This panel was held in the Hyatt Baker room on Friday afternoon at 1PM. From the start, these musicians were comical, demonstrating how the filking community is more than a gathering; it’s family.

This panel explained what filking is. Its origins started in 1936, and it has evolved into a genre of folk music geared to science-fiction/fantasy fans. As Leslie stated, “It’s folk music of the future.”

Filking can be either dependent, based on something you would have to know the background for the song to make sense, or independent. The latter is a style in which, somewhere in the song, the premise is explained.

Filking is becoming more and more prevalent. Some of the artists also make CDs. As in any genre, you have some that are better known than others. There is always room in this family for more. The group is so much fun and so jovial, you can’t help but feel welcome.

After some discussion, the audience was lucky enough to hear some filking. It was so entertaining. If filking is something you have never experienced, then see if you can go to one of the other panels this weekend. It really is something everyone, even kids, can enjoy.