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Song Circles

Here's a song that one of our song circle musicians wrote during the song circle on Oct 10, 2020. Enjoy!!

Counting Down the Calories

(Parody of “Rolling Down to Old Maui”)

By Anonymous

It's a damn tough life, with a fork and a knife, we shelterers undergo.

And I won't give a damn, when the COVID’s done, ripped pants I’ll have to sew.

I’ll go gymward bound, with some extra pounds, with a belt that’s taut not free.

‘Cause I don't give a damn, when I drink my rum, pounding down the calories.

Chorus:

Counting down the calories, me boys, counting down the calories.

We'll go gymward bound, with some extra pounds, counting down the calories

Once more I fail to conceal my tail, through the ice cream, gin, and pain.

Them coconut mounds, I’m guzzling down, I soon shall see again.

Seven lonesome months I've passed away, watching reruns on TV.

I'm still homebound, with some extra pounds, pounding down the calories

Chorus

My barefoot toes walk to and fro, while I’m still stuck here at home.

With my risky lungs my job is gone, so I ain't got far to roam.

With human voices carried away, what care I for that sound?

A bitter ale is calling me. Why not? I’m still homebound!

Chorus

How soft the cream drips from the cone, now the sherbert starts to melt.

That tropical ice does still entice, so I’ve loosened up my belt.

Even now my belly bulge peeks out, hoping some fine day to see

My iron will running down the treadmill counting down the calories!

Chorus

For more than a decade, PFS has hosted second Saturday song circles, where all were invited. They were hosted by a different household each month, and were a fun space where folks like you could come, meet people, play, sing, or just listen. They usually started with a pot luck dinner, and then we'd go around the circle twice, with everyone getting to lead a song. Some people stayed for a third rotation, and a fourth, and...

But then there was a pandemic.

Now we've moved online, and the song circles are WEEKLY instead of monthly, and they are great online, just as they were in person. Read about them below.

Upcoming PFS Song Circles

Weekly Saturday Evening Virtual Song Circle

We open up the circle at 5:30 PM Pacific time, start singing at 6:00, and we’ll keep it open until the last person leaves. Feel free to come in anytime, and stay as long as you like. We run it kind of like a physical song circle. Everyone who wants to can sing once, and then we’ll do another round, and just keep going as long as you like. We’ll provide some curation, but you won’t need a lot. Of course, it is totally fine to just listen.

Feel free to spread the word to people who would like to be there. This is not just for PFS folks at all, and nor only for people in the Pacific North West. While most of the participants are from the Pacific Northwest, we are honored to have musicians come from other states and other countries.

Oh! Check up the video above with excerpts from one song circle.

Connecting

For everyone connecting by internet, all you need is this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87176553766

Click on it, say yes to everything, and you will end up in the right place.

If you are connecting with a phone over wi-fi, use wi-fi to connect. Read no further.

However, if you are connecting by dial-in phone, which may use up a lot of your monthly bandwidth allowance, you will need the following.

Meeting ID: 871 7655 3766

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,87176553766# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,87176553766# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 871 7655 3766

Find your local number:
https://tinyurl.com/LocalNum

Logistics

Folks have learned a lot about how to hold good get-togethers on the internet. Here are some things that work, that we ask you to do during the virtual song circles.

We use the Zoom platform for meetings. When you go to the virtual song circle you will be placed in a virtual "waiting room". If a known name appears, we will let you in. If we don't know the person, we might send you a message asking who you are. Sorry about the inconvenience; we do this to protect everyone from unwanted disrupters.

Please sit with your face well lit, and a background that isn’t too bright.

Please mute yourself whenever you aren't singing.

Sing close to your mic, and if you are playing an instrument, hold back a little. Pease turn on "Orginal sound" when you are singing (there should be a button in the upper left hand corner of your laptop screen).

We often record the sessions. We will not use any recording of you without your permission.

We’ll be on early if you’d like to test out your connection.

Song Circle Etiquette

Whether you come to sing or just listen, relax and have fun. There is no need to be stressed, or shy.
When your turn around the circle comes, you may perform a song, lead a song, request someone else sing a song, or pass.
Please introduce yourself, even if you think everyone knows you.
Song circles usually go around two times, so you will have two opportunities to lead a song. But, sometimes more - so prepare as many songs as you like, just in case.
Singalongs, and songs with choruses, are encouraged, especially on the first round.
There is never a need to rush through a song but - please keep the circle moving along.
If the presenter requests that instruments accompany his or her song, join in. Be mindful of drowning out voices with loud instruments.
People often choose songs out of the "blue book" (Rise Up Singing) or the "red book" (Rise Again) for singalongs. If you use it, let others know what page your selection is on.
Song circle participants are tolerant about song choices: If you sing music made by folks, then we consider it folk music!

Song Circle Hosts
Subject to change - check back before the event

Date	First Round Host	Second Round Host	Tech
Sept 5	Holly Hoffnung	Bev Praver	Jinx Kuehn
Sept 12	Dave Mongeau	Holly Hoffnung	Paul Rippey
Sept 19	Jon Dickman	Ginger Hopper	Dave Mongeau
Sept 26	Delores Day	Paul Rippey	Holly Hoffnung
Oct 3	Jonathan Berman	Dave Mongeau	Ginger Hopper
Oct 10	Ginger Hopper	Bev Praver	Holly Hoffnung
Oct 17	Jon Dickman	Holly Hoffnung	Paul "Techozoid" Rippey
Oct 24	Paul Rippey	Jonathan Berman.	Dave Mongeau
Oct 31	Jonathan Berman.	Paul Rippey	Ginger Hopper

The Virtual Song Circle Team is always looking for new people who would like to host the events. It's fun and not too much work. Would you like to find out more? Drop a line to Holly Hoffnung.

Comments, questions, about this site? Write to webmaster@portlandfolkmusic.org.