Richmond's three years as host to the National Folk Festival are now a glowing memory. Those of you who witnessed some part of it, and especially those who were involved in making it happen are no doubt pleased with how things turned out, and that's likely an understatement. It's truly a great achievement that something as uplifting and down-to-earth important as this made such a postive impact on our community, rising above the familiar cynicism and lines that divide us. I hope you spent at least a few sun-washed or star-struck hours on our stunning riverfront and were entertained and inspired by the artistry you witnessed, knowing the years of dedication and hard work that prefaced each wonderful performance.
The only regret one could reasonably take from such an experience is that we were always missing something worth seeing or hearing. Too many choices, too many things to learn, too many ways to find fulfillment. For me, it was the breathtaking common ground found by dancers Jason Samuels Smith and Pancrit Chitresh Das...the dusty western swing kicked up by fiddler Elana James and bassist Jake Erwin, and the deep emotional impact of a mortal angel named Maggie Ingram who at last found the long-overdue adulation of her own hometown. A lump grows in my throat just thinking about them and their purely and powerfully expressed faith. If you were there, you had your own special moments, I know. Those of us who were invested in the planning and execution of NFF 07 are surely dealing with mixed emotions, glad to take a deep breath but wistful that it'll be another whole year before the next one. And there will be a next one, with a new name but with the same focus on the brilliance and diversity of human creativity in whatever form it may take.
As a team leader for the last three years, I'd like to express my deep gratitude to the artist buddies, all 38 of you, who made sure everyone was where they needed to be at the right time, and were such good ambassadors for our city. Your contribution can't be overstated. And a hearty high five to Wheeler Wood and Elizabeth Roark who had the stressful task of jockeying the shuttle buses between the hotel and the festival stages against impossible odds, and they never got to enjoy a single moment on site. Thanks to Josh, Danna, Becki, Mike and Dennis of the National Council for the Traditional Arts who brought their experience and savvy to our city and showed us how to think big and pull it off. Thank goodness you'll still be around to hold our hand as we strike out on our own in 2008. Kudos to festival manger Stephen Lecky for extreme grace under fire.
And finally, a slightly self-serving salute to my fellow JAMinc partners who put seven NFF artists and groups into 14 public and private schools last Friday and who set up four up-close and personal encounters in the Festival's Family Area Saturday and Sunday with the likes of Todd Hallawell and Robin Kessinger, The Sargent Family, The Company Store and Frank Coleman & Chris Fuller. You guys were great. So as they say, all good things must come to an end, but at least for this happy happening, it's only temporary. The wheels are already turning to bring it all back in the fall of next year...new name...same heady experience. It'll be here before we know it. Spread the word...it's the best thing that we've done. And with your help, it's here to stay.
TT
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