Renaissance Fairs

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Tri-City Voice Newspaper - Whats Happening - Fremont, Union City, Newark, California

Step into a world of fun and fantasy at the Ardenwood Shakespeare Festival and Renaissance Faire. Now in its third year, the festival takes over Ardenwood Historic Farm for the weekend of September 10 and 11, transforming the pastoral hideaway into a 15th century village bustling with activity, reenactments, games, and theater.

Renaissance fairs became popular in the 1960s; the first fair held in 1963 was designed as a representation of an Elizabethan springtime market and had free, live reenactments of the period's townspeople. Historical recreations are popular worldwide, but Renaissance Fairs are unique; they enthusiastically encourage audience participation. Some avid fair-goers don costumes to rival Queen Elizabeth herself! (Helpful tips for dressing for a Ren fair are available on the festival's website).

Ardenwood fair-goers will enjoy the theatrics of over 900 performers in historic costumes parading the streets. Vignettes and selections from William Shakespeare are offered on three stages; artisans and merchants have crafts, trinkets, and goods for the shopper with a keen eye for craftsmanship. And, of course, there is plenty of fabulous food and drink!

The theme of the fair is "Shakespeare's Muse," in which ol' Will suffers from writer's block and seeks inspiration from his fellow townspeople. You'll find yourself drawn into the drama of this little town and transformed by the experience. Archers, musicians, blacksmiths, magicians, singers, acrobats, knights, and the royal court are ready to entertain. The highlight of the weekend is live jousting on horseback, presented by the Imperial Knights.

Clan Iain Abrach, a Scottish Renaissance guild, will have a weapons display, crafts, and host a Cast Iron Chef Cooking Contest. Children will find the artistry of the Bubble Fairy fascinating. Need a break from walking about town? Stop in for a massage! Fair patrons can learn about historic crafts, games, and what life was like in Elizabethan Europe. There are many opportunities for fun and learning at the Shakespeare Festival.

The Ardenwood Shakespeare Festival is produced by Renaissance Productions, a fantasy event management team that hosts a number of festivals in the Western region. Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $8 for children. Kids under four are free. Purchase tickets in advance through East Bay Parks by calling 1 (888) 327-2757 or online at www.ebparksonline.org. Enter to win free tickets by following the festival on Facebook.

Shakespeare Festival & Renaissance Faire
Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(888) 327-2757
www.ardenwoodfaire.com
Tickets: $8 - $17

via www.tricityvoice.com

King Richard's Faire is posed for its 30th enchanted season in Carver | SouthCoastToday.com

Long live the King.

For 30 delightful years, the coming of autumn has signified the return of King Richard's Faire to the Carver woods. This year's milestone will be celebrated throughout the realm, as new performances and artisans will join the stable of beloved characters that have become part of the tradition of New England's largest Renaissance fair.

"If someone had said I'd still be playing in the forest 30 years later, I'd say no way," said owner and producer Bonnie Harris Shapiro. "I'm proud to have the Faire still up and running, because our family has worked long and hard and put a good part of our lives into making it a special place."

King Richard's Faire truly is a family venture, and always has been. Bonnie and her late husband Richard Shapiro began the first incarnation in the Midwest back in 1972 and ran it there for 10 years, before moving to the 80-acre site in Carver. Although Richard — who played the original monarch — passed away in 1996, Bonnie continues to run the Faire with daughter Aimee Shapiro Sedley serving as co-producer and vice president of production, helping in the day-to-day operations.

Sedley likes to say she was "born into the realm," as she was just 2 years old when the Faire began. Along with her sister Samantha, she performed various duties each season, such as performing with the gypsy dancers and hawking turkey drumsticks.

"It was definitely fun and unusual. My friends were always jealous," Sedley said. "My sister and I always say we grew up in a magical kingdom."

And there is something magical about King Richard's Faire, even as it blends together authentic 16th-century costumes and customs with 21st-century innovations like ATMs and online ticketing.

"To me, it's about the sunlight filtering through the trees in our enchanted woods, and there are a thousand families walking around with smiles on their faces," said Shapiro. "It's so different than any other venue. People think that it's theater, but it's not — it's interactive."

via www.southcoasttoday.com

One Killed in Scarborough Festival Fire | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth

One person was killed late Monday evening in a fast-moving fire on the grounds of Waxahachie's Scarborough Renaissance Festival.

Officials said the fire broke out just before 10:30 p.m. in the apartment of groundskeeper Will Ross.

When firefighters arrived at the fairgrounds, they found heavy fire quickly spreading through the complex. In all, six fire departments were called in to battle the fire before it began to burn through part of the 35-acre village.

When an employee who lives on the grounds was unable to be located, firefighters concentrated their firefighting efforts near his residence. Once the fire was put out, Ross' body was found inside.

By the time the fire was tapped out it had burned through seven buildings, including an apartment, several shops and a restroom.

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One Killed in Fairgrounds Fire

via www.nbcdfw.com

MANCHESTER: Medieval Faire happening Saturday at Carr Park - Manchester Enterprise - Heritage Newspapers

It’s time to pick up that suit of armor and chainmail, Manchester.

The second Medieval Faire will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Carr Park.

The event, which began last year in front of the village hall, was moved to allow more space and more visitors, said Heather Sturm, director for the Manchester District Library, which is holding the fair.

Two medieval-era groups from an organization call the Society of Creative Anachronism will attend to demonstrate: the Barony of Cynnabar from Ann Arbor and the Shire of Talonval from Jackson.

These groups, along with the Ann Arbor Sword Club, will perform sword-fighting techniques and other medieval-era lessons, Sturm said.

“They really research their characters,” Sturm said. “So if they’re a lady, their life is going to be very different than someone who is a crops person or is a peasant.”

While some local residents will take part in presenting, Sturm said the sword-fighting will be one of the biggest performances of the day.

Sturm said last year’s fair attracted about 200 people, and hopes the weather is fair to attract even more this year.

“I think Carr Park will be a better location, rain or shine,” she said.

via www.heritage.com

Fare thee well for 2011

STERLING — The scoundrel in the stocks got some ripe tomatoes to the face. The witches were on schedule for a dunking in the pond. Even the sword swallower ate with nary a scratch.

Everything went smoothly Sunday, the last day of the Sterling Renaissance Festival, now in its 35th year.

Promoter Doug Waterbury said attendance is up between 5 and 8 percent this year, though still down from the all-time high in 2008.

The festival started off at an even hotter pace but attendance tailed off because of forecasted rain, he said.

"People are not inclined to hop in the car and drive 200 miles on a bet,” he said, explaining the decrease in out-of-town visitors. “We’re not lighting the world on fire but we’re not trailing behind either. ... Even in tough times, people will spend money on high-quality entertainment, high-quality food, high-quality merchandise.”

Once the admission fee was paid, visitors were immersed in good times, 16th-century style.

Shopping choices included the Druid Grove and the Needle Fairy; for food, there was steak on a stick, peasant bread and roast beast sandwiches, not to mention the ever-popular “turkey legges.”

Skirmishes and duels sprang up out of nowhere in the middle of traffic: for instance, when the sheriff of Warwick was trying to avoid getting tossed into an insane asylum for locking his sister-in-law in a fruit cellar.

Johnny Fox, a 15-year performer, finished his magic show by swallowing a formidable set of long, sharp things.

A dagger: “That was nothing -- that was a toothpick,” he bragged.

A long metal spoon: “Gag me with a spoon? I don’t think so.”

A two-foot sword: “I sneezed last week and nailed a kid to that tree over there.”

A three-foot balloon: “I’m not like the rest of you -- I was raised in a jungle by a hamster.”

Visitors and actors pranced around in velvet leggings, frilly tunics and ridiculous hats. There were lutes and huzzahs, clanking steins and thumping walking sticks.

The criminal of the day gamely dodged tomatoes as best he could, head and arms protruding through a cutout board.

“Come on, you old trollop!” he egged one dainty thrower on.

To a child: “You’re going to make a great bench-warmer when you grow up.”

To another: “You couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn if you were locked inside it.”

Mark Presher, of Leroy, has a full-time job as a 19th-century potter at Genesee Country Village west of Rochester, but makes time every year to sell his own jars and vessels in Sterling, dressed in full Middle Ages costume.

“It’s the same hands but a different costume,” he said. “The technology is very much the same.”

Inside a wooden two-story walk-through building with a tree growing through the roof, another longtime vendor, flame worker Milon Townsend, applied a blowtorch to a bit of glass held between two tongs.

He said business has been very good this year, his first sum

via auburnpub.com

Mischief Leads To Role At Renaissance Faire - Buffalo Grove, IL Patch

Auditioning for the Bristol Renaissance Faire started out as a joke for Jon Verkler of Libertyville.

“I had never been to a renaissance fair before, and I thought it would be goofy based on popular movies that portray it as a dorky, embarrassing place to be,” Verkler said. “I thought, ‘How funny it would be to get my friends to do this?’ ”

He texted all his friends, but only he showed up for the audition.

“I did an open audition and was hoping to get a part as a nameless peasant who bales hay and talks in a funny accent,” Verkler said.

Verkler was surprised to get the role of Puck, part of the Fantastikals, a group of fae (or fairies) who gracefully wander through the fair interacting nonverbally with visitors. They are very popular with children.

Verkler said the Fantastikals are a selective movement group and actors are required to have a dance background.

He asked the director if she was sure he was the right person and she told him he would make a good Puck because he was fearless.

Being selected as Puck was not the only surprise when Verkler joined the renaissance fair cast in 2010. He also discovered that his perceptions of renaissance fairs were wrong.

“It was such a 180 of what I thought. There are a lot of professional people; all the performers are topnotch. I went there thinking it was a joke and left with a life-changing experience,” Verkler said.

Verkler, 22, a graduate of Libertyville High School, got interested in improv acting while a student at Beloit College. He also graduated from the Conservatory, an advanced improv program at Second City in Chicago.

“Life at the fair is nonstop improv. You keep making things up all day,” Verkler said.

Verkler, a talkative person, believes performing as a Fantastikal has helped build his acting skills.

“You’re not talking your head off; you’re not constantly chattering. You have to interact with people in a whole different way. I’ve taken that to heart and can apply it to scenes, being aware of my body and eye contact,” he said.

The Fantastikals are popular with children and the story is that only children can see them. Of the group, Puck is the most likely to interact with teenagers and adults.

“I’m the only guy. I have horns and I end up making more kids cry. Little kids either hate me, they’re afraid of me or they’re all about me,” Verkler said.

He finds the interaction fun and fulfilling, whether he is acting mischievous and playing pranks or making a connection to individuals.

“We interact through movement connect with people on a whole different level. The most rewarding parts are when you’re interacting with a child or elderly couple, a handicapped person or someone who doesn’t speak English. We’re able to communicate with them so much more fully than the rest of the fair,” Verkler said.

via buffalogrove.patch.com

BIG BEAR: Renaissance Faire celebrates a decade of medieval entertainment | San Bernardino County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

The Big Bear Renaissance Faire will celebrate its 10th anniversary with two weekends of medieval-themed activities for children and adults beginning Saturday.

"We're pulling out all the stops for our 10th anniversary celebration," said Lynda McGinnis, CEO and founder of the Big Bear Renaissance Faire. "The headlining act is the Knights of Mayhem, a genuine jousting group that gives an absolute crowd-pleasing performance."

The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and Aug. 20 and 21 at the Pedersen Sawmill in Fawnskin.

In addition to the Knights of Mayhem competitions, the faire will have musical troupes, singing groups, comedy acts, belly dancers and strolling street performers.

There will be five stages with continuous entertainment, including three general stages, a children's stage and an NC-17 stage for adults.

The Merriment Square Children's Area will have games and prizes, such as Battle on the High Seas and Splatter the Platter.

There will be food and drinks available for purchase, as well as costumed vendors with medieval-themed goods for sale.

The jousting competitions with the Knights of Mayhem will be twice daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

"When they hit, they hit hard," McGinnis said. "This is not a dinner show ... it's the real deal."

Big Bear Renaissance Faire

Where: Pedersen Sawmill, 39115 Rim of the World Drive, Fawnskin

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Aug. 20-21

Tickets: $15, adults per day or $26 weekend pass or $50 season pass; $12, seniors, military, students and children ages 6-12 or $20 weekend pass or $38 season pass; free for children 5 and under

Advanced purchase: 800-424-4232, www.bigbear.com

via www.pe.com

San Jose Renaissance Faire thrills and enchants - San Jose Mercury News

Standing under a tent on a warm Sunday afternoon at the first downtown San Jose Renaissance Faire, Lesley Maurice slipped on a bodice, a tight, figure-forming vest that was all the rage in lusty, busty Elizabethan England.

"We came to take in the culture," Maurice said, "which really means the costumes."

As this was only her second visit to such a fair, she had nothing in her closet to fit the occasion. So on arriving, she headed straight to Andrea and Don Thompson's clothing booth. The couple have created and sold Renaissance wear since 1967, which practically makes them founding members of the popular festivals that re-enact one of the most important eras in Western civilization.

Andrea Thompson pulled the laces on Maurice's bodice as tight as they would go. Maurice posed left and then right and then straight ahead. All she needed was a long, flowing skirt and a tiara of flowers to roll back the calendar several centuries.

"It's just so different from the day-to-day, what we experience," Maurice said.

Organizers say the weekend fair at Guadalupe River Park attracted about 1,500 visitors each day.

The Renaissance spanned the 14th to 17th centuries across Western Europe. The San Jose fair strove to re-create a 16th century English village putting its best face forward for the future queen.

"We are waiting for Princess Elizabeth to come around," said Mackenzie Bartlett, a festival volunteer, of the young woman

via www.mercurynews.com

Silver Leaf Renaissance Fair ends this weekend, to return in '12 | The Enquirer | battlecreekenquirer.com

The 20th year for the Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire concludes this weekend at Kimball Pines County Park in Emmett Township.

The annual faire, which began on July 9, will have a full schedule Saturday and Sunday, according to Wendy Graves, general manager.

And on Sunday a film crew from National Geographic will be on the grounds to record the jousts as part of a series on the sport the network is doing. Graves said they have been recording jousts across the country.

Jousts at Silver Leaf are scheduled Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Graves said the summer heat has kept attendance down a bit over other years and organizers also had to help clear the park of downed trees after the Memorial Day
weekend wind storm which stuck the Battle Creek and Emmett Township area.

But she said the faire will return next summer for its seventh year at Kimball Pines.

via www.battlecreekenquirer.com

San Jose's first Renaissance Faire set for Aug. 6-7 - San Jose Mercury News

Downtown San Jose will be the place to go this weekend to see knights in battle gear astride snorting steeds, hurtling across an arena while bearing lances.

The horses, knights, lances and hundreds of other unusual sights -- people wearing chain mail or dressed as Elizabethan washerwomen, for example -- will all be part of downtown San Jose's first Renaissance Faire, to be held Saturday and Sunday in Guadalupe River Park near HP Pavilion.

"There's no better place to do one," says Marti Miernik, who grew up in San Jose and is one of the leaders of Renaissance Productions, which organized the event. The company also stages the Ardenwood Shakespeare Festival in Fremont and the Valhalla Renaissance Faire in South Lake Tahoe. The Northern California Renaissance Faire, held at Casa de Fruta on Pacheco Pass Highway on weekends from Sept. 17 to Oct. 16, is run by another company, Play Faire Productions.

Miernik, who has been involved in such fairs since the 1990s, says she's been dreaming of bringing one to San Jose for years.

And thus will the public be able to see the fearsome Black Knight -- aka jouster Thomas Montgomery of Imperial Knights, a Southern California company -- riding an enormous black Percheron horse named Thor, thundering across the park with his sword drawn to slice into ... airborne cabbages.

Cabbage-hacking is one of the games the two visiting knights will play on horseback before their jousting: Two squires stand

via www.mercurynews.com