[Steppes] Steppes Demo over Thanksgiving

[Jackie Saunders]

Greetings to the Barony from HL Saqra,

 

I have had many questions regarding the demo for North Texas Mensa over the Thanksgiving weekend, so I will attempt to answer as many as possible in this communication.

 

Yes, this is being done with the help of Lord Bre'nain, as Demo Coordinator, and with the approval Their Excellencies who I hope will attend. The only reason I am coordinating it is that I am a member of both groups and NTM requested that I do so.  Lord Bre'nain has been most helpful and understanding of this request.  

 

Now, on to the details of the demo....

o        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.

o        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.

o        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.

o        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.

o        The basic idea of the demo is to present a mini-village idea, if possible, to fit into the theme of Cultural Quest to 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, 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 limited.  

o        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.  Since HL Phillip had no qualms about going up in Court to accept his Laurel in his smalls, I was hoping that he might volunteer to be our Lord in this demo, but am looking for a Lady with the same courage and knowledge!

o        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!

o        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 10 confirmed and 3 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. 

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