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FAQ - - - - R E N A I S S A N C E F A I R E S - - - - v.1.1
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Welcome to <alt.fairs.renaissance>, a benevolent anarchy under Good
Queen Elizabeth (with alternative monarchs from time to time, just to
keep things interesting).
This newsgroup's purpose is to help Faire Folk keep in touch, share
tips, discuss costumes, provide quotable quotes from the Renaissance,
gripe about management (well, it's not REALLY part of the purpose, but
it always seems to happen...), point to other useful resources (books,
mailing lists, other newsgroups, Web pages...), spread the latest rumors
and gossip (of course!) and/or correct them with the boring old truth,
and anything else that seems useful and relevant. As in any newsgroup,
courtesy and respect for the opinions of others are appreciated.
This file hopes to answer some Frequently Asked Questions about
Renaissance Faires, both for visitors and for potential actors.
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IS THERE A RENAISSANCE FAIRE in my area (the area I'm moving/traveling
to)? Where is it? When does it run? How do I get there? How much does it
cost?
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The SCRIBE Network keeps a very comprehensive list of Renaissance Faires
and related events throughout the country. They can be contacted at:
<MIHALIK1@aol.com>. (That's a number "1" before the "@" sign.)
They also have a Web page. General SCRIBE information can be found at:
http://www.faire.net/SCRIBE
and Renaissance Faire information at:
http://www.faire.net/SCRIBE/renfaire.shtml
You can also get a copy of the whole list if you send a 2 stamp SASE to
the address below:
the SCRIBE Network
% Ed & Ellen Westfield
P.O. Box 2566
Waxahachie, TX 75165-8566
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WHAT EXACTLY IS A RENAISSANCE FAIRE, ANYWAY?
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Hard to answer, because each Faire has its own personality. Some are
more "fantasy" oriented, set "in the days of old, when knights were
bold," with abundant princesses, castles, jousting and feasting. Some
are (or attempt to be) serious attempts at "living history," focusing on
the re-creation of a particular time, place, characters and/or events.
Virtually all Faires are somewhere in between. Many incorporate both
history *and* hilarious takeoffs on history -- my own home Faire, the
Renaissance Pleasure Faire of Northern California, includes both a
Queen's Court which holds regular Privy Council sessions (historical)
and a current stage show called "Manly Men in Tights," which is sheer
silliness.
For your entertainment, Faires usually offer food booths, game booths,
theater in both stage and street, dance exhibitions, and of course
merchants with Things to Sell--jewelry, hats, aromatic oils, costumes,
toys, herbs, house furnishings, ad infinitum. Some may demonstrate
"period" crafts, others just create beautiful, tempting things out of
their own wonderful creativity.
Most Faires are weekend events, ranging from one or two days for the
smallest Faires to eight- or nine-weekend runs for the biggest. They may
range from half a dozen actors to a costumed "cast" of over 1,000, and
from a handful of merchants and booths to more than a hundred of all
kinds. Most Faires charge admission, ranging from a dollar or two to the
$15-20 range, and for most Faires that includes admission to all the
stage shows. Some Faires are non-profit; some are fund-raisers for
Worthy Causes; some are run by for-profit corporations.
Other than that, Faires vary all over the map. If you have seen one
Faire, you have definitely NOT seen them all. In fact, many people are
shocked when they walk unsuspectingly into a "Faire of a different
color" -- a large Faire when they've only been to small ones, or a more
fantasy-oriented Faire when they're used to the more historically
oriented. Experienced Faire-goers learn to enjoy the variety.
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SHOULD I GO IN COSTUME?
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It's not required by any means, though many people find it fun. Most
Faire folk are well accustomed to seeing travellers, visitors,
customers, guests, patrons (whatever the local term is) wearing such
"odd" clothing as shorts, jeans, T-shirts and halter tops. If you look
like you'd like to "play," they may tease you a little about it ("Alack,
good sir, that the robbers who assaulted you did leave you with but half
your clothing!") but it is all good humored.
At most Faires you will be welcomed whatever you are wearing. You will
see wizards, monks, gypsies, barbarians, knights, assorted clerics, and
perhaps a Klingon or two at almost any Faire. On the other hand, many of
the more "historical" Faires appreciate it even more if you try to dress
in a more authentic costume, as it adds to the atmosphere they are
trying to create. For more information on costuming, see the "Costume
FAQ" in this newsgroup.
The same goes for talking "forsoothly." You needn't talk Olde Englisshe
if you don't want to, but many people find it fun to try. Again, most
Faire actors will be happy to talk with you whatever dialect you happen
to be speaking, though they will often not understand you if you ask
them about computers! ("What kind of pewter is that?")
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CULTURE SHOCK and FAIRE ETIQUETTE
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Most Faire customers are not used to seeing real, live people up close
who are pretending to be someone from another world or another time.
Usually entertainment is at a safe distance, up on a stage or safely
behind a TV or movie screen. Often visitors don't know what to say to
actors who are suddenly only two feet away! Here are some hints.
* Some good starting questions are "Who are you?" and "What are you
doing?" If they are wearing funny clothes or demonstrating some obscure
craft, these are probably the questions they would just *love* to
answer.
* You can also ask where they got the materials, who taught them how to
do what they're doing (milk a goat, make chain mail, spin wool, etc.)
and what they will do when they are through with their current task.
* If a costumed actor asks you a question, it's an invitation to "play"
along with them. Don't feel obliged to stick to the truth in your answer
-- make something up! ("Why, I am on my way to Nottingham Fair to buy me
a horse!")
* If you don't want to "play," just shake your head no, and walk on.
Good actor manners dictates that they not pursue you if you make it
clear you don't want to participate right now.
* Good customer manners include thinking before asking obvious
questions: "Is that real food?" when they are sitting there eating it.
(More than one costumed, nursing mother has been asked, "Is that a real
baby?") Actors get very tired of answering, "Aren't you hot? Did you
make your costume yourself? Is that corset tight? Are you the Queen?" In
fact, one group made a button to wear that simply said, "Yes, yes, yes,
no."
* For actors: If you're a hawker, don't touch customers physically when
you're trying to get them over to your booth. It makes people
uncomfortable when people assume that kind of familiarity. In the same
way, if you're a customer, don't touch or grab the actors unless
specifically invited.
* At most Faires, actors try hard to stay in character. Part of the fun
for actors is speaking in Faire accent (Elizabethan or whatever) and
being consistent with the character they are playing. It spoils the fun
if a visitor asks, "Are you a computer programmer?" Equally, it spoils
the visitor's fun if a costumed peasant asks what's the score of the
Raiders game. 'Nuff said.
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PRACTICAL ADVICE
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Some things to remember that make Faire more pleasant, whether you're an
actor or a customer:
* At a summer Faire, wear a sun hat and sun screen. Actors in historical
costume don't wear sunglasses (it spoils the atmosphere) but anyone can
wear a broad-brimmed hat and be careful not to spend too much time in
the sun.
* Wear good, supportive shoes. You will walk a lot, especially at a
large Faire.
* Bring a mug to drink out of, and drink lots of water. Most Faires are
dusty, you are probably getting more exercise than usual, and you will
dehydrate quickly. Soda, alcoholic drinks and coffee all dehydrate you
further. Drink lots and LOTS of just plain water. If you bring a dog or
other animal, remember they need lots of water too.
* Smoke only in designated areas. This is both for fire safety outdoors
and because many people are allergic to cigarette smoke and need to be
able to avoid it.
* Pick up after yourself and don't leave garbage lying around. Actors
are there to act, not to clean up after you.
* Let people have their space; don't wander backstage or into private
housing areas if you don't belong there. There's plenty to do at Faire
in the areas open to everyone.
* Pace yourself and don't get overtired. Rest when you need to.
* Have fun; remember we're here to have a festival. If we have
fun, so will the people around us.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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The following FAQs are posted at least once a month in this newsgroup.
Costume FAQ
Faire Suppliers FAQ
You Know You've Been Working Faire Too Long When...
A RenFaire Glossary
In addition, there are specific FAQs for the Renaissance Pleasure Faires
(tm), held by Renaissance Entertainment Corporation (REC) in northern
and southern California, Bristol WI and VA. (Why? because these are
large and well-known Faires, because one of them happens to be my home
Faire, and because there are many Californians in this newsgroup):
REC FAQ
REC Costume FAQ
REC Guilds FAQ
REC Performer FAQ
Sorry, I cannot honor individual requests for FAQs, but will post them
more often upon request.
Additions, corrections and comments are welcome, as are suggestions for
more areas where FAQ files would be helpful. Please contact:
_________________________________________________________
O "Mistress Christian," a.k.a. Chris Laning
| <CLaning@igc.apc.org>
+ Davis, California
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©©©©©©©©©©©© Copyright 1997 Chris Laning ©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©