Heading to Minnesota Ren Fair Sept 8,9 ...

chas · Post by **chas** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:29 am

emmline wrote:
Nanohedron wrote:So, Annie. Will you be there in a commercial capacity? Or will you just be slumming?

And, BTW, Joseph E. Smith will be there, too. A conjunction of Chiffers is not a rare thing, of course, but this one stands well outside the bounds of your usual arranged gatherings. It's a sign. But what does it augur?
Tell me, as I will not be there and was quite chagrined (upon learning of the confluence,) to recall that the event is geographically beyond my sphere of influence. (confluence, influence...use more words like this...)

There's always the Maryland RennFest, right across the river from you. I'll be there next weekend, primarily to give the little'un an elephant ride, and hopefully to catch up with and share a few tunes with Mr. Olwell.

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:39 am

chas wrote: There's always the Maryland RennFest, right across the river from you. I'll be there next weekend, primarily to give the little'un an elephant ride, and hopefully to catch up with and share a few tunes with Mr. Olwell.

Oh, I know. I like it. I usually try to drag my anime-obsessed 15 year old along just to get him away from the pc for a bit. Last year my college-kid and friends met me there. I will find an excuse of some sort this year, and will, I hope, manage to sit myself down at more of the live music venues.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:15 am

Nanohedron wrote:So, Annie. Will you be there in a commercial capacity? Or will you just be slumming?

And, BTW, Joseph E. Smith will be there, too. A conjunction of Chiffers is not a rare thing, of course, but this one stands well outside the bounds of your usual arranged gatherings. It's a sign. But what does it augur?

I will be there in a thoroughly un-professional capacity.

I'm not sure which day (probably only one, alas). I'm sure we can target your location at the times specified at least once during the weekend. Now, how to get JES to manage to conveniently appear at the same time... hmmm...

Post by **Nanohedron** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:27 am

anniemcu wrote:Now, how to get JES to manage to conveniently appear at the same time... hmmm...

Why, we will have to hunt him down for the dog he is and heckle him without mercy. I'm just there on temporary to play for stepdancers (it's Seltic Week or something, by God, but at least I'm exempt, thankfully, from wearing RenFest drag), but he's an "act". I think repeatedly howling out "Huzzah!" - ad freaking nauseam - might show our good taste and sensitivity.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:41 am

Oh, and as for your query about Dos and Don'ts, Annie, definitely affect an exaggerated faux-Minnesota accent (think the movie Fargo. Why was a movie about Minnesota titled for a city in North Dakota? Stupid). It will be taken as a mark of repect by your hosts. But if that's difficult, you could always hound the "royals" and hurl scatological commentary at them. The stocks are most pleasant this time of year.

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:53 am

Nanohedron wrote:but at least I'm exempt, thankfully, from wearing RenFest drag

Luuuccckyy!

How's the weather been? The last time I went there were torrential rains and I was 'garbed' in mud by the end of the day. The MinnRenFest is the only RenFest I've ever been to although this one in Maryland sounds worth attending just to meet Pat Olwell.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:05 am

AaronMalcomb wrote:
Nanohedron wrote:but at least I'm exempt, thankfully, from wearing RenFest drag
Luuuccckyy!

How's the weather been? The last time I went there were torrential rains and I was 'garbed' in mud by the end of the day. The MinnRenFest is the only RenFest I've ever been to although this one in Maryland sounds worth attending just to meet Pat Olwell.

Although we finally got a bunch of much-needed rain and I believe that at least locally the drought's over, for the past few days it's been sunny and clear. As for the target dates, well, time will tell. Today's conditions would be ideal RenFesting weather for most people; I'd prefer cloudy skies. As far as I'm concerned we could use more rain, only Heaven grant the sorely afflicted and washed-away south-east of Minnesota be spared.

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:07 am

Nanohedron wrote:Why was a movie about Minnesota titled for a city in North Dakota? Stupid

See, the plot (you know the deal, the whole deal) was set into motion in Fargo. But the average movie-goer doesn't put those things together. Then again the Coen brothers don't really make movies with the average movie-goer in mind.

You're right though, affecting a Minnesota accent is de rigeur at the MinnRenFest, or anything in Minnesota. Especially the State Fair. Nobody will understand you otherwise.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:19 am

AaronMalcomb wrote:
Nanohedron wrote:Why was a movie about Minnesota titled for a city in North Dakota? Stupid
See, the plot (you know the deal, the whole deal) was set into motion in Fargo. But the average movie-goer doesn't put those things together. Then again the Coen brothers don't really make movies with the average movie-goer in mind.

Oh. Never saw the whole flick, I have to admit. There was only one truly real Minnesota accent that I heard out of all of what I did see, and that was the fellow shovelling ice off of his driveway.

AaronMalcomb wrote:You're right though, affecting a Minnesota accent is de rigeur at the MinnRenFest, or anything in Minnesota. Especially the State Fair. Nobody will understand you otherwise.

Well, hey, that's just a fact, there, dontcha know.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:17 pm

Nanohedron wrote:Oh, and as for your query about Dos and Don'ts, Annie, definitely affect an exaggerated faux-Minnesota accent (think the movie Fargo. Why was a movie about Minnesota titled for a city in North Dakota? Stupid). It will be taken as a mark of repect by your hosts. But if that's difficult, you could always hound the "royals" and hurl scatological commentary at them. The stocks are most pleasant this time of year.

We'll be in the company of a couple of genuine Minnesotans, so I think we'll be safe. Of course, I am well versed in the required commentary for heckling...

... and I can hide behind hubby and friend when the strongarmers are searching for me.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:21 pm

AaronMalcomb wrote:
Nanohedron wrote:Why was a movie about Minnesota titled for a city in North Dakota? Stupid
See, the plot (you know the deal, the whole deal) was set into motion in Fargo. But the average movie-goer doesn't put those things together. Then again the Coen brothers don't really make movies with the average movie-goer in mind.

You're right though, affecting a Minnesota accent is de rigeur at the MinnRenFest, or anything in Minnesota. Especially the State Fair. Nobody will understand you otherwise.

The Miinesota couple who are escorting us on this venture were in Texas at the time Fargo hit the theatres, and were not really surprised to find themselves the only ones laughing at a good many spots that the rest of the audience just didn't 'get'.

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:46 pm

anniemcu wrote:The Minnesota couple who are escorting us on this venture were in Texas at the time Fargo hit the theatres, and were not really surprised to find themselves the only ones laughing at a good many spots that the rest of the audience just didn't 'get'.

The scene with the authentic accent that Nano mentioned is classic. People make fun of me when I talk to my North Dakota family members on the phone because even though I don't have the accent, the conversations are pretty similar: mostly monosyllabic or very understated.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:09 pm

Understatement is revered wherever Norwegians have settled and lent anything of their values to the community; they are masters of it, and IMO we have them to thank for it. It's an art form underappreciated elsewhere.

I.D.10-t · Post by **I.D.10-t** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:00 am

Well it seems that the old thread is not coming back, so I will restate my prior suggestions.

This weekend is the “Irish heritage celebration”.

The mead booth usually has some music and is in a nice shady spot. If you drink the mead do not drink the mint flavored mead, all of the others are fine and the Egyptian Mead is very good. There is a juggler/slack rope walker named Tuey that has a pretty good act. The “Tastes like Burning Fire Show” is also pretty good. The comedy shows that I have seen (“Puke and Snot” and the “Tortuga Twins”) are well done, but too crass for my taste. There are about 3 glass blowing shops and 1-2 lamp work shop that are fun to watch, but you can see them working pretty much any time.

We went on a day that was rained out by 4:30 so we ended up leaving when everyone else did. The line to get out can be long and so we usually leave 30 minutes early.

The MN fair is large, show up early, get a map, prioritize who you want to see and when. Wear comfortable shoes that you do not mind getting dirty, it will make the walking more pleasant. It is also a good idea to bring a Hat or use sunscreen. When we go we usually fill a 1L bottle 2/3 full of water and freeze it and refill it with water most of the day.

Have fun.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:42 am

Thanks, I.D.! I had already forgotten most of that from the original post.

I got to visit the site of the Minne faire a couple of years ago, when I was up there with my friend... not at faire time, and it was really neat to walk all around the place with almost no people whatever there (I know there were a few folk working on a couple of buildings, but that was it.) It is an absolutely beautiful site!!

I've been to the St. Louis and Kansas City Ren Fests, and they were great fun, but I really think the Minne will be even better... just due to the setting.