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At 07:16 AM 5/8/2007, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <br>
<font size=2 color="#0000FF">I agree that civility and courtesy are
things we should practice within our performance community as well as
through life. So where does this perception that we, as performers,
are "</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">red-headed
step-children" </font><font size=2 color="#0000FF">come from?<br>
</font> </blockquote><font face="Times New Roman, Times"><br>
</font>Perhaps it is because I started playing in a different kingdom,
but I have never had this feeling or gotten this vibe.<br><br>
I joined the SCA for bardic. It has always been part of my concept
of what the SCA is. I feel that everyone I have ever sung for or
talked to has been positive to my being a bard. Yes, I also have
heard people say that only specific people are welcome at their fire, but
that is also part of the SCA. <br><br>
An example...<br><br>
I do not drink. I will never touch any version of recreational
alcohol. At my fire, I will never offer it. However, if you
come to my fire and have something in your mug, or even bring a bottle to
share, I will not send you away. I may ask you not to share, or to
just be discreet about it (depending on how alert the daughter is that
day), but you are still welcome. I will never deny someone's
freedom to drink no matter where they are.<br><br>
So it is with how bards should perform. <br><br>
If I come to a fire, and the people who own it are in a certain mood from
what they are doing together there, I will not try to change that
mood. If that means that simple conversation is more appropriate
than a story or song, than that's what I will share. I have gone
entire events, walking from fire to fire, and never sung a song.
Sometimes that's just the way it happens.<br><br>
Sensitivity to those who would be our audience is more important than our
desire to perform a certain piece. I have stuff that I have never
performed because it is never the right time. I'll get to some day,
but I won't force it on someone. <br><br>
Just a few thoughts, hope they make sense.<br><br>
Maggie<br>
Glaslyn's Bardic Defender<br>
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