Happy Hillside 2018

I forgot to put it on my survey, that I think it would be valued and appreciated at Hillside Festival, to open up slightly on policy to sponsorships.

I put in an instrument zoo workshop proposal that wasn’t successful, but I would love to try again with a pitch that includes L&M support. Or Folkway Music? Or both.

Darling #Summerfolk43

The choir, in particular, was a highlight this year! Treassa is such a great teacher and leader. From the meaningful material chosen, and inspiring instruction that ignited passion, to the tips on timing and enunciation, while working out the melodies, was empowering!  And accidentally educational, to all who attended. It moved me to tears, more than once, to sing in such a spirited group, and I also treasure the tiny nuggets of musical education she offers individually. And, she orchestrated the honour as well to share a stage with Tragedy Ann, Mike Celia, Coco Love Alcorn, and Samantha Martin. I can’t tell you what it means to me have made eye contact with the the songwriter, especially, while singing my heart out, on one of her tunes, with all the other voices. It was very special, Samantha sang a line smiling right at me and I sang my line smiling right back to her!

I also had great fun at 3.5 sets Drew McIvor did. He is so charismatic, fun and talented, with equally gifted band mates Jaylen and JD. The song about Georgian Bay radio that a group sang with Drew and his kids stood on stage holding the banner was brilliant and adorable.

 I was certainly inspired by the way these folks approached it and want to do better for my recordings for next year. 

I did one lead in show and posted two tiny podcasts. Next year I will be doing much more pre-festival coverage, and I plan to do some post-festival programming on the radio show as well. #summerfolk43. I can't wait to edit back the segments I recorded with Rose Cousins, and Ben Whitely, who was playing with Sarah Harmer.

Here are some of my other thoughts:

Maybe Youth Discoveries acts like Ester’s Family could have more room in the program? Or in the media kit?

I would love to read the results of the greening audit. Did I miss hear Saturday’s MC explaining from the stage that only food waste could go in the compost? I read now that napkins and other garbage could go in but I guess the paper plates needed to go in as cardboard? I give myself a gold star for my reduce/reuse/recycle tally, because of my awesome smart planet dish that every vendor I attended was willing to make work for me! It kept hot things hot, cool things cool, and saved leftovers neatly for later and worked out so well I’m giving them as gifts this Christmas. They would make a great Summerfolk merch item, in my opinion…

Merry Mariposa, 2018

Dear Instrument Petting Zoo,
Thank you for being at Mariposa, will you be at Hillside?
I thought the 3 price tags and one corner banner from Long and McQuade was a nice subtle sponsorship.  I think that's such a good fit to encourage zoo participants to continue involvement with musical instruments!!  And, having amps and electrics was nice!  And a few flutes for sale was fun too.  Please do let me know where the zoo will be set up next!

Here are some other highlights:

I liked hearing how professional and specific some performers can when sound checking.  I really enjoyed the Steve Poltz "memorial-worship." I especially liked hearing Danny Michel's new material - one song is Music Monday suitable and the other one is my new fave, Purgatory Cove.

I heard he is releasing new tunes monthly, which is perfect in today's music industry landscape. And I really enjoyed how most of the workshops at Mariposa this year were real workshops, true jams and not just songs in the round from a group of performers.  I was also impressed to finally see water bottles as artist merch, as I think it is a perfect and important item. I hope the artist will always have one on stage and never accept bottled water instead...  so happy the festival was plastic bottle free!

WMW - Recommended!

Hi there,
Since I can't figure out how to hide this very out-of-date blog, I will post a sneaky glimpse at some of the things I have been up to, and a promise to write out a full recommendation for the Women's Music Weekend!  It was AMAZING!!!

Summerfolk 2017

"Dear Treasa Levvesaur
I loved the arrangement of the dave gunning tune we sang together at summer folk choir. and, I also think I like the key we did it in? I am pretty sure I heard him do it live once and sang along, but your "ignore the time signature + eyeball" method really worked for me. I should have turned my book in, but I kept it."

"Nicest message of the day! Xoxox keep well and see you next year. We sang it in C by the way, and there's a kids book of it out there"

Uke Tunes, Hillside 2017

I have just done another year of ukulele workshop at the performing arts tent at Hillside.  I didn't have enough ukes, and there were both beginners and those who knew how to play, and we had trouble hearing ourselves and each other over the other noise.  And, an hour is not much time to do anything!

The second day was much better because I made them all stand up and make a tiny bluegrass circle and we could hear our selves and we rocked a tune or two.

People stayed behind to tell me that they look forward to it every year, all year! And they come each session each day! etc etc etc.

There were some proficient ukers there that I encouraged to put in proposals for next year because I want to do something else instead.  I keep hoping a workshop like this could take place inside an instrument zoo exhibit!

Guelph Mighty Uke Club Announcement:

Lately the gatherings have been very, very small.
But mighty!

Our faves acapella are the Hello Song, Jim Along Josie, Dum Ditty - with random instruments - The Earth is our Mother (on repeat), as well as All The Pretty Horses (also on repeat, repeat, repeat and which would be awesome to learn on guitar or uke).

And, don't forget your part in Little Red Riding Hood fake version on classical 6 string.

It's Been More Than A Year, It's True

Lately I miss the days I was paid to be at work to hear an AMAZING group of uber talented co-workers, noodling around on their instruments...
should I make you a list?

As Lesson Coordinator in two esteemed local musical shops over 8 years, I really did hear some great practicing.

I need to just fill the silence now with my own noodling!