Orange Gearle: winter park folk fest

Can you say rain? It rained ALL day. Sometimes it poured, sometimes it sprinkled, but it rained all day. It was also only 50 degrees. Actually, we could see our breath! Hollyanne and I bought cowboy hats (orange and pink, of course) for the event today. They did keep our hair fairly dry...and we looked cute. :-)

Despite the rain, Hollyanne and I saw all but one of the groups on the bill. We heard Julie Hoest, Jami Lunde Band (AKA Awnry Girl, the producer of this festival), Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart, Chatham County Line and The Mammals. Most everyone sang their own tunes, but there were a few covers that were also enjoyable.

(above) Jami Lunde band performs a Son Volt cover.

Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart were wonderful, as expected. Each time that I have seen them they have sang The Old Gospel Ship. They sing it at the end of the show and they sing it a cappella. Well, just before they ended their portion of the program they showered us with appreciation for coming out and listening in the rain. Then they set down their instruments, came out into the audience (and rain) and sang The Old Gospel Ship.

(below) I absolutely love the way Mark and Stacey look at each other when they perform. I don't even care if it's fake. They really seem to love each other -- and like each other too. If only everyone could be as lucky.

After Mark and Stacey performed we went back to the hotel to warm up. I purchased some laundry detergent and washed and dried our jeans, coats, blanket, etc. While they were washing and drying we listened a bit from our hotel. Did I mention that our hotel is right next to the venue? We can actually see the stage from the balcony.

We missed Tres Chicas entire set -- we heard them from the balcony, but didn't "see them" to take pictures. We attempted to go back out for Chatham County Line. They were very blue grassy. Enjoyable. We both liked them, but it began to pour again, so we only stayed for a portion of their set. While we listened to them there was a very cute little boy that went up toward the stage and picked up a painted guitar (with no strings - meant to be decoration) and began to "play" it. Very cute.

Almost immediately after we came back from Chatham County Line, the rain let up a bit and the sun tried to come out. So I went back alone (Hollyanne was sick of the rain) and watched The Mammals. They are not easy to describe. They aren't really country, blue grass or folk. They are all that and a bit of rock and roll, I suppose. They are very interesting to listen to. One of their songs was a bit political - The Bush Boys. After listening to that one, I decided to purchase the CD. Did I mention that Grand County (the county containing Winter Park) is a very red county?? I'm thinking the song went over well with some, and not so well with others. The Mammals ended todays portion of the Folk Fest, however, there was an after party.

The party was to begin at 8pm. Hollyanne and I were hungry so we went to the Voodoo Lounge a bit earlier, around 7:15. We gave them our $10 tickets and sat down in the dry chairs at the dry table right in front of the "stage". Tom Freund was setting things up as we were eating our food. Tom Freund is amazing. He will be playing tomorrow at the festival, but we got a sneak preview tonight at the Voodoo Lounge.

While we were waiting for the show to begin, a few guys came to the door. The man taking tickets explained that there was a $10 cover. They grumbled a bit about that. The man at the door explained that there were going to be a bunch of musicians and that it would be worth it. He was interrupted by the grumbling guys and they said, "I don't mind the music, I just don't like their attitudes." My guess? He voted for Bush. Disgruntled, they left.

Everyone from earlier in the day ended up showing up at the Voodoo Lounge. (except Chatham County Line, they had to leave for another gig) Everyone that will be performing tomorrow (except one, I think) showed up as well, including John Gorka. So tonight was several hours of awesome entertainment. It was like one big jam session. Tom Freund started it all off with a long set. His daughter and partner were there also. His daughter is only about 3 or so, I would imagine. She and her mother left part way through his set. Mark Stuart sat with us for the beginning of the "show". Stacey sat with her neice (Tom Freund's significant other). I bought one of Tom's CDs. I may purchase another tomorrow. By far, he has been the best I have heard since I've been here.