ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 3-15-07

 

Those present:  Lee Freeman, Darlene Freemon, William Freeman, Ann Iaria, Rick McAdams, Donna Miles, Bonnie McIntyre, Thomas Ray, Carol Burhans, John Holcomb, Jan Roblin, Billy Warren

 

  1. Darlene Freemon:
    1. Reported that Anna Holt has assisted the staff in Mayor Irons’s office in the drafting of a letter to the Sindaco of Florence, Italy, regarding a possible audience with the Sindaco while our local group of 45 is visiting there in mid-April;
    2. Stated that the local group, under her guidance, will leave for Italy on April 13 and return on April 22; and
    3. Suggested that we might create a series of four coins of the realm so that the fifth one can be a stand-alone design in commemoration of the Faire’s 25th year (one fourth of a century!).

       
  2. In a brainstorming session, these ideas were generated for the proposed series of four coins:
    1. Seasons of the year,
    2. The Great Masters (e.g., Michaelangelo, daVinci, etc.),
    3. Canterbury Pilgrims,
    4. Locations/buildings in Firenze,
    5. Locations/buildings in other Italian cities,
    6. Robin Hood,
    7. Leaders of the Crusades,
    8. Royalty - English and/or European, and
    9. The four Gospels.

       

These ideas will be discussed further at the April meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

  1. It was suggested that we might give a collection of our previous years’ coins of the realm to the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau for staff members there to place in the packets that they give to visitors to the Shoals.

     
  2. Rick McAdams displayed a necklace and earrings that he has created with coins of the realm.  He is experimenting with the creation of a brooch also.  These items might be sold in our information booth at the Feast and Faire.

     
  3. William Freeman:
    1. Reported that the 3-minute video of the 2006 Faire created by Steve Trash is now available for viewing on You Tube (you do a search for Alabama Renaissance Faire after typing in www.Youtube.com);
    2. Reported that we have had lots of traffic on our page in www.Myspace.com/alrenfaire; and
    3. Stated that he has e-mailed a thank-you message to Steve Trash for the 3-minute video and that Steve has responded by saying how pleased he is that we like the video.

       
  4. Ann Iaria:
    1. Stated that she plans to secure complimentary rooms at the Marriott again this year for Jim Matterer when he is in town to cater the Feast;
    2. Stated that she hopes to secure a reasonable discounted nightly rate at the Marriott for people coming to town for the Faire;
    3. Encouraged everyone to go to Ardmore this Saturday (March 17) at 10:00 a.m. to assist the folks there with the construction of a castle façade; and
    4. Reminded everyone that the Ardmore Renaissance Faire (featuring Menagerie) will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22.

       
  5. Billy Warren stated that vendor applications (both food and crafts) and 2007 poster contest guidelines will be mailed in mid-April.

     
  6. Jan Roblin stated that she is interested in resurrecting the special tent for children’s art at this year’s Faire.  She will have discussions about this with others during the trip to Italy in April.

     
  7. Lee Freeman agreed to create appropriate documents/certificates for us to designate Jim Holland as our official Royal Chancellor of the Exchequer during either the Feast or Faire this fall.

     
  8. Billy Warren encouraged everyone to visit Sonny Phillips’s exhibit of Prince Valiant memorabilia in the Pocket Museum on East Tuscaloosa Street.

     
  9. Billy Warren circulated information from Always Azul Pottery which manufactures period-style mugs and other items for resale as souvenirs at Renaissance Faires across the country.  He will share this same information at the April Board meeting.

     
  10. Billy Warren circulated information from a company that manufactures oversize chess sets (i.e., chess sets that are large enough for people to play while standing upright).  He will share this same information at the April Board meeting.

     
  11. In a brainstorming session focused on ideas to be considered for our 2007 Faire, these suggestions were forthcoming:
    1. Work with Keith Hager to stage a parade of Canterbury Pilgrims;
    2. Resurrect the tent for children’s exhibits and award-winning art;
    3. Display winning art by children inside the public library;
    4. Publish articles related to the Medieval-Renaissance era in the Courier-Journal’s monthly newspaper, Kidsville News; and
    5. Stage a foot parade of the Royalty and their entourage through the public library.

       

These ideas will be added to the six that were generated at the February Roundtable meeting for full consideration for this year’s Faire.

 

  1. Because a sizeable number of Roundtable members will be in Italy on the date that we normally meet next month, the April meeting of the Roundtable will be THURSDAY, APRIL 26, at NOON.

     
  2. In a drawing, both Ann Iaria and William Freeman won small banners commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Alabama Renaissance Faire.