It’s 11 days before Sailfest 2008 kicks off and Barbara Neff’s State Street office is, in a word, nuts.
Neff is in the Sailfest “War Room” making last-minute edits to the program for the 31st edition of New London’s annual summer weekender.
“Sean!” Neff yells to Sean Murray, local music promoter and designer of the Sailfest program. “You forgot to add the New London Firefighters Pipes and Drums.”
Murray, at a computer in the main office, answers that he didn’t see any information on the bagpipe-playing firefighters.
“There’s a Web site,” Neff shouts, as more phones ring, and a secretary enters the office, carefully not stepping on the large banner unfurled on the floor.
This is the 11th year Neff has organized Sailfest, which will begin on Friday at 4 p.m. and end on Sunday at 7 p.m. with the reliably brilliant New London-Groton fireworks display on Saturday night at 9:20 p.m.
Despite the madness before the festival and the hand-wringing from some in the city after it, who don’t find much charm amid the fried dough and meat on a stick, Neff still likes putting on Sailfest.
“The promoters and bands and the vendors,” she said. “They are all great to work with.”
Neff, though, makes a point to talk to the downtown business owners, some of whom see meager sales during the three-day festival that draws 300,000 to the city center.
“We’ve addressed some of their concerns,” she said.
For instance, there will be less outside food vendors this week, offering downtown restaurants a chance to cash in on the crowds.
Also, some wanted to see more sails in Sailfest, as the nautical aspect of the event will this year emerge out of the horse latitudes.
“We are going to have a tall ship,” Neff said, “and a boat show.”
While the schooner Virginia is docked at Custom House Pier, there will be a boat show put on by Bassett Boat Company.
Plus, there will be tour boats and guides offering rides to view Thames River’s two historic lighthouses, Ledge Light and New London Light.
And for the day after, Neff has secured commitments from the Department of Public Works to make sure the last remnants of Sailfest are swept from the downtown streets.
Neff usually gets plenty of help with the cleanup, and, indeed, last year Jack Cochran, the New London High football coach, could be seen power-washing State Street.
As for the entertainment, Neff and Murray hit upon a theme: to celebrate New London’s diversity.
In addition to The Reducers’ traditional post-fireworks rock ‘n’ roll fireworks at the Foxwoods Union Plaza Stage, there will be Latin and soul acts on Custom House Pier and the City Pier stages. The Hygienic Art Park will feature an array of folk music.
Murray is most excited about up-and-coming alternative urban singer Alice Smith, who should go over very well with fans of Jill Scott and Floetry.
“I think plenty of traditional rock ‘n’ roll [fans] will be interested and impressed by Alice Smith,” Murray said.
New London’s music scene will also be in full force during the Friday night local music show at Custom House Pier. Murray is especially excited by two acts: the psychedelic garage trio Suicide Dolls and a new local band, Gone For Good, who sound like a mix of the Jam and the Stray Cats.
Saturday will also see the final New London appearance of longtime local favorites Incognito Sofa Love, as the freak-jazz band will split later this month.
Neff said this year will also feature a graffiti competition as well as the Hygienic Gallery’s annual Bizarre/Bazaar art sale.
And just because Sailfest is in its 30s, it’s not too late for a dash of contemporary culture; there will be a Wii hooked up to a large-screen television.
But from Neff’s vantage point, Sailfest is still more than a week away, and there is plenty to do, and ever-changing circumstances.
The Hoolios just called to cancel.
“Sean,” Neff said. “Did you hear that?”
Entertainment
Friday
Foxwoods Union Plaza Stage
5:45 to 7 p.m. - J.J. Appleton (pop/soul)
7:15 to 7:30 p.m. - Sara Buscetto (country)
7:30 to 9 p.m. - Mind, Body and Soul (soul/R&B)
9:30 to 11 p.m. - Alice Smith (soul/R&B)
Custom House Pier
5 to 5:30 p.m.- Thick Thieves
5:45 to 6:35 p.m.- TBA
7 to 7:30 p.m. - Wonderlust
7:50 to 8:30 p.m. - Fatal Film
8:50 to 9:30 p.m. - Suicide Dolls
9:30 to 11 p.m. - Lo–Fi Radio Stars
Hygienic Art Park
5 to 5:15 p.m. - Richard Auber
5:25 to 5:55 p.m.- Sue Mead
6 to 6:30 p.m.- Mike Ball
6:40 to 7:10 p.m.- Peter Magrane
7:15 to 7:45 p.m.- Bernadette Golden
8 to 8:30 p.m.- Catharsis
Saturday
City Pier
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Hand Grenade Serenade
8 to 9 p.m. - Chasing Trinity
10 to 11 p.m. - Hempsteadys
Foxwoods Union Plaza Stage
1:30 to 2 p.m. - 3rd annual Hot Rods Wing Eating Contest
2 to 3 p.m. - Recur Occurrence
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Gone For Good
5 to 6 p.m. - Incognito Sofa Love
6:30 to 7:30 - Quiet Life
8 to 11 p.m. - The Reducers
Custom House Pier
2:30 p.m. - Gabrieles Karate demonstration
Hygienic Art Park
11 to 11:25 a.m. - Pat Daddona
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Kay Pere, then Bill Pere, then together
12:30 to 1 p.m. - Barnacle
1:10 to 1:40 p.m. - Maggie’s Guitar
1:45 to 2 p.m. - Stone Eddy
2:05 to 2:20 p.m. - Bé ît Göd (Hugh Birdsall and Jim Fitzgerald)
2:25 to 2:55 p.m. - Kevin Kane
3:10 to 3:40 p.m. - Sour Grapes
3:45 to 4:15 p.m. - “Sandman” Sandy Allen
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Village Jammers
5:45 to 7 p.m. - Hellbent & Heartbreakin’
7:15 to 8:15 p.m. - Rivergods
8:30 to 9 p.m. - Paul Brockett Road Show
Mike Bailey and Friends (after fireworks)
Sunday
Foxwoods Union Plaza Stage
9 a.m. - Sailfest 5K Road Race
2 – 3:15 p.m. - Rivergods (Americana/folk rock)
3:30 p.m. - New London Firefighters Pipes And Drums (bagpipers)
4 – 6 p.m. Enter The Haggis (Celtic/rock)
City Hall Stage
Old School Block Party, sponsored by Q105. Presented in association with Muse.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Graffiti artists on Green Street
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - DJ CHUM
1:30 to 2 p.m. - The Pouncing Panthers (Double Dutch)
2 to 2:30 p.m. - DJ Contest with Q105
2:30 to 3 p.m. - Break-dancing with B Boys
3 to 4 p.m. Flowers and Kain
4:30 p.m. - Presentation graffiti contest winner
4 to 4:30 p.m. - Jon Concept and DJ Frank Lo
Hygienic Art Park
11 to 11:25 a.m. - Kat Wyand
11:30 a.m. to noon - Marc Worthington
12:05 to 12:30 p.m. - Woody
12:45 to 1:15 p.m. - Lauren Agnelli & the Big House Band
1:30 to 2 p.m. - L’Esperance (followed by a mandolin clinic)
2:15 to 2:45 p.m. - Jim Lampos
2:45 to 3:15 p.m. - Curse
3:30 to 4 p.m. - Phil Newland & Chuck Davis
4:15 to 4:45 p.m. - Blonde Furniture
5 to 5:25 p.m. - Bruce McDermott
5:30 to 6 p.m. - The Crew
Tips and Suggestions
TRAFFIC: Traffic updates can be obtained from the New London Police Department at 447-5269 or by tuning to 102.3.FM or 530 AM.
PARKING: Available in two parking garages: Water Street Garage, across from the train station, and on Gov. Winthrop Blvd. across from the Radisson Hotel. Arrive early to avoid fireworks traffic jams.
ANCHORAGE: Available south of the U.S. Custom Pier between Shaw’s Cove railroad bridge, with dingy dock also available. Moorings available (white floats) for 24-hour stays south of City Pier.
ROAD CLOSURES: Bank Street and South Water Street: Saturday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday
State Street from Union Street to Bank Street: Friday starting at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday
Green Street starting Sunday at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
RAIL, BUS, AND FERRY CUSTOMERS: Due to the volume of people in New London this weekend, it is highly recommended to allow yourself extra travel time if you are dropping off departing passengers or picking up alighting passengers at the New London transportation center during Sailfest.
Contact the New London Police Department at 447-5269 with traffic queries and instructions on how to get to the transportation center.