Bardic-Swap-art - 4/10/08
"Running a Bardic Swap & Shop!" by THL Thomas Whitehart, aka True Thomas the Storyteller. This is the class handout for a mini-workshop for the Caid Collegium in 2007.
NOTE: See also the files: Bardic-Guide-art, bardic-msg, Entrtng-n-SCA-art, storytelling-art, Tales-o-Teror-art, Jestrs-Mumrs-lnks, Hornbook-art, Fyrecrawling-art, Bardic-Coachg-art.
************************************************************************
NOTICE -
This article was submitted to me by the author for inclusion in this set of files, called Stefan's Florilegium.
These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
Copyright to the contents of this file remains with the author or translator.
While the author will likely give permission for this work to be reprinted in SCA type publications, please check with the author first or check for any permissions granted at the end of this file.
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris...AKA:..Stefan li Rous
stefan at florilegium.org
************************************************************************
Find more of this author's articles and links on his webpage:
Running a Bardic Swap & Shop!
A mini-workshop for Caid Collegium 2007
By THL Thomas Whitehart, (aka True)
First, what is a bardic swap&shop?
A bardic swap&shop is similar to a bardic circle with some important differences.
1. ItÕs set up to be a place where folks can share and learn new material.
2. If things go well, you will get folks from outside the normal bardic community.
So how does this work?
The formula so farÉ.
Where: Find a place where 20 or so people can meet, sing, etc. If it has some kitchen facilities, so much the better. Comfortable seating is a good thing too. It should be someplace not too far off the beaten path, with available parking. Be aware, that some folks who have mobility problems may want to come, so plan ahead. Have a phone on hand to give directions.
When: The Calendar is always full. Just look at it, and try not to go up against the biggest events. Friday nights have worked for me so far, but it depends on how close your SCA community is.
After youÕve worked out, where, and whenÉ..
Who: YouÕll need 3 people- A host, an Emcee, and a guest speaker. Other volunteers are a good thing too.
The Host - Welcomes folks, gets people introduced, situated, shows them where everything is, etc. Stays on top of food, answering phone calls and questions.
The Emcee - Starts the program, makes introductions, and introduces the speaker. After the speaker is done, the Emcee leads the swap, and coordinates what pieces will be shared, teaches the call and response, lines up breaks, etc. Explain the 3 rules of folk music.
The Guest Speaker - Teaches the mini-workshop, lasting about 30 minutes at the beginning of the swap&shop. They should have all the hand outs, and props. The mini workshop can be taught by multiple people by the way, and it can last longer than 30 minutesÉYou can open it up to the group at large.
Okay, now I have the who, the what, the when, and whereÉ
Now comes the hard part/fun part-
So, people have arrived, and things are getting settled..
On with the program!
Meet&Greet- Go around the room and have everyone introduce themselves, SCA –wise, and where they are from. If anybody is new to the area, make them feel welcome. Have a sign in sheet with phone and e-mail numbers. Get everyone to fill it out.
WhatÕs Up- What is going to happen, what is the featured mini-workshop, and the theme for the evening. Introduce host, emcee, and speaker, point out facilities, get any music, have someone organize it on a table, etc.
Mini Workshop, (30 minutes) and Questions..
Break (10 minutes)
Call and Response- Once everyone has had a chance to chat, and lubricate, call everyone back. Have a simple piece, like a round or a silly song to practice with.
ÒThe Janet Cornwall methodÓ
At this point, you discover that folks have a variety of talents, and your group may be just great at ripping thru and learning songs. Keep the form, but go faster. If a song is a bit much, just sing it, and ask folks if they want to learn it, or try a simpler one. NO stress! Always tell folks what you know about the song, and what it means to you (why you like it, etc.) After 3 songs, take a break. After 3 more sessions, take a longer break.
Announcements
Now, have folks who want to make announcements about upcoming events etc. Keep them short. The emcee comes back on line and
Learn more songs/ Re-Sing
Re-singing is an important part, especially since various songs all start to blend with each other.
After another few songs, open the floor to just people who want to share a song, and not nesc. teach it, etc. Ask folks what themes and workshops they would like to see in the future..
Close it up with a song. Chat and Clean up!
In the case of Swap&Shops on other themes (storytelling, instrumentals, etc. ) you can come up with a variety of teaching-sharings. Little mini-stories for folks to swap, personal experiences, etc. Pizza boxes for people to practice Bodhran on, etc. Almost anything is possible!
Thanks for attending this workshop, and I believe if we can get more of these going, weÕll see a lot more singing around Campfires and bardic overall.
------
Copyright 2008 by True Thomas, 663 Fowler Ave., Newbury Park, CA 91320. <Truethomas (at) sbcglobal.net>. Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is credited. Addresses change, but a reasonable attempt should be made to ensure that the author receives a copy.
If this article is reprinted in a publication, I would appreciate a notice in the publication that you found this article in the Florilegium. I would also appreciate an email to myself, so that I can track which articles are being reprinted. Thanks. -Stefan.
<the end>