Wednesday Song Swaps at the Open Air Barn

There are advantages in volunteering at the Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park, one being music and the ease of starting a weekly Song Swap.  During April and May volunteered for the park helping with the Florida Folk Festival.  This is a music park so why not propose a weekly song swap for the campers?  Hold it in the Craft Village and we are certain to attract a few visitors.  Well, the rangers agreed and so it happened for five consecutive weeks.

The Open Barn
a perfect location for a Song Swap

Ranger Kim created a couple of colored flyers which I posted in central locations with the hopes of gathering people for songs and stories.  We usually had a nice gathering of people due to the efforts of he front gate ranger and gift shop staff who graciously reminded visitors of the weekly song swap.
Here's a brief summary...
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Song Swap at the Craft Barn
April 22, 2015
4:00 PM- 5:30 PM

On Wednesday April 22nd, seventeen individuals joined the Song Swap as active participants: thirteen audience members and four musicians.  This was the first of the Spring Series of weekly Song Swaps at the Craft Barn.  

Lovely Lucinda
Excellent song writer
Magnificent voice

With a light breeze blowing we gathered under the open air barn. The audience was engaged from the start, joining in on the chorus, commenting on the lyrics and meanings, and even suggesting a few tunes.  In folk music, it is important to share the story behind the song and the musicians were happy to provide the background and source of each song.  It was fascinating to learn the history behind their version of the song.  The tunes included many songs about Florida (mostly originals), Stephen Foster songs, country selections, and traditional folk selections.  

Home of the
Wednesday Song Swap!

Everyone had a travel story from how we arrived at the park to experiences at other Florida State Parks.  There was much discussion of nature, wildlife, and north Florida history.  Many thanks to all who shared in this rich afternoon in the Craft Square.

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Song Swap at the Craft Barn
April 29, 2015
4:00 PM- 6:00 PM

Well, it was bound to happen, our little song swap ran over... on Wednesday April 29th we just couldn't stop trading interesting songs, many about White Springs, Suwannee River, and history of the area.  Needless to say this prompted discussion about the festival and the "Hippie Invasion" of the early 1970s Florida Folk Festivals.  

Brown a park employee
with his mandolin
Brownie loves the blues!

The weather was less than perfect until 2:30 PM so we were not surprised when the crowd was slight for our second song swap.  There were 12 of us... five appreciators, 4 musicians, and 3 furry friends.  The couple with the furry friends did not stay long due to a previously scheduled engagement in Lake City.  They regretted having made the appointment but it was simply too late to cancel at this point.  
The remaining audience was from Key Largo and White Springs.  Our southern most guests were camping with us for the first time.  They were thrilled with the park, had never attended the Florida Folk Festival but intend to return for the event. 

Interested campers from
Key Largo

It was another good afternoon where we shared our knowledge of the area and all learned more about the park, White Springs, and Florida. Thanks to all who shared in this rich afternoon in the Craft Square.

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Song Swap at the Craft Barn
May 6, 2015
4:00 PM- 6:00 PM

This week nature provided a lovely day with birds lilting as we settled in for the May 6th Song Swap. As you know you can never repeat an experience exactly so why try?  This week we had a group of six: a couple from Tavares, a couple from Madison, and musicians Bill and Marg.  With fewer musicians, the audience were party to a private performance by Marg & Bill. 

Marg & Bill
(Promo Picture by Gail Carson)

It was a special group as all three women were born and raised in Florida, the women hailed from Miami, Madison, and St. Augustine.  So, we did have stories to swap!  The men migrated from New Jersey, West Virginia, and Kentucky at various ages and all had lived in the Ft. Lauderdale and Melbourne.  Again, more common ground for sharing experiences.

Marg with her banjo
(at the Old-Time Championships)

As said earlier, the song swap took the form of a intimate performance with much discussion of history, Florida, tunes, banjos, and musical styles.  Bill shared songs from many of our favorite Florida artists while Marg concentrated on her originals and traditional old-time tunes.  The time passed quickly and before we knew it 5:30 had come and gone; luckily, our stomachs reminded us to stop for dinner.  Hopefully the guests will return for the Florida Folk Festival at the end of the month.

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Song Swap at the Craft Barn
May 13, 2015
4:00 PM- 6:00 PM

Each Wednesday the song swap is a new experience.  When we arrived this week there was a wood-worker wrapping up his time at the barn.  Terry recently arrived at the park and this was the first week we shared the space.  So, as we set-up for the program, Terry was packing up.  Mid-May is not a busy time in the park so it is easy to share space at the barn.  Anyway, Terry hung out for some time listening to our tunes and departed just as Liz and Mike, a couple of campers from Maryland arrived. 

Liz enjoys the
music and bug repel demonstration

John carried what appeared to be a thin straw broom which he skillfully used to fend off all bugs.  It was quite interesting and almost stole the show!

Mike demonstrates
pesticide-free bug deterrent

We had noticed Jo walking to the gift shop with boxes and not to our song swap as anticipated.  We met Jo the previous week at the Live Oak Farmer's Market and invited her to join our circle with her guitar.   

Jo the budding guitarist
from Live Oak

Jo learning the guitar and this was her first song circle.  I recall those days, I was petrified and so hesitant to play in front of other... these days I wonder where that novice went!  Back to Jo, she was a welcome addition to the group with interesting tunes and the promise to master a few more by next week.  A bit later Jim, Jo's husband, arrived to listen and offer support.  

Jim who is a big supporter
of Jo's guitar skills

Yes, it was another good afternoon with stories of Florida and Maryland, travel tales, and laughter.  

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We will be leaving the park the last week of May so our participation will take a vacation until we return in November - December.  Expect additional Song Swap news then.