Sioux Falls Gets It Right - Again

[vakkotaur]

The last weekend was spent in Sioux Falls for the Siouxland Renaissance Festival. I'm rather fond of this festival for a few reasons. One is that I was involved, albeit in a minor way, from about the start. I responded to a posting about the possibility of a faire in Sioux Falls and in a couple weeks met a couple of the folks who now run the thing. The impressive thing was that they did research. Not just on "what is renaissance" but on what other faires got right and what they got wrong.

At the odd meeting I made it to, the level of organization was almost scary. They made plans and generally stuck to them and had the jobs carved out and sectioned - but not to the point of messing up communications.

This lead to their first faire, last year, being so good that many commented that it was amazing it was only a first year faire. Other faires, with many years behind them, got more wrong. Now, last year was not perfect. There were bugs. But Siouxland took notes and asked what needed to be changed. Not only that, they acted on the results they got. Result: This year was even more impressive than last. There are still a few bugs, but they're all little ones. I expect next year will be better still. People may run out of positive adjectives.

Friday went well, and we checked into our hotel. It looks unimpressive is but quite sufficient and probably better than some that seem more impressive. A couple phone calls made and we (jmaynard and myself), Jay's folks, and Billie & James met up at Nap's Alabama Barbecue. Good food, good times, and a nice start to the weekend.

Saturday before opening gate there was a lady on a quarter horse around. Twas a very easygoing and unconcerned horse. There was a predictable bit with the "town crier" doing a crying (as in bawling) bit, but he was upstaged when the horse choose that exact moment to whinny. That was far more amusing, and I wasn't the only one to think so, judging by the laughter of the crowd.

As we (just Jay & I) started to make our way around we met Sheila (the one who I started the Ring Conspiracy on). She figured I had something to do with it... uh oh. But nothing more came of it, at least for me. It did spread, but I think I mentioned that in the last entry.

A quick rundown of a few of the acts seen: Mistress Bawd (bawdy songs, and some not bawdy), Concentio Agnorum (who we had to see, of course), Zilch the Tory Steller, Smee & Blogg (the singing executioners), Sauboo the troll (a street character - offering to take any bad children away). I'm omitting more than a few. There were more there than I think I could see in two days.

Somewhere in all that Jay's folks showed up and spent a few hours at the festival. I wasn't with them all that time. They seemed to have a good time.

There were many vendors, some new, some that had been there last year. One shop had neat wooden folding chairs and tables for sale. The chairs are quite useful, and look about right at a faire. We bought a couple last year and the purchases were not regretted. This year we bought a table, and it's good we bought it early on Saturday - we heard later he sold out his stock of tables around noon. Other vendors seemed to be doing quite well, too.

There were a couple other interesting vendor bits. The only one not doing all that well had no booth or tent and walked around with a branch that looked a bit like an antler. Hanging from this were set of horns (like Pan, or a goat) and some beeswax candles. These were red and look like cartoon dynamite from a distance. Another was a soap seller who was giving away some small samples of a very good smelling almond soap. How good did it smell? At least one person didn't realize it was soap right away and started to eat it... whoops!

Saturday night was good, but not organized. After hours (we were invited) there was to be a potluck but with barbecue or pork sandwiches provided. If they were, I didn't see them. I ate from the stuff folks (including myself) brought. Oh, and I did have an Amber Bock beer since the price was right ("free beer" seemed to be a less dangerous idea there than I'd thought.. but then we didn't stay as late as some). I'm not much for beer, but I could drink a mug of Amber Bock without being ill. When the Dr Pepper arrived, however, I went at it with enthusiasm. One glitch made itself known. The pub tent was set up for the faire day, which is fine. But that had natural light. Once the sun set, it got dark and there was no good light source.

Sunday was also good. I met Sauboo again a few times. He may be a Troll (and he doesn't ever drop character, really, he's always 'on') but he's a nice guy and helped me find a couple things I was searching for. Mistress Bawd wasn't just singing and strumming, but was also doing a street bit with a few of "her wenches." They practiced(?) on me.. which was fun.. though I did manage to keep my pouches with me. They did get Zilch, which was a surprise. And it delighted Bawd. I heard her say something about finally getting him after twenty years. I also heard her say this (Siouxland) is how it should be. Evidently she was having more fun at that little faire than she'd had in some time at a bigger one.

Zilch got Bawd back, though. In the afternoon it started to rain and people were packing into the largest tent around - the pub tent. Bawd was there, keeping her stuff dry, and Zilch was about to start. This time was a new story he does: Jomeo and Ruliet. Before he started he warned people they might lose control and should avoid becoming "just another notch in my stage." Then he got going. And slowly the pub quieted down to hear him as those in back heard the laughing in front (or vice versa). There were many, many laughs (a packed house didn't hurt) and at one point it looked like Bawd was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe and was in danger of falling out of her chair. Just then Zilch paused... got out a small knife.. and notched the stage. Which only caused more laughter. She took it well. When the story was over, she lent her "remote tip collectors"[1] so he could gather from the crowd.

The rain let up and the jousters showed how good they were. They managed to work in a performance on wet grass, and finished about in time as another shower started not much later. When that rain stopped, there wasn't too much longer to go, but the spirit of the thing showed. One fellow changed the time of his magic act (or was it an extra performance?) not so much for himself, though he got a fair crowd for the conditions, but to build the crowd for the final act at that stage. I really hope to see Smee & Blogg again, and that Jay can see and hear them do their twisted version of the Animaniacs theme ("We're exe-cutio-ners...") that does include a line about a tower, has the 'variable verse' (though I doubt they vary it) and then finishes with them addressing someone in the audience with a "Helllloooo Nurse!" Alas, the one thing they don't sell is recordings.

After hours, a few us met up at a buffet place. Concentio Agnorum, the royal court (most of them had changed), the Horsemen (a group of self-described "street loonies" who do not have any horses that I've ever seen) and probably a few others. We talked, laughed a lot, and went over things some. Everyone seemed impressed. There were a few nits, but that's all they were - nits. I do recall Giovanni (of the Horseman) laughing so hard he was having some trouble breathing. He did recover, however, and found it all amusing himself.

[1] Mistress bawd normally plays a small and very crowded venue and so has a couple things that look like small collection plates (yes, like at church) hanging by chains from poles a few feet long. This way she can gather tips from the her audience without having to push her way through it.

If you've not been to Siouxland, or not been to small faire, or just need an astoundingly positive weekend, Siouxland plans to do it again in 2004. How good it this festival? I haven't heard anyone say they wished they'd been somewhere else. I have heard folks say they'd skip their closer "home" faire to go to Siouxland if the dates were to conflict. Even with the rain and mud of Sunday afternoon it got praise for that time. That's how good. No, it isn't. It's much better. You'll just have to see it for yourself sometime.