallops.

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The Rose Garden Coffeehouse Turns 25

The Rose Garden Crew

The Rose Garden Coffeehouse, unbelievable! A music series lasting 25 years and of all things, featuring folk music! It is jaw dropping for sure but under the guidance of “Mac” McLanahan that’s exactly what the Rose Garden Coffeehouse has accomplished.

The music coffeehouse is a New England tradition and we are so lucky to have so many in the area. There is even an association established to help coffeehouses, well, help themselves.  Check them out: The Boston Area Coffeehouse Association.However, there is something special about the Rose Garden.Sure the music is fabulous but what is truly noteworthy about the Rose Garden is that they’ve endured for a quarter of a century. Mac will tell you that it’s all due to the volunteers who give so much year after year to make it all happen. From the sound engineers, to the folks who bake the goods, to the ticket takers, to the folks who set up the chairs and then take them down again, every one has a part to play.That’s what community is all about, isn’t it?The Rose Garden kicks off it’s 25th season Saturday September 21st, in Mansfield, MA. They’re putting on a free outdoor concert on the South Common at 4:30 p.m.  It’s part of the Mansfield Music & Arts Society’s Arts Festival.Folk veterans Atwater Donnelly  will perform.

As you’re enjoying the music, say thanks to the volunteers who have been putting on shows for decades and say happy birthday to Mac.

Tell him he looks good for 25.

For information on The Rose Garden Coffeehouse and how you can help out click here

Here is a sample of what you’ll hear at the Rose Garden. It’s The Kennedys “Blackbird into 8 Mile High”

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Folk Films, Festivals and Artists Funding

For the Love of the Music

Folk film directors, festival organizers and artists are using crowd sourcing these days.  They fund projects like films, festivals, cd recordings and just to name a few. Creative people are raising millions of dollars through sites like Kickstarter, indigogo, PledgeMusic and others.  Where else can you find out about the passions of people all over the world?

Here are a few that have come across the radar screen lately. Take a look!

 

Film

 

Joan Baez at Folk Club 47

Joan Baez at The Club 47

For The Love of the Music: The Club 47 Folk Revival

This is a documentary exploring the rich history of Club 47, the iconic Cambridge, Massachusetts folk music mecca from 1958-1968. Narrated by Peter Coyote, it explores the influence the Club had on a unique group of folk musicians, from the evolution of the 60s folk revival to the singer-songwriter era. Featured are interviews with Joan Baez, Taj Mahal, Judy Collins, Tom Rush, Maria Muldaur, Geoff Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, Jackie Washington, Jim Rooney, Peter Rowan and many more.

More info here.

Festivals

Working Waterfront Festival

The Working Waterfront Festival

Come to New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Walk the decks of a scalloper, dine on fresh seafood, see fishermen’s contests, and watch a cooking demonstrations. Experience the workings of the industry which brings seafood from the ocean to your plate. Lot’s of folk art too.

More info here.

Artists

Michaela Anne and Marian Evans just completed successful campaigns for new music projects.. Last Dance Productions is happy to support all of these folk projects. Find a project that you can be passionate about and lend your support. You’ll be glad you did.

 

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