I've been thinking about this a bunch, and I would love to see hear an occasional concert....it could be even two or 3 folks who work up a theme beforehand...any concept is good to explore.

And....though I see what MMario means by not liking 'exclusionary' sings, I do think that a special time 'featuring' women...is perfectly ok. You want I should say why?...Ok..*deep breath*(I do NOT claim this is why harpgirl wants it)...for 35 years I have been doing song circles, and I have noted a phenomenon that often occurs.
In an 'open' sing structure, where there is no specific order, there is a need to time your entrance and 'insert' your song...often requiring a bit of confidence and, for lack of a better term, Chutzpah. In general men do this better. I have seen many cases *live* where women sort of wait to be asked....I have watched a sing go on KNOWING there were talented women there who just didn't like having to elbow their way in.(yep..in a group of women only, the problem might still exist, but I suspect in a more limited way)

...Now in HearMe, there is the additional problem of no visual signals. Sure, some women do fine, and others ARE asked to sing....but I have been in several HearMe sessions where 3 or 4 male singers simply dominated it....if there a few seconds of silence they say, "well, I've got one about..."...or they just start singing. (Yeah, I know, we need to keep the music going...but there's more than one way..)

I will admit that I notice this because I am a bit reticent myself. If I just performed 3 songs ago, and there are 9 people in the room, I don't consider it my turn again just because there is a brief silence!..Sure...there are reasons to butt in..maybe even to do 2 in a row for some reasons, but in general, it feels awkward.

We have tried having a moderator on occasion, and that kind of helps...and there are other ways to deal with it, but if the women want to get together and trade songs for awhile,(whether or not it is for the reasons I have stated), I am NOT threatened...and I will come listen.

I have tried to say this in a way that recognizes all the positions involved, but I realize that some will always take a position that "ANY policy or invitation that excludes anyone is wrong"...*shrug*...You know that *I* would be happier if certain things were excluded from the Mudcat alltogether...but Max may be wiser than me in the way he runs it..*wry grin*

....anyway, this is a long-winded way of saying it...and not an easy subject to bring up or defend...but some of you who have experience in 'every man for himself' (sexist connotations intentational) sings know exactly what I am talking about......

Ok..*pushing soapbox into corner and sitting on it..waiting for the overripe fruit*