Photo credit: Albert O. Fischer

Meet the Fleet

Mark and Molly Conole recently attended the Meet the Fleet event on the Menemsha waterfront (August 4, 2022). Menemsha is a small fishing village on the western end of Martha’s Vineyard. Mark read a poem and the two together sang maritime songs while on the stern of the steel fishing boat Martha Elizabeth.

The 26th Annual FisherPoets Gathering

The annual FisherPoets Gathering is a celebration of the commercial fishing industry in Astoria, Oregon. Since 1998, fisherpoets, performers, and their fans have gathered on the last February weekend to host their cultural reunion through poetry, prose, and song. Usually the poets and storytellers gather in Astoria’s pubs, galleries, restaurants, and other venues. It is truly an amazing event, bringing close to 90 performers together. The audience comprises hundreds. Performers come from all around the country, from Alaska and the waters of the Bering Sea, to Maine and the Gulf of Maine, down south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Mark first attended in 2016 with his son Alan Lovewell and he has attended every year ever since. With the pandemic, Mark attended virtually from his home. With advances in the digital age, he was able to participate in 2021 and 2022. Last year Mark was joined by his singing partner Molly Conole.

This year Molly and Mark are attending the event on the weekend of Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Reach out to us if you are coming.

This year Mark and Molly will be performing together on stage  Friday, February 24 at 5 p.m. at the Astoria Brewing Company. 144 11th Street, Astoria. It is a quick performance that will last no more than 20 minutes.

They’ll be returning to the stage Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. at the Columbian Theater, 1114-1120 Marine Dr., Astoria. That performance is only for 20 minutes. Mark will be joining with Will Hornyak as master of ceremonies for the evening.

Radio?

Mark and Molly will be appearing live on a radio show with Albert Smith of KMUN Radio on Friday morning sometime between 10 a.m. and noon. We are hoping to connect also with Joanne Rideout, another radio host. She hosts The Ship Report. The radio station is based in Astoria and it serves the Pacific Northwest at the foot of the Columbia River. Frequency 91.9 FM.

Here is a sampling of some of Mark’s performances.

At the Liberty Theater in 2019.
At a Singer Circle in 2019
Performing at the Wet Dog Cafe in 2018
Opening with the Virtual Show in 2021:

Fisherpoets Gathering received national and international media fame since its inception.

Check out the FisherPoetry Podcast!

Mark Performing at the 2018 FisherPoets Gathering. He sings the song Fishing Boat Sarah for the first time. In 2019 Mark came out with his CD: With the Fishes with the song. You can hear it here by clicking this link.
You can hear a live version of this song, sung at the Edgartown Whaling Church on Martha’s Vineyard. Visit this YouTube link. The song includes a photo essay of photographs Mark has taken through the years aboard local fishing boats.