Opening weekend of NYRF/Tuxedo was a wet one. Youch. I swear, by the middle of Saturday afternoon, I was carrying an extra 40 pounds of water in my leathers and weapons. And I wondered why my back was killing me on Monday. Heh.
Took me 2 full days to clean, oil and wax mine and my piratical wife's stuff.
Even so, we had a lot of fun. The weather did turn nice for most of the afternoon and then chased us home at the end of the day.
Got to use my newly honed improv and street theater skills, even with a very small crowd. Got to show off my new Ship's flag and I drank my share of ale and mead. Got to see a lot of my rennie friends, that I only ever get to see at faire and got to spend the day out of doors and not have to worry about work. Yarrrrrrr.
Sunday was a much nicer day, but the crowd was still a little on the smallish side. Don't know if the threat of more T-storms keep folks away (which never materialized), or if it's the economy. All in all though, it was a great first weekend of faire.
I posted up a bunch of pictures from the Dress Rehearsal weekend. My camera truely doth sucketh, so I appologize in advance for the quality of some of the pics.
What a great program this is and Steve Kraus who is the instructor/Director of the program has done a great job.
What is that thou sayest? Tis an improv/street theater class for the Lundegaard Guildies and Friends of Faire for NYRF/Tux. An apprenticeship in acting if thou wilst. 3 weekends of intensive, total immersion, language/improv/thinking on thy feet workshops.
Tis also a way to impress the powers that be so much, that some may get a call back to work main cast next season, without having to audition. I be good, but I be FoF and not totally involved with the program, other than participating in all the workshops and getting the cast familiar with meself, me character and FoF and what we do for them all.
By the end of the 2nd weekend, we were almost on a par with most of the paid cast. I say almost. Some of those folks are just so outrageously talented.
We did hold our own in "Hit and Runs" with the main cast, but we did have a better grasp of the language over quiet a few of them. To be fair, a few of the cast are professional actors that are there for a summer gig, the improv training and to pad their resumes and have never been to a "Ren" faire, while most of the Journeymen, save one are "Rennies" and fairly schooled in "BFA". ie: Thee, thy, thine, me, my, mine, etc.
We did manage to impress not only our own Director, but the cast's improv Director was very happy with us as well. (pats self on the back) Heh.
This coming weekend is Dress Rehearsals. The Journeymen will be getting their assignments for the season, as I will not, seeing that I be FoF. I do not even have to go this weekend, but any excuse to don me garb and be me piratical self will most likely have me there at least on Sunday.
Actually the main reason would be so that I can see where I can be to be the most effective during the day and to get the cast used to seeing me in full garb so that they will recognize me during the run and that way be more willing to do "Street" with me if the opportunity presents itself. I have already set up a few scenarios with a few folks. One of them involves a Russian Princess and her disgruntled Chamber maid. Yarrrrr. Side note, I have been told I am not allowed to pull me flintlock on the Dragon mascott this season. :( I got away with it last season, but thats because security did not see me do it and I was warned they might react badly since it is not part of a scripted scene. I accuse the dragon of being an alligator and we all know how pirates feel about them toothy critters.
One of the most talented women on the cast, during a practice Hit and Run, decided to include me piratical wenchwife and meself in her back story. This opens up all kinds of fun as she plays one of three courtisans that travel with the Royal party.
So, needless to say, I am looking forward to this season at Tux. There have been a lot of changes, not only to the cast, but the faire itself. Is it going to be better? I really have no idea, but I am looking forward to having a lot of fun with the patrons, the cast, the Journeymen, the vendors and my brothers and sisters of FoF.
Celtic Fling in PA was a total blast. Saw so many friends, met folks I have only ever talked to online, drank a tonne of ale, saw great bands and found ingredients for "Short Mead". Yarrrrr.
Oh and let Little John talk me into buying one of his hand forged swords. Meh. Worth it though. Well worth it.. :)
Down side was lettin' me piratical wenchwife talk me into stopping at the Folk Fest in Kutztown on the way back Monday afternoon. Good side, got wildflower honey for the mead there. Ended up getting home later than I wanted to, but a minor inconvenience which did not detract from a great weekend.
Now for the quizzy thing;
Your result for The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test...
The Cardinal
You are the real power behind the throne. No one dares dispute or refuse you. Which is good because that's how you get things done. You are also, however, completely corrupt and highly immoral. This doesn't bother you in the least as you lounge around your rich comfortable surroundings, reveling in wealth and authority.
Gods, I have been so busy of late. Haven't had time to get online since this weekend, till just tonight. Ah well.
So, went to the NJRK this past weekend. Was very dissapointed in what I found. Very few vendors, even less patrons (though to be fair, it was blistering hot) and the food was awful.
The cast really did try to entertain the few that were there, but they were dropping like flys from the heat and humidity. The few vendors that were there weren't feeling to well either.
You know it's bad when you walk in, a vendor you know sees you and says, "What are you doing here, you came to the wrong faire."
I didn't know about the other faire going on about an hour west of this one. Ah well, that would probably explain the light turnout at NJRK.
On the positive side, we did get to see a few of our friends, mostly vendors, but friends all the same.
My wife and I both felt the faire was not worth the admission we paid to get in. We stayed maybe 2 hours and then left. I think that will be our last visit to NJRK. To bad, last year I thought it was starting to show some promise. Dissapointment, blah.
Though, I rarely blog in general to begin with, so..... meh.
It's been a rather rough couple of months. My job is changing at work (again) and it's been very depressing seeing my department being dismantled and outsourced. At least the work is being kept in the same state, but I'm going to have to lay off most of my crew now. Blah.
Recent events,
Hudson Valley Mayfaire. A very nice little 1 weekend charity event. A true family event as the have ale for Dad and mead and wine for Mom. heheheheh. It's a little like a warm up event for all the Rennies of the NY/NJ/CT area. Very Rennie friendly and if the weather cooperates, very enjoyable, well, even if the weather isn't the best it's still a lot of fun, so if your in the area next year, be sure to add this to your schedule.
NYRF/Tux had it's annual volunteer clean-up day to start the process of preparing the grounds for the new season. It's a lot of work, but it goes quickly as a lot of good friends and new friends come and share the work. Plus they feed you, provide beer with the food and The Long Island Meadery was there with samples of all their fine meads. A really nice incentive to go help is the free passes for the season you receive for working the day as well.
Going to try and do the NJRK..errr NJPirateK next weekend. Another small faire and it runs 3 weekends. Less than an hour away for me, but it's a dry faire*sob*. Also very Rennie friendly and a lot of the same folks that do Mayfaire show up.
June 14th I'll be at the Pirate Festival in Long Island. Black powder salvos, YARRRRRR.
Any of ye piratical types floatin' about this site, feel free to "Friend" me. Tis always good to corespond with others of the "Sweet Trade". Harrrrr.
