[Nordskogen] RE: Demos

[Gwen Trevirensis]

>>welcomed by many people who will * never* be a part of the SCA.

Gee, have you ever asked yourself why that might be?

More fodder for thought...

Gwen

On 7/17/06, Lieder, Lisa <Lisa.Lieder at bestbuy.com> wrote:
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
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