Well, Jeri, I agree and sympathize with you. Actually Nancy King doesn't much like having to lead a workshop opposite her son Dan Schatz either, especially since she has a song she wants to do in his workshop.

So we're possibly due for a bit of reshuffling. As to my own preferences -- I can hardly stand it every year, I set up all this luscious stuff and then miss so much of it, either because of schedule conflicts or because I just wear out....

Anyway I'm going to be comparing advantages and disadvantages of shuffling the schedule, versus changing the format of the Meet'n'Greet a little. Here's the picture in my mind:

First, shorten "Who's Here" to an official hour and a half but leave half an hour of free time afterwards so it can continue if it's going strong.

Second, with so many people scheduled to facilitate it, we can be very flexible and let our leaders catch some other music during the morning. How about if we all show up for the first half hour, sort of "Guest Appearances" by the leaders, then you and Nancy can each go to the one session you most want to see? Joe and I will play it by ear....

I can't possibly move the Open Jam from its position because I asked David and Lucy to do it at that time Specifically to give folks a chance to sing in a less structured situation than the meet'n'greet. However I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to move Jams & Accompaniments if I can find a space. Might have to shorten it to an hour.

And we may have another sing-around we could switch with Dan Schatz' "Farmers, Field Hands & Fishermen." Mind you -- I won't want to miss any of the alternative sessions either! Sigh....

What'ever's opposite the Meet'n'Greet needs to be of general interest. We can have three or four "specialty" sessions in the same time slot and be pretty sure there won't be too many conflicts, but Meet'n'Greet is general and there are just two categories at that time period: People who would like to be at the Meet'n'Greet, and people who would rather go sing or play something. Have to give 'em all a place to go.

I hope all you Mudcatters are taking notes. This year Jeri, Nancy and Lorraine helped with the program. The above paragraph gives you a little view of the kind of work we do to keep the program balanced and interesting all day long.

Next year we'll again need help on the program -- one person can't keep it to this level for years on end, I promise you. We could sure use some public spirited folks to provide input and maybe make a few phone calls next year or do some of the e-mailing....

End of commercial.

I'm going to take the rest of the day off to tune my zither and harp and get my glad rags together, because this afternoon and evening Bill and I are going to help celebrate the wedding of CarolC and Jack the Sailor. *BG* Is this not a fine thing to be looking forward to?

So no Getaway schedule changes will take place before tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.... But in the meantime I'll be scheming and planning and figuring about possible reshufflings.