Evolution of SCA:
Scott Fridenberg
scottf at galaxy.galstar.com
Fri Dec 6 00:11:01 PST 1996
Deiter wrote:
> So to you, the people of Ansteorra, I pose a query, how has
> the SCA changed since you joined? THe level of
> authenticety,the fighting, the arts, or just the "flavor" of
> events. How have these changed? Are we getting better?
I attended my first event 11 years ago, and I remember
vividly how wonderful it all was. I didn't travle much in
those early years but tried to get to the close events. I
think we have changed in many ways, mostly for the better, in
some ways for the worse.
The Arts and Sciences are far better than they were ten
years ago. I attended Laurels Prize Tourney last month and
was amazed at the veriety and quality of the works displayed.
In those days it was a good idea to take along something extra
to eat in case the feast was inedible. I remember several that
were. Now the best food I eat all year will be at an SCA
feast, and I'll be hard-pressed to decide which feast was the best.
When I started, live music at an event ment Sir Erich
Hlowawexon (SP?) of Grimfells and his guitar. Now there are
highly skilled musicians playing at most events, often during
court and feast. The improvements in fighting and armor have
already been mentioned by others.
I think that events were more fun when I started.
Almost Every event I went to had a Bardic Circle that went
long into the night. Now about the only time I get to attend
a good bardic circle is when I get to Steppes. It'not
uncommon to have events with no bardic circle at all. The
most recent Northern Salute to Ansteorra bosted that it would
hold an "Old Fashoned Bardic Circle". About a dozen people
showed up, and the broke up and went to bed by midnight. I
know we're all getting older, but Midnight?
I too think that there is less courtisy now than
then. When I started, if you pulled into camp late at night,
you wouldn't be able to setup camp without several people
showing up to help. I don't see that happening anymore. We
should all make an effort to revive that practice.
I also remember when events sheduled activites on
Sunday and people stayed and visited till the Autocrats rant
them off. Now at many events Sunday is little more thant the
day to pack-up and go home. By noon half the people have
left.
Robert Fitzmorgan
Barony of Northkeep
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