Saturday, March 24, 2007
The Pentagon
The Pentagon stove.
Outside the Pentagon
What a glorious day here today. How could you not be outside on this wonderful winter (ahem, I mean spring ) day. When Chris St. Clair said that everything was looking like spring (on the weather channel) he was not referring to Newfoundland. Well, today we took the kids and skiied to the pentagon or the warm up shack or the mug up shack, whatever you want to call it. We have been trying to get in with the kids all winter and this was the day. We packed a lunch and left home at around 12 noon. I should explain for those non-whalebackers that the Pentagon is not in Washington, D.C. but in the middle of the whaleback nordic ski trail here in Stephenville. It is about three km in the trail, not too far for the kids. You can even sleep there, they have one big top bunk and lots of people have enjoyed many nights there. We got there and had a mug up (sandwiches and hot chocolate), put in the wood stove and just enjoyed the day. We saw a lot of animal tracks on the way.... rabbits, squirrels, fox and possibly coyote but we didn't see any wildlife except for the occasional skiier. Here are a few pics!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Friday night at the Legion
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
We played at the legion on March 16th for Stephenville Theatre Festival's St. Paddy's Day Party. It was great. Thank you Danny Cochrane for playing the bass, it was awesome. The sound was superb and the lighting awesome, not to mention the decor. Everything was great including that bowl of Lamb stew made by Robyn's mom....Mrs...? I know it's not Pederson. We were on third after Les Glover, David Bennet and Juanita Cormier. We sang Black Velvet Band, Caledonia and Sixteen for Awhile, a pretty sedate group though, maybe it was all that Irish stew. After we played we headed over to the Holiday Inn where Cal McNiven, Bernie White and Ray Skinner were playing. They invited us up to sing a couple of tunes, so we did. We sang Sixteen for Awhile
and (at the request of our friends) Caledonia. Nice place to play, nice and cozy.
We played at the legion on March 16th for Stephenville Theatre Festival's St. Paddy's Day Party. It was great. Thank you Danny Cochrane for playing the bass, it was awesome. The sound was superb and the lighting awesome, not to mention the decor. Everything was great including that bowl of Lamb stew made by Robyn's mom....Mrs...? I know it's not Pederson. We were on third after Les Glover, David Bennet and Juanita Cormier. We sang Black Velvet Band, Caledonia and Sixteen for Awhile, a pretty sedate group though, maybe it was all that Irish stew. After we played we headed over to the Holiday Inn where Cal McNiven, Bernie White and Ray Skinner were playing. They invited us up to sing a couple of tunes, so we did. We sang Sixteen for Awhile
and (at the request of our friends) Caledonia. Nice place to play, nice and cozy.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A Night with Fergus O'Byrne
Fergus, Jill and MikeWhat can I say! It was a great evening had by all. The show was sold out and people were piling in to see the very first show put off by the newly formed Bay St. George Folk Arts Council and having none other than Fergus O'Byrne to kick off the evening was an honor. Fergus told stories and entertained with lovely ballads and dittys on his banjo, guitar and Bodhran. He played for an hour and then there was a line-up of local performers. Performers included George Chaisson with Ray Skinner, Bernie White, The Kippers (Bill Alexander, Betty Rumbolt, Esther Oosterbaan, Shaun O'Keefe and Teddo Marche, Diane Doyle with Cal McNiven, Donny Dunphy and Bernie White, Lynette Murrin, Mike Maddock and Kylie Cook, Joe Wiseman with Mike Bennett, Lloyd Pretty and Bernie White ( I hope I didn't miss anyone ). Mike and I played as well and we were quite pleased with our performance. Of course, I almost got 3rd degree sunburn under those lights, I still cannot get over how hot and bright they were. I guess I am not used to the bright lights just yet. ha Here are a few pics of the evening. You will also be able to check out the Folk Arts Council webiste for more pictures.
Fergus also went to a few schools in the area, Stephenville Primary, Middle and High School and also St. Michaels in Stephenville Crossing where he shared photos of his homeland and stories and song. Marigold played her fiddle (McNab's Hornpipe), I accompanied her on the mandolin, Nelson White on the guitar and Ben Dunphy did a stepdance. It was spectacular!!! Great job, Marigold!!!
Fergus kicking off the Bay St. George Folk Arts Council Show at the Holiday Inn.
Bernie White, George Chaisson, Ray Skinner
George Chaisson steppin' er out.
The Kippers
Cal McNiven and Donny Dunphy
Diane Doyle
Smokin' Joe
Bernie White, Jill, Mike and Esther Oosterbaan
Saturday, March 10, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIGOLD!
What have we been playing? and more
We played at the legion for Newfie Night on January 28th. They served a wicked good (not wicked bad) newfie meal that included everything from moose stew to squid stirfry, it was delicious. There were a lot of acts that played during the evening. We played a few tunes (Oh no not I, Fisherman's son, The Maid on the shore and a couple more, I can't remember. Bernie White played along with us on the bass. I have a picture of this that was scanned (not a great one). We will also be playing on March 12th at the Fergus O'Byrne concert, March 16th for the Stephenville Theatre Festival's St. Paddy's Day show at the legion and probably March 17th for an open mic that will be held after the 2nd Stage Players put off their show at the Holiday Inn.
Let's see how this picture turns out.
Songwriter's Circle
Here is an interesting article that was posted in the Feb 20th edition of The Georgian about the local songwriter's circle. While there have been a couple of these held so far, spearheaded by Joe Wiseman, Mike has attended one (and ends up with his name in the paper) and I haven't attended one yet. Maybe I will get there. Maybe I will write a song. Maybe I will make a CD. Who knows? With THE SECRET out and about now, anything is possible.
More Links
I think what I will do first is add a few more links to my sidebar. I have neglected to add Irish/Newfoundland music links that are very much a part of our life here in Stephenville. As some of you may already know (from reading the Georgian) some enterpirising people have started the Bay St. George Folk Arts Council here in Stephenville. There was an interesting article in The Georgian about the start up and showed a lovely picture with Mike, Donny Dunphy, Cal McNiven and Joe Wiseman in full color. This council will, hopefully, see a rebirth and a continuation of traditional music in this area with many jams, venues, hostings, etc.. in the future. Just this weekend the council have put together a show on March 12th, featuring Fergus O'Byrne (here's the article), at the Holiday Inn as well as showcasing some local talent. Fergus will perform the first set, while local performers (including Mike and I) will perform in the second set and I think Fergus will finish up with the last set. It should be a good time. Of course, this show was to feature the well knownDermot O'Reilly as well as Fergus. These two were the stronghold of Ryan's Fancy. Dermot passed away, sadly, on Feb 17th of this year.
Friday, March 09, 2007
The first sleepover!
Well, I am sitting here at 11:54 while there are six ten year old girls chatting away downstairs. It's the first birthday party sleepover. While I have managed to escape them thus far, I had promised Marigold that on her tenth birthday she could invite a few girls over. You know the song that never ends????? This feels like the party that never ends. Usually two hours and it's over but not with the sleepover. They have been having a ball though. What great singers and dancers and crafters we have here. I must compliment their music teacher on the wonderful job of teaching these girls those lovely dittys in the choir.
I can't believe my baby is ten (will be ten on the tenth, her golden birthday). She is quite proud to be hosting her fist sleepover. Now, as for me, while I sit and wait for them to settle so I can hit the sack (the couch upstairs, just in case I'm needed) (the boys are settled away with not a worry in the world) I will catch up on my blogging. If I end up with a lot of entries you will know that they chatted way into the night.............................
I can't believe my baby is ten (will be ten on the tenth, her golden birthday). She is quite proud to be hosting her fist sleepover. Now, as for me, while I sit and wait for them to settle so I can hit the sack (the couch upstairs, just in case I'm needed) (the boys are settled away with not a worry in the world) I will catch up on my blogging. If I end up with a lot of entries you will know that they chatted way into the night.............................
