February and Upcoming Song Circles Jack Cole
What can I say about February? When
8 people (4 from one family) turn up for OCSC there must be something
wrong. I'm going to hope this was just a bad night, and that we'll
have a few more in March! On the plus side, the topic of "songs
with animals in them" was represented in almost every
song - it looks like I finally hit a topic that had universal
appeal (or at least a billion songs to choose from). Thanks to
those who came, and for the new record munchies per head ratio.
March 22 and May 24 are the final Circles
for the season. For March I'd like to propose, as a topic, songs
about spring or at least warmer weather! See if you can bring
at least one song to fit this (rather easy) topic.
Dear Doris ( doris@freenet.milton.on.ca )
Hi honey, it's me reporting in from The Woods! I'm writing
this in the Windstar so as not to disturb my cabin mates with
key clicking. THANK GOD I thought to bring the cellular modem
so I can get this off to you - as predicted there are no phone
jacks in the cabins! Can you believe it?? Anyway, I hope all is
well in Milton, and my love to Zack and BryAnna etc etc.
The drive up was uneventful, except that I missed the Rosseau
turnoff and got here late for the intros, but there was still
wine left so it wasn't a total loss ;-). Lots of people seem to
be 'regulars' - they were all hugging and kissing and catching
up on old times. I wandered around reading name buttons and looking
for other newbies - about a third of us are. There was lots of
singing and dancing too, but after a long day of programming I
decided to pack it in early. Hard to sleep without the restful
babbling of the 401, though.
My roommate (Rick) had already claimed the bottom bunk so
I'm stuck with the top. Yes, I said 'bunk'! The cabin is similar
to ours on the Pacific Princess - NOT! It's rustic, but dry and
clean - reminds me of the cottage before we put the guest wing
on! Anyway, there are 5 rooms in the cabin, plus the bathroom,
which has (I kid you not) a sign to indicate which sex is using
it at the time! (Oops - I guess I didn't mention that these are
co-ed residences! Just like at Guelph, remember? On second thought,
maybe you should try to forget!!! :-) )
So today was my first full day as a 'Woodie'. I rolled out
of the bunk (clunk!) at 7:55, in time for breakfast at 8:00. It's
a buffet, with all the usual breakfast-type things, and a healthy
option or two. (No fresh squeezed though - I should have brought
the juicer). But the most interesting thing: in the middle of
breakfast, a guy named Bob jumps up and starts singing about liking
to "rise when the sun she rises", or something! Right
in the middle of breakfast! And you know what? Half the people
stopped eating and started to sing along! Right about then I started
to wonder what I was in for!
Then comes the first class. Now, last night they posted a list of the classes and workshops, but I _just_couldn't_decide_, so here I am at 5 minutes to 9, choosing between Songwriting and Beginner Mandolin. And, honey, I know you went to a lot of trouble to borrow the mandolin from your Jazzercise teacher, but how could I not try to write that song??? The class was fun but the teacher wasn't able to get the song out of me that first day - maybe she'll do better tomorrow. Her name is Eileen something - poor girl, all _her_ songs sound like they were written a couple of hundred years ago. Now, how hard can that be? She played one 'modern' one, that went "there's another train, there always is" - guess she doesn't use GO Transit! She gave us homework - write a song with a rhythm - but this is all I could come up with:
1) Hail BryAnna! Howdy do, Zack!
I'm at Yon Woods, in the Outback!
Bard is playing, peasants singing.
Is it any wonder ears are ringing?
2) Whence came I here? I remember.
My Big birthday, 'twas December.
Mom and offspring, bought admission.
To avoid a mid-life crisis, their ambition.
(Bridge) Take me home, Zack and BryAnna.
Take me home. This is Nirvana,
And I fear that when the last day comes
I'll wind up just a folkie bum!
Could you add some clip art, print it on the colour DeskJet
and have it by their bagels tomorrow? Thanks XXOX
Next is 'Community Time', where everyone gathers in the food
hall to do 'Community Building'. You'd like it. There's a topic;
some people prepare stories and songs, and others can join in.
The topics look like they're usually intended to make you _think_
about something (hey! I'm on vacation!) but today's was "Songs
that make us laugh". I was toying with singing that 'Nikon
F' song, but it turns out that the guy who WROTE it was leading
the workshop!!! DAMN, that was close! And he's a short, balding
little guy - even worse than me! So tomorrow I'm switching to
writing funny songs - if _he_ can do it
.
Then we had lunch (falafels - I like yours more) and off to
the second class. I tossed a Twoonie between Harmony Singing and
Ballads, and went to Harmony. Good call. We were divided up into
small groups, and after 10 minutes of 'warming up our voices'
(like, I need that!) we are learning to sing our parts. At the
Campers' Concert on Tuesday we'll perform for _everybody_. I'll
get Rick to take a picture for your wallet.
After class there are workshops, a couple of different ones
to choose from every day. Today I went to 'Storytelling'. The
teller (Becky) was funny & amazing - eyes that drill right
through you. The hour was over before I even knew it. I was LOL!
We have _got_ to get one of these people for our next Soccer banquet!
Next comes
..FREE TIME! That's when I do the swimming,
tennis playing, canoeing, hiking
..ha! I did my songwriting
homework and was headed for a coffee when I found a bunch of people
gathered around a picnic table playing country songs. Next thing
I knew I was in the middle of it all! What a great time! I met
this kid (I have underwear older than him!) who's a whiz on the
mandolin - well, on anything, really! - and he's going to give
me a quick 'open string mandolin' lesson (??) same time tomorrow!
And we're "jamming" again, too!
After supper there's an open stage for us Campers to perform,
then some of the staff give a full-blown concert. Tonight it was
a couple who play guitar and a funny looking thing called a dull-scimitar
(I think). They were amazing; some of the guys were crying (not
me, of course). Then the chairs went back and the dancing started.
You know I'm not much for dancing, Doris, but Becky doubles as
the call girl, and you wouldn't believe the moves she had us doing!
Since we're short men, some of the ladies strap on neckties and
do the man's thing. You should have seen us doing the Cheater's
Swing, or was it the Swinger's Cheat
whatever.
Well, 3 or 4 hours of that wore me right down - I tell you,
sweetie, I haven't worked this hard in _years_! By now it's almost
midnight, and the "Song Circle" is going. Half the camp
was there
.I had to sit out in the hallway! Don't these people
_SLEEP_!!! Anyway, everybody in the room gets a chance to sing
or request a song or pass. Most people DON'T pass! There was _so_
much talent in that room I was glad I stayed in the hallway!!
So the Circle was still going strong when I came to eMail
you. It's a beautiful starry night - sure glad we opted for the
power sunroof. And the CD player - there are NO Classic Rock stations
up here, naturally. But you know, I didn't even put Zeppelin on
- somehow that Ian Tamblyn bird thing seemed about right.
Well, I'm gonna close now, dial the cellular and send this
in. Rick just found me in the van - a bunch of them had a 2 AM
swim, and they're going back down to the lake to sing and watch
the Northern Lights. He asked if I'd like to join them! You know,
if word gets around that I can check email I'll probably have
_everybody_ wanting to use the Toshiba
..so, maybe I'll pack
it away in the Windstar and just phone you tomorrow or Sunday,
latest. Hope that's okay! And thanks for the birthday present.
Love and cuddles, Jim
OCSC Concert News
Modabo tickets are selling at a reasonable
pace. There are about 10 left for Saturday (April 19, 8 PM)
and 25 for Sunday (April 20, 2 PM). I've already sung the praises
of Modabo to the sky, so I won't do it again. You know how much
I recommend this concert. If you want tickets call 578-6298 ($14
each, advanced tickets ONLY).
Now, about Bill Gallaher and
Harmony Road. As things stand right now they are only available
to us on a weeknight, or either the Friday or Saturday of Labour
Day weekend. Would you be interested in a concert on either the
Friday or Saturday of Labour Day weekend? I'm not looking for
a commitment, just an inclination. Please let me know at OCSC.
Merrick Jarrett, by the way, says that he would do anything
to hear these folks play. I agree - they are wonderful songwriters,
and don't get this way (from Victoria) often. Please consider.
Finally, Two Thousand Years of Christmas,
1997. We are currently firming up plans with Trilogy to host them
again next December. They have given us first choice on
a date - congratulations to everyone involved; we really made
an impression. We are leaning to a single concert on Saturday,
December 6th, or two concerts on December 7. Thoughts?
Mariposa News
Merrick faxed me a couple of letters
about difficulties with this grandparent of festivals. They open
with "Mariposa is dying". It seems that, despite the
fact that last year's events were the first in 2 decades to make
money, a vacuum of involvement may kill Mariposa. The Board of
12 members is down to 7 very weary volunteers. There is no major
sponsor. The staff of 5 is gone in cutbacks. Not enough people
showed up at the Annual Meeting to elect a new board. The president
sounds burnt out, and is resigning. If you are a fan of Mariposa,
you can do something very worthwhile by attending the next meeting
on March 23, 2PM, at the Tranzac, 262 Brunswick Ave. Toronto and
offering to help. From the sounds of the letters this may well
be a very political meeting, but surely someone can rise
above that? Can't they?
Upcoming Events (Check
Acoustic Cafe for more!)
Mar 12 Ian
Tyson, Centre In The Square, $21 - $29
Mar 15
Black Walnut Folk Club, Jester's Court, Victoria Park, Kitchener.
Open stage, 8 PM, $3. & April 19
Mar 15
Mill Race Folk Club Medieval Feast fund raiser, $15, 624-1175
for info.
Mar 21
Spirit of the West (with KW Symphony) Centre In The Square
Mar 22 Old Chestnuts Song Circle,
111 Chestnut St., Kitchener. 578-6298. 7:30 PM Also May 24.
Apr 5 Mill
Race Folk Club open singaround, Ernies in Cambridge. $3. 8 PM.
Apr 7
Bruce Cockburn, War Mem Hall, Guelph
Apr 19 and 20. Modabo House Concert.
$14. Call 578-6298 for info.
May 24
(Tentative) Phil Ochs night and Woods Scholarship fund-raiser,
Toronto (more info as I have it)
About this newsletter..... It's
emailed if I have your address. It's available at OCSC and BWFC
get togethers. Also available by regular mail, but for that I
request a few stamped envelopes or a contribution to postage.
I didn't get any articles submitted, so you got stuck with my
fiction! BTW, LOL means Laughing Out Loud. FYI, BTW means By The
Way. JSYK, FYI means
Jaspur is a bit better,
but still a worry. In lieu of catnip send KFC.