Siouxland Winterfest 2006

[vakkotaur]

Saturday jmaynard and I got properly dressed for the occasion and went to Sioux Falls for the Siouxland Renaissance Association's Winterfest gathering/feast. When we arrived we found that we'd been at that location before for another Siouxland event. In talking it over later, prompted by a query from melissasutton we decided that the first such event had a table layout that we did not much care for, and one character (not some associated with Siouxland) that Jay was next to was not the most best company. The second such event we liked, but we are probably not the ones to ask about it as we had the unusual experience of being at the head table with the nobles. Neither of us really has a strong recollection of the event last year - it was good, just somehow it didn't stand out for either of us. I wish I knew why. This year the food was served buffet style and tables (each was named, we were at the 'Blue Gryphon') were called up to avoid a rush and a large queue. That worked well.

Also at the Blue Gryphon table was Mistress Bawd and her husband, Captain Blood. I was not the only one surprised they were there. I had thought she had moved to Ireland, where he lives. Evidently they've not been in Ireland very much since they got married, though that will be changing once some pets are done with whatever quarantine procedures they must go through. At least a couple of the Blue Gryphon Buccaneers were also appropriately at the table. Jay and I each got a couple "Buccaneer Bucks" good for $1 off the Siouxland RenFest admission price. These are to be passed along to others as since we spring for one of the patron packages we do not need them ourselves.

The food was good and I ate too much of it. And then had a rather rich dessert too. The entertainment was likewise good, though Jay and I both had a quibble with one act. Not lack of talent, but perhaps a slight error in judgment as things seemed a bit overdone to us and one tune seemed rather out of place in the lineup. Opening one's act with a tune often used to close an event is a bit awkward.

At some point in the evening Mistress Bawd, at the table, commented something to me and I responded with a low singing of a very compressed Spike Jones twist of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, Brownie in the Light Blue Jeans. I was surprised when she asked why I never sang along at the pub (where she performs at faire) and said I had a good voice and that I was on key through the bit I had just done. That's not the sort of thing I'm used to hearing, especially from a musician.

melissasutton described the insult/woo contest probably as well as anyone could and I'm not going to repeat the winning 'worst woo' either. You had to be there.

During the contests and the musical performances, both of which got rather loud, I could only wonder how much sound carried. There was a meeting of Democrats, supposedly held in the room next door. I think we had a lot more fun than they did.

Jay and I had opted not to spend the night at the hotel, so left fairly soon after the official entertainment was brought to a close. That was still rather late for us as it meant we didn't get home until about 1 AM. But before we left, I bought a "Mudfest" t-shirt (commemorating the 2005 Siouxland Renaissance Festival which was very muddy indeed) and we both bought "Friend of the SRA" pins.

Oh, Melissa, I know what you think of the Moose Song, but what about The Mousse Song?