How Many People To Fill a Hall?

Last Friday night's music session was a lovely evening with lots of highlights, plenty of people, some new faces and a big chocolate cake. Some years back we thought the hall would be full to the brim with 40 people, but somehow almost 50 folk were able to comfortably fit in the Hall and take their part in the evening. There was original poetry and banjo, familiar tunes from the Bush Orchestra, a set of Irish tunes by Greg and Helen, a variety of songs including one by Leonie which was the product of the NFFC songwriting group (well done Leonie - it was a beauty, accompanied as it, and you, were by Uncle Bruce) and there was even an appearance by Elvis himself. The Newport Choir, under the direction of Alan Davies, came and performed a number of songs from their repertoire and their sound certainly filled the space and brought the spirit of Newport well and truly alive. As advertised the Newport Gypsy Band struck up some tunes so that Tinka was able to lead a group of dancers who quickly learned the steps of 2 circle dances (the Miserlou and Nigun Atuk). If people come for variety then it was there in spades at this session, all the way till 11pm when Alan lead the Parting Glass. Good value for $5 ($3 for members) and all left filled with music and lightness. For next month..........?

Newport Bush Orchestra August 30

Present: Alasdair McC, Annette J, Bruce S, Bruce W, Bryan D, Catherine D, Christine H, Christina P, Dave I, Fiona C, Greg O'L, Helen H, Kathryn T, Kerry D, Leonie K, Lyn S, Marilla H, Mira M, Simon D, Wendy L.

Tonight we welcomed new member Bryan and promptly threw him in the deep end working on a quick review of a bunch of tunes he'd never heard before! He rose to the occasion and after a quick cup of tea to steady his nerves was strumming away with the rest of the rhythm section. Well done Bryan!

After the tea break we reviewed the 'Rodoni' tunes, 'The Mill Belongs to Sandy', and 'Hilarity'. Then with 15 minutes to go Greg decided to teach us all 'Edgar Lacey's Set Tune' in D. It must have been one of those 'all rise to the occasion' kind of evenings as we seemed to latch onto the tune reasonably quickly. Pats on the back all round.

Newport Bush Orchestra August 23

Present: Alasdair McC, Bruce S, Bruce W, Catherine D, Chris K, Christine H, Christina P, Dave I, Greg O'L, Helen H, Kathryn T, Kerry D, Mira M, Simon D, Wendy L.

Tonight we worked on 'The Mill Belongs to Sandy'. We had fun running through the tune in the keys of D, A, G and just for kicks...B flat (in which Alasdair starred on his whistle)!

Newport Bush Orchestra August 16

Present: Alasdair McC, Annette J, Bruce S, Bruce W, Catherine D, Chris K, Christine H, Christina P, Dave I, Fiona C, Greg O'L, Helen H, Kathryn T, Kerry D, Mira M, Olivia V, Wendy L.

Tonight we learnt part three of 'Hilarity'. After the break we reviewed 'Yip I Addy I Ay', 'Wa La Wap A Ping', Le A Le A La', 'Father Last September Piggle Noir', and 'Watermelon Vine'. Greg also ran us through 'Me Smoky Smoky' in the keys of D, G and A.

Newport Bush Orchestra August 9

Present August 9:

Alasdair McC, Annette J, Bruce W, Catherine D, Chris K, Christine H, Christina P, Dave I, Fiona C, Greg O'L, Helen H, Julie R, Kathryn T, Kerry D, Leonie K, Michael DV, Mira M, Michael S, Olivia V, Simon D

Tonight we learnt the first two sections of a three part tune titled 'Hilarity'. We then reviewed Yip I Addy I Ay', 'Wa La Wap A Ping', Le A Le A La', 'Father Last September Piggle Noir', 'Watermelon Vine', 'Edgar Lacey's Set Tune', 'Stan Treacey's Mazurka' and 'The Old Schoolmaster'. Greg also gave us a small taste of a tune we'll be learning in the near future 'Me Smokey Smokey'.

Bruce W

Folk Club Night - July 30

Another lovely night of music making at the Newport Hall - lots of people (40+) with the usual mix of tunes, songs and lovely fellowship that music and the people create. Towards the end of the night a group of musicians started playing tunes from the Gypsy Collection and very quickly there was a gypsy orchestra of 12 players and a group of people who were moved by the rhythms to get up and dance. Its a small hall, and it only took a couple of brave souls to start the ball rolling - dancing, clapping, and a few Oi, Oi, Oi's. There is some planning underway to get the dancing up as an integral part of the monthly sessions - sheet music distributed, dance steps to be learned, and wild rhythms to be tamed. What a fine idea - the folk club is 'moving forward' into dance!

Newport Bush Orchestra August 02

Present: Alasdair McC, Annette J, Bruce W, Catherine D, Chris K, Christine H, Christina P, Greg O'L, Helen H, Julie R, Kathryn T, Kerry D, Leonie K, Lyn S, Mira M, Michael S, Olivia V, Simon D, Wendy L, Gyrah A, Czarlene A, Zion A, Zymone A, Czarina A, Athaliah A.

Tonight we reviewed the tunes we've been learning over the past few weeks, including 'Yip I Addy I Ay', 'Wa La Wap A Ping', Le A Le A La', 'Father Last September Piggle Noir', 'Watermelon Vine', 'Edgar Lacey's Set Tune', and 'Stan Treacey's Mazurka. We then then ran through the Gervsoni Waltzes.

We also had a visit from two gentlemen (apologies gents, I neglected to jot down your names) from a local improvisational theatre group with a view to possible collaboration in the future.

Bruce W