ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 10-11-07

Those present:  Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Jim Lake, Thomas Ray, Rick McAdams, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Don Green, Jan Roblin, Darlene Freemon, Leah Brewer, Chris Solis, Ann Iaria, John Iaria, Carol Burhans, Her Majesty Queen Ostara, Donna Miles, Aubrey Gaskins, Bonnie McIntyre, Cathy Wood, Sue Bevis, Christy Garner, Billy Warren

1. Cathy Wood reminded the Roundtable that the photograph and article about the upcoming Feast will appear in the Times-Daily on Friday, October 12.  There was applause for Cathy for this great publicity.
   
    
2. Donna Miles reminded everyone to bring black, gray and white thread; scissors, measuring tapes; power strips; and extension cords to the costume-making workshop on Saturday, October 13.
   
    
3. Donna Miles and Bonnie McIntyre reported that they will remain at Richards Center after today’s meeting to create improved patterns for use at Saturday’s costume-making workshop.
   
    
4. Billy Warren distributed copies of a multi-page brochure published by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel which highlights all kinds of arts-related events in Alabama.
   
    
5. Lee Freeman reported that Leah Brewer, William Freeman and he will go immediately after today’s meeting to the Pocket Museum to install an exhibit related to the Renaissance Faire.  It will remain in place until November 10.
   
    
6. Jan Roblin stated that she is willing to share her space in front of Trowbridge’s on First Fridays with costumed members of the Roundtable.  Hooray for Jan!  The Roundtable accepted her offer.  Carol Burhans suggested that Roundtable members appear in costume at this location throughout the year.
   
    
7. Ann Iaria reported that Larry Bowser, General Manager of the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, has offered the space near the new Riverwalk as a new home for the Alabama Renaissance Faire.  Roundtable members were very pleased with such a generous offer.
   
    
8. Billy Warren reminded everyone of these three costumed appearances that are upcoming:
   1. Monday evening, October 22 – Cub Scout Troop meeting; William Freeman will email everyone the time and place of the meeting
   2. Tuesday, October 23 – McBride Elementary School in Muscle Shoals (all day)
   3. Wednesday, October 24 – Florence High School (all day, beginning at 7:35 a.m.)
      
       
9. Several Roundtable members brought bags filled with buttons, sequins, etc. to be used in the decorating of the castle at the Faire.  Billy Warren thanked everyone for bringing in the items and encouraged others to follow suit.
   
    
10. It was agreed that we will need at least three wireless microphones (one in the “head boom” style) and one hand-held microphone for the Feast.  Jim Lake agreed to make sure that these mikes are secured.  Jim will also arrange for two follow spots for the Feast.  Darlene Freemon’s students will assist as needed in the operation of the sound and light equipment.
    
     
11. Christy Garner and Perri Scott-Hawthorne agreed to appear in costume at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 12, at Spanish Oaks Gallery to assist Jan Roblin with a group of senior citizens who are scheduled to visit her gallery.
    
     
12. Jan Roblin reported that her son, Shane Wilson, a professional videographer who lives in Arkansas, will make a video this year of both the Feast and the Faire.
    
     
13. Billy Warren reported that he attended a meeting this morning at UNA.  The Tennessee Valley Caucus (state legislators from North Alabama) invited people representing arts organizations, museums, etc. to speak at the meeting.  Debbie Wilson, director of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau, was the person in charge of determining which organizations should be represented; that the Alabama Renaissance Faire was chosen was a huge honor.  Billy reported that, after he spoke briefly, he made a pitch for a working Medieval village (using Williamsburg as a model) to be located in Veterans Park.
    
     
14. Billy Warren noted that we need to create a business plan to accompany the proposal for the working Medieval village.  These were suggested as resources in the development of such a plan:
    1. Jim Holland,
    2. Marketing students at UNA, and
    3. One of our Myspace friends who operates a similar village.
       
        
15. Aubrey Gaskins reported that tickets are going fast for the Roundtable’s feast at Stephano’s on Thursday, October 25.
    
     
16. In a drawing, Donna Miles and William Freeman won billed caps with the “Year of Alabama Arts” logo on the front.  These were provided by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel.
    
     
17. Sue Bevis:
    1. Stated that she will email the Feast layout of the Coliseum to Sheila Causey, the Coliseum administrator; and
    2. Suggested that we sell tee shirts at Kennedy-Douglass Art Center ahead of the Faire, especially targeting office employees who might wear them as a group on a given day (great advertisement for the Faire!).
       
        
18. William Freeman reported that the Roundtable’s participation in First Friday on October 5 was successful even though the performing stage was somewhat removed from the main pedestrian traffic.  Billy thanked everyone who participated, including Kathy McAdams who sold jewelry that Rick made.
    
     
19. Billy Warren reminded everyone to visit the Renaissance Faire poster exhibit in the lobby of the Marriott Conference Center.