3rd Annual Harry Smith Festival Sun 14th @ Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks - 2:00-8:00 p.m. 
http://www.elkcreekcafe.net

Butcher Boy and Steve
Hannah Bingman and Doug McMinn
Little Silver
Moore & Sons w/ Curtis Eller
The Wringers

Halfway point - 16 mm movie, and short speechifying by Hope Fund and Library

Marah
KC Rounders
Peter Stampfel and Ether Frolic
Catherine Irwin
Chicken Tractor Deluxe

Benefits the Penns Valley Hope Fund, a local organization that assists local families facing sudden and unexpected financial and health crises. http://www.pennsvalleyhopefund.com and the East Penns Valley Library, your local library has expanded. Every great community needs a great library.

The music was terrific. I was only there from 2 to 5 on Sunday and only half of the ten performers had been on stage. The sound was fine if the band was loud otherwise there was an awful lot of talking in the back that was about the same volume as some of the more quiet groups performing. The event was $20, a price that is okay. I stood up for three hours while watching many seats at tables go unfilled.

I was told there was a “community seating” (my words) type thing with people coming and going, but when I would ask different tables if I could join them I was always told no, yet no one would be sitting there for an entire act or more. Since I was standing the entire time, I was not drinking beer or eating a meal-not good for the venue.

The good thing though, the music for the most part was outstanding. I heard the Carter Family’s Single Girl; performed with a clarinet by Doug McMinn playing with Hannah Bingman quietly on guitar. Curtis Eller, with a “plugged in” yet wireless banjo was an awesome performer as was the entire group he was with. I would go to hear his group again.

I think the Elk Creek can make some simple changes to get the festival right for everyone. The secret I guess if you go to Elk Creek for next year’s Harry Smith Festival is go early to get a table near the front-just remember to share if you have an empty place. The music is definitely worth the hassle.

I’m sorry I had to miss the main Festival,  but am really glad I made it out Saturday night to hear Peter Stampfel.  I’ve seen a lot of performers having fun on stage,  but Peter raised the bar quite a ways.  I’m grinning right now,  thinking of him about to burst with the sheer wacky joy of sharing music with his band mates and the audience. At one point he invited up a very young fiddler, Gus (5yrs old?)—I bet we’re going to be hearing lots from Gus in the years ahead.  I don’t know Peter,  but he came across as a genuinley kind person who knows how to enjoy the moment.  I think I’m better prepared to do the same for having experienced the concert. 

Paul mentioned some issues with the venue,  and I know there are some challenges with running a place that mixes live concerts, full meal service,  and a bar.  I’ve been to a concert there in the past where ticket holders arrived an hour before the concert and still weren’t able to sit in the main room where they could see the performer. But at the Saturday night concert Stampfel concert,  tables were reserved for ticket holders. 

The Harry Smith Festival on Sunday added even more complexity to the mix,  since the concert ran for over six hours,  and the venue would expect ticket holders to come and go over the course of that time.  But no matter the details,  I’m sure the managers want to hear feedback from patrons and will try to improve the experience for concert-goers.  (I know I’ve expressed my opinion that the sound reinforcement was a bit loud at Elk Creek,  and to my ears the sound level was more comfortable Saturday)