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Weekend: Birthday & Renaissance Festival
Oct. 19th, 2003 06:48 pmBusy weekend. Friday night was B.'s birthday party at a local "pub" - really, a pub, and not your standard bar - it was friendly and there was food (fish and chips, mm!) I don't get out nearly as often as I'd like (or should) and it was great to see and talk to folks - I was actually able to hear/keep up with most conversations! It also got D. out of the house, which he needed; he had a good time :)
Had to leave early because I had plans to go to the local Renn Faire this weekend and meet up with The Other A. - one of my Costume Con buddies and one of the members of our Pink Group next year.
I usually try to get out to the local events once a year - this turns out to be plenty for me most of the time. I know folks who go every weekend, but I don't have the garb (because I MUST dress up!), time, or energy for that.
I left reasonably early because I was advised that there would be heavy traffic around the entrance, but I didn't find that to be the case. I got there around 12:30 (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
danicia, I'm sorry I missed your wedding! Congratulations!) and met everyone right on schedule at the White Hart Tavern at 1:30. T.O.A. was her usual bubbly self, and introduced me to fellow h-costumers K. and A.
EVERYONE looked fabulous in whatever garb they chose to wear - one couple whose names I regrettably do not remember wore upper-class gowns that were hand-beaded, taking doG-knows how much effort. These are the costumers I talk about when I claim that I'm really not all that great and have lots to learn - it's inspiring and intimidating at the same time!
I felt rather the "poor country cousin" in my peasant gear, but I was comfortable and reasonably warm (pictures to come.. eventually. Remind me). The sleeves were a very good idea, and fencing socks = no need for cumbersome flannel petticoat :) Note to self: find out what peasants used to keep their hands warm.
I go to faire mostly to people watch, because it is exciting to me that so many attendees dress up and go to such great effort to come up with something impressive - even when it's not "historically correct" you can tell that a lot of thought and time was taken.
Faires/SCA/historical re-enactment strike me as one of the most pervasive subcultures around - the SCA in particular is underfoot nationally yet you practically have to know someone to find out about it. We were even approached by someone who really loved our costumes and wanted to know if we knew about any "Renaissance clubs". Seems to me that people are interested in history beyond the latest movie butcheries of same, and in playing dressup outside of Halloween. Pity more of them don't know who to talk to!
I wandered around with T.O.A., K., and A., looking in shops and people watching. I picked up a leather rose at.. wait for it.. the Leather Rose, purveyor of fine leather goods (mostly hair decoration and fetish gear) which has no mail order or website, so gotta get while you're there. We also went to a costume "from the inside out" demonstration by the local Guild of St. George chapter, that shows how all of those layers go on. Now I FINALLY know how men's stuff goes together, and have something to tell D. when it finally comes time to dress him!
I wish I had the nerve of T.O.A. and others re: asking questions and taking notes on the fly re: costume; it's as if when confronted with super glamour Elizabethans my brain goes on vacation and I can muster little more than "wow!", and later on I always think of a million things to ask.
Missed the jousts, but caught "Fight School Reloaded" (theatrical fighting, but still gave an idea of how weapons were used), and went home very tired and dusty. No traffic on the way in, but packed like sardines on the way out - another reason I usually only go once a year!
Had to leave early because I had plans to go to the local Renn Faire this weekend and meet up with The Other A. - one of my Costume Con buddies and one of the members of our Pink Group next year.
I usually try to get out to the local events once a year - this turns out to be plenty for me most of the time. I know folks who go every weekend, but I don't have the garb (because I MUST dress up!), time, or energy for that.
I left reasonably early because I was advised that there would be heavy traffic around the entrance, but I didn't find that to be the case. I got there around 12:30 (
danicia, I'm sorry I missed your wedding! Congratulations!) and met everyone right on schedule at the White Hart Tavern at 1:30. T.O.A. was her usual bubbly self, and introduced me to fellow h-costumers K. and A. EVERYONE looked fabulous in whatever garb they chose to wear - one couple whose names I regrettably do not remember wore upper-class gowns that were hand-beaded, taking doG-knows how much effort. These are the costumers I talk about when I claim that I'm really not all that great and have lots to learn - it's inspiring and intimidating at the same time!
I felt rather the "poor country cousin" in my peasant gear, but I was comfortable and reasonably warm (pictures to come.. eventually. Remind me). The sleeves were a very good idea, and fencing socks = no need for cumbersome flannel petticoat :) Note to self: find out what peasants used to keep their hands warm.
I go to faire mostly to people watch, because it is exciting to me that so many attendees dress up and go to such great effort to come up with something impressive - even when it's not "historically correct" you can tell that a lot of thought and time was taken.
Faires/SCA/historical re-enactment strike me as one of the most pervasive subcultures around - the SCA in particular is underfoot nationally yet you practically have to know someone to find out about it. We were even approached by someone who really loved our costumes and wanted to know if we knew about any "Renaissance clubs". Seems to me that people are interested in history beyond the latest movie butcheries of same, and in playing dressup outside of Halloween. Pity more of them don't know who to talk to!
I wandered around with T.O.A., K., and A., looking in shops and people watching. I picked up a leather rose at.. wait for it.. the Leather Rose, purveyor of fine leather goods (mostly hair decoration and fetish gear) which has no mail order or website, so gotta get while you're there. We also went to a costume "from the inside out" demonstration by the local Guild of St. George chapter, that shows how all of those layers go on. Now I FINALLY know how men's stuff goes together, and have something to tell D. when it finally comes time to dress him!
I wish I had the nerve of T.O.A. and others re: asking questions and taking notes on the fly re: costume; it's as if when confronted with super glamour Elizabethans my brain goes on vacation and I can muster little more than "wow!", and later on I always think of a million things to ask.
Missed the jousts, but caught "Fight School Reloaded" (theatrical fighting, but still gave an idea of how weapons were used), and went home very tired and dusty. No traffic on the way in, but packed like sardines on the way out - another reason I usually only go once a year!
