Festival Report

Dear Grey-beards and Naked-chins,

On October 14, The Festival Committee hosted a wrap meeting attended by a dozen of your dearest friends. Carl Croce, formally passed the Festival Chairmanship torch to yours trulies, Mark and Robin Schaffer. This is, of course, pending board approval, disapproval or apathy. We gratefully accept and thank Carl for passing the torch without scorching Mark’s mustache.

At the wrap meeting we reviewed the survey results and held a hearty brainstorming session on new and exciting ways to be festive. The survey was very positive overall, and we received lots of helpful feedback. Festival participants chose talented newcomer Matt Broady to be a featured performer at our next one. The maiden launch of The Big Vocalotto and our Festival Non-Book Club rated in the top of all workshops, as did the return of the Learn It, Sing It workshop and Mara’s earring workshop was a surprising hit. The survey results confirm our initiatives fostering higher participation on stage by guests, and the results encourage us to take another look at crafts.

The Festival Steering Committee will consist of us (Mark & Robin) and Pat Brangs, who has accepted the position of the Steering Committee’s Operations Manager. A good number of members have stepped forward to help at the next festival. We are looking for a new registrar.

Our most interesting news, what others may call dire news, is that Star Lake will be under construction and will not be available for a Spring Festival. This was a surprise. We have taken this opportunity to explore new sites and we intend to hold a Spring Festival. You can expect a good outcome very soon. (Author’s note: This job gets a lot easier if we cancel the festival, but where’s the fun in that!)

Respunkfully submitted,

Mark & Robin Schaffer

We are attending NERFA this month, which will be a fun part of learning our new job and getting familiar with the professional folk performing community.