[Elfsea] Library Demo Discussion...

[Daralynn Brittain]

I can agree with the entertainment part to a degree, however; I think small 
demos are just as necessary.  Not everyone can get to a Ren faire, or wants 
to.  But they may want to know what we are about, and that we are more than 
the bawdy Ren faire party (don't get me wrong I like my Ren faires).  We 
held our small demo at Tarlington State, and yes it was largely 
entertainment.  But, we had one newcomer make it out to Gothic War because 
of it, and I have received emails and phone calls from others interested in 
what we do.

I think the entertainment aspect may bring them to us, then it is up to us 
to discuss what we are and what we do.   When they realize we are more than 
just clashing of swords and shields, they realize there is something here 
for everyone Including the whole family.

And anything that gets people interested in history and learning, especially 
the children, I am all for.  And we need people at the demos, come out and 
help us explain why we do what we do.

Just my 2 cents, also

In Service to the Dream and Barony,

Elspeth

>From: Christine/Maria <casadevaca at charter.net>
>Reply-To: casadevaca at charter.net,Barony of Elfsea 
><elfsea at lists.ansteorra.org>
>To: Barony of Elfsea <elfsea at lists.ansteorra.org>
>Subject: [Elfsea] Library Demo Discussion...
>Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 17:28:06 -0500
>
>Sir Tomas...
>
>What can I say about this discussion, but Vivat! That was very well said
>and I agree with you whole heartedly.
>
>I'm beginning to wonder if the library feels we are performers rather
>than historical educators.  When I was Hospitaler for Elfsea, Arlington
>only wanted us there to educate the public on daily life during our
>period of study.  Since stepping down, I have seen an alarming increase
>in the demand for entertainment and not education....not just with
>Arlington but with all demo opportunities that have other groups have
>asked me and other hospitalers in the local area.  I find this to be
>frustrating and sad.  This is the main reason I have not attended demos
>of late.  I love talking about the virtues and fun to be had in the
>Society (especially parents with children) and I love showing people my
>art and telling them the history of it, but I just refuse to be just
>entertainment. I think, too, this is why there are many that refuse to
>come to demos anymore.
>
>I know this all sounds harsh and maybe it is.....but since this trend
>has increased it makes me wonder if we should even spend the time and
>the effort doing the small demos and just concentrate on the larger
>demos? Even doing the Highland Games and North Texas Irish Festival and
>having all those people come by the booths at both of these events, we
>might get 6-12 new members.  Yeah, doing the small demos are easier to
>pull together, but they still take as much time and energy per
>individual person but they just don't draw the new members like the 2
>larger events.  Also, these 2 venues draw people who are more open
>minded to joining recreationist societies. Whereas, people who come to
>libraries are really there to check out books (or do research) and are
>more apt to see us as entertainment for their children while they run in
>and do their research or check out their books...and we then become a
>babysitting service of sorts.
>
>But these are my 2 cents....
>
>In Service,
>Maria
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