Australia doesn't have the population to support the quantity of faires and cons that the US does. There is a Medieval Faire held just north of Brisbane that I went to last year. They had medieval battle re-enactments, sword fighting lessons, archery and blacksmithing. The horses in the lists were quite amazing. Lots of stalls selling costumes and medieval knickknacks and weapons. There was an enclave of medieval turks and bellydancers. Some Vikings and lots of medieval costumes. The most authentic costume in my opinion was a Tudor family that were just perfect top to toe but they stood out something shocking. Dancing displays included varieties of belly dance and eastern dancing. Didn't see any Morris dancers but could have missed them. Had a Gregorian choir in a church on site with a lute player providing background music for tours in between performances. They had a main auditorium for music. Some baroque recorder and mandolin players, celtic dancers, one group with a hurdy gurdy which is the only real one I have seen close up. The owner left it sitting on the seat in front of me while she went off and socialised. Does the commandment about coveting apply to unattended hurdy gurdies because if so I am going to burn in hell forever? Visitors included holiday families through to Goths (of the modern variety).
Fi From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jocelyn Demuth Sent: Tuesday, 5 February 2008 10:00 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [HG] Ren (Wren) Fairy bird Yes, it means renaissance faire and , it's popular in America. They're sort of generally focused around the historical period of 1500-1600 in Europe - England in particular although you can find "elves" some "vampires" and with the popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean, alot of pirates now as well as any American Renaissance faire. Some of them are medieval themed but you still wind up with an assortment of elves, vampires and pirates. There's also a smattering of bellydancers as well at any of these faires. It's kind of a big dress up party with folk music thrown in. Having no real castles of our own here in the USA, we're all a bit gaa-gaa over knights, castles, chivalry as well as the renaissance. You don't have to dress up to go - you do have to dress up to perform - the idea is that the faire goers feel like they are visting a different age. The Hurdy-gurdy really does add to the "back in time" atmosphere here even if no one is really clear what time we're trying to re-enact.
