festivus
Posted by Lanea on Thursday, June 22nd, 2006
I’m posting all quick-like because my wonderful Mom-in-law Karen is in town with her beau Lee, and Scott, the pets, and I are soaking up all of the goodness we can. Kayo, Yarrow, and Speedwell are all likely to hitch-hike to Utah when Karen and Lee leave.
Very briefly–the festival went well, though it was hot as hell.
There was a turkey nest in our living history encampment. The chicks apparently started hatching on Monday, so if there’s a family of gobblers in the Leesburg area that seems to think they’re crows, er, go ahead and blame us.
My pals Jayme, Lissa, Carol, and Jinann gave a kick-ass spinning workshop on Saturday, and the masses are crying for more. Several new spinners have sprouted from a horse-pasture in Leesburg, and many people are calling for at least two repeat-performances next year. Woot! Woot, I say!
If anyone has money or time they want to donate to a really wonderful struggling cultural festival, gimme a shout. Please. For the love of plaid and pipes and kilts and fiddles and bridies and the Tuatha De Danann, give us your wallets. We can help make great art and learning happen with your money, and you can get a tax break.
Our Bardic performances went very well, and we had a full crowd on Saturday. Sadly, Anubh and I were Etaine-less. Sigh. Lots of folks in each of our audiences were clearly engaged and well-read and really interested in Bardic poetry and Celtic history and mythology, all of which had me chuffed. And again, people asked to buy CDs and books, neither of which either of us have produced. And yet no book or recording contracts.
Le Vent du Nord is amazing live. Freaking amazing.
I didn’t get to buy a darn thing, which was very sad. I did get to spend a fair amount of time with my girls at Dancing Pig and Tuatha, and I did get to meet the newest Crafty Celt, and those are beautiful things.
My peeps kept me out of the sun as much as they possibly could, and occassionally chased people away from me so they get me under the green, leafy part of the sky and keep me well. I managed to escape a long weekend of near constant sun-exposure with no real burn and only a mild sun-sensitivity reaction.
Most importantly. I received an amazing amount of help, love, encouragement, and congratulations from my wonderful friends and family, on-line and in person. It was amazing. My people are amazing. I hope I manage to earn a tenth of the love you all give me, but I don’t know how I ever could.
Filed in Celtic,Music,spinning | 3 responses so far
The Purloined Letteron 23 Jun 2006 at 9:30 am 1Yay! You did an absolutely fantastic job. We had a blast.
BTW: I blogged about Le Vent du Nord and the Crafty Celts myself. I spent too much money at the latter’s booth–and wanted to at Le Vent du Nord’s table but they were already sold out. We are ordering the two albums. (Also on the blog is a beautiful pic of you! If that is not OK, please let me know and I’ll pull it down immediately.)
Rachelon 25 Jun 2006 at 2:07 pm 2I just got a shipment notification from the mysterious Mangham Wool & Fiber Farm in VA. That wouldn’t be your doing by chance…?
Oh, and you’re puurrty….great pic over yonder!
Taraon 27 Jun 2006 at 11:14 am 3Yay! The festival was wonderful, thank you for all the hard work that went into it! Wish I had gotten to see Tinsmith, and you and Anubh perform though. My pics are up at http://www.tara-noelle.smugmug.com for those who are interested (see the pants-stealing!). And, quit worrying about earning the love from your friends–it’s not about earning it. It’s about community, and giving and getting what’s needed, and you’re one of the best at that.