[MR] Running bardic circles

[Stefan li Rous]

Mistress Dervila ni Leanon, Royal Bard of Atlantia, said:
<<< I've had several people tell me that they've been to bardic circles
where the person running the circle said everyone had to perform. In
one case, it was the lady's first bardic circle.

This is just wrong. No one should be required to perform. Many people
are deeply afraid of performing, and telling them they must do so is
cruel. So of course they leave - I would too! This drives away what
could otherwise be an appreciative audience, and in some cases will
keep them from ever attending a bardic circle again. >>>

I heartily agree with much that Mistress Dervila has said.  
Unfortunately, most bardic circles are very dynamic things with people  
leaving and joining them at all points. It can be difficult to make it  
clear that you don't have to perform, although it was in such a circle  
that I finally worked up the courage to tell a story. (you don't want  
to have to listen to me sing. :-) )

Unfortunately, I believe there are a lot less bardic circles these  
days in the Society than when I joined 22 years ago, for various  
reasons. I'd like to see more informal bardic circles be done.

Perhaps some of the files in the PERFORMANCE ARTS section of the  
Florilegium might be of use to those putting on bardic circles, bards  
and people considering being bards.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/idxperformance.html

Bardic-Guide-art (27K) 3/ 2/99 "An Unofficial Newcomers Guide to  
Bardic Circles and Competitions" by Pamela Hewitt, the Harper.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/Bardic-Guide-art.html

Brewng-Bardng-art (14K) 5/23/08 "Brewing and Barding" by THL Thomas  
Whitehart.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/Brewng-Bardng-art.html

Entrtng-n-SCA-art (14K) 2/18/05 "Entertaining in the SCA: a short  
essay" by Baron Hrolf Herjolfssen.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/Entrtng-n-SCA-art.html

Five-Miracles-art (6K) 7/ 4/08 "Five Miracles of Storytelling" by THL  
Thomas Whitehart.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/Five-Miracles-art.html

Fyrecrawling-art (10K) 3/ 8/08 "Fyrecrawling 101" by THL Thomas  
Whitehart, aka True Thomas the Storyteller.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/Fyrecrawling-art.html

Story-Toolbox-art (6K) 11/27/08 "Storyteller's Tool Box - Bringing  
characters to life!" by THL Thomas Whitehart.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/Story-Toolbox-art.html

Tales-o-Teror-art (42K) 9/ 3/06 "To Tell a Tale of Terror -  
Frightening a modern audience with a medieval mindset." by H.L.  
Finnacan Dub.
http://www.florilegium.org/files/PERFORMANCE-ARTS/Tales-o-Teror-art.html

This section also contains some period material and links to more, as  
well as several articles on different types and styles of poetry.

I hope these are useful.

Stefan
--------
THLord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
    Mark S. Harris           Austin, Texas          StefanliRous at austin.rr.com
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****