> my favorite house concert venue is Bill Wagman's home in Davis, California. <

Been there, played it, Joe! A nice gig - but I don't think we ever met there? I'm on the East Coast next March, but am looking to set up something out West on my next visa application.

> The authorities on both sides of the pond have better things to do than to chase folkies around <

A comforting thought, but they are well capable of asking a lot of awkward questions at the border, even when you do have all the proper paperwork. Who knows what they are viewing on their monitor screen as they question you - your website and gig schedule perhaps? I've heard of people who have gone in 'under the wire', but it's way too big a risk for me. For people travelling this way from over the pond, be aware of the Brian Bowers debacle this year.