From The Folknik March/April 2003
(Volume XXXIX, Number 2)

e-zine of the San Francisco Folk Music Club
(click here for membership info)

The San Francisco Folk Music Club is a nonprofit corporation
dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation and promotion of
acoustic music in individual, family, and community life.

Table of Contents

Memorial Day Campout
This Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26, we return to Bort Meadows in Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Oakland, an East Bay Regional Park.

Facilities are basic: portable toilets, water faucets, no showers, a few picnic tables. We have the usual concerts, jams, and campfire sings.

Bring wood for campfires, but remember that in an effort to protect the local oaks from Sudden oak Death virus, only commercially processed wood - certified to be uncontaminated, cut up lumber, or processed fire logs are allowed in the park.

Parking is in a central lot, not at campsites. There are loading and unloading areas, but cars must be moved out of these in a short time - unless you want to pay a parking ticket of $75 or more.

Register ahead of time! Park officials need a registration count before camp, and you get the Early Bird rate that way. Early Bird rate deadline is May 1; forms and $ must ARRIVE at 885 Clayton Street by that date.

Send the registration coupon and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with your check to: SFFMC-Memorial Day, 885 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117. Confirmation and directions to camp are mailed back to you.      back to top

Camp Harmony Thank Yous!

SFFMC rang in 2003 in a joyous celebration at Camp Harmony, continuing our tradition of a great many years.

We don't want to brag, but with the help of zillions of hands right when we needed them, we had a great camp this year. Here are a few of the people that made Harmony 02/03 what it was:

Charlie Fenton, Committee Chair, Camp Liaison, Board Rep, Setup Supervisor, and the guy who makes it all happen.

Mary Luckhardt, Committee Secretary-Treasurer, Acting Registrar, Carpool Coordinator, and bed-counter.

Thanks to our local committee members Ray Frank, Phillip Garrison, David Luckhardt and Trish Waldon who come to meetings, and Robert Reed and Laurie Vela, who live too far away, but participate electronically.

Ray is our Health and Safety Officer, Kitchen Advisor and Crew Chief, and Concert Coordinator. Robert is the Parking Tsar and Laurie organizes Arts and Crafts and the Kid's Chorus. Phillip keeps us sane and organizes our equipment rental, David heads the Take Down Crew and Trish coordinates Sommer Lodge coffee.

Ray Fixler organized family housing, Jane Doyle organized special needs housing. Madge Strong and Joan Hall-Feinberg organized workshops and loaner instruments. Elizabeth Douglas organized the evening dances, and Adam Cavan organized Swing Nite.

Marv Sternberg and Shary Levy took home and recorded all the Lost and Found. Maxine Gerber and Brendan Doyle organize the supplies, know where everything is and who's bringing it next year. Arlene Immerman was our On Site Registrar and the Daily Supervisor every day. Beth Kotkin keeps track of all the signs and makes new ones. John Gregorin designed the buttons. Pete Sumner tuned the pianos this year, and repaired the trail when it got too muddy. Talk about an all 'rounder!

In the Kitchen this year, working with Debby McClatchy, our fabulous chef, were Cass and Quena Crain, Sharyn Dimmick, Paul Donnelly, Elliot Dror, Anselm Engle, Dan Engle, Peter Langston, Linnet Millikan, Joe Offer, Lewis Santer, Ed Silberman, and Rory Solomon. Debbie Grainger of Camp Harmon cooked breakfast. Tim Hudson did all the recycling.

Bettine Wallin organized the hot drinks in the Reg Room and Rachel Levin brought all the Rent-A-Mugs. Also in the Reg Room was Carol Chapman, who brings Arts and Crafts to all of us with box making, and this year with magnet making. We must thank Carol also for always being available as an unofficial Registration resource, ready to answer questions or help sort out a problem at the Reg Desk.

Let's not forget the many workshop leaders who fill the schedule with songs, jams, dance lessons, music theory and instrumental sessions (and yoga, massage and arts and crafts, too!). Since we are a do-it-yourself camp, these folks give their time and expertise to all of us without even a chore credit!

Thanks to all these folks, 2002-03 was "The Best Ever" and we know that 2003-04 will be better yet. Watch this space in September for YOUR application! back to top

San Francisco Free Folk Festival

The 27th Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival will take place on June 21-22, 2003, at Roosevelt Middle School. Join us for two full days of free dances, workshops, concerts, and open mic, a music and craft marketplace and continual fun featuring all styles of music. There is also food available on site.

The festival is for anyone who wants to smile a lot, create new friendships, and be surrounded by music, dance and a wonderful community!

Admission is (of course) free. The festival is easy to reach by MUNI lines 1, 2, 4 or 38. On-site parking is extremely limited, but street parking is available within reasonable walking distances. The event is wheelchair accessible.

Starting in late March the festival web page at www.sffolkfest.org will be updated continually as performers and workshop leaders are confirmed. And right now you can check out last year's page, which is still up!

Music Workshops
More than fifty music workshops include beginning and more advanced sessions for a range of instruments, including fiddle, guitar, harp and vocal workshops such as song circles and harmony singing. Workshops are led by experienced teachers from our local community and beyond.

Dance Workshops
Thirty-six dance workshops cover the basics such as waltz, hambo, contra and International dance. We will also have swing, Irish, Scottish, English and many more.

Concerts
Performers include locally and (inter)nationallly renowned artists, such as Jubilee, Tony Marcus and the World Harmony Chorus. There are also open mic sessions which anyone may sign up for.

Family Activities
Family oriented activities include a concert, crafts, storytelling and children's workshops. We gladly welcome ideas for family shows, crafts, or other family-oriented activities; please contact Michael Jones at (650) 622-9598 or email director@sffolkfest.org.

Be A Star! Volunteer! Perform!
Would you like to perform, lead a workshop, or volunteer? It takes about 200 volunteers to make this festival happen. Opportunities to help are numerous and range from helping schedule performers to being a performer yourself.

Performance Opportunities
Singers and musicians, soloist or groups, may perform in venues ranging from the Main Stage to the "Cafe Cabaret" small stage. For information on performing please contact Karen Imperial at bryantst@mac.com.

Volunteer Opportunities
We need workshop leaders in instrumental music, singing, and dance.

We need leaders of children's or family-oriented activities, such as sing-alongs, dance/movement workshops or hands-on craft activities. Be creative and ask your kids and teens to participate!

And we need volunteer organizers of volunteers and volunteer tasks before and during the festival. (Just so you don't think it's all work and no play, volunteers have been known to get jam sessions going in the instrument room, at the information desk, in the parking lot...).

To volunteer, please contact Michael Jones, director@sffolkfest.org.

Our Teens and Young Ones
We want to continue to expand the activities for young people during the festival. We always invite ideas and brainstorming from you and your children. Kids are welcome to become involved. Our children are the future of the festival, the folk club, the music and dance we do and more! Help keep the spirit alive for future generations. back to top

Fold-In/Folk Sing: April 27

The fold-in will be at noon, Sunday, April 27, at the home of Abe and Joan Feinberg, 1121 Ashmont Ave., Oakland. Phone (510) 451-1122.

The more, the merrier - to help with the folknik, enjoy a meal afterwards, and to make music. Bring a potluck dish and instruments. back to top

Woodsongs Old-Time Radio
A syndicated, live-audience weekly radio show broadcast on the net each Monday evening at 6;45 EST (that's 9:45 out here) by YAHOO!Broadcast and InSight Communications.

Sponsors are Sing Out! Magazine, Mother Earth News and Bluegrass Unlimited. Information on this worthy enterprise at www.woodsongs.com or radio@woodsongs.com back to top

Musical Meetings

Musical meetings of the San Francisco Folk Music Club are held every other Friday at 885 Clayton Street, between Carl and Parnassus Streets in San Francisco. Singing and jamming in three separate rooms start at 8:00 p.m. Guests are always welcome, no one is expected to "perform," and there is no charge. Snacks are provided through $1 food kitty donations or finger food contributions.

Date March 7 March 21 April 4 April 18 May 2
Setup Melissa Sarenac Stephen Hopkins Faith Yvette Tannenbaum Faith
Bulletin Board Faith Joy Salatino Scott Rome Marisa Malvino Joe Lavelle
Host/ess Debbie Klein Vic Saravia Irene Smith Marisa Malvino Jody Guthrie
Host/ess Ed Hilton Marisa Malvino Paula Kristovich Estelle Freedman Faith
Singing Room Estelle Freedman Julie Bidou Yvette Tannenbaum Debbie Klein Phil Morgan
Theme International Women's Day* Occupations Green Disasters Birds, flowers, trees
Cleanup Jim Letchworth Denis Soler Paul Michael Vic Saravia Vic Saravia

*Songs by, for and about women celebrate International Women's Day on March 7.

Board Meetings

The SFFMC board meets on the second Tuesday of each month; potluck at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 8:00 p.m. All Club members are welcome to attend the potluck dinner and the Board meeting. March 11: Phil Morgan's, 817 Arlington, Berkeley, (510) 525-1965 April 8: Marian Gade's, 136 Highland Blvd. Kensington, (510) 524-9815 May 13: Phil Morgan's, 817 Arlington, Berkeley, (510) 525-1965 back to top

Club News

Betsy Rose leads singing of peace songs every other week, usually on Tuesdays, in BART stations. For information email betsy@betsyrosemusic.org or see www.betsyrosemusic.org/events.html.

Mary Black is at the Marin Center on Sunday, March 23, 7 p.m.

Michael Cogan, owner and engineer of Bay Records, 1414 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley, has been nominated for a Grammy award as Mastering Engineer in the "Best Historical Album" category: Arhoolie Records 40th Anniversary Collection: 1960-2000,The Journey of Chris Strachwitz. Michael, an SFFMC member for some 40 years, has engineered many recordings (LPs, tapes and CDs) for other SFFMC musicians.

Freedom Song Network Santa Cruz meets Sunday, March 9, 2-4 p.m. at Louden Nelson Center, Room 7. Bring "Stop the War" and other socially significant songs, refreshments, and help to defray $26 cost of the room. For details e-mail mitzvahmus@aol.com.

Katherine and Kit Gardner send, "Thanks for the best Harmony Camp ever!" It must have been, judging by the Camp Harmony Lost and Found: a banjo, a guitar, and more were recovered. If one of the items listed on page 3 is yours, contact Marv Sternberg or Shary Levy at (510) 527-3224 or at SternbergM@aol.com.

Joe Weed's newest CD Swanee, The Music of Stephen Foster is available through Highland Records, PO Box 554, Los Gatos, CA 95031. "For those interested in American Music, this is required listening," says a reviewer.

Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour is a syndicated, live-audience weekly radio show broadcast on the net Monday evenings at 9:45 p.m. More information on this worthy enterprise is at www.woodsongs.com or radio@woodsongs.com.

Club News Wanted: To announce a marriage, a baby, a new CD, special gigs or events, instruments for sale, or other similar news, email: jmkelly@ieee.org. back to top

Highlights from the Camp Harmony SFFMC General Meeting

From Marian Gade's minutes. Items discussed included:
  • Concerts should begin at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9:00; the latter makes everything very late. A straw poll showed an overwhelming number of people preferring the 8:30 time.
  • Sommer Lodge concert hall layout: Next year, try moving the sound stage to the other end of the room so there is less disturbance when people come in and out of the concert hall during performances, although the room configuration may not permit this. If possible, add sound amplification to improve ability to hear performers at concerts.
  • Have a general "sing-around" in the Registration area (or Fireplace Room) just before dinner as a community-building activity.
  • There should be a designated length of time for each performer (e.g., 5-8 minutes) instead of "two songs," some of which can be quite lengthy. Richard Rice suggested two songs or ten minutes, whichever is shorter, which encourages performers to keep their introductions short.
  • Make a list of people who have attended camp and send it out to everyone so people can keep in touch with the new friends they've made. The registrar said that this would be very difficult! All members are reminded to keep their contact and mailing information up-to-date at: sffolk@aol.com and to consider subscribing to the Harmony list at harmony@idiom.com.
  • Further discussion re: electronic communication: Richard says there will be a Hootenanny web site within a week or two. The Club has a web site (www.sffmc.org) but it is not up to date and has many broken links. A committee will be formed to consider overhaul and updates for the site. The Club also needs a new on-line folknik editor.
  • Lost and Found: Marv Sternberg and Shary Levy will be holding unclaimed items after camp. Contact them at (510) 527-3224 or at SternbergM@aol.com.
  • Congratulations: to the Harmony Committee for making this such a wonderful camp; to the "community" at Harmony, for handling problems well; to adults who brought children--it's good to see them at camp; to those who brought extra instruments for children to use in learning workshops, and to Ed Hilton for teaching (if members run into inexpensive instruments at garage sales, consider purchasing them to bring to camp); to Bob Semple for putting up the sound stage for the concerts; to whoever made sure there was water available in the dance hall and provided a separate room for instrument storage in the Registration area; to the folknik editors; to the wonderful group of teenagers who came to Harmony this year; to Richard Rice for conceiving and implementing the Hootenanny project.back to top

Lost and Found At Harmony

To get stuff contact Marv or Shary at (510) 527-3224 or at SternbergM@aol.com.

  • Banjo : Remo 4-string, with song book, black case
  • Guitar: Gibson F-hole, black case
  • Harmonica, diatonic A
  • Plastic bag with black shoulder purse, 2 stitchery kits, silk flower kit, etc.
  • Gray binder (room for tapes) with song sheets
  • 2 white blankets
  • Light blue towel
  • Umbrellas: 3 expandable, black; 1 maroon; 1 blue; 3 multicolored: 1 long, 1 medium, 1 short
  • Shoes: 1 pair black shower or pool; 1 pair black flat dancing shoes; 1 pair New Balance size 10, white & black
  • Hats: 5 baseball hats; 1 visor; 1 straw hat; 3 stocking hats; 1 grey rimmed hat; 1 black hat with flaps
  • Sweaters: beige cardigan; light light-blue cardigan; off-white cable pullover; black pullover with stripe effect
  • Jackets: magenta, iridescent, child's; short black rain slicker; woman's Eddie Bauer raincoat; child's down jacket, black and red
  • Shirts: blue-grey turtle neck; black sheer turtleneck; leopard print mock turtle; short sleeve lavender
  • Vest: padded, reversible, orange/striped
  • Socks: 1 pair black; 1 pair argyles; 1 pair white; 1 white baby sock
  • Gloves: 1 pair light grey/blue (Nike)
  • Necklaces: 1 beaded, handmade with one bead; 1 metal pendant and metal and wood beads on black string
  • Sacks: 2 black drawstring bags (for sleeping bags?)
  • CD: "Driving with Fergus"
  • One stuffed snowman
  • 2 plastic water bottles
  • Flashlights: 1 yellow, 1 black
  • White Xmas light
  • Headphones: 2 sets
  • Disposable camera
  • 2002 sun glasses
  • Coffee cup with Syverson cartoon
  • Black glasses case
  • Coat hangers: 2 white
  • Foam tubing for pipes
  • White throw pillow
  • Assorted clothing and towels: mainly kid stuff back to top

Performing at Hootenanny Night

Richard Rice writes:
Hootenanny Night is a monthly free music party sponsored by the San Francisco Folk Music Club every second Saturday of the month at Cafe International, 508 Haight St. (at Fillmore) San Francisco, from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. It starts with a performer showcase, with roughly five acts playing for 20 minutes each. After the showcase, we have a folk music jam for anyone who wants to play.

Our booking policy is pretty much open door, first come, first served. Hopefully, no matter how big we get, we'll always have room for anyone who wants to play. If you want to play, email the request to me (equalrice@ yahoo.com). I will send you an information page and let you know what the next opening is; we usually book 3 or 4 months in advance. For those not quite ready for prime time, I recommend the jam at the end of most shows. It's a great way to practice performing in front of people until you're ready.

On March 8, we have:
Sylvia Herold and Michael Stadler: Sylvia is a Bay Area singer well known for her work with Cats-N-Jammers and Wake the Dead. This duo is an All-Time Hootenanny Night Favorite (www.sylviaherold.com).

Aj Roach: An up and coming young recording artist who digs deep into his Appalachian roots for a unique modern take on an ancient music form (www.roachmusic.com).

Cara Aley: Young folk/rocker making a name for herself in the Bay Area (mp3.com/caraaley).
Jude Reseigne: You never know exactly what to expect from Bay Area performing vet. Folk/Rock/Standards, he does it all in his strong, unique voice.

Toshio Hirano: You haven't lived till you've heard Toshio's spot-on renditions of Jimmie Rodger's songs, right down to the last blue yodel.

On April 12:
Carey Dubbert: Champion auto-harp and dulcimer player and Camp Harmony concert favorite (www.monitor.net/~dca/carey).

Christene Ledoux: Eclectic singer/songwriter (www.christeneledoux.com).

Ted Czuk: A songwriter mixing folk, jazz, and rock influences (www.tedczuk.com)

Rachel Garlin: "Tender melodies and a spare sense of funk" is how she's described on her website. A junior-high teacher by day and folk artist at night. (www.rachelgarlin.com).

Fainne: A Bay Area threesome playing soulful Celtic music with Balkan and Greek roots (www.fainnemusic.com).

Schedules are subject to change. Contact me for the latest line-ups.
Richard Rice (415) 775 0221 equalrice@yahoo.com back to top

In Memoriam

John Henry Mitchell, a longtime member of the SFFMC and charter member of the East Bay Fiddlin' & Pickin' Potlucks, died on the 17th of January, struck in a crosswalk by an inattentive driver. A former Oakland schoolteacher, contra and square dance caller, labor activist and folk singer, he was well known and beloved by all.

In his heyday, Mitchell was a regular at Ashkenaz and played with folk singers Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie and Country Joe and the Fish at venues such as the Fillmore West in San Francisco. He also sang at the Berkeley Folk Festival in 1962. Recently he had been bringing his guitar and songs to senior residences and Gray Panther events. A memorial was held at the Unitarian Fellowship in Berkeley on February 9, a day after he would have turned 79.

Margaret Dubois writes:
Many in the folk community were saddened at the end of 2002 by the death of George Fouke, a local folksinger, songwriter and political activist since the 1940s. Among many other songs, George wrote The Family of Woman and Man, which has become the unofficial anthem of the Freedom Song Network, in which he was active.

The FSN plans a memorial to George on March 1. For information call David Williams at (415) 584-8264. back to top

Auditioning Female Vox for Touring A Cappella World/Jewish Music Group
Vocolot, an internationally renowned six women vocal/percussion group, seeks professional female vocalist(s) for local, national and international engagements. Passionate, polyrhythmic, harmonically complex original and traditional music in English, Yiddish, Hebrew and Ladino. Affirming life and a vision of one world at peace. Contact Linda Hirschhorn via email at: vocolot@mindspring.com. back to top

Bring the Young Ones Home!
Ashley Hogan writes:
Dear Folknikans,
At this New Year's folkadelic bash known to us all as Camp Harmony, many of us were refreshed to see members of the younger generations showing up, and joining in the various activities of camp. Not only were many of them found to be attendants of camp by free choice, but actually often enough as enthralled members of the folken community.

It has been observed and often mentioned lately that: "Wouldn't it be great to have even more young people showing up as bona-fide Folk Club members?

This has occurred to plenty of us as a necessary step to the further continuance and evolution of the Folk Club, i.e., to effectively pass the good torch of folk music and community that we have all gathered and shared, there needs to be a good source of some-ones around to pass it on to.
Being myself of the youngish disposition (age 23), I can say without doubt that there are in fact plenty of people of both high school and college ages who would truly enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to participate in a community like the SFFMC. If they are only invited and welcomed, I'd even say that many of the people, my age and hereabouts, are indeed hungry, both spiritually and musically, for the kind of kinship and wonderment that come with connecting to one's roots and cultural heritage. That's to say, what is to be experienced at every SFFMC gathering I've ever been to.

So, just remember that there is an ongoing sacred mission of sorts at hand here, in both the interests of bringing the Folk Club new vitality and fresh enthusiasm, as well as the giving of the gift of community to young folks whom the warmth of folk life might otherwise have overlooked.
So bring 'em home, O brethren and sister folks, and keep on discussing the ways in which we can each enliven and invigorate this here Folk Club, for she is a jolly good fellow, which nobody can deny, and we should take good care of her, as best as we know how, for generations to come.back to top