Holiday Folk Fest a Big Success!

We had a great evening of music at the Holiday Folk Fest last Saturday evening. Held at the middle school, it was the type of evening that can make you amazed by all the creative talent and warm community spirit that exist right here in Barrington.  There are 'soooo' many people who came together to make it such a great evening.  

Many people of all ages came out, on a busy December weekend night, to enjoy the show.  There were many children there, either listening or playing in the designated kids' room.  We were graced by several elders of our community, who were smiling and tapping their feet throughout.  We had high school students who came out to enjoy the scene and watch their friends perform.  And we had many adults who, after a long workweek, came to relax, enjoy the music, and eat cookies!

We raised a lot of money for a great cause: to reopen the second floor to the community center on Narragansett Ave in West Barrington.  The Arts and Cultural center for Barrington is a dream that is approaching reality... thanks to efforts like the one we all saw Saturday night.

What else can we say but Thanks!

First, thanks to the awesome and generous musicians.  There's no show without you all:  

Pat McGee and Pat McAloon performed a super tight and awesome set of original songs. Great voices. Great guitar work. Really great to have them plugged in to our local folk efforts.

Debra Mann Trio played a set of cool jazz. They were so polished and, well, cool. Everyone loved them. They added so much class to the show!

Mark Whittaker performed original folk with different configurations of friends and students. His mentorship to local musicans and others is a community treasure.

No Strings Attached, the a cappella group from the high school, came in and sang two songs for us. They have so much poise, spirit, and joyfulness. They just rocked.

Bay Spring Folk, the band I'm in, well we had a great deal of fun, as always.  We just love to play and perform together. Such a great group of friends.  

Town Support  

Plus, we had tremendous help and support from John Taylor (and Claudia!) at the Parks and Rec. Dept., as well as Kathy Sullivan at The BAY Team.

We appreciate the support of town leadership, with the presence of Kate Weymouth and Cindy Coyne.  Thanks you two for all you do!

Community Center  

Many thanks to the volunteer board of the community center.  Currently named the Bay Spring Community Center, this board is working hard to organize and raise money to reopen the second floor of this awesome building over on Narragansett Avenue in West Barrington. The idea is to create a center for Arts and Culture for ALL of Barrington. This evening marked a big step in that direction.

The community center board was responsible for all the AMAZING cookies and baked goods out front.  Many, many thanks to Susan Wood, Gia Drummy, Patty Hopkinson, Mike Malik, Dave Parkhurst, and Pete Gray (board chair). Also helping out in the efforts were Liana Cassar, Patty & Dave Gardner, Naomi Malik, Annie Deslaurier, Scott Weymouth, and Don Morton.

Volunteers  

 We also had tons of volunteer support from the Brew Crew: Brian Seeley, Dave Cousins, Wayne Belanger, and Jeff Bayzuk. Great work on sound and recording... and carrying stuff :-D

Many thanks to the elves who helped us greet and seat everyone (Maxon, Jamie, Adeline, Maria, Margaret, Lilly, and Julia).  And thanks to the babysitters (Jessica, Cali, and Sydey).

And, of course, thanks to Bob Robertson as Santa (shhh! Don't tell).

The Local Brew Events

You guys were, as always, such an awesome group to be a part of.  You guys rock. Sydney the Princess of PR, Greg the Doctor of Musicology, Gary the Professor, and John the Gene Simmons of W. Barrington.  So much fun to work with you guys. Can't wait for our next show!