Susan's see

Well, even though I didn't win the instrument raffle, I can hardly call this Friday the 13th inauspicious. In the delighted words of Jerry Fabiano, "This place just never stops being great!"

These words were elicited by a sudden, informal lunchtime performance by the Cajun ensemble class (led, of course, by the inestimable Doug Goodhart) in the cafeteria. Though all of the students did a fantastic job, I think the most memorable part was luthier Herb Taylor's somewhat unexpected (at least by me) debut on triangle (and don't think I didn't notice that hard-learned triangle technique, Herb) and lead vocals. Check out the videos - they had them literally dancing in the aisles.

It's currently Saturday morning, after breakfast (they had blackberries! Big, juicy blackberries!).  I'm in the computer lab, ostensibly updating this blog, but really avoiding the goodbyes happening everywhere.  Not so much because I don't want to give farewell greetings, but just because I fear I'll wind up crying!  Everywhere you go people are hugging, shaking hands, and promising to see each other again next year.  Heck, I'm getting all verklempt just writing this.

I'm not sure what it is about Zoukfest that creates this wonderful environment of acceptance, comeraderie, and mutual respect.  Beginners are supported and encouraged, experts are honoured and rightfully teased.  It is simultaneously one of the most intimidating (but in a good way) and welcoming (in a comfortable way) places or events I've ever had the good fortune to attend.  Every year I want to bring everyone I know along with me, so that I can share it with them in a way that I can't express in clumsy words - and as those who know me know well, I love words!  And at the same time, I'm kind of glad they're not here, in a way.  Not because I don't love them (I do! You guys rock!), but somehow this is something that is mine, and being here on my own, I really have a chance to be myself in a way that I'm not sure I would be able to allow myself to be were everyone here with me.  An odd conundrum. But honestly, given the choice, I'd haul you all down here with me, in the suitcases if necessary!  I want to show you off to everyone here, and show everyone here off to you!

Let's see, where did I leave off yesterday?  Where to start today?  Last night's concert was fabulous - which by now should go without saying.  The seven scholarship students gave an awesome and varied performance, demonstrating not only their considerable talent, but also their senses of humour and performance style.  Then Mr. Roger Landes himself got up to perform, giving an apparently effortless and thoroughly great performance of music from different traditions, joined at times by the other usual suspects - Randall Bays, Stanley Greenthal.   After the break, they pulled the raffle winners for the melon-dolin and the black electric 'zouk.  As I already said, I didn't win. It was a little disappointing that the winners weren't in the room to be envied and mercilessly teased.  But I'm happy for the winners and look forward to taking home this year's 'zouk next year. :)

After the raffle, Luke Plumb took the stage.  I admit, I'd never heard of Luke before I came to Zoukfest, but the very first time I heard him play - in Abiquiu, when he'd just gotten off the plane from Edinburgh and was terribly jetlagged - he blew my mind.  And he continues to do so every time I hear him play.  He has a kind of effortless, self-effacing virtuosity that invites the listener in rather than just keeping them passive receivers of the performance.  What always impresses me about his playing is his dynamics. So many mandolin players don't pay a lot of attention to the quieter aspects of the instrument, or maybe the styles they play just doesn't emphasize that aspect.  But both Steve Smith and Luke both really impressed me with their use of not only the louder sounds of the instrument, but the quiet, gentle parts that make you lean in to hear and be transported.  After Luke came the great fiddler Randall Bayes, who also invited Roger and others to come play with him.  It was especially fun when Banjo player Dave Corey got up to join them and Randall and Roger donned backwards hats in his honour.  Now,  I don't want to seem to be giving undue preference to Luke if I don't say more about Randall and the others.  They are all world-class musicians, and to almost every one of them I would ask if I could to allow me to enter a discipleship! But Luke (and Steve) play the instrument I am trying to learn, and somehow that impresses on me personally more.  I do want to add a word about Stanley, though.  Anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to play with, or even meet, Stanley should seek out the very first opportunity to do so.  A gentle and beautiful soul with a staggering musicianship.  I keep his "Turning Toward You" cd on my computer at work all the time, for its gentle beauty and warmth, and Melodie goes in whenever I just want to sit back and listen to a master of the music at work.

After the concert it was time for the last night's fun.  Two big instrumental sessions in Kennedy Hall went on to an ungodly hour (Chipper tells me he never did go to bed).  The singing session was also wonderful, though I only caught the tail end.  Most memorable for me were the whole group singing the "Appalachian Round" that Connie teaches in her ZF class, and Don Richmond's gorgeous rendition of "John of Dreams".  Don Richmond has been sadly neglected in this blog.  What a voice he has!  I've been trying to find new words for "gentle" "beautiful" "gorgeous" and "warm", but I'm running out of synonyms here.  Don's music makes you want to either a) curl up by a fire with a hot chocolate and a blanket and cuddle with a loved one - it makes you feel so safe and loved and loving - or b) wander out into nature and just grin with joy for all that God has given.  His songwriting class this year was excellent - I even did actually take a stab at writing a song - it's still very very rough and I don't know if I'll ever try to make it into more.  But I think more than anything I came away from that class willing to take the plunge and try to write, and ready to consider something different, something new.  Speaking of the songwriting class, we had some great guest songwriters come in to work with us, including Chipper, Moira, Kate MacLeod (sp?) and, on Friday, the great Andy Irvine himself, which was exceedingly cool. 


While I'm waxing enthused about the people here I want to make a special mention of Lisa Wright and Laura Felton, the two with whom I've worked most closely this year as a volunteer.  Both of these women are beautiful, beautiful  people with hearts of gold.  I can't believe how hard they work every year to keep everything running smoothly, and though it is to my shame to admit that I came away from my first ZF with only the vaguest idea of what they actually did, at the same time that also proves how well they do their work.  The kind of work they do is like a really well-done make-up job (cosmetics, I mean): if it's done right, you never actually see it, everything just seems somehow, subtly, naturally better.  But both of them are working pretty much from first thing in the morning to the time they hit the hay, keeping things running smoothly, running errands, and providing the little comforts that we take for granted.  We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude, and me especially - for their warm welcome and allowing me to work with them this year - and inviting me back next year to do it all again!  Again, I don't want to neglect Jamie, Richard, and Roger, who also worked like dogs all week and before in keeping things running - Jamie and Richard running around getting things done, seating people, running errands, and generally being so willing to do whatever needed doing.  They are sweet, wonderful people I look forward to working with again next year.  Thank you so much guys, and thanks again for the birthday surprise!!!

Well, this afternoon is the student concert, and this morning Laura and I were thinking of going trolling for used books.  I'm going to have to rein myself in, though, or I'll have to buy a new bag just to carry things home in!  My bag was pretty stuffed when I came and I do n't know how I'm going to fit everything for the trip home.   I'm off to go practise my body percussion, the low harmony for Ar Lan y Mor and Chipper's "torturous" finger exercises. 

For any of you ZF-ers following this, I do plan to post some "sounds of ZF '08" eventually - once I have access to my own computer again and sound editing software that I understand.  Also, I have a source who has promised to send me some photos, as my camera is clearly incapable of taking good indoor pictures, and my camera died partway into the concert last night.  So here's a few dark and blurry ones, but hopefully I'll have some better ones soon.  Stay tuned!

(Wednesday evening)

As I write this, I'm sitting in the lobby at Benildus Hall, enjoying a rare quiet moment as the evening's instructor concert goes on in the auditorium. Usually I'd be in there like a dirty shirt, but I need to make a call soon and didn't want to walk out in the middle of a set.

Wednesday is the hump day, .when people haven't lost their enthusiasm, but are starting to feel the effects of working hard all day and sessioning all night - at high altitude, no less! We'll all find our second winds soon.

Today Mr. Andy Irvine arrived and taught his first class (seminar?). Now, AI is one of THE names in Irish bouzouki music, a pioneer of the instrument in this genre. Probably at least half of the camp's students went to that session - anyone who could hold a bouzouki. It was amusing watching them coming out of the room afterward, simultaneously awed,delighted, and overwhelmed. Rick came out with a smile that could have powered the building. Luke said, with only slight hyperbole, that it was like having Jesus sit down with you and casually say, "Okay, today we're going to go over the basics of the Ressurection, and tomorrow we'll try the feeding of the 5000...."

As for me, I don't play the 'zouk, much to my chagrin. While many of the others were adoring their idol, I was enjoying a fascinating private lesson with Angela Mariani, who teaches the Early English song. She is an amazing woman of deep knowledge, humour, and musicianship. We began with a song called "Planctus Cygni" - the Lament of the Swan, and branched into a fascinating discussion of medaeval Latin, the cult (in the true sense of the word) of Mary, and how songs moved through the world at that time. I tell you, if for some reason I should move to Texas, I'll be signing up for classes!

Well, I'm off. Time to go make that call!