Wnbp’s Local Pulse We’re excited! To learn more about the Artisans’ Revival, tune in to Local Pulse this Saturday at 9:00 am when we’ll be talking with John Brown about it. And be sure to stop by on Saturday, August 6, when we’ll be broadcasting live on WNBP 1450AM & 106.1FM “The Legends!” from Inn Street.
Please scroll down to show #147 for interview with John Brown on the Inn Street Artisans Revival.
Critical Mass – Newburyport Commons; Are you excited yet? Hell ya!
Right now, we stand at a precipice of critical mass in creating history.
There are two things that I need to please ask each and everyone of you to do right now, or as soon as you can.
So Im going to get right to the point.
There is now an Inn Street Artisans Revival Facebook page.
I need everyone to please go there and like it. then share it.
Then please thank Liz U for do a fantastic job for stepping up and creating it and please support her in her ongoing efforts to promote this event all week long.
If you are not register, please do now.
A poll and conversation asking if you are excited about the Inn Street Artisans Revival has now been created by Joe Moakley Jr.
I need to please ask each and everyone of you to go to this poll and tell Joe, and the city, how excited, and proud, you are to be part of the first ever Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival 2016, NO MATTER THE OUTCOME.
I said it before, and Ill say it again. History is in the making.
And you are a part of it. Its something to be proud of, and don’t ever forget it!
BRYAN EATON/Staff photo John William Brown is on a committee that worked to bring more local vendors and local artists to locations on Inn Street during Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming instead of out-of-town vendors and sales displays.
Today begins an intensive promotional campaign with a featured article in todays Newburyport Daily News. It will be followed up Saturday morning just prior to the opening commencement of the Revival in a live broadcast interview with your’s truly on the WNBP’s Local Pulse Radio Show with Joe Dibiase at 9.a.m..
Since there will be numerous changes throughout the week with all the different Artisans, Musicians, Non-Profits and Performers that are scheduled, there will be plenty opportunity by the local promoters and press to feature different stories of all the diversity that the Inn Street Artisans Revival plans to bring to the area and festival.
I will be making a special effort to make sure the names of every Performer, Artisan and Participant of the Revival is given his due credit in coming forward and claiming their seat in the First Annual Inn Street Artisans Revival. There will be a follow up news article during the festival next week, as well as a live broadcast by Joe Dibiase at the Inn Street Stage on Saturday Morning, August 6th.
I am doing everything I can to make sure the schedules for Sunday and beyond are posted as SOON AS POSSIBLE! Please bare with me.
This is only the beginning. For those that have never did Yankee Homecoming before and are in it for the long haul, remember this. From over ten years of experience doing this festival, my best suggestion is take it slow and pace yourself. Drink plenty of water and try to get the right amount of sleep! And lastly, but most importantly, try to have fun.
If there is anything you need, please let me know. I am here…for you.
Because I’m gruff, I’m tough, and I’m ready to do battle!
We are taking it to the Street!
Yankee Homecoming is known as a weeklong event that caters to thousands of visitors.
But local artisans will get their due when the 59th edition unfolds this weekend.
A program called Inn Street Artisans Revival has been developed to make sure local artists, craftspeople and musicians get good billing in a valued local spot — Inn Street.
Organizers say attention to locals was championed because last year numerous vendors from national food chains and/or sales teams had prominent locations on Inn Street or Market Square.
Some local vendors expressed concern, pointing out that Yankee Homecoming started as an event by local talent.
So this year, Inn Street will be populated with many booths run by those from the Newburyport area.
“We want local artisans to have a good chance at success,” said John William Brown, a photographer who has spearheaded a greater recognition of local talent on Inn Street.
Yankee Homecoming starts Saturday and runs through Aug. 7.
Inn Street is a coveted locale for small businesses, and Homecoming organizers are encouraging the Inn Street Artisans Revival so local participants can find an audience.
Presentations will include appearances by talented youth artists. The Artisans Revival will also host representatives of art, crafts and healing arts.
There will be an Inn Street Farmers Market and Culinary Arts.
Paul Swindlehurst, general chair of Yankee Homecoming, said, “Last year we did receive some criticism from local businesses about the Inn Street programming, particularly regarding out-of-town vendors. This year we headed in a whole new direction.
“John Brown stepped in and has an amazing group of local artisans, performers and small businesses that will hew closer to the original intent of Yankee Homecoming — a home-grown festival.
Also, local nonprofit and humanitarian organizations will be hosted.
The “Revival” starts Saturday about noon with a sacred circle dance led by Ellen Kennedy.
Other artists and/or performers Saturday are scheduled to include: ArtyParty, with Diane Soares; Endless Energy, Jeff Cohen; Plum Island art, Sandra Turner; Amy’s Creations, Amy Sciuto; At the Beach, Darlene Grady Duggan; Golden Closet, Laura and Megan Golden; Angela Chiklis; Jafra, Deb Pynknowski; Fun Face Express (face-painting by kids); Ariana Bahret, lifeline practitioner; and culinary arts, at the nearby Greek Church, John Tasakirgis.
Brown will be offering high-end photos at his stand near Market Square. Many are artistic shots of the Merrimack River and other naturalist selections.
Organizers say that healing arts will be represented.
Among those slated to participate include Roberta Hoseman (crystal/healing stones); Kristin Robinson, reflexology; Laurie Perkins, animal and medium readings; Ariana Bahret, energy healing; and Michelle Lomasney, massage.
Diane Gronbeck, co-owner of the Brass Lyon gift shop at the base of Inn Street, said, “Another Yankee Homecoming is just about here, and all of us will be ready for the another year.
– Artisans/Musicians; Platform for precedent setting plan for collective contributions to non-profits and humanitarian groups.
You are receiving this email because you are either participating in the Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival, or have expressed interest in it. If you feel you have received this notification by mistake, or no longer want to receive these updates, simply reply with ‘Remove” in the subject line.
So we have the Artisans. We have the musicians. And we will be talking and featuring about all of them in the days, months, and year ahead. But before we do, lets talk a little more about the Non-Profits and Humanitarians. What are they, who they are, and their role in the Artisans Revival.
Or shall I say, the role of the Artisan Revival with the Non-Profits and Humanitarians.
In the Newburyport Revival presentation given on June 8th, (https://spiritofnewburyport.wordpress.com/2016/06/29/artisan-revival-library-presentation/) there was what I referred to as an ‘aha moment’. A ‘critical mass’ moment in which a certain ‘understanding’ had been ‘realized’. Earlier in the evening a switch had been made in the order of presentation of speakers because the ‘non-profit’ representative, Beecher Grogan of Lucys Love Bus, had to leave early. So, in a last minute switch, I changed speaker positions with Ben Twombly’s historical perspective, and gave the first slot to Beecher. One of the first things that Beecher said was, “I’m still not sure exactly what I am doing here, or what Lucy’s Love Bus has to do with the Artisans Revival, but I’m just going to ‘go with it’ for now.
Beecher Grogan and John Brown share the ‘aha moment’ at the Newburyport Library Inn Street Artisans Revival presentation, June 8th, 2016.
The point that I was trying to make is after all the controversy, opinions, perceptions, and talk, at the end of the day, I didn’t want to lose focus on what the ‘real conversation’ should be about. I want to remember this point for myself, as well as anyone else for that matter. I’ve made the better part of my living off of Inn Street for the last ten years. The Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival, above and beyond anything else, has given me an opportunity to give back to the community in which I have depicted in my photographs and artwork for many years now, in a way that I never thought I could. It is for the artisans, the musicians, the dancers, the poets, everyone, but none more so than the program I have been developing for the non-profits and humanitarians, especially for the children. I know for some, with all my screaming and perceptions of the splash pad and kids, that this may come as a surprise or seem hypocritical. But its not. And if anyone has really listened to what I have had to say, you would clearly understand this. There is a place and time for everything and everyone. And with that said, it is now time to bring forth and clarify the Inn Street Artisans Revival’s program for the non-profits and humanitarian groups, especially those regarding children.
Above all the talk lately, there has been a constant overlaying viewpoint….how do we make it all work together? Somehow, the Revival takes it all, jumbles it all up together, and throws it all out there on the street. No one really knows how it will all work out, and I suppose we wont until next Saturday, or perhaps, long after Sunday, August 7th, when the dust finally settles.
But until then, I would like to take this opportunity to elaborate on the Non-Profit and Humanitarian program of the Revival. Its funny how things work out sometimes. Whats really interesting at this stage is that, the opening of the Revival is less than a few days away, and its still all being worked out. Cancellations, alterations, and other things have led to a ‘rethinking’ and utilization of the Inn Street area courtyard. The original plan for a farmers market and agricultural element of the Revival has all but been canceled. This is unfortunate because I had high hopes of this element and the true ‘Revival’ concept, to me, is not, nor will it ever be complete, without it. If the Revival takes root and continues to grow in its foundation for years to come, then the agriculture element must take root. (Pardon the pun). And if anyone is reading this and understands the plight and role of the agriculture and farming industry in this community, I hope that someone stands up, and comes forward in the years to come and make this happen. Maybe next year.
But the reason why I bring this up now is that it directly had to do with how the Non-Profit and Humanitarian platform has developed. Byron’s courtyard off of Inn Street had been ‘bartered for’ with the Market Square Craft Day organizer in order to raise more money and lend a better avenue for implementing the Farmers Market. Since the farmers market never got off the ground, I had to switch up some planning and began experimenting with the idea of using it as a ‘non-profit and humanitarian’ collective exhibit. Its funny sometimes how things come together. Sometimes the best plans are not planned at all, and evolve. Its a matter of going with it, and allowing things to develop on their own.
I even hesitate to be putting this all out there because it hasn’t fully come together yet, and everything depends on others to come forth and MAKE it happen. As a coordinator, you can only do so much. You can create the original idea, but you must allow it to grow and have the faith in others to stand up, come forward and FOLLOW through with what they say they will do. And until that happens, you can only plan so much.
Once again, its funny how things play themselves out. I have a friend who was one of the very first vendors to book a spot at the Revival. For months she struggled with her business and the commitment that would need to be taken to participate. She finally had to let it go just a couple weeks ago and back out. She wrote me and told me she couldn’t make it, but had someone that was willing to take her spot.
As I write this, I just got a phone call from Dyke Henderson from the Daily News. He’s doing a featured story on the Inn Street Artisans Revival. Set up an appointment for a photo opp at my kiosk on Inn Street for 3pm this afternoon. I told him it was so good to hear from him because personally, I believe this is the story of the year. He agreed. There will be more to this story and its glad to see the local press covering it.
Now, back to the story behind the story.
So Micheal contacts me and we instantly hit it off. Our visions were aligned and we talked about how we could collaborate on creating a fundraiser for the non-profits and humanitarian groups. He employs kids and trains them in face painting. He is going to be setting up his 10×20 tent in Byrons courtyard and we have decided to turn what was originally going to be an area for the farmers market into a ‘non-profit and humanitarian’ courtyard exhibit, anchored by Fun Face Express and kids painting kids faces supporting the non-profits and humanitarian groups participating in the Inn Street Artisans Revival by donating 10% of their proceeds.
Each non-profit that will be in the courtyard will be doing their own fundraising project. The featured non-profit on the opening day is Lucys Love Bus, coordinated by Kat Couree and her daughter Courtney. They will have their own face painter, Julie King of Samarra Painting, as well as conducting other creative projects along the lines of a children’s based creative art fundraising. They came forward and played an important role with these ideas and were instrumental in sewing the seeds for later development for the non-profit and humanitarian element of the Inn Street Artisans Revival. They have beautiful hearts and I highly encourage anyone to come on out to Byrons courtyard on Saturday and support this effort. Please talk about it at your booths, spread the message, along with your best sales pitches for the duration of the festival!
Because this was only the beginning.
After that first ‘aha moment’ at the library, things began to really snowball after that first meeting with Mike Trombly and Fun Face Express. There are going to be some great fundraisers being conducted in Byrons Courtyard all week long including Opportunity Works, Order of the Eastern Star, Big Ideas and Small Solutions, The Pink House Project, The Newburyport Artist Association, and the Greater Newburyport Village, just to name a few. Ill get into the some specifics of these organizations and projects in part two of this article.
But for now I just want to end this section by expanding the fundraising foundation awareness by including a voluntary only platform of Artisans, and Musicians by suggesting to conduct raffles, auctions, and the like in order to make one contribution to a non profit and humanitarian project group participating in the first ever Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival. This is not a requirement or expected of anyone. It is simply a volunteer effort, reflecting back the spirit of many volunteer efforts that come together to make Yankee Homecoming the festival that it is.
Ive learned so much this year about these people behind the scenes, and myself. The idea to send a big collective Artisan ‘win win’ message, that this is what the Revival is all about and this is the conversation that we should be having down on Inn Street.
Stay tuned for part two to an unprecedented Artisans Revival Voluntary Platform for Non-Profit and Humanitarian Fundraising activities.
Hope you are all getting excited for the start of the Inn Street Artisans Revival.
Things have really stacked up the past couple weeks and have not been able to do half as much work as I wanted to. But everything is being done in order to establish as much of a promotional foundation for the artisans, musicians, and non-profits as possible. A facebook page as been created and will be published any day. The foundation for the Yankee Homecoming web page has been established and I will make sure that every effort to post each and every participant before the start on Saturday. Every effort will be made to correct and misprints and links prior to the start. If your listing or ‘day in the sun’ is not created or posted before Saturday, every effort is being made to get it done prior to your scheduled day.
feature pages are now being worked on and will be posted as soon as possible and notifications will be sent once the publishing’s are made.
Schedules and postings will remain on the Yankee Homecoming page for the entire year, and will serve as the foundation to build off of in the future.
Just a couple quick notices for now. I will be sending out some extensive announcements shortly.
In the meantime, I just wanted to address a few guidelines beginning this weekend.
All spaces will be designated at the beginning of each day. I will be located at my Spirit of Newburyport (located at the rear entrance of Orange leaf on Inn Street) kiosk every morning at 7 a.m. Please report there to be assigned your location. If I am not there when you show up, I will be on Inn Street somewhere and will return there shortly. PLEASE have your booth set up by 10 a.m. every day. You must remain set up until at least 5 PM. Many artisans will be staying later and until I receive further notice, you may stay as late as you want. I myself will be staying till at least 9PM.
You may access Inn Street via the Inn Street parking lot off of Green Street. You may park curbside to unload. You may park in the paid parking lot, or use the waterfront parking lot off of Water Street.
Opening commencements will begin at noon on Saturday Morning. Again, I will be on Inn Street at 7 a.m., but have to leave to be at wnbp radio studios for an interview by 8:45. I will return at 9:15. There will be someone else present on Inn Street in the interim to assist with set ups ( I hope ; ). Bets bet, please arrive by 8 a.m.
I am making appointments all week with ANYONE that would like to go over their placements prior to set up. Don’t hesitate to call me.
Joe Dibiase of wnbp ‘Local Pulse’ Saturday morning show will also be doing a ‘live broadcast’ from the Inn Street Stage on Saturday Morning, August 6th. You heard it first right here.
There may be also some ‘firsts’ being announced over the next couple days.
I had some issues with my email over the past week. If you have tried to get in touch with me and I have not responded, please try again.
There are a few I have received and have not been able to return as of yet. Please be patient. I expected a last minute rush on things, but nothing ever prepared me for what has come out of this.
Im sure there are some guidelines that I have forgotten to include here so I am sure I will be posting another.
I also have two MAJOR publishing’s to post very shortly. One having to do with the format of an unprecedented opportunity platform being created by and for the Artisans and Musicians to lead a foundation of fundraising for the non profits and humanitarian groups of the Inn Street Artisans Revival. The outline for Byron’s Courtyard to be used for a non-profit and humanitarian fundraising ‘center’ has been set in place. Please stay tuned for this announcement if you wish to be part of this unprecedented move for an opportunity to set standards for an ‘Artisan Led’ fundraising platform for years to come.
I am also hoping to make one more MAJOR announcement prior to the kick off on Saturday. But keeping my fingers crossed that it pans out. One way or another, I will be talking about the ‘behind the scene’ plans that have been in the works in order to bring a major fundraising effort to the Newburyport waterfront, unlike anything ever seen here before. So if it doesn’t happen this year, we will try again next.
Either way, it has been an amazing effort by many sources to bring this all together. It has been exciting to say the least and I am both humbled and honored to have been a part of it all, regardless of the outcome.
More to come shortly, please stay tuned and know that every possible is being done in order to deliver the best promotion, coverage, and implementation of the first ever Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival.
If anyone has any questions, concerns or suggestions at all, please don’t hesitate to call or write.
As a photographer and artist who has lived in Newburyport since 1991 and who has owned a gallery on Inn Street for 8 years, I must say that I am very disappointed to see such a large increase in vending license fee. This change alone could be the last nail in the coffin for artists who don’t have a brick & mortor location in this city to show their work. Since moving here, I have listen to artists tell stories of being pushed from location to location because of luxury condo development, and now the increase in the license fee will surely keep them from ever establishing a presence on Inn Street, or any other outdoor location in this city for that matter. John Brown is correct when he talks about economic development being based around an “art” economy. Take a look at just two communities, Rockport, Ma, and Ogunqit, ME. They both have a huge art presence which brings in thousands of people who eat in the restaurants, and spend $$$ in all the other local shops. Even though Newburyport recently became a “Cultural District”, I haven’t seen any other overt effort by the city to support and advertise it’s art economy, other than the occasional comment about art from local officials. It’s almost like the local art economy doesn’t exist as far as the city is concerned.
In the eight years I’ve had my gallery, not one local city official has come into my gallery to ask me how things are going, ask me what the city can do better to promote the art community, or to buy a piece of art or a photo. The Mayor was in eight years ago when I had a Chamber ribbon cutting, but not since. And with all due respect to the Mayor, in contrast, Mayor Gray (and his wife) from Amesbury attends as many art openings and events as he possibly can because he understands how important an art economy is to the local economy. I know this because I have cosponsored art events in Amesbury and have talked with Mayor Gray at every event and listened to him expound on how great the the events are and how important it is for a locality to support it’s artists. If you’re inclined, give him a call and tell him I encouraged you to call.
About the only time I see any visible presence by a city official in an official capacity at an art event din Newburyport, is at the NAA, which is understandable because of the importance of that organization. But there are other galleries in this city that those same officials never go to! I currently have an exhibition of Harold Feinstein’s work, a very important American photographer (www.sweethavengallery.com, www.haroldfeinstein.com) who passed away last year and was a resident of Merrimac. I advertised in the Daily News, The Current, The Boston Globe North, and on line. Although not huge in size, this exhibit is huge in scope with Harold’s most iconic images which include original signed prints. Many people from out of town have come to see his work because of the advertising, but not one city official or head of any other major organization in this city has stepped through the door. We had an event on the 29th at the Firehouse which also got all the coverage I mentioned above, about Harold’s life and work, and it was a great success! But sans any city official in an official capacity showing support for the arts.
Every major city in this country and many, many small communities as well, support the arts in their communities to the best of their ability because they get it! Sad to say, but I don’t think this city really gets it. If you think I’m wrong, I’d love to hear your perspective.
What I’ve said isn’t meant as a complaint. I’m saying all of this as a matter of how I have experienced the art scene in Newburyport, including speaking with many other artists and how they feel and what they have experienced. Speaking as an artist, art is what we live for, it is who we are, we cannot live without it, and we want to share it with the community we live in and with the world. But if the city continues to give the art economy short shrift, how is that economy going to survive? This is what it says on this page (http://www.cityofnewburyport.com/office-of-arts-tourism-and-cultural-affairs) of the city web site “Welcome to Newburyport’s dynamic community of artists, award-winning writers, performers and craftsmen and women. Our thirteen art galleries, four museums, four theaters, four cultural centers and twelve performance spaces help in the creation of an energetic, vital streetscape for visitors and residents.” That’s basically all that is said about the arts in Newburyport. On this page (http://www.cityofnewburyport.com/office-of-arts-tourism-and-cultural-affairs/pages/annual-cultural-events) it lists cultural events for the year, including an event at the NAA and the Literary Festival. Not one mention of the 4 ArtWalk weekends which 12 galleries and 8 local business partners that support the arts participate in. Really?
And now the city wants to more than double the fee for the transient vendors license which is all but going to eliminate any possibility for any artist to have a presence on Inn Street. You might as well build a wall around Inn Street with a sign that says “Artists not welcome.” As I said earlier, the last nail in the coffin. John Brown has a great idea for turning Inn Street into a thriving arts scene as well as to make it a visual beautiful place that people will want to visit, unlike what it looks like now. Please consider what he has to say and what his vision is. It makes sense.
I implore you to reconsider how the license fee is calculated and to consider a sliding scale fee that is more appropriate to the type of business applying for a license. This community needs more art, not less. More art will bring in more people who will spend more $$$ in other businesses. If the fee is set to $1500, you will never see any artists on Inn Street again. Please, give that some thought when making your final decision.
Bcc’d are all in attendance at the first License and Permits Committee meeting discussing the Transient Vendors Licenses.
Forwarded here is the email from Councilor Eigerman which recaps of the meeting held on 7/6. His notes reflect well the concerns, questions and forward approach desired by those in attendance. If there is more to be added, please send them along and I will see that they are distributed.
In addition to the amended and comparison versions of the ordinance, please find an email letter from Jon Brown and notes from Ginny Roberts on the previous version.
I will be out of town until Tuesday, July 19th and will look to set up another meeting before the end of the month.
Please let me know your thoughts, concerns or questions.
As a result of the meeting held by the Committee on Licenses and Permits on July 6, here is another draft of the transient vending ordinance, plus a redline against the June 23 version you all had in front of you that night.
“Peddlers” are already covered elsewhere in our municpal code.
e.g. ice cream trucks because they stop for only 15 minutes at a time, and usually less.
Food/beverages are treated same as merchandise for purpose of these licenses.
However, ordinance clarifies that board of health permits may also be required, as already specified in other parts of our municipal code.
Similarly, if another part of our municipal code requires, say, a parks commission permit, that is in addition to a transient vendor license.
Instead of up to three licenses on Inn Street, the Licensing Commission could grant up to five licenses citywide.
Up to three licenses outside of downtown.
Parked vehicles would not be allowed on Inn Street, so that means up to three parked vehicles citywide (but not downtown).
The normal course is for the City Clerk to accept applications for the coming April-December season during the month of February.
Copy of application goes to city boards/commissions whose property would be specially affected (e.g. food truck parked in front of Atkinson Common), and they must send comments to License Commission within 20 days.
The License Commission’s decision on the applications is due by March 31, which is enough time for them to get ready.
The City Clerk publishes, posts, and mails notice of the public hearing.
The application processing fee is only $50 + $1 per property owner within 300 feet (who must get mailed notice).
e.g. Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, and the Yankee Homecoming Committee.
There is no $1,500 fee for such special licenses to charities.
The proposed amendments would add another $2 million of general comprehensive required for vehicles, due to the greater/different risks they pose.
Must staff their locations during licensed hours (max. remains 8:00 am to 9:00 pm), so location is not just advertising.
Must post a menu or price list.
Must either remove their vehicle/cart/structure at closing, or secure it in place, somehow.
Power remains with License Commission to revoke for specified violations.
More types of violations listed.
To afford post-deprivation due process, revokee may still appeal to the License Commission at a properly noticed, public hearing.
If a license is abandoned, surrendered, or revoked in season (April-December), then city clerk publishes, posts, and mails notice of its availability.
Clerk can take applications for all or part of the unexpired term, on a rolling basis.
License Commission must act on such rolling applications within 30 days of receipt, and need not wait for multiple applicants to file.
By writing a letter and paying $10 by the end of February, anyone can get notice of any and all transient vendor licenses that become available in a given year, including special licenses granted by the City Council, and also in season (April-December) abandonments, surrenders or revocations.
You are receiving this email due to your request or interest in the musical and street performer element of the Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival. If you have ended up on this list by mistake, or if you choose to no longer receive these updates, please reply with ‘REMOVE” in the subject line.
This update and notice has been initially sent to the ‘Musical and Street performer’ list of the Revival, but wanted to forward it to the Artisans as well in case any of you are interested or have friends that are willing to participate in this segment of the Inn Street Artisans Revival as well.
The Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Stage is now under the direction of the Inn Street Artisans Revival. For the past few months I have been collecting a talent pool of performers that have been interested in participating initially in the Revival segment beginning on Saturday, July 30th, 2016 thru August 7th. The Inn Street stage is being conducted and designed to be utilized as a ‘complimentary’ stage to the main Market Square stage. In other words, what we don’t want to create, as in years past, is a ‘conflict in sound’ between the two stages, especially due to their close proximity. There has also been concern among some brick and mortar businesses of the area in regards to ‘sound reverberation’. These conflicts have stymied the Inn Street Stage and its musical performances in the past few years. The effort of the Revival is to instead of phasing out and allowing the Inn Street musical portion of Yankee Homecoming to fizzle out and die altogether, is try to REVIVE IT, and give it some new life with a fresher and more logistical approach.
As someone who is exposed to the many great musical buskers of the year, I can attest to the many talented performers I see day after day who make their presence known by ‘singing and playing from the heart’. This is what I am after, and looking for when I am looking to book talent for the Inn Street stage. After the year of marketing and promoting for this segment of Yankee Homecoming, I am convinced that we can indeed ‘revive’ the Inn Street Stage and not only book it as a ‘complimentary’ performance stage, but to begin to turn the tide into a main source for some great alternative musical acts that are not available to be seen nor heard through the other musical stages of the Yankee Homecoming lineup.
1. limit the performance times to the ‘break down and set up’ times conducted by the main Market Square stage, (Half Hour performances) to begin with DURING THE MARKET SQUARE PERFORMANCES ONLY. Once the Market square performwnces are over for the day then we will have a different approach to scheduling.
3. have no more the two instruments amped at any one time, with NO BASS OR PERCUSSION’S. INITIALLY.
The scheduling for the Inn Street Sage will begin on Saturday 30th. We are looking to debut the Revival on that day even though most Yankee Homecoming events as well as musical performances are not scheduled to begin until Sunday, July 31st.
If you look at the Market Square Stage Schedule (link below), you will see the performance times. Performances are scheduled to run for one hour beginning at 11:00 A.M. till 5PM daily. At the end of the hour there will be a fifteen minute time allotment for breakdown of existing set, then a fifteen minute set up time allotment for the next performance. This half hour hour slot will be for scheduling Inn Street performances. However, you will note that not all time slots have been filled, and I would expect that not all slots will be filled by the start of the festival.
So this is how I would like to approach scheduling for the Inn Street Stage. I would like to begin with everyone forwarding as many days and time slots as they would prefer and capable of playing from July 30th to August 7th. I will then go from there to see how many of the slots I can fill. I would like to limit the slots initially to TWO a day. In other words, the initial limit (subject to change) for any one performer will be TWO, ONE HALF HOUR performances during the allotted time schedules daily. So, since the Market square performances begin at 11 am, I would like to begin the ‘morning’ portion of the performances on Inn Street at 10 AM. These would be very mellow, instrumental, piano, guitar or new age genre of music. This morning segment will be for a full hour. Then, seeing the first performance is scheduled at Market Sq at 11-12:00 noon. the second time slot would be from 12:00 noon to 12:30 PM. The next at 1:30-2:00 PM. See how that works according to the market square Stage schedule? Now, as far as the evening portion of the Inn Street Stage, I would like to see performances going all through the evening until 9 PM seeing that there will be less conflicts with both stages and brick and mortar businesses. So if you are available to play during the evening, the schedule is open at this particular time. Please keep in mind that this is a first time event and things will have to be adjusted and tweaked as it goes along. But it is also a great opportunity to get in on a first time event that may have a great opportunity of becoming an annual event with opportunity’s for paid performances beginning next year. If I remain as coordinator of the Revival for next year, you have my promise that this is going to be my main goal for the musical and street performing segment of the Inn Street Artisans Revival 2017.
One last point regarding the Inn Street Stage. An effort is being made to change up the feel, look and flow of the Inn Street Stage by creating an ‘Inn Street COURT and MUSICAL STAGE/TENT’. These alterations are just now being put forth as we enter the actual layout of all booked artisans and musical performances. The idea is to create a non-liner flow of traffic (Not just up and down Inn Street) but criss-crossing back and forth from the plaza and Byron’s courtyard. The first adjustment will be the location of the stage itself that may be set forward some from its original placement further back in the Plaza. This will give performers the ability to play directly to the passing crowd as the walk up and down Inn Street. If however you succeed in drawing a crowd that prefers to either sit at the fountain stairs or dance in the plaza, you will be able to directly face them there. Alongside the stage will be the ‘Musical Artisans Tent’ that hopefully will be manned by volunteers to peddle your ‘Music wares, c.d.’s, collect names and contacts for mailing list etc etc.”.
The other addition will be the placement of two food vending operations, the ‘Greek Church’ and Otto’s Pizza set back off the main Inn Street Pedestrian walkway (behind the Stage) and set in relative proximity to the stage in order to further create the concept of a ‘Courtyard’. This is designed to ‘draw’ people in off of Inn Street and invite them to ‘hang out’ and listen to the music. There are also plans to provide a limited number of ‘patio’ tables and chairs adjacent to the Stage area.
Across the stage area and adjacent to the food vendors, and alongside the back part of the fountain, will be a children’s workshop tent and table, an arty party.com (https://anartyparty.com/). There is also an invite out to WBNP radio to add to the courtyard placement. WNBP radio has been regular over the years on Inn Street doing live broadcast from their Inn Street Location. I am currently waiting to hear from the main director as to whether or not to accept this years invitation to participate in the first Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival. Regardless, plans for an alternative radio or internet broadcast is being made. The idea would be to have a source for live broadcast for music and interviews to be conducted from the Inn Street Stage Court.
So, in short, that’s it for this version of the first Inn Street Artisans Music and Performers Update for now. As you can see this is just the beginning and we are looking forward to creating an event that will ultimately be one of Yankee Homecomings highlights.
Thanks for your support and continued interest in the Revival. if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, or ideas to contribute to this portion of the program Id be very interested in hearing about your ideas. Please check us out online and in the recently published full color Yankee Homecoming program book, as well as all the informative links below to gain a better understanding on the who, whats, wheres and when’s of the Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival!!
Please get back to me ASAP with your request for days and times of your performances. Thank you!
Also, please forward any and all information regarding your act so that I can utilize this information in all press release, web page and marketing outlets.
This is juts a short update regarding yesterday posting of the Revivals ‘Opening Day Line Up’. If I didn’t make this clear enough, I apologize. Yesterdays postings of musicians and artisans were ONLY for the Opening day commencement on July 30th. ALL artisans and participants will be listed, updated, posted and promoted in every way feasible and possible according to the dates you have been booked for.
Once again, I will remind anyone that I simply do not have te time to retrieve or go looking for your web sites, facebooks, etc. If you have not sent me ‘feature ‘ material, bios, or related material, Please do Now.
Musicians. For those that have not responded as of yet. Please get me your preferred dates and times asap. Than you.
I was sent the following this morning. I don’t know how finds them,…but she always has the most pertinent song to share with me.
Hang on. We are almost there.
Once again, for those that are new to this email list, if however you have ended up here by mistake or no longer wish to receive the Revival updates, please reply with ‘remove’ in the subject line.
It is my pleasure to announce the opening commencement for the Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival on July 30th, 2016 at 12:00 P.M. noon.
The Inn Street Artisans Revival is a first time event. It was aimed at empowering a more local based arts and crafts inn Street sponsorship of the largest festival in Newburyport, Yankee Homecoming. It is a collection of artisans, small business, healers, musicians, and non-profits and humanitarian groups from Newburyport and the surrounding area.
A separate page featuring the artisans in more detail will be presented shortly prior to the Opening of the Revival. There will be different Artisans featured on different days of the Revival, with upwards of over thirty artisans participating in the Revival overall. All scheduled appearances will be featured shortly.
For now I would like to give my thanks and appreciation for the initial core of the Artisans that have signed on for this first time event and for coming forward and claiming their space at the first Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival. Without you, this event would not have been possible.
More ‘Featured’ Artisans details and specifics to be posted shortly.
Pleas stay tuned for a complete listing shortly.
“We are revitalizing Yankee Homecoming 2016 with the original intent and vision of Jack Frost, the man and artist who envisioned the very first Yankee Homecoming in 1958. A festival that was motivated and engineered by local business, community, and volunteers to serve as a revival of local, arts and craft co-creative, community based-sustainable economics.
This dedication will mark the official opening of the Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival 2016.
Following the dedication will be a sacred circle dance led by Ellen Kennedy, representing the performing arts portion of the Revival.
At 1 P.M., featured musician, Lewis Flores, a local, yet, world renown violinist, will be kicking off the musical portion of the Artisans Revival. Lewis Flores has performed internationally with some of the foremost orchestras and philharmonics. Lewis has immense versatility as a performer across a broad spectrum of musical styles and is comfortable performing in venues from small intimate gatherings to concert halls. Lewis’ performances consistently earn him high praise for his ability to connect with the music and his audience.
I first saw Lewis from my Inn Street Art cart a couple years ago as he performed an impromptu street appearance at Market Square. I would have to say that the dream of seeing him perform as part of a ‘Buskers Stage’ on Inn Street began there. A couple weeks ago, my girlfriend (who practically hobbled across the street just to see him as she was preparing for back surgery) and I happened across a performance at Market Square once again. One of the traits that I wanted to see and hear from the musicians of the Revival was ‘playing from the heart’. I could not have seen someone who better personifies this trait. This time I invited him to play as part of the Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival. As it has turned out, he has now become the featured performer to kick off the Artisans Revival. If you enjoy music that personifies the ‘spirit of love and appreciation of the arts,..do not miss this performance. I will have more to feature regarding this performance, and others, in the days ahead. Please stay tuned.
A little more about Lewis, a local performer.
Lewis has been studying and playing the violin for more 20 years, having begun at the age of 9 with the Juan José Landaeta Youth Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela. Very early in his career, Lewis was asked to join the first violin section of the National Children’s Orchestra of Venezuela under the direction of Gustavo Medina and later Gregory Carreño. At the age of twelve, Lewis auditioned for the Antonio Laura Symphony Orchestra of Bolivar State and became one of the youngest concertmasters in the history of the orchestra. Lewis was blessed to participate in many national and international events during this time and toured with the orchestra in Columbia, Brazil, Costa Rica, London, and Italy.
In recent years, Lewis has performed as a soloist by invitation with many symphony orchestras and has been invited to participate in a number of masterclasses. He has worked with many prominent international maestros including Steven Mxioren (Vienna Philharmonic), Marilú Speaker (The New England Conservatory), Jose Francisco del Castillo (The Latin American Violin Academy) and Olaf Easling (Concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Venezuela).
Currently, in addition to his work as a premier soloist, Lewis serves as the Artistic Conductor for the Juan José Landaeta Youth Chamber Orchestra and a Professor of Violin for both the Conservatory of Music Carlos Afandor Real and Bolivar City Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Also performing att he Inn Street Stage; The Flying Toaster Brothers 3 P.M.
Steve Nicolas (Salisbury MA) has been playing fingerstyle acoustic and electric guitar for nearly 40 years. He has recorded with the Vermont band The Ultra Brothers, and their album has had a lot of college radio play.
As a duo we are focused on instrumental duets from Duane Allman’s “Little Martha” to originals by Pete Huttlinger and adaptations of well known tunes such as “And I Love Her.” I accompany Steve on mandolin, fiddle, low D whistle and open tuned guitar. I also sing.
Patrick Hornig (Merrimac MA) I taught myself fiddle and won first place in the open division of the 19th annual Craftsbury VT Fiddle Contest after playing for only 6 months in 1981. I am a multi-instrumentalist and composer as well as producer. I was a two time finalist for Best Sound Design at the New Hampshire Theater Awards and produced a CD for the Shakespearean troupe Advice to the Players. The CD included my original works based on traditional English folk music and Early music as well as electronica .
Also for the past 30 plus years I have been a member of the band Speed the Plough and produced a self titled CD of traditional and original works in 2013.
There will be readings and sale of a featured book, and other arts and crafts for children.
at the Newburyport Library Presentation on June 8th, 2016.
Order of the Eastern Star is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. They have active chapters in both Newburyport and Haverhill, MA and support youth groups for girls (International Order of the Rainbow for Girls) and boys (DeMolay). Their service to our communities includes collecting food and clothing for homeless shelters, raising money for the American Cancer Society, MDA, Diabetes Foundation, no-kill animal shelters and much more.
More will be featured on this special event, as well as all other artisans, Musicians, Non – Profits and Humanitarians and demonstration. Please stay tuned.