Hello Campers!
I'm going to Zakopane, in Poland in August 'piggybacking' on a caving expedition. Our visit coincides with the XXXVII INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MOUNTAIN FOLKLORE ZAKOPANE 2005(!)
I don't suppose by any chance anyone has been to this festival in the past, and can tell me anything about it?
Well come on Janek, spill the beans!
What's it like? Is it worth taking an instrument? Will I have to drink myself senseless on plum brandy every night?
This is first and foremost a festival for Folk Song and Dance groups from mountaineous regions. It's very interesting from the point of view of Folklore, although it's nothing you would expect if you've been to Irish music festival. It's much more formalised, and in general the bands don't mix with the public. Unfortunately, not being on stage, you would most probably be marked as general public (i.e. as a punter). Still there is a chance of having a go with the musicians, who are generally friendly and helpful.
This is a high season in Zakopane, so the place is full of tourists, absolutely crowded. And the Festival is aimed at tourists, not at musicians. Also, you will most likely hear live Polish highland music every night in the pubs and restaurants. These will be paid musicians, but they are usually rather friendly towards anyone who is interested in the music (and not too drunk). Still, expect to be a bit looked down upon (to them you are just a tzeper, i.e. not-a-highlander).
No sessions as such, I'm afraid, unless you are extremely lucky and charismatic in befriending foreign musicians.
The problem is that flute is not a traditional instrument in these parts. You might learn some interesting tunes off the musicians anyway, though.
By the way, if you would like to set up a session, I should be free around the week-ends at that time. I happen to know a good flute player from the parts not so far from Zakopane. We might meet over and share some tunes, if you wish (tentative project - still don't know what my job will be like around the end of August).
Hi Janek, thanks for that. I sort of thought it was a bit unlikely to be like an Irish Festival, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I think I'll take my flute anyway, and if you did happen to be around then, and fancy having some tunes, that would be great. We're renting a house in Zakopane, and I'll have a car at my disposal, and I have no real plans yet, just hoping to get some nice mountain walks and listening to some of the music and seeing some of the Dance Groups.
As an aside, it turns out my son actually has a CD made by some Zakopane musicians with a reggae band called the Twinkle Brothers - a strange hybrid, but entertaining!
Mark
Oh, gosh, an oldie-goldie of Polish fusion music. Funny it ever got outside Poland. Yeah, it's a bit weird.
Good that you'll have a car there. The Tatra mountains can be bit packed at that time, and being independent in terms of transport will increase your choice of routes and things to see. If you need any help with good routes and where to see the scenery, my sis is a mountain guide and I am sure we can provide you with some information on events and sightseeing around.
I send you an e-mail, you can contact me directly.
The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland ~ Green with envy ~~~
I had a friend who taught Polish dance. She was always on about how people don't know real Polish folk music, as opposed to the ballroom stuff. I got some recordings of 'Highland' fiddle and bagpipe music and immediately fell in love. Ever since I've wanted to go and see the mountains, but also with an interest in 'timber', in particular spruce...
Hi, ceolachan! You're more than invited. Half of my friends are Polish folk dance instructors, I am not bad myself, also in mountain dances. It could turn out to be a really fun time for everyone!
This souds more than promising and I'd love to come along but unfortunately (as I know) it is 19-27 August - right in the middle of my holidays so I'll be 700 kilometers away. As I remember that it is a great Festival, full of music and fun, definitely a good place to hear lots of highland music from our region. Unfortunately it's usually very, very crowded - as Zakopane tends to be at this time.
but Mark, how long are you staying in Poland then? Just next weekend (2-4 September) there will be a great "Celtic" Music Festval at the Będzin Castle (also southern Poland, not that far from Zakopane). This will be three days of "Celtic" music, dance, session every night, lots of musicians and dancers from Poland and abroad.
That's a pity. Anyway, have a great time! I'm sure you'll love the area and the music.
PS Janek is a great backer, I'm sure just you two will make A session.
Damn, there goes my flute player. Hm, Barfly, you really disappointed me, after everything I went through with playing that flute you made me get addicted to...
Well, sigh, I'll try to coerce some other high-quality musicians to come over.
Guys, hope I see you in Zakopane,
And Barfly, hope I see you next week in Krakow, attending our gig You won't get away that easily then!
I was really looking forward to your gig in Bytom but I heard it didn't work out. Pity, pity, pity... Can't wait to see you again in action.
For now I can't promise to be in Krakow (some weekend plans are still being fixed) but I'll do my best, you know.
PS Once again congratulations on your deepening addiction!!
I'm so proud I could have a hand in this I have to practice some more backing so that one day we can switch instruments.
The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Hello Campers!
I'm going to Zakopane, in Poland in August 'piggybacking' on a caving expedition. Our visit coincides with the XXXVII INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MOUNTAIN FOLKLORE ZAKOPANE 2005(!)
I don't suppose by any chance anyone has been to this festival in the past, and can tell me anything about it?
Mark
# Posted on July 13th 2005 by Ottery
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Heh heh...guess again...
# Posted on July 13th 2005 by EastPole
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Well come on Janek, spill the beans!
What's it like? Is it worth taking an instrument? Will I have to drink myself senseless on plum brandy every night?
# Posted on July 13th 2005 by Ottery
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
As to plum brandy, no doubt about it.
As to music and instruments -
This is first and foremost a festival for Folk Song and Dance groups from mountaineous regions. It's very interesting from the point of view of Folklore, although it's nothing you would expect if you've been to Irish music festival. It's much more formalised, and in general the bands don't mix with the public. Unfortunately, not being on stage, you would most probably be marked as general public (i.e. as a punter). Still there is a chance of having a go with the musicians, who are generally friendly and helpful.
This is a high season in Zakopane, so the place is full of tourists, absolutely crowded. And the Festival is aimed at tourists, not at musicians. Also, you will most likely hear live Polish highland music every night in the pubs and restaurants. These will be paid musicians, but they are usually rather friendly towards anyone who is interested in the music (and not too drunk). Still, expect to be a bit looked down upon (to them you are just a tzeper, i.e. not-a-highlander).
No sessions as such, I'm afraid, unless you are extremely lucky and charismatic in befriending foreign musicians.
The problem is that flute is not a traditional instrument in these parts. You might learn some interesting tunes off the musicians anyway, though.
By the way, if you would like to set up a session, I should be free around the week-ends at that time. I happen to know a good flute player from the parts not so far from Zakopane. We might meet over and share some tunes, if you wish (tentative project - still don't know what my job will be like around the end of August).
Whaddya think?
# Posted on July 13th 2005 by EastPole
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Hi Janek, thanks for that. I sort of thought it was a bit unlikely to be like an Irish Festival, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I think I'll take my flute anyway, and if you did happen to be around then, and fancy having some tunes, that would be great. We're renting a house in Zakopane, and I'll have a car at my disposal, and I have no real plans yet, just hoping to get some nice mountain walks and listening to some of the music and seeing some of the Dance Groups.
As an aside, it turns out my son actually has a CD made by some Zakopane musicians with a reggae band called the Twinkle Brothers - a strange hybrid, but entertaining!
Mark
# Posted on July 13th 2005 by Ottery
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Oh, gosh, an oldie-goldie of Polish fusion music. Funny it ever got outside Poland. Yeah, it's a bit weird.
Good that you'll have a car there. The Tatra mountains can be bit packed at that time, and being independent in terms of transport will increase your choice of routes and things to see. If you need any help with good routes and where to see the scenery, my sis is a mountain guide and I am sure we can provide you with some information on events and sightseeing around.
I send you an e-mail, you can contact me directly.
# Posted on July 13th 2005 by EastPole
The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland ~ Green with envy ~~~
I had a friend who taught Polish dance. She was always on about how people don't know real Polish folk music, as opposed to the ballroom stuff. I got some recordings of 'Highland' fiddle and bagpipe music and immediately fell in love. Ever since I've wanted to go and see the mountains, but also with an interest in 'timber', in particular spruce...
ENVY! You lucky sod...
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by ceolachan
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Come along, ceolachan - everyone else is! The Polish Mountain music is terrific. We've got an enormous dacha.
Don't know about spruce though..
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by Ottery
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Hi, ceolachan! You're more than invited. Half of my friends are Polish folk dance instructors, I am not bad myself, also in mountain dances. It could turn out to be a really fun time for everyone!
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by EastPole
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
This souds more than promising and I'd love to come along but unfortunately (as I know) it is 19-27 August - right in the middle of my holidays so I'll be 700 kilometers away. As I remember that it is a great Festival, full of music and fun, definitely a good place to hear lots of highland music from our region. Unfortunately it's usually very, very crowded - as Zakopane tends to be at this time.
but Mark, how long are you staying in Poland then? Just next weekend (2-4 September) there will be a great "Celtic" Music Festval at the Będzin Castle (also southern Poland, not that far from Zakopane). This will be three days of "Celtic" music, dance, session every night, lots of musicians and dancers from Poland and abroad.
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by Barfly
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
That sounds very interesting, but we're only in Poland from the 20th-27th August....
Mark
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by Ottery
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
That's a pity. Anyway, have a great time! I'm sure you'll love the area and the music.
PS Janek is a great backer, I'm sure just you two will make A session.
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by Barfly
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
Damn, there goes my flute player. Hm, Barfly, you really disappointed me, after everything I went through with playing that flute you made me get addicted to...
Well, sigh, I'll try to coerce some other high-quality musicians to come over.
Guys, hope I see you in Zakopane,
And Barfly, hope I see you next week in Krakow, attending our gig
You won't get away that easily then!
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by EastPole
Re: The Blue Ridge Mountains of .... Poland
I was really looking forward to your gig in Bytom but I heard it didn't work out. Pity, pity, pity... Can't wait to see you again in action.
For now I can't promise to be in Krakow (some weekend plans are still being fixed) but I'll do my best, you know.
PS Once again congratulations on your deepening addiction!!
I have to practice some more backing so that one day we can switch instruments.
I'm so proud I could have a hand in this
# Posted on July 14th 2005 by Barfly