Come to think of it, why are there so many people who have that group of interests - F&SF, folk music, musicals? I understand the link between the first two; there are any number of fantasy plots based on folk ballads or folk tales or folk tales told in ballads, and as an outgrowth of that, even quite a few novels in which the characters like or sing or quote folk music, from War for the Oaks to Picking the Ballad's Bones to Tam Lin to Silverlock (hmm. need to reread that one) to Manly Wade Wellman's Silver John stories.
But why musicals? Is it just that after all those ballads we get used to music that tells a story and has a singable melody?
Also, why don't I run into people who sing or play music anymore? In college, people brought guitars to parties and even those who couldn't play might sing to them. When I did the Rocky Horror Show (I was Columbia for a year or two at the Theatre of the Living Arts on South St. in Philadelphia, back when it showed movies) we'd sing show tunes as we walked home at 3AM. (We did try to be a little quieter on the residential streets.) Even when I volunteered at the Armand Bayou Nature Center in Houston we'd occasionally get to singing and playing at some of the group's gatherings. I don't play guitar much any more (and haven't really gotten to try the mandolin) but I'm still singing and whistling and I have no plans to stop any time soon. The rest of my world is bloody well going to have to give up and join in.
Resistance is futile.
On a different topic, I've sent an email, but will also wish my college bf a happy birthday here. If I'm not mistaken, he's turning 40. It's now been about 14 years since I've seen him in person, though we've emailed occasionally. I was 17 we first met. How oddly age telescopes time.
Posted by dichroic at August 2, 2004 01:25 PMNESFA did a new edition of Silverlock & the Silverlock Companion (in one volume) this year - very fine!!
Posted by: Keilyn at August 2, 2004 01:48 PMA lot of us also like "filksongs", you know, writing parodies of popular songs with sci-fi themes. I don't know why I enjoy such things, but I do - and, when I turn my own brain to it, I tend to be pretty good at it, which always suprises me.
Posted by: golfwidow at August 2, 2004 02:05 PMSo music-making at parties is a general college thing? I'd always assumed that the reason I found such at college and not since was that I went to Oberlin, which concentrates musically-inclined people.
(Hi. I found your blog via librarygrrrl.net. I read F&SF and sing and listen to folk music, but I have a slight preference for folk dance over musicals.)
Posted by: Naomi at August 2, 2004 02:46 PMSo, can you still tap-dance? A snake of a gal giving you an evil wink, ~LA
Posted by: LA at August 2, 2004 03:07 PMI know people in the Cities here who have music playing at their parties, folk circles and the like. Festies and SCAfolk will, too, sometimes.
I think the thing about musicals is that you have to embrace the uncool. Musicals really aren't cool these days. Fen are used to not being cool, and generally cheerful about it.
Posted by: Mris at August 3, 2004 08:24 AM