Friday night and Saturday afternoon

Friday night's concert at Mandel Hall was nearly full. The hall is quite beautiful, with a balcony and Victorian architecture. And because I had connections, I had seats in the second row, so close I could see the rosin flying off the fiddle bow!

The concert starts with a bagpiper to call everyone to attention. I didn't take any pictures of the other performers because flash is not allowed during sets.

Kristen and Ezra announce the raffle ticket sales.

Kristen announces one of the acts.

On Saturday morning, I enjoyed Scandinavian dance music at Ida Noyes, especially this unique instrument which I had never heard of--called something like nickelharpen. Played with a bow like a fiddle, but keyed like an autoharp.

Upstairs in Ida Noyes, a workshop on styles of fiddle music was well-attended.

Later, a workshop on Irish social dance.

Downstairs, the food sales.

And the vendors area.



On the landings, impromptu jam sessions go on all day long.
Resting up now for tonight's concert!

At the Chicago Folk Festival

Welcome to the 2010 University of Chicago Folk Festival. Kristen hand-made this awesome banner, which is prominently displayed in the foyer of the Reynolds Club.


Down the hallway is Mandel Hall. Kristen chats with the ticket sellers.


A man buys tickets to tonight's show, while Kristen does some problem-solving.


Lots of phone calls to answer and arrangements to make.


A person could get hungry! A ham sandwich at the Medici Bakery is just the thing.





The view of the Midway from my room in I-House.

And socks again!

Since I will be traveling this week, and perhaps hanging around some as well, I decided to cast on another pair of socks. (Also, I am having a hard time powering through the final third or so of the Allegan sweater. Sweaters are so much responsibility! Socks always work.)

I had this yarn tucked away since last April, and it is knitting up even nicer than expected. And so wonderfully mindless, to just knit and knit.