Comfort Zone
A Bardic Revel
About
Comfort Zone is a series of bardic get-togethers designed to encourage you to expand your comfort zone.
If you're an absolute novice, afraid of getting up in front of an audience, this is the place for you. If you're a veteran, here's a chance to try something new - a new instrument, or a new genre. The evenings have plenty of time for singing old favorites and jamming as well.
Each session features a competition or challenge of some sort - because that's a threshhold some people might prefer to cross in good company - but participation will be voluntary, of course.
The evenings start with a potluck supper. A main course will be provided, and attendees are asked to bring beverages and a side dish, bread, or dessert. Special dietary needs? Contact the Not-o-crat (it's not an Event, so we don't have an Autocrat).
Wear garb!
Next!
Date: You choose!
Location: Your place?
Time: 6pm until the fire goes out.
Not-o-crat:
Dress: Garb.
Cost: None. Donations will be welcome.
Dinner: Potluck. Your host will provide a main course. Bring a beverage for yourself and a side dish or dessert to share.
Competition / Challenge: To be chosen by the not-o-crat. Remember, although the Comfort Crow will be awarded to a champion (decided by populace vote), this is really a challenge to yourself, to get you to stretch your limits.
As always, there will be open bardic time after the official end of the challenge.
Past Zones
October 24, 2009
The first Comfort Zone was held at at Minion Ridge, the stately manse of Lady Juliane Bechaumpe, who also acted as the Not-o-crat.
The competition was "It's Period. Period." Competitors were invited to present any period piece. Juliane herself won, with her tale Lexandra's Victory, and Tyzes "Zsof" Sofia (tale: The Burning Spear) and Heather Reading (song: Erev Shel Shoshanim) tied for second. Other competitors: Brendan O Corraidhe (poem: Chaucer's Complaint to His Purse); Robin McCauley (song: Haughs of Cromdale); Ulfr Ganglr (a spanish song); and Ursula Mortimer (nee "the Widow") (tale: Champion of Ulster).
This was also the first outing of the Vox Project. Robin McCauley recorded and edited most of the offerings, with excellent results. See the Vox page.
October 23, 2010
The event took place at the home of Ulfr Gangler and Violet MacInnes; Ulfr was the Not-o-crat.
The evening was grand - the weather cooperated with us and we were able to have a fire outside in the firepit. Llywelen, Juliane, Robin, Ellen, Ulfr and Sibelia were all in attendance, food was plentiful, music song and mirth filled the air.
For the actual competition (Playing with Yourself), there were four challengers:
Lord Robin performed feats of prestidigitation which amazed even him!
Lady Juliane accompanied herself on tambourine (and with dance) for a rousing version of "Bedlam Boys"
Ellen performed a lovely Hebrew tune and accompanied herself on Doumbek
Lord Ulfr performed "The Minstrel Boy" and accompanied himself on Bodhran.
After the performances, the votes were cast and tallied, and the Comfort Crow was awarded to Ellen! (Hoobah!)
On a personal note, my lady and I had a wonderful time, and stretched our comfort zone a bit as well (it was our first hosting gig). I hope that all who attended enjoyed themselves, because I certainly did.
February 5, 2011
Time: 6pm until the fire goes out.
Not-o-crat: Tyzes "Zsof" Sofia (zsofsky (at) gmail (dot) com)
Location: Négy Macska, the palatial estate of Tyzes Sofia.
3120 Meier Place
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
This is located on a cul-de-sac with plenty of parking. Visitors with allergies should take note of the presence of the Four Cats.
Dress: Garb.
Cost: None. Donations will be welcome.
Dinner: Potluck. Your Host will provide a main dish (chili or a soup of some sort) and assorted beverages (including tea and coffee).
Bring a beverage for yourself and bit to share, and also a dessert, bread or side dish (enough for 6).
Competition / Challenge: We'll start around 8:00. Remember, although the Comfort Crow will be awarded to a champion (decided by populace vote), this is really a challenge to yourself, to get you to stretch your limits. Ensemble entries are allowed. The competition theme is:
"It's time to put down your sword".
Date: April 9, 2011
Time: 6pm until the fire goes out.
Not-o-crat: Jolicia atte Northclyfe (washington.julie (at) gmail (dot) com)
Location: Jolicia's home in Cleveland Heights.
3516 Northcliffe
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
There is plenty of street parking.
Dress: Garb.
Cost: None. Donations will be welcome.
Dinner: Potluck. Your Host will provide a main dish (chili or a soup of some sort) and assorted beverages (including tea and coffee).
Bring a soft drink for yourself and bit to share, and also a dessert, bread or side dish (enough for 6). Please note that this is a dry site.
Competition / Challenge: We'll start around 8:00. Remember, although the Comfort Crow will be awarded to a champion (decided by populace vote), this is really a challenge to yourself, to get you to stretch your limits. Ensemble entries are allowed. Because the previous Comfort Zone was mostly snowed out, we're repeating the competition theme:
"It's time to put down your sword".
Date: September 10, 2011
Location: 401 Skylane Drive, Northfield Center, Oh 44067-2619
Time: 6pm until the fire goes out.
Not-o-crat: Hazel the Carpenter's Wife - (330)468-2523
Dress: Garb.
Cost: None. Donations will be welcome.
Dinner: Potluck. Your host will provide baked potatoes, with toppings selections: Cheddar cheese, broccoli, bacon, chili (both veggie and meaty) and, perhaps, chopped onions. Cold (Cleveland) water will be available. Bring a soft drink for yourself (the site is dry) and a side dish or dessert to share.
If the weather suits, we will have a fire bowl, marshmallows and sticks.
If the weather suits and you are able, please bring an outdoor chair, as we don't have quite enough.Competition / Challenge: FilkStorm! We're always so "Let's Be Period" at Comfort Zones. Lighten up! After the social hour, we'll have some structured and unstructured time where we'll work on filks; and afterwards, we'll perform them. Remember, although the Comfort Crow will be awarded to a champion (decided by populace vote), this is really a challenge to yourself, to get you to stretch your limits.
(Thanks to Ginevra Boscoli for the idea!)
As always, there will be open bardic time after the official end of the challenge.
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