For use: Friday, September 18, 2000 and thereafter

 

Subject: Interim Report on the Minnesota Folk Festival

by Michael Finley

President, Minnesota Folk Festival

 

Well, thank goodness that's over.

 

I went into the weekend secretly dreading a poor showing

atthe MFF Saturday. Last year, our first year, we barely

attracted 1000 people over two days. We were victims of

publicity problems, lack of name recognition, and poor

weather.

 

I could easily see all three combining again.

 

But, we caught several breaks. First, we got excellent

coverage in the best media for us -- City Pages, Star Tribune,

Pioneer Press and MPR's "Word of Mouth" program. Everyone

seemed to agree a free folk festival was a best bet for the

weekend.

 

Second, the weather was spectacularly beautiful. A constant

73 degrees, with the rustling of the fall leaves in cute little

Mears Park -- the September light danced on the foliage all

day. And at night, instant of chillin', it held its warmth -- no

need for jackets or blankets!

 

Third, everything came together -- Summit Brewing was on

hand to quench the sunny thirst. The performers were all great

-- especially the 20 singer songwriters who kicked the fest off --

 they were way better than they had to be. And old friends

showed up -- John Van Orman, our old prez, who traveled up

from Arkansas despite crummy health, and Kevin Kling, who

chipped in with bravura emceeing work.

 

I estimate our crowd size at its peak to be perhaps 4000

people. Since it was an all-day event, with people wandering in

and out all day, I would  estimate total attendance to be

around 7500 people -- purty good, I'd say.

 

How much money did we make? I have no idea. We needed to

bring in $8,000 to break even for the day. I'm guessing, just on

a hunch, we might have made half that. Not bad, considering. I

need to find out for sure from Deb this week.

 

The high points came in the afternoon. The Scoil na d'tri Irish

dancing kids, which I privately dreaded, turned out to double

the ranks of attendees. And they were sensational.

 

The crowd stayed for the two headline acts.  Christine Lavin,

whom I embarrassed by comparing her writing to Leonard

Cohen's -- her temperamental opposite -- was hilarious and

wonderfully affectionate with the crowd. "Folk" she might not

have been, but she sure knew how to get people's attention,

emotionally and intellectually. All day she painted people's

nails with her patented sparkle unisex manicures, which

spoke volumes about her commitment, friendliness, and "not-

being-stuck-up-ness."

 

Then the New Riverside Ramblers closed down the show with

a 75 minute set of Cajun dance music. I would not have

believed so many Minnesotans knew the two-step

hurlyburly, but they were all a doin' it, and doin' it just about

right, too.

 

Afterwards. there was a little party at Dave Guarding's house.

Everyone was too exhausted to say much, but Summit had

donated some great Alt beer for the party so we just sat

around and swigged beer absently. After a while, the Calliope

House ceili musicians picked up their instruments

and did what they always do -- launched into a set of jigs and

reels. So it ended as it began!

 

It was truly a grand day. Deb Martin, our director, came over

to me around 7 PM when the sun had gone down and we

could see a sea of moonlit faces happily listening to Christine,

and wished we had a video of that moment -- less for publicity,

I think, and more to salve our feelings of fretfulness and fatigue

the previous 90 days.

 

Before I sign off, a thousand thanks to:

 

... everyone who donated time, money, silent auction items ...

ye're all personal heroes of mine.

 

... those of you could come to the festival. I know lots of you

think "Who the hell wants to do that?" But lots of people

overcame that EVILE impulse and I think they were very

happy they did.

 

Next St. Patrick's Night, March 17, overcome the impulse and

be on hand. Twill be a good show, featuring the Boys of the

Lough, who will bring a tear to the cruelest eye.

 

Thanks again, everybody!

 

                                                     - Mike

 

 

For more on the Minnesota Folk Festival, go to http://mfinley.com/folk, or write Mike at mfinley@mfinley.com.