Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Apr 21 - 07:12 PM

Emails for Monday's Singaround went out a couple hours ago. Email me if you didn't get an email and would like to attend.
[e-mail]

Oh, and could one person who received my email today post acknowledgement here, so I'm sure it went out?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 25 Apr 21 - 02:25 AM

It sure did Joe! Thanks.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 May 21 - 02:53 PM

Email just went out. If one person can assure me they got the email, then I'll feel safe that it went through.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 01 May 21 - 04:17 PM

Yes Joe,

Safely received. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays
From: Charmion
Date: 10 May 21 - 07:40 AM

Hi, Joe — I would like to join the Zoom singaround from Stratford, Ontario. How do I do it?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!!
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 17 May 21 - 09:26 PM

As requested, here are the words of the parody I sang this evening.

Note: This is written by someone in the UK, and verse 4 (which I skipped this evening) refers to a now-infamous incident in the spring of 2020 during the UK's first lockdown, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson's chief adviser Dominic Cummings violated the rules he had helped to write – by driving himself and his family ~250 miles from London to Cumbria, after discovering he and his wife had clear symptoms of Covid and then about a week later drove 30 miles to scenic Barnard Castle "to test his eyesight" before returning to London (it was just a coincidence that it happened to be his wife's birthday) – and, in spite of public outrage, did not resign and was not sacked. (
More info here.)

I LOVE NOT WHERE I LIVE
A topical parody of the song 'I Live Not Where I Love'
by Colin Andrews

Come all you folks who social distance
at least two metres from your friends
Come let me tell you what I miss and
ask when will restrictions end

We're not allowed to kiss or cuddle
or give a friend a loving hug
Or even sing a song together
just in case we spread the bug

Regulations now require us
to wear a mask when in a store
To help defeat corona virus
we (must) keep our distance when outdoors

But government advice is farcical
when its adviser all the rules ignores
And takes a trip to Barnard Castle,
no apology, just a curt 'Up yours'

Around the world among all religions
folk have in their thousands died
While some leaders don't care a smidgeon
and others still the threat deny

The world has changed and life seems strange
no jet-setting to distant lands
Virtual socialising, sanitizing
and the government will wash its hands

So be aware lads be aware lasses,
if I could only have a choice
I'd fly away to safe New Zealand
far from Johnson's waffling voice
But since I'm furloughed I can't follow
my wishes or my job I'd lose
I'll stay in my pod and pray to God
for some day soon much better news

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 May 21 - 08:16 PM

Another lovely gathering, the last of our first year. Our one-year anniversary celebration will be next week. Bring your best songs, even if you've sung them before.
Everybody gets two chances to sing unless they arrive very, very late.
See you next week.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: one year anniversary
From: Felipa
Date: 01 Jun 21 - 11:37 AM

I don't know which are my best songs (if anyone wants to pmail me with advice ...?). But we also had a suggestion to sing songs about parties and celebrations, so I am hoping some singers take up that suggestion. And probably a couple of Mudcatters would be inspired to compose a ditty specifically for the occasion.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 13 Jun 21 - 08:10 PM

I did not get a link for tomorrow and I'll be late, can someobe number and note?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Jun 21 - 08:23 PM

Big construction project at the Slowick-Offer household Saturday. We built a fence to keep our dogs from the neighbor's dogs (and cows).

You should have the email by now. See you Monday!!

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: GUEST,Emmie
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 11:40 AM

Hi, when is the next singaround please?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Noreen
Date: 19 Jul 21 - 12:03 PM

Hello Emmie, it is held every Monday at the times above depending where you are in the world- or early Tuesday morning for our members in Australia and New Zealand.

You can be added to the mailing list and then you'll have the notification each week.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Noreen
Date: 19 Jul 21 - 12:07 PM

Time again to go Mudcatting! Join singers from all over the US, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and...where else? Hear singing in English (both British and American), Irish, Scots Gaelic, Occitan, Hebrew, French, German, Breton, and… what else?

We start sing at NOON pacific daylight time, 3 PM in New York, and 8 PM in London. We sing for around five hours, depending on how many attend, and it's always wonderful. Doors open half an hour early for schmoozing and numbering the singing order. Be sure to update to the latest version of Zoom.

Through the miracle of technology, this session will be hosted by Noreen Keene (in England with Irish connections) with backup hosting from Casey Casebeer in California. And let’s have a round of applause for the wild and wooly Mudcat session assistant volunteers, without whom all would be anarchy and pandemonium. (Anarchy and pandemonium have their place, granted, but not at an event that gets through 30 to 60 singers every session!)

Joe is on vacation, and about time. He’ll be back next week.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 19 Jul 21 - 02:52 PM

Czech. Moravian, possibly some Silesian dialects.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jul 21 - 03:32 PM

Have fun, everybody. I'll miss you.
Joe, eating Rhode Island hot wieners

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: leeneia
Date: 19 Jul 21 - 09:45 PM

You did a fine job, Noreen. Thanks are due to you and Casey and the other volunteers.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Aug 21 - 08:54 PM

Email for Monday just went out.

Let me know if you didn't and you'd like to join us. I'll add you to our weekly email list.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: GUEST,Bradfordian
Date: 17 Aug 21 - 04:00 AM

Firstly…..HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE OFFER.
Many lovely tribute songs to NANCI GRIFFITH yesterday on Mudcat Zoom Monday, especially loved Joe’s rendition of “Across the great divide” Thank you Joe, and all the wonderful performers

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: GerryM
Date: 17 Aug 21 - 08:44 AM

"Across the Great Divide" was written by Kate Wolf (but Nanci Griffith did it splendidly).

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Oct 21 - 11:27 PM

I sent out the invitation for Monday, October 4. Please contact me, [e-mail], if you didn't get an invitation to Monday's sing and would like to attend.

Since 1999, the annual Getaway of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington has been the annual gathering for Mudcatters worldwide. It happens next weekend, Oct 8-11. We're going to cancel the Mudcat Singaround for October 11 and invite Mudcatters to attend the Getaway that weekend. It's a wonderful gathering. https://www.fsgw.org/getaway

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Oct 21 - 11:36 AM

Hi, Everybody -
We usually sing Mondays on Zoom - Noon Los Angeles time, 3 PM New York, and 8 PM in London. We sing for about 4 hours, and get about 40 singers from all over the world.
We won't be meeting next week because we'll all be at the FSGW Getaway (Oct 8-11, 2021), so come sing with us today and every Monday except next week (come to the Getaway next week).

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Oct 21 - 08:24 PM

I I sent out Monday's invitation and Zoom link today. If you'd like to join us and didn't get an email, email me at [e-mail]

During the week, I see posts from people asking about a song. Think about coming to the Singaround and singing what you know of the song for us. If you're short on time and can't wait two hours to sing, let me know in the Zoom chat and I'll squeeze you in early. The idea of the Worldwide Singaround is for Mudcatters to meet each other and share songs. I try to be as flexible as possible to accommodate everyone.

If you have any comments, feel free to speak up.

Joe

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!
From: Taconicus
Date: 22 Nov 21 - 07:20 PM

Do you ever post videos of the performances, Joe? I know you record them.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Nov 21 - 08:20 PM

Hi, Taconicus - we allow singers to record their own performances, but we agreed by consensus not to record the entire session. Sure wish I had a recording of George singing "The Queen and the Soldier" (Suzanne Vega).

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 20 Dec 21 - 12:51 PM

We hope to be able to pop in for the happy cocktail half-hour before the session tonight.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom NOW!!
From: GUEST,GUEST.MaJoC the Filk
Date: 11 Jan 22 - 07:59 AM

Wonderful first time for me last night. I mentioned afterwards to Herself that someone sang the Hedgehog Song. "No!" says she, delightedly.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 18 Jan 22 - 12:40 PM

Sorry I missed Monday - still getting over the first cold I have had for 2 years (not Covid) which has knocked me flat. Hope to be back on Monday with the semblence of a voice.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 18 Apr 22 - 02:03 PM

May be a little late tonight - cooking pan fried sea bass in a butter lemon and herb sauce for Easter.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Today!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 14 Jun 22 - 03:51 PM

A little techie question. How difficult would it be to create a world map with virtual pins showing the cities, states or countries where people who come or have come to the session live like the world map on trip advisor?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jun 22 - 01:32 AM

Hmmm. That sounds a bit too much like work, SPB-Cooperator - but YOU are welcome to accomplish the feat. ;-)

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 06:21 AM

Warning, folks: there's a security update for the Zoom client for Apple systems, and possibly for other platforms: "Zoom users on macOS are encouraged to update their client immediately to version 5.11.6". More details in the article on The Register.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Oct 22 - 11:07 PM

Another lovely gathering. 30 participants, and we sang for about 4 hours. I fell asleep while people were still chatting merrily away. I woke up and the clock said 6:30. I thought it was 6:30 AM, since 6:30 AM and PM are about the same amount of brightness this time of year - but it was 6:30 PM. Thank you all for coming.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 23 Nov 22 - 08:00 PM

Sorry I have not been able to get along lately, but I have been so overwhelmed with developing my business that I have been lacking the energy to participate. I hope to get along for the next three Mondays, after which I will be disappearing for another month while I am in Prague/Leipzig.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Nov 22 - 10:24 PM

We've missed you, Steve. It's always a pleasure to see you.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 28 Nov 22 - 11:39 AM

Looks like I will have to miss tonight too as I have been invited to a party to celebrate the collective completion of a large and fairly tedious piece of work.

---

We miss you, Steve. Come back to us soon. -Joe-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: GUEST,Chris the Bard
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 10:58 AM

In the Mudcat Singaround how are performers selected/organized? Also what kind of music is expected? Is there room for original contemporary folk?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Felipa
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 03:51 PM

Chris - you just have to ask Joe Offer to email you the zoom link, which changes each week. Everyone who attends is welcome to sing; you are given a number when you sign in. So we take turns singing in roughly the order that we sign in to zoom. There is some juggling to accommodate late comers when the early birds have all had a turn, or to accommodate people who have to rush off. Most people do not stay for the full 4 hours plus; some leave early and some arrive late.

Pretty much anything accoustic is acceptable. Some people accompany their singing and others don't. There is a Mudcat thread you can look at which lists songs sung at past singarounds Songs from the Mudcat Worldwide Singaround

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 06:52 PM

We have mostly folk, some blues, recitations, and occasional torch songs and rock songs and a bit of filk. It's supposed to be your own performance - we frown on those who want to play recordings for us or give us garden tours or display full frontal nudity...

And if you'd like to be on our notification list, email me, [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 10:31 PM

The link for Monday's Singaround will appear in this thread every Monday about 2 hours before we open the doors to the Zoom session. If you'd like earlier notice, email me, [e-mail], and get on the email list.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Feb 23 - 02:56 PM

I have to say how thrilled I am every Monday that this singaround thing still works. We've been going every Monday since June of 2020, and it never gets old. The people are so nice, and the songs are wonderful. And the people who have volunteered to cohost are go good about keeping everything running smoothly. This singaround is so much fun. I look forward to it every week.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Mar 23 - 11:34 AM

It was another lovely gathering. You should come.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 10 Mar 23 - 06:03 AM

Sorry I haven't been around lately as I have had to focus my energy on my business. Look forward to rejoining the fold about mid April.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom NOW!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Mar 23 - 04:16 AM

hi Titirangi folk music club will be hosting an international meeting on the 1 of April. go to our website for details. we started these in response to the covid thing and it has been quite successful so come along and have a sing
Tony Smyth long standing committee member of this and Auckland folk festival

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Apr 23 - 06:09 PM

Ray Nichol send some pretty good advice for online singing sessions:

VIRTUAL SESSIONS:


The following apply to most live sessions:


• Switch your settings to have microphone and video off when joining a session.
• Check your equipment and settings before joining meetings to save time.

• Be conscious of background environments and others in the room. ?
• Computers used should be in appropriate areas, and where possible be against a neutral background. ?
• Cameras may be turned off if other distractions in the household may a disruption. ?


ETIQUETTE
• In any meeting the Host is in charge, let them deal with any questions do not butt in unless asked.

• Language must be professional and appropriate, including any family members in the background.

• Be polite and remember the other people are sitting in their own homes.

• Save non-relevant discussion for elsewhere.

• Remember that most people will know the history of songs etc, no need to tell the full story every time.

• Make use of 'Chat' to ask for information on tunes privately, or to post the information on your performance.

• Repeats are fine but remember some people may have heard the same one last time.

• Possibly keep a note of your own performances to help you plan for next time.

• Try not to practice during someone else’s performance, and mute to tune up.

• Do not post links to other sessions without permission.

• If you join a session give it your full attention, joining just to perform is very rude.

• Even if there is no time limit, don't drone on.

• Choose pieces that are of an appropriate length, don't expect a welcome back if you go on for 15 minutes.

• There is no such thing as constructive criticism on Zoom sessions. Keep it to yourself.

• If you are late for the session, you can still join but expect to be at end of list.



RULES
• Participants are expected to adhere to Club rules and maintain appropriate behaviour.

• On most sessions, No Politics or Religion, Zoom groups are very mixed everyone is entitled to their own views.



RECORDING

• Sessions should NOT to be recorded on any device unless permission is granted.
• If any members would like a recording of 'their performance only' please ask Host who may send you the video file. (if you ask, we will let you record your own performance at the Mudcat Singaround, but please keep conversation and disturbances related to recording at a minimum).

---

We've been doing this Mudcat Worldwide Singaround for almost 3 years now, and we're still having fun. Come join us on Zoom Mondays. We start at noon Los Angeles time, which is 3 PM in New York and 8 PM in London. Doors open about half an hour earlier.

Please remember to keep song introductions short and between-song conversations at a minimum. I got a lot of complaints last week because I let some newcomers prattle on. So, folks, quit prattling. People tend to think it's boring. And if you feel driven to give tech advice, please refrain. If you're giving advice to a singer, our tech people can't talk to them. So, HUSH!!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom Mondays!
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 10 Apr 23 - 08:56 AM

Good points there, maybe worthy of deeper discussion but on another thread.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Worldwide Singaround - On Zoom TODAY!!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 May 23 - 06:44 AM

Email from Casey:

We rely, as always, on the skills of the volunteer co-hosts to do the zoomy part of running the session. Are you curious about how Joe’s Fuzzy Logic works in the second round? see the note below.

And don’t forget to post to Chat the title and origin of songs you sing (we guest hosts don’t have quite Joe’s well-known superpower for finding a song on line! Help us get your song info, so it appears on the list of songs and readings that Gerry posts to the Mudcat Worldwide Singaround thread every week.)

-------------------------------
JOE’S FUZZY LOGIC - how the singing order works in the second round.
-------------------------------


—The Mudcat Worldwide Singaround continues until everyone who wishes to has sung twice.

—Participants are given a number as they arrive. If you’re just listening, let the host or a co-host know, and you’ll be given the number 99, indicating to the host that you aren’t planning to sing.

—In the first round, we sing in the order of our numbers.

--There are always singers who can’t be there for the first round. This is to be expected in a large session that incorporates busy people from many time zones.

— Joe has his own system to insure that people arriving in the second round still get to sing twice.   Joe tries to avoid having anyone sing their two songs back to back. Therefore, he likes to incorporate latecomers into the queue to sing their first song soon after they arrive, and then have them sing their second song when we reach their number.

-- He accomplishes this by calling on the singers with numbers 1-10, then detouring to anyone who has only arrived in the second round and has not yet sung at all. When the late arrivals have sung their first song, he continues with singers numbered 11-20.   Then he checks once again for any additional arrivals who haven’t yet had their first song, and calls on them.   Finally, Joe continues with singers from numbers 21 on, and we sing through to the end of the queue. He may decide to let a very late arrival sing twice in a row, depending on how late the session is running.   That’s Joe’s Fuzzy Logic!