SC - Re: Planning an unusual feast

[Vincent Cuenca]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Ras

> > Entertainment at medieval feasts was for the most part in between
> > courses and/or music (*vocal or instrumental) was used as background
> > music. The 'entertainers should not expect to be 'listened' to if they
> > perform during the feast. That is (or was) not their function. The
> > diners should realise they need not listen and continue with their
> > conversations.

This may be true on a purely period level, but (as an entertainer myself), I
think that the ideals of the Society (courtesy et al) require a different
attitude.

Personally I go to feasts for the whole "ball of wax" - I go to be fed, to
socialise, to be entertained, to entertain, to watch the dancing (I am a
non-dancer), to play medieval games...  I understand that there are Baronies
around where people feel free to talk during entertainment, but Ynys Fawr is
not one of them.  In our little Barony, people are encouraged to show
respect for the people who get up to entertain.  It takes a degree of guts
to get up - particularly for the first time (indeed, I never tell a story
without a level of stage fright first, although I don't think it shows when
I am doing it) - and that deserves respect and courtesy.

> > << And that's another tiny peeve of mine:  I don't think
> >  there should be back-to-back entertainment all evening
> >  that completely usurps any opportunity for conversa-
> >  tion.   >>

With this statement, I do agree, however.  Like I said, I go to a feast for
a whole lot of reasons and entertainment (in this form) is only one of them.
For me, a feast needs to have a bit of everything in a nicely balanced
format.  We generally get it right here, IMHO

Gwynydd