Today is Thursday, September 02, 2010
Keeping Folk Music Alive for the Next Generation

Memories of Elaine

Elaine and Clark Weissman

Elaine, 64, passed away Friday morning, Feburary 4, 2005, in the comfort of her own home with Clark, her husband of 26 years, after a long and courageous fight with cancer. Her accomplishments as a professional are only outnumbered by the amount of people she impacted along the way. As founder of The California Traditional Music Society, Elaine created one of the largest folk music organizations in the world. She has left a legacy of song, dance, storytelling and education behind for others to enjoy for many generations to come. Everyone that met Elaine could feel her strength, energy and love for her two favorite things: Family and Music. She weaved the two together into a vibrant tapestry of memories and friendships. She lived her life in a way that was truly "Elaine" and will be missed deeply by those who knew her.

Please contribute your memories to this interactive memorial.

Memories

She was so smart She was so energetic. She was so organized. She was so idealistic. She was so honest. Her smile filled the room and then some. We chanted Torah from the same portion on Yom Kippur, as recently as last October. Her voice was strong. I miss my friend. Yes, Clark, we'll keep it going for her. Love, Amy

I second Mark Lewis’ vision—that there is, indeed, a folk festival happening somewhere in the next life, in the Great Beyond, in the clouds above. Somewhere Elaine is planning and directing and pulling all those folk angels together, aching for us all to continue her work, to spread the folk gospel! I met Elaine when the Santa Monica Traditional Folk Music Club was just born—in the late 70s. She and Clark were true cheerleader supporters of our new club and always invited us to participate in events. Elaine had a bigger vision than anyone I knew. When she came to our annual Sea Shanty Day, she could immediately envision a daylong—no, a two-day—Festival of the Sea—preferably on a Big Ship, with nautical knot-tying contests and shanty sing-offs—the whole hullabaloo—and she would have created it. Always a big, big, vision. I was thrilled when she started the New Year Campouts in Malibu—so wonderful to have “all folk music, all the time” those weekends that included the whole family—babies and teens and those in the middling years and oldsters—all. And those Monarch butterflies! But that’s another story. How lucky we were to have Elaine among us—always carrying that big umbrella to envelope us all.

Elaine Weisman was a gifted and brilliant administrator who labored tirelessly to organize the CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL MUSICAL SOCIETY. This was her way of insuring the continuity of a broad range of folk arts, which re-energize our modern communities through an awareness of the artistic values our ancestors treasured in music, song, dance, poetry, and story telling.

She gave folk artists the immeasurable gift of recognition and appreciation by providing a unique forum for sharing their folk arts at the annual Summer Solstice Festival where thousands of people engaged in the simple pleasures found in the lively sounds of the guitar, banjo, harp, and flute, as well as in the suspense of a story well told and the joy of discovering art crafted by loving hands. Here, young and old were free to join a drumming circle, get up and do a jig, or join in a line dance. Elaine felt that all people needed this experience as much as their daily intake of food in order to remain spiritually alive and connected with one another.

She encouraged me to expand my work with Greek folk dance by reaching out to others in our multicultural society to enjoy and participate in Greek dance. This kind of support, coming from someone outside of my own community, helped energize me to continue further explorations and workshops. I realize that she supported other ethnic communities in this way as well, bringing us together in a vibrant tapestry of cultural expressions at the Summer Solstice Festival each year.

Thank you Elaine for what you have done for me and international folk dance. May your beautiful outreach continue to be fully realized as your loving spirit continues on through all the lives you enriched by providing a place to share our world of cultural traditions

I first met Elaine at Greystone Park, first site of the Summer Solstice Festival, and by the time the festival had relocated to Northridge, I had become a volunteer. This eventually led to being on the Festival Staff, and later I joined the Board of Directors. Elaine taught me so much over these years – her vibrant energy and endless enthusiasm for creating and improving CTMS’s role in the preservation and continuation of the folk music tradition was nothing short of phenomenal. She taught me also to treasure each day, and to use it to its fullest. I’m sure she wanted to live to 100, with many more tasks and journeys on her list – but I know she can look back with pride at what she accomplished, and her lasting legacy to traditional music and related folk arts traditions. She was truly a treasure, and I will miss her.

Sad at Ealine's passing--she ought to have lived much longer. So many needed her to, in different ways. We mourn her absence now and she has our good thoughts.

Elaine accomplished a lot for all of us in folk. I've always appreciated her generosity toward Paula, Fred Starner and myself, in a lot of ways --and for the dynamic, helpful and kindly person she was. I don't believe I've known anybody as dedicated as she was. Many will miss her of course, including myeself... br> Largely due to her energy, dedication, talents and other qualities, CTMS has been and is an outstanading, and perhaps unique American organization and event dedicatted to folk revival--and the Folk Alliance a great contribution to us as well. Both are important ways and means for keeping traditional folk-revival alive and well. Everyone is aware of this. She of course was indispensabile to them and their success.

So.... we miss her already. But it doesn't seem as though she's really gone!

Elaine was a powerhouse of energy dedicated to the propagation of folk music in our communities. I often disagreed with her decisions but maintained an excellent working relationship with her and benefited greatly from her support and focus. Elaine was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

Elaine was a real trooper. She will be missed by one and all who knew her.

We remember Elaine from the seventies when we attended house concerts in their beautiful home. A gracious hostess who made everyone feel welcome and important. We also worked with Elaine and Clark to put on the wonderful New Year's Eve events held in the Santa Monica Mountains. We sang, we danced, we shared music and laughs all due to Elaine's ability to organize a welcoming, engaging weekend of fun in the mountains.

Thank you Elaine and Clark Weissman for your generous spirit,

I am very saddened by the passing of Elaine Weissman and send my deepest condolences to Clark and all of her family. I regret that I am unable to pay my respects in person but will pay them in my thoughts and prayers.

I think each of us has a great debt to Clark and Elaine for starting this crazy and wonderful organization that we all love so much! We can now show Elaine our sincere appreciation for her vision and organizational skills by keeping her dream, the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance alive and vital!

Let us all gather in Montreal and celebrate her wonderful life and her incredible vision!

Upon learning of Elaine's passing, my heart stopped a moment and my spirit sent a song to her, wherever she may be. Elaine was instrumental (pun intended, of course) in bringing smiles and fond memories to so many musicians and music admirers that she will be dearly remembered, and dearly missed. When the festival was in its foundling years, and the name "Dulcimer" appeared in its name, Elaine, Clark and the gang found it in their hearts to feature me and Leo Kretzner as performers and workshop leaders - an opportunity and honour I never took for granted. My heartfelt wishes go to Clark and the rest of the family, and I know that I will be one of only many people who will think of her often and kindly when the topic turns to folk music, dance and one of the best festivals anywhere.

Elaine Weissman, long-time Executive Director and co-founder, of the California Traditional Music Society (CTMS), passed away on February 4, 2005 after a lengthy illness.. I, as well as the bluegrass and traditional music community, has lost someone very special. As a friend, I was appreciative of her honesty and friendship and am thankful for her tireless efforts during the past 25 years in promoting traditional music.

Named for their Founder, Elaine Weissman, the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance has honored Elaine with their Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership and lifetime contributions in the advancement of folk music and dance, which have had far reaching effects, beyond her direct contributions. Elaine was also co-founder, along with her husband Clark, of the Summer Solstice Folk Music, Dance & Storytelling Festival, now preparing for its 23rd festival. CTMS was the recipient of the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest 2004 Legend Award.

I wish her family peace and laughter about all the good times. She was a dear lady to me and I shall miss her greatly.

Twenty-one years ago, I called CTMS to find out about being a craft vendor at the Summer Solstice Festival and spoke with Elaine for the first time. I liked her right away because she was totally forthright, and also open to/with me. I came to the Festival that year at Greystone and met her in person........she was always so kind to me and such a supporter of my artistic endeavors. I always have felt that she was one of my personal "champions" and I certainly will never forget her. I'm sure that she is busy wherever she is now, organizing something!!! Leslie Broude......Keeper of the Rainbow Batik

My heart hurts to hear this sad news. Elaine was a kind and generous soul. My condolences to Clark and to everyone else.

I know that there is now a fabulous Music Festival happening in heaven.

In my younger days I went to a lot of concerts at the the Weissman's home; one of my earliest dates with my wife was to see a Celtic concert there, Silly Wizard I believe. Elaine will always be entwined in a lot of wonderful memories, but I can't image that living room with out Elaine's presence. See will be missed.

Elaine: the Miracle of Hanukkah, the Energizer Bunny and the Eternal Light rolled into one. She was always a pleasure to work with, which is quite a character testimonial, considering our work consisted of bureaucratic hoop jumping, frenzied grant deadlines and money begging.

Even after 25 years running CTMS, Elaine maintained her integrity and enthusiasm. She continued to refine, improve, develop and dream_a true leader! Elaine didn't have time for cancer because she was too busy living.

She was also an amazing friend! In my own darkest hours fighting cancer, when hers were even darker, she comforted me.

Grief over a life cut short can't last very long, for someone who is such a joy to remember and who accomplished more in a month than most accomplish in a lifetime.

I'll remember her at any of her festivals, smiling with satisfaction, enjoying the music, and watching thousands of people listen, stroll, strum and dance, who come back, year after year and bring new generations, who will bring new generations - just one of her gifts to the world

Allow me to share these thoughts...... In my early years with Folk Alliance, I was just a teensy bit intimidated by Elaine. I knew her by reputation only, and was somehow awed by the position she held. I never had direct contact with CTMS, but knew of the vast contributions she and Clark gave our world of music. After one of my emcee stints in Nashville, Elaine took me aside and paid me a very high compliment about introducing the showcases. It made my night, my week, my Nashville experience. I knew then I was leaving radio, but maintaining contact with my pals via Folk Alliance was, and still is, vital to my existence. Her comments were icing on the cake and I will never forget how she made me feel. Please hoist one in her honor for me in Montreal.

It is with much sadness that we just heard of Elaine's passing. We knew her health condition had gotten worse in recent months but we were hoping so much that we would see her here in Montreal during the upcoming Folk Alliance Conference.

For more than 15 years we were privileged to work together with her in selecting and programming Quebec folk artists to the annual Summer Solstice Festival. Our own regular participation in this event has always been a rewarding experience. We shared many of her thoughts and her vision on bringing folk heritage to the community and to the schools.

Elaine was an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of Quebecois and Canadian folk music and dance. Because of her tireless work and dedication, many of our fine artists were introduced to the Folk scene in California and the West Coast and have benefited immensely from her generosity.

We would like to express our deepest feelings of sympathy and condolences to her beautiful family in these difficult times. She will be missed greatly, but her vision will continue to inspire us for many years to come.

From the transcript of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Meeting, February 8, 2005

Sup. Yaroslavsky: Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to ask that we adjourn today in memory of Elaine Weissman, who passed away on Friday. Elaine was the founder of the California Traditional Music Society, who struggled for the last 2-1/2 years with cancer and she died at the age of 64. Under her leadership, the society grew from a small amateur folk music group into one of the largest and most professionally run folk music organizations in the world, famous for its annual Summer Solstice Folk Music Dance And Story Telling Festivals which have long been held on the Soka University property in the Santa Monica mountains, attracting thousands and thousands of people to the festival from all over the United States and beyond. Elaine left a wonderful legacy of honoring, preserving and promoting indigenous folk music, art and culture. And our world is certainly a richer place as a result of her efforts. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Clark Weissman; six children: Phillip, Suzanne, Erick, Ellen, Hillary, and Wendy; eight grandchildren and a sister, Marilyn.

Sup. Knabe: I’d like to join in that as well, too.

Sup. Antonovich: …Elaine was a personal friend and supporter. And we had her and her husband, Clark, here many times, giving them presentations for the traditional music society programs. She was a wonderful, wonderful person. I talked to her daughter, whose husband is one of our district attorneys, in fact, about a week ago and … her last desire was that we would continue supporting, which our office has done, the traditional music program each year because Clark will continue that program and it does so much to bring all of the various musicians throughout the world in traditional music to perform at Soka University and other venues. But she was a wonderful, spirited woman who gave a very valiant fight on the cancer that she had and was very productive 'til the end.

Sup. Yaroslavsky: I totally concur in that and I think this county has lost a very special person. And I certainly hope and expect that we will continue to support the traditional music festival because it's really-- it is really a spectacular thing. It's held every year in June and, last time I was out there, Elaine was battling her cancer. She was out there running the festival, taking an hour off to rest, then get back and running it again. It was something special.

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