Tag: Demo

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Demo at the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire

One of my jobs, as it has been for the past year is to serve as the Chatelaine of the Barony of Stonemarche. For the previous year, it has really just been an administrative job due to the nature of events and COVID. However, at the Aisles of Marche, I had set up a mini demo for any possible new comers to be able to see what we had besides shopping. I wanted something that was more visually pleasing than just some folks, standing around in garb and answering questions. I wanted something interactive.

For the NHRF, I started off with a new, revamped booklet, which was not as intense as what we have on the SCA website, but has some key information that a new comer would need walking into their first, second or third events.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1quyibfNwdMUSnwOxnH4hwkdgSateUS5r/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105255312117189439983&rtpof=true&sd=true

From there, I also created a form with pictures of all the main folks in the Barony, as well as the Royals. This was accurate at the time of it’s inception. This will get updated as officers and royals change.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mND-AeuMKRuFKDMQosknxJdEkfRBMiFy/view?usp=sharing

From there it was grabbing weapons, crafts, books, arts and SINGING! I cannot have an event without singing. I brought a few copies of my rounds book and as folks had time, would encourage them to sing. We also had live crafting demonstrations and board games. I picked a few of my favorite medieval board games and set them out to teach people. On the games, there was a copy of the barony and sca information as well as the rules. I figured this might be a better alternative to business cards. Also, for the hip crew, we had a QR code to scan so I could email folks directly. I know I don’t want to carry a card with me if I don’t have to.

The rest of the day I spent answering questions for new comers, herding my amazing volunteers, scheduling breaks and just having a blast welcoming new comers.

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A Walk Amongst the Pines

I pine for you!

Holy mother of rain, Batman. Was this a wet demo. It was raining cats and dogs off and on. Though, it did clear up for a couple of hours.  I was asked a few months prior, knowing that I wasn’t going to Pennsic, to perform for the attendees of the demo. The plans for this had not changed, but there was a hiccup. The individual who was supposed to marshall for this event had to step out last minute.

The Monday evening prior to the demo, I received a message from the autocrat asking if I knew any fencing marshalls who’d be willing to attend the event. I said I would ask around. The Northern Region Rapier Marshall attends my local fencing practices and I asked her as well as the local marshalls if they would be available or have any suggestions. I, myself, had been working on my fencing marshallate for the last year but was not a marshall yet. That evening, I had earned my fencing marshallate and was able to reply to the autocrat with good news. I would be MiC(Marshall in Charge) to make sure fencing could happen.

Fast forward to day of, paperwork was provided, everyone was safe, no one died and it was a good demo. I even heralded and announced the fencers as well. The heavy armored fighters were so thrilled to see this, they asked me to herald them in as well and speak to the audience. I think this went well.

Finally, the rain just overtook the whole event. We curled up inside of structure… Barn/garage thing… A small bardic circle formed. Ruadh was discussing that bardic can be for everyone and comes in all shapes and sizes. I sang for the group… pretty pieces and not so pretty pieces. I told stories and hammed it up (Kosher Ham, mom. I promise!). I gently nudged new performers to get up and do their thing. I sang with the new comers and I could feel the cold air turn warm. There is something magical about how bardic can make a garage with crockpots feel like an old tavern.

Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling, people sitting, table and indoor

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The Great Balloon Festival Demo

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