Hi,
I run a nice little trad sesh about 10 miles north of Boston in Wakefield. We've been at it for close to 5 years now and for some reason have come to the end of a musician cycle. The regulars have been gradually moving on. No animosity or anything, things change. We could use some new blood and have a few open seats most weeks.
Its never been a beginners sesh and at one point I had to limit the seating to 8 when it got beyond capacity. So that tended to alienate people. So be it, it kept the music quality high enough. But now we need some new blood and maybe I need to get the word out. So if you are an intermediate player or better come up for some tunes on wednesday night. Harringtons in Wakefield starting at 8:30.
No. I think you know whether or not you are a beginner. Just don't show up with 5 harmonicas and a shakey egg and expect to sing Scottish songs all night.
Given the sessions that saltcast has already posted and given that there is a Wakefield in Mass about 15 miles north of the centre of Boston I would deduce that the session in question is in Massachusetts. I must admit though that when I first read this thread I assumed it to be the original Boston (Lincolnshire).
Seems to me your original musos may have moved on because of the limit on numbers. Was it for reasons of space or just because that was the size you as session meister wanted? How did it work if a ninth player strolled in and turned out to be a well known high quality player who just happened to be passing through?
Just curious
The management was concerned that we were blocking the isle so waitresses couldn't get thru and patrons couldn't get to the door. We never turned away anyone. We had some nights where we got up to 12 in spite of the rule. The management graciously overlooked it knowing it wouldn't be a long term problem. It's hard to strike a balance where everyone is happy.
Our publican was overly restrictive on how many musicians were involved, and nearly killed the session. Far too many good musicians were turned off by being told they would have to wait their turn, and rotate in and out of available musician seats. On the other hand, in the old days, we threatened to drink the poor man out of house and home, so some restrictions on numbers and amount of free drink were definitely in order. Things are balancing out again, but it took years for it to recover, and there still are weeks where musicians are thin on the ground.
Hey Saltcast, I've been meaning to get up to the Wakefield session forever -- especially since Catherine Joyce has been playing there. I have a commitment on Wednesday nights most of the year, but can certainly play a bit of "hooky" now and then. What can I say, will give'er the old college try.
Session north of Boston
Session north of Boston
Hi,
I run a nice little trad sesh about 10 miles north of Boston in Wakefield. We've been at it for close to 5 years now and for some reason have come to the end of a musician cycle. The regulars have been gradually moving on. No animosity or anything, things change. We could use some new blood and have a few open seats most weeks.
Its never been a beginners sesh and at one point I had to limit the seating to 8 when it got beyond capacity. So that tended to alienate people. So be it, it kept the music quality high enough. But now we need some new blood and maybe I need to get the word out. So if you are an intermediate player or better come up for some tunes on wednesday night. Harringtons in Wakefield starting at 8:30.
email me for details if you have questions
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by saltcast
Re: Session north of Boston
Uhh... would this be Boston, Massachusetts, USA, or Boston, Lincolnshire, UK?
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by Joe CSS
Re: Session north of Boston
Must be Boston, Mass - Wakefield is more than 10 miles north of Boston, Lincs!
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by c.g.
Re: Session north of Boston
Hey, what do I know, I'm from London! And I live in Boston, Mass...
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by Joe CSS
Re: Session north of Boston
I was in Wakefield Yorks yesterday. and I'll be in Boston Mass next week.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by c.g.
Re: Qualifying for the Session north of Boston
So do you have to pass an audition to be deemed worthy?
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by cocus
Re: Session north of Boston
No. I think you know whether or not you are a beginner. Just don't show up with 5 harmonicas and a shakey egg and expect to sing Scottish songs all night.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by saltcast
Re: Session north of Boston
Given the sessions that saltcast has already posted and given that there is a Wakefield in Mass about 15 miles north of the centre of Boston I would deduce that the session in question is in Massachusetts. I must admit though that when I first read this thread I assumed it to be the original Boston (Lincolnshire).
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Session north of Boston
To be precise it will be the Wakefield that is just next to Reading and lying just to the north of Melrose!!
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Session north of Boston
Seems to me your original musos may have moved on because of the limit on numbers. Was it for reasons of space or just because that was the size you as session meister wanted? How did it work if a ninth player strolled in and turned out to be a well known high quality player who just happened to be passing through?
Just curious
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by deeor
Re: Session north of Boston
The management was concerned that we were blocking the isle so waitresses couldn't get thru and patrons couldn't get to the door. We never turned away anyone. We had some nights where we got up to 12 in spite of the rule. The management graciously overlooked it knowing it wouldn't be a long term problem. It's hard to strike a balance where everyone is happy.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by saltcast
Re: Session north of Boston
Our publican was overly restrictive on how many musicians were involved, and nearly killed the session. Far too many good musicians were turned off by being told they would have to wait their turn, and rotate in and out of available musician seats. On the other hand, in the old days, we threatened to drink the poor man out of house and home, so some restrictions on numbers and amount of free drink were definitely in order. Things are balancing out again, but it took years for it to recover, and there still are weeks where musicians are thin on the ground.
# Posted on October 31st 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Session north of Boston
Hey Saltcast, I've been meaning to get up to the Wakefield session forever -- especially since Catherine Joyce has been playing there. I have a commitment on Wednesday nights most of the year, but can certainly play a bit of "hooky" now and then. What can I say, will give'er the old college try.
# Posted on October 31st 2009 by sts