St Albans Festival 2002

St Albans - from Richard Mills

The performances at St Albans festival over the Anzac weekend have no doubt been thoroughly reviewed elsewhere in this issue, so I will leave them alone as I did not see an awful lot outside my own events anyway. But I can never resist speaking out when I attend a festival that awakes my true love of the intimate acoustic nature of folk music, and the best endeavours beyond commercial interests of unsung heroes who work their bums off without any recompense but the immense satisfaction of making a success and creating a dream of magic for a time, taking people out of themselves with music and companionship in a world where truth and music, caring and humanity walk hand in hand.

The weekend essentially flowed like silk which was an utter miracle, as disaster followed disaster with power supply and PA equipment failure. But Mick, John, Bill Bekric, Willie, and Kathy O'Hara were there instantly and ceaselessly with remedies that not only worked, worked quickly and saved many a day, but often surpassed the originals.

Many of the barn performances, for example, because of ongoing power problems, ended up transferred to a large marquee outside - which was a much better venue and added magic to the whole festival arena. So much for the performance mechanics.

As well as running blackboard concerts at the Fickle Wombat with Bill Bekric, well received by generous audiences and performers alike and pieced together sometimes in the face of PA difficulties, I sang at the church, a fully acoustic venue I absolutely adore, and I am in awe of what the caretakers of that venue create up there in the form of a gladsome venue with a wonderful vibe and a spotless welcoming green room with tea, coffee, library and peace. Thanks indeed to them.

All the voice or preparation workshops went well and had excellent feedback: mine about vocal awareness and freedom and problem solving, Chris Fraser's on preparing for a performance, and Linda Campbell's on vocal and presentation technique.

But the workload borne, without a fight or a cross word, without histrionics, ego, side or tantrums, by the tireless and unrewarded workers at the catering, the cleaning, the dunnies, the campgrounds, the ticket office and the all important miscellaneous, was inspired.

Arch Bishop undertook the catering, and if he's not in hospital or an asylum by now he deserves to be, as do Betty and Louise (and Liz, John Grenenger's daughter) who were his mainstays. Betty was also the workaholic who did pretty well everything involving maintenance. I never saw her stop or sit. But there was an army of helpers too large to mention by name, forgive me, but all without exception smiling, willing, giving and unstinting . . . Mick and Louise, Lisa, Liz, Pat and Ron Warner, Vic Elliott and his wife - so many I did one stint which was enough to show me just how tough it was. Full marks!!

The Folk Clubs made a major contribution, Newcastle (Bilbo, Lisa et al) on the ticketing, Troubador (Frank and Marilyn Russell) doing an amazing and totally exhausting job with the children alone for two full days until help arrived, members from Toongabbie - notably Alison Boyd with the booking and organisation and general hard work, Hornsby, all in harmony. From building showers to hanging wires to carrying a message, where there was a need there was a volunteer. John Grenenger, through various experiences of his own, has finally learned to delegate and relax, and it showed: he actually had a good time and nothing got left out that mattered.

Alison from Toongabbie, of course, handled the bookings. A major reach out (secured by John) was Eric Bogle's brief appearance - an appearance where he sang generously and fully-heartedly to a very appreciative audience. My memories will include the harmony, the many who flowed in to enjoy, the friendliness and lack of stress, the fun and music - and above all Bogle's parting song, where in honour of Anzac Day he sang yet again his classic benchmark, "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". How many times has he sung it? How many others have sung and sung and sung it? Yet out of his absolute presence and authenticity, his complete being there, it sprang as fresh as the day he first sang it, stopped the audience cold, and left a sense of reverence and awe hanging for a full twenty seconds before the applause, strangely subdued, rang out. The song ended. The reverence remained. Thanks Eric. I reckon that just about about sums up St Albans. I'll be back.

- RICHARD MILLS (edited from a review in the Cornstalk June 2002)

What the Performers Said

Dear Alison and all the crew,
I'm just writing to say thanks a lot for the beautiful festival you put on. I love a festival that runs on power failures and every other problem there could be. Jack Sommers (the Sommers Family)

A big hearty well done for running such an efficient Festival! Believe me, I've participated and attended enough to appreciate the "blood, sweat and tears" you guys put in. You people did well!!
William (astrology workshop and fire twirling)

Just got in the door after a lovely drive back from the festival.
Thank you for the best St Albans festival yet. You even managed the weather to be fantastic. I watched you work constantly and could see the stress that you were under at times. Thank you for all the effort I for one appreciate it.
Chris Fraser.

Congratulations on the festival. Cranky Franky and I had a great time. The weather held out for us too!
Peter Willey

Congratulations to you and all the other organizers and volunteers for Another successful Snalbans. It's always inspiring to see so many volunteers at work - we were particularly impressed with the work that Frank and Marilyn did with the kids. Thanks again for letting us be part of the Festival.
Cranky Franky

What an excellent fest, I had such a great time Thanks again for fitting Glass Slipper in.......we'll make sure we keep our ears open for dates next year so we get an application in EARLY!......and thanks to you and the committee for an excellent experience.
Maureen O'Brien (Glass Slipper)

If anyone has any other reviews please contact:

Alison Boyd

its a zero!!