PFF 2007
That stands for Philly Folk Fest, by the way. This was my 9(?) year attending fest as a volunteer, over the last 12 years (I missed a bunch during college). I must say that this was one of the best years I've had in a while. This was unexpected for a number of reasons, namely the fact that most of our camping buddies couldn't make it or decided not to come this year. D is teaching in Shanghai, J was work busy, Jn was in Africa, Spouse didn't want to deal with the heat (lame), B needed more time on the beach and used up a chunk of vaca time. So we knew that we would be forced to spend a lot of time in the adjoining campsite, named "Canada." So we'd be playing with many lovely acquaintances, but missing our close Fest friends.
We couldn't have been more wrong. We had the most rockin' time. I met many lovely Canadians who I'd never really talked to before. We sang, played music, listened to music on a huge tarp painted like the Canadian flag, drank, stayed up 'til 5am repeatedly, slathered on sunscreen during the day and sat close to the fire at night. I met a great budding singer-songwriter from Nashville (Robby Hecht), and we hit it off. I finally met his lovely friend Rachel, as well as getting to know some of the other Canada folk better. I cooed at Courtney's babies who screamed whenever I picked them up :( but also got in some great chill time with JL and TL and MY.
Music highlights:
Seeing Hoots and Hellmouth at a couple workshops and realizing that I was a year below one of the band members in high school! Twin and I attacked the band while they were waiting for their slot to sign CDs, and after we re-introduced ourselves to Andrew, we babbled about Fest events that the band shouldn't miss and insisted they stop by Canada. Later that night, Twin walked around the campgrounds with them for a bit, checking out some of the sights. They're a rollickin' Alt-Country, bluegrassy/indie rock blend. I can't wait to see them again when they play Philly later this fall.
The Ribbon of Highway/Endless Skyway tour: a tribute to Woody Guthrie. This was a Thursday night concert (a first in my time at Fest) which made the night before the festival starts, but most of the campers have already arrived, a much more enjoyable evening. We were no longer just waiting for Friday to come around... . And, the music was wonderful.
Amos Lee: I'd never heard of him before, which maybe shows what a bad "modern folk" fan I am. He was wonderful.
The Avett Brothers: I loved these guys when they played at Fest last year, and I think their set was even better this year. Those guys are dreamy! I love the way they dress, all shirt-sleeves and tailoring, but still slouchy with messy hair. I love the screaming with the Bluegrass soul. I want to see them when they play the Selllersville Theatre (with Hoots and Hellmouth, I might add), but I'm not sure I wrangle the cash /freetime.
Also, my volunteer position entailed face/arm/shoulder/back painting of young and old alike, for free, as a bid for Society Outreach, trying to educate people about the Philadelphia Folksong Society. That was much more fun than selling memberships. I think the changes to the committee were wonderful, and I hope people came away with a greater understanding and respect for the PFS.
:)
We couldn't have been more wrong. We had the most rockin' time. I met many lovely Canadians who I'd never really talked to before. We sang, played music, listened to music on a huge tarp painted like the Canadian flag, drank, stayed up 'til 5am repeatedly, slathered on sunscreen during the day and sat close to the fire at night. I met a great budding singer-songwriter from Nashville (Robby Hecht), and we hit it off. I finally met his lovely friend Rachel, as well as getting to know some of the other Canada folk better. I cooed at Courtney's babies who screamed whenever I picked them up :( but also got in some great chill time with JL and TL and MY.
Music highlights:
Seeing Hoots and Hellmouth at a couple workshops and realizing that I was a year below one of the band members in high school! Twin and I attacked the band while they were waiting for their slot to sign CDs, and after we re-introduced ourselves to Andrew, we babbled about Fest events that the band shouldn't miss and insisted they stop by Canada. Later that night, Twin walked around the campgrounds with them for a bit, checking out some of the sights. They're a rollickin' Alt-Country, bluegrassy/indie rock blend. I can't wait to see them again when they play Philly later this fall.
The Ribbon of Highway/Endless Skyway tour: a tribute to Woody Guthrie. This was a Thursday night concert (a first in my time at Fest) which made the night before the festival starts, but most of the campers have already arrived, a much more enjoyable evening. We were no longer just waiting for Friday to come around... . And, the music was wonderful.
Amos Lee: I'd never heard of him before, which maybe shows what a bad "modern folk" fan I am. He was wonderful.
The Avett Brothers: I loved these guys when they played at Fest last year, and I think their set was even better this year. Those guys are dreamy! I love the way they dress, all shirt-sleeves and tailoring, but still slouchy with messy hair. I love the screaming with the Bluegrass soul. I want to see them when they play the Selllersville Theatre (with Hoots and Hellmouth, I might add), but I'm not sure I wrangle the cash /freetime.
Also, my volunteer position entailed face/arm/shoulder/back painting of young and old alike, for free, as a bid for Society Outreach, trying to educate people about the Philadelphia Folksong Society. That was much more fun than selling memberships. I think the changes to the committee were wonderful, and I hope people came away with a greater understanding and respect for the PFS.
:)