A “filk” convention is coming to town.

The UK’s 30th such convention, known as Enharmonicon, involves the folk music of the science-fiction fan community.

It’s a mixture of song parodies and original music, humorous and serious, about subjects like science fiction, fantasy, computers and more.

The name “filk” started out as a typo of “folk” and was gleefully adopted by all and sundry as a term for what is a niche event.

The convention will host two main types of performance known as concert and circle.

Etiquette for concert performances is wait until you hear clapping, then enter the hall quietly and take a seat.

It is much like a festival, where you can choose to come in or leave as and when you wish, depending on what you enjoy or want to hear.

A circle is more of an informal setting — members will perform their music, with two different forms of circle — Bardic, where you go round the circle and each person in turn chooses either to play a song, request a song; or pass and chaos, where people can jump in at random.

The event will be held at the Best Western Hotel in Marks Tey, from Friday, February 2 to Sunday, February 4.

For more information, go to www.contabile.org.uk/ enharmonicon or contact the committee by email at enharmonicon@gmail.com.