ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 11-1-07

 

Those present:  John Iaria, Ann Iaria, Carol Burhans, Leah Brewer, Chris Solis, Rick McAdams, Dave Fowler, His Highness King Gregory of Bowling, Donna Miles, Bonnie McIntyre, Mandi Green, Don Green, Susan Key, Thomas Ray, Billy Warren, Jan Roblin, Darlene Freemon, Mary Nicely, Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Sue Bevis, Debbie Martin, Cathy Wood, Aubrey Gaskins, Noelle Smith, Randall Ugrovics, Karen Ugrovics, Perri Scott-Hawthorne

 

  1. Everyone welcomed our new monarch, King Gregory of Bowling, and his man-of-arms, Lord David of Fowler.

     
  2. Billy Warren:
    1. Thanked Jan Roblin and Leah Brewer for the grand castle that they created for children to decorate at the Faire;
    2. Circulated publicity pieces about the Faire from the Times-Daily, the Birmingham News and Atlanta magazine;
    3. Thanked all Roundtable members who participated in the demonstrations at the Muscle Shoals Cub Scout meeting, McBride Elementary School and Florence High School;
    4. Thanked all Roundtable members who devoted untold hours creating our beautiful Information Tent;
    5. Noted that these one-time events added a great dimension to our Faire this year:

                                                              i.      The wedding of the Troll and the wood sprite,

                                                            ii.      The presentation of a framed montage of Stormy to Joe deGruchy,

                                                          iii.      The knighting of Sir Larry of Bowser,

                                                          iv.      Randall Ugrovics’s presentation of Renaissance-themed bookends to Lord Mayor Bobby of Irons, and

                                                            v.      The awarding of the title, Treasurer of the Exchequer, to Lord Jim of Holland; and

    1. Thanked Sue Bevis for the excellent slide show of our Feast and Faire (which is already posted on our website).

       
  1. In a drawing, Ann Iaria and Thomas Ray won billed caps with the “Year of Alabama Arts” logo embroidered on the front.

     
  2. Ann Iaria noted that the new River Walk is set to open in January or February, 2008.  She suggested that Roundtable members visit it when it opens with an eye toward Sir Larry of Bowser’s invitation that we move the Faire to that location.

     
  3. Billy Warren stated that the winning entries in the Children’s Art Contest were not displayed at the public library because they would not have round-the-clock security there.  Sue Bevis stated that she will make photographs of the winning entries in 2008 so they (the photographs) can be exhibited in the park.  Hooray for Sue!

     
  4. Susan Key suggested that we have more activities for children at the 2008 Faire.  Here are a few ideas suggested by Roundtable members:
    1. Treasures hidden throughout the park, with maps provided for children to find them;
    2. A haystack with coins of the realm buried within it;
    3. Cardboard crowns and tiaras for children to decorate and take with them;
    4. Hopscotch; and
    5. A maze (which we almost had this year).

       
  5. Here are positive statements about the Feast from the Roundtable:
    1. Queen Ostara was elegantly dressed and regal in her demeanor, as were Princesses Rain and Willow.
    2. The decorations in the Feast Hall were grand.
    3. The entertainers were excellent, and the evening “flowed” well from one entertainer to the next.
    4. The students from Darlene Freemon’s classes were outstanding.
    5. William Freeman’s performance, “William of the Hood,” was hilarious and involved the audience beautifully.
    6. The fashion show was a highlight of the evening.
    7. Having the entertainment schedule in writing at each plate was an excellent idea (thanks to Sue Bevis).
    8. Alex, the juggler and acrobat, was a real hit and a true crowd-pleaser.
    9. Audience participation throughout the evening was especially good.
    10. Randall Ugrovics added a great touch to the festivities.
    11. The food was very good.
    12. Having an extra hour of preparation time on Friday (getting into the Coliseum at 7:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m.) was a blessing.
    13. The tapestries added an ambience to the evening that nothing else could have done.

       
  6. Here are suggestions for improving the Feast:
    1. Perhaps have more short tapestries to attach to the fronts of tables;
    2. Establish a work day(s) to create new flags/banners;
    3. Start the Feast on time;
    4. Establish a deadline for ordering tickets by mail;
    5. Have some form(s) of entertainment during the time that guests are being seated;
    6. Address the issue of sound equipment (perhaps use the equipment already at the Coliseum);
    7. Add more pageantry to the presentation of food to the High Table;
    8. Perhaps borrow heaters from a restaurant (the Marriott?) to keep food warm;
    9. Play music or stage skirmishes during lulls;
    10. Create a plot line for the evening to which various Roundtable members would contribute any time there is a lull;
    11. Revisit the method for choosing the monarch;
    12. Deposit roundels under diners’ plates that they will read aloud at intervals throughout the evening; and
    13. Train two or three people to run the sound system so there will always be a backup person available.

       
  7. Here are positive statements about the Faire:
    1. Having all groups of dancers in one place was an excellent idea.
    2. The abdication and coronation on Sunday was great fun and was understandable by the audience.
    3. The Dragoons lend color, action and history to the Faire.  They should be considered as artists-in-residence for local schools. 
    4. The redecorated Information Tent looked absolutely terrific!
    5. The banner on top of the Information Tent, which was painted by Don and Mandi Green, was perfect!
    6. Moving some vendors to new locations from previous years added a bit of freshness to the Faire.
    7. Vendors praised Susan Key for the excellent treatment that she gave them.
    8. Darlene Freemon’s students worked tirelessly to keep the grounds clean and to make the Faire run smoothly.
    9. Because of the number of people who stayed at the end of the day on Sunday, the “tear-down” time was the shortest ever.  (THANKS, EVERYONE!)
    10. Skin and Bones added a dimension that only they can do.  We were thrilled to have them back after an absence of a few years.
    11. Joe deGruchy faithfully guards the Royalty and looks period in his fine costumes.
    12. The castle which children decorated was a huge attraction.
    13. Rick and Kathy McAdams did a marvelous job coordinating sales at the Information Tent.
    14. Alex the juggler/acrobat added wonderfully to the spontaneity of the Faire.

       
  8. Here are suggestions for improving the Faire:
    1. Be sure that everyone knows that live metal must be peace-tied;
    2. Install a microphone at the Information Tent;
    3. Have more information about the Faire, the Feast, the Roundtable, etc. available at the Information Tent;
    4. Be sure that a list of crafts vendors and their locations in the park is available at the Information Tent;
    5. Create a press kit in 2008 (Leah Brewer and Billy Warren will do this);
    6. Set up some type of shade for the monarch in front of the Royal pavilion;
    7. Create more activities for children (see #6 above); and
    8. Schedule a relief person for the fellow who coordinates the boats at the fountain.

       
  9. The next meeting of the Roundtable is THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 12:00 NOON.