highlandman...I hear this complaint a lot. There are often some folks who 'could' enjoy an 'open' sing, but they may not know the others exist. I am fortunate to live in an area where there are many choices, but even here they have to be organized and publicized.

One way is to find a venue...a club, a pub, a school, a chruch...etc. that has facilities that are free....(a room where folks can move chairs about)....and where folks pass thru and/or read bulletin boards. Make it clear what type of gathering you are promoting, as there are problems mixing folks who are just instrumentalists with ballad singers or those who sing ONLY out of songbooks.

Once a small group is assembled...(at least 5-6 are usually needed...10-12 are better....18-25 are great), changes in venue might be discussed. It will take awhile to adapt to varying ideas of what a sing should be.....discuss it openly and honestly.