Loughstock

Loughstock Four Score: Mudcat Gathering and Birthday Party (Kate's 30th and Gordon's 50th)
Portaferry, Co. Down, N. Ireland.
3rd - 5th February 2005.

What the hell's a Mudcat?
It's a fish. When combined with the word café it's also an Internet (folk and blues) music forum that also hosts the Digital Tradition song database. People who frequent this discussion forum also tend to meet in real-life to play tunes, sing songs and enjoy the crack. There're gatherings held all over the place, including an annual roaming Eurogathering on the first weekend in May (date non-negotiable). This is the fourth one to be held in Portaferry, and it coincides with 2 birthdays of significance: Kate's 30th and Gordon's 50th.

What's all this about crack?
Crack, or craic, depending on your favourite etymology, means having a few jars (alcoholic beverages) and a few yarns (tales and conversations), often involving an informal get-together where people can play traditional* music or sing traditional* songs.

What if I don't like that diddly-dee music?
You heathen! You philistine! You infidel! Etc. Okay, so this year might see birthday attendees who have a mortal fear of all things fiddle-y and accordian-esque, but there are other things to do like drink Guinness, admire the scenery, or try and avoid the weekend pub fights (we will only be in nice pubs where people are far from uncouth - in fact, they're very couth indeed). There's going to be poker playing too, so start saving. It's only a hop and a skip to Belfast, so escape is simple.

Who's Kate and who's Gordon?
They are members of the aforementioned Mudcat Café. Kate (also known as Fibula Mattock, or Fibs) is a former Portaferryian and squeaky newbie fiddle player who only knows one reel. Gordon (also known as Bassic) is a kick-ass cello player from Oop North who can turn his hand to any stringed instrument and make the angels weep with glory.


And just how much will all this cost...?
Ahhh, that's the nice part. Blessed is Easyjet, purveyor of perpetually cheap flights (book early!) and blessed still is Barholm tourist hostel by the sea where beds are cheap and food is fried for your breakfast pleasure.