Jubilee

[vakkotaur]

This weekend jmaynard and I went to Peoria, by way of Des Moines to pick up foolscap001, to see the Jubilee College Olde English Faire...

It would be easy to point out a bunch of things wrong with this event, so let's get that out of the way: There is amplification and it is obvious, from the overly loud SCA combat area to the obvious microphones and speakers at Owain Phyfe's stage. There are some "county fair" type food vendors that are plainly that with little to no attempt at covering that up. There were vehicles on site after opening Saturday, there were plastic signs at a couple vendors. The schedule seemed to always have the same groups performing at the same time, so it was always the same decision of who to see for anyone - unless they were a performer and simply didn't get to see some other performances.

Now, that's not saying it's a bad event. It didn't start as a renaissance faire trying for the faire version of authenticity or at least believability. It started as an SCA event which was trying for accessibility first, and succeeded. It evolved into what it is.

The entry fee is low. It was $7 per carload this year. Since there were three of us in the car, that made the entry for the day, per person, a whopping $2.33 or so. The parking was handled rather well. The location is a nice park with plenty of trees and therefore much shade. There was a good selection of performers and vendors. It was odd to see that there were three belly dance troupes what is a fairly small event, but with the attendance, it wasn't as if there was a great conflict from that. Jubilee doesn't let its performers ask for tips (they can accept them, but they can't ask) and pays more, I was told, so that tips aren't a necessity. With no need to beg tips, the feel is different. The performers seem to have more fun and have one less thing to worry about.

Jubilee has a very friendly and fun feel to it. It feels bigs and small at the same time. It's not terribly large, but there is a good amount to it. In two days I didn't see it all. Granted, this was partly from seeing RST several times, but I suspect even if I'd tried to see it all I wouldn't have quite managed it. I'm not sure what to make of the joust troupe, Knights of the Silver Sword. I've gotten used to the big draft horses used by the New Riders of the Golden Age that it seemed strange to see an event with arabians and quarter horses. The horseback events were adjusted accordingly, but they certainly did put on a show.

This was also my, probably one, opportunity to see RST this year and they did well. The intro works, though I suppose someone seeing it over and over (is that the exception or the rule?) might tire of it. I didn't ask what they thought of performing it every time. There is a good gag (which I won't spoil) about a certain style of fighting as well.

Sunday afternoon I caught myself pondering the next day of Jubilee and then realized it wouldn't be happening again the next day. While I don't quite "get" the big deal with Owain Phyfe (do you need to be female or a musician? Or was it that most of what he played seemed slow and depressing to me? I nearly fell asleep a couple times - I know, sacrilege...) but I quite understand the attraction of Jubilee, even if I haven't conveyed all that well.

Having the company of foolscap001 along for part of the trip to Peoria and part of the trip back, as well as at the faire and along for supper also made for a pleasant trip. I'd not been to a Cheddars before, so had no problem with going there both Friday evening (and having enough left over that it became my breakfast for Saturday as well) and Saturday evening with ginafae, pakiii, and most of the rest of RST. Jay, James, and I decided to follow the hotel desk clerk's recommendation of Avanti's for Sunday night... and we and RST finished dining about the same time and discovered we'd all chosen Avanti's though we hadn't all dined together. I will add my recommendation for Avanti's (and I'm not big on Italian food) - it's good and inexpensive, and if you go away hungry it's your own fault.

On the return trip, Jay, James, and I met up with irpooh at a very good (and very filling!) Mexican restaurant and talked of our respective adventures. There we also transfered James and his stuff to irpooh's van and we went our separate ways.

Our way, unfortunately included a storm with strong winds, torrential rain, and some hail. And then after we'd been home long enough me to unpack and start to relax and catch up on things, the power went out. About half an hour later we went out to see about supper and found all of Fairmont was out of power. So much for dining in. We wound up eating in Blue Earth, eventually. I'm not sure, but I suspect a few folks had the same idea and the place we went was busier than they'd expected to be on a Sunday evening.

Comments

[ginafae.livejournal.com]

I'm glad we got to see you this year! With not being back to the IA area, and never being able to get up to the MN area, it was nice that you guys could make it to Jubilee so that we could do a little hanging out.

Thanks for my gifts! A certain other person's will be on the way to them this week. *grin*

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

It was good to see you and yours as well.

You two are quite welcome.

Oh, and I did notice the timepiece.

Photos have yet to be developed, but I should get the prints later this week.

[ginafae.livejournal.com]

The timepiece was, of course, in use. What you didn't see was the three others in our box in case of emergencies. We use the heck out of those little clocks! *grin*

I can't wait to see your photos!

[jdm314.livejournal.com]

iterum was just talking about going to a faire in France. Really interesting! Unfortunately it's in a protected entry!

[malterre.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing entries, i can only live vicariously!

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Did you say "Live Vicariously (http://www.cafepress.com/myest)?"

I have an item or two from there.

[kinkyturtle.livejournal.com]

I've always wanted to be a vicar, but I guess I'll have to live vicariously.