Song Circles and House Concerts

Subject: Song Circles and House Concerts
From:
Date: 18 Dec 97 - 02:29 AM

How many Mudcatters know about Song Circles and/or House concerts? Music is the obvious common denominator for this site.How many out there take an active part in song circles? Does anyone support a house concert venue? Jack mostly folk......

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Dec 97 - 03:36 AM

Hi, Jack. If I did things right, you can find quite a discussion of song circles here. It's probably a good idea to pst new messages in this thread, since the old one is getting rather cumbersome. I participate in three different monthly song circles in the Sacramento area, so that fills up my Friday nights pretty well.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Alice
Date: 18 Dec 97 - 03:24 PM

Celtic session with songs thrown in here and there. Every Sunday at 8pm, historic Baxter Hotel lobby, Main street, Bozeman, Montana. Usually have 12 to 20 participants show up with mostly fiddles, whistles, flutes, drums, bones, dulcimer, accordian, concertina, guitars, dobro, stand up bass, once in awhile a piper, bazouki (sp?). Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Alice
Date: 18 Dec 97 - 03:55 PM

Oh, and Mandolins! How could I ever forget the mandolins? We have a great time. If you ever take a trip to Yellowstone Park, go a little farther north and join the session on a Sunday night. Alice in MT

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: jeff s
Date: 20 Dec 97 - 10:34 PM

I usually make it to about 5-6 song circles a month. I'm still hunting around for a RUS song circle around Chicago. I'll probably try an Celtic session when I think that I can keep up.

jeff s

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Richard Wright
Date: 21 Dec 97 - 03:33 PM

We have no song circles that I know of in this area, but we do host a house concert series that now has three venues: our ranch in Williams Lake, British Columbia, the Wells Hotel in Wells and 100 Mile hour south. We host a variety of touring performers, mostly "folk". They have included, David Essig, Ken Hamm, Doug Cox, Gary Fjellgaard, Newkirk and Bell, Don Ross and Bryan Bowers. Our web site is going up soon, which will have an article on hosting house concerts. It's great way for us to get live music in this area, and another venue for those on tour. We have hosted 23 in 3 year and now average 1 per month

Richard

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Bert
Date: 22 Dec 97 - 10:11 AM

A last minute arrangement!

There will be a sing/party at my place on Boxing Day (that's the 26th., the day after Christmas)

At Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Come along and get rid of your Post Christmas Blues.

Email me for directions

Bert. - [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Dan Duryea
Date: 22 Dec 97 - 01:47 PM

Here in the Boston area we have weekly song circles, usually on Wednesday, at various peoples houses. I have had a max of 27 show up at mine. Check out the FSSGB web site.

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Dec 97 - 01:48 AM

Richard, I checked with a friend who has contacts in Vancouver, BC, and here's what he said:
For info about BC folk music activities, have the person contact the lead energy for the Vancouver Folk Song Society, Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat, e-mail [e-mail]
Hope that helps.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: rastrelnikov
Date: 23 Dec 97 - 02:33 AM

Lately, I make it to about 10 nights of song circles or music circles each month. For the first time ever, I'm pretty well maxed out in that regard, and it feels great.

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Bert
Date: 10 Feb 98 - 03:20 PM

It's that time again. The Second Friday in the Month. - FRIDAY the 13TH.

Folk sing at Bert's Place in Phoenixville, PA.

I will be singing my latest creation called "Size Desn't Matter" but don't let that put you off.

It's very free and easy. Theresa is cooking lots of good food.

See Ya,
Bert.

email me for directions - [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 11 Feb 98 - 01:15 PM

In the Connecticut shoreline area, we go to at least 3 musical gatherings each month:

A "house hoot" sponsored by the Branford Folk Music Society (at our house this Friday, the 13th) which is mostly folk songs with lots of guitars, a few banjos, mandolins, etc. Usually around 25 people.

A "jam" at a home in the New Haven area with all kinds of music, singing, every kind of instrument and genre imaginable including bluegrass, folk, jazz, pop, Celtic, old-time, etc. As many as 100+ show up for this.

A "jam" at the Dudley Farm in Guilford, which is mostly bluegrass and old-time. Around 20 go each month.

What would I do without these sessions?

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Steve in Wisconsin
Date: 11 Feb 98 - 07:19 PM

We host a monthly open mic/jam session on the second Sunday in the month here in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. We have tried various formats including large groups which are really sing-a-longs. The smaller groups are more fun for the extremes: the serious musician because more soloing and harmonizing goes on and for the novice because of the lack of intimidation that can accompany a large group.

Our House Concert series is just getting off the ground and so is too new to say much about except that it's a really fine way to enjoy a night of music without spending megabucks.

I also have attended a bluegrass jam in a teeny little town north of Milwaukee where they start the jam by lighting a candle beneath a picture of Bill Monroe. :-) They are serious bluegrass pickers and be prepared to solo and lead a tune!

Cheers,

Steve

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Sierra Willy
Date: 12 Feb 98 - 12:02 AM

Any song circles in the Lake Tahoe - Reno area? I'd like to find some like minded folks out there. E-mail me at [e-mail]

Bill {;^/=

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Feb 98 - 01:19 AM

Yeah, Bill - there has been a song circle in Reno for the last couple of years, and also one in Auburn that I attend - they are both spinoffs from our Sacramento circle. I'll e-mail you the address of a contact person.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Bruce O.
Date: 14 Feb 98 - 12:27 PM

You in the neighborhood of Vancouver note, MS - Murray, who contributed many items to DT, and who occasionally makes notes to this forum, is a 3rd generation Scottish fiddler/ composer, scholar and editor of 'B. C. Folklore'. He lives on a big island between Vancouver and Victoria.

In the Washington, DC area, opens sings and house concerts and other folk and folk related events are listed at fsgw.org

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Richard
Date: 14 Feb 98 - 01:08 PM

If anyone is interested in how to host a house concert check our home page for an article I wrote for Doug Cox's Malahat Music Cataloque. We just held our 25th with Bryan Bowers, the only musician I know who will prepare dinner for his house concert hosts. My wife invited him to move in. Next is Joe Charron. Check out http://wlake.com/grassrts/homepg.htm

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Feb 98 - 10:25 AM

Maybe Bryan Bowers remembers in about Feb 1975 when he appeared at The Cellar Door in Washington DC, and 2 guys from the audience helped him carry his autoharps upstairs after the show and then invited him over for a home-cooked meal the next night before the show.....what fun!! He is not only a fine musician....he is people!! I havent spoken to him in many years, but he sure has helped put the autoharp into regular folk circles!!

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Bert
Date: 03 Mar 98 - 03:15 PM

It's Friday the 13th. - AGAIN.
Folk sing at Bert's place - AGAIN.
Lot's of Theresa's good food - AGAIN.

Traditional - Folk - Blues - Singer/Songwriter etc..

Come along and practice your Irish songs for St. Patrick's Day. I'll see if I can persuade Theresa to cook the corned beef a few days early to get you in the mood. email me for directions [e-mail].

See Ya. Bert.

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Slant
Date: 03 Mar 98 - 03:59 PM

There's a weekly song session, really a great jam, every Thursday, about 6:30, in Punta Gorda, Florida at Gilchrist Park. Well attended with separate groups for folk, bluegrass, and hymns. All kinds of instruments - lots of guitars & banjos, some fiddles, mandolins, stand up bass. All acoustic. The same kind of thing is just starting up in Ft. Myers, Florida, on Fridays about 6:30 in Centennial Park. Both have very friendly crowds and all are invited to join in.

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: tproject
Date: 03 Mar 98 - 05:01 PM

Anyone know of song circles in the san francisco bay area?

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Jack (who is called jack)
Date: 03 Mar 98 - 05:07 PM

Folknet, the Northeast Ohio folk music and dance society, sponsors house concerts in the Cleveland Area. Some recent performers were Anne Hills, and Small Potatoes.

They have a Web site at www.folknet.org

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Corinna
Date: 04 Mar 98 - 03:54 PM

Perhaps Joe Offer could elaborate on the Sacramento Valley sessions and any in the SF Bay area...?

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Barry Finn
Date: 05 Mar 98 - 01:35 AM

In the Bay area find the San Francisco Folk Music Society (that's how I think they're called), every other Fri, Faith has had a session for the passed 30 yrs, on the Hyde St Pier, I think they still run a sea music session 1 or maybe 2 fri a month, either in the national park or on the Bellcuttha (sp?). Barry

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Moira Cameron
Date: 05 Mar 98 - 04:24 PM

Here's an open invitation to everyone on this site.

I am one of the co-founders of a song-circle group in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. We call these events "House Ceilidhs", and they are hosted the last Saturday of every month. House Ceilidhs have been going strong in Yellowknife for over 7 years. We have a wide variety of music styles represented, as well as storytelling and sometimes dance.

From the House Ceilidhs, we have begun organizing House Concerts in the past two years. Unfortunately, because hardly touring musicians "pass through" Yellowknife, we do not get the opportunity to have many performers from out of town.

Nevertheless, if any of you ever find yourselves in my neck of the woods, just give me a call. [phone]

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Mar 98 - 03:53 AM

Click here for the newsletter of the San Francisco Folk Music Society. There are several song circles in the San Francisco Bay area, including the one at Faith Petric's House and the Chantey sing at the Hyde Street Pier, and an afternoon song circle on the second Sunday of the month in El Cerrito. I think the newsletter should give you all the information you need. I can give you information about the Sacramento area, where we have Friday night song circles in Sacramento, Auburn, Davis, and that Sacramento suburb called Reno. Lots of contra dances in Northern California, too.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Corinna
Date: 09 Mar 98 - 06:10 PM

Oh Joe, don't let those Nevada folk hear you call Reno a suburb of Sac. They've hung men for less. There is no such nifty newsletter/website, as demonstrated by the SF brethrern, for the Sac Valley to Reno area? Anything on playing in the parks (Sutter's Mill, Sutter's Fort, Jackson, Placer, anywhere of 49er fame)? Thank you o' font of knowledge Joe O.

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Mar 98 - 10:18 PM

Well, yes, Corinna - I saw that U.Utah Phillips and the Black Irish Band and others will be singing train songs at the California State Railroad Museum on Sunday, March 29. Hope I can talk my sweetie into going to that one. The California State Parks are making an effort to put on some events for the Sesquicentennial, but I don't know anything specific just yet.
By the way, Doc Watson is at the Crest Theater in Sacramento March 17.
Now, there's a serious pickers and singers organization in Davis, CA - but I haven't been invited to join. I think "serious" is operative word here...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: judy
Date: 10 Mar 98 - 12:55 AM

Los Angeles and environs: Oran/Amhran Scottish-Irish song group meeting on Friday, March 13th (and every 2nd Fri) Call Janet at [phone]

enjoy! judy

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Bert
Date: 10 Mar 98 - 09:41 AM

Not everyone is as brash as Bert. Some folks are a little shy and may need some encouragement before they can be persuaded to sing in public. I have noticed, at some recent sings that I have attended, that these good folks get ignored. They get bypassed by the guitar hogs who cannot wait for their turn to come around. If there is a lull for more than a few seconds they jump in out of turn, and they do it again and again throughout the evening. Anyone who is polite or who may be a little shy doesn't get a chance to sing.

If you are organizing a sing in your area, don't forget these folks, they have talent but they are too polite to jump into the trough with both feet.
Make sure that you give them a chance to sing.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Jack mostly folk
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 04:09 PM

After some serious begging and pleading, there is going to be a web page for Riverside (CA) Folk Music Society and their song circle once a month. Also I'm informed that the Songmakers based in Southern California will be putting a website soon.These two groups have provided years of joyful music before I moved away the northwest.They like most gatherings like to remain by quiet invitations or light screening to make sure the new visitor is not a raving maniac serial killer. Both groups have a long and historical background dating back to the fifties and sixties. Watch for them on the net. I'll post another thread when I hear they appear on the web. Jack mostly folk

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: MarcB
Date: 24 Mar 98 - 12:48 AM

Anybody know of anything happening in the Dallas/Fort Worth area re: song circle or house concerts. If not, I may have to start something:) Thanks. marc B

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Bert C
Date: 09 Jun 98 - 12:39 PM

The Bucks County Folk Song Society gets together once a month, usually on the first Sunday, in Wrightstown, PA. Our web site has lots more info on this and other Southeast PA folk activities.

Bert C

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: judy
Date: 09 Jun 98 - 02:22 PM

Thanks for bringing this thread up to the top. Many people can now update for the summer months.

Celtic singing will be going on as usual in Southern California every 2nd Friday. Call Janet Cornwall for site info. Note new phone number [phone].

The Santa Monica Folk Music Club now meets the first Saturday of the month at Temple Sha'arei Am on Broadway at 8pm.

Shape Note meets twice a month. Call Mary Rose or Stephen O'Leary at [phone] or Susan and Paul Turpin at (310)0390-4165 ( I hope these numbers haven't changed)

The Calif Trad Music Society is looking for an executive director. Contact Clark or Elaine Weisman at (818)342-SONG

There's also plenty of Contra dancing and jams going on. Call above number for more info

enjoy! judy

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Ray Crow
Date: 09 Jun 98 - 02:40 PM

Bob Johnson and the Uffda Mt Boys have a come-one-come-all music jam at the local mall in Fergus Falls MN first Sunday of every month - almost always bluegrass-gospel-folk - some country - acoustic ........ down on the EAST end . If you're ever around - drop in.

Subject: RE: Song Circles and House Concerts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jun 98 - 03:27 PM

Anything happening in the way of folk music in Santa Fe this month? Taos?
-Joe Offer-