Memorial Day Campout

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General Meeting Report

(Note: We have condensed the report slightly. The original is available at the Club office.)

The 2004 General Meeting was held at Sommer Lodge, Camp Harmony, on December 31; President Faith Petric and Dick Holdstock chaired.

Camp Harmony

Mary Luckhardt reported for the Camp Harmony Committee. A financial report for this year's camp was not yet available. We may break even, but a large drop in camper days may put us in the red. A final report will be submitted at the February board meeting. This is Mary’s last year as Registrar. It is taking three people to replace her: Jane Doyle is taking over as Camp Harmony Treasurer; Ellen Egan will do chore charts; Katy Grist will be the Registrar. The shuttle between Harmon and Campbell was very successful; some trips had to turn away riders. Cost of the bus will be built into next year’s budget.

The membership expresses the heartiest THANKS to the Camp Harmony Committee for putting on another wonderful camp for us all. Thanks to Mary, to Chair Charlie Fenton, Ray Frank, Laurie Story Vela for her work with crafts and children, and to ALL volunteers — and to Debby, of course.

The following items were discussed and referred to the Camp Harmony Committee:

Concert time: Concerts have begun at 9:00 p.m., which seems late to some, especially for children. Consensus is to recommend starting at 8:30 p.m., with the first slots reserved for young performers.

Concert signups: Ray Frank pointed out that the first concert is usually undersubscribed. He instituted a new rule this year: anyone who performs at the first concert may also perform in one later. Otherwise, the usual rule of only one concert performance per encampment prevails. Another suggestion was to have an open mike or song circle the first night of camp.

Heating Sommer Lodge: It doesn't work. Bob Semple will discuss this with The Management, and the Harmony Committee can deal with it for next year.

Cell phones: Ed Hilton noted that there's a need to reinforce the rule of "No Beeping Things."

Camp chores: Some, especially newcomers, are not sure what they're signing up for. Ray Frank says that there is a Camp Harmony Manual that spells out every chore; the problem is getting this into users'hands. He and Marlene McCall will work on posting chore descriptions where people can read them before signing up. We discussed whether credit hours might be allocated differently. Parking may not need 2-hour credit to fill the slots while others, such as late-night kitchen, might benefit from extra credit. Another suggestion was to have an additional dining-room signup area for kitchen chores.

Club Growth

. . . or, how to keep our camp (and club) healthy and alive. Things change; fewer people sign up; fewer really young folks for us to "grow our own."

Are teenagers happy here this year? We need to explore why young folks can't do kitchen chores — many teens would prefer working there. (Some think it's a matter of insurance.)

Publicity: One suggestion was to make a video of camp to show at the Free Folk Festival, the Hootenanny, and other places, or a flyer for circulation at dances and festivals. There is (or was) a subcommittee for this sort of thing. Katie Grist surveyed people who had come to camp once and didn’t come again in 2003: many had paid gigs for New Year’s; she got NO negative responses to the camp itself. We need a Publicity Chair for Harmony. Madge Strong would help with a flyer. Publicity might feature the concept of community, not musical stars. "The campers make the camp." Bob Reid wondered if we really want an influx of new people whose values may be different from those of us who have come regularly. We discussed creation of 'community' versus just a New Year's event; of bringing people in via other Club activities throughout the year.

A member who lives part of the year in the United Kingdom noted that in Great Britain similar endeavors draw the old and the young, and the two don't mix much. He suggested stressing the freedom to choose different kinds of workshops and the excellence of the teachers to attract young people who will then form their own communities. He also suggested that we lower the day rate to attract folksingers in the Santa Cruz/San Jose area. We can all try to find ways to welcome new people (identified by the small star on the name button).

Thanks to Dick Holdstock for conducting the major part of the meeting. This is the 35th year of Camp Harmony, and this was the largest crowd ever attending a General Meeting with approximately 60 people attending.

Marian Gade, Scribe for the General Meeting

Camp Harmony Thank Yous

We rang in 2005 with joyous celebration at Camp Harmony, continuing our long tradition. Sure it rained a little every day, but it was worth it, and the bus helped a lot. Here are a few of the countless folks who made this camp a good one:

Charlie Fenton, Committee Chair, Camp Liaison, Board Rep, Setup Supervisor, and the guy who makes it all happen. Mary Luckhardt, in her last appearance as Committee Secretary-Treasurer and Registrar. Committee members Ray Frank, David Luckhardt and Katie Grist, who regularly come to meetings, plus Robert Reed, Daniel Hersh and Laurie Vela who participate electronically. Ray is Health & Safety Officer, Kitchen Liaison & Concert Coordinator; Robert is Parking Czar; Laurie organizes Arts & Crafts and Kids Chorus; David headed take-down crew; Katie organized prescheduled workshops and managed all signs; Daniel headed the fund-raising subcommittee.

Miriam Sundheim organized family housing, Jane Doyle organized special needs housing, Joan Hall-Feinberg recruited workshop leaders and loaner instruments. Jim Oakden organized evening dances, Adam Cavan organized Swing Nite. Arlene Immerman is on-site Reg. Desk guru, with lots of help from Carol Chapman, who brings the crafts supplies to make beautiful boxes and origami. Patience Young brought Sommer Lodge coffee supplies and set up and took down that area. Bettine Wallin did this for Registration Room hot cider & mulled wine. Bob Semple built the concert stage. Marv Sternberg & Shary Levy took home the Lost & Found. Rachel Levin managed the rental mugs. John Gregorin designed the buttons. Ellen Eagan created the chore charts. Dick Scheible arranged the carpools.

With Debby McClatchy in the kitchen were campers Cass and Quena Crain, Sharyn Dimmick, Dan Engle, Jessica Grist, Erik Hoffman, Tim Hudson, Linnet Millikan, Joe Offer, Charlotte Patterson, Ed Silberman, Rory Solomon and Nancy Teas-Crain. Debbie Granger of Camp Harmon baked and cooked breakfast.

Thanks to workshop leaders of songs, jams, dance lessons, yoga & 12 step sessions, too! You give their time and expertise to all of us without even a chore credit. Thanks to all for making this Camp Harmony so wonderful. Watch this space in Sept. for YOUR application!

Couture Premier-SFFMC T-shirts

A fashion and historical first -- club T-shirts -- were unveiled on the redwood catwalk to universal swooning and pouring rain at Camp Harmony. Over sixty were snapped up immediately by folk fashion glitterati who recognized the naissance of the Nouveau Folkie Mode. Design (this page's graphic) is by our superb SFFMC member, Valentine Doyle. A thousand kisses also to Garry Wiegand, who arranged production and delivery and supervised backstage model prepping, champagne and valium.
The shirts, in azul celeste and bordelais (or light blue and maroon, if you prefer) come in a variety of sizes from medium to XXL. They will be available for $15.00 at various SFFMC galas: the April 24 Fold-in, the Free Folk Festival, and various campouts-most likely the 4th of July and Labor Day camps. Needless to say, this season's couture breakthrough will go fast; they are clearly a must-have wardrobe staple.

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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. Snacks are provided through $1 food kitty donations or finger food contributions. Guests are always welcome, no one is expected to "perform," and there is no charge.

"There is no standard set for the singing here, but we set a very high standard in listening."
—motto of the Góilín Traditional Singer's Club, Dublin, Ireland

Date	March 4	March 18	April 1	April 15	April 29
Setup	Kathleen Moreloft	Melissa Sarenac	Melissa Sarenac	Ken Hayes	Carolyn Jayne
Bulletin Board	Debbie Klein	Ed Hilton	Kathleen Moreloft	Yvette Tannenbaum	Faith
Host/ess	Jo D’Anna	Phil Morgan	Marlene McCall	Brett	Dean and Jane
Host/ess	Debbie Klein	Melissa Sarenac	Kathleen	Ed Bronstein	Pazit Zohar
Singing Room	Estelle Freedman	Marisa Malvino	Phil Morgan	Yvette	Melissa Sarenac
Theme	Women's songs*	Trains/boats/ planes	Memories, hopes & forebodings	Springtime, rain, flowers	Roads & rivers
Cleanup	Marlene McCall	Joe Lavelle	Chuck Oakes	Morgan Cowin	Chuck Oakes

*songs for, by or about women in observation of women's history month.

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 8: Ed Hilton’s house
April 12: Marian Gade's house

Club News

Letters from Camp: We have a couple of nice notes from attendees at Harmony: Daisy Chan, first-time attendee and new SFFMC member, writes, "Thank you so much for the wonderful experience — the camp, the music, the food. Beautiful people . . . . etc. We look forward to the next one." Erika Aschmann, who joined us from Minnesota, writes: "Ian (now five) really had a stimulating experience —it was terrific to see the whole Harmony community embracing him, in being open, patient and guiding him. What a nice bunch of folks!"

The latest edition of Rise Up Singing has some revisions, corrections and updates of songs but still has the same songs on the same pages as in previous editions. There is a slight increase in price but we will continue to pass savings on to SFFMC members.

Kiyohide Kunizaki, manager of the Tokyo Folklore Center, which subscribes to the folknik, has sent annual greetings to SFFMC for a Happy New Year.

Chuck Poling is putting together the April 9 Hootenanny at the Café International (giving Richard Rice the night off). He’s calling the show the L'il Ole Opry and featuring local bluegrass and acoustic country acts.

Marv Sternberg is issuing the last call for a 5-string banjo (not a 4-string as previously reported) with a Remo head, black case and songbook left at Camp Harmony 2003 (yes, two Camp Harmonies ago). If you left this or anything else at Camp Harmony, call Marv or Shary Levy at (510) 527-3224, or

Yvette Tannenbaum has played a couple of gigs at Sacred Grounds (at the corner of Hayes and Cole), following up the open mike session one Thursday evening and playing a Saturday night concert.

Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community is one of the fellow folk/acoustic music Bay Area organizations to which SFFMC sends an annual donation. This year as part of its thanks Ashkenaz honors us with its 30th Anniversary CD, Volume 1, celebrating thirty years of music and dance from around the world presented there, and a brick in our name in its "Wall of Giving."

Ed Bronstein has produced a CD, Songs of Biggs Tinker, with help from Faith and friends. For more information .

Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen head a songwriters workshop Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27 (Easter weekend) at Pfeiffer Big Sur Lodge. Fee $125, limited to 25 persons. Call (802) 442-6846 or for information.

The Moon and June River Trip this year will run the Gates of Lodore on the Green River, meeting on Friday, June 17, taking out Tuesday the 21st. Trips feature music (bring your own instruments), dance and fun, as well as the thrill of river running. $450 per participant. For details or go to www.bonniecarol.com.

The Sonoma County Folk Society Singers’ Circle meets the fourth Friday of each month. For information call David Henry or Kate Burroughs at (707) 823- 5106. There's an open mike Friday nights at the Ace Cider Pub in Graton at Highway 116 and Graton Road.

In Memoriam

Jimmy Borsdorf died Tuesday, January 11, following a long battle with cancer. Jem Bluestein writes, "Those who knew him will attest to his genius and his impact. I think he has done more shows than Springsteen and the Stones combined, and touched and inspired many . . . . He has been a giant in my life. So much music and love are lost with his passing."” Mary McCaslin says, "To many people who have struggled to make music their life and sole income, Jimmy and Nancy have been a shining example . . . . I have been in awe not only of their tremendous talent and knowledge, but of Jimmy and Nancy's commitment to their music. Their road has never been easy but they have walked the walk"
Nancy, Jimmy's wife and musical companion of thirty years, is left with tremendous medical debts and a wonderful collection of folk instruments for which Jimmy had planned a museum especially for children. Checks to help may be sent to Delilah Lewis, 151 Precita Ave., San Francisco 94110.

—Alan Sheckter, Entertainment Editor (or Buzz Editor), Chico Enterprise-Record. Reprinted by kind permission.

Elaine Weissman, longtime head of the California Traditional Music Society and one of the founders of the Folk Alliance, passed away February 5 after a long illness. In 1982 she organized and for many years directed the excellent Southern California Summer Solstice Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival, as well as sponsoring large and small concerts for European, Canadian and US individual musicians and bands. The impact of her work and leadership will enrich our musical lives for many years to come.

29th Annual SF Free Folk Festival

The San Francisco Free Folk Festival will take place June 18th-19th, 2005-two full days of free dances, workshops, concerts, open mic, music, a crafts and music marketplace, and food onsite. Join us for continual fun with all styles of music and FREE admission. The festival surrounds you with smiles, new friendships, music, dance and a wonderful community!
The festival is held at Roosevelt Middle School (Arguello at Geary). On-site parking is limited, but street parking is available within walking distance. The festival is easy to reach by public transportation, using the MUNI 1, 2, 4, 33 or 38 lines. The site is wheelchair accessible.

Activities
More than fifty workshops run the gamut of beginning to advanced and are led by experienced teachers from our local community and beyond. Instruments covered include fiddle, guitar, harp and more. Vocal workshops include song circles and harmony singing.
Thirty-six dance workshops cover basics such as waltz, hambo, contra and International dance. There will also be swing, Irish, Scottish, English and more-many with live bands.

Concerts include locally and (inter)nationally renowned artists, such as Jubilee American Dance Theatre, Tony Marcus and the World Harmony Chorus. There are also open mic sessions where anyone may sign up. Family activities include a concert, crafts, storytelling and children's workshops. If you have ideas for these family shows, crafts, or other family-oriented activities.

In late March, check out the festival web page: www.sffolkfest.org. We update it continually as performers and workshop leaders confirm. Currently you can view last year's web page for pictures and memories.

Would you like to perform, lead a workshop, or volunteer? It takes about 200 volunteers to make this festival happen. You can be one of them. Opportunities are numerous, ranging from helping schedule performers to being a performer yourself.

Volunteer Needs

Volunteer organizers who will coordinate 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...). Please contact Michael Jones, .

Singers and musicians, soloist or groups, to perform in venues ranging from the Main Stage to the "Café Cabaret" small stage. Please contact Cheryl at: .

Workshop leaders in instrumental music, singing, and dance. Contact or .
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.

Our Teens And Young Ones

We continue to expand the activities we have for young people during the festival. We continually brainstorms ideas, but we would still love to have ideas from you and your children. They are welcome to become involved as well. Our children are the future of the festival, the folk club, the music and dance we do and our community! Help keep the spirit alive for future generations.

Fold-in/Folk Sing April 24

The fold-in is at noon, Sunday, April 24, at the home of Abe and Joan Feinberg. The more, the merrier. Help with the folknik, enjoy a meal afterwards, and make music. Bring a potluck dish and instruments.

Festivals 'n Such

18th Mariposa Storytelling Festival March 11-13
Mariposa, CA, near Yosemite.
Magical weekend of storytelling. Info: 209-966-3155, , www.arts-mariposa.org/storytelling.html

Brookdale Bluegrass Festival March 11-13
Brookdale Lodge, 11570 Highway 9, Brookdale CA.
Info: 831-335-3662, www.brookdalebluegrass.com

18th Annual Calaveras Celtic Faire March 12-13
Calaveras County Fairgrounds, Angels Camp, CA. Celtic music, jousting, Highland games, storytellers, bagpipe bands, Celtic marketplace, whiskey contest. Info: www.calaverascelticfaire.com

20th Jewish Music Festival March 19-April 3
Various locations in the East Bay, San Francisco and Marin. Week-long celebration of klezmer, Yiddish, Sephardic, classical and world music and dance. Info: 510-276-1511 x126, , www.brjcc.org

Augusta Heritage Workshops March-October
Davis and Elkins College, Elkins VA. Wonderful workshops in everything. This year: Cape Breton Fiddle, Old-Time Banjo, Hammered Dulcimer-Irish, Mountain Dulcimer, Cajun Creole, Blues, Vocals, Swing, Irish, Bluegrass, Old-Time and more. Highly recommended. Info: 800-624-3157, , www.augustaheritage.com

Autoharp Spring Fling And Open Showcase April 2
1:00 pm-8:00 pm, First Christian Church, 1038 McHenry Ave., Modesto, CA. Tina Louise Barr, Laura Lind, & Cathy Britell. Autoharp workshops, and open mic "Autoharp Showcase" (ten-minute per act, must include autoharp). $10. info: 209-524-5103,

Dance Awakening April 13
Harbin Hot Springs, outside Calistoga, CA. Contra dancing, great music and calling, workshops, hot springs. Caller Seth Tepfer, band Horse Flies. Info: 805-649-5189, www.danceawakening.com

CBA Annual Spring Camp Out April 15-17
Motherlode Fairgrounds, Sonora, CA. Jam 'til your fingers turn to mush. Concert with Eddie & Marsha Adcock. Camping fees $15/night. Info: www.cbaontheweb.org

Two Day Town April 22-24
Lake Del Valle, Ohlone Wilderness, Livermore, CA. Live music, family and kids activities, nature hikes. Info: Cheryl 510-287-9095, , www.eastbaymusicscene.com

Claremont Spring Folk Festival May 2-3
Larkin Park, Claremont, CA. Concerts, workshops, crafts. info: 909-624-2928, www.folkmusiccenter.com/cmf.html

Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Festival May 15
Paramount Ranch, Agoura Hills, CA. Singing, playing, dancing, crafts, jamming! info: 818-382-4819, , www.topangabanjofiddle.org

California Autoharp Gathering May 20-22
St. Nicholas Ranch, Dunlap CA. Workshops, concerts, dance, open mike, jams, camping, etc. Info: Adam Miller, 650-8004-2049, , www.californiautoharp.com

Strawberry Music Festival May 26-29
Camp Mather, near Yosemite, CA. All kinds of acoustic music-jamming, concerts, workshops, kids activities, camping. info: 209-984-8630, www.strawberrymusic.com

CBA's 5th Annual Music Camp June 12-15
Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA. Learn from some of the best bluegrass & old-time musicians. Classes, group practice and jams, student & staff concerts dancing, camping. Info: Ingrid Noyes, 707-878-9067 (after 9 am), , www.cbamusiccamp.org

Mendocino Folklore Camp June 18-25
Mendocino Woodlands Camp, CA. Balkan Dance, Brazilian Samba, Cape Breton, Gaelic Singing, Rhythms of Brazil & more. info: 707 795-6926, , www.mendocinofolklorecamp.com/

Fiddlekids June 20-24
Tehiya Day School, El Cerrito. Fun-filled fiddle camp, for children 7-13 years of age, with a minimum of one year of violin/fiddle lessons. Also includes art and dance. Performance on final day. Fills early. Instructors perform June 18, at Freight and Salvage. Info: www.fiddlekids.com

Balkan Music and Dance Workshop June 25-July 2
Mendocino Woodlands, CA. Balkan Dance & Singing, Kids Activities, Evening Ethnic Parties & more in the beautiful redwoods. Camp usually fills up by mid-April. info: 510-547-1118, , www.eefc.org/

BACDS English Week July 9-16
Mendocino Woodlands Camp, CA. Morris, Cotswold, Longsword & Display choreography, Slow Jam, Singing Technique & more. Reg. deadline April 18. Info: 510-526-5854, , www.bacds.org/camps/eweek2005/

Willamette Valley Autoharp Gathering July 28-31
Thousand Trails South Jetty Preserve, Florence, Oregon. Brian Bowers, Lindsay Haisley, Richard Scholtz, Les & Gwen Gustafson-Zook. Camping, hot-tub, jamming, concerts, workshops & more. Some April 1 registration deadlines; check website. Info: , www.wvag.com

All-Star Extravaganza

The great musician and storyteller, Nancy Schimmel celebrates her 70th Birthday with a concert featuring Nancy with Judy Fjell, Candy Forest, Freedom Song Network, the Threshold Choir, Bonnie Lockhart, Fran Avni, Claudia Morrow & surprise guests.
Sat., March 12, 8:00 pm at the Freight and Salvage, 1111 Addison, Berkeley. $17.50 in advance, $18.50 at the door. This is a benefit for the Freight, FSN, and Threshold. No presents please! Save your money 'cause we'll have lots of CDs to buy. Info: www.thefreight.org

Gene Bluestein Memorial Concert

Featuring Jean Ritchie & The Bluestein Family, Richard Hagopian Orchestra & The Arax Armenian Dancers. 8:00 pm, Sat., March 26, at the Tower Theatre, Fresno, CA.

Tickets are $20. To buy via mail order, send check payable to Gene Bluestein Memorial Fund and SASE to: Evo Bluestein 10691 N. Madsen, Clovis, CA 93619-9704. To via Visa or Mastercard call, 559-299-8001 ($1 transaction fee for CC purchases).

The first Gene Bluestein Memorial Concert was a great success. More than 1500 people attended, and we still receive wonderful comments and thank yous. We thank you for helping continue Gene's legacy of presenting artists who represent our nation's rich and diverse folk heritage. info: 559-297-8966, www.evobluestein.com.

Theodore Bikel in Concert

The legendary Theodore Bikel makes a rare San Francisco appearance with special guest Hankus Netsky-part of the 20th Annual Jewish Music Festival (details this page).

Bikel concert is Sunday March 20, 4:00 pm at Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco.Tickets are $30 General Admission, $25 BRJCC, Temple Emanu-El members, seniors & students, For tickets: 415-276-1511, www.brjcc.org.

San Jose Peace Chorale

The San Jose Peace Chorale is seeking new members! Come join us on Thursday evenings to sing inspirational songs of peace and social justice. All voices needed. Musical background not required. We perform regularly throughout the community and are always looking for new places to perform. Rehearsals are at 7:30 pm, at Chai House, 814 St. Elizabeth Drive, San Jose. info: 408-984-6784 or email .