Sellin' Jelly - The Vaudevillian

Sweet & sassy Norah Spades & the very fine fellow Jitterbug James make up the 1930's ragtime blues duo, The Vaudevillian.
In 2023 they were on the Mariposa Folk Festival lineup in Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
This video taken by Hoff Steady/Slang Media/Brad Hofstede.

The Vaudevillian toured to Orillia in their old 1989 34 foot 454 Big Bloc Engine RV, dubbed "Norah's Ark," as Norah is the captain and all of their pets tour with them.
Arriving to Mariposa around 9pm after rubber tramping many hours on the winding road, the one way dirt path on the festival grounds were no longer resembling a dirt road, but rather mud pits after a storm had come earlier in the day.
Much too far along the 1 way congested road to try and turn back, the Ark became stuck halfway in the very middle, sinking deep into the mud with the vessel weighing over 14,000lbs. Over 50 vehicles, RVs and trailers were stuck, though the Ark was the most stuck of all with the frame deep into the mud. #1 baby!

After many attempts with rubber grips to get out were made, Norah made the call that the RV was just getting deeper & deeper into the mud, gas tank and all now. With thousands of campers surrounding them as well as all roads covered in deep mud, CAA wouldn't be able to come rescue them until the festival was over.
As such, Jitterbug James went and found a sign that said- "Large RV Parking," and placed it in front of the ark. That will do.
Greg- the camping director was a gem and brought in gravel to make the road wider.
Dozens of people offered to help them by towing out the RV with their pickup trucks, but The Vaudevillian didn't feel like tearing their hitch or bumper off their truck would be that swell. So many people repetitively offered to push out the RV with their brute strength, though 14,000lbs is quite alot. With so many offers, The Vaudevillian decided to put up signs all along the RV such as;
"1-800- Hows My Driving?"
"Follow The Vaudevillian on social media to see if we ever get out or if we have to live here forever,"
As well as,
"Yes we are stuck, join the push-out party on Sunday at 6pm" and surprised all of the wonderful folks who came out to help with a secret, private concert at the RV!

This video captures some of these moments, as well as performing on stage, hosting their interactive washboard workshops and interactive musical spoon workshops, performing along Westfalia Way as well as playing a tune in a canoe.

The Vaudevillian are full time musicians, and were living in their tour Ark for 2 years at that time, traveling along the road, festival to festival, performing at over 200+ shows a year.
Four Days after getting stuck, 2 CAA transport tow trucks rescued them, and they were back on the road heading South, another day on the road.

After such a rave audience response, Mariposa Folk Festival's President reached out to them right after the festival booking them to return for their 2nd year in a row at the legendary Mariposa Folk Festival 2024.

Hoping for dry ground this time around, though we'll see how the dice roll.
Keep an eye out for The Vaudevillian at a festival near you!


The Vaudevillian
☞ 1930's Jugband Ragtime Blues
"The jugband tunes from the Hamilton, Ontario based,
Award Winning 1930's duo,
The Vaudevillian consists of the old fashioned gentleman, Jitterbug James & sweet & sassy Norah Spades.
Washboard, Resonator Guitar, Banjo & Musical Spoons are among some of their instruments they use to get the crowd going.
This ragtime duo brings you dancing numbers from the prohibition period!
Thank goodness PROHIBITION IS OVER!

In addition to performing at Festivals & Theatres all over Canada, The USA & Europe,
They host audience- interactive Washboard Workshops and interactive Musical Spoon Workshops at Festivals and to date have taught over 4500+ participants!
Interactive workshops are for groups up to 40 participants at a time, with washboards and wooden musical spoons provided by The Vaudevillian. All audience members become well versed in playing the musical washboard or the musical spoons.
Keep an eye out for The Vaudevillian on tour in their vintage 1989 RV travelling to a town or city near you!
Get ready to shine your shoes to do the skoodle um skoo!"
https://thevaudevillian.ca/
https://thevaudevillian.bandcamp.com/
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  / thevaudevillianmusic  
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Record Label- https://bustedflatrecords.com/