so my name is Maria. And I have been demoted from cast to patron as of 8:41pm on 08/31/11. Jewel will no longer be gracing the festival with her prescence each day as I was sent a note saying that my prescence was no longer desired due to artistic decision. I don't know what that means. I am upset for the kids who spend sooo much time searching for faeries and I will miss the joy on their faces as they pop or hold a bubble. I am not upset that I was fired. Jewel was being retired this year anyways because I have other places I would like to go in life like motherhood in a year or two. And well momma hood and fairydom don't intersect in easy ways....
I hope that people can send in notes to try save the other lesser fairies at MRF. Trinket could end up going the way I did. As well I don't know what Artistic decision means, but I think it would be wrong to have only 1 fairy there. Without Jewel they went from 3 to 2... and it won't take much to get down to 1.... so if you could send MRF a message saying please save the fairies.
Jewel is thinking of planning a goodbye visit She will have on a button that says I AM A PATRON with a ticket displayed. But she will stop for pictures and try bring a few bubbles with too... but I am not sure if I could get those in. Tell the kids Jewel is sorry. She doesn't know what she did wrong.
Thank you for all did for kids !
Ferret
That's a bummer, Maria. :( I can tell that you are genuinely committed to giving joy to children out there, and I will be sad to see you go.
So sorry to hear that Jewel was fired. It is not fair what they are doing, and yes I will put a note in for the fae.
Shoot...
I guess you can have more time to find the kittah. Also 'shoot.' :(
Jewel will be out Monday (labor day). She will be bubble less, shell less, and in general pretty pathetic. But I am going to try borrow a camera so that I can get pictures with everyone and her.
Also, just set a live trap to find out what has been eating the cat food I leave out for Ari Kit.... I hope its Ari... not a racoon...
Jewel had a great last day. Many photos were taken. Many were missed as well..... but she is happy that she was mostly allowed to do what she wanted.... poor security must have been bored following me. I definately enjoyed my near nap oat the arbor..... that can't have been exciting to them. Their job must suck royally... I envy them not.
A patron can't bring bubbles? You were followed by security? What the heck has happenned to faire???? They let in Darth Vador and Captain Kirk, but a fairy is considered a threat to the realm?
I truly hope you get to enjoy faire as a patron and that your venture into Mommyhood includes introducing your wee ones to the 16th century.
Quote from: saphire_glade on September 05, 2011, 10:59:30 PM
Jewel had a great last day. Many photos were taken. Many were missed as well..... but she is happy that she was mostly allowed to do what she wanted.... poor security must have been bored following me. I definately enjoyed my near nap oat the arbor..... that can't have been exciting to them. Their job must suck royally... I envy them not.
Trust me, I told them to back off and you weren't doing anything wrong. But we were under management directive to "keep an eye on you" to make sure you weren't busking....which I knew you weren't. Thankfully those damn gyrocopter thingies took the spot light and you weren't mentioned again.
Thanks Random Girl. I just thought it was more funny. I mean you guys had to have been bored getting updates on my nap taking near the arbor and the 1.5 hours I must have spent on the children's realm stage talking to the other fae creatures. I am sorry I didn't get a photo with you in my fairy costume... that would have been soooooo much fun.
And I did enjoy my day. Didn't get to see many shows, but enjoyed just walking around and talking... half the time without an accent that kills my voice *trust me, I sound nothing like my fairy self*
I plan on seeing shows last weekend in a different costume. I now have 3 weekends to make it so I should have no problem. As I love comp tickets to get in :)
I am really interested in the Danger Committee... I have never seen a single show of theirs, actually I haven't seen any shows since I was a patron more than 6 years ago, and back then I only saw one... the fairy court show/thing... which tells you something there....
Try to catch The Danger Committee 'Ninja' , I thought it was good.
Quote from: Random Girl on September 06, 2011, 08:50:46 AM
Thankfully those damn gyrocopter thingies took the spot light and you weren't mentioned again.
What the hell were those things? I figured they were "friends" of the Visor.
I don't know. But they were cool to look at, but not over sight... its bad enough when the occasional plane flys over let alone those things buzzing around. Cause they didn't just fly over... they made a few passes....
Hey Randomgirl: Did security ever get them to leave, or do you just have to wait for them to move on?
Don't even get me started. I was on golf cart duty so I got to spend the afternoon chasing them around the outside of site. They never landed onsite anywhere for me to go kick the crap out of them and left on their own over Louisville swamp.
Oh, and they had cameras taking pictures to the bottom of the copters and were snapping tons of photos.
D I C K S!!!!!
Quote from: Random Girl on September 06, 2011, 08:50:46 AMBut we were under management directive to "keep an eye on you" to make sure you weren't busking....which I knew you weren't.
The hell is "busking"?
Busking pretty much means accepting tips.
I really wish I could have snapped a pic with you! But I got snagged into another HR dilema and then could not find you.
It is what it is. We all seem to be getting leaned on a bit. I am just happy that I have a high trump card in my hand if ever I wish to play it.
Maybe you'll be back next year?
Nope... it was going to be my last year as cast. I am hoping to produce a small half fae half dwarf around this time next year.... it precludes the whole kneeling bit....
Quote from: Sitara on September 06, 2011, 07:13:41 PM
Busking pretty much means accepting tips.
And what exactly is wrong with that? Twig does it all the time.
Quote from: NugBlazer on September 08, 2011, 03:00:21 PM
Quote from: Sitara on September 06, 2011, 07:13:41 PM
Busking pretty much means accepting tips.
And what exactly is wrong with that? Twig does it all the time.
and the shows and all ask for tips.... i guess the thing is since she doesnt work there anymore officially... the idea is that any tips that go to her are coming from people who would otherwise tip twig.
Cast members, whether volunteer or not, have to have a clause in their contract allowing them to accept tips. Terp is on a volunteer contract this year with no clause for accepting tips, so we are not allowed to do so.
Patrons are absolutely not allowed to accept tips. There was some woman who came in a couple weeks ago and was playing music and accepting tips. She was asked to leave and not return.
But this discussion really has nothing to do with Jewel. We know you weren't accepting tips without permission. :hug:
I was offered plenty actually. But that was definately something I would have been thrown out for. I turned them all down at least all that I saw... some people are sneaky and actually get things in my pouch without noticing... but in the end there were a lot of kids getting a dollar or two worth of candy at my command as I would instead insist they spend it getting candy :P
I am glad I did get a lot of my pictures I wanted. Didn't get them all. Realized well after the fact... I didn't even get a photo with my husband while I was out there... oh well... in the other costume... which I finally found a wig for. :)
Ive taken tips as Hanslow.... Opps well.... Now I know...
Sent from The Droid... The one you were looking for...
Quote from: Charlotte Rowan on September 08, 2011, 03:53:33 PMPatrons are absolutely not allowed to accept tips. There was some woman who came in a couple weeks ago and was playing music and accepting tips. She was asked to leave and not return.
Things like this lie at the very core of MN RenFest's problems. If I were a patron, and really liked someone's garb/act, and wanted to tip them, and then was told that I couldn't, I would have a serious issue with that, and it would really put a damper on my enjoyment of Fest. It's my money, and I should be allowed to do with it as I please.
Anyhow, though, glad you had a fun last day, Jewel. We'll miss ya. :(
Jewel, did I hear you may be at the DES Moines Faire next weekend?
Quote from: NugBlazer on September 11, 2011, 12:38:03 PM
...
Things like this lie at the very core of MN RenFest's problems. If I were a patron, and really liked someone's garb/act, and wanted to tip them, and then was told that I couldn't, I would have a serious issue with that, and it would really put a damper on my enjoyment of Fest. It's my money, and I should be allowed to do with it as I please. ...
What you may not be considering is that the festival is legally liable for thosevwho work for them. By NOT limiting the tipping, they are opening themselves up to lawsuits should anything untoward occur. There is so much more to operating a business that to simply let everyone do whatever they want.
Quote from: NugBlazer on September 11, 2011, 12:38:03 PM
Quote from: Charlotte Rowan on September 08, 2011, 03:53:33 PMPatrons are absolutely not allowed to accept tips. There was some woman who came in a couple weeks ago and was playing music and accepting tips. She was asked to leave and not return.
Things like this lie at the very core of MN RenFest's problems. If I were a patron, and really liked someone's garb/act, and wanted to tip them, and then was told that I couldn't, I would have a serious issue with that, and it would really put a damper on my enjoyment of Fest. It's my money, and I should be allowed to do with it as I please.
Anyhow, though, glad you had a fun last day, Jewel. We'll miss ya. :(
As a patron, I would never dream of taking tips from anyone, because in my mind, that would take money away from the faire cast, some who make their living working faires.
So many times in the past, people would ask to take their picture with us. Of course, we consented. Afterwards, several people tried to tip us for doing so. Our response has always been to decline the tip, and then add to please put a little something extra in the hat at the end of the shows for the performers.
A win-win situation for everyone. The person was happy because they got their picture with garbed people, we were happy because they liked our garb and asked for a picture, and the performers may have gotten a little more than they would have because we asked the people to do that. ;D
Very true, Lady Renee. I, too, would consider it taking money from those who are there to earn their living. I know of no faire that allows patrons/playtrons to take money for being there.
I guess some of the insect-like fairies visiting this weekend were from the Kansas City area, but the one I asked said they were not on the KCRF cast.
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on September 11, 2011, 03:49:57 PM
Quote from: NugBlazer on September 11, 2011, 12:38:03 PM
Quote from: Charlotte Rowan on September 08, 2011, 03:53:33 PMPatrons are absolutely not allowed to accept tips. There was some woman who came in a couple weeks ago and was playing music and accepting tips. She was asked to leave and not return.
Things like this lie at the very core of MN RenFest's problems. If I were a patron, and really liked someone's garb/act, and wanted to tip them, and then was told that I couldn't, I would have a serious issue with that, and it would really put a damper on my enjoyment of Fest. It's my money, and I should be allowed to do with it as I please.
Anyhow, though, glad you had a fun last day, Jewel. We'll miss ya. :(
As a patron, I would never dream of taking tips from anyone, because in my mind, that would take money away from the faire cast, some who make their living working faires.
So many times in the past, people would ask to take their picture with us. Of course, we consented. Afterwards, several people tried to tip us for doing so. Our response has always been to decline the tip, and then add to please put a little something extra in the hat at the end of the shows for the performers.
A win-win situation for everyone. The person was happy because they got their picture with garbed people, we were happy because they liked our garb and asked for a picture, and the performers may have gotten a little more than they would have because we asked the people to do that. ;D
Ditto. David and I posed a few times during the 2 days we have been able to make the DMRF this year. We do not accept tips, but do steer patrons to shows/actors who do (and will also give them another photo op ^_^).
As always, Renee has a great answer...I love that she reminds people to tip the hired performers!
A few years ago, one of the magnificent Bristol performers lost their day job. Happily, through the years Steve and I have become friends, enough so that this person confided in us that the tips from the season supported the couple, because the unemployment check wasn't enough to cover daily living expenses.
The tips made a difference in getting by, and not losing a home, being able to pay bills. It was a real eye opener. We can't donate lots of money, because we love so many different shows, but we give what we can, and that's why I mention it to people who may not realize that the hat money really helps the performers and their families.
Thanks, Lady Nicolette, you are so sweet to say I gave a good answer! :D
What so many people do not realize, is that those who work for tips—faire acts, waiters and waitresses, et al—they DEPEND on that. When you (the general "you") don't tip because "the restaurant is paying them," you are condemning them to minimum wage. The restaurants DO have to pull them up to that level if tips don't do it. Would you be willing to work for minimum wage? Could you raise your family?
I know of restaurant workers who have "added ingredients" because of an arsehat or cheap customer. My advice? Best not to be an arsehat or a cheap customer. If you don't want to play the game, don't go out to eat.
Quote from: NugBlazer on September 11, 2011, 12:38:03 PM
Things like this lie at the very core of MN RenFest's problems. If I were a patron, and really liked someone's garb/act, and wanted to tip them, and then was told that I couldn't, I would have a serious issue with that, and it would really put a damper on my enjoyment of Fest. It's my money, and I should be allowed to do with it as I please.
Also, she advertised her show throut the day, and occupied a stage during a time when other shows are allowed ungridded time. When asked to stop, she refused and all sorts of management got involved.
Quote from: NugBlazer on September 11, 2011, 12:38:03 PM
Things like this lie at the very core of MN RenFest's problems. If I were a patron, and really liked someone's garb/act, and wanted to tip them, and then was told that I couldn't, I would have a serious issue with that, and it would really put a damper on my enjoyment of Fest. It's my money, and I should be allowed to do with it as I please.
I'm on cast at the Michigan Ren Fest, and we have the same policy (that you have to have a special clause in your contract allowing you to accept tips). Lady Renee's solution is a good one! To the same end, one of the Washing Well Wenches does something called Rennie Rescue, where any money collected goes to help any current or former Ren faire worker in need of financial assistance. We often get offers of tips from parents of small children after we do bits with them, and we tell them that we can't accept tips but we are accepting donations for rescue. I personally have never had a patron get disgruntled after being unable to tip; they've all happily given that money as a donation to rescue instead. Perhaps you should see if there is something similar at your faire, or if it's something they'd be interested in doing. :)
Quote from: William_MacKean on September 12, 2011, 08:42:32 PM
Quote from: NugBlazer on September 11, 2011, 12:38:03 PM
Things like this lie at the very core of MN RenFest's problems. If I were a patron, and really liked someone's garb/act, and wanted to tip them, and then was told that I couldn't, I would have a serious issue with that, and it would really put a damper on my enjoyment of Fest. It's my money, and I should be allowed to do with it as I please.
Also, she advertised her show throut the day, and occupied a stage during a time when other shows are allowed ungridded time. When asked to stop, she refused and all sorts of management got involved.
I realize that she was a she, but that takes some enormous ... umm ... ones to try that garbage! That is unbelievable!
I heard about that too and that is just wrong. I might have had an attitude when I was employed by MRF, but after that I am another patron and would like to respect the other performers and all that and you don't just sit down and play and take tips and get on a STAGE... there is a nice open stretch of Nicolett mall for that on Thursdays with a nearly captive audiance during farmers market hours.....