Oooh Ooooh! A new demo that’s never been done before! *insert helium hand*
The Riding of Ravensbridge was working on obtaining their full status. Part of this is is by having community engagement and getting new members. And what better way to do that then by being seen by a community with an event that has at least 10,000 attendees? That’s Pennsic size, yo!
Sigrid was heading this one up, and it was in capable hands. She had asked me if I would be interested in performing in Bardic Grove as well as wrangling other bards. I asked if I could use duct tape and some new knots I had just learned. They’re like cats, after all. Or squirrels, or ducks… OH! Shiny! Even when she bit her lip and discouraged the idea, who was I to turn down the performing opportunity?
Visage of Tomes, don’t fail me now!
I dug through trying to find other sacri — I mean volunteers to perform at this great new demo. But I didn’t find myself terribly successful. Did I mention this was a new demo? And it *might* have just fallen the weekend after Pennsic, I don’t know why that would be a problem. I filled my bard book with as much music as possible, and packed my heavy list gear as well. I may have committed to two parts of the demo without really thinking things through. Meh, what could go wrong?
Our village was nothing but period encampments, and it was Hot. Suddenly I wondered if wearing my wool and fur hat in this weather was really such a good idea. I set up at Bardic Grove, by the bridge, and sang for what seemed like hours. I would get occasional questions, some viewers, and the rest were just passer-byers. As much as I love singing, I really needed a break to hit things.
I scurried over to where the fighters were mustering, and slapped on my gear. Poor Ulfric had become my man-at-arms for the weekend, whether he knew it or not. I felt like a true Valkyrie, polearm in hand, as I thwarted my frenemies left and right. I think the most memorable moment was when we had three versus three, where my team was Nikol, his lady Vivian, and myself {duh} and we felt unstoppable. Especially with me singing mid-fight. Two hours later, drenched in my own sweat {yetch}, it was time to go back to my bardic duty. As I continued to sing in Bardic Grove, I was finally able to get more singing going, the scribes sang with me, the belly-dancers sang with me, the fencers sang with me, even some of the event staff took time out of their busy schedules to come sing with me!
We sang rounds; we sang solos; we sang some multi-person unisons. Even a new filk was born. Scadians should *not* be allowed to sing Disney. But I believe that great fun was had by all, so that’s all that counts, right?
They’re a Funny Village
(To the Tune of Belle’s Song from Beauty and the Beast)
SCA it’s not a quiet village
No day like the one before
SCA full of Sca’dian people
Waking up to say
It’s War! It’s War! It’s War, It’s War, IT’S WAR!
There goes the blacksmith with their hammer like always
There goes the scribe with quill in hand
Every fighter’s armored up
“Hey don’t don’t forget your cup”
Oh look! There goes the water bearer too!
Look there the bard goes, they are strange, no question
Dazed and astrayed, humming a tune
Never part of any crowd
Not even with a shroud
No denying they are funny ones those Bards
Look there that fencer goes they’re so peculiar
I wonder if they’re feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
Their schlager style’s school-book
A conundrum to the crowd, those who fence
Oh, ain’t the Queen amazing?
She my fav’rite part – you’ll see
Draped in her finest raiment
But wait to discover that in summer she’s viking!
Now it’s no wonder that they are always brewing
Their drinks have no parallel
At events that you should wend
There is no better blend
These distillers help to quell your thirst
Even if you think you’ll burst
These mixture masters help you quell your thirst
Right from the moment when I met them, saw them
Their hats are gorgeous and I fell
With laurel leaves and pearls
Pelicans, no squirrels
So I’m making plans to woo and steal their hats
Look there
they go
They’ve got much bling
The knights and peers
I’ll be one too
Be still my heart
I’m hardly breathing
Maybe you should loosen your gorget
There goes the blacksmith with their hammer like always
There goes the scribe with quill in hand
It’s a pity and a sin
They don’t all quite fit in
‘Cause they really are a funny group
An amazing but a funny group
They really are a funny group
The SCA
Meddlings of the Minnesinger 