Doc Rowe made his first visit to Ulverston last week, and presented a special compilation of clips from his film and video archive in the Hope And Anchor, home of the Furness Tradition session and one of the Festival's most popular venues. The idea was to introduce Doc to the local scene, to present the film as part of the build up the to the weekend festival, and to plot, plan and scheme.
The film included performances from Mike Waterson, Pete Bellamy, Louis Killen, Sam Sherry and others, and after a couple of glitches with the sound were dealt with, our audience were soon laughing and singing along with these lost giants of traditional music.
Doc had asked me, will we have a knowledgeable audience? I assured him that we would, and the comments and conversations that look place after the screening made that very clear. Most of our audience were themselves dancers, singers and musicians and many made the switch to the pub's other room to play. Doc has been in touch since, and sends his best to all with his thanks for the warm welcome and the music.
So, what next? Well, 2018 will be Furness Tradition Festival's 20th Anniversary. I was resident visual artist back then, and I've provided photos and video since, and I want to be involved in some way next year. The plan is to draw on the Doc Rowe Archive and what local material can be found, to present further events involving Doc, and to make new work that can compliment the festival.
http://furnesstradition.org.uk/
For anyone that missed it, here's a readily available sample of Doc's work..a glorious performance from Louis Killen at the Bridge in Newcastle..
https://youtu.be/WG6lxxtOn3M
And for dessert, a couple of my photos from the festival weekend. The trio is Raving Rock, led by my Seasoning colleague Mike Willoughby.
This year is the 80th anniversary of Hitler's cynical, disingenuous and ultimately murderous Entartete Kunst project. Kurt Schwitters was one of its' targets. We and our good friend Carolyn Francis were invited back to the Schwitters Merzbarn by Ian Hunter and Celia Larner to commemorate a dark moment by celebrating its' unwitting legacy along with Jens-Peter Voss, German Consulate General in Scotland and The North, and an eclectic mix of visitors including artists, students, activists and musicians. 
