Purely Hypothetical Question -

[William_MacKean]

[sarcasm]

Just invoke Sharia Law and get it over with.  This year-by-year tightenning of the noose is getting tiresome.  It's like a bad auto-erotic fantasy.

[/sarcasm]

[Random Girl]

Does it have anything to do with the long sexual harrassment policy? I received it in my shopkeepers packet. It states that there is to be no flirting, intentional or unintentional, among other things. Remember a few year's ago, when the belly dancers had to cover their midriffs?

Remember it?  Hell I protested it.  I wore a tube top that said CENSORED across my stomach on the final day.

[Dayna]

Does MNRF realize how many people go to Ren Faires Just Because of the flirting?!?!  I bet if you ask 100 woman if they'd pay $20 to be flirted with outrageously, told how beautiful/desireable they were, have their hands kissed and generally made a fuss over, I bet at least 80 of them would ask "Where?   "

Dayna

[William_MacKean]

Remember a few year's ago, when the belly dancers had to cover their midriffs?

Remember it?  Hell I protested it.  I wore a tube top that said CENSORED across my stomach on the final day.

They have effectively done this by shifting the run a week into the colder, darker month.

[Noble Dreg]

Does it have anything to do with the long sexual harrassment policy? I received it in my shopkeepers packet. It states that there is to be no flirting, intentional or unintentional, among other things. Remember a few year's ago, when the belly dancers had to cover their midriffs?

Remember it?  Hell I protested it.  I wore a tube top that said CENSORED across my stomach on the final day.

That was a riot!

[Jade Sapphire Emerald]

Does MNRF realize how many people go to Ren Faires Just Because of the flirting?!?!  I bet if you ask 100 woman if they'd pay $20 to be flirted with outrageously, told how beautiful/desireable they were, have their hands kissed and generally made a fuss over, I bet at least 80 of them would ask "Where?   "

Dayna

*raises hand* I would!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

My husband, two sons, and I first went to the MN faire in 1996, then for the next 3 years.  Our kids were ages 12 & 15 in 1996.  Until Steve and I went to MN in 2006 by ourselves and met other members of this forum, we didn't even know there was Vilification Tennis (reminder - if you don't know what it is, make sure not to let forum members encourage you to raise your hand when they ask if anyone doesn't know about it.  Vil Tennis 2006 - starring Renee!).

My point is that the parents can certainly steer clear of what they don't want their children to see or hear, there's certainly enough other things to do.  At Bristol, Christophe's adult show you never see kid's there, and he makes sure the parents understand that, and tells them to leave.

There is enough to do at faire that both adults and children can be entertained without having to limit the other group.

[Lady L]

I agree with you, Lady Renee,
Our faire is so big and spread out, that one can find different activities that are suitable for them. It isn't like there is only one stage, that can be seen from every direction. There could be more for kid's activities... there used to be more available in the past. If they really want a family friendly faire, then they would have to get rid of all the alcohol. I don't think they will do that any time soon. The alcohol is what leads to many of the other problems. Not saying anyone in particular, I have just seen quite a few incidents up front, where my shop is. I know SS is good about escorting them out.
I think there needs to be a balance, stuff to entertain kids, stuff for adults. They don't need to limit it to one group or another.

[Marietta Graziella]

VV and I have been taking the kids to fest for the past almost 10 years.  Yes, there are things that are inappropriate for them but isn't that why they have parents?  Take responsibility for your children!  Oh mom, he said a bad word.  Yes he did, talk about it, then remind the child it's not OK for them to use those words.  Pay attention to the show rating.  Believe the judge at Vil Tennis when he says it's not a child friendly show!  EDUCATE not insulate.

Want to make the faire more family friendly?  Then don't do it by removing what the adults enjoy, but rather expanding on what there is for children to enjoy.  Our children's areas are laughable and scattered.  They are too open to the corruption of sites and sounds floating on the wind, and too random for parents to allow their kids to run and play in.

It would seem it's time for MNRF to have a major shake down and re-do.  I hope they do it in a way for all to enjoy.

[Noble Dreg]

This thread pop's un every 18 months or so...it is a worthwhile discussion.

I flat out take offense to the "Children don't belong at fest" BS.  And to be equally blunt, not every adult wants to be hit with non-stop jokes about rape and incest.  Here's a thought...TRF has a great "Gated area" with lots of bars and stages.  It is age controlled (no one under 18 I think, maybe 21).  It is a place for the more "mature" to let their hair down.  Love going there towards the end of the day.

[Celtic Lush]

New approach...
Monday, April 6, 2009 at 4:27pm
One of the conversations that has been swirling around the festival over the past few years, is how it has turned into Sturgis in tights. Bawdy, raunchy, adult shows, fantasy costumes and moreofthat.

This year will see the first attempt at moving the needle back towards a show that might appeal more to families or people with higher disposable incomes. In other words, we have to clean up our act(s).

The first step in this process is the easiest. Every show must be safe for children of any age. This precludes any show that is considered "adult" fare. We aren't going to allow any "R" rated performances, and though we still anticipate some bawdy comedy, we are lowering the tolerance level for generally offensive performances.

This will be spelled out further in a forthcoming text, but we want acts that are used to having adult shows and content, to recreate a performance where either the level of clever creativity is applied to the material, or adult material is removed.

This is likely to cause some feedback from both the cast and some of our customers. While we are open to insights and suggestions at improvements, we are going to hold steady on our commitment to sand down some of the adult edges of our show.

Just an FYI!

"This was put on the performers face book page unsigned"

[William_MacKean]

- The problem with fantasy costuming is with the playtrons, not the performers or participants.  Although, I do recall Fest WANTING hobbits and fae characters some years ago.  Kids loved them, too.  Do we not have childrens' favorites in the Troll and Wizard?
- Shows such as the Smoker and Feast specifically target the bawdy customers.  People PAY for that treatment.  Tame them at your peril.
-The stage acts with the most quality attendance are the bawdy shows, especially the 'late' shows.

Let's be reasonable:
-We have acts where violence is prevalent.  We have acts where knives are thrown and whips are cracked inches from a patron's face.  We have games that are essentially a wet t-shirt contest.
-Does it really matter if a child hears an inuendo that is just about as understandable as most of the Lion King or Alladin or Madagascar?

Street acts can and should be more regulated because customers generally have no choice on whether to see a show/bit that comes to them.  Hawking techniques could be toned down a bit in some booths.  Basically, anywhere a parent has no choice whether to see/hear a show should be monitored more closely.  But, if you sit your child down at a show listed as PG-13 and do NOT heed the warnings issued by the performers... Whose fault is that?  And why should the rest of the patrons be made to receive less?

[Noble Dreg]

"Sturgis in tights"

Now that's funny!   

[DeadBishop]

"Sturgis in tights"

Now that's funny!   

I spent 16 years of my life only a few minutes away from Sturgis.  Believe me, fest has a LONG way to go before it ever gets that bad.

[escherblacksmith]

hmmm, odd.

It was much bawdier when I was first out there in 1991-92 (I forget which).  From everything I have read, it was a real party place back in the 70s-80s.  Not necessarily better, just a different sort of event.

So . . . when were we not so risque?