Re: WesterCon 54

Michelle Hansard <vix at u.washington.edu> writes:

reply> I'd still like to see a jam session *really* work, and not turn into just a
> concert-- which I think means finding a large enough room (larger than
> normal panel sized I would think), and organizing in a *circle* rather than
> an audience/panel format. I've been to one really good jam session but,
> unhelpfully, I can't remember which con it was-- but the above
> circumstances were definitely present.

I agree. (Of course, we've complained to each other enough about this!) The recent jam sessions we have stopped by have all turned into 'watch Heather jam with a few other Big Names'. Which is very cool to listen to, but not very inclusive. At last year's Norwescon, several of us left and started another one in the halls.

I would suggest having both a participatory jam and a spectator jam.

The first is held in a smaller room, previously arranged into a circle, and doesn't list any Big Names as panelists. If they want to show up to join in -- wonderful! One of the better con jam sessions I remember was in the bar at Orycon. For those who haven't been there, the bar (room) is circular with the bar (furniture) in the center. Probably worked because of the informal setting and the lack of an obvious 'front'.

The later is held in a panel room, with the audience obviously seperated from the musicians, and people who just want to watch the Big Names have fun can do so there.

-- 
Matthew Dockrey                          Master Control Program sez:
http://students.washington.edu/gfish     END OF LINE