[Ravensfort] My Kingdom for a Story!!!

[kclement at verizon.net]

Actually, I have that backwards, I meant I'd like "A Story for my Kingdom".


Once upon a time, there was a lonely Bard. 
The Bard wanted very much to tell a story, sing a song, and/or recite a poem.
Then the Bard found out about the Bardic Competition at the Festival of the 
Phoenix on May 6th in Madisonville.
The Bard performed at the event and lived happily ever after.
The End.


Hmmm....you're probably thinking that's actually not much of a story.  

In that case, here's your chance to add to the story!
(Well, actually, you're probably better off telling a different one)

Lord Gregor Elfingstone here, to remind everyone about the Festival of the 
Phoenix coming up and invite everyone (and I mean everyone) to participate in, 
be a judge for, be an audience member of our Bardic Competition.  I don't have 
a fancy name for this competition (although "Now We're Cooking With Phoenix" 
and "It's Better To Burn Out and Be Reborn From The Ashes Than To Fade Away" 
are in the running), but I'm hoping all can attend.

Here's a reminder of the rules.

First round will be Bard's Choice.  Competitors may begin with any piece of 
their choice, either a personal or crowd favorite, or their best work.

Second round will be The Humor Part of the Show.  Competitors will do a piece 
that is funny, comical, ironic or contains a good pun or two (or three, 
or four, or...).  In keeping with this theme, I was trying to come up with a 
good pun title for the round, but there are no clear winners yet (although 
"Don't aJester Set" and "Laughter is the Best Medici" are still under 
consideration).

The Third and Final Round (yes, it supposed to be capitalized like that) will 
be held (tentatively) during feast, before the head table and the populace.  
Since we are celebrating the Festival of the Phoenix, this piece will have a 
specific theme, that of Rebirth, Redemption, Second Chances, and/or 
Reconciliation.  Because I like bad irony, only the top three to five 
performers will make it to the Third and Final Round. 

Now, I know I've said "storytelling" at the start of the rules, but that's 
just my habit.  The Bard's performance can be poems, songs, or music.  Just 
because I can't carry a tune, even with the help of a sherpa, doesn't mean 
others have that problem. 
Period pieces aren't required, but they will certainly impress the heck out of 
those of us who have an irrational fear that books will try to eat us if we 
approach too closely.


BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!

Bardic Competition is great and all, but performance for the love of 
performing is really the heart of bards everywhere.

I therefore invite all bards to take part in Children's Storytime.  
Lady Mary of Axefoot, the Minister of Children for Raven's Fort (i.e. Rugrat 
Wrangler), has asked for entertainment for her gathering of scaled-down 
SCAdians and offered her pint-sized charges as an audience for any and all 
performers.  

Remember, this is a volunteer activity that is separate from the Bardic 
Competition, so anyone can stop by to entertain the kiddies.  I'm planning to 
be there, I hope to see all of you.  Remember, a good bard should be able to 
entertain at all levels of our society, from laughing child to drunken 
reveler.  So, dust off those kids stories and join us.


Good luck everyone.

Verbosely Yours,

Gregor