We haven't been to the SF Folk Music Club meeting in a long time but, if it hasn't changed, there's a singing room where they go around the room and you can sing, request a song or pass. If there's any interest on that particular night there may be an Irish or old timey instrumental session going on in another room and maybe even country/western singing in another. It's in a victorian house and the singing is in the dining room but the living room and basement are also available. One thing for certain is that there is always someone specifially engaged in greeting people at the door to explain what's going on and answering questions.

The hootenanny is a relatively new thing (about a year old) and it's still trying to find itself. Richard Rice (equalrice@yahoo.com or 415 775 0221), who runs it, is very freindly and if you tell him we sent you he probably won't bite. The emphasis is on performing and several groups or individuals will do short sets. There has been talk of including some jamming, too. We've never been (we're 250 miles away!) but everyone says it's a lot of fun.

Bev and Jerry