It looks like there are several different definitions afloat. What I produced this past Saturday (Dec. 1, 2001) in New York City may not have fit some folks' definition of a hootennay, but it fit mine. Yes, it was a multiple performer concert. But there were some very important "hootische" features to it, not usually found in your basic concert. Among these:

1. We opened and closed with ensemble numbers, that included all of the featured performers, our scheduled guest peformers, and, in the case of the two closing numbers, someone we called out of the audience.

2. The performers, both featured and guest, supported each other throughout, with back-up vocals and with instrumental accompaniment whenever requested.

3. Almost all the songs were sing-alongs, with audience participation encouraged. They were either familiar songs, or else songs with easy to learn singable choruses. Two people in the audience even provided percussion accompaniment (tambourine, limberjack) with our approval.

4. During the intermission, the performers mingled with the audience instead of retreating to a back room. To gather folks back together at the end of intermission, we had a two song open jam -- "Rocky Top" and "Worried Man" -- with a few members of the audience borrowing our instruments to join in.

5. Afterwards, about 16 of us, performers and audience alike, went out to a coffee shop around the corner. Between bites and gulps, we kept singing for another hour and a half.


Hootenanny or not hootenanny? You decide.

--- Steve