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Bardic Arts

hosted/organized by Sabyn Windslow

The Quad War site (Adelheim) has a lovely Bardic grove complete with fire pit, benches and a some fire wood (please feel free to add to it, it is filled by volunteers and donations). The area is well treed with gentle banks for theater style seating available. Bards are welcome here anytime to share their talents and entertain the good folk attending the event.

For suggestions, connect with Sabyn Windslow

Barding Etiquette

On Merchants’ Row

  1. Try to find a place to perform that does not impede the flow of traffic, and be cognizant of merchants having conversations with their customers.
  2. Tipping/ treats may happen but should not be expected. When it happens, be gracious.
  3. Ask permission before entering a camp to perform. Entering a camp is like walking into someone’s home. They may be happy to host a bard at that moment, or they may have other things on the go.
  4. Be encouraging and let the performers know you appreciate their effort. It may be the first public performance for that bard and it takes courage to do.
  5. Courtesy: Ask if anyone would like to hear a song or two. Ask the surrounding merchants if they would mind you performing bardic beside their booth.

Around the site General

  1. Try not to monopolize the party or campfire. Give others a chance.
  2. At the same time, you want to keep the party going so if you see an opportunity or the entertainment lulls, seize it.
  3. Other, more formal bardic circles have rules and protocols, so it’s best to know what they are before blasting out your favorite tavern song.
  4. Know your audience. Singing bawdy tavern songs while children are running around is not proper.
  5. Try to keep it light and fun during the day and bring out the bawdy tavern songs at night.
  6. Similarly, if people are wanting to party, it would not be a good time to bring out that Gregorian chant you’ve been working on.
  7. As for performances, anything goes! Songs, stories, dance, instrumental… bring it on! And have FUN.

Wednesday, July 1

Bardic Circle: The Surly Duke Tavern: 20:00 onwards

hosted by The Surly Duke & sourly squires

Back by popular demand (well, he paid us to say that! lol), His Grace Rorik hosts The Surly Duke Tavern. It is sure to bring you delight!

In the early days, a communal fire drew the people and hearth meant home. It was a place where friends separated geographically would come to meet and catch up. It was where the newcomer was introduced to the fold and where the old-timer told stories of the golden ages past. The eye seeks it, the heart yearns for its warmth.

Carrying on that tradition, The Surly Duke Tavern wishes to make known that on Wodin’s Day (Wednesday to all you unlucky enough to not be Norse) evening its doors will be open down at the bardic circle area. The fire will be lit, the lights on, the wood stacked, the benches out, the drinks chilling and the welcome mat rolled out. All are welcome, with a special and heartfelt invitation to those who are new to our family or who have been away too long.

Come, sing a song, do a dance, tell a tale, drum, entertain the crowd as you can. But be advised, this is no bardic competition, this is a rowdy, noisy friendly medieval tavern where the masses gather. All forms of entertainment, whether filked song, Monty Python monologue, rhyming little SCA ditty will be welcome. If you come and offer a performance, the Surly Duke will wet your whistle at the bar as his personal “thank you”.

The tavern will have a limited quantity of cider, mead, fruit juices and other liquids on hand to provide a free round to the bards who perform.

So, come down, greet your old friends, meet some new ones, mingle, impress the lord or lady of your affection, play a game, sing along, enjoy the troubadours. Come, bring a friend, bring two, make one or two. We are all strangers here until we are family. I have it on good authority that Their Majesties will be attending

Thursday, July 2

Bardic Circle: 20:00 onwards

Available for quiet open bardic: Come share your tales and songs by the fireside at the bardic Circle

Friday, July 3

Bardic Busking: Merchants’ Row and the Erics (day)

Always a great spot to take in medieval busking. Generally takes place during the day, but may also happen during midnight madness event. Our wonderful merchants encourage more street performances and can be quite generous with performing bards.

San Ignatius Ships’ Crew Pig Roast (18:00 onwards)

hosted by Privateer ship San Ignatius; location: at the Castle

The crew of the Privateer ship San Ignatius has confirmed that we are making landfall on Friday (July 3rd) at Quad War Castle.

We will open the Castle doors at 6pm, food served at 7pm. At 8:30 p.m. we ask all smalls to vacate the castle when we bring up the war-chests full of rainbow-y deliciousness in all of their jiggly glory. Also we will have a barrel of grog and spear-the-beer!

Menu is: roast pig, salad, bread rolls. Dessert: All the jell-o with a punch you can eat (while supplies last).

Cost: by donation! The party is loosely pirate themed, but not required, so dress up or grab an eye patch if you desire. See you there!

Bardic Circle: Quiet Bardic: 20:00 onwards

Available for quiet open bardic: Come share your tales and songs by the fireside at the bardic Circle

Saturday, July 4

Bardic War Point: At the Erics: 17:00 – 18:30

Welcome everyone to the Quad War Bard-Off!

Come out and show the Kingdom what your Barony is made of! Bring your best weapons to bear – stories, poems, songs, puppet shows, dances, and musical instruments! Competing for the War Point, contestants will work to wow the audience with their skills and showcase the talents laying dormant in their Baronies.

This battle of charisma will be taking place in the erics, right after court & dessert auction! Non-contestants, come out and cheer on your local bards as they put everything on the line for this all out battle to prove who is the best at Bardic! Your cheers will usher the performers to victory! Witness antics of all shapes and sizes, with tales to amaze and dances to bedazzle.

Any entrants looking to join in can speak to Sabyn Windslow

Bardic Circle: Quiet Bardic: 20:00 onwards

Available for quiet open bardic: Come share your tales and songs by the fireside at the bardic Circle

Cask & Castle Caravans: 20:00 onwards

The Cask & Castle Caravans will be traveling to several host Caravan Stops, where Bardic entertainment will be found Join the Fancy Tour or the Rowdy tour to be entertained at the various host groups.

NOTE: this is a fundraising activity. Details can be found on the fundraising page. The evening will likely end at Dwarf Hollow or the Bardic Circle.

Wench Wars: 20:00 onwards

At the tavern on Merchants’ Row; hosted by HG Nasheeta