March 8th & 9th, 2008 is the Sonora Celtic Faire (formerly the Calavaras Celtic Faire), and I am going...again. Although it's billed as a "celtic" cultural themed event, I was lucky enough to see the viking group "Raiders of the North" there last year. From what I understand, the 'new' venue (in Sonora) has better accoutraments for the performers than the 'old' site at Calavaras (According to the Faire's web site, Sonora was the original site/venue up until eight years ago). I'm really psyched, as this is the first Faire of the year for me. Last year I visited/attended four faires, including this one, here in northern California. That's alot for someone who was lucky to attend one a year when I lived in the Las Vegas. If anyone reading this interested in more information regarding The Sonora Celtic Faire, please visit : http://www.sonoracelticfaire.com/ . I hope to see you there, Vivat! and Huzzah!

You have GOT to check this 3 part video out. I chuckled, then became very embarassed when I realized...  I've 'been there done that'. LOL

"Home Movies" from Cartoon Network's Adult Swim features three main charactors, (school kids) Brendon, Jason, and Melissa. They write, direct and shoot home movies. The coach, McGuirk, and other school staff appear in this episode.

...this Lil' ditty is Episode 31, "Renaissance". Enjoy!

 Pt. 1

Pt. 2

Pt. 3 

With the recent loss of my mother, the 'slow down' in the economy, my employer cutting my hours, the rising gas prices and other miscellaneous crap, I find myself in what is the most common of positions these days...deciding if I go to faire, and which one(s)?

At the beggining of this year I was really 'jazzed' at the prospect of attending multiple faires again, as I had done last year. Living in Las Vegas for twenty-three years, I was VERY limited in my options that didn't involve long drives to other states. In fact, one of the things I loved about returning to 'NorCal' after so long was all the faires that now exist. From Pirates, to Fantasy/Medieval, to the authentic ('hardcore') Renaissance Faires, there is some sort of event going on about just about every month of the year. But alas...

So far this year I have only had the chance to attend the 'Sonora Celtic Faire'. I will probably only attend one other this year, if I attend any, and then only if I get my tax return/'economic stimulis' in time. If I do decide to attend one, it's looking like either 'Valhalla' in June, or 'Golden Gate' in August. I have never been to the 'Golden Gate' event, but 'Valhalla' was so great last year... (decisions, decisions). Go to faire, and live 'skinny' for a few months... don't go and be bored to tears... damnit!! why couldn't I just be rich and retired??? :(

http://www.valhallafaire.com/

http://www.sffaire.com/

So another year begins as the old one has ended and passes into memory. Two weeks into this new year and I am still not sure what to expect over the next eleven months. "Will it be a 'good' year or not?", I ask myself.

I was very lucky to have attended four faires/festivals this last year, I hope I am at least as fortunate this year. Living in Las Vegas for 23 years I was lucky to attend ONE a year. Unfortunately I still have not been able to participate in any events within the Adrian Empire group, but maybe THAT too will change this year... Or maybe I'll join another group in the Sacramento area... Only time will tell.

"Onward and Upward" says the Captian, and so we shall.

Guten Tag Travelers!

On the 29th of September I traveled south to the Northern California Renaissance Faire© outside Hollister,CA at Casa De Fruta®. A fun day I had, eating, playing and watching some very entertaining acts. 'Moonie' and 'Broon' were very funny and creative, interacting well with the crowd. I was a little disappointed their last performance of the evening wasn't as "bawdy" or controversial as they had announced, but then again they might not have expected so many kids would be present at the 5p show. The 'wenches' of the "Dirty Laundry" show were also very funny. It's been a while since I have laughed AND blushed at the same time. A demonstration I watched on glass blowing by one of the master artisans was fascinating, I would like to see more of this at other faires.

There were ALOT of 'mom & pop' vendors present, something I really like seeing. Some Faires, for whatever different reasons, have seen the decline of these 'mom & pop' vendors and an increase in what I call "swap-meet junk" vendors who sometimes sell wares not even associated with the medieval/renaissance theme. I could go on a rant about these "Bud K© catalog" vendors, but I won't. I bought a horn for calling my Saxon brethren and Norse cousins from a small vendor (whom was in period costume none-the-less), and have been scaring the wildlife up here in the foothills of Sacramento with it since (mwahahaha).

My ONLY real dissapointment was that there weren't MORE groups/guilds represented there. I understand from a person I talked to, that there weren't any over-night encampments INSIDE the faire. This, and the fact that the event runs every weekend for over a month, might have kept the number of groups and guilds I saw to a minimum. I am of the opinion that the guilds and groups are the life blood of an event. And the more diverse the better, some of the best events I have been to had everything from Viking era to Tudor era groups and everything in between.

But on a whole, I would give this faire FOUR out of FIVE ARROWS >>>----->, and only because I gave the Valhalla Faire in Lake Tahoe FIVE (the fifth for location and perfect weather).

♥- Special Announcement- This weekend, October 12th-14th is the Las Vegas, NV   "Age of Chivalry"© Renaissance Faire. If you can attend, I would HIGHLY recommend it. click here for details:  http://www.lvrenfair.com/