[Nordskogen] RE: Demos

[Lieder, Lisa]

I agree with everyone:

 

1. We should make an extra effort to "put our best foot forward" at
demos.

2. We should not exclude those who are new. 

Anyone can attend a demo and everyone should look at two things:

 

1.    What is the intent of the demo? Is it to educate people about the
SCA or about the Middle Ages? If it is the former then you can put less
effort into your kit and can attend if your main interest in the SCA is
fun rather than authenticity. If the intent is the latter then you
really do need to contribute to the public's knowledge of the Middle
Ages. If the intent is both, then assume that you need to meet both (you
can recruit while also educating but you cannot educate without putting
your time into your own presentation). 

2.    What you are offering (not partaking) for the public by attending
the demo. 

a.    Are you a new person who is there to make other new people feel
welcome? Then do some research into what period you are portraying and
where you fall short. You can then educate the public on why you have
made the choices you have and how the group welcomes people at any stage
who are open to learning more about the various periods from 600-1600. 

b.    Do you have a period art to demonstrate but not the right clothes?
Talk to others in the group to see what you can borrow. We are all open
to sharing. If we set time at our own weekly meetings to ensure that
anyone going to a demo is properly "kitted" then we are doing a service
to ourselves and to the people involved in the demo. 

 

The final point is that we need to challenge ourselves to present a
tableau as a community:

If you don't have a kit 

1.    Borrow those parts of a kit that you do not have--you might make a
new friend. 

2.    Don't bring your camp chair--trust that someone will bring a
bench. 

If you do have a kit

1.    Bring anything anyone could use-not just the stuff you need. Extra
shade flies, benches, chairs, etc. are all welcome additions. 

2.    If you have a lovely chair but are fit enough to sit on the
ground--do so. That leaves your chair open for someone less able. 

3.    Bring period food to share.

4.    Talk to new people and let them know what you will be doing and
how much you would appreciate their being there to talk about it with
people going by and introducing those who ask questions they can't
answer. 

For everyone

1.    Think through and research who you are portraying. When and where
did they live? Were they religious? What animals did they own? Did they
keep the animals in a barn or in the house? Were they married?  

2.    Get there early and be dressed. 

3.    Bring something to do or be available so someone else can focus on
what they are doing while you focus on sharing their art with the
public. 

4.    Be open to conversation and be there to give back. 

 

SCA events are our time to partake in our hobby, demos are our time to
give back to the larger society that allows us to exist tax free and
relatively welcomed by many people who will never be a part of the SCA.