Weekends at the 1996
Texas Renaissance Festival

Remember, I am in no way associated with TRF except as a satisfied customer. Also, if you click on the small pictures, you will get to see the full-sized version. Ooooohhhhh. Ready? OK. Let's go spend our weekends at TRF.

	I've been Bobmotized. Yes, it's The Ded Bob Show featuring the gallows humor of Ded Bob and Smudge (that's Smudge in the mask). The first time I saw Ded Bob, I spent the rest of the day chanting "I've been Bob-mo-tized" everytime someone asked me a question. This is one of my favorite shows. Don't miss it!
Over on the Dove Meadow Stage you can find Daniel, the Duke of Danger. Daniel is an acrobat. He can balance on a free-standing ladder, on precariously stacked cylinders and on various other objects, including a pair of arm extensions. His show is always a favorite with both kids and adults.
There's a parade every day.		This is the faire at Newmarket, England. And Newmarket lives up to it's name. There are representatives from all of the civilized countries of Europe. You can always identify the Spaniards; their costumes are particularly sumptious, as this Spanish Lady demonstrates.
	There are, of course, representatives from less civilized parts of the world (remember, this is a Euro-centric interpretation of "civilized"). I'm not sure where this Blue Demon (Orge? Troll?) hails from, but it's most definately NOT from one of the grand courts of Europe. Medumo is from one of the African Kingdoms. They perform African drumming and dancing at the Sherwood Stage.
Did you know that there is a legend that a woman who is kissed underneath the Hobbyhorse will be pregnant within a year? Ladies, think twice before bussing this horse!			Kyle told me this story.

	Carol the Face Painter and Schotzie the German Kissing Wench take time out for a little early morning gab-fest. I took this picture just seconds after the main gate opened on a blustery October morning. It was cold. It was windy. We all wanted COFFEE.
		A little while later Karen, the lady wife of James Bond, came by to get her face ... er, neck ... oh, ok, her bosom ... painted. Karen is wearing one of those fantastic hats from Lady Dra.

Look really closely at this picture and you will see that the woman in the blue dress is not standing next to a tree. She is standing within the legs of The Green Man. The Green Man is a forest creature, possibly one of the Druidic spirits of the forest (I know that if I'm wrong about this one of the friendly Druids on the 'net will correct me). Like any forest spirit, he is sometimes hard to find. Look for him near the front gate the next time you visit TRF.
	There are other spirits in the forest, too. Visit the Chapel near the German Arbor on the way to the Castle Theatre. Abandoned chapels such as this were always full of ghosts or Christian saints (sometimes both) and provided a spiritually safe haven for the weary traveler. Unless, of course, it was a deconsecrated church that had been taken over by demons. Hmm ... nah, not this Chapel. It's too peaceful.

The Tournament Field at TRF is really a racetrack with a lake in the infield. Jousting only uses the "home stretch" portion of the track (the entire track is used for Chariot Racing which I never got to see ... the crowds were too big and I was always late). At the joust, mounted knights compete in games of skill like this one where both accuracy and time are critical.

Two of my favorite men at TRF are barbarians.
	Sholo the Nubian is played by one of the sweetest men I have ever met. Hilton Jackson prefers wenches, but likes the court ladies, too. He gives wonderful hugs. A barbarian like this could make a lady forget about the frills and laces of the court. Careful! He could steal your heart like he's stolen mine!	Toruk the Barbarian played by Jeff Adams, is very impressive as he strides back and forth across the battlements. I know it's silly, but Toruk's chin piece always makes me think of an Amish gentleman that I once met in Iowa. I think it's the shape of the chin piece (it looks like a beard from a distance) and the lack of a mustache.

Someone else who has stolen my heart (I seem to lose it a lot, don't I?) is Gibbon the Troubadour. Gibbon has a voice that is amazingly suited to both belting out sea chanties and drinking songs as well as crooning courtly ballads. You can usually find Gibbon at one of the stages near the Sea Devil Tavern or the King's Beer Garden.
	Wyndwyre performs ethereal music on harp and flute. They can be found in Silversmith Lane near Faire Pair Tights and Such. (Yes, this is a shameless plug for my friend Ginger, the Tights Goddess.) Ginger loves Wyndwyre and always has to see if they have a new CD out.

A Pendragon is Forever.

Some more of my special friends can be found over at Pendragon Costumes. I think Pendragon makes the best and most stylish leather doublets for men. And no one makes leather bodices like Pendragon. Pendragon has their own home page where you can see everything that Nicole and her compatriots have to offer.

There are many fine craftspersons at TRF. One of them is Helen Freeman. Here she is putting the finishing touches on a piece prior to firing. Helen's pieces have the look of porcelan rather than simple clay pots.

Another of my favorite artists is Kendra of Wee People. Kendra makes dolls, wee people, like this one. She has many different series of characters, including one of Cat People and one of Shamans and other earth forces.

	Speaking of wee people, TRF has quite a few of the fey folk. Aren't the wings on this one just beautiful? Most of the fairies can be found in Sherwood Forest.
There are other exotic characters at TRF such as this acrobatic gentleman. He has a unique mode of travel - by ball. You can hear him coming, shuffling his feet on that big ball and crisply snapping his fans.

The Shaming of the True Rodeo & Juliet	Shakespeare on a Shingle is also at TRF. Evan and Bottom perform some of Willy Nilly Shakespeare's works (that other guy, William, stole a lot of his ideas from Willy Nilly) with a little help from the audience. You can find Shakespeare on a Shingle at the Gypsy Wagon Stage.
	Over at the Dove Meadow Stage a group of kids is learning about chivalry and honor from The Quality of Mercy. This little guy looks like he's ready to face the enemy in defense of the kingdom. Kids love this show (obviously) and eagerly compete with each other to see who gets to be a part of the performance.

Who is this daring man?

Strange things tend to happen on closing weekend of any faire. The Scots may revolt. Old, new or just plain wierd costumes may make their appearance. But this gentleman of Scots heritage managed to blend the 16th century with the 1960's with his c a n d y - s t r i p e d bell-bottomed tights. Anyone for some Fruit Loops?

14 May 1999