ecmas

The SJFAC was delighted to hear that Dorman Ralph posthumously received The Stompin' Tom Award at the ECMA held in February in Charlottetown, PEI. Blind from birth, traditional singer Dorman Ralph learned songs from family and phonograph recordings. His participation in the Folk Club of the St. John's Folk Arts Council led to numerous appearances at folk festivals throughout Atlantic Canada. During some of Dorman's powerful performances in 1986, folklorist and musician Peter Narváez made a series of Dorman's recordings and later produced a CD in 1999. This recording, the drive to erect a proper gravestone in his honour, and the dedication of the 1999 Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival are testimonies to the vitality of his legacy.

At the same event, Harry Hibbs was honoured with the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievment Award.

We also congratulate Damhnait Doyle on her roaring success at this year's ECMA. She won the awards for Single Female Artist, Pop/Rock and best Video.

The Fables scored the Entertainer of the Year.

The Ennis Sisters signed a contract with a major label and received the Roots/Traditional Award.

Classical Recording Award winner was the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir.

Congratulations to All from the St. John's Folk Arts Council.



Noteworthy Publications

The Folklore Department at Memorial is set to re-publish Ballads and Sea Songs of Newfoundland (Elizabeth Bristol Greenleaf and Grace Yarrow Mansfield). The book has some new editorial content, but for the most part it's exactly as originally published. It will contain blurbs from some SJFAC members and friends. The cover is being designed by Helen Houston, who works in Linda Russell's office at MUN.

The Folklore Department is also publishing a book of selected essays by Dr. Herbert Halpert, who is largely credited with helping establish the Folklore Department.

Dr. Halpert died on December 29th, 2000. He began teaching folklore courses in MUN's English Department in 1962. After the Folklore Department was established, he taught there until the late 1970s. He continued at the university as professor emeritus and guest lecturer, and continued writing until 1992.



Heritage Day

In 1974 Heritage Canada launched a campaign for a national holiday on the 3rd Monday in February to boost public awareness of our heritage. The campaign to establish Heritage Day as a national holiday continues to the present time. Since 1974 Heritage Canada has encouraged Canadians to celebrate Heritage Day each year.

The St. John's Folk Arts Council participated in the fourth annual Heritage Day celebrations at St. John's City Hall, hosted by The Heritage Foundation of Newfound-land and Labrador on February 19th. Heritage Day is a chance for various organizations to set up a display and talk with others about programs and projects of interest to the community.

I took part in the annual Heritage Day at City Hall, along with various other groups such as the Protected Areas Association, Maritime History, Colony of Avalon, plus many more. The SJFAC display consisted of photos, programs from the past 24 folk festivals, brochures and a display board (the handiwork of Rob Brown & Michelle Brophy). Turnout was very small. Only about 25 adults showed; St. Bon's sent a group of grade 5 and 6 students. Even though not many people attended, I believe it is an important event. Celebrating and promoting our culture at any time is worthwhile.

- Bridget Noonan