Whatever happened to, and why are they not here this season?

[Rowan MacD]

The entertainment business is a very complex animal. Both the promoters and the artists have to make difficult choices all the time. Folks on the outside never see that, consequently, they don't understand it, and frequently don't even KNOW about it.

One favorite act at festivals in this area did not return and people have gone batty about it, bad-mouthing management for being money-hungry and worse! They recently played one weekend at one, and from what I was told, with significant personnel changes.  Well, that certainly explains some of their absences to me! I wouldn't want to immediately play festivals after changing out a third of my band!

   Part of the issue is that the lions share of the entertainment budget (at least for the smaller festivals) goes to the one attraction that nearly all the mundanes are there to see-The Joust.  Headliners get paid first.  What is left has to be creatively divided between the stage acts and street performers, so unless you're a mega-fair you aren't going to pay very well.  Unforeseen circumstances, such as an increase in lodging costs or other expenses can also make the difference between having an act there or not. 
  From the audience POV, they may love a particular act-but if that act gets an offer from a bigger fair at the same dates as yours is running, it makes sense from a business angle for them to take the better paying job and get more exposure at the same time.   If they are offered a better contract elsewhere, they take it, leaving the disappointed fans to blame the management. They will announce 'the contract was not renewed', but in reality they were probably offered the usual contract, but they didn't take it. 

   

[Merlin the Elder]

It's just not something that the average faire patron has experience with. Sometimes, as you said, better contracts are offered, and there are a LOT of faires in this country.  By the same token, you can get an act for maybe one weekend that is just passing through from one faire to another, and get an amazing bargain.

[Tazjia Swiftsail]

Last year as I said, I missed, is there any chance we'll ever see the girl with the rat circus again?? I have pet rats and would have LOVED to see that!!!! 

[Lady Amy of York]

Sterling has added new shows  this year. And Sterling  has a few new themes for each weekend  this year. should be a fun  season.

[Tazjia Swiftsail]

I know I'm looking forward to it! Missing last year was a unique sort of torture!!

[Ozium]

I just asked Melissa if she was comming back with the rats this year, nut here is her webpage.

http://www.melissaarleth.com/

[Tazjia Swiftsail]

Ahh! Thank you kindly sir!