I would like to comment on the difference between being an unattached 
performer or bard or scop or skald and a member of the Bardic 
Community.

When we gather together into a community we start talking about what 
we need to do to further Performing arts and performers in general. 
We began to talk about codes of behavior. Most of us on the list 
understand that forcing people to listen to use is rude. Taking over 
someones party is rude. We have decided as individuals that that is 
not our path. We decide to do something about the problems. The 
unattached bard is not privy to our conversations and has not 
probably thought about the effects of their actions. 

We can not force a code down every ones throat, but we can open 
discussions in a public forum and encourage the populaces of area to 
speak up. We can sponsor public bardic fires where people who want to 
perform can go too so we will not be attacking so individual's 
private fire. 

I realize this is a lot of work. I personally gave many years to this 
kind of effort. I also it is a pain when we create something and 
unattached performers get the use of it and will not offer help. 

If we want to correct the impression of all Bards being "Red headed 
Children" we need to work out the problem. 

Maybe we could sponsor performing circles and establish a set of 
guideline for behavior. I would want them to be suggestions. We could 
teach classes on the Bardic circle and fire walking and discuss the 
courtesies that should be observed. 

I really believe in the Ansteorran ideal of Courtesy so whatever we 
do should be based in that ideal

Willow de Wisp