Editorial: the 2006 Southern Faire
It's Sunday night, May 21st, and I just got
home from the last day of the Irwindale
Renaissance Faire. I'm very happy, as this faire
was without a doubt the absolute best
Renaissance Faire that I have ever had the
pleasure of visiting. In a single word: this
faire was FANTASTIC. On the other hand, I have
just a touch of sadness, as I made many friends
whom I will miss (until next year).
 I've
been going to faires since 1990, and I've been
to a lot of them all over Southern California.
This year was better than all of them combined.
The energy level of the participants and the
guests was incredible. I saw nothing but smiles
and joy and people just having a good time.
In December I visited the faire web site and
discovered they were selling tickets at half
price. I bought seven, figuring I'd go to the
faire once per weekend, alternating with the
Corona faire. My brilliant plan didn't last past
the first ten minutes! I should have bought a
Fairever pass, because I went every single day.
The first day was gloomy and overcast. It had
rained the night before and the parking lot was
soggy. I wondered as I trudged through the mud
towards the faire if this was an omen of things
to come...if true, it was a dark omen indeed.
I arrived and watched the Call 'o Faire show
and my fears dissipated into the air. Hmm.
Perhaps the weather was a good omen after all?
As I wandered around the faire the last 14
days (seven weekends), I made many friends, far
too many to count. The people of the faire have
greeted me with open arms and named me one of
their own. I, in turn, have accepted them into
my heart. I know it sounds corny, perhaps, but
this faire touched me in many ways.
Now, as you read this missive please
understand I have made many new friends at the
faire this year and I don't always know which
name to attach to which face. Sigh. So please
forgive me if I haven't mentioned you here. I'll
sort it all out eventually...or I'll just have
to go to the faire next year and learn who is
who all over again.
Oojam is a
new group at the faire this year, and I think I
watched at least a dozen of their shows. I found
them to be interesting, entertaining and, well,
the dancing was excellent. The thing I like most
about Oojam is they are such a class act. I was
delighted when, on the last weekend, they
acknowledged me and this website on stage and
invited me up to dance. I've never danced
before, and I felt a little silly, but it was
fun!
Speaking of fun, I "married" a wonderful
woman named Heather. It was a theatrical
wedding, and it was a blast. Heather walked me
from the Maypole to the Queen's court, screaming
at the top of her lungs 'I'm getting married"!
It was perhaps the high point of my visit to the
faire this year.
I do have to single out William Shakespeare.
He (well, the actor behind the character) went
to extraordinary lengths to make me feel welcome
and part of the group. I do indeed count this
man as my friend.
The very first friend I ever made at the
faire is a lady named "Trouble". She and her
husband are just damn good people. I've probably
got more pictures pf "Trouble" than anyone,
especially because she dances for Oojam.
Then there is Jocelyn, she of the egg-plant
colored hair (a coloring attempt gone wrong, as
I understand it). She's a very nice lady, the
director of a children's play, and she made me
feel welcome. The children love her show and she
always has had a smile for me.
I was educated by the military, especially
the colonel. I owe this man a small debt as he
extended his arm and invited me to see a glimpse
of his world. I came out of the faire with a
little more understanding of that time period
and how conflicts were addressed in those long
ago days.
The Guild of St. Cuthbert invited me in with
open arms, and always had a spot of shade for me
to rest my weary bones. Their immediate
friendship and smiles were always appreciated.
The Puritans delighted me with their antics.
I was taunted for being a sinner and was
entertained dozens of times watching these fine
performers doing their best to rid the faire of
evil. I even had one of the ride's of my life
when I got on one of the wooden horses with a
pretty Puritan lady...Sigh. That was fun, as
were the other
rides I
had with two other pretty ladies, including
Cindy, who has become a friend as well.
I've been a fencer in the past (in high
school) so I took an immediate interest in the
swordplay of the Gentleman's adventures. These
fine gentlemen took me under their wing, showed
me some excellent swordsmanship and accepted me
as their friend. Steven, their leader, and I had
a long talk which was both unexpected and
delightful. Ariston is another friend I gained
from this group. I especially enjoyed the "Man
Lunch", and I thank Ariston for guiding me to
the position of honor so I could take some
excellent photographs of the event.
The nobility was incredible this year. I
don't ever remember seeing such energy and
ability at a faire before. These performers
seemed to be everywhere, and they always had a
kind word for me. They were always willing talk
with me, they always had a smile even when it
was unbearably hot, and they always, without
fail, put on a fantastic show. Interestingly,
although I have a difficult time remembering the
names and titles, I can see each of their faces
and I believe I made many friends in their
court.
Ah, and then there is there is the queen.
What can be said about this lady? She plays the
part well and she made me feel welcome in her
court. I took some delightful pictures of her,
especially when she was on the large swing.
Of course, the Belles of Bedlam were
incredible, as always. I watched their shows
more then half a dozen times, and at an event
called "The Bard's Bawdy Birthday Bash" I was
even "Dick", one of the biggest thrills in
recent memory. The Belles are special to me and
I will always reserve a place in my heart for
them.
I have quite a bit of affinity for the Danse
Macbre. I always enjoy watching them dancing
their way along the paths in their black
outfits. The contrast always struck me as
interesting - the black costumes combined with
the music and joyous dancing. There were several
times I followed them around, utterly
fascinated.
The Italians were wonderful, as always, and
their ladies, well, they were gorgeous and
talented. I enjoyed receiving Free Italian
Advice, watching their shows and observing their
antics.
The Merry Wives of Windsor are an incredible
act. I only saw their show once, and it was
delightful as always. For some reason I kept
missing their show, but I have no doubt I will
catch them again at other faires in the future.
And I will always remember with a smile the
music of Patrice Ruane. She is a lovely spirit
and because of her I've learned I have a
fondness for the spinet.
I truly enjoyed the Bold and Stupid Men. I
love their laugh, I love their moves and I love
the faces they make. Mostly, they make me laugh,
and that's something that I need at this point
in my life.
I'll never forget the Mistress of Misrule and
the Queen of the May (both virgins, of course),
Sir Francis Drake, The Lord Mayor and all of the
other characters who performed all over the
faire. There are far too many to name, and I
love watching each and everyone one of them
perform.
I could go on and on and on. It's now late at
night Sunday, and I should be getting some
sleep. I have a feeling this editorial will grow
over the next few weeks as I think back on the
good times I had at this faire. Look through the
pictures I took and you'll see the faces of the
hundreds of friends that I made. |
