Debbie’s Filk FAQ

SCENARIO: Grizelda is a filker who sings a capella and tends to be shy. She is sitting in a fairly large open chaos filk circle and after listening for a while, wants to perform her song. However, she has no idea how to signal that she wants to do a song because every time someone’s [...]

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The term “filkhog” is usually applied to someone who performs more times during an open filk circle than their fair share. What exactly a “fair share” is, of course, varies from person to person.

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Let me say straight off that my answer to the question will not satisfy everyone. Everyone is unique, with their own expectations and likes/dislikes. I’m hoping, though, that at least some of this might be useful to at least some of you.

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I’ve found filk conventions have different personalities, usually based on the people running the convention as well as regional differences.

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Seanan McGuire posted a great OVFF Survival Guide in her Livejournal for those planning to attend the convention for the first time. Seanan was Toastmaster at OVFF in 2005. She has kindly given permission for me to reprint her advice below:

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I’ve heard comments like the following many times at filk conventions:

“I’ve written a song, but I’m too nervous to sing it.”
“Everyone’s so good! There’s no way I’m going to perform in THAT circle.”
“My song didn’t really follow any of the songs that were going on, so I didn’t sing it.”
“I tried to jump in a [...]

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“One-shots” are opportunities for filkers to perform one song of their choosing in a concert setting. Some conventions also offer “two-shots” or even “three-shots”.
“One-shots” are meant to be a showcase for those who do not have concerts at that particular convention. They are also a great opportunity for those who want to strengthen their performance [...]

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Kay Shapero has an excellent list in her rec.music.filk Filk FAQ:
http://www.kayshapero.net/filkcons.htm
Also see:
Filkish Events Calendar: maintained by Rich Brown and “everyone who adds their housefilk, filkish party, filk-friendly con, etc., etc. to the calendar”. You can enter your filkish event, which will be posted after approval.
Interfilk’s list of filk conventions
Google directory of filk organizations/events
Please [...]

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