<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2873" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>While
we're on the topic of circles, I'd like to talk about modifying the
pick/pass/play format to pick/play.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I've
noticed , during a triple-p bardic, that there are far too many people who
pass. I'm not sure whether it's that they're uncomfortable with actually
requesting someone to perform, or they just don't want to have to make a
decision. Either way, the next circle I host I'm going to try the
pick/play format out. Unless someone beats me to it, in which case, please
let me know how it turns out.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>At the
recent Gulf Wars (XV for those who need numbers), I hosted the Ansteorran Bardic
Tavern along withthe good folks of the Loch Soillier Brewer's Guild. Fair
weather with us, we were able to set up a portable fire pit and arranged a
pyro-monkey to keep the fire going and held the circle outside the main
pavilion. We had something on the order of 30 to 40 people (a few more at
various times, less at others), and I more or less martialed the
performers. Ealdormere, Calantir, Ansteorra; all were well represented of
their bardic community. With the exception of one drop into a song about
limos and such, the performances were of good calibre and a good mixture.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>In
particular, I tried to insure that there were a mix of songs that involved the
audience, whether it was a sing-along (wild rover), a talk-along (Old Dun Cow),
or Michele de Busby's "Um Plucka Plucka Pluck!", there were moments where the
audience was able to be a part of the performance. In the end, I was too
tired, after a long day of playing, and went to bed before the circle
ended.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>So. Pick Pass or Play is fairly democratic, and gives everyone a
chance to perform or hear their favorite, but I think, from time to time, tha
the nominal host needs to request singalongs as well, to make some noise and
possibly stir the audience to think of other songs they'd like to
hear.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I am
gong to be at Stargate, and even though I'm cooking, I'm going to try to make
sure that there's a bardic circle Saturday night. Also there WILL be
bardic (whether it's a circle or what) at the gate Friday night. I'll be
there too! I look forward to the rest of you who plan on showing up to
stop by, have some fun, sing a song, tell a story, and just share the company
with good friends. Because, really, that's what a bardic cirle is
about.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
class=746413920-16042006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
class=746413920-16042006>
<P><FONT size=2>In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,<BR>HL
Gerald of Leesville<BR>A bard of Stargate </FONT></P></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>