Vic, we're in agreement here. Way back up the thread I mentioned an unaccompanied singing session at the Gaslamp in Manchester. I regard the regulars there as 'friends', but the truth is that we sing all night and I've never had a real-life conversation with most of them. So I like the idea of social events (our old club in Glossop used to put on a Mummers'play, and sing carols at the local care home before retiring to the pub), but I'm also aware that a public music event at which nearly everyone knows one another can feel intimidating or cliquey to the casual visitor. Ah well, we did our best...