Volume 43 Edition 8 August 2014 Submit articles to: [email protected] By the 15th of each month FFS Board Of Directors A Non-Profit Corporation for Traditional Arts President Denise Sciandra [email protected] Notes from Board President, Denise Sciandra Vice President Paul Starcevich [email protected] Sue Lyon Beevers lost her six month battle with brain cancer. I can

Secretary tell by reading and hearing the tributes to her that she was a Sue Wirt wonderful person beloved by many. I would like to have been in the [email protected] group of people who was privileged to know her. Treasurer Jim Ross I wish to share a moving tribute by Bruce Honeyman. "I didn't know Sue well [email protected] but I am indebted to her. When I first arrived in Fresno in 1976 as a Concert Master transplant from my native Kansas, the first group I started hanging out with Steve Ono [email protected] was at the Blackstone House and the beginnings of the Fresno Folklore Society. Always welcoming and always musically inspiring, Sue Beevers and Membership Patty Bennett Maria Wortham threw legendary parties and monthly Folklore potlucks. [email protected] Music, song contest, and dancing all organized around a theme made the Lifetime Member ordinary potluck extraordinary. It's where I first got to listen to and play with Alan Hubbart Kenny Hall, the Bluesteins, Frank Hicks, Joe Holly, Alex Brashear, Paul Members At Large Anastacio, Harry Liedstrand, Donn Beedle and all the early musicians of that Linda Guerrero [email protected] era. Sue and Maria made a soft landing for me and I've felt right at home since─one of the many reasons why I've stayed and made Fresno my home. Bill Lehr [email protected] And for the benefit of all, forty years later the FFS musical events are still

Karen Starcevich working their magic here. As Maya Angelou said, 'I have learned that people [email protected] will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will

Ann Lamb never forget how you made them feel.' I'm indebted to Sue for helping me feel so welcome here. Bless you, Sue, for the beautiful, artistic life you lived Bill Johnson [email protected] here for all of us to see and partake of, and for all the people you touched and inspired along the way." Flyer Editor Bill Johnson [email protected] Maria Wortham responds: "Bruce, you are so right! Except to give credit where it's due, Sue was the one who organized both the Blackstone House Calendar Editor Maria Glover parties and the Folklore Society. I think I was pretty good at doing whatever HM 559-322-8677 she told me to do to make it happen. I'm so glad you remember those days as Cell 559-281-8278 [email protected] fondly as I do. I will never forget the yodel song contest where the winner got a sack of garden tomatoes and a certificate." Logo Design by Tom Walzem The Fresno Folklore Society “Flyer” is a monthly publication. at Otto Creative FFS P.O. Box 4617 Fresno, CA 93744

Banjo Frog Art Submit articles for publication to [email protected] by Jon Adams by the 15th of each month President’s Notes (continued) The Bluestein family paid tribute to Sue as well at their somewhat impromptu family reunion concert on July 13th featuring brothers and sister, Joel, Evo, Jemmy and Freyda and also appearances by the next generation, Isaiah and Masha. The song they played and sang in memory of Sue Beevers (and Betsy Blossom) was "Carter's Blues," a love song whose final verse is: "So fare you well my charming little love, O meet me in that land above, And when we meet there in that land, We'll take no more this parting hand." In the July FFS Flyer, there was an story about Sue's Life Work, a final Dragon Lady play that Sue wanted to put on CD and give as a gift to all of her friends. That CD will be available at her memorial on August 2nd. The dedicated group of friends turned heroes that made sure that the CD was completed in time for Sue to hear it includes Steve Ono, Jemmy Bluestein, Margaret Tynan, Nate Butler, Sherron Brown, Linda Dryden, Jacinda Potikian, Isaiah Bluestein, Patrick Contreras, Blake Jones, Ken Taylor and Rick Canfield. This special CD is Sue's final gift and a thank you to all the folkies who gave their time and energy to participate in her wonderfully original Dragon Lady plays over the years.

RSVP to: [email protected]

A Kenny Hall Tale, as told to Evo Bluestein by Ron Tinkler and Peter Everwine Fresno Folk History (continued). More Pierce’s Park interviews, (the Centerville bar–now closed, beside Highway 180 on the Kings River) as told to Evo Bluestein. Why? It was an important place for music, before the Fresno Folklore Society. From Ron Tinkler, banjo player with The Sweet’s Mill Stringband (which came after The Sweet’s Mill Mountain Boys) I guess it was probably 1961 or 2 that we started going out to Otis Pierce’s which was known as Pierce’s Park. Pierce’s Park was a bar and a piece of land on the King’s River, southeast of Fresno. There was a campground and a big dance hall downstairs. In the ‘50s Maddox Brothers and Rose played at Pierce’s Park–Spade Cooley too. My folks would go down there. Some of us continued to go to Pierce’s Park until 1968. Whoever was around would go out there Wednesday or Thursday and sit around the Pierce’s Bar from the front (recent picture). stove. Otis would unplug the jukebox so nobody would put a quarter in it, hide the balls for the pool table and tell everybody that it was music time. You could either sit and listen or you could leave. Those were kind of house rules and nobody messed with him. That’s where I learned to sit and listen, mostly. Things went by that were precious moments. From Peter Everwine, Poet, CSUF Professor, Banjo player in The Sweet’s Mill Mountain Boys It was a rough place and I don’t think your dad liked that sort of stuff. I had a ball. I took a lot of bullshit from them because they knew I was from the university. They’d call me peckerwood and like that. But it wasn’t mean. They accepted me. Made fun of me but listened, and I played. I had a good time. I don’t think your dad would have liked being called peckerwood. I Peter Everwine don’t remember him coming out to those things, frankly. He may have been there a little but I can’t recall him being there very much. Otis was tough. He carried a gun. He carried one of those black saps–filled with lead–nasty stuff. And I’ve seen him use it. He was rough. It was not an easy place. I was okay out there. I was never harassed or threatened. I always felt I could sit in quite easy. Ron (Hughey, fiddler) didn’t do much of that. Frank (Hicks, guitar) didn’t go out there. Frank didn’t like bars. When we went up to the Jabberwockey (Berkeley) I remember Kenny (Hall)

came with us. Kenny liked a Guinness or two every now and then. Frank didn’t like “At the Bar” recent photo that. taken through the crack in the chained up doors We used to go out to Pierce’s in the winter. Otis had a big wood stove and we’d sit around there and play music. I remember Otis would always play a song called Don’t You Hear Them Wolves a-Howlin’. I could never figure out what the hell it meant. A fellow named Charlie, when he was sober, would join in on fiddle. Otis was the big cheese there. Whatever he said would go on. You didn’t fool with Otis. He didn’t stand for much nonsense. He didn’t like unruliness. He didn’t like drunks or people shoving around too much and he wasn’t polite about it. I went to his funeral. It was remarkable. There were photographs of him playing. He was laid out in brand new bib overalls. Brand spanking new, the kind he always wore–black bibs. There was a hell of a crowd. It was in Centerville. It was very moving. If I remember right, Eleanore (Otis’ daughter) was there– sang some hymns. They had his banjo leaning there, next to the coffin, a big photograph of him playing it. It was a nice ceremony. August , 2014, FFS Business Meeting

The FFS Board Meeting for August, scheduled for Monday, August 11 at 7:30 pm at the Santa Fe Basque Garden Room, is also the annual general membership meeting for results of the Board election and election of officers by the Board. It is an open meeting (as are the others) with the main business being that of election of officers. As a non-profit corporation, at least one annual meeting is scheduled for general membership each year and this is IT for 2014. (Sue Wirt)

Teresa Tudury with Doug Adamz Aug 24 6:30 PM Mia Cuppa Cafe 620 E Olive Ave Fresno Ca $10 ADV/FFS $12 door Advance tickets at National Hardware, Patrick's Music and fresnofolkconcerts.com 559-307-3610

Teresa Tudury

Teresa Tudury is an absolute original. From her San Francisco roots to the Greek Islands to New York and LA, she wakes up the music scene. Teresa creates a loyal following and rave reviews wherever she performs.

“Part chanteuse, part comedian, part bona fide pop artist…and a voice that could stop a war.” —Buzz Weekly.

“Picture a cross between Bette Midler and Bonnie Raitt musically, and toss in the most side-splitting stage patter imaginable, and you have Ms. Tudury.” —Johnny Angel, LA Weekly.

“ I think ‘Cheering Your Little Ass On’ is the greatest song ever written.”—Charles Perry, Rolling Stone and LA Times.

"Leonard Cohen meets Bessie Smith " – Fan overheard at a "Teresa " concert.

New CD: “Such Fine Things.” Previous CD’s: “River of Life” and “Teresa Tudury.”

Doug Adamz

Back porch simple, song after song, it’s hard to believe that just one person is making all the sounds coming out of that National Steel Body Guitar. Adamz’ dazzling finger-style playing and scorching harmonica don’t detract from the depth of his singing or the down home sagacity in his lyrics. He takes us on a trip from rambunctious road house to romantic reverie.

New CD: “NATIONAL STEEL,” Doug Adamz’ third solo album--solo, except for two duets with PETER ROWAN! Many of these 17 songs were written in the wake of the 2008 economic meltdown, so themes of hard times hearkening back to the 1930’s depression weave through the album. Fresno Folklore Society presents Glen Delpit at Wolk Garden Sunday September 7 Showtime is 6:30, Potluck at 5:30. $10 ADV/FFS $15 gate. Advance tickets at National Hardware, Patrick's Music and fresnofolkconcerts.com Wolk Garden 6661 N Forkner Fresno CA All Ages Kids under 12 free 559-307-3610.

John Gorka Sept 12 7:30 PM Frank’s Place $20 ADV/FFS $25 Door

From New Jersey, John Gorka is a world-renowned singer- songwriter who got his start at a neighborhood coffeehouse in eastern Pennsylvania. Though small, Godfrey Daniels was and is one of the oldest and most venerable music institutions and has long been a hangout for music lovers and aspiring musicians. In the late 1970’s, John was was one of these aspiring musicians. Although his academic coursework at Moravian College lay in Philosophy and History, music began to offer paramount enticements. Soon he found himself living in the club’s basement and acting as resident MC and sound man, encountering Frank’s Place at Warnor’s Theatre legendary folk troubadours like Canadian singer-songwriter Stan 1432 Fulton St. Rogers, Eric Andersen, Tom Paxton and Claudia Schmidt. Their Fresno, CA brand of folk-inspired acoustic music inspired him, and before long he was performing his own songs – mostly as an opener for visiting acts. Soon he started traveling to New York City, where Jack Hardy’s legendary Fast Folk circle (a breeding ground for many a major singer-songwriter) became a powerful source of education and encouragement. Folk meccas like Texas’ Kerrville Folk Festival (where he won the New Folk Award in 1984) and Boston followed, and his stunningly soulful baritone voice and original songwriting began turning heads. Those who had at one time inspired him – Suzanne Vega, Bill Morrissey, Nanci Griffith, Christine Lavin, Shawn Colvin – had become his peers.

In addition to his 11 critically acclaimed albums, John released a collector’s edition box featuring a hi- definition DVD and companion CD called The Gypsy Life. Windham Hill also released a collection of John’s greatest hits from the label called Pure John Gorka. In 2010, he also released an album with his friends and Red House label-mates Lucy Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson under the name Red Horse. Getting high praise from critics and fans alike, it landed on the Billboard Folk Charts and was one of the most played albums on folk radio.

Many well known artists have recorded and/or performed John Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, etown and has appeared on CNN. His new song “Where No Monuments Stand” is featured in the upcoming documentary Every War Has Two Losers, about activist and Oregon Poet Laureate William Stafford (1914-1993).

John Gorka lives in Minnesota and when not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He continues to tour, playing festivals, theaters and clubs all over North America and Europe. Bluestein Family Concert

What a magnificent treat. The Woodward Park Library had scheduled Bad Boys Zydeco for a one-hour concert on Sunday afternoon, July 13. What we heard was a Bluestein Family Concert instead. Evo said that Jemmy was going to play a Bad Boys Zydeco Concert with him and then he heard that his sister, Freyda, was going to be in town that weekend; he saw Joel when he was back East and found out that Joel was going to be in California at that time, too. Voila. Bluestein Family Band. Isaiah and Masha, Jemmy's children, also joined in on some songs. A little bit of everything. Some Cajun, some Jean Ritchie, other folk music; voices, fiddles, guitars, mandolins, limberjacks, clogging while singing, and other bits of Bluestein magic, followed up by the title song from an album that they recorded many years ago as a family, Where Does Love Come From, a song that was performed at each of their weddings. A very enthusiastic crowd called for an encore and, if there had been time scheduled, far more of them would have been requested. So glad I attended. (Sue Wirt)

Bluegrass In The Park

Summer is going along and Bluegrass in the Park in Clovis has continued to have great offerings in eclectic music groups. Not just bluegrass, but mostly on bluegrass instruments. Some new groups (not new to themselves) that have or are going to grace the grass at the Veterans Memorial Park were The Bad Actors of Boxwood (two guitars with a wide variety of songs); Steam Donkeys (banjo, base and guitar) played folk music, bluegrass music, and some original music; Two for the Road (keyboard and fiddle) some Irish, Scottish, some American folk; Highway 41 is coming up on August 1 (guitars and fiddle) and offer folk songs from the 60's and 70's, some original music and, with guest performer, Donn Beedle, who knows what else will happen; other groups for the summer are ones that have performed for us there in the past, including the very popular Red Dog Ash and Baloney Creek bands. I notice that the park has had an increase in audience in the last few weeks; maybe it is the “free” nature of the concerts, but I would like to think that it is the popularity of the series through word of mouth. The weather has cooperated even on very warm days as there is always a nice breeze in the shade of the trees. For people who do not bring lawn chairs, many thanks to the Clovis Senior Center for providing folding chairs as well as access to bathrooms for concert-goers. Bring your change for the tip jars as the bands are not paid to perform here. Also, several of them have cds that you can buy to remember them as you drive home, listening to them on your car sound system. Don't forget to bring your picnic dinner, too. The series is brought to us by California Bluegrass Association and is much appreciated. (Sue Wirt)

Mrs. Park's Rout * A Dance in the Manner of the English Regency Saturday, August 2nd, 2014 Doors: 7 pm, English Country Dancing from 7:30–10 pm Hayden Fellowship Hall, College Congregational Church 5550 N. Fresno St, Fresno, CA Ticket Price $10, advance customers receive a dance card! Scholarships available. Contact Brooke (559) 901-1022 or [email protected] Costumes from the era of Jane Austen's life (1775–1817) strongly encouraged. (Modern formal wear acceptable) Period Entertainments and Recreational Costuming Fresno has full info and online tickets at percfresno.com Youth Fiddle Contest - Sign Up Now! If you cry when kids play the fiddle, Start them out early when they're little. You'll be helpin' them grow up with class, One more reason why I love bluegrass.

If these words from a Bryan Bowers song resonate with you, then you need to be at Frank's Place August 7th from 5-7. Kids from around the valley will be playing for a picking and fiddle contest. Come out and show your support. www.fresnofiddlers.com (Karen Starcevich)

August FFS EVENTS 2014 Every Wednesday: Kenny Hall’s Friends Old Time Music Jam @ Santa Fe Basque Restaurant, 5:30 to 7:30 pm – Free Every Thursday: Honky Tonk Jam hosted by EZ Mark Poschman @ Full Circle Brewery, 5-7 pm. 620 F St., Fresno, CA, (559) 264-6323. - FREE Most Fridays: Bluegrass in the Park @ Clovis Veteran’s Memorial Park, 901 Fifth St. 6:30 to 8:30 pm. All ages welcome, bring chairs, picnic snacks. Thru Sept.5, 2014. Check their schedule for exceptions. FREE Monthly Events: 1st Sunday: Kelley’s Corner Jam @ Pizza Factory in Madera Ranchos, 2-5 pm. 1st Saturday: **Not this month. English Country Dance @ Auberry Library, Evo Bluestein, 7 to 9 pm. Donation. 1st Saturday: Sacred Harp Singing is scheduled twice a month, with some variability in dates and times. Call Linda Booth for details at 292-6469. 1st Thursday: ART HOP @ Frank’s Place at Warnor’s Center for the Performing Arts, 5:30 pm, free, refreshments, music. 2nd Sunday: Sunday Afternoon Tea Dances @ Frank’s Place, a the Warnor’s Center for the Performing Arts, 2 to 5 pm, $10 and purchase of adult beverage and snack. 2nd Sunday: Irish Jam @ La Boulangerie, Fig Garden Village at 2:30 to 4:30 pm. 2nd Monday: FFS Board Meeting @ Sante Fe Basque Restaurant, 7:30 pm. 2nd Saturday: Contra Dance @ Cal Arts Academy, caller Evo Bluestein, live music by Barry Schultz and Karana Drayton, 6:30-9:00 pm, $6 donation. 4750 N Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA, Studio E. 3rd Saturday: English Country Dance @ California Arts Academy, caller Evo Bluestein, no partner required in advance, live music by Sherron Brown et al., 6:30 to 9 pm, $6 donation.

FFS and related Events (FFS in Bold) Aug. 2, Thu., Celebration of Life for Sue (Lyon) Beevers @ Tower Theater, -2 6 pm. Located at Olive and Wishon. Please e-mail Sue & Mike’s daughter Angela Beevers at [email protected] if interested in attending to receive official- E vite for RSVP for headcount. The memorial is only 1 hour and the rest is a party so

please bring your instruments (no amplification). Also, please contact Angela for info.

Aug. 2, Thu., Mrs. Park’s Route @ College Congregational Church. 7:30 – 10 pm, $10. Come enjoy an English country dance in the Manner of the English Regency! Hayden Fellowship Hall is located at 5550 N. Fresno Street. Contact Brooke 559-900-1022 or email: [email protected]. Advance customers receive a dance card! Aug. 7, Thu., Art Hop – California State Old Time Fiddlers Association and Fresno Folklore Society present Youth Fiddle and Picking Contest @ Frank’s Place at the Warnors Center for Performing Arts. 5-7 pm. Registration 4:15-4:45 pm. Frank’s Place is at 1432 Fulton St., Fresno. This is a free, all ages event offering refreshments & performers. Check with Lynda 559-589-4100 or [email protected] for details. Aug. 21, Thu., Open Mic with Steve Ono @ Frank’s Place, 7:30 pm sign up and show at 8 pm. Free. For info: Steve Ono 559-307-3610 Aug. 24, Sun., Teresa Tudury with Doug Adamz @ Mia Cuppa Café, 6:30 pm, $10 adv./FFS, $12 door. Teresa is “Part chanteuse, part comedienne and part pop artist. Doug is a singer/songwriter of memorable story songs whose new album has two duets with Peter Rowan! Mia Cuppa is 620 Olive Ave in the Tower District. For info: Steve Ono 559-307-3610. Tickets at National Hardware, Patrick’s Music and online at www.FresnoFolkConcerts.com. See Flyer page. Aug. 30, Sat., Evo Bluestein’s String Band Class @ California Arts Academy, 4750 N. Blackstone. 9 am to 3 pm. Info [email protected]. 559-297-8966

Upcoming: Sept. 7, Sun., Glen Delpit Blues Concert in the Wolk Garden, $10 Adv/FFS $15 gate. See article. Sept. 12, Fri., John Gorka @ Frank’s Place, 7:30 pm, $20 Adv/FFS $25 Door. See article. FRESNO FOLKLORE SOCIETY August 2014 FRESNO FOLKLORE SOCIETY

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Bluegrass in the 2 English Country Park, 6:30-8:30 Dance @ Auberry pm. most Fridays Lib. 7-9 pm, FREE thru Sept. 5, 2014. Sacred Harp Singing 3-5 pm, call FREE to confirm 292- 6469 Celeb. Of Life for Highway 41 with Sue Beevers @ guest Donn Tower Theater2-6 Beedle, pm, see Events Page for RSVP Mrs. Park’s Rout @ College Cong. Church, 7:30-10 pm, $10. See Events List & July insert. 3 Kelly’s Corner Jam 4 5 6 Kenny Hall’s 7 Art Hop 5-7pm 8 Bluegrass in the 9 Contra Dance @ @ Pizza Factory 2-5 Friends @ See Events Page Park, 6:30-8:30 pm Cal Arts, 6:30-9:30 pm Santa Fe Honky Tonk w/ Most Fridays thru pm, $6­ donation Basque, 5:30 to EZ Mark @ Full Sept. 5, 2014 7:30 pm Circle Brewery, 5- FREE FREE 7 pm. FREE Sagebrush 10 Tea Dances @ 11 FFS 12 13 Kenny Hall’s 14 Honky Tonk 15 Bluegrass in the 16 English Country Frank’s Place, 2-5 pm Board Friends @ w/ EZ Mark @ Park, 6:30-8:30 pm Dance @ Cal Arts $10 Meeting, Santa Fe Full Circle Most Fridays thru 6:30 pm $6 Irish Jam @ La @ Santa Fe Basque, 5:30 to Brewery, 5-7 pm. Sept. 5, 2014 donation. Boulangerie, 2:30- Basque@ 7:30 pm FREE 4:30 pm, FREE. 7:30 pm FREE FREE Red Dog Ash 17 18 19 20 Kenny Hall’s 21 Open Mic @ 22 23 Friends @ Frank’s Place, NO Bluegrass Santa Fe Sign up 7:30 pm, in the Park this Basque, 5:30 to Show 8 pm, FREE. week 7:30 pm Honky Tonk w/ FREE EZ Mark @ Full Circle Brewery, 5- 7 pm. FREE 24 Teresa Tudury w/ 25 26 27 Kenny Hall’s 28 Honky Tonk 29 Bluegrass in the 30 Evo Bluestein Doug Adamz@ Mia Friends @ w/ EZ Mark @ Park, 6:30-8:30 pm Old Time String Cuppa 6:30 pm, $10 Santa Fe Full Circle Most Fridays thru Band Class @ Cal Adv/FFS, $12 Door Basque, 5:30 to Brewery, 5-7 pm. Sept. 5, 2014 Arts Academy, 9-3 See Flyer page. 7:30 pm pm evobluestein@ ______FREE FREE gmail.com 31 FREE Monroe Expedition

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Would you like to become a member of the Fresno Folklore Society?

The Fresno Folklore Society (FFS) is a non-profit community-based organization. It sponsors traditional music, dancing, and other traditional art forms. FFS hosts potlucks and jam sessions; it encourages and promotes new musicians through classes, recording opportunities and other support. FFS members share visions and concerns for a peaceful and just world and actively support efforts to create an eco-friendly environment.

Membership Levels: $20.00 individual; $30.00 family; $50.00 corporate sponsor Membership information: 559-225-9511 NEW MEMBER? Yes No  RENEWING? Yes No RENEWING AFTER LAPSE? Yes No Number of family Members: ______I prefer to receive the Flyer by e-mail  or Postal mail  (check one)

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