Opening day was FANTASTIC! It was simply a great day for the faire. They FINALLY got Pirtle mead at the faire (it is made less than 10 miles away, in Weston, MO). Not as good as Oliver's, but much better than Chaucers (IMO)! Had 2 Smithwicks, 1 mead, some coffee, and some water. Oh, and a scotch egg (a bit too much sage for my taste).
Got to see The Ladies of the Salty Kiss (two shows is all we got). Always a pleasure to see that crew!
And, oh my goodness, I FINALLY got to meet Gem! What a great lady! She was simply breathtaking in her garb today! I was humbled by her skill as a seamstress. It was really neat to talk sewing with such a kindred spirit.
Gonna go back tomorrow for about half the day. Really happy we bought season passes!
Really? I couldn't find the mead at all! The lady who worked the booth that used to sell chaucer's mead told me no one even had any yet. Who has it?
Right around the corner from the 3 Lions stage, on the way to the Washing Well Wenches, on the right. It is a shop that is inset. They sell Smithwicks and Guiness, as well as wine. It is narrow and set into the row of shops.
That sounds awesome, I'm so glad the first weekend went well ;D I shall be there in 3 weeks! Too long to wait and too short of a visit IMO but it's better than nothing. Have fun tomorrow!
TKM, I was mistaken. It is the shop RIGHT NEXT to Prunella's Bait Shop in Cosweld Commons. Additionally, they sell mead right across from that shop at the beer vendor next to the shrimp and chips place.
thanks, i'll keep an eye out next weekend
OK, Sun and today we had to leave at 2:00. I met up with Gem again yesterday, as well as Blushing and (please forgive me for forgetting the wonderful couple's names that were with Blushing from Colorado!). Great time! Saw "Au Grat" and their "I Love the 1490's" show. It was very rough yesterday, but much more polished today. Lots of fun with this act!
Saw The Ladies of the Salty Kiss, but did not catch any of their shows today. I was so sad to hear that someone had offended the Ladies this morning. I don't know what it was, but your Man-at-Arms was beside himself. I hope it didn't ruin your day.
Saw the Scally Wags' show; I always enjoy watching them!
My son pointed out why he likes the KC RenFaire: The Royalty courts are so big! He's right! The King and Queen have an entourage of a prince and extended family. They also have a Vulgarian court and their extended family, as well as a gypsy "Romani" family. Yes, that is very nice to have all of this royalty circulating amongst all of the faire-goers.
No alcohol for me yesterday or today. Just water and coffee both days. Not a tee-totaler, I did enjoy a few adult beverages on Sat. Just didn't want any the rest of the weekend.
The weather was wonderful all three days! Sunny and windy!
OK, I will probably miss next weekend; which unfortunately means missing the debut of Gem's "Much Ado" garb. I so wanted to see that in person, the photos look FANTASTIC!
I'll be back for sure the weekend after next, and will be at the Sun brunch!
Anyone else wanna share their experiences?
Not sure if I'll make it to KCRF this season. I am headed to MNRF on the 19th though... my family lives up there and I live in Dodge. Go figure right?
I'd like to try and make a weekend trip out of it but... finances are.... tight to say the least. The only tighter at this point in my bodice.
We have managed to run into Butch's son EVERY DAY this season! Very nice young gentleman. And the weather so far has been just fantastic.
I am very curious about one of the cast members. Opening weekend, I met a young woman in what was probably the most beautiful period gown I've ever seen (16th c. Spanish). When I asked if she were on cast, she said, "Just visiting."
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23241773/391777822.jpg)
Check out this partlet! And she's wearing RUFFS!! (swoon!)
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23241773/391777824.jpg)
But *yesterday,* she was part of the Fairy Court! And the guidebook (from Opening Weekend) lists her among the fairy cast:
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23241773/391777825.jpg)
(Sorry you can't see her wings in this picture; they're glorious: white and opaque like a moth's. Very realistic!)
Her fay character did not appear to speak, and Milord wasn't convinced it was the same woman, so I wasn't going to try to make her break character to explain herself (hee!)... but when we got home and compared pictures, it's DEFINITELY her! It just seems so strange that she was there in court dress Opening Weekend (and not apparently part of the cast), but there as a fairy yesterday! ???
Opening weekend the lady was there as a vistor and had her royal grab on, she made it her self. Then she told me when I talked with her opening day that she was going to be part of the fay for a couple of weekends. I know her she is from Omaha NE and has been at the MidWest Ren Faire in Omaha, the Sioux Falls , SD faire and the riverssance ren faire in Sioux City, Iowa.
Gem, I was up in MN this past weekend, but Michael said he saw you yesterday. I asked if you were wearing your "Much Ado" garb, he said it was something white/cream. HA! He didn't see you again after I spoke with him' I had so wanted to see that garb on you (esp the bodice!). I wonder, did you happen to get any photos of you and your hubby in this special garb?
Quote from: Butch on September 12, 2010, 06:37:55 PM
Gem, I was up in MN this past weekend, but Michael said he saw you yesterday. I asked if you were wearing your "Much Ado" garb, he said it was something white/cream. HA! He didn't see you again after I spoke with him' I had so wanted to see that garb on you (esp the bodice!). I wonder, did you happen to get any photos of you and your hubby in this special garb?
Were you at MNRF over the weekend? We are going the last weekend (Oct 1,2 and 3) - our son is going to write a story for school so he is excused from class to attend faire on Friday.
We will be at KCRF the weekend after.
Did not go this past weekend. My friend Joe (whom you met) was on call all weekend, and needed to stay close to the Cities.
I'm gearing up to get back to Canterbury this year, and I'm looking forward to checking out some of the new shows. Any recommendations? Did anyone see "I Love the 1490s"? What about the hypnotist?
Jake
Jake, yes indeed see "I Love the 1490's". At least one time, see them!
"I Love the 1490's" changed their show. What a drag!
I thought everything was awesome, except for some of the organization. My boyfriend did the longbow competition, and they told us to be there at 10 am. We had to wait 2 hours for them to get to heat he was eligible for. I really wish they had organized this better, as standing there for 2 hours waiting was NOT FUN. We had wanted to be in the gates much earlier. Also, I wish the pub crawl was more of an event and less of a solo adventure. I know they have tons of things to organize, but they should do it well or just not do it at all.
Besides that, even through the rain and mud it was awesome. We will be back again in late October.
Thanks, Butch, I'll check out "I Love the 1490s."
What about the hypnotist? Anybody seen that show?
Jake
The royal fairy was also at Great Bend's Renfaire in June. You can probably see her there again next June.
What do you guys thing about the Jolly Rogers compared to Musical Blades?
I kinda prefer the Musical Blades.
Quote from: Butch on September 27, 2010, 01:46:28 PM
What do you guys thing about the Jolly Rogers compared to Musical Blades?
I kinda prefer the Musical Blades.
I cannot get enough of either one of them. If I had to proclaim a favorite, probably would go with the Rogers. But it would be like by one one thousandth of a percentage point.
Quote from: divapixie on September 07, 2010, 12:30:15 PM
Not sure if I'll make it to KCRF this season. I am headed to MNRF on the 19th though... my family lives up there and I live in Dodge. Go figure right?
I'd like to try and make a weekend trip out of it but... finances are.... tight to say the least. The only tighter at this point in my bodice.
Divapixie, did you know that Great Bend had their inaugural Renfaire this year? It got tornadoed out on the first evening but it is planned again for early next June. Isn't G.B. about 2 hours from Dodge?
Quote from: kcdcchef on September 27, 2010, 04:46:19 PM
Quote from: Butch on September 27, 2010, 01:46:28 PM
What do you guys thing about the Jolly Rogers compared to Musical Blades?
I kinda prefer the Musical Blades.
I cannot get enough of either one of them. If I had to proclaim a favorite, probably would go with the Rogers. But it would be like by one one thousandth of a percentage point.
I agree! They are both absolutely fantastic groups. I think the Blades have a slightly more "polished" musicality than the Rogers, but the Rogers always make me fall over laughing with their improv bits. I completely love both bands and would also be hard-pressed to say which is my favorite!
Orckes and Trolls were there this weekend! LOVE these guys! Got to see Gem again (LOVE this gal!) along with her parents. It was cool enough today that I wore my brown smock over my sailor garb.
There was another FOP visiting this weekend by the name of Gaylord (HA!). Had a very brief conversation with Leopold, Fraderick, and Gaylord; they really make the faire for me. Our KCRF FOPS are unequaled!
As I said earlier, Ogrot changed their show, but it is now much more rehearsed, and much better.
Next week I will be taking some guests to the Feaste of Fooles (on Sunday).
Sat, Gauwyn and I strolled the lanes of Canterbury. I really shouldn't drink to excess. I don't like having to wonder if I offended anyone the next day. (Pretty certain I didn't, whew!) Had a great time!
Gauwyn is always such a great escort! If any of you ever get the opportunity to meet this fine gentleman, please do so. A genuine, personable individual.
Regret that I did not see his wife or son this trip.
Sun went to the Feast of Fools and went on the Living History Tour. Ended the day with watching Prince Charming find his Cinderella!
Looking forward to the final week of the KCRF this coming weekend! I will miss Saturday, but will be there to watch the Shire close for the season.
Tell me, has anyone ever seen the last day's events? Are they any different from the rest of the run of the fair?
Overall I really liked the KC festival. First year going so good benchmark for future visits.
We (me and lovely lass on my arm) did the smoker both days and thought the Bawdy Boys were simply amazing. Really fun and energetic band. We also saw Mental Pause, Beerside Scoundrels, Mooncalf Magic, Bawdily Harm, Get Shrewd, Pub Sing, and the Court Sing.
We are still in transition from being just a normal faire goer to a rennie/playtron (as even after reading the thread on it I'm still confused as to what to call myself), so we sadly don't have as much cast/social interaction as much as just a private enjoying of the faire. That being said the few cast members we did interact with were fabulous as always.
We thought the barbarian forest was an absolutely great idea, mostly for kids but still the 15 minutes we spend in there were a blast.
The only thing we didn't like were mostly administrative things, such as lack of a map/schedule online to kind of help plan our day and an in program breakout of merchants by type of merchandise. Those are just little nitpicks though overall a great festival and we will hopefully be back soon!
Quote from: Butch on October 11, 2010, 05:51:32 PM
Sat, Gauwyn and I strolled the lanes of Canterbury. I really shouldn't drink to excess. I don't like having to wonder if I offended anyone the next day. (Pretty certain I didn't, whew!) Had a great time!
Gauwyn is always such a great escort! If any of you ever get the opportunity to meet this fine gentleman, please do so. A genuine, personable individual.
Regret that I did not see his wife or son this trip.
Sun went to the Feast of Fools and went on the Living History Tour. Ended the day with watching Prince Charming find his Cinderella!
Looking forward to the final week of the KCRF this coming weekend! I will miss Saturday, but will be there to watch the Shire close for the season.
Tell me, has anyone ever seen the last day's events? Are they any different from the rest of the run of the fair?
I had a great time on Saturday - am glad your son was there to drive :P
Sunday was a fine day too, with the rest of the family. Too bad we missed you that day. We spent a bit of time with the pirates and the pub and had a blast.
We shall return next year
Gotta love the FOPs
(http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu181/magicmikel069/DSCN1513.jpg)
does anyone happen to know what company makes the kettle corn at faire? i want to get some, even now that the season's over.
Great last day! Started the day off speaking with the FOPs; Lord Fraderich was hosting Lord Austin Tacious along with Lord Austin's guest Lord Tim Tacious. Met with Leopold Bloom ever so briefly.
Saw Ogrot (I love the 1490's) one final time. Great show!
Watched Musical Blades one last time as well.
Didn't get a group photo.
Saw Gem and her husband. FANTASTIC people! Really enjoy meeting with them. She has made such a lovely set of garb for her husband; a complete duplicate of Gimli's wardrobe from the LOTR series! He said it really wasn't too hot, either. Great job!
Had a scotch egg AND soup in a bread bowl today.
Said goodbye for the season to some of my favorite performers.
Simply loved the faire this year! So glad we bought season passes!
Hopefully next season we can organize the group photo better. But it is indeed okay.
For the last time in 2010, I caught the Jolly Rogers, did the all request show at the Three Lions Stage.
For the last time in 2010, I caught the Musical Blades. How can you not love them.
For the first time ever, I caught the Beerside Scoundrels.
For the last time in 2010, I ate a bread bowl. And Cinnamon Almonds. And a crepe. And a peasent pastry.
For the last time in 2010, I stayed at the gate and watched all the fun and merriment happening in front of the gate. And caught one of the most whimsical and sentimental pub sings I have EVER seen. AMAZING. Love it
Here's to another great season at the KCRF, what an incredibly busy weekend they had, and I cannot wait to see what they have in store for 2011.
Sorry I didn't see you yesterday! It was pretty crowded. Got to the parking lot, and were getting our gear situated when the opening cannon went off. We left around 3:30. Couldn't stay to the end yesterday.
We stood at the gate to Shadowgate Downs from about 1:25 to 1:54. Right beside the Veg-Ta-Ble Justice sign. Regret I didn't see anyone from R/F at that time.
Did see Gem a bit after that, by the whirly ride behind the Washing Well Wenches stage. Great couple of people, Gem and her husband!
Hey, what did Gary Siler sing at the Pub Sing? Sex and Beer? I visited with him several days during the run of the KCRF. He is quite talented. I requested The Ballad of Barbara Allen early on in the season. He didn't know it well enough to play it, but apparantly he practiced it for me, and sang it yesterday! What a great honor!
I love that the performer practiced and played your song request! We have great performers :)
The Pub Sing has not yet made my "play"list, but everyone says it's so fun! I'd better give it a shot next year.
What a fun and happy festival season! I'm already counting down till 2011 & starting a new savings jar :P I spent my last day on Saturday shooting archery down by the Royal Glade, playing Crystal Stix, seeing the Musical Blades, Jolly Rogers, Musical Blades, Bob the Incredible Juggler, Fairy Dance & Jason Divad!! I ate two crepes (I even took a picture of one of them, so I can drool over it all year) and some fish & chips (because you can't get those any other time of year...ha!) & part of a peasant pastry. I spent way too much money on bottles of water, and only bought myself one souvenir – a wooden utensil set from Tri Canis Nox "to transform the basic ritual of eating into a celebration." I do a lot of celebrating – yum! ;D The end of the day found me swaying gently in a Sky Chair watching dusk fall over hushed grounds.
Magical.
For all who missed the final pub sing of the season, the Jolly Rogers performed a very touching rendition of Mengelay to celebrate their 20th year. They had Clint Glidewell (Calico Jack of the original Rogers) on stage and included the Musical Blades as well as all the other stage acts and the King and Queen. It's the best version I've ever heard them sing. Many teary eyes on and off stage. :-) There's an awesome panoramic picture of the whole this running around Facebook as well as a video on YouTube. Sad for this year to be over, time to prepare for next season!
KCRF '10 certainly went out with a bang!! I was COMPLETELY blown away by the Rogers' closing the faire with Mingulay (which turned into the whole dang cast closing the faire with Mingulay); yeah, I was the wench with the pink flowers in her hair sitting in front of the stage videoing the song and sobbing her eyes out. I've never had a better time at KCRF than I did this year. I miss it already!! <3
as a first time attendee, I was very impressed and look forward to spending a couple of days there next year!
Wow, Thanks for all of the positive feedback, everyone!
I'd have to say my favorite moments of 2010 were being involved in the Human Combat Chess Match, playing 'dress up' at the final pubsing and performing our 'we should have been fired' level of risque parody of the Musical Blades, and playing a near-packed show at the Glade.
Oh, and I can't forget the Pubsing where us, The Beerside Scoundrels, and the Jolly Rogers peformed the mash-up 'Donalds Drunken Blood'.
It was an amazing time, and we all look forward to coming back in 2011.
Alright Micky! Good to see you here! Sorry I missed the final pub sing; it sounds like it was a real hit.
Ogrot Presents: I Love the 1490s! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJenMH6DcBo)
Here is a sample of our show for anyone who is interested. The video of the really naughty song from the last pubsing is also on youtube, but I'm gonna mae you look for it. ;D
This one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAx4aB-QB7E&NR=1
Quote from: Butch on February 16, 2011, 08:52:36 PM
This one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAx4aB-QB7E&NR=1
.....mmmmaaaaaaaaybe ::)
Gonna try really hard to see you guys at Waxy O'Shea's on 4 Mar!