Renaissance Pleasure Faire, Southern California, 1997.
Well, it's a new year and it's time to start thinking of and planning for Faire. We are expecting a few changes, but mostly it will stay the same (I hope!). Maybe this is the year that there will again be a jail.
Important dates for this year's run:
- March 15, 1997 - St. Ives General Guild Meeting #3 (for St Ives members and prospective members) at Guildmaster Foss' (1pm). Heads-of Household, be there at 11am.
- March 29-30, 1997 - Early construction begins on our Guild site and area. All members and friends who would wish to help are encouraged to attend.
- April 5, 1997 - Registration Day (at site).
- April 6, 12, 13, 19, 1997 - Workshop days.
- April 20, 1997 - Dress Rehearsal.
- April 26 to June 15, 1997 - Faire Recitals (8 weekends).
See you there!
Crossroads Renaissance Festival, Palm Springs, March 21,22, and 23, 1997.
Another Crossroads faire (for the 5th year running), these guys have several events now, with a good disbursement of locales. The event will be in Frances Stevens Park, N. Palm Canyon Drive (hwy 111) and Alejo. General admission is $8. For more information call 1-800-320-4REN.
Crossroads Renaissance Festival, Orange, 1996.
"Blow, ye winds, blow."
Nestled in the bad lands out behind Orange, Crossroads Faire is a big player in the "Small Faire" circuit. The day started out bad for me, as I had left my wallet at home, but, despite the high winds which were whipping their way through the tents of the craftsmen and traders, it got better. Lo, to my suprise, the Faire was set in the German Renaissance (thus our dubbing of the place, 'Winderblat'). The (English) Constables were like fish out of water, until we realized that there was no higher authority than ourselves to spoil our merry-making. We then proceeded to run amok. At one point I was made Captian of the Constables when "Intercepted" the flag of the Vatican, which had blown off the flagpole, and returned it to the King of Sweden. Yeesh. The best part of the entire faire, I would have to say was a chess match reenacted with live participants (courtesy of St Michael's Guild). Also of interest to myself was the horse vaulting, craft demonstrations and live music. Check out some pictures I took at Crossroads Faire (sorry, though, they are not very good).
Santa Barbara Renaissance Festival, 1996.
"Ranks, wheel to the left hand (and watch the beer)."
Reminicent of Augora, the Festival at Santa Barbara had plenty of Oak shade and good local beer. Apart from that, the turnout was a little weak (not suprising for a first year faire). Due to its deserted feel the first day, we christined the place, 'Dirtpatch'. The best part came at night when, having proceeded to get drunk, the Constables joined Clan MacColin for a military drill and night manuevers while armed with a beer in each hand.
Long Beach Renaissance Arts Festival, 1996.
"Stomp lads, and wake up those trolls."
I missed this year's Long Beach Renaissance Arts Festival, but I was told that it was much the same as last year's event. The bridges, water and proximity of the sea make up for the constrianed feeling one gets at the site due to the looming walls of the Long Beach Sports Arena. Don't miss the highly regarded battle pageant
Ojai Renaissance Festival, 1996.
"Arrr, matie, prepare to be boarded."
This event was a quiet little festival on lake Casitas (known to us as 'Fishparts'), which made it nice to look at. You never knew when a galleon would round the promintory with a crew of pirates and set to attacking some two-man fishing boat for their booty. Actually, the pirates had a cigarette boat and they went to Lake Castaic that weekend.
Renaissance Pleasure Faire, South, 1996.
"A sash and a stick, and it's chicks, chicks, chicks."
Some things we are did at last years' run:
- Citations, Licenses, tax reciepts, and Certificates of Compliance were issued to Constables on a weekly basis for distribution to customers and other participants. These citations and licenses concern such offences as public drunkenness, lascivious and/or indecent behavior, sleeping in/obstructing the streets, preaching in public and Violating the Extravagant Hat Height Ordinance, to name just a few. A text version of the licenses is available for download from this site: LicsCits.txt
- The Gathering of the Militia, our yearly hyper-silly Faire-wide induction into quasi-military service. Always bring your rusty weapons.
- The Constables daily recieved rapier fencing lessons from the Maestro, Molly, after the Italian Fashion proclaimed by Salvioli. George Silver rolls over in his grave, Arr.
- We proclaimed the virtues of ale from the roof of Ale Stand 5 (after Q.P., sometime) and sang mostly out-of-period songs (for lyrics, go to my
Sing-Along Constable Songs Site); - We got in a bit which involved determining which Sea Dog scum held the true and lawful deed to the Sea Dog Area and arrested those who had been determined to be the forgers. Dog Willem and dog Roland brought complaint against another of their dog bretheren. Both documents bore Sir Rafe's signature. Sir Rafe agreed to adjutate, should the opportunity arise (say at around 11:00);
- Constable Richard (aka 'Little Dick') announced 'his' pregnancy to the Lord High Sheriff. An unofficial investigation was begun.
- The bit with the yellow roses was innitiated in an effort to confuse and humiliate the Lord Mayor(shhh!) - don't blame us, it was someone elses idea.
- Constable Sergant Nicholas has slapped the face of the barrister, Master Cook, and challenged him to a duel an account that Master Cook called the Constable a "sirrah" and caused him to kneel derogitorily in the dirt.
This was our schedule for regular activities:
- 9:15-9:25 morning meeting for House Houndsworthy;
- 9:30-10:30 (meet and greet, Guild Cup, Constable Progress, etc.);
- 11:30-11:45 (or so) Constable Patrol originating at the Guild Site or participation in Lord Leicster's Joust (departs at 11:20) or Fencing Lessons at the Guild Site (11:15 or so);
- 12:45-1:15 Lord Mayor's Parade and Show;
- 2:45-3:15 Queens Prog. from Military Camp;
- 4-5 some activity in the guild yard (singing, crafts, music, so forth);
The Great Charles Dickens Christmas Faire, 1996 - Bobbies
Dickens Faire (TIMEGAMES, INC) might be located at a new site (other than Pier 45 in San Fransisco's Fishermans Wharf, where it was held last year). TimeGames might be getting a permanent site, but I won't speculate on this until I hear more. Last years Dickens faire seemed like a marvelous success (at least from the point of view of a street performer). I was practically the only Bobby, though (there was one other, but he only showed up twice). There was so much for me to do, so many performers to interact with, that I was running around all day. Dickens Fair needs more Bobbies! Desperately! Anybody who would like to participate this coming November, please contact me now, I can provide costume guidelines and sources (the uniform is really cool), and I will go out of my way to help you get there. Check out some Pictures from Dickens my girlfriend Lisa took with her QuickTake camera at last years Faire. I think I have the coolest job there! When I feel like an eggnog, I take off my duty armband.
Bobby Links and Downloads
