Folk Show Forum

What exactly Is UFC/MMA?

2012-05-09T16:14:52-05:00

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest Mixed Martial Arts promotion company in the world,which hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport and produces events worldwide.Based in the United States, the UFC has eight weight divisions and enforces the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. Dana White serves as the president of the UFC while Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta control the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, LLC. The first UFC event was held in 1993 in Denver, Colorado. The purpose of the event was to identify the most effective martial art in a real fight between competitors of different fighting disciplines, including Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Karate and other styles. In subsequent competitions, fighters ventured outside their base style to utilize effective techniques from other disciplines, which indirectly helped create an entirely separate style of fighting known as present-day mixed martial arts.

The greatest comedy ever: The Sienfield show

2012-05-09T16:09:57-05:00

The show was full of laughter based on everyday situations. The show featured plots which were derived from everyday life. The people could easily relate to these plots. This simple comedy show turned out to be the most popular comedy of its time. In fact it proved to be the top comedy of all time. People still watch Seinfeld episodes in their living rooms and enjoy one of the best comedies American TV has produced.

Garrison Keillor on Facebook

2012-05-08T14:35:31-05:00

Here’s a third-hand item that I bet will be passed through many hands and keyboards….It’s a well-worn trope, but one that holds up well. Directed at those on the pointy end of the sound system, but of course relevant to anybody….

On Sun, 6 May 2012 12:33:55 -0400, Ron Olesko <rolesko@OPTONLINE.NET wrote:
I want to share something that I think might be of interest to all of us who host a radio series.

Chatting away on mic, we only imagine who is out there listening, and while we hope that our efforts connect with someone, we often are surprised when we see how much of an impact we have on others. Earlier this week, Garrision Keillor posted the following note on Facebook. I thought it is worth sharing –

A person never stops asking What is the point? Why do I do what I do? Well, last night at an event a young man named Richard, in a wheelchair, body contorted from some debilitating disease, maybe ALS, hardly able to scrunch the words out, but brain still functioning, told me he was a huge FAN of Guy Noir and Lake Wobegon and Writers Almanac and he took such delight in regaling me with all the stuff he loved, Emmylou, the sound effects, the St. Olaf choir, the cowboys. His head was rolling side to side, arms waving, hands frozen stiff, mouth gaping, spit flying, but he was transported with delight and laughing and laughing——- this isn’t the demographic one envisions——- one envisions an audience of cool people including kewl teenagers and twentyish hipsters. But here is my listener, Richard. He lives in a group home, and evidently radio is an intense experience for someone trapped in a twisted unwieldy body. I felt sort of redeemed. I’m not a saintly person, nor even especially high-minded, but for Richard’s sake, I’d like the show to be good. Other people can turn off the radio and go trotting off to a club; he can’t. So he’s going to be on my mind for awhile. Maybe we’ll do a sketch about an action hero in a wheelchair. - Garrison Keillor

I’ve always felt that Garrision Keillor’s appeal has been his ability to put feelings into words that others share, but cannot articulate. His thoughts about his own programs after meeting Richard gives reason to those of us who produce programming, not for a a paycheck, but for a different kind of reward. Those words give us justification as to why we push ourselves to improve our programs and strive for the best. I like to think of it as an “unpaid vocation”. Thank you Garrison Keillor.

Sea Shanty Sing-along!

2012-04-25T18:40:26-05:00

Ireland, Appalachia, and the Ocean Between Them

The weekend of May 12, in Hollidaysburg, PA (16648), I’m hosting a three part musical weekend.
(For more details, email or call Steve: kss15 at psu dot edu 814-932-8158)

On Sat. (May 12), from 1:30-4:30ish: The 4th Central PA Sea Shanty Sing.

We had about 45 folks last time. It was loud, raucous, and fun (and kid-friendly). While there were many good singers among us, no experience or talent is required (only enthusiasm). The songs are sung acapella, and lyrics are provided.

Here’s a sample if you’re inclined to watch: http://youtu.be/dA7rZ1-ZE2g

Potluck supper to follow, or there are several restaurants within walking distance, if you plan to stay for the concert and need a break.
Saturday evening (probably 6:30-8PM), settle in for a house concert by the husband/wife team of Julee Glaub and Mark Weems, known together as Little Windows. They mix Appalachian, Irish, Old-Time Gospel, and traditionally-based originals with a special focus on unaccompanied ballads. They perform nationally and abroad and focus on pure voice and tight harmony.

Mark (who runs the North Carolina School of Traditional Music) is steeped in the Old-Time tradition, while Julee (who directs the Traditional Song Week at Swannanoa Gathering) centers herself in the Traditional Irish realm. Together they create a rare harmonic sound.
Sunday morning, May 13 (probably 10:30-noon), Mark and Julee will offer a workshop in Traditional Appalachian and Irish Ballad Singing.
There is much to see and hear at their website: http://www.littlewindows.net

Costs:
The Shanty Party is free (although there’ll be a Baby-sitter Kitty, and a pot-luck offering if you stay for supper).
$12 for the House Concert
$10 for the Ballad Singing Workshop ($15 if you just want to come Sunday morning)
All events are in my home, so an RSVP will help with head-count and set-up. For questions or more info, email or call Steve: kss15 at psu dot edu 814-932-8158
From the last Shanty Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPDITTpeexA

Aaron Jones and Claire Mann - Oak Mountain Hideaway House Concert

2012-04-24T12:33:30-05:00

All the way from Scotland, this outstanding duo met on the thriving Edinburgh folk music scene back in 1997 and over the years they have developed a unique and exciting musical relationship which enthrals audiences with a mixture of traditional and original Scottish and Irish music and song. Their critically acclaimed album ‘Secret Orders’ has become a favourite amongst musicians and audiences alike.

Originally from Poole in England, Aaron has lived and worked in Scotland for nearly twenty-five twenty years. He spends much of his year touring in the USA and throughout the UK and Europe and has recorded on over sixty-five traditional albums. He continues to work regularly with some of the biggest names in ‘folk’ music both as a performer and as a producer and in 2005 was voted ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Aaron is also the front man in Scotland’s ‘Old Blind Dogs’ who were voted Band of the Year in 2004 and 2007 at the Scots Trad Music Awards and won America’s IAP ‘Folk Album of the Year’ for their CD ‘Four on the Floor’. Their last release, on Nashville’s Compass Records label titled ‘Wherever Yet May Be’, was shortlisted for the same award.

Claire has established herself as one of the World’s leading exponents of traditional Irish flute and fiddle. As well as numerous All-Ireland Championships on flute and tin whistle, Claire is highly sought after as a traditional music tutor and teaches at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and at Newcastle University. She released her debut solo album ‘Claire Mann’ in 2001 to great critical acclaim.

“...bouzouki ace.” Scotland on Sunday

“Her sheer musicality - the beautiful feel in her playing - is what really sets her apart” - The Planet, Radio National, Australia

“They were sensational last night. Apart from their technical brilliance and beautiful interpretations of tunes and songs, there is so much power, personality, passion and drive in their playing. A packed house was screaming for more”. Great musicianship and great playing…brilliant stuff!” - Mike Harding BBC Radio 2

See Community Calendar for details.

new Music from GirlyMan

2012-02-07T13:09:20-05:00

I’ve heard there is a new GirlyMan CD. Anyone heard it yet? Is it more like their first CD with an acoustic feel to it with great harmonies? It is not in the iTunes store yet.

Earl Scruggs, January 6, 1924 – March 28, 2012

2012-03-30T12:01:41-05:00

Banjo playing legend Earl Scruggs died this week. Here’s a link to NPR’s look back on his career.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/03/29/149575679/bluegrass-legend-earl-scruggs-has-died

Pronunciation Help. How is “____” pronounced ?

2011-10-06T16:21:03-05:00

Thought it might be worth starting a thread. I know I could use pointers on a few artist/band names (and not just the Portugese/Spanish/Italian/German/French names that Tom Beebee pronounces so well} . Wikipedia and other web sites often don’t have readily accessible info for folk artist names, so maybe we should start building a web resource, maybe just a google doc…..

We could start with Bert Jansch JANsch.

Joel Mabus is another that comes to mind (MAY-biss)

I often have to re-look up Celtic names like Aoife….

What folky names come to mind for you….

hello all

2012-03-22T08:54:41-05:00

hello all

Pete Seeger, Forever Young

2012-03-22T01:23:49-05:00

Some of our listeners might be interesting in supporting this cause and in the story behind Seeger’s participation in the recently released Chimes of Freedom tribute to Bob Dylan, sale of which benefits Amnesty International. Pete Seeger is 92 as he sings this song. There’s a move afoot to try to make him the oldest person ever to reach the music charts. You can be part of the effort and download Pete singing Forever Young at this site.
http://www.foreverpete.com