Blue Water Folk Notes
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 4, Issue 1 Blue Water Folk Society February, 2012 Promoting Traditional & Acoustic Music in the Thumb of Michigan Blue Water Folk Notes INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Coffeehouse Notes 2 Remembering George Stewart Events & BWFS performers 2 & 3 from George. I remember the first time Taste of Thumb 3 we came to the Coffeehouse, before the Dave Rutkofske Funeral 3 BWFS formed, George was the person that BWFS Member Activities 3 Thumbfest meeting info 3 welcomed us and helped us find a seat. Thumbfest Update 4 That welcoming stance and his great smile Contact Information 4 was a sight to behold. The Coffeehouse Membership information 4 Open Mic has become one of the best around, drawing musicians from all over Hot News to Use George Stewart performing with the Circle of and audiences numbering 60 to 100 each Friends at Lexington Harbor on Aug. 6, 2011 month. Dates to save: The Blue Water Folk Society lost a Founding George continued to perform right through Coffeehouse Open Mic: member when George Stewart passed his battle with leukemia with his last th away, after a long battle with Cancer, on th ‹ Sat. Feb. 11 public performance being October 15 , November 23, 2011. 2011 with the Circle of Friends (George ‹ th Sat. March 10 George was a very big part of the Blue Stewart, Dean Barnett, Mary Foley, Water Folk Society and the Village of Sign up at 6:30pm Open Gordon MacDonald) at the Baseline Folk Lexington, having served as a Village Society in Plymouth, Mi. which was started Mic begins at 7:00 pm Council member for many years. by George’s old singing partner, Mike (See Article on page 2 for Not only did George help found the Blue Mullen. Mike tells us that he started it more information) Water Folk Society, but he was part of the with encouragement from George. The Some quotes from attendees: This is just so much fun ….one of the b est open mics around founding of the East River Folk Society when Baseline Folk Society in Plymouth is Save this date: he lived in Grosse Ile and the Music in the planning a memorial concert for George on th Park summer concert series in Lexington. th Saturday, April 14 Saturday, May 19 . More details will be George also served as a member of the sent later. Thumbfest Fundraiser & Lexington Arts Council. George’s love for Folk Music and his George Stewart Memorial In 2002, George brought the idea of the church were reflected with his wishes for Concert Thumbfest before the board of the BWFS. donations in his memory be directed to the being planned now….watch We were a very small group then, and the Blue Water Folk Society and Trinity idea of an all day music festival seeming for future details. Episcopal Church Miracle Fund. daunting, but with George’s expert Watch for information George leaves his wife Cindy, his son James leadership, we did it! and his wife Kristin; his daughter Mary about a Dave Rutkofske George always thought big and helped to Steffanich and her husband Stuart and his Benefit lead us to bigger ideas and plans. One of daughter Sarah Papagelis and her husband George’s plans was to bring Tom Paxton to Have an idea for a Peter plus grandchildren Ian , Alexander, the area. We did that with a wonderful, Jacob, Shay, and Cole and his brother Thumbfest Fundraiser or intimate concert in Port Huron. Robert and his wife Kathy. want to volunteer? Much of the sound system that we use for Contact the Board at: the Coffeehouse Open Mic series came [email protected] Page 2 February 2012 Blue Water Folk Notes BWFS member performance Open Mic Coffeehouse Notes dates to consider: Ourselves…. The Blue Water Folk Society Traditional (Ted Smith, Charlie Winter & Roger Open Mic Coffeehouses at the Trinity > Sunday March 11 3:00 pm Blume), Ande & Mike McCarthy); John Sanilac County Museum Church Episcopal Church, 5646 Main St., Dobat; Dale George; Micky LaPla Port Sanilac, Mi. $10 tickets adults Lexington, Mi. 48450 are in full swing Susan Srodawa with Tom Schlichting; > Saturday March 17 6-9 pm with audiences ranging from 60 to 100 Micky, Ron(McPhail), and Jim (Williams) Blue Water Sports Bar or more at the January 2012. Open Mic Lost Cuzzins(Dean Barnett, Kent Krueger, Port Sanilac, Mi. Coffeehouse. Dawn & Marty Malek, the Ron McPhail & Jim Williams), Steven [email protected] Coffeehouse Directors report that the Lichota; Tanner Simmons; Drew Morgan; Lost Cuzzins…. emcees were Denny Dwyer in October, Iris Spencer; Remeniscers (John Swinson, > Saturday Feb. 18 7:30-10:30pm Shirley Barnett in November, Dean Bonnie Bade, Earl & Gloria Lowen); Raven Café Barnett in December and Bruce Filbeck in 932 Military St. Some Other Name (John Broadwell and 3 January. Emcees will be John Broadwell Port Huron, Mi. 48060 members out of Windsor); and Mike >Saturday March 24 7- 9:30pm in February and Banjoey in March. Mercatante. Opening for Mustard’s Retreat Sound has been ably handled by Mike There was a wide range of music, from Upper Level Acoustic Café Mercatante, Tom Schlichting and by Yes Sir, You’re My Baby, to the silly Mrs. 1227 10th Ave. George Young. Set-up has been handled Fogarty’s Cake, great harmonies and fun Port Huron, Mi. fee by Tom Schlichting, George Young, Dean performances from our many bands; >Saturday March 30 8-10:30pm Barnett, Marty Malek, Susan Srodawa, some Gospel; beautiful solo work and Live from the Living Room Shirley Barnett & Al Lewandowski. originals from our solo performers and 7 N. Saginaw (by Blue Note) We have been seeing many new newer music from our new youth Pontiac, Mi. performers this season. In October we performers. www.myspace.com/lostcuzzins had 8 performers, with 10 in November, We are all still remembering a founder, [email protected] and 15 in both December and January. George Stewart. Dean Barnett opened Dean Barnett Time has become a premium. the December show with an acapella > Sunday April 15 11am-12pm version of “Ours is a Simple Faith” by Great Lakes Maritime Center Musicians may begin signinG up at 6:30 David Tamulevich which was an Vantage Point p.m. until all the slots are filled for the Port Huron, Mi. Open Mic which begins at 7:00 p.m. important song to George. Ourselves did > Sunday April 22 6-9 pm The Emcee for the night will choose the a version of Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Raven Café order of the performers. Performers Rogers, another important song for 932 Military St. are reminded that solo acts are limited George. Port Huron, Mi. to 10 minutes (which includes those Ruth Habalewsky has been handling the [email protected] that have someone to accompany 50/50 raffle for Thumbfest. Winners Denny Dwyer them). This usually means 2 songs. A have been Ginny McNabb ($66); Judy > Every Friday 6:30-9 pm band or group of performers are limited Butler ($36) and Bea Castillo ($68). Bea Alexander’s (Gratiot) to 15 minutes. Time is limited so be Castillo donated $34 of her winnings to Marysville, Mi. ready to perform with little set up time. Thumbfest. Thanks, Bea. > Saturdays 8:30-11:30 pm The Open Mic will end by 10 p.m. Dawn and Marty Malek have been running Zebra Bar (Quay St.) the kitchen, with help from Mary Filbeck, Performers during these months have Port Huron, Mi. and Marie McCarthy and refreshments [email protected] included Banjoey,; Tom Schlichting & donated from Ruth Habalewsky, Ginny Rick Novak (@Banjo Jim) Walt Schlichting; Denny Dwyer; Jessica McNabb, Jeannine Kirchoff, Lynn Roe, Carol > Sun.Feb. 26/April 29 12 – 1 pm Lesausky;John Broadwell (Sweet Johnny Roberts, Susan Srodawa, Judy Butler, Dawn Great Lakes Maritime Center B ); Val Rushing;Iris & Claire Spencer; Malek, Shirley Barnett, Mary Spencer and Port Huron, Mi. Ourselves (Tom Schlichting, Walt Marie McCarthy. > Friday, March 23 8:00 pm Schlichting & Lyn Surbrook); Still Running Reminder: We happily accept your Live from the Living Room (Mike Mercatante & Jenna Reed), Kaylee donations of goodies for our refreshment 7 N. Saginaw (next to Blue Note) Kean, VCC (Valerie & Chuck Rushing & table as well as your monetary donations Pontiac, Mi. Carol Roberts); Jim Zimmer ;Larry to help cover refreshment costs [email protected] Calhoun and Mike James visiting from Contact: [email protected] if you out of state; Dean Barnett; Butterhair can lend a hand or bring something! Page 3 February 2012 Blue Water Folk Notes More BWFS performance >>>>>Sad News<<<<< TASTE OF THUMB Dave Rutkofske, a former production dates to consider: director for Thumbfest, a BWFS member and Still RunninG the founder of the Blue Water Musicians > Friday Feb. 17 & March 23 Network, passed away unexpectedly on Sun., 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Feb. 5th. Visitation for David Rutkofske will Raven Café be at Smith North Chapel Wed, Feb. 8 from 932 Military St. 2 - 4 &6 – 8 pm & Service on Thurs. 11 am, Port Huron, Mi. a gathering will follow at Grant Twp Hall. It > Saturday, Feb. 25 8:30 pm is unknown at this time what will happen Dragonmead Brewery with the many activities that Dave had 14600 E. 11 Mile Rd. planned. We will keep you updated. Dave LOST CUZZINS… PHOTO BY ANDREW JOWETT Warren, Mi. leaves a big “hole” in the music world and [email protected] our hearts. Our prayers are with Connie and The Blue Water Folk Society once again William Henry Russell her family…..the following info was part of provided the music for the Taste of the Thumb in Lexington on Sunday, January 29 > Sunday March 18 1-2 pm Members activities…I’m not sure if any of at St.