ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 10-30-08

 

Those present:   Debbie Martin, Darlene Freemon, Lord Gregory Bowling, Karen Ugrovics, Calvin Liles, Don Green, Mandi Green, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Sue Bevis, Mary Nicely, Lee Freeman, Kathy McAdams, Rick McAdams, Donna Miles, Noelle Smith, Paul Daniel, John Iaria, A. J. Mashburn, Aubrey Gaskins, Beth Greenwood, Vinamrata Gupta, William Freeman

 

  1. Billy Warren circulated publicity about the Feast and Faire from the following:
    1. Times-Daily, 10-19-08
    2. Courier-Journal, 10-22-08
    3. Times-Daily, 10-23-08
    4. Free Ads Weekly, 10-24-08
    5. Times-Daily, 10-26-08
    6. Times-Daily, 10-27-08

 

  1. Darlene Freemon announced that 37 students from Florence High School volunteered a total of 305 hours to the costume-making workshop, the Feast and the Faire.

  2. Billy Warren thanked the Roundtable profusely for everyone’s part in making the events of Renaissance Month hugely successful.

  3. Mandi Green presented the Roundtable with a complete set of disks containing a large group of photos which she made at the Feast and the Faire.

  4. Jim Lake (in absentia) distributed copies of a disk of candid photographs made by Lori and Jerry Woolfolk at the Feast.  William Freeman has posted these photos on our Myspace page.

  5. Billy Warren exhibited a group of Renaissance costumes donated to the Roundtable by Faye Borden Morris.

  6. Billy Warren distributed publicity photos from the Tennessee Renaissance Festival.  He also stated that Jackie and Mike Freeman, leaders of the Tennessee Festival, have given the Roundtable 40 free tickets to the Festival that must be used on May 2 and 3, 2009.

  7. In a drawing seven people won key chains that are souvenirs from the Tennessee Renaissance Festival.

  8. Perri Scott-Hawthorne reported that the young man who was injured in the swordplay on Saturday during the Faire is doing well following a stay in the hospital.  (And there was much rejoicing!)

  9. Lord Gregory of Bowling made a moving speech about his year as the monarch of the Alabama Renaissance.  He thanked everyone for allowing him to live out a dream.

  10. Billy Warren announced that a book entitled Swords: An Artist’s Devotion  by Ben Boos has been placed in the public library by the Roundtable in memory of Inez Liles, the late mother of Calvin Liles.

  11. Billy Warren presented Vinamrata Gupta a collection of certificates created in Middle English on parchment by Lee Freeman.  Vinamrata will give a copy of the certificate to each of the international students who served at the Feast.

  12. These were the compliments from the Roundtable regarding the Feast:
    1. Alex the acrobat was terrific, and placing his act at the very beginning of the evening (thanks to Donna Miles) was perfect.
    2. William the Herald was excellent in his multi-faceted role for the evening.
    3. The decorations in the hall were outstanding.
    4. His Majesty King Gregory of Bowling played his role to the hilt.
    5. The food (at least according to some folks) was the best ever.
    6. Anne Iaria’s securing of the “hot boxes” kept the food much warmer this year.
    7. The pirate ship created by Nancy and Harold Parks was a hit of the evening.
    8. Sue Bevis’s layout of the hall, and her printed menu and list of entertainments on cards really added to the ambience for the night.
    9. The international students added color and pizzazz.
    10. Having the sound system next to the stage simplified that process greatly.
    11. The overall entertainment for the evening was excellent.
    12. The “flow” of the evening showed good planning.
    13. The large number of Roundtable members who gathered at the Coliseum to set up the hall made everything go quickly and efficiently.
    14. The number of well-decorated tables increased this year.
    15. The belly dancers were wonderful.

  13. These were suggestions from the Roundtable for improving the Feast:
    1. We need better service for the High Table.
    2. We might consider starting the Feast at 6:00 p.m. if it appears that it will run three hours.
    3. Diners sat for too long at a time.
    4. Consider ways to cause more audience interaction.
    5. Introduce international students to the monarch as friends from faraway places.
    6. The food (at least according to some folks) was not as good (e.g., as flavorful) as in the past.
    7. Consider editing the entertainment so there won’t be too much of a single type and keep each performance within a ten-minute time frame.

  14. These were the compliments from the Roundtable regarding the Faire:
    1. Crowds were huge both days.
    2. The weather was terrific.
    3. Sue Bevis’s cell phone was always near for emergencies.
    4. The Stocks were a great hit.  Placing them near the Royal Pavilion made people gravitate to them.
    5. Having the vendor spaces marked clearly on wooden stakes made them easy to locate as vendors arrived to set up.
    6. Alex the acrobat was a great crowd pleaser.
    7. Children loved the boats in the fountain.
    8. The sword troupe was both educational and entertaining.

  15. These were suggestions from the Roundtable for improving the Faire:
    1. Add a Rack to go with the Stocks.
    2. Add more activities/events for children.
    3. Address with certain vendors the need for them to decorate their tents.
    4. Try very hard to get the Enchanted Statue to return.
    5. The quality of print on the shirts was not up to par.
    6. Consider jurying the vendors, including the decorations on their tents.
    7. Stay grounded in the Medieval/Renaissance period, with as little fantasy as possible.
    8. Strive for more educational activities (e.g., Canterbury Pilgrims).

  16. It was decided that we will not march in the Christmas parade.  Instead, we will consider participating in the W. C. Handy Music Festival parade.