Bagpipes! It was strange to not hear bagpipe music last weekend.... :(
Yes, it was. Very very sad. I told the spousal unit (aka Sidekick) that I felt like writing to Scarby management about how much I missed the bagpipes. I totally understand that one act may not return from one season to another - and there's a thread here somewhere on the Rogues - but darn, I missed the bagpipes! That needs to be a required sort of show!
Yes it is. We usually get stopped by a 'questioner' at some point during faire & when they asked is there anything we don't like or would like to see I'm going to tell them to write this:
BRING BACK THE ROGUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is really not the same & a huge hole IMO.
I'll bet for the Rendezvous .... you'll be hearing pipes.
Indeed Merlin! But that is only ONE weekend! <sniff>
Yep, we will indeed be treated to some excellent pipes with Sloane Wolf's presence in 2 weeks. It's better than nothing... though I kinda feel like they are toying with my brain... I'll just be getting adjusted to Scarby without pipes (I have NEVER been there, this is my 9th consecutive season, without at least some of the current or former Rogues on shire), then they are going to give me 2 days of them, and then yank them back away from me :-\
By all means, let management know how much you miss The Rogues, and how much you would like to see them back again next season. Ask nicely though, so as not to get them irritated about it...
There was a piper during parade Saturday marching with the Scots. Hopefully he will come again.
I was always starting my day at Scarby with Bagpipes! I missed them a lot! Faire needs pipers! It has indeed left a BIG hole in the entertainment!
Quote from: Bonny Pearl on April 13, 2010, 08:28:02 PM
Bagpipes! It was strange to not hear bagpipe music last weekend.... :(
I mentioned that in one of my threads lady. I missed the sounds of the pipes and drums most assuredly I did! What the heck...we can't find a pipe 'n drum troupe??? I know (thank the gods) that SloanWolfe will be there on S/H weekend, but you sure miss those glorious and mystical sounds drifting across the Faire!!
OMG thats it! this past weekend I felt like faire didn't sound right this year! *sigh* I love me some good bagpipes
It is not the same without the Rogues! Just one weekend this year with pipes is just WRONG! WE NEED PIPES! >:(
I sure hope Scarby plans for The Rogues next year. It will be fun to hear the orginal guys on rendezvous.
But then when we come up again for Memorial Weekend.... who's gonna play Amazing Grace? That song always gets to me when played on the bagpipes, but even more so on that weekend. Yes I get all sentimental and teary. :'( :)
I can't believe that they couldn't find some kind of pipe & drum band for the entire season./
Quote from: DonaCatalina on April 15, 2010, 10:28:54 AM
I can't believe that they couldn't find some kind of pipe & drum band for the entire season./
Here - here!
I whole heartedly agree! Perhaps it wasn't realized just how much this music adds to the majic of faire.
I'm surprised that there isn't any independant pipers wandering around, playing.
*Call out the Black Watch Rejects!*
We had a piper for Parade opening Sat. Hope we have others over the season.
That is what I need! A piper to follow me around faire! Single laddie with bonny knees would be nice too! LOL!
I sent an online note gently whimpering about not having bagpipes and how I hope it isn't permanent.
Go to the website...hover over the "About us" tab and there's a "contact us" screen.
Go send your note!
Aye lass, I contacted them when I first heard about The Rogues months ago. The fact is that Scarborough management blames it on The Rogues. There are a hundred reasons why pipers should be there...for one something feels amiss...it is just not the same, hence why we left Sunday instead of going into fair. But, you would think that because of the number of scots and the roll they play at Scarborough that management would had enough comman sense to maybe contact The Rogues instead of letting the deadline pass.
So, the ball was dropped....call the Black Watch Rejects!!!
There will be a different piper this weekend. He goes by malonepiper on here.
Quote from: MacKee on April 16, 2010, 08:56:17 PM
Aye lass, I contacted them when I first heard about The Rogues months ago. The fact is that Scarborough management blames it on The Rogues. There are a hundred reasons why pipers should be there...for one something feels amiss...it is just not the same, hence why we left Sunday instead of going into fair. But, you would think that because of the number of scots and the roll they play at Scarborough that management would had enough comman sense to maybe contact The Rogues instead of letting the deadline pass.
So, the ball was dropped....call the Black Watch Rejects!!!
We really like the Rogues, but there are other pipe bands out there. Seems like someone dropped the stone on this one :-\
I love pipers like anyone else, but really, there is a lot more to the Festival than one act. Take the opportunity to get to see some of the other shows you may never have gotten to go to. Find something new this year. You can let the fact that they're not there ruin it for you, or you can take it as an opportunity to find yet another thing to love about the festival.
As for who dropped the ball, does it really matter? He says, She says, They say, It says...pointing fingers and calling blame really doesn't do anything positive. What IS positive is dropping a POLITE note to management stating that you really missed the sounds of the pipes this year and look forward to hearing them again next year when everything is worked out.
Just sayin...
Quote from: lys1022 on April 17, 2010, 03:30:39 PM
I love pipers like anyone else, but really, there is a lot more to the Festival than one act. Take the opportunity to get to see some of the other shows you may never have gotten to go to. Find something new this year. You can let the fact that they're not there ruin it for you, or you can take it as an opportunity to find yet another thing to love about the festival.
As for who dropped the ball, does it really matter? He says, She says, They say, It says...pointing fingers and calling blame really doesn't do anything positive. What IS positive is dropping a POLITE note to management stating that you really missed the sounds of the pipes this year and look forward to hearing them again next year when everything is worked out.
Just sayin...
This thread is an observation.
The faire is too quiet. I don't sit and watch every performance of the Rogues; or Tartanic while at TRF. Your statement makes it sound as if that is all I or any of us who enjoy this particular act go watch while at faire. I personally enjoy hearing the music in the
background while strolling the lanes, etc. In my opinion the faire this year does not have as much of a festive feel.
As for people expressing their thoughts on who erred on this, that is their prerogative. If people keep quiet about things then nothing corrects the disappointment that some here have expressed. It has already been mentioned on here a couple of times about contacting the people who schedule entertainment. So that is not a new suggestion.
I don't recall anyone saying that the lack of bagpipes 'ruined' their faire experience, but I could be wrong. Your post didn't 'do anything positive' either.
Bonny:
I apologize if I said something that was taken as an attack of some kind. That's not how it was meant, and it's not the kind of person I am.
I stand by my statements, though, and re-iterate again that it really doesn't matter who dropped the ball and who didn't. I also re-state that the best way to correct it is not to post here, but to drop a polite note to management expressing disappointment in the lack of pipes and the hope that there will be some next year. There are many ways to do so, such as through the website, comment cards, and snail mail.
Faire management has, in the past, been very positive in their responses to patron feedback. But they can't fix something that they don't know is broken. If people do not let management know how the lack of pipes has thrown off the feel of the festival for them, then management will have every right to assume that, no matter what the cause, the outcome was that people didn't care that there weren't pipes.
I never said not to express opinions or disappointment, but rather to make that expression take a form that might actually change things.
Have a nice night.
I told the kid that did the exit interview on the first weekend about this.
Quote from: angusmacinnes on April 21, 2010, 02:08:15 AM
I told the kid that did the exit interview on the first weekend about this.
Several folks did contact them BEFORE the season even started. I'm sure they'll fix it next season, and we've enjoyed many great new acts and acts of old (p.s. not enough has been mentioned about Mikael the Mime having left us, we loved him). But, as Bonny said, you just miss those wonderful sounds piping up from lower Pecan Grove. So, pleasant messages and conversations have occurred, I bet there are pipes at Scarby next year and we shall all somehow muddle through this year.
Lys is right, don't matter who dropped the ball........unless the other team recovers the fumble. I have no idea what that has to do with anything!! lol
Lys,
No worries. In the end, it is up to the faire to decide what acts they will have during any given season. This thread was not started to correct a problem as this forum is not officially linked to any faire as far as I know. Like I said, it started as an observation and has been discussed from there.
Everyone on here expresses their enjoyment of faire and sometimes their dissapointment of an event, etc. With the good, comes the not so good.
I could take up the pipes... may sound like someone running over a hundred tomcats with a golf cart but it would be pipes. :D
Quote from: Fraser of Lovatt on April 21, 2010, 08:49:34 AM
I could take up the pipes... may sound like someone running over a hundred tomcats with a golf cart but it would be pipes. :D
I've heard this joke before:
And that would be different, how?
Fraser + Bagpipes.......... :-\ Nope, I think I'll stay clear lol! ;D
:-[
* ;D*
LOL!
Speaking of something missing . . . has anyone seen Ralphie the Ragpicker this season? I'd heard he was not well last season, but was wondering if he might be doing his lane act at Scarby this year? He's a genuinely nice fellow and I hope somebody has heard from him.
Quote from: Sir Martin on April 22, 2010, 03:53:39 AM
Speaking of something missing . . . has anyone seen Ralphie the Ragpicker this season? I'd heard he was not well last season, but was wondering if he might be doing his lane act at Scarby this year? He's a genuinely nice fellow and I hope somebody has heard from him.
We've been every weekend and I believe I saw him opening day, but that may be a memory from last year!!?? I do hope all is well with him. Haven't seen him the last 2 weekends.
Quote from: Ryk Rakham on April 22, 2010, 06:44:28 AM
Quote from: Sir Martin on April 22, 2010, 03:53:39 AM
Speaking of something missing . . . has anyone seen Ralphie the Ragpicker this season? I'd heard he was not well last season, but was wondering if he might be doing his lane act at Scarby this year? He's a genuinely nice fellow and I hope somebody has heard from him.
We've been every weekend and I believe I saw him opening day, but that may be a memory from last year!!?? I do hope all is well with him. Haven't seen him the last 2 weekends.
If you are talking about the rag man who pushes the cart, he has been there every day, but not always pushing a cart.
Quote from: Al-Nimer on April 22, 2010, 07:02:14 AM
If you are talking about the rag man who pushes the cart, he has been there every day, but not always pushing a cart.
No, that's Woodrat. Ralphie is the older gentleman with the long, white beard who carries the tiny umbrella on rain days and does the PERFECT imitation of the Cowardly Lion. He usually leads the vets in the parade on Memorial Day. I didn't see him first weekend, and I was sick this past weekend. I will ask around when I get there this coming weekend. I hope that he's okay. He's a wonderful man.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j195/rickwilsonsd/ralphie-the-ragpicker.jpg)
This is Ralphie
My sources tell me that Ralphie is taking the year off for health reasons. Hopefully it's nothing serious and he'll be back before we know it. I love watching the joy on his face when he's at faire. :)
OK....Fraser.... play the pipes.... I'll bring a snare.... we'll start our own pipe and drum band. I bet we could make a small fortune!
People would pay us lots to stop playing!
i had my smallpipes out there Sat for opening weekend. you can't hear them across the field, but if anyone finds me i'll play a tune for them ;-) I'll be out there this sat and maybe sun as well ..
Ralphie stayed home this year for health reasons. It is just temporary and he should be back next year. I miss him as well.
Berit of Miller
We all miss Ralphie! He adds so much to faire! Hope he will soon be well and about again!
Quote from: MacKee on April 16, 2010, 08:56:17 PM
Aye lass, I contacted them when I first heard about The Rogues months ago. The fact is that Scarborough management blames it on The Rogues.... But, you would think that because of the number of scots and the roll they play at Scarborough that management would had enough comman sense to maybe contact The Rogues instead of letting the deadline pass.
Well, I don't think the management should have to make sure the performers sign up on time. Fact is, the Rogues are scheduled to play in Guilford CT at the Robin Hood Faire this weekend.
I, for one, am of the Sloanwolfe camp...and am darn glad that the weekend we went to the Faire from Boston just happened to the be the one weekend they were there. I'm hoping they are at Highland Weekend next year as we are getting married at SF that Saturday. :)
Since when do performers need to be babysat and coddled by their employers? If teh Rogues missed the deadline, they missed the deadline. Sloanwolf was great.
Has anybody paid attention to the volunteer pipers that showed up to support our Scots? Rafe has gotten really good over the years and the young guy is really good. I heard our Queen Margaret ask him about his grade and she got it right. I think she said he was a grade 2 piper. That's really talented. And isn't it nice to have a Scottish queen that knows about pipes and pipers?
We have pipes. They aren't a band, but they're getting close. Let's support them.
Quote from: Lord Glycon on May 18, 2010, 04:23:32 PM
Since when do performers need to be babysat and coddled by their employers? If teh Rogues missed the deadline, they missed the deadline. Sloanwolf was great.
Has anybody paid attention to the volunteer pipers that showed up to support our Scots? Rafe has gotten really good over the years and the young guy is really good. I heard our Queen Margaret ask him about his grade and she got it right. I think she said he was a grade 2 piper. That's really talented. And isn't it nice to have a Scottish queen that knows about pipes and pipers?
We have pipes. They aren't a band, but they're getting close. Let's support them.
I don't think anyone said it was up to Scarby to babysit anyone.
We saw Sloanwolf on Highland weekend and yes they were awesome.
Quote from: Lord Glycon on May 18, 2010, 04:23:32 PM
Since when do performers need to be babysat and coddled by their employers? If teh Rogues missed the deadline, they missed the deadline. Sloanwolf was great.
Has anybody paid attention to the volunteer pipers that showed up to support our Scots? Rafe has gotten really good over the years and the young guy is really good. I heard our Queen Margaret ask him about his grade and she got it right. I think she said he was a grade 2 piper. That's really talented. And isn't it nice to have a Scottish queen that knows about pipes and pipers?
We have pipes. They aren't a band, but they're getting close. Let's support them.
Yes, SloanWolfe was great!
Sadly, the only times I've heard the "volunteer" pipers are right before or during the parade. Is there a set location (other than parade) where they perform regularly? I'd like to plan a time to go see & hear them.
The pipers just show up. They don't perform in any particular place. I've only seen them in parade, gate at the end of the day and at Queen Margaret's joust at 2. One of them has been piping her entrance to the joust.
Rafe is the one who is piping for Queen Margaret at the 2:00 Joust.
We have had as many as 3 pipers and 4 drummers at the same time marching with the regiment during parade. I think 4 different pipers have been involved over various days.
The bass drum that was added last weekend really carries and is hard to miss.
In past years we had days without either piper or drummer. Now we are blessed with an abundance.