[Nordskogen] RE: Regarding demos: LONG -- somewhat shorter response

[Jean Quinn-Davis]

Baroness Bridget here.  Even though I no longer routinely participate in 
local demos, I have an opinion here (big surprise).

While the sentiments expressed herein are surely noble and worthy goals, I'm 
concerned that to be so strict at demos, would present a misleading picture 
of the SCA and (as the good Maestra hints at, in her last paragraph) could 
have the effect of less people participating.

One of the many things that I love about the SCA is that its participation 
requirement specifically states "...an attempt..." at period garb, with the 
corresponding assumption of a similar attempt for the other props in this 
game.  If we limit (even by such a mild measure as peer-pressure) (and yes, 
I did intend the pun) demo participation to only those with 
period-everything, we're presenting a picture of the SCA that just isn't so 
(even though we may wish it to be).  Such rigor can be intimidating to 
people whose interests are still forming or being explored.

I suppose it comes down to:
- Do we only want to attract new people who are willing to be as authentic 
as possible, as soon as possible, in everything?  If so, then -- yeah, let's 
do this thingy.

As to the requirements for SCA particpants at the Renaissance Fair: the RF 
is a commercial enterprise with its own existing rules.  SCA participation 
-should- be by its rules.  The SCA's own demos are an entirely different 
animal.

An additional side thought:  has Caponi (or any other demo-venue) requested 
more authenticity from us or complained?

My two pence/farthing/pfennig/trade-bead-of-choice -- Bridget


>From: Giovanna <valkyr8 at yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: The Hall of Nordskogen <nordskogen at nordskogen.northshield.org>
>To: Barony Nordskogen <nordskogen at nordskogen.northshield.org>,Tor Aerie 
><toraerie at minstrel.com>, Nordleigh <nordleigh at stolaf.edu>
>Subject: [Nordskogen] Regarding demos: LONG
>Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 09:14:39 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Greetings.
>
>   After the Caponi demo last year I started thinking that perhaps having 
>some general guidelines for demos would be a good thing.  I spoke to 
>several people who agreed that it was a good thing, so I am sharing my 
>ideas with the Barony and Cantons.
>
>   Please note that these are MY thoughts on the subject of demos and 
>should not be viewed as opinions by the organizer of the Caponi demo, the 
>Barony, or the SCA in general.
>
>   What is our Goal?  I feel our goal is 2-fold: one is to provide a group 
>of individuals demonstrating period activities to add color to a 
>Shakespeare weekend and the other is to inform the public of the SCA's 
>existence to provide legitimacy to our organization and also to attract 
>possible new members.
>
>   How to meet these goals/ how do we present ourselves?
>   It is my opinion that the Caponi demo provides Nordskogen with the 
>chance to present ourselves as a professional organization. With this in 
>mind I feel that each participant should take it upon themselves to be the 
>best representative of what the SCA has to offer by doing the following:
>
>   1) Leave your modern stuff at home.  Modern foot ware, modern clothes, 
>modern furniture, modern tools, modern tents/ shade flys, etc.  This 
>includes discussion of modern topics.  Things exempt: modern medical needs 
>(glasses, canes/ crutches/ hearing aides, epi pens, medication).  If you 
>only have modern things, please keep them under cover or in something else 
>so they are not strewn about.
>
>   A personal pet peeve of mine is the use of Camp Chairs (also referred to 
>as bag chairs).  There is nothing period about these chairs and no amount 
>of draping/ covering/ etc. will make this chair attractive in any way.  
>Using a wooden chair, stool, bench, box or even sitting on the ground are 
>all far better choices and I would encourage each of you who typically use 
>this item to consider one of the above as an alternative.
>
>   2) Have something to do.  Bring a game and invite visitors to play.  
>Bring weaving and invite people to try it. The purpose of a demo is to 
>engage people so bring things that allow you to interact and allow new 
>people to try.  This is not a social event but a time to speak to modern 
>visitors.
>
>   3) Arrive early so you have plenty of time to ready yourself before the 
>public arrive.  If you are arriving after the demo has begun, come dressed 
>and ready to go.
>
>   4) Bring period items to dress up the site.  Banners are great.  Period 
>tents/ shade flys are wonderful, period chairs, tables, etc.
>
>   5) Wear your best stuff.  By this I mean wear the items that are most 
>appropriate for your persona and are made out of the appropriate fabric.  
>Try your best to eliminate cotton (unless that is a correct fiber for you), 
>poly (this is just a good idea in general), and all other non-period 
>fibers.  Use linen, wool or silk.  Accessorize with appropriate items, 
>which includes period head coverings and period hairstyles.
>
>   If you are uncertain about your kit, or need help, or would like to 
>demonstrate something and all you have are modern implements, let me 
>know!!!!  There are lots of people in the Barony who have period items that 
>can be shared.  If you want to participate, there are those of us who can 
>make it happen!
>
>   It is my opinion that anyone can meet these goals.  For those who may 
>consider this to be unreasonable I have included the requirements for 
>people participating in the SCA section at the Fisher Renaissance Faire in 
>IN.  The Barony of Sternfelds (home of my apprentice Margaretta) has been 
>contracted for the second year to provide a period display of artisans/ 
>craftsman and fighters.  Below are the standards for their participation.
>
><begin Requirements>
>
>Dress/Garb
>What is wanted are people using natural fibers of the medieval period in 
>garb that is cut to period patterns. This gets a bit complicated by the 
>fact that we have some SCA regulations that are harder to get around (see 
>references to fencing and heavy below).
>If you are doing a craft or being color that will interact closely with the 
>patrons, all of your visible garb needs to be of period materials and 
>patterns.
>
>The most common period fibers in Europe were linen, silk, and wool. Use 
>those. There are a number of sources to get such cloth inexpensively. No 
>cotton, cotton/poly blends, or man-made fibers. If you have an outfit that 
>requires material that would be outrageously expensive, it is permissible 
>to make a non-period substitution. Cotton velvet in place of silk velvet is 
>an example of this. Linen/cotton blends are another example. Such 
>substitutions should be kept to a minimum. Filler material that can’t be 
>seen, such as interfacing or the interior layers of a jack or arming coat 
>can be any material.
>Seams that are visible need to be hand stitched or at least look like they 
>were hand stitched. Using a hem stitch or blind-stitch machine attachment 
>will do this. Hidden seams can be machine stitched.
>Please note that this is not the same as “skin-out” authenticity. What you 
>wear under your garb is up to you. Hand stitching everything is encouraged 
>(and applauded!) but not required.
>
>Shoes
>Shoes need to look NOT modern. Having a non-treaded rubber sole to reduce 
>wear from modern surfaces (concrete, crushed gravel, etc.) is fine.
>
>Fencers and Fighters
>If you are fencing, your fencing gear is armor and will not have to be 
>changed. Four layers of cotton trigger is the armor standard and there is 
>no need to see if other fibers will pass a punch test.
>If you are fighting heavy, then “nothing obviously modern” is the rule.  
>Light and heavy fighters both will still need to meet the Midrealm armor 
>standards. Where this conflicts with authenticity, the armor standard wins. 
>For instance, hand protection was not used prior to about 1300 AD. However, 
>it is a requirement to fight on the list field. Therefore, even if it is an 
>anachronism, you need to use hand protection of some kind that meets the 
>armor standards. Likewise for the fencers: Fencing helms would be great but 
>fencing masks will be just fine for this.
>
>Tools
>The tools of our craft should look period. While they don’t have to be 
>museum-quality reproductions, they will have to look akin to examples from 
>the appropriate period. To that end handles should be of wood (if 
>appropriate for the tool) instead of plastic. It probably should not be 
>neon pink wood. Choose steel/iron tools over aluminum, etc. If you are 
>using modern tools such as screw clamps to hold work, you need to find how 
>it was held by medieval craftsmen.
>
>   Furniture
>Furniture needs to look period and cannot be made of plywood. Dana doesn’t 
>want it to look like it came from a patio set. Directors chairs and bag 
>chairs are also not allowed. Tables can have a modern top if they are 
>covered by a cloth but still need period legs/trestles/support.
>
>Modern items
>Essential modern items are fine; this includes eyeglasses and hearing aids. 
>The committee doesn’t want to deprive anyone of their senses. Non-essential 
>modern items are out; watches, tobacco, and cell phones, etc. Put them in a 
>chest so that you can access them if you have to but so the public can’t 
>see them—and turn off alarms and ringers.
>
>   What we cannot have
>Obviously modern, non-essential accoutrement's.
>Obviously modern shoes.
>Blatantly modern armor unless required by our rules. Fencing masks and cups 
>are in.
>Modern boxes, tools, or other implements on display. Once you are done 
>using the #2 Philips screwdriver to set up your table, put it away.
>
>What we have to do
>We need to give good demonstrations of period arts and sciences.
>Use period tools and techniques. Try to brush up on the history of the 
>craft. Be prepared to answer questions about it. A craftsman that is doing 
>beautiful work but can’t answer questions such as “How long have people 
>done that?” “What do these patterns mean?” “How much were you paid for this 
>work?” isn’t educating the public very much.
>
>What we cannot/should not do
>Other than answering questions about where to find out more about our 
>wonderful organization, we should limit “SCA talk” to private areas away 
>from the patrons of the Faire. It is just more anachronisms that we can’t 
>explain easily.
>Keep our SCA items that denote SCA-specific association or rank out of 
>sight. Tuck away the Laurel medallion or the Dragon’s Tooth. We are all 
>proud of the symbols of our achievements, but they are SCA culture, not 
>medieval culture. Colored belts are fine, but please remember that the 
>Middle Ages didn’t identify dependants with belts—i.e., a green belt is a 
>green belt, not an apprentice belt.
>   <end requirements>
>
>   This post was not meant to keep people at home, but simply to provide 
>another way of thinking about this and other demos.  If you would like to 
>discuss this topic with me I will be at the business meeting on the 19th 
>and the meeting on the 26th.
>
>   In service,
>
>   Giovanna
>
>
>
>
>
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