h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Saturday 9th August 2008, and the first full day of the festival.

Unfortunately the weather was . Broadstairs Folk Week is usually one of the driest, weeks of the year, especially as Thanet has one of the lowest annual rainfall counts in the country. In 42 years, there have only been two really bad years where shows and performances had to be cancelled. Hopefully this wouldn't be one of them.

It was blowing a real hooley, and this on the most popular day of the festival. Many people travel by train and car just for the day, or the weekend. It is also the day where the Morris sides get together for the Massed Morris on the Promenade. There can be up to twenty sides performing. Not surprisingly, there were few Morris sides braving the weather. Maybe it was watering down their ? The afternoon show at the bandstand had a few brave souls sitting in the chairs braving the weather. It certainly proved hard for the performers, and they couldn't dance on the wooden boards as they were wet and lethal!!!

After an hour of strolling along the prom, and getting lashed by the wind and rain, I decided to head for the Pavillion on the Sands,(A11133505) and listen to a taster of the East European theme that had been chosen for the week, with a band called 'Ock'n'Dough', a band who played in the Latvian style.

http://www.ockndough.co.uk/

The band consisted of Janis on accordion, Bob on guitar and concertina, Dace on drums and percussion, Jo on clarinet and tenor sax, and Robin on fiddle.

They were very good, explaining the musical styles with a good sprinkling of humour. Considering the weather, there was a decent and enthusiastic crowd, ready to have a go, both young and old. This group also play Louisiana-style as Doughboy Zydecajun...

Time for a slow wander back to my Dad's and supper. This backwards and forwards to my Dad's was the standard for the week. The main topic of discussion was whether the annual torchlight procession would take place. This is where all performers, sides and others, get to parade through the town as a Grand advertisement of the festival, and a major opportunity to raise funds, as the festival is a charity.I have been many times over the years, and processed either as a dancer or a musician but find I can't cope with the crowds now... also when it is over it is impossible to get to the bar for a much needed . So around 20:30 I headed for the music session at the Lord Nelson. The artist for the evening was Pete Wood who was more of a singer than a musician, although he did play concertina and also plays fiddle. It was unfortunate as I attend for the playaround jam, not for a song session, which is held just down the road at two venues... Maybe I am just being picky, but musicians normally only have one venue... end of Rant... and I don't mean the dance step.

http://www.petewood.co.uk/home.htm

It still proved to be a good session, although with a sparse turnout , maybe due to the weather, although it had cleared up a little, or just that everyone was at the torchlight procession.

The late night dance was hosted by Elvis Fontenot and the Sugar Bees, which was very lively being Zydeco... Real footstomping stuff! And was obviously where everybody had come to dry out, and let their hair down. the stag night boys from last night were also in attendance, and possibly wilder than last night, if that was possible. Certainly the first time I have seen a square dance performed by eight men only!!!

the band comprises of Paul on box, fiddle and mandolin, Nick on box, frottoir (a corrugated sheet of aluminium, in the form of a vest, based on old washboards, and played with thimbles on the fingers), mandolin and harmonica , Craig on guitar, Phil on guitar, Stuart on bass and guitar and Chris on drums. Like most folk bands, it is incredible how many instruments the musicians can play. There are musical links attached below:

http://www.efsb.co.uk/website3/homeframes.htm

I amy have dried out earlier, but I certainly wasn't now. Once again, that hour of 01:00 soon came around, and time to head up the hill. Despite the weather throwing all it could at us, it had been a good first day! And I still have six days to look forward to.

MMF

Pity about the wethare, but good you enjoyed it anyway.

Or even the weather.

It's a bit late, my tping is getting worse.

MMF, thanks for all the links. Love the music. Just got told off for *stomping* on the floor

Back tomorrow for some more (please)



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