archived – Page 4

The Princeton Traditional Music Festival, August 17-19, 2018

The Eleventh Annual Princeton Traditonal Music Festival takes place in Princeton, B.C. Canada this August 17-19. The whole town of Princeton comes out to support the festival. Near-by “locals” come from the Okanagan area, and others come from Vancouver, other parts of B.C., Washington, Oregon and points even further away. The main focus of the festival is the traditional music and folklore of British Columbia, but it also includes traditional music, liberally defined, from other areas. This festival is enhanced by the friendly people and the small-town atmosphere of Princeton. Continue reading “The Princeton Traditional Music Festival, August 17-19, 2018”

June/July, 2018 – Vol. 10, No. 5

The Past Concerts featured Heidi Muller & Bob Webb on April 13, and Claudia Schmidt on May 13. This issue features three new articles: PNW Folklore Society – A New Plan, by Stewart Hendrickson; Juba Music – The Earliest Roots of American Popular Music, Part I, by Tom Berghan, and The Princeton Traditional Music Festival, August 17-19, 2018. Upcoming Concerts at the Couth Buzzard will feature Pinniped on Friday, June 8, and Hank & Claire on Friday, July 13. Every 2nd Saturday at the Couth Buzzard from noon – 1:30 pm, Stew’s Folk Music Corner will feature tunes, songs, and community singing. The Events page lists some great concerts through the next few months. Keep tuned and revisit the NW HOOT as new articles may appear along with a new video of the week. We are still looking for more writers for the NW HOOT (send us your ideas and articles). Donations – Help support the Pacific NW Folklore Society. Donations of any amount are welcome – for $20 or more we will send you a free CD: “Songs of the Pacific Northwest“, or “Paddy Graber – The Craic Was Great“. Send a check to Pacific NW Folklore Society, 11720 1st Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98177. Thank you.

PNW Folklore Society – A New Plan, by Stewart Hendrickson

In the April/May issue I wrote that I was stepping down as Director of the PNW Folklore Society, and after next October I would no longer actively book new concerts. In the absence of a new director and other volunteers, the Society would wind down and concerts would continue only on an occasional basis as new performers and volunteers came forth. This prompted an encouraging reaction. Continue reading “PNW Folklore Society – A New Plan, by Stewart Hendrickson”

Juba Music – The Earliest Roots of American Popular Music, Part I, by Tom Berghan

Dance Boatman Dance: An early favorite song of the Minstrel Troupes of the Antebellum Period. Attributed to Dan Emmett and Virginia Minstrels. Featuring Banjo, Jawbone, and Singing by Tom Berghan. To play, move cursor to left part of audio player and click.

Juba Music? What is that?! It pre-dates ragtime, jazz, blues, hokum, jugband, hillbilly, country, and in fact most of what we term today as “American Folk Music.” It is from the time we call the Antebellum (before the Civil War, from about 1750 to 1850). Continue reading “Juba Music – The Earliest Roots of American Popular Music, Part I, by Tom Berghan”

April/May, 2018 – Vol. 10, No. 4

The Past Concert featured the J ocelyn Petti Band March 9. This issue features two articles: PNW Folklore Society Director Stepping Down, by Stewart Hendrickson; and James Stevens – Paul Bunyan and the Frozen Logger, by Stewart Hendrickson. Upcoming Concerts at the Couth Buzzard will feature Heidi Muller and Bob Webb on Friday, April 13, and a special concert with Claudia Schmidt on Sunday, May 13 at 7:30 pm (we are taking reservations now – email or phone 206-367-0475 (leave a message)). Every 2nd Saturday at the Couth Buzzard from noon – 1:30 pm, Stew’s Folk Music Corner will feature tunes, songs, and community singing. The Events page lists some great concerts through the next few months. Keep tuned and revisit the NW HOOT as new articles may appear along with a new video of the week. We are still looking for more writers for the NW HOOT (send us your ideas and articles). Donations – Help support the Pacific NW Folklore Society. Donations of any amount are welcome – for $20 or more we will send you a free CD: “Songs of the Pacific Northwest“, or “Paddy Graber – The Craic Was Great“. Send a check to Pacific NW Folklore Society, 11720 1st Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98177. Thank you.

PNW Folklore Society Director Stepping Down, Stewart Hendrickson

Over ten years ago Bob Nelson, Don Firth and I revived the old Pacific NW Folklore Society (founded in 1953) to preserve and present the more traditional folk music and folklore of this region. Since then Don Firth has passed away, and Bob Nelson has had to bow out for health reasons. For the past few years I have been running the Society single-handedly. Although I have managed so far, I’m not sure how much longer I can continue alone – I’m 80 years old. Continue reading “PNW Folklore Society Director Stepping Down, Stewart Hendrickson”

James Stevens – Paul Bunyan and the Frozen Logger, by Stewart Hendrickson

The CD, Songs of the Pacific Northwest, has songs contributed by sixteen regional musicians. Since logging played a big part in our history it is not surprising that a number of these songs are about logging. One of the most well-known logging songs is The Frozen Logger. It was written in 1929 by James Stevens, who lived in Seattle during his later years. Who was this guy and what other things did he do? How did Paul Bunyan fit into this? Continue reading “James Stevens – Paul Bunyan and the Frozen Logger, by Stewart Hendrickson”

February/March, 2018 – Vol. 10, No. 3

The Past Concerts featured Jaspar Lepak on Dec. 8 and The Marvelous Minstrel Boys, on Jan. 12. This issue features an article on music therapy, The Power of Music, by Bob Nelson; and two articles about the homeless in Seattle: The Power of Song – The Endless Mile, by Bruce Baker, and You’d Have To Be Crazy, Homelessness in Seattle, by Peter Wieben. Also two CD Reviews: “Hark the Dark – Claudia Schmidt,” and “Kate MacLeod – Deep in the Sound of Terra.” The next Upcoming Concert at the Couth Buzzard will feature Jocelyn Pettit on March 9. The February concert with Small Potatoes is cancelled. Every 2nd Saturday at the Couth Buzzard from noon – 1:30 pm, Stew’s Folk Music Corner will feature tunes, songs, and community singing. The Events page lists some great concerts through the next few months. Keep tuned and revisit the NW HOOT as new articles may appear along with a new video of the week. We are still looking for more writers for the NW HOOT (send us your ideas and articles). Donations – Help support the Pacific NW Folklore Society. Donations of any amount are welcome – for $20 or more we will send you a free CD: “Songs of the Pacific Northwest“, or “Paddy Graber – The Craic Was Great“. Send a check to Pacific NW Folklore Society, 11720 1st Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98177. Thank you.

Support the Couth Buzzard – My Dream Cafe and Bookstore

Our favorite Seattle Coffeehouse/Bookstore/Venue has been going through some tough times of late, and they need our support. This has been a great venue for our PNWFS Coffeehouse Concerts as well as other community events. In June/July, 2012, I wrote an article for the NW HOOT, My Dream Cafe, which compared the Couth to other music venues – this is my dream cafe and bookstore. We need to support the Couth now more than ever – it would be a tragic loss to the community, music and the arts if it does not survive. Please consider helping them out with a donation to their GoFundMe campaign (ends March 21). Come to the the Couth for live music, food, beverages and a few books to take home. You’ll be helping to keep a great community resource alive and well.
Stewart Hendrickson

The Power of Music, by Bob Nelson

It was just about seven years ago that Judy and I started to participate in a musical event that has changed our lives forever. This was not just a performance, but was a series of events that lasted for over four years! The events started when our good friend, who also happened to our personal physician, was diagnosed with A.L.S., which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. At this time, there is no known cure. Continue reading “The Power of Music, by Bob Nelson”