Steampunk Caroling in St. Louis, MO
Ok, I wanted to go over the Steampunk Caroling plans one more time:
This Wednesday, December 14th, we are gathering at the Mint Cookie for an informal rehearsal. I will have song sheets and we will have a piano to sing along with if we desire. I may get the drums down in case anyone wants to try some simple percussion. (For directions, please contact
kukla_tko42 privately.)
Gather at 7pm or so. I'll throw a roast in the oven so we can have a nice meal after we've sung.
Official Date for Caroling is Friday, December 16th.
I have secured permission to leave work early, so I'm suggesting meeting at Cicero's around 6pm. I believe that some steampunks and I will be going there for dinner. We will warm up then begin our adventure around 6:30.
Some FAQ:
"Where are we going?"
We will be singing in the various establishments along Delmar in the University City "Loop". Contactkukla_tko42 for directions, if you need them.
"What songs are we going to sing? Do we have to sing religious carols?"
Generally, the plan is to number off and take turns choosing carols. If this arrangement is not comfortable for the group, a leader will choose which songs we will sing for each stop. We will have song sheets made up bykukla_tko42, so if you have a request in advance, please let her know so she can include it. We will also be singing the Steampunk (filk) Carols that we came up with two years ago, and there might be one or two new ones this year. (IF you have such a carol to submit, get it to kukla_tko42 right away!)
"Are there songs we won't sing at all?"
As the leader,kukla_tko42 gets a veto on certain songs. If you have songs that make you uncomfortable for any reason, you may feel free to let her know. kukla_tko42 does not wish to sing "O Holy Night" for personal reasons, Coventry Carol for political ones, or The Twelve Days of Christmas for length. Keep in mind that if you wish to sing a lesser-known song, you may be required to teach the tune to the group.
"Are we collecting money for charity?"
We are not officially collecting money for charity. However, sometimes people donate without prompting and as one sage Steampunk put it, "It's rude to refuse money". Any random donations of cash will be donated to a charity decided by the group. If all else fails, it can be put in one of the Salvation Army buckets at a grocery store.
"Do we have to dress up?"
Costumes are strongly encouraged but NOT required. If you have a festive or period hat, that may be sufficient. Please keep the weather in mind and dress warmly. If you are in an elaborate costume and do not wish to cover it with a cloak or coat, please wear sufficient layers to keep warm.kukla_tko42 has many spare hats/scarves/goggles that can be borrowed by participants who are without festive or costume outerwear. I'm sure that other members of the list also have pieces they would be willing to loan as well.
"Can I bring my friend/coworker/family member/children?"
Kids are welcome, as are extra voices of any kind. Be sure that they understand that most of us will be in costume, and that we're weird. (Well, *I* am weird, aren't you?)
"What if it is snowing/icing/raining/a blizzard?"
If the weather sucks, we will not carol. On Friday I will double-check the weather and if we decide to reschedule, I will send out an email (and post to the LJ community) to alert everyone to the change of plan. If the weather is bad on the 16th, we will reschedule for the 23rd.
"I can't come on the 16th, could we also sing on the 23rd?"
If I get enough interest, and we do not reschedule due to weather, I might be up for another round of costumed caroling on the 23rd. Please emailkukla_tko42 privately if you want to have a second round on the 23rd.
"I can't sing very well, but I have a great costume."
I welcome all voices, regardless of 'talent'. If you are uncomfortable singing loudly, we welcome quiet singers as well as loud ones. We do not care if you have been classically trained, sang in the school choir, or have no "training" whatsoever. Extra bodies are welcome even if you just mumble the words to yourself, particularly if you have awesome gear to wear.
"Should I bring booze?"
Based upon open container laws, I am instigating a policy that prohibits carrying our own Christmas Cheer. Two years ago, Cicero's bought us a round of cider at the end of the night, and we will be visiting several bars and restaurants as part of our tour, where you can get a hot or cold beverage to sip, so BYO is not necessary. If you have a discreet hip flask and know how to not be caught with it, I will probably look the other way.
This Wednesday, December 14th, we are gathering at the Mint Cookie for an informal rehearsal. I will have song sheets and we will have a piano to sing along with if we desire. I may get the drums down in case anyone wants to try some simple percussion. (For directions, please contact
kukla_tko42 privately.)Gather at 7pm or so. I'll throw a roast in the oven so we can have a nice meal after we've sung.
Official Date for Caroling is Friday, December 16th.
I have secured permission to leave work early, so I'm suggesting meeting at Cicero's around 6pm. I believe that some steampunks and I will be going there for dinner. We will warm up then begin our adventure around 6:30.
Some FAQ:
"Where are we going?"
We will be singing in the various establishments along Delmar in the University City "Loop". Contact
kukla_tko42 for directions, if you need them."What songs are we going to sing? Do we have to sing religious carols?"
Generally, the plan is to number off and take turns choosing carols. If this arrangement is not comfortable for the group, a leader will choose which songs we will sing for each stop. We will have song sheets made up by
kukla_tko42, so if you have a request in advance, please let her know so she can include it. We will also be singing the Steampunk (filk) Carols that we came up with two years ago, and there might be one or two new ones this year. (IF you have such a carol to submit, get it to kukla_tko42 right away!)"Are there songs we won't sing at all?"
As the leader,
kukla_tko42 gets a veto on certain songs. If you have songs that make you uncomfortable for any reason, you may feel free to let her know. kukla_tko42 does not wish to sing "O Holy Night" for personal reasons, Coventry Carol for political ones, or The Twelve Days of Christmas for length. Keep in mind that if you wish to sing a lesser-known song, you may be required to teach the tune to the group."Are we collecting money for charity?"
We are not officially collecting money for charity. However, sometimes people donate without prompting and as one sage Steampunk put it, "It's rude to refuse money". Any random donations of cash will be donated to a charity decided by the group. If all else fails, it can be put in one of the Salvation Army buckets at a grocery store.
"Do we have to dress up?"
Costumes are strongly encouraged but NOT required. If you have a festive or period hat, that may be sufficient. Please keep the weather in mind and dress warmly. If you are in an elaborate costume and do not wish to cover it with a cloak or coat, please wear sufficient layers to keep warm.
kukla_tko42 has many spare hats/scarves/goggles that can be borrowed by participants who are without festive or costume outerwear. I'm sure that other members of the list also have pieces they would be willing to loan as well."Can I bring my friend/coworker/family member/children?"
Kids are welcome, as are extra voices of any kind. Be sure that they understand that most of us will be in costume, and that we're weird. (Well, *I* am weird, aren't you?)
"What if it is snowing/icing/raining/a blizzard?"
If the weather sucks, we will not carol. On Friday I will double-check the weather and if we decide to reschedule, I will send out an email (and post to the LJ community) to alert everyone to the change of plan. If the weather is bad on the 16th, we will reschedule for the 23rd.
"I can't come on the 16th, could we also sing on the 23rd?"
If I get enough interest, and we do not reschedule due to weather, I might be up for another round of costumed caroling on the 23rd. Please email
kukla_tko42 privately if you want to have a second round on the 23rd."I can't sing very well, but I have a great costume."
I welcome all voices, regardless of 'talent'. If you are uncomfortable singing loudly, we welcome quiet singers as well as loud ones. We do not care if you have been classically trained, sang in the school choir, or have no "training" whatsoever. Extra bodies are welcome even if you just mumble the words to yourself, particularly if you have awesome gear to wear.
"Should I bring booze?"
Based upon open container laws, I am instigating a policy that prohibits carrying our own Christmas Cheer. Two years ago, Cicero's bought us a round of cider at the end of the night, and we will be visiting several bars and restaurants as part of our tour, where you can get a hot or cold beverage to sip, so BYO is not necessary. If you have a discreet hip flask and know how to not be caught with it, I will probably look the other way.
