Finding singarounds in the US

Subject: Finding singarounds in the US
From: GUEST,highlandman
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:02 PM

Okay, I tried searching on this in the knowledge base, and maybe I'm just not smart enough to find the right keywords. I hope you all can help...
I'm really jealous now of those UK 'Catters who live where there seem to be constant song circles, swaps, sessions, whatever... I'd really like to check out that kind of activity and I CAN'T FIND A BLINKIN' THING near me.
Here in the Upstate of SC, USA, there is a lot of musical activity, but all I can find is (1) open mike sessions that are strictly for singer-songwriters with new material, (2) instrumental only jam sessions, and (3) even what is billed as "folk sessions" is strictly paid gigs for known performers. I'm a little far from the Blowing Rock/Valle Crucis area (known for folk arts and music), but I could go that far once in a while if I had to.
Can anyone help me find some like minded Appalachian/Celtic trad-heads in the area?
Thanks!
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: Stewart
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:32 PM

I sort of felt the same way about open mics - "strictly for singer-songwriters with new material." But then I started to sing my trad. songs at those open mics and it was usually well received. And now there are others singing trad. songs at our open mic. With trad. songs, most of the new singer-songwriters have never heard them, so anything you sing is new material as far as they are concerned. So give it a try.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: Abby Sale
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 10:58 PM

I'd agree with Stewart but a proper song circle is more fun if you find one. Especially if you enjoy hearing voices besides your own.

Having a look at the Mudcat "Permathread" index, you'll fund Susan's Song Circle Locations

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: GUEST,highlandman
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:46 PM

Thanks, Abby, for the directions to the permathread.
But alas, ochon, eheu, etc.
I just seem to live in the wrong place.
Stewart, the thing is, I've only found one viable open mike in the general area, and the primary organizer (who has been a defining force around here for quite a few years) is quite serious about limiting the action to original material. It's his party, and that's fine with me -- I just wish I could find something as cool as Mudcat face to face.
Well, I'll not give up too quickly anyhow. Maybe I'll go prowl the instrumental sessions I know of, and see if I can pick up any trails.
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: GUEST,Pamela in Ithaca
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:53 PM

Or maybe you'll need to start your own.
Build it and they will come....

good luck Glen

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: ridge plucker
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:58 PM

How about putting an ad in the local paper and see if there are like minded people that want to get together.

Just a thought,

Pete

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:16 PM

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.

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:32 PM

I'll second what Bill D says. Like him, I'm fortunate enough to live in an area where there are many traditional singers and sing-arounds. I may live in one of the few neighborhoods in the U.S. where ballads are still sung socially. (If you're ever in the DC area, let us know; it'll be an excuse to get together and schedule a special sing-around.)

Looking in your area, however, figuring you need something local, I googled for "traditional music" rather than "folk music", and came up with:

Charlotte Folk Society: http://www.folksociety.org/
PineCone Piedmont Council of Traditional Music (Triangle NC): http://www.pinecone.org/
Columbia (SC) Traditional Music and Dance Society: http://www.contracola.org/
Atlanta (GA) Area Friends of Folk Music: http://www.aaffm.org/

The Hornpipe, Folk Music in the Southern Regions: http://www.hornpipe.com/hp/index.htm (a webpage that begins talking about traditional music in Spartanburg, SC)

also investigate:
Swannanoa Gathering, Swannaoa, NC
Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week, Mars Hill, NC
John Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

And in Marshall, NC: Traditional Music at the Depot, Every Friday, 7pm, Main Street in Marshall, NC. Free, donations accepted. (http://www.madisoncounty-nc.com/info/events.html)

Once you find the first few folks in your area, you'll probably wind up networking into the rest of them, but finding the first ones can be like looking for a guitar-pick in a haystack. And once you meet some locals, you can form your own core. The editor of the Hornpipe sounds like somebody you need to meet.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: GUEST,highlandman
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:13 PM

Wow, Charlie, what a difference a word makes. Some, not all, of those places are within my roaming range.
Bill D, I do have an inside connection with a very nice church facility. But I fear that Mrs. Highlandman will take it quite ill if I take on starting something myself (although she is the vocally superior half of our duo and would be enthusiastic about _participating_ in an existing circle).
Anyway, you all are great. My hopes have been restored somewhat; I'll keep poking around.
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Finding singarounds in the US
From: GUEST,highlandman
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 05:51 PM

Thanks again, the hornpipe link proved fruitful. I think I've met Dan Harmon somewhere... maybe at a shape note singing? I've emailed him, also he has a couple of nearby venues listed on his site.
Thanks for the encouragement!
-Glenn