Cre2c3ndo
The 23rd British February FilkCon was wonderful. A bit thank you to the committee, the guests and everyone else there. I had a fabulous time, managed to get to a lot more programming than usual, while also doing some lovely socialising and even getting to the circles a bit more. I felt more settled than I often do at cons. I felt I could just relax and enjoy it and that there was time. This con was the ten year anniversary of my first filkcon and it just reminded me of just how glad I am to be a part of the community. Also, I have severe con crud and so can't be bothered with lj names.
Friday:We'd (Andrew and I, though Anna ended up joining us on the train as well) organised to get a train that would get us in early enough to relax and get settled (partially because the next cheap train wasn't for a little while, really) which worked very well. We went to the supermarket from the station and picked up some food for breakfasts and lunches and got a taxi to our hotel. We got into the con hotel at about 5 ready to enjoy the evening.
Friday was a really nice, relaxed evening for me, I got to the opening ceremony and Bill and Brenda's set, which was great as always. I didn't get to Piers' set, ended up talking to people in the bar and catching up a bit. Got sucked into talking with Anna, Andrew and Steve Mac about Worldream (Me: It's ten years since our first filkcon, Steve: It's ten years since my first british one, Me: Oh yeah Worldream. Conversation ensues). We'd been talking for about 15 minutes before I realised Andrew had no clue what it is, so the whole story was told. I interesting to think about it and the time that has passed (and the effects from it!).
Got to the second half of Silke's set which was brilliant. Her translation of Mina's song was wonderful and there were other great songs, but I have no memory. Her and Steffi together are great, too.
Then spent rest of the evening in the bar. Talked to Stacy and BeckyRachel a lot which was nice. Did not get to any circles, but that was alright. Was in bed at the other hotel by about one, meaning I could actually get 8 hours sleep.
Saturday: Managed to get up and ready early enough to go to Heather Dale(our North American guest)'s performance techniques workshop. It was really interesting. Some of it could have seemed obvious, but actually I don't think about anywhere near enough. I have never really tried to learn my songs, but I think I will attempt to now.
There was a bit of a gap before Christo's concert, which was wonderfully mellow. He did a selection of more serious and laid back songs and it was a fabulous start to the day.
There was lunch time and I ended up getting sucked into talking about possible musical plans for next year and missed the nMC, which was a real pity because I miss them and also I heard so many people complimenting how great they ere this year! Anyway, there was some singing of song in the alternate room, which is really nice to have available for just such situations.
Managed to get to Heather and Ben's first set which was great. I am often a bit less interested in music which is very much folk, but I really enjoyed this. As many people have said, Joan was a really bit highlight, especially not having heard it before. One to add to the list of awesome women songs for when I put together my all female-filk band who sing nothing but songs about awesome women (which, ok, is unlikely to happen, but filk seriously has a lot of awesome women songs).
Then was time for business meeting, which went fine and the bid session which ended with us having a committee, so therefore went very well! I trust that next year's lot will do a good job and am impressed with myself for managing to keep from join a committee for next years con. There were a few close calls, but considering I am running a con this July and getting married March 2012 not being on one is a Good Plan.
Plus, the guests! I like Mary and I am sure there will be some interesting stuff happening with her being here. I can't stop smiling when I think of Lissa being guest next year. It is totally awesome and a fantastic choice by the committee! Yay!
After which came Marilisa's concert, which was wonderful. There was an interesting mix of musicians and arrangements, plus Marilisa doing a couple by herself. In particular, I love hearing her singing with Steve and Katy. Their voices together are just amazing. The 'maybe I would rather stay behind' (don't know the name) was great. Her song about distance made me cry. Mina and Jonathan was really interesting and great. The 999 song was great. OMG WTF BBQ was really brilliant and the signage was hilarious. I commented on facebook that when I scrolled down and saw someone say FML I instantly translated that to 'how terribly disappointing'. I went about my evening and then something appeared on dropbox:
A friend (with the help of Andrew) had read that and found it amusing and made a Safari plugin. Which just goes to show I have awesome friends.
Anyway, Marilisa was fantastic and the concert was great. The was dinner, which was from the bar with Andrew, Steffi, Silke and Nat. Various chatting happened. When we went to the main concert afterwards I planned to be there a bit and then wander off, because I am usually terrible at sitting still. However, this year I had that problem a lot less and stayed for the whole thing. I really liked Steffi's Merlin song, Soir did a brilliant performance of his 'Nothing Ever Happens' which makes me want to reread His Dark Materials, Lissa was great and you could tell Marilisa had been working her magic on her, Jackie's song was great, I really liked Shaya and Pug's bit and there were many other great performances. I didn't not have the money for the auction, (plus was not sitting with Andrew so we couldn't confer and accidentally agree to buy stuff, which worked well, but was not intentional) but having with the main concert worked very well. It really kept things moving, and sort of reset the room after each performance, if that makes any sense.
There was a break while they set up for the oh so mysterious (or not) from the ashes. I made sure to get myself some water.
The second Phoenix started playing Black Powder and Alcohol I got up, ran to the back, put my glasses and drink down and started dancing. I had figured I's wait a little bit, but when they played that I just had to. Luckily I was joined by some others before too long and our dancing group grew steadily through the set. That stonking first song moved on to an entire stonking concert, with a lot of highlights. I was seriously happier than you could believe to have Phoenix back and playing again; the idea that I'd only seen them twice (didn't see them at my first con) seemed crazy and it had been far too long. Reminded me I need to replace the copy of Into the Fire that Anna and I had and played so much that we ruined the CD!
I had an endorphin and adrenaline high for about an hour afterwards, not surprising considering I'd danced for the length of the set. Talked to people bounced around and then at some point I went to the circle. It was not massive when I arrived, but it grew steadily, I think two circles would have worked better that night, but that was not the way it worked out. I stayed for a bit and even did a song (which oddly enough had become a follower by the time I got to do it!). I hate breaking into Chaos circles, so am pleased I managed to.
Anyway, I went to the bar and talked to Anna and Mich and Steve (who seemed to deal very well with his first filkcon) then went to bed. Andrew stayed at the circle until it shut down about about 3, because he is much better than sitting still and listening than I am, which meant Anna and I got the chat a bit which was nice.
Sunday: I woke up with a sore throat and so decided to take it easy and not go to the Chorus workshop for Marilisa's musical (which I am glad of as it meant I got to absorb the whole thing and went into it not knowing anything). I did see a bit of the main concert/auction (was the song with Tom and Lissa, with Mich on piano in this part or the other? either way it was a great performance from them). I am really surprised and impressed by how much money was raised in auction, I didn't expect anywhere near that much (over £1100).
Kamen, the footloose filker for this year was next and really funny, plus a great performance. I am so glad I caught her. And there was some more dancing at the end when she did a footloose filk, which was really necessary, as I get that song in my head every time I think of the idea - now I can get the filk, instead!).
Watched a bit of the game playing and lunch and played some Fluxx and Colouretto with Stacy and Andrew. Then it was time for the first performance of Full Moon on the Water, the musical that Marilisa had written entirely and put together the past month or two. It was really great; a clear and followable story, brilliant performances, the staging was great. Mich and Jackie doing the gossip song was especially good. I really loved the way the costume was done as well, really simple and effective. Everyone was in black, but the lighthouse keeper and his wife had knitted white things, the thief, his wife and their child had red elements and the captain and his wife had sparkly/shiny items. The way the playing of instruments was done was also brilliant, with all of the cast doing different bits and it never taking away from their performances.
There was some setting up and finalising of counting the Sams ballots before the winners of the awards were revealed. A great selection of deserving winners, as always.
Heather and Ben's second set was next, which was also great, with lots of fun at the end trying to corpse them with swaying etc. Marilisa had commented earlier that there had not been any handjive yet, and while I threatened to attempt it in the musical it did not appear until now, which was just the right moment.
There was a break for set up (as the voters had asked for more Phoenix, when everything had already been taken down!) and I wandered to the bar. I missed a bit of the concert, but managed to get back in for most of it. DJ singing Mina's song was fabulous; Zander's intro was so true about the different things brought to it by the different people who had performed it over the weekend (and in general). And Phoenix reprised Joan which was tremendous, again. We had Sams Song, followed by the closing ceremony and the con proper was done.
Took some time saying goodbye to people who were leaving etc. and then had a lovely meal at the Brewer's Fayrewith Andrew, Anna, Mich, Katy, Steve and Steve. It was mellow and we chatted about variousness. By the time we got back the circle was in full swing and after talking to Keris for a bit I went in. It was a nice circle, mostly, though quite big and certainly too big for the room. I sang a few times. The first time Marilisa and Steve Mac very kindly helped me to break in, which was really helpful. The sore throat was still there and did interesting, though not necessarily bad things to my voice and I rushed a bit, but the songs went down well. I managed until just before 3, with some breaks sitting outside and talking to various people. I got to talk to Marilisa, Paul and Mike which was nice. Never is enough time to talk to everybody, so a chat then was good.
Next morning we decided not to go down to the other hotel to say goodbye, we'd have had to rush and I would have gotten sad. We did see some people at the station, waiting for our very delayed trains (with advanced tickets we could not get on earlier trains, which still arrived after ours was supposed to. Despite this we got home by about 2 and then my body descended into crud.
Basically, lots of music, lots of friends, barely any of whom I got to talk to even mentioned here and a fabulous weekend. Which I will now take about a week to recover from. Still worth it, though!
Friday:We'd (Andrew and I, though Anna ended up joining us on the train as well) organised to get a train that would get us in early enough to relax and get settled (partially because the next cheap train wasn't for a little while, really) which worked very well. We went to the supermarket from the station and picked up some food for breakfasts and lunches and got a taxi to our hotel. We got into the con hotel at about 5 ready to enjoy the evening.
Friday was a really nice, relaxed evening for me, I got to the opening ceremony and Bill and Brenda's set, which was great as always. I didn't get to Piers' set, ended up talking to people in the bar and catching up a bit. Got sucked into talking with Anna, Andrew and Steve Mac about Worldream (Me: It's ten years since our first filkcon, Steve: It's ten years since my first british one, Me: Oh yeah Worldream. Conversation ensues). We'd been talking for about 15 minutes before I realised Andrew had no clue what it is, so the whole story was told. I interesting to think about it and the time that has passed (and the effects from it!).
Got to the second half of Silke's set which was brilliant. Her translation of Mina's song was wonderful and there were other great songs, but I have no memory. Her and Steffi together are great, too.
Then spent rest of the evening in the bar. Talked to Stacy and BeckyRachel a lot which was nice. Did not get to any circles, but that was alright. Was in bed at the other hotel by about one, meaning I could actually get 8 hours sleep.
Saturday: Managed to get up and ready early enough to go to Heather Dale(our North American guest)'s performance techniques workshop. It was really interesting. Some of it could have seemed obvious, but actually I don't think about anywhere near enough. I have never really tried to learn my songs, but I think I will attempt to now.
There was a bit of a gap before Christo's concert, which was wonderfully mellow. He did a selection of more serious and laid back songs and it was a fabulous start to the day.
There was lunch time and I ended up getting sucked into talking about possible musical plans for next year and missed the nMC, which was a real pity because I miss them and also I heard so many people complimenting how great they ere this year! Anyway, there was some singing of song in the alternate room, which is really nice to have available for just such situations.
Managed to get to Heather and Ben's first set which was great. I am often a bit less interested in music which is very much folk, but I really enjoyed this. As many people have said, Joan was a really bit highlight, especially not having heard it before. One to add to the list of awesome women songs for when I put together my all female-filk band who sing nothing but songs about awesome women (which, ok, is unlikely to happen, but filk seriously has a lot of awesome women songs).
Then was time for business meeting, which went fine and the bid session which ended with us having a committee, so therefore went very well! I trust that next year's lot will do a good job and am impressed with myself for managing to keep from join a committee for next years con. There were a few close calls, but considering I am running a con this July and getting married March 2012 not being on one is a Good Plan.
Plus, the guests! I like Mary and I am sure there will be some interesting stuff happening with her being here. I can't stop smiling when I think of Lissa being guest next year. It is totally awesome and a fantastic choice by the committee! Yay!
After which came Marilisa's concert, which was wonderful. There was an interesting mix of musicians and arrangements, plus Marilisa doing a couple by herself. In particular, I love hearing her singing with Steve and Katy. Their voices together are just amazing. The 'maybe I would rather stay behind' (don't know the name) was great. Her song about distance made me cry. Mina and Jonathan was really interesting and great. The 999 song was great. OMG WTF BBQ was really brilliant and the signage was hilarious. I commented on facebook that when I scrolled down and saw someone say FML I instantly translated that to 'how terribly disappointing'. I went about my evening and then something appeared on dropbox:
A friend (with the help of Andrew) had read that and found it amusing and made a Safari plugin. Which just goes to show I have awesome friends.
Anyway, Marilisa was fantastic and the concert was great. The was dinner, which was from the bar with Andrew, Steffi, Silke and Nat. Various chatting happened. When we went to the main concert afterwards I planned to be there a bit and then wander off, because I am usually terrible at sitting still. However, this year I had that problem a lot less and stayed for the whole thing. I really liked Steffi's Merlin song, Soir did a brilliant performance of his 'Nothing Ever Happens' which makes me want to reread His Dark Materials, Lissa was great and you could tell Marilisa had been working her magic on her, Jackie's song was great, I really liked Shaya and Pug's bit and there were many other great performances. I didn't not have the money for the auction, (plus was not sitting with Andrew so we couldn't confer and accidentally agree to buy stuff, which worked well, but was not intentional) but having with the main concert worked very well. It really kept things moving, and sort of reset the room after each performance, if that makes any sense.
There was a break while they set up for the oh so mysterious (or not) from the ashes. I made sure to get myself some water.
The second Phoenix started playing Black Powder and Alcohol I got up, ran to the back, put my glasses and drink down and started dancing. I had figured I's wait a little bit, but when they played that I just had to. Luckily I was joined by some others before too long and our dancing group grew steadily through the set. That stonking first song moved on to an entire stonking concert, with a lot of highlights. I was seriously happier than you could believe to have Phoenix back and playing again; the idea that I'd only seen them twice (didn't see them at my first con) seemed crazy and it had been far too long. Reminded me I need to replace the copy of Into the Fire that Anna and I had and played so much that we ruined the CD!
I had an endorphin and adrenaline high for about an hour afterwards, not surprising considering I'd danced for the length of the set. Talked to people bounced around and then at some point I went to the circle. It was not massive when I arrived, but it grew steadily, I think two circles would have worked better that night, but that was not the way it worked out. I stayed for a bit and even did a song (which oddly enough had become a follower by the time I got to do it!). I hate breaking into Chaos circles, so am pleased I managed to.
Anyway, I went to the bar and talked to Anna and Mich and Steve (who seemed to deal very well with his first filkcon) then went to bed. Andrew stayed at the circle until it shut down about about 3, because he is much better than sitting still and listening than I am, which meant Anna and I got the chat a bit which was nice.
Sunday: I woke up with a sore throat and so decided to take it easy and not go to the Chorus workshop for Marilisa's musical (which I am glad of as it meant I got to absorb the whole thing and went into it not knowing anything). I did see a bit of the main concert/auction (was the song with Tom and Lissa, with Mich on piano in this part or the other? either way it was a great performance from them). I am really surprised and impressed by how much money was raised in auction, I didn't expect anywhere near that much (over £1100).
Kamen, the footloose filker for this year was next and really funny, plus a great performance. I am so glad I caught her. And there was some more dancing at the end when she did a footloose filk, which was really necessary, as I get that song in my head every time I think of the idea - now I can get the filk, instead!).
Watched a bit of the game playing and lunch and played some Fluxx and Colouretto with Stacy and Andrew. Then it was time for the first performance of Full Moon on the Water, the musical that Marilisa had written entirely and put together the past month or two. It was really great; a clear and followable story, brilliant performances, the staging was great. Mich and Jackie doing the gossip song was especially good. I really loved the way the costume was done as well, really simple and effective. Everyone was in black, but the lighthouse keeper and his wife had knitted white things, the thief, his wife and their child had red elements and the captain and his wife had sparkly/shiny items. The way the playing of instruments was done was also brilliant, with all of the cast doing different bits and it never taking away from their performances.
There was some setting up and finalising of counting the Sams ballots before the winners of the awards were revealed. A great selection of deserving winners, as always.
Heather and Ben's second set was next, which was also great, with lots of fun at the end trying to corpse them with swaying etc. Marilisa had commented earlier that there had not been any handjive yet, and while I threatened to attempt it in the musical it did not appear until now, which was just the right moment.
There was a break for set up (as the voters had asked for more Phoenix, when everything had already been taken down!) and I wandered to the bar. I missed a bit of the concert, but managed to get back in for most of it. DJ singing Mina's song was fabulous; Zander's intro was so true about the different things brought to it by the different people who had performed it over the weekend (and in general). And Phoenix reprised Joan which was tremendous, again. We had Sams Song, followed by the closing ceremony and the con proper was done.
Took some time saying goodbye to people who were leaving etc. and then had a lovely meal at the Brewer's Fayrewith Andrew, Anna, Mich, Katy, Steve and Steve. It was mellow and we chatted about variousness. By the time we got back the circle was in full swing and after talking to Keris for a bit I went in. It was a nice circle, mostly, though quite big and certainly too big for the room. I sang a few times. The first time Marilisa and Steve Mac very kindly helped me to break in, which was really helpful. The sore throat was still there and did interesting, though not necessarily bad things to my voice and I rushed a bit, but the songs went down well. I managed until just before 3, with some breaks sitting outside and talking to various people. I got to talk to Marilisa, Paul and Mike which was nice. Never is enough time to talk to everybody, so a chat then was good.
Next morning we decided not to go down to the other hotel to say goodbye, we'd have had to rush and I would have gotten sad. We did see some people at the station, waiting for our very delayed trains (with advanced tickets we could not get on earlier trains, which still arrived after ours was supposed to. Despite this we got home by about 2 and then my body descended into crud.
Basically, lots of music, lots of friends, barely any of whom I got to talk to even mentioned here and a fabulous weekend. Which I will now take about a week to recover from. Still worth it, though!