catching up on event reviews
Unless you were a fighter, Red Tower was a nice low-key event. We had over 300 attendees for the event, with almost 50 fighters in the main armored tournament and almost 40 in the rapier tournament. There were several organizational issues that luckily didn't cause any major problems, just minor irritations. It was warmer than originally predicted, which caused for lots of sweating and overheating. During court, Artemis received his Argent Comet (award for service to a shire) for starting and helping grow Owl's Nest's rapier community. Of course, he was taking a nap during court, so it became an impromptu piece of schtick when his laurel had to go wake him up.
The combined European revel and Hafla went extremely well. Everyone (well, almost) had a wonderful time. There were many compliments and lots of fun. We had first time dancers and those that have been dancing since their first event 10 or more years ago; we had dancers in their 50's and children as young as 3. For the first dance, we had to have had at least 30 dancers on the floor. We didn't have as many Middle Eastern dancers as I would have liked, but hopefully as word of this format gets out there will be more that attend. Several ladies dressed in European joined in dancing, and we had a few male and female European dancers form a line and do a bransle around the room. That was really cool and gave me an idea - doing Montarde to Middle Eastern music. arirobin provided desserts for during the revel, and she did a wonderful job. The table was nicely decorated, and she had very few things that did not get eaten. Since most things just had to be thawed, it is definitely something to keep in mind for future revels. The only thing I would have liked is for the hall to be more decorated, especially with lights and rugs and tapestries so we could have kept the lights turned off.
It was interesting going to an event where no one really knew me. I started in the SCA in Grey Niche (Memphis, TN) before Gleann Abhann was officially a principality. I played there for almost 3 years before I moved to South Downs. I had started fighting rapier before I left, and I had dabbled in period music but not yet taken my apprentice belt. Those in the Niche knew who I was, but not that many outside the group did. I knew OF them, especially if they were peers. I was a bit disappointed not more from the Niche came, but that gives me some incentive to go to another GA event next year. It was really nice to see those that did make it, and of course my laurel who was my reason for being there. It was even nicer to be able to sit and talk to several peers who I had known for a long time but who had no idea who I was. Getting feedback and compliments from people who don't hear or see me all the time was probably one of the highlights for me.
Harvest Home was essentially a rapier event. There were 5 ships you could be a member of, or you could join the merchants or gaming guilds. Each person was given 10 gold pieces when they came on-site, and each ship had an additional 50 gold pieces. You could earn additional money by playing games, betting on duels/fights, or really by doing just about anything (offer to stand in line for someone at lunch, offer to bring someone breakfast in bed, carry someone's basket or armor for them, ect). AT the end of the day, the ships had to turn in their gold as taxes to the Queen. The ship with the most gold was given "booty" to split with the crew. I joined the ship Alysia was on (the Skua), which is the one that ended up winning. I earned coin by offering to sing, tell stories or poems, or otherwise entertain the populace. It really was a lot of fun to just wander around offering to sing. It meant I had to put myself out there (more difficult than you might think for me) and also got to show off to people who had never heard me sing before. I also heralded during the one major tournament, and played quite a bit with ships terms and my "scurvy dog" voice. I think I was entertaining. They laughed, at least.
In court they announced that the Anglo-Saxon poem I entered was one of the top three entries. I didn't win the championship, which is good since I'm from a different kingdom. Alysia's ceremony was wonderful. She had some close friends who had known her for a long time speak for her, and they said some of the most lovely things about her. She had a rapier arch that we walked under (I preceded her carrying her banner). I was so glad I could be there for her. She asked me to sing The Meridian Inland Navy song for TRM's during feast. They were appropriately shocked and amused. Alysia was impressed at how much control and volume I have managed to get since last she heard me. I've just finally learned how to sing and control the room. I sang the song again for my table with Alysia explaining who the various verses were about.
I was also asked to run the revel (the person that was going to do it was getting sick, and her father had noticed my Argent Slipper on my belt). The had live musicians, whom I really enjoyed working with. They obviously practice together. Unfortunately, most of what they know is out of period dances (Hole in the Wall, Korobushka, John Tallow's Canon, Duchess Rhondalyn's Pavane). We did being the revel with HitW at HRM's request. The musicians knew enough period dances that we were able to do at least one full set of those. Since this was not my Kingdom, I did not want to step on any toes, and I did not know what was being taught or what was popular, I deferred to the person who had originally be scheduled to run the revel. I taught all but one of the dances done with live musicians, and we did two more from my mp3 player. The revel probably could have lasted longer, but I cut things short at midnight since I needed to drive 5 hours home the next day.
As I mentioned in my other journal, I am looking to maybe go to a couple of GA events next year. Grey Niche is doing Beltaine April 26th, the weekend before our Crown List. I would really like to go and see my old group. Also, Iron Ox (Jackson, MS) is hosting a Dance Symposium July 26th, the weekend after RUM. It would be fun to attend that and offer to teach. Maybe a few local friends would like to go along to either of these (hint hint).
Locally, we are changing dance practices a bit. Instead of 2 straight hours of European dance on 2nd Wednesdays, Mistress Jadi is going to Middle Eastern dance for the first hour, and I am going to teach European dance the 2nd hour. This still gives us two hours of dance, just two different types. It gives us a chance to try ME dance in the group again, and still gives the European dancers at least one night a month where the dance practice is later for those that can't make it at 7. Also, for that later hour, I want to try having an organized class, rather than the typical "what do we feel like doing." I'm still working on the one for next week, but I have an idea. Also, it will give other dancers who want to try a class before an event a venue to do that.
We are also trying again to find a place to have a regional dance practice. We have a few new ideas to try, and some possible dates. I'll post more once there is more info, but right now there are a couple of things in the works.
Now, to run to the library to research Anglo-Saxon poetry and think of something to perform at Crown List in two weeks.
The combined European revel and Hafla went extremely well. Everyone (well, almost) had a wonderful time. There were many compliments and lots of fun. We had first time dancers and those that have been dancing since their first event 10 or more years ago; we had dancers in their 50's and children as young as 3. For the first dance, we had to have had at least 30 dancers on the floor. We didn't have as many Middle Eastern dancers as I would have liked, but hopefully as word of this format gets out there will be more that attend. Several ladies dressed in European joined in dancing, and we had a few male and female European dancers form a line and do a bransle around the room. That was really cool and gave me an idea - doing Montarde to Middle Eastern music. arirobin provided desserts for during the revel, and she did a wonderful job. The table was nicely decorated, and she had very few things that did not get eaten. Since most things just had to be thawed, it is definitely something to keep in mind for future revels. The only thing I would have liked is for the hall to be more decorated, especially with lights and rugs and tapestries so we could have kept the lights turned off.
It was interesting going to an event where no one really knew me. I started in the SCA in Grey Niche (Memphis, TN) before Gleann Abhann was officially a principality. I played there for almost 3 years before I moved to South Downs. I had started fighting rapier before I left, and I had dabbled in period music but not yet taken my apprentice belt. Those in the Niche knew who I was, but not that many outside the group did. I knew OF them, especially if they were peers. I was a bit disappointed not more from the Niche came, but that gives me some incentive to go to another GA event next year. It was really nice to see those that did make it, and of course my laurel who was my reason for being there. It was even nicer to be able to sit and talk to several peers who I had known for a long time but who had no idea who I was. Getting feedback and compliments from people who don't hear or see me all the time was probably one of the highlights for me.
Harvest Home was essentially a rapier event. There were 5 ships you could be a member of, or you could join the merchants or gaming guilds. Each person was given 10 gold pieces when they came on-site, and each ship had an additional 50 gold pieces. You could earn additional money by playing games, betting on duels/fights, or really by doing just about anything (offer to stand in line for someone at lunch, offer to bring someone breakfast in bed, carry someone's basket or armor for them, ect). AT the end of the day, the ships had to turn in their gold as taxes to the Queen. The ship with the most gold was given "booty" to split with the crew. I joined the ship Alysia was on (the Skua), which is the one that ended up winning. I earned coin by offering to sing, tell stories or poems, or otherwise entertain the populace. It really was a lot of fun to just wander around offering to sing. It meant I had to put myself out there (more difficult than you might think for me) and also got to show off to people who had never heard me sing before. I also heralded during the one major tournament, and played quite a bit with ships terms and my "scurvy dog" voice. I think I was entertaining. They laughed, at least.
In court they announced that the Anglo-Saxon poem I entered was one of the top three entries. I didn't win the championship, which is good since I'm from a different kingdom. Alysia's ceremony was wonderful. She had some close friends who had known her for a long time speak for her, and they said some of the most lovely things about her. She had a rapier arch that we walked under (I preceded her carrying her banner). I was so glad I could be there for her. She asked me to sing The Meridian Inland Navy song for TRM's during feast. They were appropriately shocked and amused. Alysia was impressed at how much control and volume I have managed to get since last she heard me. I've just finally learned how to sing and control the room. I sang the song again for my table with Alysia explaining who the various verses were about.
I was also asked to run the revel (the person that was going to do it was getting sick, and her father had noticed my Argent Slipper on my belt). The had live musicians, whom I really enjoyed working with. They obviously practice together. Unfortunately, most of what they know is out of period dances (Hole in the Wall, Korobushka, John Tallow's Canon, Duchess Rhondalyn's Pavane). We did being the revel with HitW at HRM's request. The musicians knew enough period dances that we were able to do at least one full set of those. Since this was not my Kingdom, I did not want to step on any toes, and I did not know what was being taught or what was popular, I deferred to the person who had originally be scheduled to run the revel. I taught all but one of the dances done with live musicians, and we did two more from my mp3 player. The revel probably could have lasted longer, but I cut things short at midnight since I needed to drive 5 hours home the next day.
As I mentioned in my other journal, I am looking to maybe go to a couple of GA events next year. Grey Niche is doing Beltaine April 26th, the weekend before our Crown List. I would really like to go and see my old group. Also, Iron Ox (Jackson, MS) is hosting a Dance Symposium July 26th, the weekend after RUM. It would be fun to attend that and offer to teach. Maybe a few local friends would like to go along to either of these (hint hint).
Locally, we are changing dance practices a bit. Instead of 2 straight hours of European dance on 2nd Wednesdays, Mistress Jadi is going to Middle Eastern dance for the first hour, and I am going to teach European dance the 2nd hour. This still gives us two hours of dance, just two different types. It gives us a chance to try ME dance in the group again, and still gives the European dancers at least one night a month where the dance practice is later for those that can't make it at 7. Also, for that later hour, I want to try having an organized class, rather than the typical "what do we feel like doing." I'm still working on the one for next week, but I have an idea. Also, it will give other dancers who want to try a class before an event a venue to do that.
We are also trying again to find a place to have a regional dance practice. We have a few new ideas to try, and some possible dates. I'll post more once there is more info, but right now there are a couple of things in the works.
Now, to run to the library to research Anglo-Saxon poetry and think of something to perform at Crown List in two weeks.