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Lion Dope New user York PA 88 Posts |
Greetings All;
I was just wondering how many Café members actually work ren faires, and what kind of performances they do there. To get the ball rolling: I just signed on for a full- season run at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (it will be my 6th season there, and I am also doing a few weekends at the Virginia Renaissance Faire (my 3rd year there). At the PA faire (my "home" faire, to use the jargon), I do stage shows, street shows, and also strolling magic at the pub (free drinks- yeah!). Overall, management has been amazingly supportive there- I don't think I've gotten a "director's note" in my entire tenure. A lot of my act is taken directly from Discoverie of Witchcraft (effects, not methods). I also do a bit of the geek stuff- fire- eating, etc. My character name is Mars Mandrake. He is essentially a street hustler- montebank- dirtbag persona, with a bit of inflated ego thrown in. I'd be interested to hear from others out in the trenches (literally). Let's hear from ya! Cheers; Mike |
silverfire9 Veteran user Rochester Hills, MI 323 Posts |
As someone looking to possibly start at a Ren Faire, I'm interested in this thread as well. Possibly there might be useful advice to an aspiring period performer.
Joshua |
isaacfawlkes Loyal user FL 256 Posts |
There is lots of info here on the Café regarding Ren fairs and starting out working faires. all you have to do is use the search mode. Lots of good advice. check it out.
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Lion Dope New user York PA 88 Posts |
Isaac Fawlkes! I love that guy! See you in August buddy.
Mike |
MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations,
I perform in the lanes at the St. Louis Renaissance Faire in the spring and their Pirate Festival in the fall. My act is as basic as basic gets, doing the infamous vanishing and color-changing silk, the professor's nightmare or ring-and-rope, and closing with the cups and balls, with a couple of gags tossed in -- like the "floating" wand. I include a little history of faires and street performers with my routines. Joshua, Isaac hit the nail on the head. There are more threads on performing at faires than you can shake a wand at, just do a search. Before exploring too deeply, I would advise making absolutely certain you have a fondness for heat, cold, wind, rain, dust, drunks and unattached children, all of which you will find in abundance at most faires, and sometimes all on the same day! (Can I get a Huzzah?) Me? I've been doing faires and fests for nearly 15 seasons. I've been a performer, street character, hawker, gamer and vender. The best advise I've ever seen is that provided in Bill Palmer's notes. Joe Zeman aka The Mage Ulysses |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
This year marks my 27th year at my home faire here in Seattle.
The best advice I can give is to be ready for everything. From people passing out at your performance to having a deer run through it. Think street performer. your act should be bullet proof, require minimum set up and take down time and be able to play surrounded. Also you should be as loud and boisterous as possible. But most of all, have fun!
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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DanielGreenWolf Veteran user Waterbury, CT 363 Posts |
I've been doing Renaissance Faires across the Northeast for about 10 years now. Next year, I plan on taking to the road and going National with the circuit.
I perform several original items, sideshow arts, a few standards. I don't perform cups & balls because there are already so many great Ren Faire performers doing them and there's a lot of magic in the world, so I decided not to go that route. My character is that of an Irish Bard who happens to be a wisearse (aren't we all though, really?). Here's my vid promo for faires if you're curious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xwFFH6YXPU Always good to connect with other strange folks. ;-) |
Jeff Dial Special user Kent, WA 533 Posts |
I have been performing for about four years at the Washington Renaissance and Fantasy Faire (which will be back this summer after a hiatus imposed by the bureaucracy).
I do lane work. Short shows with three effects max. When starting I took Cellini's advise and concentrated on my three best effects. Payne's advice about being a street performer was my experience as well.
"Think our brains must be too highly trained, Majikthise" HHGG
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Lion Dope New user York PA 88 Posts |
PA Renfaire's season runs early August through the end of October, which means the beginning of the season will be scorching hot and the last few weekends have the potential to be quite frosty. (The past few years, I've had the good luck to be on one of the few stages which is covered; so I don't mind rainy days- The hurricane a few years back was a bit much, though).
Has anybody else seen the renfaire bits on "Reno 911"? I love that stuff. Mike |
msmaster Special user 522 Posts |
Turning your normal act into a Renaissance performance is just a matter of a leather vest here and a rope belt there. Renaissance festival patter is just anachronism jokes, nothing more than "Ye olde Britney Spears."
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Lion Dope New user York PA 88 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-03 15:30, msmaster wrote: This mindset is why there are so many bad, hacky magic acts at ren faires. |
msmaster Special user 522 Posts |
Every Ren Faire act I've every seen, in the past 30 years, falls into that category, even some of the greats like Johnny Fox, Puke & Snot, Simpkin the Foole, Seymoure, and in the old days even Penn & Teller.
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-03 15:30, msmaster wrote: Or it can look something like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWImtgLU28s
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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msmaster Special user 522 Posts |
There's an exception to every rule. Nice job.
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Arkadia Special user Sweden, Sundsvall 866 Posts |
That is a strong presentation, character and humour! Loved every second of it! Thanks Payne!
/Ark
Don't miss out on the great new mentalist magic: www.metalwriting.com
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Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
Hey mandrake you doing VARF this season? trying to decide if I want to drop buy? we haev a new brew Pub in town as well we need to have dinner while you are here. BTW Isaac Fawlkes Rocks.
Michael AKA Mark Gerard of Les Jongleurs |
isaacfawlkes Loyal user FL 256 Posts |
Thanks Michael.
Hope you are well. Miss seeing you at North Carolina. Enjoy VaRF. Isaac |
Lion Dope New user York PA 88 Posts |
Greetings Michael;
Yes, I will be at VARF May 23-24; June 6,7.13,14.I'm always up for a new brew pub. And I agree, Isaac Fawkes rocks. Mike |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9981 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-03 22:10, Payne wrote: great timing - a true artist in a setting of his choice -- if I were to do a medieval card trick this would serve me well ;-) well met
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Thanks for the compliments guys. I'm hoping to get more of my stuff up on YouTube now that I have a fairly decent video camera.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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