[Nordskogen] Details about Caponi Demo

[Chris Mortika]

Hello, folks.  christian here.  I just got off the phone with Becky 
Mowbry, our contact person at the Caponi Art Park.  Here's the specifics 
as she explained them:

PLACE: Caponi Art Park  1205 Diffley Rd Eagan, MN 55123 (651) 454-9412 
DATE: Saturday, July 29th, 2006
TIME: Earliest we can be on site: Friday night if we'd like.
       Stuff unloaded and cars back in lot: 1:00 pm
       Officially open to the public: 2:00 pm till 5:00 pm
       "Comedy of Errors" showing elsewhere in the park: 6:00 pm
       Latest we can be on site: Sunday, if we'd like.

They'd been calling it the "Elizabethan Festival" in previous years, but 
their marketting people felt that not enough people in Eagan knew what 
"Elizabethan" meant.  So this year, they've changed the name to "Medieval 
Faire."  We'll see if that works any better.

They had a rededication / anniversary of the park last month, and had over 
1200 people attend and take informational flyers.  So, potentially, there 
may be a lot more people coming through this year, particularly if the 
weather's nice.

WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO SEE:
*  "As much as Nordskogen and our friends can bring."

*  When I pressed them for specifics, Becky said that they'd like to see 
an increase in family-based hands-on activities.  THEY ARE WILLING TO 
REIMBURSE US THE COST OF MATERIALS.

(Within reason, Cad.)

*So, is there any way to get a scriptorium set up to demonstrate actual 
calligraphy and illumination?

* Hey, there must be a synergy in the air. Becky said that they are trying 
very hard to distinguish themselves from the Minnesota Renaissance 
Festival, and in particular are trying to emphasize authenticity and 
inclusion.  By "inclusion" she means that she likes the fact that we draw 
people in to participate with us, rather than performing for them.

So, speaking as the coordinator of the demo, I'd like to spell out some of 
the "authenticity guidelines":

   -  Everyone in Nordskogen (well, and all Northshield) is invited to par-
      ticipte, even if you're new, even if you're not a paid member,
      even if you haven't done anything like this before.
   -  Limit blatant modern equipment if feasable.
   -  If you're using modern equipment, at least KNOW that the equipment is
      modern and feel free to explain why you've chosen to use it anyways.
      The SCA isn't a Living History group, and it's a fair representation
      to reveal that we are at different levels of authenticity (says the
      guy with the plastic recorders...)
   -  Try to keep conversations centered on authentic topics.  How we
      simulate heavy weapons, or where people can buy calligraphy supplies
      are authentic topics.  "City of Heroes" is not.
   -  Don't feel a need to stay "in persona" in conversations with people,
      but don't feel barred from doing so, either.

* I mentioned the Complete Anachronist pamphlets, and she was excited. 
She thinks that if we had a selection of basic "how to" issues 
(beginning dance, sewing, cooking, brewing, etc.) for sale, they 
would be very popular.

Anne, is there a way we can buy some copies in bulk, sell them, and stay 
within the guidelines of the Exchequer?

*She was even more excited when I said we'd be holding baronial 
championships there.  She thinks the idea of a Baronial Court would be 
fabulous.

* There will not be an over-amplified Punch-and-Judy show.  The three 
hours is ours.

Any other questions I can answer?

--Christian