Contents:

Irish music in Israel – ramblins - coming artists – Song Festival - LOGON

It seems to me that we've been having a relatively rich summer for folk music so far. Call me crazy, but I think I see a trend forming, the streng- thening of our folk com- munity in some distinct ways.

I know that we have different tastes, and some of us participate once a month, while others only show up twice a year at best, but I think that two or three series of house concerts by visiting musicians from abroad have proven that we can support live folk music when we want to. Without depending on the clubs or other venues that have commercial interests only at heart, we as a general folk supporting community witnessed a 10-day tour by Bob Brozman and Woody Mann, a 2-week tour by Noah Zacharin, and a few other similar events. A few picnic jams in the park and one backyard party in honor of Hawaiian music proved to me that the spirit is still out there, as Utah Phillips told me 25 odd years ago: "folk music is grass roots, it is the music that the folks make in their back yard and on their front porch, you don't need the record companies or the big promoters to make music, just sit on your porch, take out your guitar and start singing!!"

I'm not belittling the time, effort and planning that each of the musical events, and in particular the Bob and Woody tour encompassed. I'm merely saying: "Hey, we did all by ourselves, grass-roots style, non-commercial, but yet viable!"

I can't recall a time period when at least 4 different folk clubs were regularly running in Israel in one year, yet we now have a Jerusalem folk venue, sometimes two, a Tel Aviv venue, Carmiel and Tzora, and I have had the pleasure of playing at 3 of them this year!

I think what I'm trying to say in all this is that we as a community have a large amount of potential power to organize events and even import artists from overseas. If we could find a way to structure this poten- tial and perhaps make these concerts and get- togethers, maybe we could dare to bring some more formidable artists who have expressed interest in performing and touring in Israel.

What do y'all out there think?

--Eli Marcus

- SOLAS - Unfortunately, Solas decided to extend their USA tour and there- fore they will not be able to come here in November. HOWEVER, it's almost certain that they will indeed be here for more than one concert - in May-June 2001 for the ISRAEL FESTIVAL.

- A possible substitution for Solas in November's Tel Aviv Festival are Altan and Celtic Fiddle Festival - both brilliant groups.

--Ayelet Hacohen <ayeleth@012.net.il>

The last time I saw people stuffing paper in their ears was in the late 60s at the Fillmore East when the late decibel Nelly a.k.a Janis Joplin was doing her set. Those poor souls who were out of paper, and found none left in the john were zonked on Quaaludes anyway, so it didn't really matter. At that memorable

performance the only route of escape was 2nd avenue via the exit as incredulous glazed eyed followed our retreat in disbelief. It was so loud that it hurt. As much as I adore JJ, I was not ready to suffer auditory abuse. At the last Tel Aviv folk club prior to the swel- tering summer doldrums, Chaim Gefen's group a.k.a Julio and Friends did a rousing set of joyous singalongs which had everyone primed and in a great mood, ready for the new Grinders or Tochanim, whatever, an electrified country group fronted by Jonathan Miller and Shay Tochner. These admirably accomplished musicians put together a very good set of rousing danceable tunes; unfortunately it was deja vu with people stuffing paper into their ears or looking like the first of the three monkeys. Pity too, since if they were trying to drum up future gigs, I doubt that there was anyone there except for perhaps some of us cowering in the most distant reaches of that chamber that could give an honest and positive recommendation. In this case, more was less. It was not by chance, but a definite musical miscalcu- lation that brought to mind why Michael Greengard never wanted amplification during his stewardship of the TAFC; just natural folk music. The music may have been good since the musicians really played up a storm, but it simply was not enjoyable. The one bright spot of the set was when Shuli Nathan (of Jerusalem of Gold fame) was asked up to the band, and she did four wonderful songs in English and Hebrew. They were

beautifully performed and at an enjoyable decibel level. The moral of the

story is, if you're a musician and your audience is all of a sudden stuffing paper in their ears, ask yourself why.

--Harold Jacobs

5^th AACI/IFS English Song Festival finals will be held at the Gerard Behar Center, Jerusalem, Thursday, January 18, 2001.

Applications are now available and entries being accepted – deadline is November 1, 2000.

For full details and registration information:

AACI Jerusalem (02) 561-7151 or Larry Gamliel 053-801-202 or Roby Shmerling (07) 610-2533.

Dave is returning to Israel for another whirlwind tour... arriving about Nov. 21 and staying for 2-3 weeks, depending on the number of gigs that can be set up (about 10 so far). If there's anyone who'd like to host a home concert... or has a suggestion for a venue, please contact me as soon as possible. He'll be performing at all the folk clubs, Kibbutz Ketura, the

Doolittle Ranch at Moshav Yanuv, Keleh David restaurant (not far from Tzora) and at home concerts hosted by the Lerners and a few southern folks (Some dates are still not confirmed as folks are abroad). Thanks for your help.

Send me an email or phone me : (07) 6532080

Scan a few lines from Kevin McCarthy's online review of 'Storied Lives' - "Berman is an inquisitive and keen observer who draws inspiration from a multitude of sources, without succumbing to overwriting . . .. Never splashy or outrageous, Berman is the perfect fit for those quiet nights of contemplation." Read the complete review online, sample and buy the CD by following the link to Richard's recently updated Songs.com home: www.

http://songs.com/rberman/

The above was stolen from Songs.com, and if you have a little patience and can wait about a dozen months you can buy the CD straight from Richard himself. He will be visiting us, and the other folk venues around the country singing his beautiful stories of loving and living.

--Larry Rosenfeld

The Light Opera Group

of the Negev (LOGON) are beginning to rehearse the

musical 'THE MUSIC MAN' by Meredith Willson.

The show is in English. Auditions for all roles will be held on the evening of

Thursday 14 and morning of Friday 15 September.

Generally, rehearsals take place twice a week in the evenings. There will

be about 8 performances around the country that will take place between 19

February and 22 March 2001.

LOGON is an amateur group and no salaries or expenses are paid to the cast members.

Anyone interested in joining our group, either to perform on stage or to

work backstage, will be very welcome. Please phone Frieda (07-642-1120 evenings) or email: fgilmour@bgumail.bgu.ac.il.

The vast world of folk has yet to become aware of the existence of Israel. Folks with online connection can start a campaign to gain recognition by getting into sites like <peterpauland mary> click <galery> go to the bulletin board. This is a well-connected site, well worth exploring and finding a wealth of information.

--Ray Scudero

Happy Birthday to: Bonnie Azoulay, Sara Baron, Yuval Berger, Don Jennings, Eli Marcus, Ronnie Polak, Ed Strasbo, Debra Whetstone.

A belated and continuing refuah shlema to Cyrelle Forman-Soffer.

Rahel Jaskow

Mazal to all our local artists who have just released albums: Sandy Cash, Rahel Jaskow, Ray Scudero, Ada Dahan and Diane Kaplan

NOT TRAD ADS - fee is NIS 10 (NIS 5 for members).

information to P.O. Box 1639, Bet Shemesh, 99522. For more information,

phone Sandy at 02- 991-9686 or contact her at:

**SHELLEY ELLEN guitarlessons, available for performances (03) 674-5356. **Jill Rogoff's "THE CELTIC CRADLE" and ACROSS THE NARROW SEAS (ALC 129) are available on cassette (NIS 40) or CD (NIS 60). Tel/Fax (02) 679-0410.

**SUZALEH'S SILK ART - Glassed and Framed, modestly sized and modestly priced, door signs, mazal tovs, etc. Handmade by Sue Tourkin-Komet (02) 676-3346.

DISCLAIMER: FolkNotes is the official publication of the Israel FolkStuff Society. Views are those of the writers, not necessarily those of IFS.

FolkNotes and all of the articles, photographs and material contained therein

are, unless otherwise noted, copyrighted by IFS 2000.

Thursdays, 8:30-11pm. Balkan Dancing at Moadon Hasport, 30 Hatsfira, Moshava

Germanit, call Cyrelle (02) 566-2682.

Saturday, Sept 2, 8 pm. Scottish Folk Dancing at St. Andrew's Scottish Hospice, David Remez 1 (near Rakevet). Please call to verify time, etc. (02) 673-2401.

Wednesday, Sept 13, JERUSALEM FOLK CLUB in our great, new location. An evening of SINGER/SONGWRITERS, with among others: Ray Scudero, Jill Rogoff - 13 Helena Hamalka (Haganat HaTeva) 8:30 pm. Admission NIS 20.

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 8:30 pm. TEL AVIV FOLK CLUB with Simha Katz, Shelley Ellen and others. Bikurei Ha'itim 6 Heftman St. For more details, call Ariela: (03) 683-7441.

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 8:30 pm. TEL AVIV FOLK CLUB, with Marianna Navon and others. Bikurei Ha'itim 6 Heftman St. For more details, call Ariela: (03) 683-7441.

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 9 pm. KIBBUTZ TZORA FOLK CLUB with the usual great line-up. Call: Judi & Lynn Lewis: (02) 990-8382 or (051) 348-061 or judilynn@tzora.co.il

Thursday, Sept. 7, 9 pm. KARMIEL FOLK KLUB. Matnas Megadim, with "Zlilai HaOlam" a.k.a. Ada and Diane (who will be introducing their first CD to the general public) and the charming, entertaining and all around good guy, Larry Gamliel who will be leading one of his truly beloved sing-a-longs. Contact: Larry Rosenfeld (04) 990-2455.

Try to get your information to the appropriate persons for the Calendar, as early as possible, so we can meet publication deadlines (15th of each month). Contact Sue Tourkin-Komet (02) 676-3346 for Jerusalem activities; all areas: Larry Gamliel at (02) 641-1043 or (053) 801-202, or by fax to Carol at: (02) 675-8376.

ISRAEL FOLKSTUFF SOCIETY Membership (clip and MAIL today) Oh, yes!! I'd like to become a member of/renew my membership in IFS. Includes a subscription to FolkNotes, discounts on IFS-sponsored concerts and Home Hoots, etc. (Send to IFS, P.O.B. 12188 Jerusalem 91120 Israel)

Single: NIS 50 Family: NIS 65 Outside Israel: NIS 75

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