Closing Weekend Tailgate

[Lady Guinness]

Are we there yet?? I cannot wait to see everyone there. So many wonderful people in one small beautiful place in the world. How lucky are we!!!

[Dallan]

Lady G -

Sorry to have missed you and Scotsman yesterday. I understand that he was in attendance only Saturday and your were away on a family matter, my condolences. We brought an extra table and bagels on Saturday of Labor Day. Would you like us to do the same on this Sunday?

[will paisley]

I have just established accommodations for the closing weekend.  I am staying two nights so that I may... if you will have me...participate in your tailgate.  I will be on my own so would someone be able to tie up my corset for me?  I'm very excited!  I have only ever been to the Pittsburgh Ren Faire...

It's not like you asked, but ....

1) Make sure to see the Pyrates Royale at least once (preferably at the White Hart)

2) Ditto the O'Danny Girls

3) Absolutely do not miss Pub Sing

Everybody else can now fight over the rest of the day

[April]

I may not have asked, but I absolutely will take recommendations to heart!  I do plan on seeing the Pyrates Royal.  I was told by someone else that the first show of the day (might that be at the White Hart?) was the best one.  I am always up for a good Pub Sing! 
Who are the O'Danny Girls? 

I feel like a giddy school girl!!!  The weekend is so close I can almost taste it!  The countdown to departure is started!

[will paisley]

I may not have asked, but I absolutely will take recommendations to heart!  I do plan on seeing the Pyrates Royal.  I was told by someone else that the first show of the day (might that be at the White Hart?) was the best one.  I am always up for a good Pub Sing! 
Who are the O'Danny Girls? 

I feel like a giddy school girl!!!  The weekend is so close I can almost taste it!  The countdown to departure is started!

The Pyrates' first show is at the Globe Theatre.  Though it's easier to get seating, they're not miked there.  I personally prefer their performances at the White Hart because a) they have amplification there and b) they're free to be a bit less "family friendly" in a bar.  They're either a very musically inclined improv troupe or a musical group full of comedians and hams. 

The O'Danny Girls are 3 wholesome Irish Catholic girls fresh off the boat from Ireland, singing songs taught to them by the sailors on the voyage over.  They're not at all family friendly (unless you're trying to get a family started, nudge nudge).  Though they have an 11:30 show at the Globe, I recommend the 3PM White Hart show for the same reasons.  As I've probably said elsewhere, they're the only group I've ever seen who's managed to work the Imperial Death March and Darth Vader into the La Di Dah song, and who routinely has to find rhymes for words like "ointment" and "uvula".

Though you didn't ask, Pub Sing is a cross between Whose Line Is It Anyway and the Rocky Horror Picture Show via shanty singing.  Expect to see weird stuff you can't explain to your friends.  Don't be surprised or intimidated if the rest of the audience seems to know more about what's going on than you do.  Treat it like going to see Rocky Horror for the first time Saturday night will probably be the wild and funny performance, while Sunday will probably be the more sentimental performance, with a good 15 to 20 minutes of slower, sentimental songs which may be more meaningful to regulars than visitors.  Generally everybody's hugging each other and trying not to weep openly during the last verse of Wild Mountain Thyme on Sunday night.

There are scores of other excellent shows and acts at faire, and I apologize in advance for having to ignore so many while singling out these very few.

[LadySeasan]

You know what's bad? Three years of going to the ren faire and I have never been to pub sing I am ashamed. 

[SirBlackFox]

For my money. . . .  the best shows to see are the 11 Pyrates Royale and 1130 O'Danny Girls. . .both at the Globe (where you can actually hear them to the back of the seating area). . .  and any Hilby show (he's back for closing weekend). 

Hilby is by-far, the funniest act you will ever see at any Renaissance Festival . . .  That's not just my opinion. . .it's true.  (Trust me, he's German and if you don't agree. . .he haz vays of mekking you comply)

I'm, personally, not a big pub-sing fan.  I usta' be until all the routines became canned and the spontaneousness  (if that is indeed a word) of it all just disappeared.  However. . .  I stayed for both one of Cap'n Moone's and Princess Anna's PubSings and they were wonderful. . .  less so on the Diego PubSing which reminded me of the canned PubSings of the past. . . hey, there's good and bad with every season!

Again, that's just me and you might love every PubSing and get addicted to MDRF by that alone (it happens a lot!).  My suggestion is to get out to see lots of shows and not stand at the White Hart most of the day (which you'll see me do!).

What I'M most excited about is for the only time this season Cyn, Kyra, AND Alex will be with me for the weekend. . . the whole family . . . both days!  Huzzzahhh!

[Scotsman]

... I like the White Hart ... not for the shows but for the beer ... oh yeah, and the people too!

Best show in town happens before gate ... its called TAILGATE! Nothing like a good morning smoke with the finest of folk!

Dallan, I think what you brought last time was fantastic! Instead of 60 dozen bagels, maybe half that this time  You guys are awesome!

[Lady de la Warr]

I may not have asked, but I absolutely will take recommendations to heart!  I do plan on seeing the Pyrates Royal.  I was told by someone else that the first show of the day (might that be at the White Hart?) was the best one.  I am always up for a good Pub Sing! 
Who are the O'Danny Girls? 

I feel like a giddy school girl!!!  The weekend is so close I can almost taste it!  The countdown to departure is started!

Well since you didn't ask ......... 

If you are a fan of Shakespeare - DO NOT MISS Romeo and Juliet at the Globe - it has to be the most fabulously done "play at Faire" I've ever seen in all the years I've been attending faire. It's really spectacular. It starts at noon or 12:30 (can't remember) and it's the only showing of the day so you only have one shot per day.  If you miss it Saturday you'll have to see it Sunday - or not at all. 

I go to faire every weekend possible - in fact to keep things fresh we split our time between MDRF and PARF. I have seen all the Pyrates Royale, O'Danny Girls, Hilby, etc. shows and I'm sorry to say that for me, it's just same ol' same ol' with them all for the most part. Don't get me wrong - they're great and I really enjoy them........the first few times..........but just how many times is a person expected to see the same shows over and over again and actually enjoy seeing them? And for the most part they are the same each year with maybe a speckling of something different thrown in here and there - but the same nonetheless. The Romeo and Juliet play was something different. I was very pleasantly surprised and I highly recommend it.

Geeze - I hope that doesn't come off sounding like I don't like the Pyrates, Hilby, O'Danny etc. I really DO love them. I really don't mean any of that to say I don't like them - I think some of the regulars understand what I mean though.

[Ranna]

I think Hilby tries to mix it up sometimes since he interacts with the audience.  He and my husband picked and poked at one another that rainy, muddy weekend since there was only a handful of people in the audience.  He brought me to tears of laughter that weekend.  Plus, should he drop anything he juggles....gotta have something to say about that!  I love Jonny Fox but he truely hasn't changed his act in the 10 years I've been going to the fest.

Hilby and Puke and Snot (*mourn*) are the only ones I will say "OMG we HAVE to see them!"  If we happen to pass by a show that looks good we'll sit down and watch.  Although I've always wanted to catch that hypnotist (name escapes me atm) and I always somehow end up missing it.

[Lady Maerwynn]

OK, getting back to the tailgate, Bruce and I will be there but maybe not at 8:00 sharp.  It takes us over 90 minutes to drive up.  Not sure what I will be bringing just yet.  As for shows to see, all of the above mentioned are great but don't forget the Rogues, Shakespeare's Scum, The Bloody Drama, and the "Babes" who will also be there for closing weekend.  So much to see...   
It is a sentimental time with lots of hugs and goodbyes - till we meet at PARF the next weekend.      I am so hoping a few of you will be going (fingers crossed).

April you will want your camera ready for DoW.  The rest of you -- No, I am not going to be the "cone" again and am working on my new garb this week.  Barb, are you ready with yours?   Just 5 more days now. 

[Scotsman]

No, I am not going to be the "cone" again and am working on my new garb this week.  Barb, are you ready with yours?   Just 5 more days now. 

I am waiting with baited breath!

[Lady Maerwynn]

I just bet you are.   LoL

[Lady Guinness]

Dallan~ thank you for your sentiments. I think the table is great, I love it when we can spread out. I wish you guys could be there Saturday as well but we will take what we can get

For those that have not been to our lovely shire before there is so much to see and enjoy that it can almost be overwhelming. Any choice you make I feel will be the right one.

We do tend to gather at certain pubs (other than the obvious reasons) that is where we find our friends. Once you see a show or three and do some shopping then please swing by to have a few pints with your Revel Grove friends. The White Hart is a wonderful place to be with friends and hear some great entertainment, plus the best bartender is there! Other friends prefer the Dragon Inn. Either place I promise you will enjoy!

I cannot not wait to meet those that are new to MDRF and I cannot wait to see all my special friends. Hugs!!

[will paisley]

I go to faire every weekend possible - in fact to keep things fresh we split our time between MDRF and PARF. I have seen all the Pyrates Royale, O'Danny Girls, Hilby, etc. shows and I'm sorry to say that for me, it's just same ol' same ol' with them all for the most part. Don't get me wrong - they're great and I really enjoy them........the first few times..........but just how many times is a person expected to see the same shows over and over again and actually enjoy seeing them? And for the most part they are the same each year with maybe a speckling of something different thrown in here and there - but the same nonetheless. The Romeo and Juliet play was something different. I was very pleasantly surprised and I highly recommend it.

Geeze - I hope that doesn't come off sounding like I don't like the Pyrates, Hilby, O'Danny etc. I really DO love them. I really don't mean any of that to say I don't like them - I think some of the regulars understand what I mean though.

For my part, this is the same reason I *can* watch the Pyrates and the O'Dannys over and over again (along with some of the other musical acts).  Out of 5 albums worth of material, they'll sing maybe 6 songs in a set (sometimes only 3 or 4 if they get Darcy to crack up during Paddy West or the Pirate Parts song, or if Captain Moone goes way off script during the swearing in ceremony).  I'll watch 3 or 4 of their sets a day and not hear a song repeated.  Then again, everything boils down to personal taste.  If it's not comedy or *very* good serious music, I probably won't be interested, and I don't think any of the Pyrates can do anything for more than 30 seconds without being funny.

Though we've managed to reach (slightly) different conclusions, I still think we're in "violent agreement"