Local chapters sponsor one-day events, sometimes weekend camping-type events. I find that there is, on average, a local event within driving distance once a month. In order to find out these events, you’d either have to get your kingdom newsletter by becoming a member, know someone who does, or I believe they’re starting to put events up on the web (www.sca.org). You do not have to be a paid member, however, to participate or attend - you just need to pay the modest entrance fee. For that you get a day’s entertainment, usually fighting, sometimes classes and merchants, a several-coursed feast, and dancing afterwards. The company is, IMHO, top-notch - any Doper would feel at home.
Ok, now I’m confused. So…what is the diffference between and SCA event, a RenFaire and a Reformation Faire? (hope the smilie worked) And how do I go about finding out about where they are being held and other information?
Ok, now I’m confused. So…what is the difference between a SCA event, a RenFaire and a Reformation Faire? (hope the smilie worked) And how do I go about finding out about where they are being held and other information? Do you have to wear costumes to all of these things?
Yeah, do a rennfair, but remember to bring $$. Also try an SCA event, more fun less $, BUT you might get sucked into politics (atho there are nasty Faire politics also, they are better hidden).
And Madpoet, trust me, we here in the West have the very best looking dancers!!!
There is no such thing as a Reformation Faire. I made it up.
“See, the joke is…” – Charlie McCarthy
Now, you could always come with me to the tri-state area Enlightenment Faire…I’m planning on going as Dr. Sam Johnson, and I need a Boswell to help me adjust my periwig and chase down buxom maids in rouge and corsets.
A Renaissance Faire is a public accommodation set up for tourists to attend and spend money at - you don’t have to dress up, anyone can go, they’re publicly advertised, they’re usually seasonal, and the price is maybe $10-$25. The Society for Creative Anachronism is a private non-profit membership society that holds locally-sponsored events for its members and their guests - you are required to dress up, it is advertised only to its members, anyone can go but it helps to know someone there, they are year-round, some events are more than just one day, and the price, depending on if you partake of the feast, is anywhere from free to maybe $15 for the bigger events.
My take on it - Ren Faire people do it for money and for the public, SCAdians do it for fun and for ourselves. Conversely, you can usually get better schtick and the actors stay in character at a Ren Faire, whereas an SCA event is sometimes a little slow and most people don’t really have a character personality to act as.
A Renaissance Faire is a public accommodation set up for tourists to attend and spend money at - you don’t have to dress up, anyone can go, they’re publicly advertised, they’re usually seasonal, and the price is maybe $10-$25. The Society for Creative Anachronism is a private non-profit membership society that holds locally-sponsored events for its members and their guests - you are required to dress up, it is advertised only to its members, anyone can go but it helps to know someone there, they are year-round, some events are more than just one day, and the price, depending on if you partake of the feast, is anywhere from free to maybe $15 for the bigger events.
My take on it - Ren Faire people do it for money and for the public, SCAdians do it for fun and for ourselves. Conversely, you can usually get better schtick and the actors stay in character at a Ren Faire, whereas an SCA event is sometimes a little slow and most people don’t really have a character personality to act as.
Here in Mass we have King Richard’s Faire every year. My husband and I go in costume, and always have a great time. We are also members of the SCA, but I have only gone to one event. The difference to me was that the people working at the Ren Faire were there for a good time, and the people who participate in the SCA are real sticklers for historical accuracy. We had a conversation with one guy who was complaining that, while Xena was a good show, it was not completely accurate, but he was compelled to watch every week, because sometimes the episodes are very good, and it was worth sitting through a couple bad episodes, blahblahblah, etc.
I enjoyed going to the SCA event, and I will probably go to more of them, but the vibe I get from some of those people is akin to the vibe I get from those Star Trek people who can talk for hours about the Prime Directive in Klingon. A little too into it, if you know what I mean
Rose
It’s at times like this that I miss Melis the most.
–Kalél TheHungerSite.com “If our lives are indeed the sum-total of the choices we’ve made, then we cannot change who we are; but with every new choice we’re given, we can change who we’re going to be.”
Um…chasing buxom maids is not my thing, I would probably help them escape, but thanks for the invitation. Also, the tri-state area is a little further away from my usual stomping grounds than I like to travel. But hey…I hope you catch someone.
I hate to admit it, but I was a renfair performer (years ago). Also was a SCAer (years ago). Still have friends who do the festival circuit (“professional festies” who live in the back of their van and go from fair to fair).
Esprix - not many festies do it for the money - since there isn’t a lot of money to be had by anyone other than the guy selling tickets at $15 a pop (and the guy who owns the beer and wine concession). And some of the headliners make quite a bit of money. (I once heard a rumor that the CA fairs paid actors scale, but I’m not sure I believe it). Most do it for the love of performing, and the fact that their friends are there. And the sex, drugs, booze and rock and roll in the campground at night (all true, although not my scene).
SCA is a wonderful organization with many wonderful - and very talented - people. Its Lame Person factor is a little higher than Festivals, since Festivals are private parties as far as the performers are concerned and they can kick out the really annoying people (who come back as paying patrons, but are then easily ignored). And whoever commented on the politics was right, SCA politics are a lot deeper than Festival politics - unless you are a festival staff person. SCA is much easier to break into if you already have friends there or you are cute, single and female.
My experience with SCA is Middle Kingdom (the Midwest), and my RenFair was Minnesota, and friends have done South Carolina (Charlotte), Texas, St. Louis, Colorado (very pretty site, by all accounts), and Arizona.
Both can be lifestyle choices. But both can be fun places to visit - never really enjoyed renfest as a place to visit myself - but others go back time and time again, so they must think there is something. Had a hoot for a year or two performing before I outgrew it, though.
Well, my point was someone is making money, but it’s usually the guy who owns the place (although I do know there are several non-profit Ren Faires out there). The performers certainly do it for the love of the game, I know. SCAdians also do it for loving it, but they usually lose money on events (we’re also non-profit).
Not mine either, but also a big draw of the SCA - stick jocks just love their mead.
Yeah, that’s true. Still, Faire people are paid (or at least hired) to play a part for the tourists - every SCAdian at an event has to create the atmosphere themselves, so some go an extra length to be authentic since it’s not mandated by the employers. I would say the majority of SCAdians attempt to make their garb period, come up with a period persona, and attempt to do period things, but act just like they normally do.
Very true, but the nature of the SCA is it’s a social group run by its members, so politics happen. You’re not allowed to see any Mundane influences at Faire if you’re a patron.
Very, very true. I also recommend people go with an established SCAdian, if for no other reason they can loan them garb.
Be aware: the guy who runs the RFs on the east coast is a con man-a few years back, he was running one in Carver, MA, and skipped town-owing local businesses thousand of $s in unpaid bills. Next time he showed up-the local sheriff and deputies were waiting for him-they seized the show, and sold the tickets (and kept the money)until all the claims and judgemnts were paid. So to those hankering to work at one of these things-get your money up front!
Okay, so come with me to the local Post-Modernist Faire. I’ll go as Jacques Derrida, you can go as Jenny Holzer; we’ll meet at the refreshment tent over white wine spritzers and grilled squab with apricot remoulade.
Hey Ike–I’ll see you there. I will be dressed as the Other, and the guy with me will be the Patriarchy Oppressing Me. THe problem with the PM fair, of course, is the food. In the spirit of things, I feel I have to deconstruct every damn hotdog, and that is such a disgusting experence. And ever since the French Feminists joined in and said that the boys couldn’t talk to the girls a lot of the fun has gone out of it. . .
Are you going to the “Libertaria Fair” the week after that? I’ll be dressed as a peaceful and honest person. . .wait, so will everyone else.
Ooo-a Post-Modern Faire? Can I be Tama Janowitz? I also have a great new lawn-toy to sell at the Faire: The Annie Sprinkler! Just hook it up, turn on the hose and romp through the yellow-tinged water!
Put on your Cristo raincoat first, and maybe enjoy a glass of Andres Serrano lemonade . . .
Esprix and Dangerosa, I used to work for the company that produces the CA Ren Faire. For about five years, on the permanent crew I traveled back and forth from Northern to Southern Faire.
As to how an actor gets paid, it depends on what you are doing. If you belong to a guild, and do a few stage acts you might get $5-$25 a day. There are a few paid actors, such as the lady that plays Queen Liz, and Sir Francis Drake, and players like that. Other people to street acting, and are hired to basically fill the streets and entertain people. These people get meal tickets, or some equivalent as pay, maybe a few comp tickets. Unfortunatley, this is the majority of the people you see walking around in costume.
Is there some kind of inverse money law concerning actors? The less they get paid, the larger the jerk attitude. The highest paid actors are the nicest of people. This hold true to all actors, it seems - even the film and tv actors.
(hope the smilie worked) And how do I go about finding out about where they are being held and other information?