Rain did not stop bluegrass play
Posted by editor | Posted in 2009, Bluegrass, Josh Goforth, Maiden City Festival | Posted on 01-08-2009
Tags: Acoustic Grass, Broken String Band, Culture, Drama, Josh Goforth, Knotty Pine Band, Londonderry, Maiden City Festival, Niall Toner Band, Siege of Londonderry, Woodbine
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Well it wasn’t a dry start to the Maiden City Festival. Rain, however, could not stop play. The first Siege Story was on the Walls today and some braved the wind and heavy showers to enjoy the dramatic interpretation of the Siege of Londonderry 1688-1689.
The Bluegrass Bands were in danger of being washed away, and moved under cover. None the worse, shoppers and visitors enjoyed a great range of bluegrass and old time music.
The Knotty Pine Band played at Louis’s Cafe.
Woodbine took cover at the entrance to the Millennium Forum (above) while the Niall Toner Band sheltered in the Foyleside Centre, Acoustic Grass in the Richmond Centre and the Broken String Band took shelter under the arch of Magazine Gate at Guildhall Square.
Meanwhile Josh Goforth provided conversation on Mountain Life and Music. A native of Madison County, North Carolina, Josh talked of family, community and the music to which he listened as he grew up.
Josh provided a unique contribution to the opening of the Festival and the launch of the Three Cheers for “The Derrys” programme being hosted by the Playhouse Theatre in the coming week. More about “The Derrys” on Monday. For now, Josh sang a new song he has written which perfectly brought together the elements of “The Derrys” programme; history and community. He explains the background to the song on the clip below. While “The Derrys” programme has in mind those who fought and died, or were scarred, in World War 1, Josh brings to mind all those who leave to go “Far across the sea”. Our thoughts are with all those fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and any theatre of conflict where loved-ones are parted.
