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Has anyone heard the details of the Ann Arbor Ren Festival? When??? for instance...
66 responses total.
Ren? Will Stimpy be there, too?
Brian, go to your room! Oh, you're already there. Nevermind.... No, haven't heard any details yet, but would be interested in reading them here.
Will respond when I get the details. Cynnabar usually is there for 1-2 of the weekends. We do demos and run a pop concession stand.
Okay, I picked up a flyer and got the info on when the SCA would be involved. Childhood Quest August 15-16 Frolic and join in the fun. Experience Hollygrove through the eyes of a child with games, a petting zoo, contests, puppet shows, parades and prizes. Renaissance Romance August 22-23 Engage yourself in romantic notions. L reigns true as the King and Queen pledge their love in a renewal of vows. SCA will be involved this weekend. We are tentatively planning a court of love. Tournament of Chivalry August 29-30 Valiant knights in shining armor take to the field in the Games Gala Tourney. SCA will have some sort of fighting demo/skit. Peasant Olympics September 5-6-7 Let the games begin with Tote-a-Bloke and Press-a-Wench. Partake in foolish antics in a special celebratory weekend. We invite you to help us discover the Adventure of long ago. Music and Dance September 12-13 Clecbrate song and dance with merry minstrels and lighthearted troubadours who invite you to rejoice and kick up your heels in harmony. SCA is invited for this weekend, not sure yet what we will be doing. Highland Fling September 19-20 Join us in a stirring tribute to Scotland. The Masters Caber Toss Champions once again take to the gamin fields while the tartan-clad Scotsmane captivate and delight you in the Highland dance competitions. Country Wine Affair September 26-27 King Edward and Queen Katheryne invite you to savor fine exotic edibles and sample the nectar of the gods in a splendid Country Wine Affair Farewell Weekend Celebration. There are Celebrity Challenge Weekends on Aug 23 & 30, Sept 7 & 13; sponsored by WDIV/TV 4 Admission Prices are: Adults $10.95 at the gate 9.50 in advance; Children $5.95 at the gate 5.00 in advance; Children under 5 are free. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., rain or shine. Advance tickets available at all Kroger Supermarkets, Kessel Food Markets in the Flint and Saginaw areas and participating Total Gasoline stations. Form further information, motor coach and group rates call (313)645-9640. Free parking, no pets. Located one mile north of Mt. Holly, Inc on Dixie Highway between Pontiac and Flint. I had heard somewhere last year that if you come in Renaissance Dress you got in for half price, but the flyer doesn't make any mention of it, so I would check first before trying it.
Wow. I enjoyed having SCA at the RenFest last year; it'll be great to have them there more often. Just be sure to bring your armorer...he attracted a lot of attention (the mock battles were also excellent).
"Merry Minstrels and light-hearted Troubadours?" Wow.
Renaissance Festival goes on EVERY year, remember??? And there is alot more to it than the one weekend SCA is there! (Ok, I know this is a SCA conf, but Renaissance Festival is an enitity onto itself!)
Most certainly. A local (Ann Arbor) madrigal group performs every weekend (Our Lady's Madrigal Singers) for one thing.
where do they perform? Another RenFest person/musician that performs all over the Detroit area is Jim Perkins. He is always as Four Green Fields (hosts open mike night) and the Old Shilleghleigh. Is there anyone out there interested in auditioning for Renaissance Festival? (I have details if you;d like them. I work Ren Fest every year).
Jim can also be found every Friday at Brendans Pub in Farmington.
We've got a tape or two of Jim's. He's a lot of fun to watch and listen to. OLMS performs at various places in the AA/Detroit area, depending on who hires them (such as the Ren Fest). They also do a couple seasonal concerts in AA. It is a semi-professional, volunteer group, so don't expect them to hang out at a bar on a daily basis ;) They do small group (4-6 people) as well as full choir-type performances. Owaine Phyfe (geez, I hope I spelled that somewhat correctly) is another local area performer. My wife just got his new CD (New World Renaissance Band) which I believe includes a performer or two from the Gypsy Guerilla Band (another fun Ren Fest regular).
Owen Fite (non-stage spelling) is a very good friend of ours! We not only perform w/him at RenFest, but at the annual OCC Wassail (w/his wife Paula, also). Actually, he has ANOTHER new cd he's just recently completed called "Where Beauty Moves and Wit Delights". it's wonderful (of course) done with the New World Renaissance Band (and yes, it does have member of the GGB) and Jim Perkins does back-up on one song. Are you at all familiar w/Gibbon the Troubadour (aka Gary Amadon) from RenFest? He also does alot of places around Detroit when he's in the state. he has a wonderful new tape called "Tillerman's Rye" available. He's a very close friend also.
Yes, I've seen him at Ren Fest and camped near his bus a time or two. We just got the Where Beauty Moves... that's the new CD I was talking about. We've got another of Owen's CDs that we purchased last year at Ren Fest. I might say that it's very fun to camp in the participant area at Ren Fest. (except for excessive drumming ;)
There seem to be a number of folks here or friends of folks here who are
musical. I'm missing verse 3 to a popular Mayday song. If someone could
find it for me before Saturday, I'd be grateful. Verse 1 goes something like:
Come ye young lads, come a-long
With your music, dance and song.
Bring your lasses in your hands,
For 'tis that which love commands.
Then to the May Pole hasete away,
For 'tis now our holiday.
etc.
Any complete version would be appreciated.
Kentn, do you work Fest? What particular participant area are you refering to? (there are a couple in various areas both on Fest grounds and area campgrounds) Kami: I'll see what I can find for you!
No I don't work at Ren Fest. I've hung out there while my wife has performed with the madrigal singers. Usually I'll go in costume. We've camped in the participant camp ground behind the Ren Fest, where a lot of other participants also camp.
Unfortunately the participant camping grounds behind Fest no longer exist (unless they change plans this year...new owner...YEAH!) I've camped there (w/Gary "gibbon")...always a good time. MOst people now camp at Jellystone or the other one on the corner (can never remember the name). When is HLMS next performance and where? (We'd be interested in seeing them again) Does anyone have any opinions as to changes and/or things they'd like to see at RenFest? Does anyone involved w/SCA have an opinion of why the tension exists between SCA people and RenFEst people?
Wow. And after they looked like they were going to expand the campground, too (they'd put in a new "loop" of gravel road last time I was back there). Guess the liability of having people camp there got to the powers that be (either that or fire marshall did). Is "the one on the corner" the state park (or is that the Jellystone you're referring to)? We've camped at the state park before, but it's a big pain to get going in the morning when you have to drive to the Ren Fest and hassle with everyone else driving in early in the morning. Having the campground out back was much handier and so much nicer at the end of a long, hot, dusty day than driving several miles down the highway before relaxing. Oh well...
I don't think that it's a state park... It's the one that's right on Dixie only about 1 mile down from fest right before Grange Hall as your coming from fest it's on the left hand side. The name always excapes me... Part of the reason that they're getting rid of the on-site camping is that the physical space for parking of patrons has gotten MIGHTY scarce. As of last year, participants could no longer park on-site, we had to park at Mt. Holly and get ferried in on big, hot, smelly busses. And they STILL had 7 and 8 mile backups for parking! Kind of a bind 'cause there's only aq very finite space that they can expand in and I guess that the participant camping just kinda lost out, unfortunately!
It's easy to explain the friction between SCA nad the Renaissance Festival
when you look at the baSic foundation of the SCA. In general, SCA people
speak scathingly of renfests, since it's not the real thing, and no attempt
is made to re-create the real thing.
Pattie
Oh please. How many SCA people put in a true attempt to 're-create the real thing'? True, the SCA is not as commercial as the RenFairs, and don't fall into as many of the "hollywood traps"; but lets not look down our noses too far. Someone putting on a poly-cotton tunic with no trim, calling themselves a celt and talking about computers/cars/kidex/gov't/whatever; is not my idea of the real thing. If you would like an interesting test; go to the next outing, and speak of only things medieval. :) PS This is not meant as a personaly attack on you pegasus, just some spouting off of my own.
Ok, it is true RenFest is commercial, but the bottom lines, after all IS to make money. It'd be a bit gross to patrons if we had rats running around in garbage thrown out in the streets from the shops, wouldn't it? So by following health and civil guidelines, RenFest people do a pretty good job. RenFest is an allusion to the harvest festivals when everyone brought their wares into the village. It's acting! (though I will admit to being greatly annoyed by terrible accents, but I've heard alot of SCA people not even attempt one!) So if RenFest is acting, I'd have to say so is SCA. That's why I do not under- stand why SCA people hate RenFest people so much. To argue its because we aren't authentic enough seems a cop-out. Practiacally, we CAN'T be 100% authentic w/costumes because of the heat, health laws, & comfort. We CAN'T make the grounds 100% authentic or it'd be complete chaos in crowds of over 25,000 (as we had last Labour Day). It is a "taste" of Renaissance life, not the real thing. And that's what RenFest people have a hard time accepting about SCA people. SCA people (this is not aimed at anyone in particular, just as a whole) tend to take _everything_ far too seriously, they tend to criticize far too rapidly and don't watch for their own flaws. I've encountered _many_ SCA folks who don't know when to let things drop. This IS the 1990s and there is a place and time for everything. I do not appreciate someone at 2 a.m. standing next to their car attempting to be a nobleman and actually think I'm going to believe them! It is because of these reasons RenFest people/actors begin disliking SCA people, but I don't understand their open hatred of us?
This seems to be becoming rather an acrimonious discussion. And her I was thinking that the conflict didn't seem too severe in Michigan. Sigh. I guess my take on it is that the Ren-folk have every right to resent SCA people coming in and disparaging their work, when they don't do such a comprehensive job of staying in character/period either. When I go to a renfair, I try to suspend judgement/disbelief as best I can and just enjoy the atmoshphere. On the other hand, if I were to suggest changes to the Faire, I think it might be possible to have more consistent street acting so that visitors are drawn in more fully, and there are fairly hygienic things that merchants, including food merchants, might do to extend the image or level of accuracy. For example, I wonder if wheeled carts could bring stock to the food booths or carry it around for sale? Could some of the merchants cry their wares wandering about? Could there be more of a "plot" to spark discussion among the street actors, which might interest visitors? I just don't see why there has to be such anger between two different but related groups which can help one another. Maybe I'm an idealist.
Well, I enjoy the Ren Fest on its own terms, and I also enjoyed the weekend when the SCA people where there (they let me attend the King at the joust). Each group has something to offer and I don't see much point to either group picking on the other. I agree that supension of disbelief is probably the primary ingredient to having a good time. And I expect that goes for either SCA good times or Ren Fest good times. I've met, talked with, and made friends in both camps, and I think it's really great that *anybody* takes the time to participate in an activity that makes a lot of people very happy. In re: new "plots" -- I think they could always use a new schtick or two to liven things up. And anything to make it look more like a community (from public floggings to weddings) would enhance the atmosphere. Probably they (the mgmt) should work hard at training the vendors and actors to speak proper English...I expect they already do some of that sort of work...
As a fest-type-person cum SCA person (ex shire of Stormvail) I can see both sides of the coin. I have to say that I absolutely enjoy working RenFest and being able to get payed to harrass people is great! I agree with a few of the things that you listed above, kami. The merchants are an entity unto themselves at Fest, there are very few guidelines as to how to run a merchandise booth there. A lot of Merchants go to great lengths to make the attempt at creating atmosphere. However there are always the few that really are only there for the cashflow and their attitude is somewhat less that renaissance shall we say! As for foods, the supply runs to food stands are all done behind the scenes, there is really no need for a food runner to ever have to show his face on the grounds proper, there are supply roads running throughout the site. And as for carts, I WORKED a food cart last year, so they are there! I sold Italian Ices from a wooden pusart that I hauled all over the grounds. My arms were sore for WEEKS!) There are also pickle vendors new this year that have outdoor type spots (although they sell out of a 5 gallon plastic bucket, NICE TOUCH GUYS ;-)~ Health codes prohibit the selling of hot foods from a cart that can't maintain proper temps. so you would either have to have a portable heating device or a REALLY long extension cord!! ANd that wouldn't look too good... It's a, ummmm.... MAGICAL SNAKE!! Yeah that's it!! The street characters are a wide range of talent levels from complete novice to 20 year veterans and the number of them grows every year. The only scripting that occurs now is whatever they work up and happen to remember on the street, impromptu, Hopefully as the number of and experience level of the street characters increase, they can help to completely take peoples minds off of the blatent non period things that are bound to be there in RenFests the world over.
Kentn- I like what you said. juggler- I know supply runs are done behind the scenes. I just thought it would be a nice touch for food vendors to "buy" their turkey legs, etc. from suitably visible "farmers". Pickle buckets?! ok. but why not stick the plastic drums in wood, leather or canvas covers? The italian ices are lovely. Is there any rehearsal time for the street actors together? If there could be a day just for the crew, just before the start of the RenFest proper, that might help along with the shorter rehearsals. I wonder if the veterans could help the novices to have a stronger sense of why this "fair" exists, how it relates to a putative town and kingdom, what roles medieval people have to fill (farmer, merchant, craftsman, messenger, apprentice, etc.) and how they interrelate, etc. If each character had an internal sense of "who" he or she is, it might be easier to come up with shtick and to stay in character. Gee- isn't that what the SCA is trying to do with the concept of "persona"? I guess it's harder than it sounds... Anyway, I wish someone could do a workshop for Rennies on speech and accent- lose the fake cockney!!! Cadence and word choice can be a lot more convincing, and if we were IN Rennaisance England, we wouldn't hear our fellow as having an accent unless they were foreign or from a radically different region or social class. Sigh.
I really agree with you on a LOT of points... The accents that you are bound to hear at fest will turn even the strongest of stomachs! There is a one day orientation day/accent workshop the Sat. before Fest starts, but it is far too vague. I like your idea about the vendors resupplying that way very much, with the only downside that when a rush hits, there is barely enough time to load stuff in the back in mass quatities and avoid outages. Maybe a "token gesture" type of thing as a tip o' the hat to the old ways Hmm.... If I ever see another Italian Ice again, I am going to SCREAM! after 7 weeks of lugging them around, you get hazed to the true beauty of them I guess. As a side bar on accents, I have always been proud of mine (and so modest too!) I have cultivated a passable (by the admission of several natives) scottish personae and accent. Although far from 100% historical accuracy, (My god the Picts and early scots were BARBARIANS, gasp>) I find it to be a good balance between outlandish realism and RenFest marketability. ANd a lot of fun to boot! Were you at Fest at all last year, kami??
Many of the street characters are young, as you'll attest, for they are a part of Academy. They are taught for several weeks in the summer prior to Fest, but unfortunately, when you are suddenly faced w/the large crowds, many panic. I agree 100% that there needs to be more time devoted to helping people (esp. the food vendors) learn accents and learn character/purpose on a whole. There is an acting workshop this weekend to get a headstart on things, but many peopwho will end up working Fest are not aware of it. Festivals, Inc. is now under new ownership, so hopefully you will see a change in some thing this year? I, too, pride myself on my passable accent (of course I lived in London, so I have a slight advantage to others)and try to demand that anyone working for me work hard on theirs. Street people have been added last year beyond the Academy kids with the intent of working to bring patrons into shops and entertain during long waits for the food. (A concept Juggler started 3 years ago) Unfortunately, you sometimes get people who find it more fun to "play" with other characters, rather than entertain. I, personally, have much more fun thinking up character situations to play w/patrons. While I know alot of workers, its the people who are there spending the money, WANTING to be entertained, Wanting to BELIEVE. Friends & I change our character slightly w/the theme of each weekend (often sewing new costumes the night before even). This is what I wish could be expressed more to characters/workers! **What does anyone like most at RenFest? Why?**
Yes, I was there one weekend with the SCA group: we did a Court of Love and stuff like that. It's a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the lady who loanded me a Tudor costume has given away all the ones that were too small on her, and even that one was a bit long. Sigh. But I'm sure I will be there again this time. If Timothy is up to it, I might bring him as a "page", too. Juggler and Kimba, you both seem to know almost exactly what I'm talking about, so it can't be that novel a concept. Perhaps the "old timers" can keep helping and redirecting the kids, ideally while staying in character. It would probably be seen as too high-handed for SCA folk to offer help with character development, plot, costuming and movement, which is a pity. I'd love to help. On the other hand, there are certainly those well-meaning people who WOULD be too high handed... Actually, I think that interplay between characters, done where patrons can hear and perhaps join in, is JUST what needs to happen, with the occasional comment directed to an interested visitor; "And what do you think m'lady? Have you a solution to this problem?" "M'lord KNOWS how insolent and unreliable the peasants are getting these days- perhaps they are getting too much to eat." "Aow, Guv'ner, 'e thinks 'e can charge kings' proices for 'is owd rubbish. It's 'arvest time- Oi c'n get makings for the banquet anywhere." etc. -These are all MIDDLES of bits of business, which lend reality. They don't look so staged as just coming up to a patron and starting a bit. I bet the people who do adapt their costumes and characters (or at least topics of discussion- the character may be fine as is) have a LOT more fun than those who do the same shtick over and over. I like the performances, especially music, the best. Jousting is sort of fun, although I tend to look at it with a modern eye for the horses. The kids' area is lovely, as is the whole site. When I have the time (not chasing kids, finding companions or supposed to be working), it can be fun to play with the characters who are really into it. Of course, Renfaires in general are a cool place to meet other members of the local pagan community. I'd like the shops better if I ever had any money... Hope the new management are in it as much for love as for money!
The new management cannot possibly be ane worse that what was previously had! Dave (the owner) was an decent businessman (I use the term loosely) but a cretin of a human being (and I use that term Extreeeeeeeeemely loosely!) There is a lot of room for improvements we all agree on that, but the Fest still owns my heart!
Kami, one of the best ways to help see that people have assistance w/character and costumes, etc. is to become a part of Fest yourself! If you have the abilities, use them! We'd love to have people w/greater knowledge than our- selves! Audition or volunteer services during orientation. I can give you more info if you're interested? (hell, I'd love to talk to you personally about a few things!)
I agree with my wife, I'd love to see more people like yourself come help "integrate" the two worlds...
right. what about the kids? where'd I get the money for babysitting, if I could get Gareth to where I could leave him that long? What about Pennsic- I already have a commitment to merchant with a friend. What if I couldn't make every day of every weekend? And worst of all, I tend to be heat intolerant- how would I manage to stay wet enough not to overheat? OK, those are all yes-but, and I don't actually have any prior commitments for that part of the summer. Keep talking.
What I think you folks aren't picking up on is the important difference that
the Renaissance Festival is open ot the general public, while SCA events are
not. People can attend the Renaissance Festival in regular street garb, and
pay big bucks at the gate to the event. For SCA events, people have to come
in costume, and pay very little to attend events.
This is a big philosophical difference, and why SCA people may feel "holier
than thou" to Renfest people.
Pattie
Another thing to keep in mind is that SCA people are going to events to have
fun, while RenFest people are being paid to attend and commercialization
plays a big role.
Pattie
Something wrong with having fun while making money? >;^} There seem to be two common attitudes among paying customers- "Go ahead, try and make me believe/enjoy myself" (ugh!) and "Hey, I'm along for the ride. Please try to draw me in and convince me." I think it's that audience we're talking about playing to, and wouldn't they tend to respond well to players who are working to "convince" and "draw in" one another? the sincerity and fun are bound to spread a good atmosphere. And actually, between the sellers of costumes and the visitors who make an attempt at costuming, it may not be the same level of authenticity but there can be moments of magic at a RenFest, too. Perhaps more "magical" for that the participants haven' t been doing the same stuff in the same costumes over many weekends and years.
I think Kami is absolutely correct in stating that visitors experience the
"magic" of RenFest because for10 hours they can escape the hassles of the 20th
century and be transported to a more romantic period of time. Some realize
the Renaissance wasn't all fun and pretty, and some don't. The point is to
let them experience something outside the realm of modern society. They are
not overly critical and are there only to be entertained and have fun. And
that is _exactly_ the reason people work RenFest also. I would work Fest even
if I wasn't getting paid...because I LOVE it. It is truly a magical place for
me. My most special memories are there. And if you've ever been on grounds
during the off-season, the ghosts are unbelievable. From people I've spoken
to (patrons) many h{ve stated they don't mind the cost of fest because{you get
so much. And they can see the love workers (most) have for what they are
doingI pride myself on talking w/patrons alot, and respect their input. My
goal is to make them happy, while making myself happy...so what if I get paid
for it at the same time, all the better.
Kami: How old is Gareth? If he's not too young, he could always be one of the "Yellow Pages". If you are talented you can work out schedules to work only on certain days. (You're biggest help would be before fest even began, working w/people to establish characters before hand.) People are always willing to help w/scheduling problems. And as for the heat...I was 8 months pregnant during RenFest last year (in those _horrid_ heatwaves, if you rememberbut I still managed to work. There is plenty of water and people w/fans in the back of their booths, and are usually always willing to help out. That's the great thing, most everyone will help someone out, you just have to ask. Are we getting any closer to convincing you? :)
Yes, you are probably getting closer to convincing me, especially about helping out before hand. Anyway, not Gareth- he's not yet a year an a half, still nursing for cuddles, and awefully clingy. He's the main reason I'm not working just now. Timothy, on the other hand, is 4 1/2 and would probably love dressing up in garb, talking to the king, etc. He's not real reliable yet, but very outgoing. As to heat and pregnancy, you have more fortitude than I. But perhaps the details are better worked out in mail. By the way, why don't we ever see you in Smalls, Kimba?...
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