Bardic circle

From MiddleWiki

A Bardic Circle is a more-or-less informal gathering of bards (and fans of bardic performance), usually in the evening after the main events of the day. Performers take turns, and are typically asked to keep performances fairly short (5-7 minutes) so that everyone who wants to perform gets a chance.

Bardic circles may have a theme - e.g., "Heroic Tales and Songs," or not. A circle host (if there is one) may make requests regarding material, e.g., "Please, no filk." (A filk is a song, generally about life in the SCA, set to a recognizably modern tune.)

Circles can have many formats. Two common formats are "popcorn," where performers follow each other in no set order, and "pick-pass-play," where each person in turn may ask someone to perform, pass to the next person, or perform themselves.

A well-known ongoing circle is the Enchanted Ground circle held during the Pennsic War in Duke Cariadoc of the Bow's camp. The goal of Enchanted Ground is to re-recreate as completely as possible a truly period atmosphere, so performers are asked not to perform material that is modern or in a modern style.

Participants are expected to to exercise common etiquette, e.g., not performing "bawdy" or adult-themed material if children are present, being respectful of performers regardless of ability, etc..

External Links

Wikipedia article on Filk Music: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filk_music