I am truly appalled and offended by this inacurate description of what TRF is... My 5 year old grandchild absolutely ADORES the Renaissance Festival (as did my children before him), and looks forward to it every year. Niether he, (nor we) find anything in the least offensive about how people dress, the garb they choose to wear or anything.
I think the writer of this article needs to do a bit a research before writing and publishing such trash in the future. My 2 cents..and believe me, I am holding off quite a bit cause I bet I got a whole 20.00 dollars worth I could spout off!! But I'll behave... >:(
http://houstonist.com/2008/10/27/chain_mail_and_turkey_legs_get_your.php
I read and reread that article several times...
I am not sure if they liked the faire or not lol
Most of it was good, but they took several cheap shots that could have been overlooked.
It is worth noting that they went on all-hallows-eve weekend and that is a tough one for a first timer. There is a bit of strangeness that goes on that weekend.
Honestly, I think it looks like a first-timers vision of faire and they just didn't know what to think of it all.
Notice in the end... they did recommend it still
*Never said anything about rum either... that was a good thing at least*
Now now...Us chain maille women do wear stuff under our outfits...it's just teeny tiny stuff. ;)
One person's closed minded view of the faire won't make me mad....it wasn't as bad as I thought...but not suggesting seeing the Mud show?? Shame on them! Or Ded Bob? Double shame!!
I didn't think it was all that bad.
True, they overstated the danger to impressionable young minds but the rest was accurate enough, perhaps wincingly so. Having lived in the UK for nearly 6 years I agree with the writer's conclusion about, "horribly-mimicked English accents." On the other hand, when the writer commented, "We're talking women in chain mail with nothing underneath and men in loincloths with their cheeks swingin' in the breeze" I couldn't help but think, 'You say that as if it's a *bad* thing.' ;)
I didn't find it too bad, although some points were made that the critters shouldn't see. I saw two "ladies" pass the shop with chain maille tops, and nothing was underneath on either. Some things are off the hook, no doubt(what the hell was Darth Vader doing there anyway?), but I'm agreeing that knocking the faire isn't good either.
Most first timers to the faire USUALLY , provided they are not "stick in the mud's" anyway, will enjoy themselves tremendously and let themselves go to enjoy and take it all in. Those folks, more oft then not, will become Rennies. Some sooner then others. My own mother is such a creature, having not visited TRF for 25 or more years, till this year she decided to go and see what I kept talking about all these years, with my garb, and costuming and such, and she was curious to see what fun I had...
She called me tonight and asked me, "we still going for Thanksgiving weekend, right?, We're still going to faire? I don't want to miss it!" LOL I have created a monster at the young age of 63.
As for the scantilly clad beauties... my own daughter was one, and if I still had the body I would be one still. If ya got it, flaunt it. If you don't like it, don't look. I hide nothing from my children, nor my grandchildren. The child CAME from a woman that I can assure you was not covered in clothing at the time of conception nor at birth! So why hide it? No, I'm not saying TRF should be a nudist camp. What I am saying is not everyone in Medieval times was well dressed, or well covered. I am sure there were poor folks in nothing but torn rags, dirty and stinking. Should we try and be more period "accurate" for the writer of the article? More period accurate meaning the true stench of unwashed bodies, and the sores from disease. Would these things be less traumatizing to a child then seeing a chainmaille show atop Lord Randolph's shop? Pfftttt.... I think not.
My 5 year old was tramatized by a nasty storm that flooded our home and displaced us. It took him from everything he knows and loves.
TRF is just as much a needed mind escape for him as it is for us adults. Scantilly clad woman and men don't bother him. I definately do not agree with the writer's opinion.
what a belch. yeah there are some aspects of the fair that are adult oriented, but she really should have gotten her facts straight before having her article published. that kind of crap is what causes things like all the problems in the camp grounds and can bring in the retarded christian fundamentalists that like to parade at marylin manson concerts calling everyone a sinner and a whore of the devil. so if anyone wants to share what i've said with anyone, ie..the person that wrote this article, by all means feel free to.
I wonder if this is the same person that write such a simular article about Scraby a couple of years ago. That article writer also got an amazing number of facts wrong. But there is not much point in talking to some as closed minded. What I found amazing is for someone wearing such short shorts they seem to Funny that someone who was wearing such short shorts would keep talking about the chainmilla ladies. Maybe the problem was she wanted to wear chainmilla but doesn't have the courage.
Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be; of course, I read an article last year (before my very first visit to any faire) that said TRF was a freak show, so for me the journalist bar re TRF was already set on the ground.
Continuing speaking for the chain maille ladies.....yes, some of the outfits are spaced to where you can "see" things... mine however is not like that. If you own your own chain you don't have to wear liners...but if you are just dressing for the day (wearing a loaner outfit) liners in the tops are mandatory.
I've seen some pretty revealing outfits over the years, chain maille and otherwise. I'm not a mother but if I was, I really don't think I'd be covering my kids' eyes and shunning faire. There are areas in faire that are more kid oriented and a lot of G rated shows and characters geared towards children. Did the writer of that article roam the entire faire ground and take in the whole thing? Probably not. Seems to me she focused more on the more adult aspect of the experience and not the faire as a whole. Pretty crappy journalism if you ask me.
I've had friends whose kids literally grew up at TRF and Scarby....and not a damned thing wrong with them that can be traced back to the evils of renaissance faires.
Closed minds should come with closed mouths.
Quote from: brigaqueen1 on November 19, 2008, 09:57:24 PM
I've had friends whose kids literally grew up at TRF and Scarby....and not a damned thing wrong with them that can be traced back to the evils of renaissance faires.
Closed minds should come with closed mouths.
HERE HERE!!! I'd like to be the first to buy the lady a drink! HUZZAH!
Meh... I ignore the media for the most part, as they tend to focus on the most sensationalist aspects of whatever story they're covering.
They won't interview the 35 year old chemical engineer who makes around $80,000 per year... They love to focus on the "white trash" fairegoers. Y'know, the ones where a couple have elaborate costumes and who make less than $20,000 per year combined...
I do not think that the article is particularly bad or very accurate either for that matter. I doubt it will keep most people away from faire, though it might possibly turn away a few. I don't think that such a bad thing when you have to wait in line for 45 minutes just to get a sandwich around lunch time ;D
As a first time visitor to TRF (Pirates Adventure Weekend) and a 10 year performer of the circuit, I must say that I was wonderfully overwhelmed the first day ... and the second day ... and still to this day. Two of the ladies who work for me travelled "down south" with me and we spent Saturday in mundanes gawking like tourists and madly snapping pictures. Sunday felt 'more normal' (for us) as we donned our garb and headed out to mingle - still with cameras in hand ... and plastic cups of beer in hand ... and <gasp> cigarettes/cigars in hand! ;D Goddess but is it nice to be 'on vacation!'
So there are folks there who enjoy wearing chainmaille and loincloths - big deal. As Taarna stated, if you got it, flaunt it. Personally, I don't much care for females in chainmaille - my ship doesn't float that way. However, the lads in kilts, tights, and YES loincloths are definately up my alley. But, to each his or her own. Just don't expect me to trade in my boots and bodice for chainmaille anytime soon, I prefer being a pirate!
Will I go and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and ambiance of the Festival, you betcha! Save some fried aligator for me (another first for this Okie girl)! Regarding the Miss who wrote the article, I think she is in serious need of taking stock and she definately needs to not take herself oh so seriously! She almost sounds as if she's frazzled and in need of attention from a loincloth wearing gent, tee hee.
Just my tuppence in defense of a faire that stole my imagination and heart. Here's to seeing you all again. Thank you all for giving me the recharge I needed; you reminded me why I got into faires 10 years ago. And Taarna - THANK YOU for the wonderful pics you allowed me to capture of you - definately *love* the eyes!
My hat is off to all of you at TRF - cast, vendors, and stage shows - keep up the grand work and to hades with the nay-sayers!
Fair Winds,
Emerald
Quote from: Emerald Shaunassey on November 20, 2008, 04:28:50 AM
I think she is in serious need of taking stock and she definately needs to not take herself oh so seriously! She almost sounds as if she's frazzled and in need of attention from a loincloth wearing gent, tee hee.
HUZZAH!!!
I'll be honest & say that one of the great attractions for me is the men in kilts *swoon* - that's just sex on legs. It's got to be the authentic(ish) kilts, though, not the costume variety. Shows the wearer puts some time & attention to what he does, which is a verra good thing.
I enjoyed the article. While little that was stated is accurate, I hope lots of soccer moms and dads read it and decide not to attend so that there will be more room for those of us who know not to believe such tripe. Of course, I admit I am a bit warped. I've been reading Playboy since I was 6 so anything that peeks out of chain maile is not shocking to me. (Just the articles, honest...)
Honestly, I've seen more skin revealed on beaches and other places swarming with families and children. As far as the adult-oriented shows go, I've seen kids WITH their parents at them.....went fine. Why? Because the kids didn't understand a thing. Weren't listening either - just playing with their new swords/toys/etc. And for the kids who might catch on, there are plenty of shows for them to see as well.
P.S. Where does this lady hide? I've seen more skin sunbathing on front yards on a hot Houston day than I ever have at TRF.
Quote from: Emerald Shaunassey on November 20, 2008, 04:28:50 AM
As a first time visitor to TRF (Pirates Adventure Weekend) and a 10 year performer of the circuit, I must say that I was wonderfully overwhelmed the first day ... and the second day ... and still to this day. Two of the ladies who work for me travelled "down south" with me and we spent Saturday in mundanes gawking like tourists and madly snapping pictures. Sunday felt 'more normal' (for us) as we donned our garb and headed out to mingle - still with cameras in hand ... and plastic cups of beer in hand ... and <gasp> cigarettes/cigars in hand! ;D Goddess but is it nice to be 'on vacation!'
So there are folks there who enjoy wearing chainmaille and loincloths - big deal. As Taarna stated, if you got it, flaunt it. Personally, I don't much care for females in chainmaille - my ship doesn't float that way. However, the lads in kilts, tights, and YES loincloths are definately up my alley. But, to each his or her own. Just don't expect me to trade in my boots and bodice for chainmaille anytime soon, I prefer being a pirate!
Will I go and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and ambiance of the Festival, you betcha! Save some fried aligator for me (another first for this Okie girl)! Regarding the Miss who wrote the article, I think she is in serious need of taking stock and she definately needs to not take herself oh so seriously! She almost sounds as if she's frazzled and in need of attention from a loincloth wearing gent, tee hee.
Just my tuppence in defense of a faire that stole my imagination and heart. Here's to seeing you all again. Thank you all for giving me the recharge I needed; you reminded me why I got into faires 10 years ago. And Taarna - THANK YOU for the wonderful pics you allowed me to capture of you - definately *love* the eyes!
My hat is off to all of you at TRF - cast, vendors, and stage shows - keep up the grand work and to hades with the nay-sayers!
Fair Winds,
Emerald
Now THIS is the type of article I like to read about TRF! I am SO HAPPY you enjoyed your visit here, and hope to see you back very soon!
I thank you very much for the compliment. I love being a faerie and interacting with little ones and adults alike. Alot of work and thought goes into my costume, and it's constantly changing. It will change again for Celtic Christmas weekend, although still be the Ice Queen Faerie.
As for the gents in kilts... it was our own Broadside (I've known him for sometime outside the realm of Faire) that helped me to encourage my dear husband to don one for the first time. I will be forever greatful!
I was raised Christian fundamentalist, and for the most part, still am. However, I hardly consider myself "retarded"... That being said, I certainly don't consider myself a prude, either, and I've adopted a largely live and let live attitude to most people/garb choices/lifestyles, etc. I'm out there with a goodly bit of leg and cleavage bared too, enjoying my share of homebrewed nectar. (gasp! The hussy...)
I do, however, take umbrage at ignorant clods spouting judgment of faire folk based on a brief, uninformed and close-minded impression. I recently had a firm but gentle (I hope) confrontation with a coworker, who claims to be openminded and has been known to take others to task for being judgmental, for basically declaring rennies at large to be uneducated tree-worshipping vagrant hippies. Although he wouldn't admit it, I think he was a little surprised to learn that among my own aquaintances are Christians, a NASA engineer, marine scientist, several educators, a geologist, a Yalie...and a whole lot of ordinary working folks with day jobs and families. Just. like. him.
He says that he didn't mean it, was just "funnin' wit' ya"...but his source of comps just dried up.
If she can't unclench and try to have a good time she should save the 20 bucks and gas, and leave us to our fun.
I was expecting the article to be alot worse than it was. There will always be people that think like they do when it comes to their kids and I think the jist of this writers problem is the kids. Personally, I doubt most young children even notice.
As far as the article itself, keep in mind there is no such thing as bad publicity. You just have to spin it your way. So write a blog or something and quote this guy as saying how wonderful the food is and the pageantry of the costumes and the ax throwing and then you turn a quasi negative article into a glowing article. Its all in how you spin it baby.
I am one who takes my kids to faire. And my husband and I notice the lack of clothes that others wear. But it is in the aspect of when we go with out the kids I want to wear something like that. Not the "OH MY GOSH!!! What does that person have on?!?!" Some of my kids are reaching the age of noticing things, but not once has it been mentioned or much less even noticed in their eyes. They are too busy with I wanna ride this, I wanna do that, I wanna... The author of that article seems to have a distaste in their mouth about faire. Is it because they are to ugly or insecure to wear such things and so everyone else is wrong? I don't know. But if you are going to be closed minded about something and try to pass judgement on very little knowledge of it, then please do the world a favor and keep your mouth shut.
QuoteJust don't expect me to trade in my boots and bodice for chainmaille anytime soon, I prefer being a pirate!
I'm a pirate chick too...and hd a chain maille bodice made just for me pirate outfit I did! Being a pirate gal is too friggin cool ain't it?? ;D
Taarna...I don't drink...but one of those deep fried pb & J sammiches at the muffelata place....*shudder* melts by buttah it does ;D
It's amazing to me after all these years to
still see & hear people's misconceptions of "rennies". Like we are all vagrant, poor, trashy people....HAH! I've never met cooler people in my life! We are colorful, funny, imaginative and wacky folk. I wouldn't change a thing!
Quote from: MacLaren on November 19, 2008, 08:04:28 PM
....(what the hell was Darth Vader doing there anyway?)....
You forget, Darth Vader lived a LONG TIME AGO, in a galaxy far away... who knows what era it may have been on Earth, or how long it would take him to travel from his galaxy to ours.
It is because TRF does not demand historical accuracy that it appeals to a larger audience and makes more people happy. As for the article, it was fair for the most part, and it is expensive if you want to keep your kids entertained. But there is NOTHING at TRF that would scar your children's minds.
And what kind of idiot photographer wastes their time on graffiti and food signs? Stupid graffiti can be found at any public place that attracts thousands of people. Pictures should be used for the visually interesting such as jousting and garb, the text does a better job of selling the food than the pictures do. Talk about some amateurish photo editors.
Quote from: brigaqueen1 on November 20, 2008, 05:49:27 PM
Taarna...I don't drink...but one of those deep fried pb & J sammiches at the muffelata place....*shudder* melts by buttah it does ;D
You got it! We'll be rolling our butts up there "sometime" Thanksgiving day, driving a slightly used and abused 1996 used to be silver Dodge Ram, more then likely hauling a U-haul trailer. (Hey, my camping gear has outgrown the truckbed.) LOL
I can't eat the treat you speak of, but I'll take your word for how good it is. (allergic to peanuts)
Quote from: brigaqueen1 on November 20, 2008, 05:49:27 PM
It's amazing to me after all these years to still see & hear people's misconceptions of "rennies". Like we are all vagrant, poor, trashy people....HAH! I've never met cooler people in my life! We are colorful, funny, imaginative and wacky folk. I wouldn't change a thing!
Boy you got that right. Vagrant, poor, trashy people wouldn't be able to afford going to faire! Our habit can get quite addictive, very expensive, and strangly satisfying.
As an adult I have two favorite seasons I look forward to very year... Faire season, and crawfish season....God I love Texas.... I'm not originally from here, but I darn sure got here as quick as I could!
Looking forward to meeting you Brigaqueen!
Taarna sweetie...you are welcome in Brigadoon anytime!! Just come by and ask for me if Im not around (I like to hide in the dark and watch people muahahaha) I look forward to meeting you too! We'll be there Thanksgiving Day as well...hopefully with a pumpkin cheesecake...YUM!
I'm not a born Texan either...but I wouldn't live anywhere else but here!
Quote from: brigaqueen1 on November 20, 2008, 11:32:57 PM
We'll be there Thanksgiving Day as well.
I don't know if we're going to make it or not. Our tent is supposed to ship today. Estimated delivery time is 3-5 days. :-(
I went and read the article. It was so "ho-hum" I couldn't get up at arms about anything she had to say. C'mon... she couldn't even tell that it's the "Spanish" section, not the "Mexican" section!
I bring my kid out to TRF. She's 4 now, and has been out every year since she was 1. (She was born opening weekend 2004, so I couldn't bring her out that year!!) And do you know what lasting effect Faire has had on her? She likes to play bocce. She wants to get on stage. She loves to play drums (boudran, snare, dumbek (sp?)). Her favourite people are Randy from The Rogues, Blackhart "Papa Pirate" from TRF's Pride o' Bedlam, Richard from Sound & Fury, Claus von Cleaves (my ex Drew), and Kilber & Raven. She likes to get her face painted and wear pretty costumes and fairy wings, but so far she hasn't begged me to buy her lots of stuff - well, except strawberries on a stick. We always do the pony ride and next year when she's bigger we'll ride the Dragon Swings, but mostly she just wants to run and dance. She's also Sound & Fury's youngest Poster Girl.
She doesn't notice the girls in chain maille or the guys with their cheeks hanging out. For my precious, precocious little girl, faire is just a place to run and play and be free... just like Mommy.
Sounds like you have one amazing daughter Lala!! ;D
I don't consider the rides/games, etc. that our son (who is 6) wants to go on over and over again expensive. I look at it this way.... we go to faire every weekend and what we spend on rides for our son doesn't even come close to the cost of taking the family to disney. We have a 'mini vacation' in our backyard and I'll say 'ticket for one' any time he wants to get on the bungee or climb the rock wall.
As far as 'adult oriented' scenery...sure he has noticed the gals in chainmaille and giggles when he sees cheek. He thinks it's funny and for a six year old boy, I'm sure it is. No worries there. I'd rather he giggle like a normal child. Some people (and society) have become so uptight you'd think everyone is ready to implode any minute now.
The article... I only briefly scanned it due to the fact that it lacked the 'umph' to keep my attention... yawn.....
I love faire and so does our son. So bah hum bug to the author of that mediocre piece of work. The author needs to take another class on how to write an article.
Quote from: brigaqueen1 on November 21, 2008, 05:15:47 PM
Sounds like you have one amazing daughter Lala!! ;D
I'm pretty proud of her. ;D
Bonny Pearl, my 5 y.o. son is the same way, if he even notices. He's not bothered by the lack of clothing or the strangeness of some of it. As someone else said, you'll see less clothing at the pool or Galveston beaches than at faire. And to be honest, how many of those uptight people can say their children have never seen them partially or fully naked? It's part of life and unavoidable. The only thing that has ever shocked my niece, who is now 15 and grew up at faire, was her and her friend's first encounter with Miss Teri (I believe that's her name). They had never encountered someone going thru a sex change, but after a little explanation from me and my hubby, they were fine with it.
Hey, at least they mentioned my muskets without prefacing it with "The terribly anachronistic paintball." ;D
Randal
It's very simple, some people get it and some people do not. The writer seamed to eat her way through the faire and is smiling in every picture.
In this information age, few people should be unprepared for what is at TRF. It's a great family of cast and characters and in my opinion, society wannabes need to stay inside the 610 loop.
Miss Teri still has my 10 year old confused a bit.
Miss Teri has a lot of 20-50 year olds confused a bit also...
But... She has a wonderful heart and that's all most rennies care about
*well, that and rum...*
Quote from: x0x_teach_x0x on November 24, 2008, 01:38:54 PM
Miss Teri has a lot of 20-50 year olds confused a bit also...
But... She has a wonderful heart and that's all most rennies care about
*well, that and rum...*
Hear! Hear! Miss Teri is an absolutely wonderful person that loves our world even more than most of us. Just don't give her her bulldozer back dirty...... :'(
I assume that this journalist didn't stay for the fireworks, or I assume she would have thrown rocks at us too.
Quote from: PyroMaster on November 25, 2008, 01:43:41 PM
I assume that this journalist didn't stay for the fireworks, or I assume she would have thrown rocks at us too.
No... its to far to throw rocks across that puddle
*now an empty rum bottle would skip aways... there's a thought*
The fireworks are awesome this year- as in the past! I am enjoying them so much and off with the head of anyone who throws stones at you!
Miss Terri is a great performer and a good person and a friend!
This article is just a lot of baloney, blather and balderdash!!
Wouldn't it be refreshing to see an article in the mainstream media written by someone who actually knows something about the subject?
*sigh*
Quote from: x0x_teach_x0x on November 24, 2008, 01:38:54 PM
Miss Teri has a lot of 20-50 year olds confused a bit also...
But... She has a wonderful heart and that's all most rennies care about
*well, that and rum...*
I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Teri a few years back and truer words could not be said about her. I spent most of Sunday (11/2) just trying to keep up with her so I could introduce one of my employees to her! She is just *way* to busy a lady to keep up with though! :D
QuoteI assume that this journalist didn't stay for the fireworks, or I assume she would have thrown rocks at us too.
Let me just say Bloody Amazing Fireworks display!! Other faires may have firework displays at the end of their faire days but only TRF has
FIREWORKS displays at the end of theirs. We stayed both nights to see the displays and where totally blown away. In my humble opinion - it is *the* perfect way to end a perfect day. Kudos to all of the pyro techs as that is not an easy job to do.
With Respects,
Emerald