It was July 27th 2000 when I set off from Toronto to begin my new life in St. John's. So, as my one-year anniversary is approaching it seemed a good time to share some reflections from my first year here enjoying the musical life of St. John's.

I first heard about the St. John's Folk Arts Council from my good friends Jim and Lillian Fidler whom I was lucky enough to meet in Toronto and lived with for my first month in town. By the way, it was Jim who dubbed me the "Downtown Girl." Since he wrote the song, who am I to argue? On my first visit to The Ship Inn, I was greeted warmly by people whom I had met only days earlier (including Jean Knowles). Everyone did their best to make me welcome. Over the subsequent weeks I became a regular attendee and the quality of the music blew me away. Coming from Liverpool I was used to excellent live music of all kinds but in moving round England and then Canada I had forgotten just how good traditional live music could be. Wednesday quickly became my favorite night of the week. From the very beginning I was particularly impressed by the sessions between sets and quickly became a fan of Stan Pickett, Colin Carrigan, Rick West, Frank Maher, Greg Walsh, Mike Hanrahan, Dave Penny (with or without his famous hat), Rob Brown... and pretty much everyone else I ever heard play during the breaks!!

When Bridget asked if would I try my hand at hosting an evening or two I was delighted. Over the next few months I had the happy privilege of hosting for a variety of musicians. One night in the winter I even did "double duty" as doorperson / host for Larry Foley! I had only ever heard him play with The Punters before that night and was a fan of the band. But hearing him play solo was a real treat. It was an example of one of the things I really like about folk night in that you get the opportunity to hear the versatility of local musicians whether it is because they are playing in a different style than their more regular gigs or because they are with a group of musicians they are not known for performing with. The Mad Hatter nights are also a great example of this.

Other highlights of my musical year included helping Jim and Lillian Fidler put together the launch for Atlantic Union's debut CD at The Ship on August 3, 2000 and being decorator / Stage Manager / M.C. for Jim Fidler on November 16, 2000 at the launch of his amazing CD Friendly Fire at O'Reilly's. Both events were wonderful opportunities for me to play an active part in supporting musicians whose music I admire. In Jim's case it was also a chance for us to transform O'Reilly's for an evening by hanging instruments from the ceiling, filling the air with incense, hand painting posters for the pillars, making table cloths and filling the place with floating candles and sea glass - not to mention the Town Crier and bagpipes!!!

In a year filled with new musical experiences I have also spent many a happy night at Erin's, O'Reilly's or, more recently, Bridie Molloy's, listening to Sons of Erin, Irish Descendants, Shanneyganock, The Navigators, Connemara, The Punters, and the Masterless Men. I've also enjoyed wonderful solo performances in a variety of venues by Jim Fidler, Dermot O'Reilly, Fergus O'Byrne, Chuck Lewis, Ron Hynes, Chris Andrews, Mark Hiscock and Paul Ronayne.

As I look forward to the 25th Annual St. John's Folk Festival, I can look back happily on an eventful year filled with new friends, new experiences and wonderful, wonderful music. Many thanks and a big hug to everyone who has made my first year in St. John's such a great experience. I look forward to seeing you all soon, "Downtown".