33rd Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival
June 13 & 14, 2009
Presidio Middle School
450 30th Ave, San Francisco (@ Geary)
http://www.sffolkfest.org
For pictures of past Family Festival Fun, click here.
And read what Pete Seeger had to say to teens in 1963.

Folk Festival Family Concert Schedule
Click on the link for more about the performers, concerts and workshops

Saturday, June 13, 2009

12:00 In The Parlor Family Songs & Games Ed Hilton
12:25 Singing Puppets Fun for all! Beverly Salmond
1:00 Malvina Reynolds Songs for the Young at Heart: Carolyn Jayne
2:00 Sing-A-Long Concert with Lisa Monet CANCELLED ~ Replacement TBA & Kids Open Mic!
3:00 Princess & The Pirate: Princess Suska & Pirate Mordecai
4:00 Singing Games From Around The World : Bonnie Lockhart
5:00 Favorite Family Songs Swap: Ralph & YOU!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

12:00 GOSPEL Songs Sing-A-Long: Marian Gade & Jerry Michaels
1:00-1:10 Kids Open Mic hosted by Jeremiah
1:10 Celebrating Flag Day: Sing-A-Long Concert: "Ranger" Bob Keller
2:00-2:10 Kids Open Mic hosted by Jeremiah
2:10 In Our Hands Sing-A-Long Concert : Laurie Story & Jeremiah
3:00-3:10 Kids Open Mic hosted by William
3:10 Singing Puppet Show: Lady Doris Williams
4:00 Tutti Frutti Italian Musical Comedia with Jim Letchworth
5:00 Gruesome Song Swap: Jeremiah & Ranger Bob

Malvina Reynolds Room & Family Stage Saturday, June 13

12:00-12:25 Singing In The Parlor with Ed Hilton
"Parlor Games" were popular throughout the U. S. in days gone by.  During this 25 minute workshop,
children and the adults with them will be taught a simple folk song and a dance or similar activity to go with it.
This singing and dancing game (or games) will be selected from the many activities known to the instructor
to meet the needs of those in attendence.

12:25-1:00 Singing Puppet Stories with Beverly Salmond
A true folk artist, Beverly will delight you with her handmade puppets and homespun musical tales.
Come and look, listen, sing, and help tell the puppets' singing stories.

Ed Hilton is the president of the San Francisco Folk Music Club. He is also a music teacher in the San Lorenzo public schools.  He teaches first grade classes and special education classes, grades one through five.

Beverly Salmond is an early childhood specialist with a focus in speech and language acquisition. She loves singing and incorporates her beautiful voice in work and play. Beverly also enjoys making her dolls & animal puppets as well as playing the autoharp. She weaves her music into the puppet shows.

1:00 Malvina Reynolds Songs for the Young at Heart: Carolyn Jayne
A favorite from our 2008 concerts, Carolyn Jayne is back to lead us in a sing-a-long concert of Malvina Reynolds songs.
Carolyn has compiled a great collection of Malvina songs into songsheets so come and sing along!

Carolyn has been a music teacher since the mid-sixties, and has been a performing musician for almost as long.  She currently teaches  vocal music in five elementary schools in San Francisco, including  Grattan School where she has taught music since 1976, and is the Director of Children's Music at the Unitarian Universalist Church of  San Francisco.  During her three decades as a performing musician, she performed solo and played in many country-rock bands, including leading her own band, The Jayne Gang, for several repeat engagements in Japan and throughout Northern California.

2:00 Lisa Monet: Sing-A-Long Concert CANCELLED ~ Replacement TBA & Kids Open Mic!
Come and sing in a joy filled celebration of childhood with this award winning children's recording artist!

Three-time national Parents' Choice award winner Lisa Monet celebrates familiar experiences and diverse cultures through interactive music from her CDs that delights and inspires kids and their grownups. Named a “Humboldt treasure” (Hum-Mums) and a “Leading lady of children's music” (Billboard Mag) Lisa especially loves playing festivals and engaging her audiences in singing, dancing, sign-language, percussion, and hispanic stylings. With a background in pop, Latin, and rock styles, she has shared the stage with James Cotton, Norton Buffalo, Ella Jenkins, and is booked to sing with Grammy nominee Red Grammer. http://www.lisamonetmusic.com/

3:00 Princess & The Pirate: Princess Suska & Pirate Mordecai
Sing songs of the sea & and traditional Celtic melodies for families with the oh so spirited Princess & Pirate!

Suska Varda has traveled from New York to Hollywood to Hawaii performing for and teaching children of all ages. She is a vocalist, musician, artist, actress, and a mom. Suska has been singing and playing all her life and delights in sharing her love and joy of music. Mordecai performed as the ‘Blues Kazoo’ with Bessie’s Goodies’ Travellin’ Show from coast to coast then moved to Hawaii. He sailed to San Francisco from Waikiki in 1981 and landed in Galilee Harbor, Sausalito. He spent many a monthly evening singing salty sailors’ songs with the Hyde Street Pier Irregulars in San Francisco. Mordecai entertained weekly leading the Sons of the Buccaneers at Quinn’s Lighthouse in Oakland for 4 years. He plays annually at the San Francisco Maritime Museum’s Festival of the Sea. http://www.princessandthepirate.com/

4:00 Singing Games From Around The World With Bonnie Lockhart
All over the world, people sing in a ring, dance in a line, play guessing games, rhythm games,
counting games, and all kinds of games with music. Come and share these international
treasures with festival favorite Bonnie Lockhart ~ fun and accessible to people of all ages.

Bonnie Lockhart is an Oakland, California-based singer, songwriter and educator well loved by audiences of all ages. Bonnie's interactive concerts are designed to maximize children's participation. Her shows feature sing-along, clap along, move-along activities with folk songs from many countries and cultures including Jamaica, Japan, Nigeria, Nicaragua and the United States. One of Bonnie's recent albums for children, families, and teachers is Dreams, Drums, & Green Thumbs; Bonnie's own collection of 15 songs, both original and traditional, rooted in folk music from Appalachia to the Caribbean. http://www.bonnielockhart.com/

5:00 Favorite Family Songs Swap with Ralph & YOU!
Every folk family has their favorite songs ~ what are yours?! Come share them in this fun song swap!

This is a song swap of Ralphs sharing their own songs~ that's YOU ~ and may or may not be run by a real Ralph who just happens to be somewhat in charge ... mmm ... "Ralph" is a folk club tradition and celebration of the anarchy and "do it yourself" nature of the club. The name Ralph began many years ago at a campout when the "person in charge" couldn't be found so was randomly named Ralph. In essence, Ralph is no one and more accurately, Ralph is everyone... mmm ...

Malvina Reynolds Room & Family Stage Sunday, June 14

12:00 Gospel Songs With Marian Gade & Jerry Michaels
Join us for a folk family favorite tradition of sharing traditional & non-traditional gospel songs!

Marian Gade and Jerry Michaels are long-time Folk Club members who have, for a number of years, held a Gospel Sing as a kick-off for our Sunday Free Folk Festival activities.  Jerry's a current member of the SF Folk Music Club's Board of Directors, and Marian is Corresponding Secretary.  They also host occasional East Bay Pickin' & Fiddlin' events, participate in club campouts, and have recently begun playing and singing for a local senior center's Alzheimer's respite program.

1:00-1:10 Kids Voice: Kids Open Mic hosted by Jeremiah & William ~ Kids, this is your time!
Calling all kids! Bring all your talents, musical and otherwise and share them with us at the family friendly
Malvina Reynolds Stage. There will be a sign up board in the room and 3 ten minute segments at 1:00,
2:00, and 3:00. The stars of the show will be whoever shows up! Kids ~ that's you!

Our Open Mic hosts are 9 year old Jeremiah and 11 year old William. William plays trumpet, sings and performs in theatre. He has his first major role in Tom Sawyer at the PaloAlto Children's Theatre this summer and he has learned lots from his mom, Lady Doris. Jeremiah plays piano, writes songs and sings and does a bit of theatre as well. He has been performing and recording with his mom, Laurie Story off and on his whole life! Jeremiah has also become a great cameraman for their UTube videos!

1:00: Celebrating Flag Day: Sing-Along Concert: "Ranger" Bob Keller
Traditional and original songs for kids of all ages in this sing-a-long concert.
Inspired by Flag Day being June 14, these traditional and non-traditional
songs celebrate the flag, freedom and all things otherwise patriotic.

Always a favorite in the folk club, "Ranger Bob" is the singing Ranger from the club's summer campouts in Boulder Creek. Bob is a self-taught musician who began playing the guitar when he was in High School. For the past 25 years he has been leading/performing songs at Boy Scout and Girl Scout Campfire programs. As a singer/songwriter Bob performs both traditional songs as well as songs about the social issues of the day. He also enjoys singing and writing gruesome and gross songs which he sends out via e-mail on a semi-regular basis to a select list of gruesome song fans. Bob lives in Boulder Creek, California.

2:00-2:10 Kids Voice: Kids Open Mic hosted by Jeremiah & William ~ Kids, this is your time!

2:10 In Our Hands Sing-A-Long Concert with Laurie Story & Jeremiah
Join Laurie Story & her son, Jeremiah for feel good, lift the vibration songs about ourselves, each other and the planet.
Taken from the long in coming latest Laurie Story CD, these songs invoke joy while empowering responsibility ~
planting our planet with seeds of peace because it's In Our Hands.

Both Laurie & Jeremiah have been singing and songwriting their whole lives. Laurie Story has produced over 30 recordings of her songs and of her Laurie's Stories. In recent years, Laurie has become a webmaster using the internet as a platform for her music and 'New Thought Ministry' here: http://www.newthoughtfamilies.com You can also experience Laurie's music including ChildSing Song Circles at http://www.lauriesstories.com/ home of her illustrated, rhyming Laurie Stor-E Books. Laurie met the folk club many years ago when she was host at the camp that held their New Year's Camp Harmony celebration. She has helped with children's and family programming ever since. Jeremiah was born into the folk club and it has helped shape his 9 years of musical contributions to the planet.

3:00-3:10 Kids Voice: Kids Open Mic hosted by Jeremiah & William ~ Kids, this is your time!

3:10 SingingPuppet Show with Lady Doris
A fun puppet show with plays, songs, and Doris' characters Fozzie Bear, Donald Duck and Daniel Striped Tiger.

Ms. Williams has been singing and playing piano since she was very young. Now she imparts her knowledge of music to others in various Peninsula and South Bay Music Schools teaching voice, guitar, choir and piano for preschoolers to adults. She especially loves leading children in singing! Her multi-talents allow her to perform as a vocalist in her Celtic band Celtic Rose, and piano/keyboard accompanist for her jazz and the great songwriters of yesteryear shows at Senior Centers.  She also solos in church and other venues. In her Celtic band she sings Celtic, Renaissance and originals on her 8-course lute, guitar, tin whistle, recorder and bodhran. http://www.doriswilliams.com

4:00 Tutti Frutti Comedia Co with Music and Comedy!
All ages will enjoy the comedy and music of this fun filled show!

Jim Letchworth is the driving force behind TUTTI FRUTTI COMMEDIA CO.  He was introduced to Commedia dell’Arte in college but is primarily self-taught.  Jim has been making leather masks for twenty-five years and has done numerous museum, school, University and theater programs!  Read about his Commedia exploits in Commedia Dell’Arte a Handbook for Troupes by John Rudlin & Olly Crick.  Jim also does murder mysteries and 19th century ballroom dancing.  He first met his wife, Marilyn, while playing the old miser, Pantalone at the Renaissance Faire.

5:00 Gruesome Song Swap with Jeremiah & Ranger Bob
Do you like songs that are gruesome, gross, or otherwise disgusting? Come and share them here!
This is a song swap hosted by Jeremiah and his gruesome song mentor Ranger Bob Keller.

Ranger Bob has honed quite a list of gross and gruesome songs in 25 years of singing with Boy & Girl Scouts. Jeremiah met Bob at an early age at a Folk Club Campout and has been singing gruesome songs ever since. With his mom's reluctant help, Jeremiah recorded 7 of his favorites to give as Christmas gifts. Jeremiah looks forward to Bob's Gruesome song of the month sent out via e mail and in hearing new songs from you!

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San Francisco Free Folk Festival Family Pictures From Festivals Past

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Our Performers!

Our Audiences!

And now some words from Pete Seeger that he wrote to teens in 1963.
Copied from the Pete Seeger Appreciation page found at : http://www.peteseeger.net/seventen.htm
SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE

 November 1963

PETE SEEGER TALKS TO TEENS

A singer of folksongs gives his own seven and a half pillars of wisdom.

DEAR FELLOW HUMANS:

I usually mistrust older people's giving advice to younger, because while often their advice is very good (the values of foresight, temperance, persistence, etc.), they forget that younger people usually know one of the most important things of all: the value of enthusiasm and enjoyment of life.

Twenty-five years ago, Franklin Roosevelt spoke to my generation. "Youth: hold fast to your dream," he said. In other words don’t give up your ideals of peace, freedom, justice, truth - the way as many adults do. When you come down to it, more people die from discouragement than any disease. And why do people get discouraged? Because they feel that life’s a joyless struggle; because they feel they're on a dead-end street.

So here are a few of my own recipes for avoiding this kind of discouragement. They may or may not apply to you. Only you can decide.

1. It’s better to take a job you want at less pay than a job you don’t want for more pay. But you can learn from any job.

2. It’s okay to suffer intense temporary discomforts in order to reach a longer-range goal. But make sure it is only temporary.

3. Debts can be chains, best used when they can haul you to new heights, rather than entangle your legs. It’s the same with possessions. "Man doesn’t possess possessions: they possess us".

4. Travel while you are young, and still are free of responsibilities. See what a big, broad, beautiful land we have here, then maybe a foreign land or two. See that there are honest, hard-working people in every corner of the globe, all quite certain that their own way of living, their local geography, their music, etc. is most beautiful.

5. Keep your health. It’s easy while you are young. But our fine, tempting, modern civilization can erode it easily too. Many a man or woman has finally worked himself into a position where he could do something, and then found he no longer had the health to do it or enjoy it.

5½. In view of the fact that good health and energy don’t last forever, it’s worth doing some things earlier than later. When my wife and I were about thirty and very broke, we built own our house, inch by inch, on a mountainside. Glad we did; doubt we'd have energy enough to do it now. And I’ve known too many people who put off such projects "until we have the money" or "until we have the time" - and if they eventually did get the money or the time, they no longer had the energy.

6. A happy sex life may take years to achieve, but it’s worth it in the long run. Worth the time, the thought - or rather, the thoughtfulness - and, often, the waiting.

7. A few short ones: Prestige is much overrated. The celebrity business is for the birds. Respectability is nice, but consider: whom do you most want to respect you? Money is like air or water. You need a certain amount to live. Beyond that, who wants to be a dog in the manger?

And now I'll stop before I rattle on any longer, like any old graybeard. All the foregoing applies to the one central thing I mentioned at the beginning: how to keep discouragement from withering the priceless enthusiasm which most young people have.

So far I've quoted FDR and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Here are a few more favorite quotes. (Note: When you steal one person it’s plagiarism. When you steal from ten, it’s scholarship. When you steal from a hundred, it's original research.)

First, a story about the late comedian Fred Allen. He once saw a small boy toddle in front of a truck and snatched him to safety just in time. On the sidewalk again, he said, "S'matter kid: don’t you want to grow up and have troubles?"

Next, a fragment from the German poet Bertolt Brecht.

. . .For we know only too well:

Even the hatred of squalor

Makes the brow grow stern;

Even anger against injustice

Makes the voice grow harsh. Alas, we

Who wished to lay the foundations of kindness

Could not ourselves be kind.

Here’s a famous line credited to Gandhi: "To the millions who have to go without two meals a day, the only form in which God dare appear is food." A line from a Harvard graduate back from Africa: "Nigerians are a proud people who don't want tourists, don't want heroes, don't want saviors. They just want schoolteachers."

Now, a paragraph from Woody Guthrie the dustbowl balladeer who taught me much not only about music but about my country and life in general: "The worst thing that can happen to you is to cut yourself loose from people. And the best thing is to sort of vaccinate yourself right into the bloodstreams of the people. . . to feel that you know the best and the worst of folks that you see everywhere, and never to feel weak, or lost, or even lonesome anywhere. . .There is just one thing that can cut you from the people and that is any brand or style of greed. . .There is just one way to save yourself, and that's to get together and work and fight for everybody."

Lastly I quote the words of a song I put together last year, using words from the book of Ecclesiastes.

"To everything (turn turn turn)
There is a season (turn turn turn)
And a time for every purpose
Under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die,
A time to plant, a time to reap,
A time to kill, a time to heal,
A time to laugh, a time to weep.

A time to build up, a time to break down,
A time o dance, a time to mourn,
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together.

A time of love, a time of hate,
A time of war, a time of peace,
A time you may embrace,
A time to refrain from embracing.

A time to gain, a time to lose,
A time to rend, a time to sew,
A time to love, a time to hate,
A time for peace - I swear, it’s not too late!

To everything (turn turn turn)
There is a season (turn turn turn)
And a time for every purpose
Under heaven."

Well, here’s hoping all the foregoing will help you avoid a few dead-end streets (we all hit some), and here’s hoping enough of your dreams come true to keep you optimistic about the rest. We've got a big world to learn how to tie together. We’ve all got a lot to learn. And don’t let your studies interfere with your education.

Sincerely,
Pete Seeger

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