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Setting up a singers circle help

01 Oct 99 - 11:18 AM (#119770)
Subject: Setting up a singers circle help
From: Den

I know there are quite a few very succesful singers circle organizers that regularly contribute to the Cat. So I'd like to get some help in setting one up. I'm in the Halifax area of Nova Scotia and there are many, many musically talented people around about. I'm not sure that there is an existing circle here. So I'd like to get one going. What I'd like to know is if I could get some tips on starting and operating one. Where are the best locations for meeting in your experience? Do you charge for membership to cover space rental etc? Any help would be very much appreciated. As I said there is a lot of Scottish and Irish influence here especially in the music. So I'm sure that there would be a lot of interest in getting something of this nature of the ground. Thanks in advance Den.

01 Oct 99 - 11:49 AM (#119777)
Subject: RE: Setting up a singers circle help
From: wotcha

Den:

In the local circle that we have here in Kuwait, our sings are hosted in private homes every couple of weeks on a rotating basis. Homes/villas are a lot bigger than most Western homes, so we can accommodate between 15 to 30 people depending on the venue. Everyone brings different talent, instruments, and traditions.

At our sings we sing everything from an Afrikaans Sarais Marais (sic), to Yellow Submarine and Paddy Lay Back.

I found it helpful to download a bunch of songs from the Mudcat since not everyone is familiar with each other's songs or styles. I would ask everyone to bring sufficient copies of their songs so people can add to their repertoire, or at least figure out the words (interpreting Geordie songs can take some doing if you're from the States).

If you do it in private home, space is at a premium, as are chairs, and grub. Depending on where you are, you may have to accommodate the neighbors rather than singing into the wee hours. We sing on Wednesday nights (which out here is our "Metric" Friday), so most people are up late anyway.

We advertise by word of mouth and issue maps via email.

Compare our system to a more public venue, like a DC area pub where shanty sings are popular and you have a whole different ball game. Seeking a pub that will let you sing -- without scaring off the customers who are the bill payers -- is the trick. The sings eventually become an attraction in their own right, but the restaurant owner/publican will have to balance the benefits of such events with the bottom line economics of it all.

Either method works, just requires some footwork. Godd luck.

Allahamdalla, Cheers, Brian

01 Oct 99 - 12:25 PM (#119787)
Subject: RE: Setting up a singers circle help
From: Den

Thanks Brian. I was considering going that route. Holding the events in each others house but I have three small kids and they can be a little demanding of my time when I'm at home. I would like to expose them to the music but I'd have to consider the other people involved and interuptions. I work at the library and we rent various meeting rooms and I thought that might be a good place to start. Den

01 Oct 99 - 12:42 PM (#119789)
Subject: RE: Setting up a singers circle help
From: katlaughing

Den, must've read each other's minds. I was just going to suggest checking with your local library. Ours rents out a nice big room with small stage and kitchen facility for $10 per hour. Good luck, kat

01 Oct 99 - 12:58 PM (#119794)
Subject: RE: Setting up a singers circle help
From: Tony Burns

The Toronto Song Circle is held every Friday night in the home of one of the participants. Not all the members have accomodation that allows them to host a circle but enough do that there is always someone willing to offer the space.

There is no charge for any of this although most people bring a contribution of food or refreshment for the break.

'Advertising' is done by word of mouth and most circles comprise of 20 to 30 individuals.

Words have never been handed out in the 5 or 6 years that I have attended. If someone brings a new song they might teach the chorus or just leave it up to us to pick it up. If the song is popular with the group we will hear it often enough in the following weeks to learn it.

Some people bring 'cheat sheets' or refer to RUS but they are the exception.

The majority of songs are done accapella but some people do bring instruments.

01 Oct 99 - 08:08 PM (#119955)
Subject: RE: Setting up a singers circle help
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Den. Contact me. There are SEVERAL Song Circles available. Depending on what you want, there are two you might consider. Sunday and Monday nights. Sunday at 6-9PM, and Monday at 9-Midnight. My e-mail is above.

01 Oct 99 - 08:09 PM (#119956)
Subject: RE: Setting up a singers circle help
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Plus, there is the Open Mic at the Harbour Folk Society's Pub Night Tomorrow!

01 Oct 99 - 10:00 PM (#119980)
Subject: RE: Setting up a singers circle help
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Just in case you don't get hold of me tonight or tomorrow.

The Pub Night is at the Alderney Bar and Grill across from the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal. Runs from 8PM until 11-ish. This month will feature Dan MacKinnon.

BTW, I'm not trying to squelch your plans to hold a song circle. It'd be great. I'd like to see that it doesn't happen on the same night as another one though.

Besides the two I mentioned earlier, there is also an event put on by the Songwriters Association of NS at the Split Crow. That's once a month, I think on the third Saturday of the month.

The Sunday night one is called Sounds Like Sunday, and is hosted by Vince Morash, a local singer/songwriter. Vince has been doing this for about 2 or 3 years. It recently re-located to the Dandelion Café on Spring Garden Road, just east of Robie Street. Starts at 6PM and runs until 9PM.
The Monday night one is at O'Carrolls on Lower Water Street, just across from the entrance to Historic Properties. This evening is hosted by Roger Stone, who is a member of Breton and was one of the founding members of Brakin' Tradition.

The Harbour Folk Society, besides the monthly Pub Nights, also have a Wednesday night coffee house. Currently it is located at the Ceilidh Connection on Barrington Street, right across from the Mary Black Gallery. This starts around 7PM and goes until about 10PM.

Seaside Folk and Fundy Folk Societies also have monthly events in the areas, Lunenberg and the Valley respectively.