GUEST, ME,

FSGW is the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. They have an annual Getaway that is a weekend of music, most of it produced by the people who attend, not necessarily professional performers. Although there are a few "open mike" type concerts, the guts of the Getaway are the workshops where people gather to share songs based on some specific theme. F'rinstance, last year Joe Offer led one on "camp songs" (songs from scout camp, church camp, etc.). There is also time for getting together and talking and late night informal song circles.

Last year, about 30 Mudcatters decided to use this event as a rendezvous and FSGW was very accomodating. We even had a workshop that was purely Mudcatters sharing their music. If you search the archives for Getaway, you should get some threads that include people's reaction to getting together with folks that only knew through the Mudcat. "A natural high" is an apt description in my book. I have had a wonderful time the two years I have attended.

Marge and I have already sent in our bucks and registered for the weekend.

Roger in Baltimore