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Renaissance Pleasure Faire of Southern California 2004 |
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04-24-04 Here is part 2 of my special trip to the Southern Renaissance Pleasure Faire. These shots deal with the specific shows put on my cast, as well as a special pics of the naughtier acts of this faire. Warning: for those unfamilar with the bawdy acts of this faire, some of thes shots lean a little towards the explicit. 04-21-04 Here we are visiting the oldest renaissance faire in the country. It was quite the experience visting this place set in Devore, CA near San Bernadino. Or as 1 cast member put it, Devor-tex. Seems the weather can be unpredictable at times and opening day was no exception. The faire closed early due to some wind and freezing rains. I know some participants were driven from the camps sites to indoors accomodations. But overall I had a great visit and shot an incredible amount of film. In fact I broke my single weekend record (sorry maryland). I have so many pics that I'm doing it in 2 installments. The first highlights more general aspects of this place. The second round, which will be ready in the next few days, will be more thematic and focus on certain performers, pageants and a rather infamous and lurid stage on site. Anyway such a weekend had its shares of high and low points. High points: 1) Location, Location, Location. The surrounding mountains offer a spectacular view and a great accent to the site. However the site is easy to get to and is close to urban areas. Ergo hotels and restaurants are short distance away. 2) Pageantry galore. The cast puts on 2 stage shows and they do it with four color mirth and ethusiasm. 3) St. Ives. This guild puts together an excellent string of re-enacted displays of ren life. This is all done is a large cluster up near the front of the grounds. It's like watching a cool, but educational series of Marshall Fields' window displays (That's a midwest reference). What's more it's practical since it occurs at the front end of the site, which typically can have limited traffic for a shop. 4) Sound and Fury's death scene. The guys had to perform 1 of their shows under harsh rainy conditions that lead to a hilarious group death scene on a bench. It's 1 of those bits that could carry over and made a miserable afternoon bareable. 5) My first Poxy Boggard performance. For those unfamilar with this group, they are known for their strong vocals and energetic, but extreme bawdy shows. it's one thing to hear about such a show, it's another to see it live. Intense but enjoyable. 6) The May Queen. Southern had a number of impressive members in their cast, but she made the deepest impact in my mind. A character this loopy requires a brillant performer. 7) Getting to witness a new, never before seen, Sound and Fury show. Much Ado, Be Do, Be Do is in the same zany tradition as their other shows only this time they're mocking comedies instead tragedies. 8) Getting to know some of the cast and performers. 9) Their preferred parking is paved! 10) They have some of the neatest merchandise in a ren faire souvenir shop I've ever seen. 11) Seeing the Greenman able to still unsettle patrons. 12) Maypole commons is a very pretty area that is put to a lot of good use by different groups. It also affords the best view of the lake and mountains. 13) Being the only guy all weekend in velvet tights and getting quite the response from patrons and participants. Those harlots gave me a serious ego stroke. But on the down side: 1) See number 1 above. Them beautiful mountains also trapped the nasty rain that forced the faire to close early. 2) The altitude reeking havoc on me, causing my ears to pop continually 3) That freezing rain almost causing me to have a relaspe in my health 4) Forgetting that California has higher prices. Gas was over 50 cents more per gallon than in Austin, TX 5) While trying to correct a minor crisis, founding out the Walmart in San Bernadino doesn't stay open until midnight like the ones back home. Anon and good days, |
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