The Lady in the Lighthouse: The Catherine Gallagher Story

Cindy Campbell Stone presents the story and songs of Catherine Gallagher ( Mrs Edward Gallagher), the lighthouse keepers’ wife, who lived in the lighthouse at Chebucto Head at the mouth of Halifax Harbour from 1928-1950. A former school teacher, Catherine raised a family, and assisted in the war effort while living next door to a WWII barracks.

Catherine Gallagher (Mrs. Edward Gallagher) was one of the primary tradition bearers who worked with Dr. Helen Creighton. Her life changed when many of her songs were published by Helen and she became a performer on radio and in concerts for many years afterwards.

Friday, May 30: 12 noon-1pm

Spring Garden Road Library, program room

Cindy will focus on Catherine's life in story, song and a few photos. 

Tuesday, June 3: 7:30 pm

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

In this ‘live-performance style' program and slide show presentation , Cindy will focus on Catherine’s sea songs and ballads. Four of these songs, Chesapeake and the Shannon ( War of 1812), Henry Martyn (privateers), The Broken Ring (sailors’ promise) and The Golden Vanity (power and greed at sea), can be found on the Songs of the Sea CD featuring traditional singers and field recordings from the Helen Creighton Collection (available for purchase).

Here is the link to the MMA website, and the Library website under Local History and Geneaology: Maritime Folklore Series.

For more information, contact Cindy at cindystoryteller@gmail.com

WTF: Pete Seeger Celebration with Clary Croft

WTF: What The Folk

Friday May 9th

Chebucto Coffee, 6430 Chebucto Road

6:30 gathering, 7pm performance

Peter "Pete" Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014) was an American folk singer and activist. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead Belly's "Goodnight Irene", which topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950. Members of the Weavers were blacklisted during the McCarthy Era. In the 1960s, Pete re-emerged on the public scene as a prominent singer of protest music in support of international disarmament, civil rights, counterculture and environmental causes. 

A prolific songwriter, his best-known songs include "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (with Joe Hickerson), "If I Had A Hammer / The Hammer Song" (with Lee Hays of The Weavers), and "Turn!Turn!Turn!" (lyrics adapted from Ecclesiastes). All have been recorded by many artists both in and outside the folk revival movement and are sung throughout the world. 

Pete was one of the folksingers most responsible for popularizing the spiritual "We Shall Overcome" (also recorded by Joan Baez and many other singer-activists) that became the acknowledged anthem of the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement. In the PBS American Masters episode "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song", Pete stated that it was he who changed the lyric from the traditional "We will overcome" to the more singable "We shall overcome".

Pete Seeger died on January 27, 2014, at the age of 94. According to his grandson, Kitama Cahill-Jackson, Pete died peacefully in his sleep around 9:30 p.m. at New York's Presbyterian Hospital, where he had been for six days. Family members were with him at the time of his death. Cahill-Jackson said Pete was still as active as ever, out chopping wood ten days prior to his death.

In a moving tribute, President Barack Obama noted that Pete had been called "America's tuning fork" and that he believed in "the power of song" to bring social change, "Over the years, Pete used his voice and his hammer to strike blows for workers' rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation, and he always invited us to sing along."

So... on Friday, May 9th... WTF! invites you to do just that! Join us please in a celebration of the life & legacy of Pete Seeger. Bring a Pete song or a story; maybe a song or story inspired by Pete and we'll pass the night in good company remembering Pete, reminiscing, laughing and best of all... lustily singing along.

Oh... and who better to lead us in this WTF! tribute to a man of unflinching integrity than our own man of unflinching integrity...

GUEST HOST CLARY CROFT 

... who actually met Pete and has some fascinating tales to tell. And a little black bird told me that there will be a world-premiere theatrical event involving Pete taking place on our WTF! stage too. Seating space will be at a premium but in the spirit of Pete... WE SHALL OVERCOME :) 

Margo

"For reminding us where we come from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful to Pete Seeger".

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. We meet every second and fourth Friday of the month at CHEBUCTO COFFEE, 6430 Chebucto Road, corner of Chebucto & Kline in Halifax where Mike's extraordinary culinary fare is approaching legendary status. Come early for a bite and stay for the entertainment which starts around 6:30 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation towards the Society's work.

WTF: Normal or abnormal hosts: Cindy Campbell Stone and Margo Carruthers, Helen Creighton Folklore Society, www.helencreighton.org

It Never Trains But It Pours at WTF!

Hi all,

 

Well... there's good news and there's bad news. The good news is that our next WTF! night on June 28th will feature the delightfully charming Pixie Currie and Kate Dunlay guest hosting their chosen theme of TRAIN songs and stories. Yayayay!!!! The bad news is that this will be the last WTF! night until September.  Awwwwwww!

 

So... for those of you who have been so generous with your praise for my weird little stories and have been begging for more... here is another... my gift to tide you over until we meet again. Names have not been changed to protect the innocent :)

 

                           IT NEVER TRAINS BUT IT POORS

 

Kate wiped her fevered brow and breathed a sigh of relief. Classes were finally over, marks had been handed out and she was free, free, free of all that academic bullspit for the summer. "I think I'll SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO or maybe THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. The CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO sounds like a plan too. I LIKE TRAINS. It really doesn't matter where I go. All I know is that I'M MOVIN' ON. CHOO CHOO CH' BOOGIE!!!"

 

As Kate was pondering her vacation, Pixie was reporting for work. She'd been on mandatory hiatus for a while after the WRECK OF THE OLD 97. "I don't know why I had to take the heat for that one", she grumbled. "I'VE BEEN WORKIN' ON THE RAILROAD since JOHN HENRY was a tadpole. I'd like to have seen him keep the beast on the track while tryin' to avoid BILL GROGAN'S GOAT. And I was only ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE too!!"

 

Kate, totally oblivious to the potential hazards of riding the rails, headed for the station. Unfortunately... in her haste to escape SMU, she forgot her purse. "Yikes! How will I get aTICKET TO RIDE now? "

 

So there she stood... forlornly... WAITING FOR A TRAIN as the conductor yelled GET ON BOARD, LITTLE CHILDREN. THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY. It's THE LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE today. Next one by will be THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL."

 

Kate wasn't planning to wait around all day for the MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA or worse... all night for a MORNINGTOWN RIDE. Yet... without her purse, she was penniless. "Ah ha!" she exclaimed in a lightbulb moment, " I'll hop that FREIGHT TRAIN belching over there."

 

And so she did.

 

Little did she know though that the ever reliable CASEY JONES had been replaced for this run by the newly re-instated Pixie who was none too pleased with the demotion. "Geez! I know I said I would TAKE THE "A" TRAIN but I didn't mean the A-hole train! What are ME AND BOBBY MCGEE gonna do now? There's gonna be one mean MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW in PETTICOAT JUNCTION tonight."

 

Yes... Pixie was pissed! She'd planned to be ROLLIN' IN her SWEET BABY'S ARMS in a few hours and now it looked like it could be days. Just then she got the ALL ABOARD sign from the stationmaster. "PEOPLE GET READY!" she snarled as the train pulled out onto THE ATCHESON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE line. "This ain't no PEACE TRAIN!"

 

Kate, blissfully unaware of the potential for impending disaster, opened up her fiddle case and smiled. "Well at least I didn't forget the most important thing. If worse comes to worst, I can always play a tune or sing for my supper. Just HEAR THAT LONESOME WHISTLE BLOW. Music to my ears. Reminds me of that melancholy set of slow airs I heard in Mabou last summer. I think I'll play them here and now to pass the time away."

 

And so she did.

 

But... the walls were thin so the fiddle sound carried and in the car ahead... Pixie was not amused. "Don't tell me we've got STRANGERS ON THE TRAIN again. Probably ONLY A HOBO but that ain't no HOBO'S LULLABYE. I'm not goin' one more mile listenin' to that infernal racket let alone 500 MILES!"

 

Kate was so well ensconced into her SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY that she didn't hear Pixie furiously shrieking GO TO SLEEP YOU WEARY HOBO. But she was soon roused out of her reverie by the sudden screeching of metal on metal as Pixie slammed on the brakes. In a matter of seconds, the boxcar door flew open and Pixie stormed in.

 

With eyes flashing and tongue lashing, Pixie, the TULSA QUEEN, exploded. "That were no ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL, my dear. Where I comes from, they hang folks for less crimes than that! I haven't heard the likes since THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN to the scrapyard. Even a cat being run over by a WAGON WHEEL would be more musical! And with that... Pixie tossed Kate unceremoniously off the train.

 

"But... but... we're in the middle of nowhere. And it's dark. You can't just leave me here."

 

"I can and I will," sneered Pixie. " But just so's you know... I'm not completely heartless. See them lights over  there? That there's the Big Apple. They got lots of folks like you livin' in the underground and makin' what they call (Pixie makes a most unbecoming face) music. I suggest you skeedaddle over there with your own kind."

 

And with that... Pixie stomped off, mounted the engine and in a belching cloud of soot chugged away laughing uproariously while singing TOOT TOOT TOOTSIE GOO' BYE in (almost) perfect time to the horn blasts. "DON'T SLEEP IN THE SUBWAY darlin'. You never know what might come a-creepycrawlin' late at night." Pixie's mood had brightened considerably.

 

The last thing Kate heard as the old train thundered into the distance was Pixie in full throttle... belting out KING OF THE ROAD at the top of her lungs. Kate, in a moment of absolutely unbiased academic reflection declared "Sheesh! And she said my music was nasty :)"

 

                                                 THE END

                                 (in more ways than one I fear :)

 

 

Happy summer guys & dolls and remember... if you choose to stay away from trains you'll never get the BOXCAR BLUES. Too late for Pixie and Kate I'm afraid. By now ... they're likely wishing they'd chosen a theme with a little less... ammunition :)

 

Xo Margo

 

 

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. We meet every second and fourth Friday of the month at CHEBUCTO COFFEE, 6430 Chebucto Road, corner of Chebucto & Kline in Halifax where Mike's extraordinary culinary fare is approaching legendary status. Come early for a bite and stay for the entertainment
which starts around 6:30 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation towards the Society's work.

 

Usual (or unusual) WTF Hosts: Cindy Campbell Stone and Margo Carruthers

  

Old and New at WTF!

Hi gang, We're nearing the end of April and that can mean only one thing... there's another scintillating WTF! evening ahead. Make sure you leave Friday, April 27th free for joining in the fun. Bring something OLD or something NEW because that's the theme this time. Perhaps you have an old favourite; maybe a favourite that's really old like a Child Ballad; or maybe you've written a great new song and want to share it with our legendary appreciative listening audience. Either way... we're here for you. Truth be told... we wouldn't be here without you :-) The music starts around 6:30pm and goes until a wee bit past 9:00pm. Mike suggests that if you are planning to partake of his culinary delights, you should consider coming early before the tables disappear to make room for us all. Then again... there's something charming about a room full of formerly sedate adults giggling hysterically while trying to delicately eat from bowls and plates precariously balanced on their laps. Do I hear "food fight" next :-) Xo Margo WTF! is a musical outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. We meet every second and fourth Friday of the month at CHEBUCTO COFFEE, 6430 Chebucto Road, corner of Chebucto & Kline in Halifax. As always... admission is by free-will donations towards the Society's work.

WTF: What The Folk! keeps FRIENDS close & ENEMIES even closer!!

The Helen Creighton Folklore Society Presents:
 
WTF: What The Folk! keeps FRIENDS close & ENEMIES even closer!!
folksongs . folktales . folkcraft . folklore

Friday, July 22nd
6:30pm Gathering and grabba cuppa
7:00 - 8:30pm – Performances
Just Us Cafe, 5896 Spring Garden Road
 
Our theme this week is
FRIENDS & ENEMIES & FAMILY TOO !
[ sometimes they’re one & the same ]


Simon and Garfunkel were HOMEWARD BOUND for a CELEBRATION with Kool & the Gang. It had been an arduous journey and they were famished! Unfortunately… it started raining cats & dogs just as they arrived.

Fortunately… Rihanna had an extra UMBRELLA so Paul & Art, warm & dry beneath, headed to the buffet table where they were REUNITED with all the Peaches and Herbs they could stomach.

They paused in their feeding frenzy when Betty White appeared looking like a drowned rat. She was mud from head to toe. “It’s Hot in Cleveland,” she said, “but I didn’t know it was so wet!”

“Peach?” offered Paul. Art seriously questioned Paul’s eyesight. He was sure that she hardly looked peachy at all. In fact… no one would ever have mistaken her for a Golden Girl!

“THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIE ND,” blubbered Betty. “THAT’S WHAT
FRIENDS ARE FOR,” said Paul, having spent many tedious hours in the recording studio with Dionne Warwick.

Meanwhile… unbeknownst to Dolly, Art had taken her COAT OF M ANY
COLOURS from the front porch and was on his way back with it for poor bedraggled Betty.

“So… this is what you TEACH YOUR CHILDRE N?”, said the boys from CSN, “It’s OK to steal?” “Oh, it’s hardly stealing, said Art’s Sister, Sledge, because
WE ARE FAMILY.

 
Format: Open mike unplugged. Cost: free will donation 
If you are free on Friday, please join us. Tell your friends and family. 
The space is cozy, the coffee is great and the fun is contagious!
 
Yours in folk,
Host/co-ordinators: Margo Carruthers 425-3828, Cindy Campbell 466-0157
 
WTF: What the Folk! meets, same time and place , every second and fourth Friday of the month.

A Maritime Ramble with Two Irishmen!

It's a Maritime Ramble with Mossie O'Scanlain and Cian O'Morain from Ireland!

Irish Workshop: Songs and Stories
Thursday, March 3rd, at 7:00 pm
The Rose & Kettle Concert Sessions, Cole Harbour Heritage Farm
Price: By donation as always

An Evening of Music, Song and Story
Friday, March 4th, at 8:00 pm
The Music Room, 6181 Lady Hammond Road, Halifax
Price: $20.00, tickets or further info call 240-5278, tickets at the door
Sponsor: An Cumann / The Irish Association of Nova Scotia

Irish Storytelling Workshop
A talk on the history and tradition of Irish storytelling in both English and Irish, as well as a sampling of the stories of Eamon Kelly. Some lively tunes will round out this afternoon.
Saturday, March 5, from 2-4pm, $20.00
St. Mary's University - Atrium Room AT216
Sponsors: Storytellers Circle of Halifax/ Dept. of Irish Studies SMU

Bio's:

Mossie Ó Scanláin was born at the foot of Mount Brandon on the Dingle
peninsula. He was immersed in Irish music and culture from the cradle
and has carried that with him despite having spent forty years as an
emigrant. He sings with passion the songs that he grew up with in his
native Corca Dhuibhne and relishes the opportunity to promote the
language and culture where ever he travels. He has released two
albums, written an autobiography in his native language and toured in
Australia, Europe and the US. Please take the opportunity to visit his
website at www.mossiescanlon.com


Cian Ó Móráin is one of the new generation of Irish musicians. Also
hailing from the Dingle peninsula he grew up surrounded by music and
song and from a young age developed a passion for Irish culture and
tradition. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing low whistles, guitar
and uilleann pipes. He was aware of Mossie's music through his CD's
and local radio and when Mossie returned from Australia sometime ago
they met by chance in a local bar.They quickly realized they had a
common love of the local music, song and language and the rest is
history.

Join these two natives, and let them take you back through the mists
of antiquity.

What the Folk! has all the Time in the World for YOU!

The Helen Creighton Folklore Society Presents:

WTF: What The Folk! has all the Time in the World for You
folksongs . folktales . folkcraft . folklore

Friday, January 28th
6:30pm Gathering and grabba cuppa
7:00 - 8:30pm - Performances
Just Us Cafe, 5896 Spring Garden Road


A folkie quiz!!!! Its about TIME!

____________ puts his TIME in a Bottle.
_____________ lives One Day at a TIME.
____________ turns to TIME for every purpose under Heaven.
______________ reassures us that we have TIME on Our Side.


ANSWERS: Choose from the following.
(a) Pete Seeger (b) Jim Croce (c) Mick & the Boys (d) Willie Nelson

BONUS:
_____________ go to a fair in Scarborough. They have lots of THYME.


Format: Open mike unplugged. Cost: free will donation
If you are free on Friday, please join us. Tell your friends and family.
The space is cozy, the coffee is great and the fun is contagious!

Yours in folk,
Host/co-ordinators: Margo Carruthers 425-3828, Cindy Campbell 466-0157

WTF: What the Folk! meets, same time and place , every second and
fourth Friday of the month.