Renaissance Fun Begins This Weekend!

This Saturday is Opening Day of the Gates of Nottingham! Nottingham you say? Indeed! The 3^rd Annual “Robin Hood Springtime Festival” Renaissance Faire is beginning on the Guilford Fairgrounds, and will run through June 3^rd. It will be every Saturday and Sunday from 11am- 6 pm. Whether you are young and spritely or older and wiser, you are guaranteed to enjoy your stay! If you already know the Robin Hood stories, undoubtedly you will love this event. If you do not, you can follow the troupes around and learn different pieces of the story. 

Attend for one day, or come to all of them, as there will be so much to do…from live entertainment,singing, jousting, games, crafts, vendors, food, and more food, a parade, a maypole dance, and shows galore! Did I mention food?

For anyone who has never been to a Renaissance Faire, be prepared to take a step back in time. Come with an open mind, and prepare to be playful. It is extremely interactive, which makes it a very different type of experience from sitting and watching a theatrical performance. It is also a great way to escape from busy work and school schedules and the stresses of the average life.
The faire highlights the fun, romance and beauty of the era, without the famine, disease, and oppression which also marked the times. The best part of the Faire is that everyone should feel welcome.

I am plugging this event as my first blog, not just because I love a good Renaissance Faire (and this one happens to be one of the best that I have been to!).  I was literally and figuratively drawn into this, as the parent of a child who acts and sings. Before I knew it, we were both auditioning, acting, singing and soon became the characters that were developed. I had fantasies of setting up a healthy food-booth at an upcoming festival, (because of my new health coaching biz!), but instead, I fed my creative hunger. You see, I am in full-force "creative recovery mode." As part of my work-life balance, I somehow forgot about my artistic, creative side along the way. This was a chance to get that back. Soon, I became “Dolly Salvador,” artist to the Royal Family and Village Singer. My daughter became “Columbina,” aspiring archeress, who goes up against Robin Hood and other expert archers in the infamous Tournament of the Golden Arrow. We will be on stage and in the streets, in full-on garb and in the finest upper class English dialects that a Branfordite can muster.

Over the past five weeks we have been travelling to Danielson every weekend, rehearsing intensively, learning dialects, language, improvisation, comedy and building wit, renaissance period music, and more. We have been working with some amazing people; true professionals in their trade. I feel honored to have been given these gifts and want to share them with others, as will the whole cast.
A special treat to myself and my daughter  is to see a musical group, who we fell in love with at last year’s event, perform again. They have become like rock stars in our household. Listening to Justin Bieber and then the band, “Wolgemut" in my car has become quite routine.  Even my four year-old nephew “rocks out” to their CDs, clapping and drumming along,when riding my car! It is quite contagious! If you are going to catch something from the Renaissance-era, please let it be music.

So, meet us in Nottingham to share in the fun! For those who like to dress up, feel free to come in costume, or as yourself. Does your child like to dress up as a knight, pirate or a princess or fairy? Let them come in dress! Do you like to be called a Lord or a Lady yourself? You may also rent a costume there or purchase pieces from the vendors. There is even a weekend and a contest for dogs to come in period dress!

The Guilford Fairgrounds are at 1 Lovers Lane in Guilford, CT. For more information on the Faire, including special discounts, or some phrases you can use at the faire, visit www.robinhoodsfaire.com or call 860-478-5954. We hope to see you there!   Also, please stay tuned to this blog for more awesome experiences about the Faire and a dosage of Renaissance culture!