The Washington DC area has several regular swap circles under the umbrella of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington...some are specific, as gospel or Sacred Harp...the "Open Sing" is general and usually has a topic to help focus the mind. It has been going continuously for over 30 years and is truly 'open'-that is, any song vaguely on the subject is allowed.Because it grew within a society founded to promote traditional folk music & culture,there is much 'trad' done, but there is a lot of other stuff done too. We do not use RUS as a 'hymnal', although copies are seen around, and I have not seen one burned at the stake yet.*grin*..(I own a copy myself, along with a couple of hundred other books & magazines)