ANST - Ladies' Solar as a Teaching/Workshop

[Gunnora Hallakarva]

I thought I'd mention this concept to othersfor comment.  We've come up
with a neat way to add a very period element to many types of events where
persona playing, as well as learning and teaching arts and crafts, is
strongly encouraged, in a fun and relaxed way.

During our upcoming Women's Symposium, the Alexandrian Company is having a
"women's solar" in the large outer area in front of the classrooms during
the time when the academic classes are being taught, and in the solar we
invite every one to bring their projects and work on them, especially
textiles, but any hand-craft not requiring huge equipment of big messes is
welcome.  

Here in Ansteorra, the "solar" or "bower" or "dyngja" is a fairly new
concept that's catching on fast.  At events such as Candlemas, where there
are classes during the day and a feast in the evening, we are trying to
always set aside a place where everyone (not just the ladies) is encouraged
to come and bring their medieval crafts.  This is a cool persona workshop,
as everyone should stay in persona.  And it gives people a chance to sit
and talk and visit, as well as to work on a project, learn a new craft, or
share their craft with others.  If you sponsor a "solar" at such an event,
it is probably easiest to structure it around a ranking female noble, if
you can get one, whose "manor" you are visiting, who can be the hostess in
the solar and help provide structure, guide out-of-period conversations
gently back into the period mold, etc.

We've done a "dyngja" at a small Viking feast event, a "solar" at a
Candlemas where the sponsor was a noble lady from Avignon, and you could
have a "bower" for an event with an English theme or sponsor.

The solars which I've attended have let me get a lot of work done, usually
drop spinning or weaving.  It's a great way to fill the time during an
event when you aren't taking classes and aren't (fill in other event
activity here, such as fighting, feasting, dancing, etc.)

Has anyone else used a "solar" type of area for promoting A&S as well as
persona during an event?  If you haven't, do try it... it's a lot of fun!



Wæs Þu Hæl (Waes Thu Hael)

::GUNNORA::

Gunnora Hallakarva
Herskerinde
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Ek eigi visa þik hversu oðlask Lofstirrlauf-Kruna heldr hversu na Hersis-Aðal
(Ek eigi thik hversu odhlask Lofstirrlauf-Kruna heldr hversu na Hersis-Adhal)

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