Hello all,
I know I am pushing it to the last minute here, but it can't hurt to try. Anyone
have a spare
full festival pass? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
-Robin

Hi,

I don't see that anyone else responded, so I'll give it a shot.  Please
understand though that everything I'm going to say here is hear-say
gleaned from attending every year that it's been at this site, and the
last two years before that, not from first hand experience (we don't
camp during the festival).  My information comes from talking to others
who participate.

The best Jammin, from what I understand, is in the Riverside
campground.  While there are some official "workshops" on various
subjects, I think you're aimed at the impromptu sort.  There is lots of
it at night.  The riverside campground is well suited for it and in
wandering around the campground it's pretty hard to find a campsite
without some sort of instruments in it.  While there are some small
sessions in the day time, most of the insturments come out at night
after the mainstage finishes.

Every year I as I wait in line on Saturday and Sunday morning for the
opening of the mainstage area, I hear stories about the all night jam
in someone's campsite.  There are many folk "organizations' who come en-
masse and set up a large campsites with many tents.  Once they start,
individuals from all around gravitate to "where the music's coming
from" and join in.   From time to time (as I understand it), several
people of similar taste or style break off and wander to a more quiet
area (like down by the river) for a smaller jam, or song swap session.
If you have a couple of instruments and just start playing in
an "inviting" way, I'm quite sure people will come and join you.

As I said, mostly at night, and the core is in Riverside Campground
(although smaller, more mellow sessions can be found in all areas).
The style of music is all over the acoustic map (no electricity so
acoustic is the only choice).  Mostly contemporary folk (after all it
IS the Kate Wolf Festival) but also bluegrass, gospel, old timey, folk-
rock, even a little slack-key from time to time.  It's probably a
little light on Blues, Jazz; and "country" is non-existant.

Mando and upright will fit right in.  I don't know where you're from,
but if you're used to eastern festivals where it's green and rains
making mud, this one is bone dry and your stuff will get a bit of
dust.  It's not terrible, they do water down the roadways so I wouldn't
worry about it too much, but a good wipe down before you pack up is
probably in order.

Hope that helps, and again this is mostly from hear say.  Your
experience may be different.

                  Dan



--- In KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com, "Michael" <forest129@...>
wrote:
>
> We're thinking about attending this year. Never been before.
>
> A major reason we go to festivals is for the jamming.
>
> Could anyone write a little about the jamming scene to us? Are there
> open jams? Where? When? What kind of tunes?
>
> We play upright bass and mandolin and the mandolin player sings lead
> and harmony
>
> Thanks!
>

We're thinking about attending this year. Never been before.

A major reason we go to festivals is for the jamming.

Could anyone write a little about the jamming scene to us? Are there
open jams? Where? When? What kind of tunes?

We play upright bass and mandolin and the mandolin player sings lead
and harmony

Thanks!

Hi,

Here's a respose from the festival promoters......

Generators are okay to run in Meadowlands during the day (not early
morning, not in the evening or night) to charge batteries; basically
for RVs.  Down in Quiet Camp would not be looked at favorably.  One
couldn't assure that someone may be taking a nap in Quiet Camp
during the day.  One could try and charge a battery for a short
while during the day there but if a complaint were lodged it would
have to be turned off for the duration of the festival.  If they
want to charge a battery (during the day) for AC power at night then
Meadowlands is the place to do so.

                        Dan

--- In KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com, "cperkinsdp" <cperkins@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi.  I'm bringing someone this year who hasn't been before, and he
> wants to bring a generator to run the a/c in the camper. I've
always
> camped way out as far as I can in quiet camp.  Is a generator a no-
no?
>

Hi.  I'm bringing someone this year who hasn't been before, and he
wants to bring a generator to run the a/c in the camper. I've always
camped way out as far as I can in quiet camp.  Is a generator a no-no?

I am unable to attend the festival - one full festival ticket- make me
an offer!
-Lee Zimmerman

----- Original Message -----

From: maureen kirkpatrick

To: califdan @comcast.net

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 3:14 PM

Subject: Re: [KateWolfFestival] Re: Hiking? Biking? Swimming?

hi dan,

you seem to have the skinny on this event.

 how far would you say the "quiet camp" is from the main stage? also, where would we park our bikes (safe?) if we rode from our camping spot to the music?

thanks for your reply.

maureen

Hi,

I'm sure that Riverside is no cars (you can drive in to unload and
then to break camp, but can't leave your car by your tent at opther
times).  I'm not 100% sure about Family camp but I think you can keep
your car with you.  All the others allow your car to stay with you at
your camp site.

                   Dan

--- In KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com, "deirdre_oreilly"
<armaranth@...> wrote:
>
> Is the Riverside campground the only campground that you can't leave
> you car with your tent or is that for all campgrounds?
>

Is the Riverside campground the only campground that you can't leave
you car with your tent or is that for all campgrounds?

Hi,

The camping is "open ground" camping.  There are no campsite
boundaries or predefined spaces, no tables, no provisions for fires
(open fires not allowed, propane stoves OK on a table).  There is
plenty of water but you need to carry it from the spigot to your
campsite (it's trucked in so will be "air temp".  There is a shower
house that is adequate (expect a line at prime time though).

The Riverside campground has lots of shade but it gets crowded.
Unless you more or less "stake out" your space in front of your tent
in some way your tent will be inches from someone elses tent.  People
who come in groups sometimes form a little "quad" between 3 or four
tents.  Other ways are to use a portable table, etc.  Key is not to be
greedy, but it's ok to carve out a little elbo room.  If your tent
touching the one behind or to the side is not for you, don't pick the
Riverside campground

The RV campground has less shade and the RV's are pretty much lined up
side by side with 5 to 10 ft between.  The car camping area and quiet
campground are not nearly as crowded but still open field type with no
predefined spaces.  If you insist on lots of shade expect close
neighbors.  If full sun is OK you can have a spacious site. Note that
Car camp and quiet camp are a farther walk to things

Sorry, don't have any pics.  I'll look around for some and post them
if I find any.

See other posts in this group for more info on the camping situaiton.

                  Hope that helps -- Dan

--- In KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com, "kvndrmn" <kvndrmn@...> wrote:
>
> So like others, I am a newbie to the festival and I have a couple of
> questions.  Are the camping spots pretty clear and laid out? Are
there
> tables at these camp spots, or is this something that we need to
> bring? Is there plenty of water available?  I have looked through
some
> of the photos of passed festivals, but I haven't found to many
showing
> the camping situations, does anyone have shots that show some of the
> camp situations?  Thanks  k
>

So like others, I am a newbie to the festival and I have a couple of
questions.  Are the camping spots pretty clear and laid out? Are there
tables at these camp spots, or is this something that we need to
bring? Is there plenty of water available?  I have looked through some
of the photos of passed festivals, but I haven't found to many showing
the camping situations, does anyone have shots that show some of the
camp situations?  Thanks  k

----- Original Message -----

From: maureen kirkpatrick

To: califdan @comcast.net

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 3:14 PM

Subject: Re: [KateWolfFestival] Re: Hiking? Biking? Swimming?

hi dan,

you seem to have the skinny on this event.

 how far would you say the "quiet camp" is from the main stage? also, where would we park our bikes (safe?) if we rode from our camping spot to the music?

thanks for your reply.

maureen

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Dan

To: KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 2:43 PM

Subject: [KateWolfFestival] Re: Hiking? Biking? Swimming?

Hi Tim,

Let me see if I can answer.....

1) Bike - If you're camping in the Quiet campground or are coming late
(eg late Friday or Saturday) your campsite may be a good hike from the
proceedings. They have golf cart shuttle service but it's mostly
for "alter-abeled" folks. A bike could be useful for getting to/from
such a campsite but most just walk. The festival grounds are right
along US-101 which in that area is one lane each way with a speed limit
of 55 and no shoulder to speak of. Unless you're totally crazy I
wouldn't bike on it. However there is enough of a shoulder for runners
but they're facing the oncoming semi's and can jump out of the way. In
the area (modest driving distance) there are various state parks, etc.
My take though is that you won't find the time for a ride even if you
could. Too many other things going on.

2) Swiming. The Eel river runs along the edge of the festival site and
there is ample access to it for getting wet. Usually there is a
seperate section for "clothing optional" dunks. The only uncertain
part is how much water will be in the river. This has been a dry year
so it may be be a bit shallow and in dry years tends to get muddy with
people churning up the bottom.

3) hiking - The festival site is held on the grounds of a kids summer
camp which is across the river and out of site of the festival.
However, they are very careful to make sure that the festival goers do
not interact with the camp kids. Becasue of this we're pretty much
restricted to the festival area of Black Oak Ranch. The surrounding
area itself is pretty rural. an intermingling of cattle ranches and
forests. I don't know how many of ranches are "posted" so can't
speculate on the openess to wanderers. I would think though that the
festival promoters would prefer you not go tressapssing in the
neighbors fields. So, in terms of walking distance from the site,
plenty to look at, but I don't recall much to go into. Having said
that, there are state parks and such, but probably in 3 to 5 mile range.

Be interesting to see if others know more than I about this.

Dan

--- In KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com, "tim_zindel" <tim_zindel@...>
wrote:
>
> I am a newbie this year and would like to know: (1) is there any
> reason to bring a bicycle? (for example, are there places nearby to
> ride for amusement or exercise?); (2) is there anywhere to swim
> nearby?; (3) is there any hiking nearby? I am most interested in
> hearing about places that can be reached without using a car.
>

Hi Tim,

Let me see if I can answer.....

1)  Bike - If you're camping in the Quiet campground or are coming late
(eg late Friday or Saturday) your campsite may be a good hike from the
proceedings.  They have golf cart shuttle service but it's mostly
for "alter-abeled" folks.  A bike could be useful for getting to/from
such a campsite but most just walk.  The festival grounds are right
along US-101 which in that area is one lane each way with a speed limit
of 55 and no shoulder to speak of.  Unless you're totally crazy I
wouldn't bike on it. However there is enough of a shoulder for runners
but they're facing the oncoming semi's and can jump out of the way.  In
the area (modest driving distance) there are various state parks, etc.
My take though is that you won't find the time for a ride even if you
could. Too many other things going on.

2) Swiming.  The Eel river runs along the edge of the festival site and
there is ample access to it for getting wet.  Usually there is a
seperate section  for "clothing optional" dunks.  The only uncertain
part is how much water will be in the river.  This has been a dry year
so it may be be a bit shallow and in dry years tends to get muddy with
people churning up the bottom.

3)  hiking - The festival site is held on the grounds of a kids summer
camp which is across the river and out of site of the festival.
However, they are very careful to make sure that the festival goers do
not interact with the camp kids.  Becasue of this we're pretty much
restricted to the festival area of Black Oak Ranch.  The surrounding
area itself is pretty rural.  an intermingling of cattle ranches and
forests.  I don't know how many of ranches are "posted" so can't
speculate on the openess to wanderers.  I would think though that the
festival promoters would prefer you not go tressapssing in the
neighbors fields.  So, in terms of walking distance from the site,
plenty to look at, but I don't recall much to go into.  Having said
that, there are state parks and such, but probably in 3 to 5 mile range.

Be interesting to see if others know more than I about this.

                      Dan

--- In KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com, "tim_zindel" <tim_zindel@...>
wrote:
>
> I am a newbie this year and would like to know:  (1) is there any
> reason to bring a bicycle?  (for example, are there places nearby to
> ride for amusement or exercise?); (2) is there anywhere to swim
> nearby?; (3) is there any hiking nearby?  I am most interested in
> hearing about places that can be reached without using a car.
>

I am a newbie this year and would like to know:  (1) is there any
reason to bring a bicycle?  (for example, are there places nearby to
ride for amusement or exercise?); (2) is there anywhere to swim
nearby?; (3) is there any hiking nearby?  I am most interested in
hearing about places that can be reached without using a car.

I have one adult 3-day ticket for sale, bought it at early bird price.
Wish I could go!!  $135 or best offer.  Thanks folks! 402-598-2269 Dawn

Hi, I have a full weekend ticket that I am willing to sell at a
reduced rate.  I'm bummered that I can't go!!!!  I will be especially
bummered if this tic goes unused.  If you are interested in buying it,
please call me at 925-286-3842 and we'll hook it up.  Thanks!  - Tina

Not able to go this year -- will sell at a discount:

$280 for two tickets ($40 savings over current prices)

Laura (North Bay)

415-215-0626

I would like to share expenses from western Mt or portland for the
festival
-Lee Zimmerman

I am unable to make it to the festival and would like to sell my
ticket for the "early bird" price of $150.  Anyone interested?
-Lee Zimmerman

Hi,

This past Sunday, Robbie Osman, a VERY close friend of Utah's used
his radio show (Across the Great Divide) on KPFA to remember Utah.
Robbie was joined in the studio by Che and Cloud who along with Utah
formed the Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival after Kate Wolf passed
away.  That festival has been running for the past 12 years.

In the show, they tell stories about Utah, the forming of the Kate
Wolf festival, and play some of Utah including the last set he ever
did at the Kate Wolf Festival (which was last year on one of the 2nd
stages).

If you know and admire Utah this show is worth hearing.  If you have
no clue who U. Utah (aka Bruce) Phillips is you should spend 2 hours
listening to this show and then you'll know why there are so many
posts about him.

The URL where this show is archived is:

http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=26487

The following from the Kate Wolf Festival Web site.....

We dedicate this year's festival to our Dear Friend, Bruce Utah
Phillips, who passed on at home in his sleep Friday night (May 23rd).
We hope you will join us in sending loving thoughts and energy to his
wife Joanna and the rest of the family.

And to Utah, may your journey on the rails take you everywhere you
want to go, with the fresh air blowing peacefully across your soul.

We'll miss ya bro'...you were a one-of-a-kind, a real special one-of-a-
kind.

We will name the Revival Tent in honor of Utah's memory and call
it "Utahpia" Safe Journey...and in the words of Wavy Gravy, "Good
Grief"

Here are some cross posts from the "NorthEastFolk" Yahoo group.  I
hope the authors don't mind my cross posting these but Utah has been
such a great presence at the Kate Wolf festivals over the years that
I think it's appropriate.  -- Dan

============================
From: Michael Schuttenberg
To: NorthEastFolk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:30 AM
Subject: Re: [NorthEastFolk] Utah Phillips has left the stage


The official family obituary and updates are at Utah's www:

http://www.utahphillips.org/


Heard Utah several times over the years, perhaps the most memorable
was at the Labor Day Bread and Roses Festival  (Lawrence, Mass)
probably 10 years ago.  It might have been Hurricane Fran, or just an
early fall storm, but it was cold and rainy, and the audience at the
closing "main stage" event was not even in the dozens--just a couple
of handfulls of hardy, shivering folks.   Odetta even got up and
walked off the stage, she was so cold. but Bruce also got up and
walked right down to the few drenched enthusiasts and led them in a
sort of sing-a-long,

==========================

Posted by Duncan 5/24/08  at 11:14 PM 11 comments
Hello,

This may be late news for some but for rest i must tell you that
shortly before midnight, in his sleep wife his loving wife Joanna by
his side my father Bruce "Utah "Phillips passed away.

It should be of great comfort that dad was able to spend his last
months at home with friends, family and a community that he deeply
loved.

There have been no arrangements made as of yet and as i can I will
keep you posted.

I feel a deep loss not just for myself and my family but for the
global community as a whole.


Dad meant and represented something different to each of us.


Not much more I can say at this point.

Thank You All


Duncan

===========================

From: seansmithmusic
To: NorthEastFolk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 6:01 AM
Subject: [NorthEastFolk] Re: RIP Utah Phillips


I'm sure there will be many Utah Phillips reminiscences in the next
couple of days, here and elsewhere, so here's mine.
I first saw Utah as a 15-year-old at the 1973 Fox Hollow Festival in
upstate New York, and was instantly taken with him: the songs; the
stories -- does the phrase "The Dreaded Moscow Hold" strike a familiar
note for anyone else? -- the barely-restrained dirty jokes; the
iconoclastic stage patter ("Later on this afternoon, I'll be hosting
an 'Eat the Performer' session -- you're all welcome."); the comical
but thoroughly credible placement of "big words" in his monologues and
anecdotes; and most of all, his concern for and love of people in all
their grit and dirt.
The following year, Fox Hollow took place the very weekend that
Richard Nixon resigned. To many of the performers, and audience
members, the Nixon Administration had long been anathema, even before
Watergate, so as you can imagine there was an atmosphere of relief and
satisfaction that this dark chapter in American history was
(hopefully) coming to an end.
Utah's observation on this came hours after the official announcement,
when during his first guitar break in "Wabash Cannonball" he said,
"That pathetic asshole said he quit because he didn't have the support
of Congress. One of the few times in history the sinking ship has
deserted the rat."
A couple of years later, I went to a Sing Out! concert in New York
City at which Utah was appearing. As I walked into the theater, he
stood at the entrance, towering above most of the crowd, saying "Hey
folks, there's a good Western on TV tonight, you should all go home
and watch it."

It was easy enough to get caught up in Utah's humor, of course. But
when you heard his stories about his travels, you got the sense that
this was a man who had clearly undergone a pretty severe personal
crisis, which had compelled him to leave the relative stability of
home and hearth and go off in search of whatever it was he felt would
enable him to make some sense of the world, and himself. Not sure he
ever quite found it, but maybe just the journey was enough. I know I
certainly enjoyed hearing about it.

From: seansmithmusic
To: NorthEastFolk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 7:23 AM
Subject: [NorthEastFolk] Re: RIP Utah Phillips


Perhaps being tacky here by following up on my post, but a few more
random Utah-related thoughts/anecdotes/reminiscences:

I appreciated how Utah could on the one hand be a performer of folk
music, with an obvious respect from the tradition from which it
sprang, yet also be able to take a step back and poke some
good-natured fun at it.
One of his staples, of course, was cowboy songs, and he could
rhapsodize about the West but not to the extent that he would
over-romanticize. In concert once at Fox Hollow, he gave a brief talk
about the harmonica, or "chord harp," in Western song, and why it was
so popular: "Cowboys were simple people -- _dumb_. So they didn't play
this thing 'cause they were smart. This chord harp is real easy to
play: At the Rhine Institute in Duke University, they teach mentally
retarded chimpanzees to play these inside of about 20 minutes.
"The dulcimer in 10," he added (he'd been taking pot shots at the
dulcimer that whole weekend -- "Play dull-some-more," etc.)

I believe even wrote a parody of cowboy songs, which included a line
that went something like: "So sing a cowboy song/and jump in the
bailing machine."
I remember another song, think it was also his composition, that
spoofed the "folk scare" of the 60s. Again, not sure if I have the
words quite right, but these were a couple of the verses:

Well when I got a banjo
I picked it high and low
I made a grand appearance
on the Sunday Cabin Show(?)
Early next morning
someone broke down my door
and there stood Peter Seeger with a loaded .44

And when I got a guitar
I played it mighty loud
I played down at the corner bar
And gathered up a crowd
Well some was hauling feathers
and others hauling tar
And I was hauling ass by the time they reached that bar

(If anyone has more complete and correct versions of any of these
songs I mentioned, please feel free to post TO
NorthEastFolk@yahoogroups.com)

Hi Bob,

Let me see if I can answer some of your questions.....

The MM )"music meadow") which is the area where the main stage is,
is pretty flat so good for chairs.  It's about 2.5 times longer than
it is wide.  when facing the stage, the sun comes up behind your
right shoulder and goes down to the left of the stage.

Each evening the MM is cleared of all blankets, chairs and what not,
so staking out your space on Friday does not gain you anything for
Saturday or Sunday.

There are two entrances to the MM, both at the back of the MM.  One
is by the food venders and one from the campground.  On Friday the MM
usually opens at noon and on Sat/Sun at 7:00 am.  It's done in a very
civilized manner.  Peter (head of securtiy) allows about 5 people
from each line into the MM, then waits about half a minute and allows
the next 5 people from each line.  This process is repeated till both
lines are empty.  So, in terms of a stampede, there is none.  If
you're in line, when you turn comes you're only "racing" 8 or 9 other
people so there's not much point to running - however if you're VERY
particular about where you sit, a brisk walk is in order along with
early arrival in the line.

When you get to where you want to sit, it's a good idea to have a
blanket (plastic tarps not permitted) and/or some chairs to "stake
out" your area.  There is a limit of 4 chairs (or space for 4 chairs)
being held by each person in line.  There are security staff in the
MM during the blanket/chair set up time who do an excellent job in
keeping later arrivals from being too "creative" with other folks
stuff so once you put out your blanket or chairs down, and the area
around you fills in a bit you don't have to gaurd your spot.  Your
blanket may wind up being adjusted a bit one way or another but it's
usually only a few inches (I've never seen it be more than a foot or
so)

As in most outdoor events, there is a rule about "high back" chairs
and umbrellas needing to be in the back or sides.  However there is
no real definition of how high a back needs to be to be considered
as "high back".  Good rule of thumb is that the chair back should not
be above chin height.  I think the seat part of the chair is as
important but it's not mentioned in the guidelines.  Most folks bring
chairs where their butt is not more than 6 or so inches off the
ground.

You should also be aware of a Festival rule that says "You may sit in
any un occuopied chair untill the owner shows up at which time you
need to vacate it".  Many people don't bring anything and just move
from open chair to open chair throughout the entire festival.  This
works very well during the day, but gets a little dicey during the
evening shows when most people come into the MM, but can also work
then.


Hope that helps.

                  Dan


--- In KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com, "bob.dunk"
<dan_hartford@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I've not been to this festival before,  does anyone know how the
> seating space works at the main stage?  Is it a free-for-all
stampede?
> Are the people who stake out their area early on Friday get to keep
it
> all weekend?  Do you have to "gaurd" your space all day?  Etc.
>
> Also what's the terrian like at the mainstage?
>
>              -- Bob
>

Hi,

I've not been to this festival before,  does anyone know how the
seating space works at the main stage?  Is it a free-for-all stampede?
Are the people who stake out their area early on Friday get to keep it
all weekend?  Do you have to "gaurd" your space all day?  Etc.

Also what's the terrian like at the mainstage?

              -- Bob

If you do not have a Yahoo user ID:

a)  You may view  messages on the Yahoo group page, however you will
not be able to post  messages from that page

b)  You may  post messages by sending them to email address
KateWolfFestival@yahoogroups.com.

c)  You will not recieve any emails from the  group except specific
replies to your message (you won't get a  reply if the the
respondent just posts a message answering you rather than  using
the "reply" button)

d)  You will be able to see all replies on the web  page


If you do have a Yahoo user ID:

a)  You may veiw and post messages from the Yahoo group page or
through the email address as above

b)  If you choose to "Join" the group, you  will be able to see
other content (if it's added) and you may choose to  receive email
copies of messages posted to the group.

WELCOME TO: Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival Attendee Forum


WELCOME, this is the official discussion group for actual or
potential attendees of the Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival.

For specific information pertaining to this years festival (dates,
ticket info, ticket purchase, directions, artist list, stage
schedule, camping info, etc.) please visit the festival web site at

http://www.cumuluspresents.com/kate/index.html

GROUP RULES:

This is a moderated group. In order to prevent SPAM and
inappropriate postings, all messages will be approved by the group
moderator prior to being made visible on the website or distributed
to group members.

The following is ENCOURAGED:

1) Q&A about the festival experiences of prior attendees

2) Comments about artists past, present and suggested for the future

3) Comments about festival operations (what you like, don't like,
would like to see, would like to see changed)

4) Carpooling / Rides (this may be added to the festival web site,
but until it does, this forum can be used for that purpose

5) Sell/Buy excess festival tickets

6) General festival comments

The follow content is NOT PERMITTED and will be rejected by the
moderators during message review:

1) Commercial solicitations of any kind
2) Any form of bullying
3) Profane, sexual, or abusive language of any kind
4) Off topic subjects

I'm looking forward to a wonderful festival this year, and hope this
forum helps others have a wonderful experience.



Thanks – Dan (your moderator)