Northwoods ren faire

Whistle
1

I just got back from my first faire as a participant. The Northwoods faire in Interlochen Michigan. Home of the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Our group played 5 stage shows and spent the rest of the time roving. I played frequently by myself.

I learned a lot about being a rennie and how to handle the crowds. I have a lot yet to learn but I’m already working on some routines for the Silverleafe fair in July.

I have been practicing about 35 tunes for months in preperation but ironically I only played about 12 of them. Most of the time I just made stuff up. I discovered that people responded just as well to the made up tunes as the others.

At one point I played along with some drummers with these giant bongo like drums and played a Middle Eastern style I’ve been working on. I just kept improvising around the central theme and it really worked well.

I also met Barbara the Ocarina maker (I don’t have her card with me) who makes really nice clay ocarinas. She also sells Susato whistles on occasion.

Also present was Woodsong Bamboo Artesans. If you haven’t tried a Wood Song bamboo flute you should. They are some of the best bamboo flutes I’ve ever tried including Olwells. I bought an A flute that is absolutely amazing. It almost plays itself. They make pan pipes, Digeridos and a whistles. Their site is http://www.jimhancock.com/woodsong/index.htm

Well that was about all. I’m just still quite pumped up over the whole thing.

2

Congrats on making it in one of the oddest worlds I have ever experienced. Working a renaissance festival has no comparison. If you ever have time in August or September, try and make it over to Minnesota for our fest. There is a great commraderie among most bands here that is wonderful. On a slow day last year my band decided we didn’t want to play to an empty stage and wondered around instead. When we came upon another band’s show we decided to stop and listen. They invited us up to play with them. Then another band showed up. We ended up with three and a half bands playing and going for about an hour and a half since the next band scheduled was already there. One of the best musical moments I’ve ever had.

BTW: I’m impressed with your stamina. After playing five shows a day, I usually spend my time sitting down in the shade, not playing even more.



Seth

3

Seth,

We only did 5 shows in two days. Thank goodness it wasn’t 5 a day or I might have perished.
Have you ever seen Queen Bea? I got a lot of good hints from her about rennie work.

We have another faire here in Michigan in July. Silverleafe. There’s one in August-September in Holly Michigan as well but I don’t know as I’ll attend that one.