My weekly session (started by Mudcat's Curmudgeon -- Tom Hall -- in 1982 at The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH) has always been both vocal and instrumental. On songs, one person leads, but everyone joins in the chorus and I try to keep instrumentalists involved and interested by choosing songs with room for instrumental breaks.

My other session, monthly and posted here, is officially Shanty, Forebitter & Foc's'l Ballad Session or Singaround.

For a couple years I led a circle gathering that included songs, tunes, stories, poetry, interesting passages from books -- a little bit of everything. I called it a Voicearound.

At the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival we call our two singarounds open sings...even though they ARE held in pubs.

Linn