There is a singaround on the Second Monday of every month at Ye Olde Vic in Edgeley, Stockport. Occasionally the date may change but up-to-date information can be found on the facebook page (link below). It starts at 8 pm. What is a singaround? The world of folk clubs, sessions and singarounds can be baffling and intimidating for newcomers. It may seem like there’s an unwritten rulebook that everyone knows except you. That isn’t really true, and the vast majority of clubs are friendly and welcoming to first- timers. We certainly aim to be. A singaround is a communal event not unlike an ‘open mic’ (but without the mic). Most people turn up with a prepared piece, a song, a piece of music, a poem or whatever, and perform it for everyone else. The only structure is that you perform a piece then it moves on to the next person. There is no obligation to perform - there will be many who just come to listen and sing along with the chorus songs of which there are usually plenty. Folk Music - what’s that? Who knows? Who cares? Everyone will have their own idea of what a folk song is, whether it originates from the mists of time or was written in someone’s bedroom last week. The common factor may be that it was not written for money but for people to enjoy and maybe that’s the key. You can get up and sing or play almost anything at a folk club and it will hopefully be enjoyed by an appreciative crowd. An appeal The world of folk music singarounds may seem to be populated primarily by men and women who, surprisingly enough, were once young. In the wider folk scene there are very many talented young performers and somehow the tradition continues. Younger folk would be made very welcome were they to visit us.