[Bards] Eisteddfod as a stand alone event -- was Apologies

[John Hirling]

Greetings all

It as been a long time dream of Master Ulf and a somewhat newer dream of
mine to have an event centering on performance.  The usual argument against
such an event is that its draw might be limited without something to engage
the populace militant who, it is assumed, would be elsewhere given the
opportunity -- an argument that carries some weight, I believe, given the
regional fighter practice set against Stargate's Yule, and the absence of
some who I anticipated being present.

However, I believe it can be achieved and that Eisteddfod could be it's
center piece, with other of HL Alden's fine suggestions included as well.

Basically, the vision (as I see it) is a fete with merchants and food and/or
drink taverns -- ala a Gather for you Pern fans. There would be multiple
venues interspersed for instrumental music, dance, vocal and performance
arts and those who desire could wander as minstrels, jugglers and the like.
I see it as taking place in the low point of the fighting season but others
suggest a more moderate climate might be beneficial.

What say you, bards?  Can we make it happen?

~ihon
Premier Bard of Ansteorra
Deputy MOAS for Bardic and Performance
Lord of Stargate



On Dec 17, 2007 8:18 AM, Alden Drake <alden_drake at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>
> You've touched on one of my hot buttons.  Eisteddfod actually *is* the
> event - it is a recognized kingdom calendar event.  Other groups tack
> their event onto IT.  The problem I've found in the few times I've been
> to Eisteddfod, is that Eisteddfod seems to be relegated to a peripheral
> activity at the combined event.  As I see it, the reason for this is
> largely because both the bardic community and the non-bards generally
> view Eisteddfod as just a championship, not as an event.  We need to
> make Eisteddfod a grand event.
>
> Some of my ideas towards this:
>
> Pageantry - Start things off with a procession of heraldry and regalia,
> introducing the competitors.  Many hold branch championships - play them
> up.  Get the branches behind the bards they sponsor.
>
> Specialty Competitions - In addition to Kingdom Champion, give smaller
> side prizes for things like a) best of the round, b) best poem, song,
> story, interpretive dance, c) best use of a side theme, d) best
> documentation.
>
> Performance Honors- "The Bardy's" - like the Grammy's.  Create
> categories of awards and have nominations and voting, then have a little
> awards show to recognize bards for what they've done throughout the
> year.  I could add something for this on the webpage.
>
> Make Eisteddfod a camping event - Move it to the Spring/Fall and make it
> a camping event.  Hold the competition at night with a roaring fire,
> afterward, have a huge bardic circle and plenty of libations - camping
> means the party doesn't have to stop because we have to be out of the
> hall by a specific time.
>
> Classes - We haven't had an Ansteorran Bardic Collegium in the past two
> years.  Maybe add some classes in the morning before the competition.
>
> A killer feast - Get the cooking artisans on board to show off their
> talents.  If Eisteddfod is a smaller event, it might encourage some
> cooks to do some really good stuff, that might not be as easy to do for
> a larger feast.
>
> Cheers,
> Alden
>
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-- 
Rev. John F. Hirling
Interim Pastor
First Presbyterian Church
Angleton, TX 77515
(979) 849-5722
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