[Bards] Topic: Is the usage of performers in your area, and events in general, sufficient?

[Jenn Forsyth]

I echo Alden's thoughts on this one.
   
  I know that I personally see the frustration from Nobles when they do not know WHO they can call on. Many of us assume that people know who we are... and that is wonderful for those that are well known... but what of the new performers who are not yet familar with a particular area and the people residing in it? I have done an aweful lot of traveling the last couple of months (go figure) and have been to areas completely unfamilar to me. this would give everyone a signal... AND give the bards of Ansteorra a yet one more point of togetherness.
   
  That being said... If you want a skyblue bardic baldric... and are at an event that I am attending... I'll have some with me. Come join me in song during the day and I'll be more than happy to gift you with one. 
   
  This is also another great way to encourage others to perform.
   
  ~Mea Passavanti ( who needs coffee!!)
  

Alden Drake <alden_drake at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
  I like the idea of the blue baldric, and being able to wear one, or not, should be the individual's choice. Much like heralds wear a green baldric when they are "on duty", bards could wear the blue when they are available to perform and don't mind being called upon to do so. The blue baldric would serve as a signal to patrons that they can call on you to perform without fear that they are imposing on you. It also indicates to those who might not know you personally that you are a performer - a handy thing for a Crown or an Autocrat who needs a little time-filler, so they can grab you if necessary to fill in a window of time.

Another approach for usefulness is to hire bards. I've always considered myself a bard for hire. If some well-to-do patron would care to hire me to perfrom for them at certain events, or occasions, I'd be honored and delighted. I'm also a personal herald for hire. :) HE Don Robert talked to me recently about one of the best uses for a bard I've heard in some time...in tournaments where ransoms may be required to be paid, have a bard on retainer to perform as a payment for ransom. I think that would be great fun for bards and give them good exposure.

Having said that, I personally enjoy the average amount of performing time I get at events, but I'd be happy to perform for people who want to hear me, but they have to know they can ask me to perform without fear of imposing on my time/efforts. The blue baldric would be a great way to indicate my availability and willingness.

HL Alden Drake



----- Original Message ----
From: Gerald Norris 
To: Ansteorran Bardic list 
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 11:38:59 PM
Subject: [Bards] Topic: Is the usage of performers in your area, and events in general, sufficient?


Good brothers and sisters, gentles all, I bring you greetings from fair
Stargate.

Several months ago, our good Baron, Master Ihon Vincent McFergus, started a
discussion on bardic, and there was some good discourse. I would like to
continue to use this venue for discussion of topics pertaining to our
performing arts community.

As the topic states, I'm interested in whether our performers think we're
being put to our best use? Is there more that we, as performers would like
to do at events, or is our current practice satisfying for the performers of
our kingdom. Please note, I don't use "bard" simply out of personal
preference and is not meant as a slight to anyone.

Our king and queen are firm and forthright in their support of the
performing arts community and, from every report I've had, are willing to
use the talents of their performers to good effect for entertaining the
populace in those moments during court (or other functions) in which
wrinkles in protocol or procedure might need to be ironed out. It is hoped
that their heirs, and those beyond, continue to do so.

Because of the diversity of talent within the lands of Ansteorra, the vast
number of those who would gladly perform before their majesties and their
majesties' populace, it is often hard for our sovereign to know all those
who would answer the call to perform if given the chance. In some cases
talent local to the event sponsors might get overlooked as entourage members
suggest familiar faces or those they know will answer to the call. This is
unfortunate, but only a part of human nature.

HL Alden Drake conducts (herds? Co-conspires?) Stargate's Bardic guild; a
group of people who gather to work on their craft, whether it's learning new
songs, working on a story, or offering a performance for critique (we're
gentle, really!). At the most recent meeting we had a discussion of recent
bardic events within the area, and of the use of performers (bards,
minstrels, dancers, poets, etc.). 

The general consensus was that performers could be used more often by
nobility, for entertainment of the populace, head table, or kitchen staff
(and bards, if you haven't gone and performed a song or two, or played a set
of jigs for those who prepare our feasts, you will be hard-put to find any
more grateful audience). While some of this may require some education of
the nobitiliy, we can make it easier for such occasions to occur by making
ourselves more visible as "targets of opportunity". Years ago a group of
wise performers created a set of blue cloth sashes with gold tassles and
labled them "bard targets". The concept is simple; any person wearing this
sash is declaring to all on site that they are available for performance.
Don't feel like performing? Voice off, or just not inspired that day?
Don't wear the sash.

And so I'm curious, my brothers and sisters. Are the performers throughout
the kingdom satisfied with the level and extent that they are used during
events? In court? During feast? At the list field? Do the dancers dance as
often as they used to? Do they want to? Please, good gentles, let us
discuss this topic and see where it might lead.

In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,
HL Gerald of Leesville
A bard of Stargate 

_______________________________________________
Bards mailing list
Bards at lists.ansteorra.org
http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org
_______________________________________________
Bards mailing list
Bards at lists.ansteorra.org
http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.ansteorra.org/pipermail/bards-ansteorra.org/attachments/20061024/659537a3/attachment-0002.htm>