Singalongs & Round-robins

Hundreds of participatory folk singing events are held regularly all over the English speaking world in churches, pubs, homes, etc. Many use Rise Up Singing. The New York Times recently featured a wonderful article on this informal movement.

One of the most widely practiced versions of group singing is Sacred Harp or "shape note" singing.  Here is a national directory of local Sacred Harp sings.

For additions or corrections to the listing below, email Peter.

Canada:

Kitchener, Ontario - We've been running a monthly song circle in our home, since 1995. People can contact me, Jack Cole for information. ("We've gone thru a couple of cases of RUS over the years. I think we must do a special 20th anniversary circle in the fall!")

Ottawa, Ontario - Round robin type song circle, 1st & 3rd Fridays Contact:  Dale Morland or call [613] 725-9208.

Toronto Area - Brampton Folk Club holds a song circle from 7-9:30 usually on the 1st non-holiday Monday each month. Meets in the Brampton Civic Centre at 41 George St. See calendar posted at bramptonfolk.ca. Rise Up Singing is used heavily. The club also has Friday folk concerts.

Pacific:

Chico CA - Rise Up Singing Circle meets the 1st Thurs of each month, beginning October 2, 7-9 PM at Chico Friends Meeting House, corner of 16th St. & Hemlock. For more info call Leslie Howard, (530) 891-0750.

Maui HI - The Maui Folksong Circle, mostly using Rise Up Singing, usually meets in Kihei on the first Wednesday of each month at 6pm; and usually in Haiku on a Saturday at 3pm. Free. For more information email Mike Elam.

Seattle WA - Seattle Song Circle has been going on since the mid 1970s, and meets nearly every Sunday evening of the Year from 7-10 PM. We also run a folk camp in January. Detailed info on the sings can be found at the Seattle Folkore Society website: seafolkore.org.  

Intermountain:

Colorado Springs CO - Monthly sings loosely based around the High Plains Unitarian Church. Contact Scott Flora or call 719-475-1726 (days) or
719-442-6698 (evenings).

Denver CO

Weekly song circle Monday nights at the Denver Folklore Center, 1893 S. Pearl St.  Does not meet during summer.

Monthly song circle on 1st Tuesdays at Swallow Hill Cafe, 71 E. Tale Ave. "Bring a song to share, Rise Up Singing, or just yourself...Come to lead, listen, share & learn."

Missoula MT - A song circle is held on the 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays of every month 7-9 pm. For more information email Mardia.

Reno NV - Reno song circles are on the 2nd Friday of each month. 7:00 dessert, 7:45 singing. Bring a dessert or beverage to share. If you have a favorite song, bring the lyrics to share with group. Songbooks are available for $15. Your $1 donation helps cover cost of printing & mailing. Please let Patty (775-828-7456) or Gayle (775-322-1004) know if you can host a song circle on the second Friday of some future month.

South & Southwest:

Austin TX - Join us on the 4th Sat. of the month at 7:30pm at the Friends Meetinghouse, 3701 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.  Copies of Rise Up Singing are available.  Solos, original songs & your personal favorites welcome.  Please bring snacks & finger foods, musical instruments & copies of songs you want to sing with the group. For more info contact Joanna & Larry Vaughn 512-469-0029 or Mary Jane Ford 512-926-4122.

Midwest:

Wichita KS - Weekly song circle each Sunday evening 7:30-9:30 pm. We rotate our circle (usually counter clockwise!) so please email Aaron Fowler (316-207-4715) for current location & other info

East Lansing MI - Monthly Community Sings using RUS are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 7:30 at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 803 Grove St.  $3-5 donation towards costs/refreshments. Link for map.  Website or call 517-267-0410. All are welcome. This singalong was featured in a great NY Times article!

Twin Cities MN - Song Circle meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month, but we skip June. We meet in people's homes, in Minneapolis, Edina, Minnetonka & St. Paul. Please email Marilyn Johnson for more information.

Minneapolis - Rise Up Singing occurs the 2nd & last Weds. of every month at Minnehaha Free Space, 3747 Minnehaha Ave in South Minneapolis, just off E. 38th Street, in the IUE-CWA union bldg, from 6:30-9:30 pm. We sing from Rise Up Singing & our own supplement. Loaner copies available. Instruments welcome. Hosted by Sarah Marquardt & Phil Grove.

Akron OH - Monthly song circle. For information email Mary Starbuck or Steve Kraus

Eau Claire WI - Monthly song circle, usually Sun. afternoons but location & host rotates. Email Earl or DoAnn Holzman or call 715-833-0462.

Mid-Atlantic:

Atlantic City NJ Area - First Friday Potluck/Sing. Potluck at 6pm, Singing at 7:30 or so. Contact Meed & Bob Barnett at 609-965-5347 or email Chris Mock

Mullica Hill NJ - The Song Circle meets the 1st Thursday of each month, 7-8:30pm, at the Friends Meeting annex, on S. Main St., at the junction of Rts. 45 & 77. Email Larry Sarner or call him at 808-446-0001

Ithaca NY - "Our monthly 'Richie Sing' uses Rise Up Singing. In April 2010 we had our 300th consecutive sing! Come join us." Info: Melody Johnson  607-272-8755

Rochester NY - Every Tuesday night from 7:30 to 10:00 PM at 12 Corners Presbyterian Church, 1200 South Winton Road, next to Brighton High School. This is one of the longest-running sing-arounds in the country, begun in 1971 when the Golden Link Folk Singing Society was founded! For more information go to: goldenlink.org

Philadelphia PA - Usually 4th Thursdays. Folk Factory Coffeehouse, located at the U-U Church on 6900 Stenton Ave in Mt Airy. Open Stage 7:30, followed by Open Song Circle 9:30. $2-5. More info call: 215-848-6246.

West Chester PA Area - Monthly sings at the home of Rich Aldred & Claudia Lees in Glen Mills, PA. For information on new singalongs, email Rich or call 484-332-3788.

New England:

Hartford CT - Meetinghouse Sing-Along meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 2-5pm at the U-U Meetinghouse, 50 Bloomfield Ave. Families, singers, songwriters & audience welcome. We have songsheets & some Rise Up Singing available but bring your own copy if you have one. Contact Maggie Greene 860-223-2407 or Ed Savage 860-966-8155 for questions.

Manchester CT - Manchester Women's Singing Circle meets every Thursday night from 7-9pm at The Unitarian Universalist Society: East at 153 W. Vernon St. All women ages 8 & up are welcome to join us in song. We sing songs of the earth & healing & songs from many traditions. No musical training necessary. For more info, call Annie at our office 860-646-5151.

Amherst-Northampton MA Area:

Rise Up Singing in Harmony (RUSH) meets monthly. 6pm potluck, 7pm sing. Email Roger Conant for more info or to get on their email list.

Pioneer Valley Folklore Society holds a monthly Song & Story Swap on the 1st Saturday evening of each month at 7pm at Nacul Center at 592 Main St in Amherst. Song circle precedes featured performer & often continues afterwards. 

North Easton MA - 1st Friday potluck/sing. Music Night at the Loft - potluck 6pm, music 7 or so.  Contact Joey Sheehan.

Wakefield MA -  Round robin inspired by but not limited to Rise Up Singing. Meets monthly on the 3rd Friday at 7:30 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 326 Main St.  Parking on street or behind the Town Building. Free will offering or non-perishables for food pantry. For more info email Rev. Maddie or call the church at 781-245-4632

Southern NH - "2nd Friday Song Circle" has been singing monthly for 15 years (mainly out of RUS). Meets currently in Wilton, N.H., at Nelson's Candies 7-10 pm. Free. For occasional email notices re schedule changes & local folk events/parties, email Sandy Lafleur. For questions call Amy Conley at 603-249-9560.

Montpellier VT area - Adamant/East Montpelier monthly sing along & potluck. For more information, email Amy Torchia

St. Johnsbury VT Area - Vermont Women's Round Sing - participatory round singing led by Louise Brill. Most Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm at North Congregational Church. Email Louise for more info or call 802 633-3226.