[Elfsea] Demo over Thanksgiving weekend

[lizdenpeters at juno.com]

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Jackie Saunders" <jsaunders at Evercom.net>
To: <lizdenpeters at juno.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 09:44:25 -0600
Subject: Demo over Thanksgiving weekend 

Greetings to the Barony of Elfsea from HL Saqra of the Steppes,
 
The Barony of the Steppes has been asked to present a demo over
Thanksgiving weekend for the local group of American Mensa, and would
greatly appreciate the help of any member of the Barony of Elfsea if you
will be home during that time.
 
Now, on to the details of the demo
.
The demo is set for Friday, November 26th, and will run from 6 – 10 p.m. 
We have access to the room for the hour prior to that for setup with at
least an hour for teardown. Some tables and chairs are being furnished by
the hotel, but if you have specific requests, please be sure to let me
know. 
The demo is being held at the North Texas Mensa Regional Gathering at the
Dallas/Addison Marriot Quorum Hotel, at the intersection of Belt Line Rd
and the Dallas North Tollroad.  There will be signs posted in the Lobby
to inform you of where registration is, and what rooms are being used. 
SCAdians participating must have signed in with me by the beginning of
the week of the event.  Name tags will be produced for each participant,
without which you do NOT have access to anything other than the ballroom
we are using and the bathrooms across from it.  So if you decide to come
at the last minute, please check with me first and be welcome if we are
not already fully booked, but be prepared for the fact that your access
to anything else will be strictly limited. 
Merchants must sign up in advance in order to have space available. Do
remember the hour set up time, and limit your merchant setup to what can
be comfortably done in that time period.  We do have an entire ballroom
in which to organize our demo, but this includes a culture/merchant area,
an A&S display, a fighting demo/dance demo area, and an area set aside
for Mensans who are also participating through their arts and crafts.  So
far, those include a weaver and a juggler. 
The basic idea of the demo is to present a mini-village idea, if
possible, to fit into the theme of a Village Faire in the Past.  There
have been a number of suggestions from NTM on things that they would like
to see, such as dancing, fighting, calligraphy and other arts and crafts.
 No, they are not expecting us to put up pavilions and houses, but a
setup that gives the impression of a shop or home would be nice. I will
be reprising my Laurel Prize Tourney setup as a weaving /jewelry shop, as
an example.  If we could get a couple of other exhibits along those
lines, it would be great.  I realize that we only have an hour setup time
which will limit displays, and am trying to get NTM to extend that to 1 ½
hours.  We are not allowed to stick anything to the walls by the hotel,
but do have access to a number of easels for signs, etc. that will allow
some decorating.  Stand alone tapestries or decorations and/or portable
holes would be welcome!  We may attempt to borrow some of the standalone
list field ropes etc. to assist in the setup.  Access to power outlets
will be severely limited.  
This is an opportunity for you to wear your good stuff.  We have even had
a suggestion that one display be of a man and woman dressing, from smalls
outward, with a commentary on the clothing and its historical context. 
If you are brave enough to do this, let me know immediately, as they
would like to reserve a separate room for this display. 
Those artisans who come, please bring with you things in progress as well
as completed items.  This will be some time where you can work on them!
Besides, watching someone actively work on a piece gives an observer a
better grasp of the difficulty in producing works of art like our
embroiderers, spinners, weavers, potters, calligraphers, illuminators,
herbalists, costumers, milliners, woodworkers, metalworkers, armorers,
and other artists do! 
NTM is being gracious in allowing registered participants to partake of
their hospitality suite, both before and after the demo.  Please be
conscious of the fact that this is not an opportunity to stuff yourselves
(try not to eat them out of house and home!), but to be a representative
of the SCA in an informal setting, with munchies and drinks. You must be
wearing your badge to be on the Hospitality floor. 
So far, Steppes has not disappointed me with their response.  I already
have 13 confirmed and 4 probables (several of whom are Mensans AND
SCAdians!).  In particular, I would really like to see some dancers,
musicians, and fighters willing to demo. While I would prefer to see
about 20-25 people participating, if it looks like more than that are
signing up, I may have to limit the number due to constraints on space.
Please, when you respond to me for your attendance at this event, include
your mundane name, SCA name and title, and what you will be doing, along
with any special requirements you might have.   Badges will be issued
with both names, and I need your requirements in order to keep up with
the changing configuration of the layout of the room. 
The SCA has gained many members through demos to Mensa over the years;
there is a strong crossover of membership between the two groups.  I
would very much like to see the Barony produce a demo consistent with
their general level of excellence which would be capable of continuing
that tradition.
My most eloquent thanks go to those who have already responded!
Yours in service to the Barony and the Dream,
el-Sayyidda Saqra al-Kudsi
 
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