Topic: PT Blues Workshop 2007

[Slack]

Welcome Alana!

I'd say depending on what faculty show up at PT, a handful of fiddle players and about 4 handfuls of mando players (many guitar players play mando as a second instrument).

PT is a great and wonderful workshop... well worth the effort to attend!

Cheers,

[uncle bud]

Welcome, Alana. One of the fiddle players can speak up, but I've seen a class of up to 10 of them, easy, in previous years. Mando players abound (many beginners/intermediate, a number of experienced players, a few who can play at a pro level) - I've seen classes of over 20 players. They can also speak for themselves. So I'll just stop talking...  But this past year was a little different, in that Andra Faye taught fiddle and mandolin in the same class. Maybe Buzz or Ted or another mando player can enlighten us regarding how that went.

[waxwing]

Welcome to Weenie Campbell, then, Alana.

Perhaps one of the mando or fiddle players will chime in here with better info, but my recollection is that there are about a dozen or more mando players and usually about half that number of fiddle players. Skill levels across the range.

PT is truely amazing. Once you go it's hard not to plan on going every year. There are folks of all ages and many women (especially fiddlers) so no one feels like they don't fit in. Your second year everyone feels like family.

Next year is Phil Wiggins' final year as Artistic Director. Every year of Phil's tenure has been better than the last and Phil promises that next year will be even better.

Hope to see you there.

Edit - Oops, didn't notice there was another page with responses from Slack and UB.

All for now.
John C.

[punk_picker]

Thanks for the welcome, Slack, UB, and waxwing! I'm really enjoying this forum.
Looks like I'll mark Port Townsend on my calendar. And if anyone has any pull with the workshop, I'd say to please remember us fiddle and mandolin players.

-Alana

[Slack]

And if anyone has any pull with the workshop, I'd say to please remember us fiddle and mandolin players.

Oh, not much need, the workshop director is a fiddle player  and they include fine fiddle and mando players every year - do not miss a year that Suzy Thompson is there, wow - she teaches a great vocal class as well. Rich Del Grosso is a big favorite too.

[Buzz]

Hi, alana:

Took the Mando classes from Ms. Andra Faye, and she was great. About 5 fiddlers, most beginners and 1 or 2 intermediate players who could go to positions more readily, sitting on the L, and about 10 mando players on the R. Sometimes we would play mando chop or blues riffs we were taught, for 5 min or more, and let the fiddlers play the melody, then switch. We learned how to play second to backup someone else who plays lead. We learned different rhythyms, on 2 'bayonnes' or calypso  tunes: Iko Iko, and Woman Smarter. Some old blues traditional tunes. Learned Circle of Fifths in different keys--still learning that, it soaks in slowly for me.

Andra Fay sings and plays very soulfully. She would be a great lady for a return teaching gig. Rich del Grosso is a terrific teacher too, and I missed him this year, but can't conplain, cuz Ms Faye was cool. Rich moved to Houston (?), got married, and had other gigs on his plate this summer, but he could be on faculty again in future.

PT is in a class of its own. You would not regret making the trip. You will learna lot, in a fabulous environment, among folks with similar interests. It is FUN!!!

Every morning, I would wake up, and in a while, I would stop and look around ,and have to say , again, " Wow, another day, and I'm having fun again..."

Buzz

[Rosalyn]

Roz?s Never Forget List

Re-enactments of Jan?s dancing from everyone but Jan. You know it?s good when it makes the list by gossip alone.

Farren?s version of drinking Tequila. I didn?t know the neck could also be used as a saltshaker.

Oh, Mark I have a little footage of you in stun and awe mode floating down the aisle to receive your new shiny dream guitar. A couple of us were (won?t mention names here) wishing we could have been the prize. Oh well. When you get tired of that ?ol girl??.

Waxwing putting his foot down on the last night (morn) of partying?.except Sean and David were dueling harmonicas in his room?.which meant kicking everyone out once-and-for-all was out-of-the-question for another undetermined amount of time.

Being the ears between two masters (Sean of the Jelly Rollers & David from Virginia)  of the harmonica. Holy smokes?I get it! A super highlight for me.

Bringing Erwin to #15.
Watching Erwin be delighted with his surroundings.
Dragging him out on the porch of #15 to hear a spiritual - sung by David?s wife. I believe he liked it. (Please help me to use correct names)
Learning something musical in Erwin's class. Yeah. Wonderful gentle person and wonderful musician. The essence of the best champagne comes to mind when I think of Erwin.

Alex?s potato salad.
Bringing Mr. Belfour over for dinner. Such a gentleman. He loved sitting in the sun outside #15 sipping a weenie (I believe it had a Bayleaf flavor) cocktail of some sort.
Whose Cornbread? Mmmmm Good enough to be in the photo gallery.
Waxwings Oysters off the barbie. I didn?t even like oysters until last years pre-soak.
Front Page?s one-stop (throw the fruit in with the veggies) salad.
Front Page?s one-stop was-it-stew?. Thanks for using restraint on your spice hand.
Front Page?s choice of wine. What I missed in music class I made up for in enology classes in #15. Thanks FP. Is it true Bob West interviewed you?

Miller playing Kazoo while Erwin accompanied with tasty ballad. I adore the sincerity of musicians in these moments.

Oh, Uncle Bud, so glad the video caught you playing guitar. That might make a good Centrum link for showcasing events of PT Country Blues week. I?ll post somewhere soon and get honest opinions.

Terry Bean being such an energetic showman and friendly person on Tuesday, Tuesday night, Wednesday, Wednesday night,  Thursday, Friday, Friday night. Saturday, and Saturday night. Doesn?t that man get tired? Doesn?t he get cranky?

Alex offering to pay for my schooling. I know the Crown of Royals was consulted in the decision. I am excitedly awaiting the installments. Just think of the good that will come of it Alex. I will be able to join the workforce, hence pay for my Weenie wine and meals.

9 a.m. Seriously Liz, if only I could?ve stopped giggling long enough to lock in memory, those out-of-the-ball-park quips. It was odd she was the only one wearing sunglasses in the choir performance at McCurdy don?t you think?

Shelly?s face. Shelly?s look of utter content. Happiness. Awe. Thankfulness to be alive. Shelly face. All she had to do, for this week in life, was sit at the kitchen table. The procession of musicians that stop, sit in the chair opposite and you know, hang out for a while provided all the nourishment that was needed to be on the planet. Let?s see, there was the elegantly resourceful Elijah Wood and graceful Lauren, The Jelly Rollers with fresh and fabulous vocal harmonies, Remarkable Del, Lightnin, the man with the elephant memory of verse, Bunny Boy Freeman and his girlfriend, Dapper and joyous Cheik, Prince Phil Wiggins, Eleanor of humble demeanor and big-gun playing ?I thought she was a Centrum participant that needed a ride, I cajoled her into stopping by #15. She was only going to peek in ? but that chair opposite Shelly?..Is there secret musician glue in that chair?  Could?ve been Ken?s popcorn I suppose. Turtle Doves John and Ginny. How special we get to share in their reality around the kitchen table. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy thinking about them. Steve James elicited a supreme Shelly face. I will say it was truly a spiritual experience for me to witness Shelly?s face in that moment. I?m sure the mando playing was good too.

Did you ever notice how no one ever takes Shelly?s chair?

Oh, there is so much more I am remembering??.
In short, thank you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Gotta capture Wax playing his washboard?..such a dance.
Gotta get on video Shelly cooking pasta for musicians??.I was thinking that rigging up a guitar string strainer would be an asset to the production.

Question: When can weenies pay $33 each for breakfast meals that cost less than $10 each?
Answer: The day after a week at Port Townsend.

I knew something was wrong with that bill. It took me a week to figure it out though. Did anyone else notice?

[waxwing]

Uh, not me !?!

And then I drove to Portland!

(Nice dinner and company at Lauren and Ed's. Chezz came over, too.)

Good post, Ros, and thanks for waiting 'til now to post. Sure brings it all back.

Hey, less than 11 months.

All for now.
John C.

[Temple]

You paint a great visual portrait, Roz.  Thanks! 

Temple

p.s. Call if you want to go to Connor Byrne's blues jam with Theresa and myself. 

[Rosalyn]

Glad to take notes!

Miss you guys too!

You'll be hearing from me soon......at the Conner Byrne.

[slimjimmyd]

Well folks, it's been almost 1 month since PT 2007.  Can we have these experiences the first week of every month?  With one month of rehab every three months