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

[Melody Soice]

Uh, actually, the event you are describing takes place every other year a bit north of our fair kingdom and, I believe, is called Bards and Cooks.  The last one was in Ealdormere about a year ago and Alden flew up for it.  You should ask him about it.  I heard it was a fantastic event.  It takes place over three days and I think the last one was held at a university during break.  Ok, I think Eleanor Fairchild still lurks on this list.  Maybe she or Alden will pop in tell us all about it.  

As for a site for a stand-alone Eisteddfod, if you don't mind traveling to the heart of Stargate (or Westgate in this case) we have a site that has a hall with the most amazing acoustics that it is worth the trip twice over.  It also has great classrooms and a wonderful kitchen.  It is quite reasonable, ~$400, and has a beautiful courtyard where we have had a cozy but lovely listfield.   Fortunately, the deep overhang of the surrounding shaded courtyard and the airconditioned respite a few feet away have allowed us to hold mid-summer events in this gem of a site without a word of complaint from the fighters.  It is Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston where Westgate put on King's College last year (year before?).

A few of us in Westgate (and beyond) have tossed around the idea of hosting such an event for some time.  If you think the time is ripe, say the word and I'll see if I can muster an event bid.

Melody

> From: wolfpaws at mac.com
> Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:50:39 -0600
> To: bards at lists.ansteorra.org
> Subject: Re: [Bards] Eisteddfod as a stand alone event -- was  Apologies
> 
> What you describe sounds like a lot of fun. And you bring up the two  
> practical points that must be negotiated--
> We need an inexpensive site (so the gate can be lower and the host  
> group doesn't take a bath),
> and we need to think about the impact of a camping event in winter on  
> the performers vocal chords, and the impact of the weather on the  
> number of people who come-- since to have a good crowd, we would be  
> relying on the bards from the four corners of the kingdom to drive to  
> it.
> 
> Having said that-- let me share my own secret fantasy--
> Musicians, jongleurs, performers of all ilk used to be bumped out of  
> a job during Lent each year in the high Middle Ages. No weddings, no  
> fairs, no music in church-- no paying gigs. So they would gather in  
> specific towns to "winter-over" (somewhat like circuses do).  They  
> would use the time to swap songs, practice new skills, learn the news  
> from the other performers, and try to stay warm.
> 
> I've always thought that might make a fun themed event. (Although, I  
> always imagined it paired up with an industrial kitchen and people  
> doing hands-on cooking classes as well. But that's probably just the  
> smell of fresh baked bread in the hall.)
> 
> Best,
> Rhiannon
> 
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